The debate about private or government control of public utilities is back in Argentina and polls indicate public opinion is divided on the issue but with a majority demanding at least a greater government regulatory presence.
A judge in Chile has indicted three Congress members belonging to the ruling coalition on charges of taking bribes.
Only forty days have elapsed since the most hated of all former Brazilian president Fernando Cardoso's ministers Pedro Malán left office, but trade union and business leaders are already saying they miss Mr. Malán.
The first Argentine private charter cruise vessel sailed last weekend from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego for its maiden voyage to the Antarctic with a group of Ukrainian scientists and officials who will be doing research work and supplying the Vernasky base, formally belonging to the British under the name of Faraday.
Brazil's two largest airlines, Varig and Tam, announced they will be merging their operations in a joint venture to overcome the deep crisis in the industry. With a joint fleet of 218 aircraft and 29 million passengers a year, the joint venture to be listed in the stock exchange would be larger than some European airlines.
Mercosur will present this month its trade proposals to the European Union and to the United States sponsored Free Trade Association of the Americas, but with the necessary safeguards to ensure the blocks economic and social development.
Roberto Lavagna, Argentina's economy minister, on Wednesday urged the International Monetary Fund to go easy on Argentina's next government rather than demand damaging fiscal restraint.
Headlines: Kirchner and Menem rebound; Tariff free berries for Europe; Argentine animal exports boom
Headlines: Mercosur against the war; US economy growth drops abruptly; Seven million undocumented; Brazil targets higher surplus.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil gained support for his reform agenda in Congress at the weekend as newly elected legislators joined its ranks and voted for a pro-government leadership in both houses.