Colombia's finance minister, Juan Carlos Echeverry, has every reason to be enthusiastic about his country's future but he is careful not to be complacent, knowing only too well that an economic boom can lead to bust.

The Chilean government has ambitious plans to double growth and – ultimately – eradicate poverty, all while contending with currency appreciation.

Banks are reticent to discuss the consequences of the US's new Volcker Rule, restricting proprietary trading. While some analysts predict dire results for market liquidity, others suggest that bank leaders privately welcome the opportunity to pull out of risky prop-trading activities. Writer Silvia Pavoni

Investment into Caribbean offshore financial centres has fallen in recent years but is now picking up. However, these centres are also under international pressure over their tax and transparency arrangements, a criticism many of them view as unfair. Writer Silvia Pavoni

The banking landscape in Latin America has changed considerably in recent years as local banks have strengthened while some foreign groups have been in retreat. Silvia Pavoni reports.

Fuelled by high interest rates, the strength of the Brazilian currency should be thwarting growth, but Brazil is not your typical emerging economy, reports Silvia Pavoni.

Paraguay is little known as an international tourist destination despite having much to offer. However, the country's government is now taking steps to ensure that its attractions become known to more than just the most intrepid explorers.

The candy leaf stevia plant is just one of the abundant, relatively untapped natural resources coming to symbolise the huge potential of Paraguay that is slowly opening up to foreign investors. Writer Silvia Pavoni

Paraguay's potential as a trade route is badly hampered by its poor transport infrastructure. The government has promised to invest in improving this situation through a series of PPPs.