Latin America Channel: Latest Posts
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Geostrategy
If Chavez Dies, What Next for U.S.-Venezuela Energy Relations?
Despite contradictory information from Caracas, one thing is clear – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the country’s chief executive since 1998, is a very sick man. Having won reelection in October to a fourth term, many Venezuelans are now wondering if President Chavez will serve out his six years, or even if he will be well [...]
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Emerging Markets
Mexico: Five Key Political Risks in 2013
The next year promises to be a challenging year in terms of politics and security. On the heels of a contentious presidential election and soaring levels of criminal activity, the country’s political transition opens the possibility for a new era of reforms and policy changes that could drastically improve the country’s outlook. At the same [...]
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Latin America
Ecuador: Bank Spreads, Taxes, Executive Compensation and Growth
(Cross Posted at Benzinga.com) One of the distinctive features of banking in scores of developing nations is the very large spreads between the rate of interest they pay their depositors and the rate they charge borrowers. Academics have frequently focused on the exceptionally high spreads in Latin America in articles published over the last three [...]
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RGE Analysts
For LatAm, QE3 Impact on Financial Risk Is Key
The Fed’s QE3 will have varying effects by country in LatAm; however, there are a few broad strokes that color the region. QE3 comes at a moment when growth is weak across the board and policy action is widely needed. What QE3 signifies for LatAm, in this context, is not only related to the added [...]
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Efraim Chalamish's Economic Development and Security Blog
Latin America and New Global Economic Order: Post Elections Analysis
Latin America is America’s third largest trade partner. Its continuous economic growth is critical not only to the region itself, but also to essential segments of the U.S. economy. Yet, American leadership and business communities have not invested adequate resources to support this important strategic connection. The toll may be high on all fronts. Looking [...]
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Great Leap Forward
MMT, ARGENTINA, AND VIEWS ON INFLATION
(Part 1?) On the surface, the data from Argentina look awfully good—among the top performers in the world over the past decade. And she’s apparently done it without a run-up of either private sector or government sector debt. In other words, Argentineans have bucked the trend among developed countries, that saw (mostly) tepid growth fueled [...]
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Latin America
Mexico: Positive Outlook for Labor Reform After Passing the Lower House
On September 29th, after hours of intense debate, the Lower House voted 351 to 130 to approve an edited version of the labor reform bill that was submitted by President Calderon on September 1st. To recall, Calderon introduced the bill under the newly created fast-track option called legislative priority, which meant that the Lower House [...]
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Great Leap Forward
TAKE THE TROLL CHALLENGE!
I can understand that the Trolls are feeling somewhat under the microscope. So here’s a peace offering. Give it your best shot. Present a coherent argument to justify your position that Argentina has the World’s Worst Banker. Heck, I’ll welcome any coherent argument on any topic of your choosing. If that sets the bar too [...]
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Emerging Markets
Like a Hummingbird – From Chile to Mongolia
Increased cross-learning and cooperation among developing countries has been a remarkable feature of the global economy in recent decades. It’s been some time now since knowledge and technology flowed only from advanced economies (“North”) to developing ones (“South”). Not only has South-South cooperation flourished, but also lessons from South to North have come to the [...]
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Latin America
Upcoming Change at Banxico: Some Initial Thoughts
December 15th marks the end of Jose Sidaoui’s second term as a member of the governing board of Banxico, Mexico’s central bank. Although Sidaoui could remain for another eight-year term, most insiders believe he will not seek to retain his current position as he has already held the post for 16 years. Like other central [...]
