Stories for March 2015

Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 08:17 UTC
Brazil raises benchmark interest to 12.75%, highest level since 2009

Brazil’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate to 12.75% Wednesday, the highest level since 2009, as it struggles to get price increases under control amid sluggish economic growth and deepening political turmoil.
Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 07:39 UTC
Prosecutor appeals ruling dismissing Argentine president involvement in Iran cover up complaint

While Argentina's Federal Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita filed an appeal against Judge Daniel Rafecas’ ruling dismissing late Alberto Nisman’s AMIA cover-up complaint against President Cristina Fernández and top administration officials, the government published in major newspapers an ad praising Rafecas' decision and suggesting a 'destabilization plan'.
Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 07:25 UTC
Car sales in Argentina plunge; worst February since 2009

The second month of the year marked another negative result for auto sales in Argentina, which dropped 28% compared to February last year, showing how the sector’s downward trend appears to have no end in sight. Only 41,998 vehicles were sold last month, according to the ACARA Argentine car dealership association, the lowest figure for the month since 2009.
Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 07:11 UTC
Rousseff faces a revolt in Congress from her ruling coalition main ally

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, (and her political mentor Lula da Silva), raced on Wednesday to defuse a rebellion by legislators upset about her budget austerity plans and her handling of a corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras, which now threatens political stability.
Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 06:41 UTC
Malvinas war veterans will take their torture case to an international court

Malvinas war veterans who had claimed to be victims of abuse and torture by their superior officers during the Falklands conflict of 1982 will take the matter up with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the CECIM centre of former soldiers from La Plata announced.
Thursday, March 5th 2015 - 06:23 UTC
UK/Latam links have seen 36% rise in trade and investment, says minister

Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire underlined the growing links of the United Kingdom with Latin America during the state visit of president Enrique Peña Nieto from Mexico, a country with which he feels a close affinity, and is 'integral to the success of the UK”.
Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 22:14 UTC
Argentina/Chile celebrate Tierra del Fuego mines-free; Rossi claims UK impedes mine-clearance in Falklands

Argentina and Chile defense ministers, Agustín Rossi and Jorge Burgos, attended this week a historic ceremony in which they signed a document declaring Tierra del Fuego free of anti-personal mines. During the meeting minister Rossi blamed the UK for not allowing Argentina to clear the mines in the Falklands/Malvinas Islands.
Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 06:17 UTC
Argentine Justices call for an end to impunity and to disputes among government branches

Argentina's Supreme Court opened on Tuesday a new term with the head Justice Ricardo Lorenzetti delivering a very much awaited speech calling for 'an end to impunity' and a strong reply to harsh comments by President Cristina Fernandez on Sunday, renewing her administration’s criticism against the judicial system.
Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 06:14 UTC
Brazil's currency at its weakest since September 2004...and sliding

The Brazilian Real reached on Tuesday its weakest level against the dollar in more than 10 years, amid concern the country’s political and economic situation is growing worse.
Wednesday, March 4th 2015 - 05:38 UTC
Petrobras corruption: top prosecutor hands the Supreme Court names of 54 politicians

Brazil's top prosecutor Rodrigo Janot asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to open an investigation into 54 politicians who allegedly benefited from a multibillion-dollar kickback scheme at state-run oil company Petrobras a Supreme Court spokesperson said on Tuesday.