Governments  across the globe are trying to strike a delicate balance between doing enough to end the economic  crisis without digging an inescapable hole of red ink.

South America, which boasts a range of basic resources and agriculture, is showing signs of rebounding from the global recession. But political uncertainty continues to plague the continent.

Brazil, long proud of its push to develop renewable energy and wean itself off oil, has a bad case of fossil-fuel fever.

Russia and Venezuela on Saturday moved closer to an oil venture deal and discussed arms trade, forging a partnership that may drag Russia into a row over the U.S. military presence in Colombia.

The government of President Hugo Chavez seized control of two of Venezuela's largest coffee processing plants on Monday, threatening to expropriate them if investigations reveal they have illegally smuggled coffee out of the country.

Latin American stocks were mixed Tuesday as Brazil officially slipped into recession and Mexico reported a slight drop in May inflation, boosting chances of an interest rate cut.

President Hugo Chavez ordered the takeover of at least six metal, ceramic and other companies Thursday, accelerating his push to spread socialism and build "an industrial complex" in Venezuela.