Debt Conversion in Latin America Panacea or Pandemic?

Debt conversion has been hailed as the salvation of Latin American debtors, &, conversely, labeled a deceptive & dangerous debt management tool. This essay suggests there is a wide scope for innovative design & management of conversion programs, & such policies continue to provide a promising debt management option for many Latin American debtor countries. Four countries' experiments with debt conversion are reviewed. The case of Chile illustrates the regulatory & financial issues surrounding debt conversion policy, the life cycle of a mature debt conversion program, & the trade-offs implicit in designing a program. The experiences of Argentina, Brazil, & Mexico illustrate the diverse roles that debt conversion can play in shaping debt negotiation & economic reform strategies.Williamson, Mary L. is the author of 'Debt Conversion in Latin America Panacea or Pandemic?' with ISBN 9781565170018 and ISBN 1565170016.