Standard & Poor's downgraded the foreign debt rating from B+ to B with a negative outlook, arguing that there is uncertainty due to the lack of flexibility of the Alvarado administration in implementing fiscal policy in the country.
The negative perspective in the new risk note, anticipates that there is a possibility that in the next 12 months the rating will be degraded again, if the authorities adopt policies that damage the country's financial profile.
The rating agency decided to keep the long-term issuer's note at B2, but changed the risk outlook from stable to negative, arguing that there are greater risks to the country's financing due to increased borrowing requirements.
The affirmation of Costa Rica's B2 rating takes into account the sovereign's levels of wealth above its peers and its dynamic economy.
Fitch Ratings kept in B+ with a negative outlook, the sovereign debt rating, arguing that "the weaknesses in public finances are reflected and the political stagnation has prevented the timely approval of reforms that address these problems."
The new fiscal rule has not been approved, and the Congressional authorization requirement for foreign loans periodically restricts Costa Rica's financial flexibility, is another of the risk qualifier's arguments.
Standard and Poor's announced that it downgraded Costa Rican bonds from BB- to B+, adding to Moody's downgrade in early December.
Standard and Poor's (S&P) reported that the decision was made because the country's fiscal situation could generate a continuous increase in the general government's net debt burden.
“If the recent tax reform is not effectively implemented, and if additional fiscal measures are implemented if necessary, a continuous increase in the net debt burden of the general government could be generated, which will contribute to higher interest expenditures," explains the S&P report."
Standard & Poor's has warned of the risk of default in the next two years and reduced the rating for the sovereign debt of Venezuela, the principal debtor of the Colon Free Zone.
From a statement issued by Standard & Poor's:
OVERVIEW
The Venezuelan government's failure to take timely corrective actions to address growing economic distortions has contributed to economic deterioration and shortages of foreign exchange.
The difference in the yield on 30-year bonds relative to US Treasuries of the same period went from 3.33% in April to 3.85% up to December 4th.
The decision by the Executive to increase public spending in 2015 and continue to increase the fiscal deficit in an international environment which is a less favorable than it was in previous years is one of the reasons that explains the higher risk now being perceived by international investors regarding Costa Rican foreign debt bonds.
Fitch downgraded Mexico's Issuer Default Rating (IDR) from 'BBB+' to 'BBB' in foreign currency and from 'A-' to 'BBB+' in domestic currency.
Both ratings have a 'Stable' outlook. Additionally, the country's ceiling was reduced to 'A-' from 'A'.
Fitch downgraded Mexico's ratings because the country's fiscal situation has gotten worse with the financial crisis and a reduction in Mexican oil production.