
Brazilian sugar and ethanol producer Cosan and the country's largest rice producer, Camil Alimentos, reached an agreement to merge their food divisions, Cosan said in a statement this week.

Brazilian petrochemical conglomerate Ultrapar Paticipacoes SA announced it had purchased Uruguay’s American Chemical for 79 million dollars. Ultrapar is also linked to businesses in fuels and liquids storage, according to a Brazilian securities filing on Monday.

British drinks group Diageo is buying a maker of Brazil's most popular spirit, cachaça for about 470 million dollars, boosting its expansion in fast-growing emerging markets while it fights for a bigger prize in tequila.

Argentina explained that the YPF seizure was carried out in order to avoid an energy crisis in an article which was published in the US edition of The Financial Times newspaper and signed by Ambassador Jorge Argüello.

Spain’s Repsol, recovering from the recent seizure of YPF by the Argentine government, said an area off the coast of Brazil it is exploring with partner China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. contains the equivalent of at least 1.25 billion barrels of oil.

Alcohol consumption in Latin America is low compared to Europe and the US and averages 5.5 litres of pure alcohol per year per capita, although with marked differences between countries and gender. In Europe consumption is estimated at 13 litres of pure alcohol while in the US the average in 9.8 litres.

Amerisur Resources Plc, the oil and gas producer and explorer announced on Monday it has received a Prospecting Permit by Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Works and Communications for the Espartillar block in the Paraguayan Chaco.

The seizure of YPF by Argentina can be expected to have a positive repercussion for Uruguay since the country has an enviable legal system and keeps to the rules of the game, said the new Spanish ambassador in Montevideo, Roberto Varela.

The Royal Navy expelled a Guardia Civil vessel from Gibraltar waters following an incursion by Spanish fishermen last week, in a clear sign that Britain will not tolerate any attempt to escalate the fishing row.

By Dean Steinbeck (*) As much as it defies common sense, Uruguay entered into a tax sharing agreement that will scare off Argentine investors; the same group of people who are Uruguay’s biggest source of capital, investment, and innovation.