United Nations Economic Committee for Latinamerica and the Caribbean, CEPAL, pressed for a quick agreement from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, with Argentina, to help the country overcome three years of crisis that could have threatening consequences in the rest of the continent.
Brazilian president Fernando Cardoso accused the International Monetary Fund of using questionable methods for accounting countries debts and made an appeal to strengthen regional economies, particularly the Mercosur block.
Brazil's ruling coalition seems to be back in rail after a dispute over candidates for the coming October presidential election threatened government unity and had the left wing opposition hopeful comfortably leading the polls.
In spite of official optimism and an encouraging release from the IMF mission that left Argentina after scrutinizing the country's economic policies, budget and accounts, aid from the multilateral organization still seems distant, maybe too distant a countdown for the Duhalde administration.
Democracy and the degree of satisfaction with democracy is loosing ground in Latinamerica given the effects of the extended economic crisis in the area, according to an annual poll taken since 1995 by a Chilean Social Studies Group, Latinobarómetro
Montevideo is the second city in Latinamerica with the best quality of life according to William M. Mercer Consultant's annual ranking. Top of the list is San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Argentine bank customers whose savings are being withheld due to the restrictions on bank accounts imposed by former President Fernando De la Rua last December are to try to deliver a letter to British Secretary of State for Defence Geoffrey Hoon during his two day visit to Buenos Aires later this week.
British Trade and Investment Secretary, Elizabeth Symond forecasted a significant increase in trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Chile in the coming years following a meeting in Santiago with president Ricardo Lagos.
The ninth round of free trade talks between Chile and the European Union, held in Santiago, ended with a substantial advance and next April in Brussels should have the deal rapped up and ready to sign during the May Iberoamerican summit in Spain.
Brazil is mobilized against a dengue epidemic that stated in Rio do Janeiro and seems to be spreading to other areas of the country is spite of all efforts to combat the deadly mosquito responsible for the transmission of the disease.