
Spanish unemployment rose to the highest in more than a decade in December, 19.3%, capping a year that saw the nation’s jobless rate soar to double the Euro- zone average. The number of people registering for unemployment benefits increased by 54,657, or 1.41 percentage points from November to 3.92 million.

Brazil’s Central Bank reserves soared 23.4% in the last twelve months having reached 239 billion US dollars by December 31st, according to the latest data available. Nevertheless the Central Bank points out that this was below the December 2nd record of 239.4 billion USD.

Uruguayan exports dropped 8.71% and imports 17.62% during 2009 in line with the overall global contraction. Only five of Uruguay’s main trade partners received more exports and only five of the country’s main export products showed an increase in US dollar value sales.

Global trade is expected to pick up again this year at a significant rate but not sufficient to overcome losses of 2009. Last year trade plunged 12.25% the worst result in seventy years and a full recovery can only be anticipated for 2011 when China will be confirmed as the world’s leading exporter.

Private consultants estimate that Argentina’s inflation in 2009 and in spite of the devalued government statistics was the third highest in the world behind the Democratic Republic of Congo and Venezuela.

The Dakar Rally that began in the Southern Cone on New Year’s Day has some people applauding, but others not so happy. The Dakar Rally is divided between Argentina and Chile and includes eight days of racing in Chile before concluding January 16 in Buenos Aires.

Brazil’s leading private banking institution Itaú-Unibanco denied London press reports it was interested in block-buying into UK banks that were saved from collapse in 2008 by the British government, as well as banks in other countries including United States, but admitted an interest in shares

Argentine car manufacturers are looking ahead with great optimism to what they consider an “excellent” 2010 when they expect to break several records, according to Cesar Luis Ramirez Rojas, president of the Argentine car manufacturers association

Argentina is a nation that prides itself on having more cattle than people but because of erred policies may soon be forced to import beef to keep its meat-loving citizens happy at the dinner table.

Uruguay’s peso achieved a record annual gain as neighboring Brazil’s economic recovery fueled demand for the country’s exports. The peso has jumped 25% this year, (9.4% in the last quarter) its biggest annual advance since the government created it in 1993 to replace the nuevo peso as part of an effort to stem surging inflation.