Latin America

Financial News

Venezuelan Bonds Drop Amid Concern on Link Between Chavez, Colombia Rebels Venezuelan bonds fell, sending yields over U.S. Treasuries to their widest in almost four years, amid speculation that links between President Hugo Chavez and guerrillas fighting Colombia's government may be extensive.

Argentine Farm Strike May Slow Growth, Curb Exports as Dispute Escalates A standoff between Argentine farmers and the government over agricultural exports threatens to slow the growth of South America's second-largest economy as a national strike disrupts trade for the second time since March.

Bovespa Declines on Interest-Rate Concern, Led by Banks, Lojas Americanas Brazilian stocks fell to the lowest in a week after Lojas Americanas SA, the nation's biggest retailer, reported profit that missed estimates and the highest inflation in two years raised speculation interest rates will rise.

Televisa, Gerdau Lead Year's Busiest Week for Latin American Bond Sales Grupo Televisa SA, Mexico's largest television broadcaster, and steelmaker Gerdau SA led $1.3 billion of Latin American bond sales in the busiest week for corporate borrowers this year, after Brazil received an investment-grade rating for the first time.

Brazil's Bonds Slide, Interest-Rate Future Yields Rise as Inflation Jumps Yields on Brazil's local-currency bonds and interest-rate futures contracts rose as accelerating inflation fueled speculation the central bank will increase borrowing costs.

Chavez Invites Colombia to Participate in Oil Production From Orinoco Belt Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez invited neighboring Colombia to participate in production from the oil-rich Orinoco Belt, as the two South American nations seek to bolster their crude output.

Brazilian Retailer Lojas Americanas Drops After Profit Misses Estimates Lojas Americanas SA, Brazil's biggest retailer, fell the most in more than a week in Sao Paulo trading after first-quarter profit dropped 68 percent on increased competition and higher expenses.

Ecuador Government Seeks to End Suspension on Mining Exploration by August Ecuador's government wants exploration of large-scale gold and copper deposits to restart by late August after suspending such activity last month, Mining Undersecretary Jose Serrano said in an interview.

General News

Chavez Ties to Colombian Rebels May Be Extensive, Wall St. Journal Reports Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's links to rebels fighting Colombia's government may be more extensive than previously thought, the Wall Street Journal said, citing U.S. intelligence officials.

Mexico's Top Police Are Targets as Drug Cartels Seek Revenge for Arrests Mexico's top police officers are being targeted and killed as drug traffickers retaliate for arrests and record seizures stemming from President Felipe Calderon's crackdown on narcotics gangs.

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