Economic jitters spread

Montevideo, Uruguay

A promise of $1.5 billion in loans from the U.S. allowed Uruguayan banks to reopen this week, despite a financial crisis that has left the country on the verge of bankruptcy. Banks had been forced to shutter their doors days earlier after grim financial news sparked a run on private accounts. Lines outside were thinner after the bailout was announced, but some depositors were taking no chances. “I am here to rescue my savings,” one bank customer said. Bush administration officials said the U.S. loans would keep the country afloat for a few days, until a $3.8 billion loan package from the World Bank was due to come through. Financial crises have also battered Argentina and Brazil.

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