Mercosur, the "Common Market of the South," is an economic and
political agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay (which is
currently suspended), and Uruguay to promote the free movement
of goods, services and people among member states. Mercosur's
primary interest has been eliminating obstacles to regional
trade, such as high tariffs and income inequalities. Yet experts
say Mercosur has become somewhat paralyzed in recent years, with
its members divided over whether the organization should remain
focused on regional trade or whether it should add political
affairs to its mandate. In July 2012, Venezuela was admitted to
the trade bloc as its fifth full member with complete access to
the common market and voting rights, a move that some analysts
say will primarily benefit Argentina and Brazil and further
politicize the organization. The creation of a regional customs
union in 2008, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR),
also has raised questions about Mercosur's utility. Moreover,
Paraguay's 2012 sus