Argentine economy defies expectations

Argentina's economy grew 9% in September from one year earlier, in spite of widespread predictions of a slowdown by economists. (Reuters)

Chilean budget surplus nears 4% of GDP

Chilean Finance Minister Nicolas Eyzaguirre announced yesterday that he forecast a 2005 budget surplus of 4% of GDP due to record high copper prices, which provide nearly 15% of the government's budget. (Reuters)

BBC readers react to Fox-Chavez spat

BBC.com collects opinions from its readers regarding the verbal war Presidents Hugo Chavez and Vicente Fox have engaged in since the Summit of the Americas. (BBC)

Haiti sets date for elections

Haiti's electoral council has designated December 27th as the day for presidential elections, and a runoff election, if needed, will take place January 31st. (CNN)

White House drug czar praises results of aid to Colombia

John Walters, head of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, says that the $3 billion aid package to Colombia has worked to reduce illegal drug imports, citing the current high price of cocaine in the US as evidence. (Reuters)

Peruvian court rejects extradition request

Peru's Supreme Court has rejected a request to extradite former President Alberto Fujimori from Chile, citing the lack of a crime with which to charge him under the extradition treaty between the two nations. (Forbes)

Palocci testifies; Brazilian markets back up

After losing ground earlier in the week due to the investigation of corruption allegations concerning Brazilian Finance Minister Antonio Palocci, the real and the Bovespa both regained losses Wednesday. Palocci defended himself against all allegations and insisted that the government would maintain a disciplined fiscal policy. (Reuters)

Colombian volcano sends more refugees to Ecuador

Following the over 2,000 Colombians who have fled to Ecuador in the past several weeks to escape violence, 9,400 residents are being evacuated ahead of the predicted eruption of the Galeras volcano in southwestern Colombia. (Bloomberg)

Kirchner to visit Venezuela

Argentine President Nestor Kirchner is planning to visit Venezuela this weekend in order to negotiate further economic cooperation between the two countries. Mexican President Vicente Fox has criticized the two for not moving ahead with free trade agreements, which Fox says have helped Mexico's economy. (Dow Jones NewsWire)

Colombians flee to Ecuador to escape violence

The United Nations Refugee Agency has announced that over 2,000 Columbians have fled to Ecuador in the past several weeks to escape the increase in violence that has plagued the provinces of Putumayo and Narino. (ReutersAlert)

Mary Sanchez: Bush is woefully out of step with Latin America

Mary Sanchez, writing in the Kansas City Star, explains why 'talks imploded' at the Summit of the Americas. (Kansas City Star)

Oil companies in Venezuela protest nationalization efforts

Several private oil companies operating in Venezuela have cut production in an effort to pressure the government to abandon plans to nationalize portions of the companies. The Venezuelan government announced its intent to force private companies operating in any of 32 oil fields to renegotiate its terms with the government and sign joint-venture agreements. (BusinessWeek)

Bolivia's presidential contest neck-and-neck

A poll conducted by IPSOS Captura places Evo Morales and Jorge Quiroga in a virtual tie, including the statistical margin of error. Morales carries 30.7% of the probable vote, Quiroga 28.7%. (MercuryNews)

Pinochet's police chief jailed

Manuel Contreras, Chile's police chief under Augusto Pinochet, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the disappearance of a schoolteacher in 1976. (BBC)

Mexico accomodates expat voters

In preparation for next July's presidential elections, Mexican officials are busily registering millions of expatriate voters in the United States. The 2006 election will be the first in which Mexicans abroad will be able to participate without travelling home. (ABC)

Flores builds on early lead

Peruvian Presidential candidate Lourdes Flores has widened her lead over competitors, holding 28% of the possible vote. Her nearest rivals, Valentin Paniagua and Alan Garcia are tied with 17% each. (Bloomberg)