With car production down 16% in Argentina and 8.4% in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same three months last year, both Argentina and Brazil are keen to extend their existing agreement. 

Drought in the coffee-growing areas of Brazil is likely to lead to losses both for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, though consumers are less pessimistic about unemployment and inflation. 

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) expects that Bolivia, along with Peru, will lead economic growth in South America during 2014. 

Productive development in Peru needs to rely more on competitiveness and diversification, the country needs 5.5% growth to continue reducing poverty, and Peruvian publishers expect to do good business in Colombia. 

The Venezuelan government extended the decree annulling or simplifying procedures for the importation of basic consumer goods in short supply. 

After thanking Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto for his “messages of congratulations” on the success of and awards given to his film “Gravity,” Alfonso Cuarón wanted to “take the opportunity” to ask some questions and express his concerns, “shared by many Mexicans,” about energy reform. 

The challenge of political reform and economic progress in Honduras is an “uphill” climb “facing the same old patterns.”  A change in attitudes is needed. 

Indications are that what is coming next for Venezuela will be worse than what we’ve seen already. 

Poverty “is suddenly the main concern” for politicians and journalists who never noticed it before. 

Nicaragua is working to improve the quality and expanse of its rural tourism network.