Brazil

• Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 09:03 UTC

  Brazilian police challenge Rousseff and threaten to strike during the World Cup

  

  Only four weeks away from the World Cup and in a climate of growing social unrest Brazil police unions are threatening the government of President Dilma Rousseff with a national strike. For Rousseff it also means an additional challenge since on February 10 the ruling Workers Party will be launching her re-election bid for next October's presidential election.

• Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:47 UTC

  YPF buys a Petrobras Neuquén/Mendoza block with production of 10.000bpd

  

  Argentina oil company YPF has bought out Brazil player Petrobras to take over full ownership of an exploration block in Neuquen and Mendoza provinces. YPF agreed to pay 40.7 million dollars for Petrobras' operatorship and 38.45% stake in the Puesto Hernandez block, cutting short a joint venture due to expire in 2016, according to the Argentina explorer.

• Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:39 UTC

  Brazil's experiences the worst January trade balance in years: 4.06bn deficit

  

  Brazil's balance of trade began 2014 with disappointing results, after closing January with a deficit of 4.06 billion dollars, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Industry, Development and Foreign Trade. Exports totaled 16.02bn dollars, while imports reached 20.08bn.

• Friday, January 31st 2014 - 06:25 UTC

  Changes in the Brazilian cabinet with an eye on October elections

  

  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced changes in her Cabinet on Thursday with an eye on the October elections in which some of her current ministers will run for Congress and regional government posts. She is expected to launch her presidential re-election bid next 10 February.

• Wednesday, January 29th 2014 - 22:38 UTC

  Brazil can't be hostage of Argentina or Venezuela in Mercosur/EU trade negotiations

  

  The Brazilian government is determined to advance with negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union even if it means leaving Argentina for a second phase of the process, according to sources from Itamaraty, the country's foreign ministry, reported in the Rio do Janeiro media.

• Tuesday, January 28th 2014 - 21:58 UTC

  World Cup infrastructure delay is “a joke” says Brazil assistant coach

  

  A Brazil assistant coach says it is “a joke” that the country’s government took so long to begin the infrastructure work needed for this year’s World Cup which is scheduled to begin in June.

• Tuesday, January 28th 2014 - 05:00 UTC

  Brazil current account deficit ended 2013 at its widest in twelve years

  

  Brazil's current account ended 2013 at its widest deficit in 12 years amid a weakened foreign trade balance, heavy outgoing service payments, overseas profit remittances and an overall lack of confidence in the country's economic policies.

• Sunday, January 26th 2014 - 04:15 UTC

  Brazil: Hundreds protest against the World Cup

  

  Waving flags, carrying banners and chanting “there will be no Cup” at least 1,000 demonstrators protested in Sao Paulo on Saturday against the World Cup that Brazil will host later this year in a demonstration that devolved into violence late in the night.

• Saturday, January 25th 2014 - 00:28 UTC

  Mantega insists that the Mercosur/EU trade agreement includes Argentina

  

  Mercosur is preparing for trade negotiations with the European Union and they include Argentina, said on Friday Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega at the World Economic Forum taking place in Davos, Switzerland. The comment seems to contradict other recent statements which said the trade deal with the EU will go forward with or without a reluctant Argentina.

• Friday, January 24th 2014 - 03:35 UTC

  Mercosur/EU with their own problems still don't have a date to continue negotiations

  

  Mercosur and the European Union continue to work on their tariff reduction proposals list but have no scheduled date for negotiators to meet and advance on a long delayed trade agreement according to Uruguayan diplomatic sources. However what is certain is that when the date is agreed it will be clear if Mercosur consensus proposal will include all founding members of the group.