
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.

Argentina’s main stock index completed its biggest annual gain in 18 years. The Merval index’s 115% rise this year is its best performance since 1991 and reverses a 50% drop in 2008.

Chile's leading share index ended 2009 with an annual gain of 51% as utility, retail and commodity stocks fuelled the biggest annual rise in 16 years. At the same time, Chile's currency, the peso ended with a 26% annual advance against the dollar, traders said.

The performance of Brazilian stocks in 2009 has been one of the highest in the world while the local currency, the Real reflected the recovery of Latinamerica’s largest economy by appreciating 34% against the US dollar this year.

The Inter-American Development Bank set record levels of loan approvals and disbursements in 2009, playing a counter-cyclical role by providing financing to Latin American and Caribbean countries in the face of the global economic crisis.