Mercosur
MercosurPeso Holds Firm in Argentina
Argentina's peso held firm against the dollar Monday as banks and foreign currency houses reopened after a weeklong shutdown and as a new economy minister was taking charge.
Strong support for Uruguay
Uruguay has been promised an additional one billion US dollars to support its financial system that has been exposed to the impact of Argentina's current political and economic turmoil.
Uruguay to Keep Relations With Cuba
Uruguay's President Jorge Batlle said Saturday his country will maintain consular relations with Cuba, despite a deep row between the two countries in recent weeks.
Lagos expects quick ratification
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos said he expects Congressional opposition will understand the importance of the recent association agreement between Chile and the European Union and help with its legislative approval.
Changes in slow motion
Venezuelan president Hugo Chaves named this Sunday veteran political leader and former Defence Minister José Vicente Rangel as his new vicepresident, a vital post in the government structure.
Markets trust test for Mr. Lavagna
Incoming Argentine Minister of Economy Roberto Lavagna confirmed a floating currency, no price controls and a clear willingness to follow and comply with the reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund, IMF, according to interviews in Buenos Aires Sunday newspapers.
Argentina Names Economic Minister
Argentina's president enlisted a trade specialist and former diplomat to be his economy minister on Friday, the sixth person recruited over the last year for the job of rescuing a ravaged economy and a financial system bordering on collapse.
Chile reaches free trade agreement with Brussels
The European Commission and Chile on Friday agreed a broad political and commercial accord that was expected to lead to a liberalised trade agreement once the details were ratified by the 15 European Union governments.
More time for Duhalde
More exhausted than convinced Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde announced that the long overnight talks with the provincial governors had resulted in a fourteen points program to be implemented in the next three months.
Dramatic hours
With Congress divided on the crucial issue of converting frozen bank deposits into Government bonds, and with the IMF still refusing to grant an aid package, Argentina's Minister of Economy Jorge Remes Lenicov resigned plunging the country into a political crisis of unpredictable consequences.
