Mercosur in not working, but it can be recovered, was the message of Argentine Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo during a conference in Harvard University where he graduated 25 years ago and his son is currently studying
After having reported foot and mouth cases in 16 of the country's 19 counties, Uruguayan authorities finally decided that the only solution was to vaccinate the 12 million cattle stock, even if it means a set back for its international sanitary status
Argentina is in the verge of breaking diplomatic relations with Cuba after ordering its Ambassador in La Habana to definitively return to Buenos Aires.
With over fifty reported cases of possible foot and mouth disease, FAM, outbreaks extending along the Argentine border, Uruguayan authorities have opted for a massive cattle vaccination campaign in an attempt to isolate the area, which has now extended to almost 20% of the country's territory.
Peru's two hopefuls in the presidential run off exchanged claims of illegal campaign funding while a growing segment of the electorate expressed their frustration anticipating they will cast invalid protest votes in the coming round.
Argentina has a new Central Bank president, Mr. Roque Maccarone, a reputed banker from the private sector who previously also presided over the country's most important and largest financial institution, Banco Nación.
Uruguay declared a national emergency following the confirmation of two foot and mouth, FAM, outbreaks in Soriano, just across from Argentina, and one of the richest farming areas of the country.
Having lost the mediatic coverage to the thousands of protestors, violent and non violent, who overrun Quebec, the leaders of the 34 countries of the Americas, virtually besieged in the historic Citadel of French Canada, ratified their commitment to a free trade area, FTAA, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, effective December 2005, and conditioned its members to a democratic clause.
Despite the risk posed by highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease, FAM, US sanitary authorities and the meat industry have so far refused to consider immunizing livestock in the United States.
World economic growth will abruptly slowdown this year falling to 2,2% from last year's 4%, according to the latest World Bank report. However this hard landing should be softer for Latinamerica GDP which is expected to grow 3,7% in 2001, almost equivalent to last year's 3,8%, and push to 4,4% in 2002.