AGP Executive Report

Venezuela Security Sweep: Troops, helicopters and drones moved into the gold-rich Orinoco Mining Arc in Bolívar state to dismantle illegal mining groups, with residents reporting explosions and gunfire. Forced Migration Update: The UNHCR says the Americas led the world in forced displacement in 2025 (22.8M people), driven by crises including Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, Colombia and parts of Central America. Latin America Payments Push: Ripple and Bitso expanded their partnership, issuing Bitso’s MXN-backed stablecoin (MXNB) on the XRP Ledger to support enterprise cross-border settlement in the U.S.–Mexico corridor. Air Connectivity: American Airlines hit a milestone serving 100 Latin America/Caribbean destinations, adding new nonstop routes from Miami to Maracaibo (Venezuela) and Cap-Haïtien (Haiti). Cybersecurity (DR): The Dominican Republic launched a Cyber Cluster to strengthen digital resilience via a public-private board with major tech and finance partners. Bolivia Crisis: A center-right government faces mounting pressure as nationwide blockades and strikes keep La Paz under siege. El Niño Watch: NOAA confirmed El Niño conditions, warning of potentially historic intensity and major knock-on risks for weather and food systems. World Cup Business Angle: FIFA mandated hydration breaks at every match, boosting broadcast ad opportunities while raising questions about whether the rule is purely about player welfare.

Climate Risk: NOAA says El Niño has formed and could intensify to “super” levels, with 2027 flagged as a likely record-hot year—raising the odds of food, water, and economic disruption. M&A Watch: China’s top cement makers are driving a fierce auction for Brazil’s CSN Cimentos as the seller seeks to cut debt, with Votorantim also circling via a structure to avoid antitrust issues. Energy & Industry: PV Guangzhou 2026 in China will spotlight solar-plus-storage demand, signaling where clean-energy supply chains are heading. Payments & Trade Finance: XTransfer marks a European push at Money20/20 Europe with new bank partnerships (BBVA, Société Générale) to expand cross-border settlement for SMEs. Water & Rights in Ecuador: An Indigenous community in Ecuador’s Amazon reports illegal mining has surged and contaminated river water, forcing reliance on limited tanker deliveries. Mexico Business Evolution: A look at how Mexico’s economy has transformed since the 1986 World Cup—more investment, more integration, but persistent inequality. Governance Red Flag: Detroit’s People Mover board oversight is questioned after a case involving alleged bribery and no-show meetings.

EU-Brazil Digital Deal: The European Union is signing a digital partnership with Brazil to boost cooperation on data, connectivity, cybersecurity and child protection, aiming to cut reliance on U.S. tech as Mercosur-EU trade deepens. Brazil Drug Crackdown: Brazil’s Federal Police launched Operation Balkans, targeting a transnational cocaine network moving shipments from South America to Europe via sea routes; accounts and assets tied to suspects were frozen. Tech & Chips: NVIDIA’s Latin America executive denied the region is a corridor for restricted chips into China amid renewed U.S.-China AI scrutiny. Climate Risk: El Niño has officially begun and is forecast to intensify into a very strong “Super” event, raising odds of extreme heat, floods, droughts and wildfires worldwide. Lithium Push: Anson Resources and POSCO signed a binding agreement for a DLE demonstration plant at Utah’s Green River project to validate commercial extraction. Cuba Sanctions: The U.S. imposed new sanctions on Cuba’s state oil and gas firm Cupet, escalating energy tensions. Mexico World Cup Backdrop: Mexico’s World Cup opening is underway amid social tensions and protests, with Shakira headlining the ceremony. Chile Aquaculture Upgrade: AKVA said its low-emission farming projects in Chile are progressing, including solar-powered salmon cages. Fintech Hiring Tool: Vienna startup JobMetasearch launched an AI platform to help non-EU tech workers find visa-sponsored roles across Europe and tailor resumes. Argentina Auto Trade: Argentina is preparing to allow up to 10,000 U.S.-made vehicles a year duty-free, signaling a shift in its automotive import policy.

Cuba-U.S. Fuel Deal: The U.S. authorizes shipment of 250,000 barrels of diesel and gasoline to Cuba, with a Florida firm leasing Cupet tanks—an unusually big commercial shift amid shortages. Cuba Tourism Fallout: In Varadero, hotel workers describe the tourism collapse as a long slide into precarious work and broken promises. Cuba Transition Politics: Analysts warn any Cuba-U.S. transition could bring unpopular concessions for the U.S. exile community. Bolivia Labor & Politics: Evo Morales says he was blocked from a fair run via “lawfare,” as a general strike and road blockades keep grinding Bolivia to a halt. Mexico World Cup Tensions: Protests and a teachers’ union blockade threaten Mexico City’s main fan festival access as the opening ceremony nears. Peru Gaza Foreign Policy: Peru’s razor-thin election race could shift the country toward a more pro-Palestine bloc depending on the winner. Argentina Left Debate: Claudio Katz argues Milei’s support is eroding amid economic strain, with left politics gaining traction. Health Startup Funding: 4baseCare extends its Series B with Rs 38 crore more, expanding AI-driven precision oncology labs with plans that include Latin America. Markets Watch: Foreign investors pulled about $27B net from emerging-market portfolios in May, with equity outflows leading.

Digital Payments Push in Mexico: Mercado Libre rival Clip and Ant International, with Mastercard and Televisa-Univision, launched Mi Clip, a digital wallet meant to expand merchant acceptance and formal financial identity, including credit access and support for peak shopping like Buen Fin. Agentic Payments Infrastructure: Getnet said it’s building infrastructure for AI agent-initiated payments, testing Mastercard Agent Pay in Mexico/LatAm with a housing fintech partner. AI Smart Spaces Rollout: iFLYTEK launched SpaceMind, an “agentic” platform for homes, hotels and offices using 60GHz radar (no images/facial data) and a dual-route design aimed at faster, more reliable automation. Argentina Currency Watch: The Argentine peso slid about 6% in eight weeks, with investors citing risk-off flows and a looser central-bank stance. Brazil Election Pulse: Lula widened his lead over Flavio Bolsonaro in a Quaest poll ahead of October voting. Colombia Politics & Crypto: Colombia’s probe into Petro could suspend him until June 21, putting his renewable-powered Bitcoin mining plans in limbo. Trade Finance for the Caribbean: IDB Invest and CDB agreed on a US$25m guarantee facility to boost trade financing for smaller Caribbean economies. Dominican Identity Upgrade: The Dominican Republic’s new national ID was named Best Identity Document 2026, highlighting progress in secure digital identity. World Cup Business in LatAm: Mercado Libre’s US$4.6bn Mexico investment and Starbucks’ World Cup-themed cup/accessories point to continued sports-driven consumer spending.

Cuba Tourism Slump: Foreign visitors are thinning fast at Cuba’s once-bustling sites like Old Havana and Varadero, as US sanctions and economic strain push major hotel operators to cut back or leave. Colombia Politics Shock: President Gustavo Petro’s “Heil Hitler” post has triggered backlash from lawmakers across Latin America and Israel, adding heat to Colombia’s presidential runoff. Suriname-China Dealmaking: Suriname’s public works minister says ties with China are set to deepen in infrastructure, green development, the digital economy and AI as the country prepares for large-scale oil and gas. Guyana Transparency Review: Guyana’s extractive governance is entering a closed-door EITI validation process after concerns about transparency and civil-society access. Digital Finance in Jamaica: Barita Merchant Bank gets approval to roll out a digital-first platform, aiming to compete in Jamaica’s crowded fintech market. Crypto Compliance Upgrade: KAST adds Elliptic blockchain intelligence to strengthen AML and sanctions controls. Energy & Tech Push in Rio: Rio de Janeiro opens Web Summit Rio alongside “Rio AI City,” a major AI-ready data center district tied to renewable power plans. Drug Enforcement: South Africa’s SARS and Hawks seize 30 cocaine bricks at Durban Harbour, the second major bust in days.

Colombia Election Integrity: Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella urged prosecutors to investigate alleged rebel coercion in May 31 voting, citing unusually high vote shares in municipalities with armed groups ahead of the June 21 runoff. Costa Rica Macroeconomy: The IMF delivered another positive review but warned against complacency, stressing pending reforms despite stability and foreign investment. Venezuela Inflation & FX: Venezuela reported May inflation at 6.3% and its lowest month-to-month figure since Oct 2024, while the official vs parallel exchange-rate gap still persists. Venezuela Oil Recovery: U.S. diplomats say Venezuelan crude exports have hit about 1.25 million bpd, the highest in seven years—framing it as progress amid shifting geopolitics. Cuba–U.S. Tensions: Cuba’s top envoy called new U.S. sanctions on leaders a “pretext” for military intervention, warning of “war without bombs.” Argentina Retail Demand: Global luxury and fashion brands are expanding in Argentina as mall operators add capacity, betting on loosening import rules despite softer consumer goods sales. Automotive Supply Chains: Magna said it could assemble Chinese vehicles in Canada only on a long-term basis, signaling deeper China-linked manufacturing partnerships. Sports Meets Business: World Cup tourism and spending are already driving demand for flexible stays, with Airbnb highlighting Latino group travel patterns.

Colombia Runoff Politics: The first week of campaigning for Colombia’s June 21 presidential runoff is sharpening the divide: Abelardo de la Espriella has consolidated right-wing support after leading the first round, while the left behind Iván Cepeda and President Gustavo Petro struggles to coordinate. World Cup Business & Community: Canada’s fast-growing Latin American population is turning World Cup fever into local commerce, with community hubs like a Mexican barber shop in Vancouver drawing fans near major venues. Brazil Poultry Exports: Brazil’s chicken exports hit a record in May, with monthly revenue topping $1bn for the first time as shipments rose to 509,900 tonnes. Mexico World Cup Security: Mexico’s president says the World Cup opening can be peaceful despite protests, as teachers’ union action threatens disruption unless salary and pension demands are met. Infrastructure & Trade: Vinci Construction is expanding in Latin America by acquiring Grupo TDM’s geosynthetics division in Peru, while AD Ports launched trial operations at Noatum Ports’ Safaga terminal in Egypt. Energy Transition Watch: Market research forecasts the global electrolyzer market could reach $34.4bn by 2032, reflecting accelerating green hydrogen investment.

Agri-Food & Trade: Brazil’s fertilizer bill is rising fast as Hormuz-linked supply shocks push prices higher, squeezing farmers’ margins and forcing cutbacks ahead of the September planting window. Logistics & Shipping: Global container volumes stayed resilient in April (up 4% y/y) even as the Hormuz disruption lifted rates, with trade rerouting rather than collapsing. Aviation: Airlines are heading into IATA talks in Rio with profits at risk as fuel volatility and aircraft delivery delays force carriers to keep older planes longer. Energy & Industry: Mexico’s CFE awarded 37 renewable projects (7,411 MW) in its first mixed investment tender, with solar dominating. Venezuela Trade: Venezuelan coffee, tea and spices led non-oil exports to the U.S. in Q1 2026, totaling $19.52m. Finance & Payments: Stablecoins are increasingly used for salaries, remittances and savings in emerging markets, with Binance data showing heavy stablecoin allocation among users. Security & Risk: A New World screwworm outbreak has reached Texas, raising alarms for cattle health and cross-border biosecurity. Real Estate: Henderson Park bought a major Caribbean resort—Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico—via a JV with Pyramid Global Hospitality.

Pentagon-Backed Propaganda: A newly uncovered SOCSOUTH-linked Spanish-English site is reportedly using sloppy AI-written posts and country-specific versions to push pro-U.S. military messaging across Latin America, raising alarms about misinformation and manipulation. Energy & Trade: Adani Ports (APSEZ) won a 10-year marine services contract for Argentina’s first LNG export project to India, with a consortium set to run tugboats and offshore logistics backed by an estimated $70m investment. Aviation Outlook: IATA warns the “new normal” in air travel won’t fully reverse after the Iran war, with Middle East carriers still absorbing major revenue losses as jet fuel costs and route disruptions persist. Caribbean Fuel Crisis: Cuba’s fuel shortage is leaving iconic almendrones idle, with drivers stuck in a reservation app queue as the U.S. energy blockade deepens scarcity. Culture & Media: Netflix is leaning into World Cup 2026 with new soccer specials and a timed mobile game, betting on tournament hype to drive engagement. Environment & Society: Paraguay’s Itaipu Preserva project is restoring the Atlantic Forest corridor, planting millions of native trees to rebuild habitat across 3,000 hectares.

Agribusiness Expansion: Netafim (Israel) opened its biggest precision-irrigation manufacturing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, aiming to supply North and Central America and create about 200 jobs, boosting local suppliers. Aviation Profit Pressure: IATA warned airline profits could be cut roughly in half in 2026 as Middle East conflict and higher jet-fuel costs squeeze margins, with SAF still covering under 1% of fuel needs. Energy & Markets: Brazil plans its first yuan “panda bond” issuance during a June China visit to diversify funding away from dollars. Regional Trade Tensions: Canada’s farmers are pushing back on a Mercosur deal over beef market-access concerns, even as negotiations continue. Humanitarian Aid: Cuba received 1,700 tons of basic goods from Mexico and Belize amid worsening shortages. Geopolitics: Venezuela says it has “well-founded doubts” about the ICJ process over the Esequibo dispute with Guyana and rejects recognizing any ruling. Politics: Peru’s presidential runoff is set to test Latin America’s rightward shift, with crime driving the contest.

Illegal Fishing Pressure on Argentina: A new FULASP report says foreign fleets along Argentina’s Mile 201 EEZ can take up to 4x the catch of the country’s own industry, with extraction rising sharply since 2019 and Chinese effort up 85%. Trade Diplomacy: Argentina has filed to join the CPTPP, aiming to link up with the UK for the first time since 1982, though accession could take years. AI Governance Debate: A policy warning argues AI standards are being set by a small group of wealthy powers, sidelining Global South priorities like ethics, cybersecurity, privacy, and access. Health & Agriculture Risk: The U.S. detected New World screwworm larvae in Texas, a livestock threat moving north from Mexico since 2023. Pharma Supply Watch: Goldman Sachs says semaglutide generic pricing after 2031/32 will hinge on peptide API manufacturing capacity, with China leading synthetic supply. Caribbean Business & Tourism: Venezuela is pitching tourism investment to Eurasia in St. Petersburg, while Royal Caribbean highlights local partnerships in the Bahamas. Trade Uncertainty: The U.S., Mexico and Canada are set to miss the July 1 USMCA review deadline, extending uncertainty for tariffs and supply chains.

Corporate Restructuring: Brazil’s Raízen secured creditor backing to move ahead with an out-of-court restructuring of about 65 billion reais ($12.6B), with debt holders able to take new instruments or convert part of claims into equity. Aviation & Trade: IATA is expanding cargo services across Latin America, launching CASS Domestic in Mexico, adding CASS Export in Paraguay, and planning Brazil rollout, as regional air cargo volumes keep growing. Energy Diplomacy: India and Venezuela are deepening energy cooperation, with Indian firms signaling interest in expanding in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector amid renewed crude purchases. Macro Watch: Colombia’s inflation accelerated again in May to 5.84% year-on-year, driven largely by housing and utilities costs. Markets & Tech: PayPal’s PYUSD supply shrank 31% from its March peak to about $2.92B as crypto liquidity cooled, even as PayPal scales access across more markets. Food & Climate Risk: Colombia braces for El Niño with 80% likelihood, raising the odds of heat, water stress, and pressure on food and energy production.

World Cup Business Pulse: Mexico, Canada and the U.S. kick off Group-stage storylines in the first four groups, while Brazil opens Group C and Portugal faces “unfinished business” in Group K—fueling tourism, retail and sponsorship spend across North America. Venezuela–India Energy Push: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez toured Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery and met Indian leaders, with India signaling readiness to deepen its presence as crude trade and long-term energy partnership talks intensify. Colombia–Cuba Aid: Colombia sent about 100 tons of humanitarian goods from Cartagena to Cuba, including medicines and solar panels, tied to hurricane damage and energy needs. Colombia Justice: Colombia’s Supreme Court upheld a 28-year sentence for Santiago Uribe, linking him to paramilitary financing and homicide. Brazil–U.S. Security Fallout: Brazil’s federal police chief criticized the U.S. terrorist designation of gangs PCC and CV, warning it could spill into tourism, investment and financial stability. Caribbean Tourism & Finance: Afreximbank launched a Jamaica roadshow to expand trade and industrial financing, while Caribbean leaders marked World Environment Day with a focus on resilience and renewable energy.

US-Terror Label Fallout: Brazil warned the new U.S. terrorist designations for gangs like CV and PCC could spill into tourism, investment and finance, while the Trump administration expands similar labels across the region. USMCA Uncertainty: The U.S., Mexico and Canada are set to miss a July 1 renewal milestone, raising the odds of prolonged talks and fresh tariff/rules friction—anxiety that has farmers in Iowa pushing for renewal. Trade Tension With Brazil: Lula vowed to diversify as new U.S. tariff proposals target a range of Brazilian exports, including disputes tied to Pix and forced-labor claims. Venezuela Energy Pivot: India and Venezuela moved to deepen long-term energy cooperation as Venezuela revises oil contract terms to attract investors, with Indian firms signaling readiness to expand. Caribbean Climate Finance: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ PM met the Green Climate Fund to boost access to climate money, focusing on water security, sustainable tourism and the Blue Economy. Aviation & Logistics: IATA expands cargo services in Mexico and Paraguay, including CASS rollouts and real-time billing via FlexiPay. Tourism & Culture: Venezuela’s tourism delegation trained in China; Antigua and Barbuda named Charmaine Spencer CMO as arrivals rose; Mexico City’s food culture keeps drawing visitors. Business Notes: rhode enters Mexico directly; Shake Shack faced a rib supply shock after a truckload was stolen in Mexico.

Venezuela–India Energy Push: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez met India’s PM Narendra Modi and Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi, with both sides stressing a “perfect complementarity” for long-term oil and gas cooperation and follow-up visits by Indian technical teams. Colombia–U.S. Election Clash: Colombia’s outgoing President Gustavo Petro hit back at Donald Trump after Trump endorsed Abelardo de la Espriella, accusing Washington of backing “narco-traffickers” tied to Colombia’s hard-right politics. Argentina–UK Falklands Escalation: Argentina warned it could “fully exercise all” actions over Britain’s Rockhopper/Navitas Sea Lion oil plans, calling them unlawful and “clandestine” under Argentine rules. Industrial AI Deal: Siemens teamed with HighByte to expand its Industrial Edge ecosystem, aiming to connect factory data for AI use and bridge OT/IT in manufacturing. Caribbean Finance Boost: The Caribbean Development Bank advanced a Canada-backed first-loss guarantee expected to unlock up to US$400M in extra development lending for climate resilience and infrastructure. Mexico Public Safety: Mexicali saw animal cruelty citations jump from 27 (2021) to 628 (2025), with 369 sanctions already issued in early 2026 as citizens report more cases. Brazil Sustainability Trade: China agreed to buy 50,000 tonnes of deforestation-free Brazilian beef by end-2027, betting on traceability and forest-friendly credentials.