MSCI's Latin American equities index .MILA00000PUS fell 1.1%, while its regional currency index .MILA00000CUS slipped 0.6%, with both headed for a third straight day of losses. The currency gauge was on track for a weekly decline, while equities were little changed for the week.
Brazil's Bovespa .BVSP dropped 0.3%, putting it on course to snap a seven-session winning streak, while the real BRL= weakened 0.9%.
Fiscal worries remained in focus as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said late on Thursday that Brazil's rising public debt would not concern him in a potential new term. Lula, who is seeking reelection in October, blamed part of the increase on the country's 14% benchmark interest rate.
Brazil's gross debt has risen more than 10 percentage points since Lula took office, reaching 81.9% of GDP in June, central bank data showed.
"The challenge is that Brazil's fiscal situation may need to deteriorate further before policymakers are forced to address it," said Alejo Czerwonko, chief investment officer for emerging markets at UBS Global Wealth Management.
"Politics will dominate the headlines between now and October. For investors, however, the more important question may be what Brazil looks like once the election is over and the difficult work of restoring fiscal credibility begins."