Brazil Telecom Sector to Offer Strong Opportunities in 2010

Joao Cox, the CEO of Claro, the Brazilian subsidiary of Mexican telcom giant America Movil S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV:AMXA), told reporters that Brazil’s mobile carriers will probably surpass 170 million lines by the end of 2009, equal to almost 90% of the country’s population.

Argentina Authorizes Swap of Defaulted Bonds

According to local press sources, Argentina's President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, authorized the country's Economy Ministry to carry out a swap of $20 billion of defaulted debt, readying the country for its first international bond sale since 2001.

Mexico's Cemex S.A.B. Sells US$1.6B in Bonds

Mexico's Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CVX), the largest cement company in Latin America, sold US$1.6 billion in bonds, as part of its US$15 billion debt restructuring process.

Citibank Improves Outlook on Mexican Stocks, as U.S. Releases Positive Jobs Data

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) announced that it had raised its outlook on Mexican stocks to "neutral," after the U.S., Mexico's largest export market, announced that job losses in November were the lowest since the outset of the recession, an indication that the U.S. economy may be recovering faster than expected.

Consumer Prices in Chile Fall 2.3% in November

According to data from Chile’s National Statistics Institute, consumer prices in the country fell by 2.3% in November, the worst bout of deflation Chile has experienced since 1934.

Venezuela's Bolivar Falls 9% as Chavez Threatens to Nationalize Banks

Venezuela's Bolivar fell 9% in trading yesterday, as investors scrambled to convert Bolivars for dollars after the country's president, Hugo Chavez, threatened to nationalize the country's banking system, a sector he accused of engaging in speculation rather than working to promote the country's development.

Ecopetrol Lists ADR on Peruvian Exchange

Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE:EC), Colombia's largest oil company, announced that it has listed its American Depositary Receipt (ADR)on Peru's main stock exchange, the Bolsa de Valores de Lima.