Latin American Economy & Business

Economy & Business - May 2025

President Daniel Noboa won his re-election bid in April with a wider-than-expected margin of 11 percentage points over his left-wing challenger Luisa González.

Economy & Business - April 2025

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LEADER
- Any silver lining for Latin America in Washington’s trade war?
ANDEAN COUNTRIES
- COLOMBIA: Sabre-rattling grows as referendum marks early campaigning
- BOLIVIA: Fuel shortages take their toll
- VENEZUELA: Public sector pays price for electricity shortages
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
BRAZIL & SOUTHERN CONE
- BRAZIL: Tax breaks and cheap credit are to kick start growth
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
- EL SALVADOR: IMF confirms US$1.4bn financing agreement
- HONDURAS: National blackout highlights continued issues in energy sector
- TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: US revokes licences for Trinidad-Venezuela gas projects
- ST LUCIA: Strong growth but debt burden still heavy
- REGION: Food security still a cause for concern
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
MEXICO & USMCA
- MEXICO: Gov’t seeks to soften blow of US automotive tariffs
- MEXICO: World Bank prescribes policies for poverty reduction
- MEXICO: Teachers’ protests set to intensify despite concessions
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

US President Donald Trump’s tariff war has been described as the biggest blow to the global trade order in a century.

Economy & Business - March 2025

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LEADER
- Trump’s deportation drive threatens Mexican remittances
ANDEAN COUNTRIES
- ECUADOR: Economic growth hinges on curbing violence
- COLOMBIA: Ecopetrol in a quandary
- PERU: Plans advance for major railway expansion
- BOLIVIA: First steel plant begins production
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
BRAZIL & SOUTHERN CONE
- URUGUAY: Orsi straddles growth and welfare objectives
- ARGENTINA: Is Milei serious about a trade deal with the US?
- CHILE: Copper exports surge as investments pay off
- BRAZIL: Gol and Azul merger to strengthen aviation industry
- REGION: MercadoLibre defies weak regional economies
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
- PANAMA: World Bank highlights structural issues holding back development
- COSTA RICA: Chaves vetoes bill on low-cost flights
- GUYANA: Government plans shift to gas
- GRENADA: Post Beryl economic bounce-back
- JAMAICA: Politicians divided over recession fears
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
MEXICO & USMCA
- MEXICO: Pemex plagued by crude oil quality issues
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum lays out tourism targets
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

The return to power of Donald Trump in the US has raised concerns over the impact that the volatile leader’s drive to deport illegal migrants and ramp up border security could have on remittances in Mexico, where they represent the largest single source of foreign income.

Economy & Business - February 2025

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LEADER
- Cloud of inflation hangs over Lula in Brazil
ANDEAN COUNTRIES
- VENEZUELA: Could Trump be Maduro’s economic lifeline?
- COLOMBIA: Tourist arrivals smash records in 2024
- BOLIVIA: Another Fitch downgrade as problems mount
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
BRAZIL & SOUTHERN CONE
- CHILE: Pension reform prompts guarded optimism
- ARGENTINA: Milei notches up economic victories
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
- COSTA RICA: Rains and labour shortages add to structural issues in coffee sector
- NICARAGUA: Ortega revives plan for interoceanic canal
- REGION: Economic growth unchanged for 2025 but risks are growing
- CUBA: Government announces new dollarisation moves
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
MEXICO & USMCA
- MEXICO: Plan México to boost national industry, keep China in check
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum to invest in road infrastructure
- MEXICO: New EU trade deal aims to up trade and cooperation
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum advances constitutional reform on GM corn
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

Halfway through President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s four-year term, the resurgence of inflation is throwing a wrench into his plan for Brazil.

Economy & Business - January 2025

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LEADER
- Coming up: a surge in Caribbean debt-for-climate swaps?
ANDEAN COUNTRIES
- COLOMBIA: Finance minister replaced amid budget drama
- ECUADOR: IMF praise, but deep problems persist
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
BRAZIL & SOUTHERN CONE
- REGION: Mercosur and EU seal the deal, again
- ARGENTINA: Growth and IMF raise Milei success prospect
- BRAZIL: Rising debt weighs on economic prospects
- BRAZIL: Lower house plugs holes in tax reform
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
- EL SALVADOR: Bukele moves to restart mining
- GUATEMALA: Approved budget increases social spending
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS
MEXICO & USMCA
- MEXICO: Gov’t strengthens labour rights in gig economy
- MEXICO: Fighting monopoly power: Antitrust watchdog fines Walmex
- MEXICO: Cost of crime growing for businesses
- MEXICO: US requests dispute settlement panels amid trade tensions
- ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS

Caribbean countries are caught in a vice.