Brazil's real firmed to its strongest level against the US dollar in almost seven weeks on Friday as Europe's efforts to resolve its debt and banking crisis eased investor concerns about investing in Latin America. On Friday, the real strengthened 1.68 percent to 1.6801 to the dollar at the close of trading. Earlier it rose as much as 2.21 percent to 1.6715.
Other Latin American currencies traded mixed, with Uruguay's peso posting the second-largest gain among them, firming 1.81 percent to 19.10 to the dollar. Mexico's peso strengthened past the 13 per dollar barrier for the first time in six weeks, gaining 0.90 percent in afternoon trading to 13.0035 to the dollar.
Earlier it firmed as much as 0.94 percent to 12.9975, its strongest level since September 16. Colombia's peso was little changed at 1,862.60 barely weaker than Thursday's 1,861.40 close, a one-month high. Chile's peso weakened 0.27 percent to 491.00 to the dollar.