[06.10.09] At the 3rd Summit between the European Union and Brazil, the participants tackled issues on the global, regional and bilateral agendas. One result was the common stance in calling on the USA to bring its position closer, in order to unblock negotiations in the Doha Round of the WTO. Another shared issue was that of finding a solution to the Honduras crisis.

[26.03.09] Since President Uribe came to power in 2002, the guerrilla group has been weakened by the strong government offensive, though it has also demonstrated a notable ability to adapt. In spite of the recent attacks it suffered in 2008, under the new leadership of Alfonso Cano, FARC has shown that it has not been defeated militarily.

[23.12.08] During the second summit between the European Union and Brazil, various issues on the global, regional and bilateral agenda were covered. An action plan was also agreed to commence construction of a strategic association through the promotion of peace and security, sustainable development, regional cooperation, innovation and citizen mobility.

[10.03.09] The annual report by this well-known think-tank proposes a series of policies to President Obama’s government – in the form of a Decalogue – with which to tackle the current challenges and to improve US relations with the countries of the Latin America region.

[23.07.08] Despite being re-elected in 2006, President Hugo Chávez is facing growing internal and external difficulties. Internally because of his defeat in the referendum over the reform of the constitution, more the result of abstention by his supporters than of advances made by the opposition. And externally because relations with Venezuela’s neighbour Colombia are becoming more difficult.

[18.06.08] The importance of the Spanish presence for Latin American economies is not only for the volume of its investment, but also from a qualitative point of view, given that it has been concentrated into strategic sectors for the development and welfare of the population. (From the introduction by José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain).

[29.04.08] The intense military operations carried out in recent years by the Uribe government against the FARC are beginning to show positive results. However, there have also been negative ones, in the form of the deteriorating relations with Ecuador and Venezuela, the increasing risk of international isolation and the threat to the strategy of swapping prisoners for people kidnapped by FAR...

[01.11.07] Haiti is beginning to emerge from the chaos of recent years. This is a moment of relative stability that pres¬ents an opportunity to move towards a more sustainable path of economic growth, political development, and poverty reduction. But this is also a period of fragility and continued vulnerabil¬ity, and further advancement is by no means assured.

[23.09.09] La crisis global ha tenido un impacto sustancial en los países de la región, pero lo peor ha pasado en la mayoría y la recuperación se percibe en varias economías. La región evitó caer en una crisis propia, sorteando relativamente bien el fuerte choque externo. El desafío será adaptarse a un nuevo entorno global que no será tan favorable.

[28.08.09] The international crisis has had an impact on the decline of Latin America’s foreign trade, though the continent managed to avoid resorting to protectionism. Other transformations can also be observed in the structure of trade flows, in which China and the Asia-Pacific region could play a more important role with respect to OECD countries.

[30.07.09] The international crisis has interrupted a period of growth of an unprecedented duration and characteristics in Latin America’s recent history. The region is currently suffering from a shrinking of its production, a factor that will have negative effects on the welfare of the population, and will inevitably be reflected in the worsening of social indicators.

[27.05.09] In spite of the international financial crisis, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) grew in 2008. The FDI of transnational companies, off-site business services and hotel complexes were also analysed. Likewise, the overseas investment flows of Latin American companies continued to rise.

[18.12.08] After six years of continued growth, the cycle of economic prosperity is over, and forecasts for 2009 are lower. During these years there was an improvement in figures for the job market, and poverty decreased. Furthermore, priority was given to macroeconomic balance, and the situation means that the international crisis can be faced from a stronger position.

[09.12.2008] Compared with the five-year period 2002-2007, the progress made in 2008 in the fight against poverty and destitution has been less successful. Forecasts for 2009 indicate a stagnation of the labour market owing to the downturn in the economy, resulting in a sharp drop in the amount of money coming into homes.

[27.10.08] The repercussions of the international financial crisis are affecting all the regions in the world, and Latin America and the Caribbean will be no exception, especially from 2009 onwards. In spite of this, ECLAC has declared that the region's exports will continue to grow in 2008, at an approximate rate of 23%.

[14.11.2008] According to the study, Latin Americans feel more hopeful about the future, while at the same time they are becoming more critical of their societies. Despite its imperfect nature, democracy is being consolidated, partially and slowly, with about 50% backing. President Lula is viewed as being the best leader, and Daniel Ortega the worst.

[28.10.2008] The report explains how fiscal policy can be a very effective tool for economic, political and social development in Latin America. The condition is that taxes should increase efficiently and fairly, and that spending should be aimed at promoting growth and reducing poverty and inequality.

[27.08.08] Despite the worsening external scenario, in 2008, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have completed six consecutive years of growth, with an estimated increase of 4.7% in the region's GDP. The most imminent future risks are an escalation in inflation and the possibility that the developed economies continue to decelerate.

[05.05.08] Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region attained record figures in 2007, surpassing for the first time the $100,000 million mark. These funds were mainly spent on the search for natural resources and new goods and services markets. Meanwhile, overseas investment by Latin American companies is reaching unprecedented levels.

[31.12.07] The region shows macroeconomic stability in most countries, with growth and controlled inflation. This publication analyses the improvement in fiscal policy, funding for development, reform of pensions, the impact of foreign investment on telecommunications and the growing exchanges with China and India.