Macroeconomics

Having confounded observers with his pragmatism, Ollanta Humala now has an historic opportunity as president to cement the gains of Peru's economic boom - and secure his nation's future

Peru will press ahead with measures to protect its currency from any rapid appreciation that could threaten its export sector, the country’s president Ollanta Humala has told LatinFinance in an exclusive interview.

Latin officials are struggling with the fallout of capital inflows in an era of easy money. The risk of financial instability may be growing

The past year has cemented the status of a fresh crop of small, nimble economies as the region’s most dynamic – and resilient. When it comes to economic management, Chile leads the way

Bolivia and Paraguay have shown the bond market is open for riskier credits at exceptionally low rates. An Ecuadorian benchmark may push the limits of incredulity – but might not be so farfetched

Despite devaluing the bolívar in February, Venezuela’s chronic dollar shortage continues. Another devaluation may well be on the cards

As economies boom on both sides of the south Atlantic, the potential for trade and investment between Latin America and Africa has scarcely been so great

Russian energy companies and banks have started venturing into Latin America. Despite their aspirations, the extent of the new relationship remains in doubt

Construction is driving Panama's economy, and the infrastructure boom goes far beyond the canal expansion, with mining set to increase. But budget worries still lurk in the background

Battling the effects of quantitative easing is one of the biggest challenges facing emerging markets. But capital controls are no solution, says Chile’s finance minister Felipe Larraín

As Costa Rica’s president Laura Chinchilla enters her final year in office, she talks to LatinFinance about her remaining ambitions – and her legacy

Costa Rican banks are confronting tighter credit controls as authorities grapple with an explosion in dollar lending. The central bank insists such moves are a necessary evil

Heavy government debt issuance locally has put a damper on Costa Rica’s fledgling capital markets. Yet dynamism is coming from specialized areas

Costa Rica wants to jump into the club of high-income economies. To do so will require better infrastructure and education – and a way to pay for it

Edgar Ayales returned from Washington DC to Costa Rica two years ago, following a career as an economist at the IMF. Then, last year, he got the call to take on the finance portfolio. The seasoned technocrat now faces the challenge of building a national consensus on fiscal reform that has eluded successive administrations over two decades. LatinFinance sat down with him to discuss what’s at stake.

Costa Rica is seen as a beacon of stability in a troubled region. But it must confront a range of challenges if it’s to build on more than half a century of economic progress

Anabel González became Costa Rica’s trade minister in May 2010, joining from the Inter-American Development Bank, where she was a senior adviser. She spoke to LatinFinance in February about Costa Rica’s free trade plans and the challenges for attracting FDI

Its green credentials have long attracted tourists, but in the wake of the global crisis, Costa Rica needs more hotels and flights to bolster one of its biggest industries