*Peru’s central bank (BCRP) has lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%. In a statement explaining its decision, the BCRP noted that there had been monthly deflation of -0.16% in November, which brought the annual rate to 3.6% – down from 4.3% in October. The bank predicted that Peru’s annual inflation range would reach the target range of 1-3% in “the coming months”, although it noted that the country’s economic outlook remains “pessimistic” and that social protests and the El Niño climate phenomenon have caused greater supply shocks than anticipated.