Venezuela Oil Deal Fallout: A new report says a single phone call helped pull Venezuelan oil magnate Alejandro Betancourt into the Trump administration’s Venezuela push, raising fresh questions about money-laundering scrutiny and board control. Falklands Escalation: Argentina’s Javier Milei is ratcheting up pressure with sanctions tied to offshore oil and plans for a new military base, intensifying the UK–Argentina standoff. Payments Modernization: The ECB is exploring linking its instant payments system with Brazil’s Pix, with a possible pilot in 2028—another step toward faster cross-border transfers. Crypto in LatAm Finance: Coinbase’s Base added stablecoin rails, unsecured lending and AWS-powered micropayments, including a Mexican peso-pegged stablecoin via Bitso. Workforce Stress: A Puerto Rico workplace mental-health study links weak emergency savings and financial strain to higher risk for employee well-being and productivity. Local Governance: Belize City officials joined the IDB Mayors Forum in Barranquilla to discuss public services, trust and resilient urban investment. Tech & Weather: Google DeepMind launched WeatherNext 3, delivering hourly, sharper global forecasts now available in Search and Gemini. Public Health Watch: Mexico reported a salmonella outbreak at a major hospital that sickened 135 resident doctors. Tourism & Business Travel: Hilton named a new area president for the Caribbean and Latin America, signaling continued expansion focus in the region.