Chile

Both the government and opposition are mired in public disapproval, with transparency increasingly an issue

The region's political and economic outlook is arguably the most negative for some time, with no rapid fix likely

Growth will probably pick up after a lacklustre 2014, but the external environment increases uncertainties

Mexico bucked the regional trend of slower growth in 2014, but the oil price effect will still bite this year

Doubtful short-term prospects for copper prices and new FDI legislation may mar investment growth this year

Although above-target inflation will limit prospects for rate cuts, lower growth will equally avert short-term increases

Global copper prices, consumer gloom and business sentiment will conspire against growth this year

The bill will strengthen unions but may not boost job creation as promised, at least not in the short term