Latin America
Brazil’s populist president names liberal finance minister
Brazilian president Dilma Rouseff has appointed Joachim Levy to new Finance Minister post. But Levy faces many challenges if he is to balance Brazil’s budget. Guest post by Dr. Daniel
FARC peace process strained by new kidnapping
Colombia’s two year long peace talks between the government and the FARC were brought to a standstill on Sunday, November 16, following the capture of a top army general by
How Brazil is failing Petrobras
Petrobras has recently found itself mired in corruption scandals and holding sky-high debts that have led to the downgrade of its credit rating. Much of what’s behind the lagging performance
Tax cuts will not save Peru’s mining sector from falling prices
Recently proposed tax cuts demonstrate the Peruvian government’s attempt to deal with slower growth and stagnating foreign investment. Regardless, if mineral prices continue to fall, investment in extractive industries will not maintain the
Venezuela buckles up for oil price turbulence
Only just avoiding default in October, Venezuela now tries to get public budgets in order to keep investors on board. Yet, a major debt crisis is still the most likely
Will Correa’s amendments shift the ground in Ecuador?
Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa will push through a set of constitutional amendments before the end of this year. The amendments will likely produce more polarisation in the country, with the
Rousseff takes new tone on Brazil’s economic policy
Dilma Rousseff has announced liberal measures for the economy after re-election, but skepticism remains regarding the viability of more profound reforms as relations with the opposition reach rock bottom. In what has
China creates new trade route through Nicaragua canal
Construction on the Nicaragua canal is set to start in December. The government has proclaimed it to be an economic panacea. When the Nicaraguan National Assembly approved legislation with HKDN Group
Brazil elections: Rousseff and Neves vie for Brazil’s top position
The upcoming election for the Brazilian presidency is tight, pitting center-right Aecio Neves against incumbent Workers’ Party President Dilma Rousseff. The results could have major consequences for Brazil’s internal market,
Brazil elections: Why the left has already won
Whoever wins the Brazilian presidential elections will have to accommodate a powerful legislature dominated by left of center parties, opposed to macroeconomic adjustment and proposals to attract foreign investment. Although the
