Country Risk Rating

As expected, the lower house in congress passed President Néstor Kirchner's 'superpowers' bill. This enables the executive to reallocate budgeted funds, without legislative oversight... 2006-08-11

Tabaré Vázquez' public approval is being tested, according to the latest opinion polls. A census by Factum shows that 57% of those surveyed approve of Vázquez' performance to date,... 2006-08-11

The decision of the Nigerian government to cut 33,000 jobs (20% of the civil service) just as re-electoral noise picks up, is somewhat surprising. Although it may well be a laudable... 2006-07-24

President Michele Bachelet has come under discrete pressure from the US over possible plans to sign up to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The US ambassador made it clear that... 2006-07-14

Controversy continues to build regarding speculation that the US intends to establish a permanent military base in Paraguay. The concerns arise as a result of strengthening relations... 2006-01-25

The US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, Thomas Shannon, recently met with President Néstor Kirchner in the latest manifestation of Washington’s renewed... 2006-01-25

Civil-military relations deteriorated further when it was revealed that army chief General Angel Bertolotti had requested legal advice on the constitutionality of government proposals... 2006-01-25

As BMI predicted, Chile has its first woman president. With nearly all the votes counted, Michelle Bachelet, the ruling Concertación coalition’s candidate secured 53.5% of the... 2006-01-25

Following the ousting of former economy minister Roberto Lavagna, President Néstor Kirchner met with Hugo Moyano, the head of Argentina’s largest trade union (the Confederación... 2005-12-12

President Nicanor Duarte – who has been working towards a bid to be re-elected as both the head of his ruling Asociación Nacional Republicana (Colorado Party) and a constitutional... 2005-12-09