A round-up of recent public finance news stories from Latin American & the Caribbean you might have missed.

IMF urges Mexico to undertake further tax reform

Mexico's recent tax overhaul does not do enough to curb the government's dependence on oil revenue while other major reforms may not boost economic growth as much as authorities forecast, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday. (Reuters)

Sound fiscal policy is new target of Brazilian economy

Brazilian finance minister Guido Mantega said on Tuesday the government will remove some subsidies and delay tax breaks to keep the country's fiscal policy sound. Likewise the state development bank will stop funding lines for regional government next year. (Merco Press)

Maduro tells central bank he expects 5% deflation in November

President Nicolás Maduro has sent clear messages to the Venezuelan central bank arguing that following the 'economic war' he declared on big business and hoarding with the mandatory cuts in prices, November should register ‘5% deflation and not inflation’. (Merco Press)

Repsol board has approved agreement with Argentina

The Spanish oil company Repsol has agreed to negotiate with Argentina on compensation for the seizure of its assets there last year. The Argentine government nationalised Repsol's controlling stake in the country's biggest oil firm YPF without payment. (BBC)

Cayman Islands: initial budget spending plans rarely accurate

Cayman Islands government budget plans over the next four years have projected slight decreases in public sector spending, from total expenses of $544.4 million in the current year to $528.2 million in the 2016/17 fiscal year. (Compass Cayman)

Leaders in self-denial and Caribbean economic crisis worsens

St Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony says that there is a grave economic crisis gnawing away at Caribbean countries and ‘governments are busy looking inward ­– each busy with their own agenda rather than pursuing a Caribbean solution to the economic crisis’. (Trinidad Express)