Brazil’s austerity measures to balance the budget start moving through Congress

Brazil’s Congress Lower House passed a bill on Wednesday toughening access to social security pensions, the second measure approved in a week to cut benefits in a drive to reduce a growing fiscal deficit. (Merco Press)

Jamaica’s economic programme remains on track – IMF staff

The International Monetary Fund board is expected to approve the eighth review under the Extended Fund Facility, which will see approximately $40m being released to Jamaica. (Jamaica Observer)

Slow Latin America growth leads to foreign direct investment fall

Foreign direct investment into Latin America and the Caribbean declined sharply last year as corporate investors chasing growth markets looked elsewhere. (ft.com)

Uruguay’s economy ‘strong enough’ to navigate challenging environments

Uruguay’s economy is ‘strong enough to navigate in a challenging global and regional environment’ in which the U.S. dollar is strong and inflation is starting to rise, Uruguayan Central Bank chairman Mario Bergara said. (Merco Press)

Is Argentina tangoing an economic turnaround?

FEATURE: Argentina evokes images of tango, soccer, gauchos...and an awful economy -- one of the world's worst. Its economy is projected to show little or negative growth this year. Argentina is still indebted to American hedge funds, affectionately known as "vultures" in the country. And it remains the poster child of nations that default on their loans. But there's new optimism in Argentina, mainly driven by presidential elections coming later this year. (Latin America Herald Tribune)