Latin America

NEWSMAKERS: COLOMBIA   By Antonio Guerrero   Juan Manuel Santos Colombians have reaffirmed their support for conservative politics and economics, electing the newest member of a growing group of right-wing Latin American leaders. President-elect Juan Manuel Santos won the run-off ...

MILESTONES: LATIN AMERICA   Investment Floods Back To Latin America   By Antonio Guerrero   High and dry: Caribbean countries may miss out Following a hefty 42% yearon- year drop in FDI in Latin America last year, investors appear to ...

Roundup   By Antonio Guerrero   Hot property: Vale sells its aluminum business to Norsk Hydro In what is ranked as one of the largest acquisitions ever by a Norwegian company, Norway's Norsk Hydro aluminum producer signed a $4.9 billion ...

NEWSMAKERS: BOLIVIA   Rating Upgrade Vindicates Morales’s Policies   By Antonio Guerrero   Morales: High hopes for Bolivia’s econom y While many international investors have grown to distrust Bolivian president Evo Morales, a socialist who nationalized the hydrocarbons sector and telephone company, ...

Roundup   By Antonio Guerrero   Cotton on: End of trade battle gives hope in ethanol dispute The Brazilian government launched the second phase of its economic stimulus plan, this time involving an estimated $883 billion in infrastructure investments through ...

LATIN AMERICA   by Antonio Guerrero   REGIONAL WINNER: Banco Santander Brazil continues to shine as the jewel in Santander's crown, helping the Spanish bank consolidate its position as Latin America's premier financial group. Santander Brasil set a benchmark in ...

Mexico   By Antonio Guerrero   Calderó n: Boosting investors’ confidence in Mexico While Mexican president Felipe Calderón works to kick-start his nation's economy, badly hit by the US recession, international investors are encouraged by signs of recovery and have ...

RIGHT TURN   A rash of recent elections in Latin America has produced a marked swing to the political right. The region's new leaders are trying to strike a delicate balance as they attempt to build on their leftist predecessors' ...

Chile   By Antonio Guerrero   Piñera: Hoping to promote economic growth, despite crisis The massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Chile in late February caused hundreds of deaths, as well as destroying some 500,000 homes and damaging infrastructure. ...

Roundup   By Antonio Guerrero   Meirelles: Reining in Brazil’s stimulus measures Brazil’s central bank moved to tighten monetary policy by raising bank reserve requirements on term deposits from 13% to 15% as of April 9. The central bank had ...

Global Finance names the 2010 World’s Best Emerging Market Banks in Latin America   NEW YORK, March 23, 2010 — Global Finance magazine (www.gfmag.com) has named the "Best Emerging Market Banks in Latin America" in an exclusive survey to be ...

Roundup   By Antonio Guerrero   Nacional, part of Wal-Mart’s rapidly expanding Brazilian arm With Brazil’s strong economic recovery fueling consumer demand, local and international retailers are increasing their market presence. Retail sales are expected to grow by 12% in ...

  Dominican Republic   By Antonio Guerrero   About turn: Dominican Republic signs up to IMF program With investors hunting for yield, the stage is set for more “exotic” issuers to tap global markets for financing, including some previous defaulters. ...

Argentina   By Antonio Guerrero   Redrado: Rejected presidential order to resign Argentina’s central bank presidents have long received low grades for their lack of independence. The situation has been exacerbated under Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who has ...

Roundup   By Antonio Guerrero   Itaipu: Hydro plant blamed for near-nationwide blackout Banco do Brasil, controlled by the federal government, may seek up to $4.4 billion in primary and secondary share offerings during the first half of the year, ...

Banco do Brasil Establishes OTC-Traded DR Program   By GP   Banco do Brasil, one of the biggest banks in Latin America, has established an American depositary receipt program in the over-the-counter market. It selected BNY Mellon as depositary for ...

Mexico   By Antonio Guerrero   Calderón: Reform agenda is in danger of stalling Analysts had for months warned of an impending Mexico downgrade. When it finally came, it did so in the form of a one-two punch. In November ...

Retailer Aims To Cash In On Latin America’s Growth   By GP   With its network of department stores, home-improvement centers, supermarkets and consumer banks, Falabella is one of the leading diversified retailers in Latin America. It is teaming up ...

Roundup   By Antonio Guerrero   Too strong: Authorities fret over appreciation of Brazilian real The Brazilian government took the controversial step of reintroducing a 2% financial transactions tax on purchases of stocks and bonds by foreign investors that had ...

Panama   By Antonio Guerrero   Providing a lift: Canal expansion will boost Panama economy Panama is poised to become Latin America’s newest investment-grade-rated country. Standard & Poor’s pushed Panama closer to the coveted rating in November when it raised ...