AGP Executive Report

M&A Watch: Hormel Foods agreed to sell its Brazil Ceratti processed-meat business to Zanchetta Alimentos, as the U.S. firm reshapes its international portfolio. AI & Corporate Law: Argentina’s Milei is pushing legislation for “non-human corporations” run by AI, but lawyers say the model still needs human administrators to oversee decisions. Renewables Procurement: Grenergy launched a Chile reverse auction for 1.5 TWh/year of solar-plus-storage supply starting in 2028, with contract tenors from 6 to 15 years. Security & Prisons: Chile’s President Kast urged tougher regional anti-gang laws, including life sentences for leaders and prison isolation regimes, after meeting Uruguay’s Orsi. Disaster Response: Venezuela’s earthquake death toll climbed past 2,500 as rescue efforts continue; reports also cite fuel shortages and restricted access for foreign teams. Energy & Weather Risk: The WMO warns El Niño is strengthening fast, raising odds of heatwaves, drought and heavy rain across many regions. Regional Diplomacy: Mercosur reiterated support for Argentina in the Falklands sovereignty dispute, pushing a renewed UN approach. Tech in Emergencies: Israeli drones and unmanned systems are being used to help Mexican search-and-rescue teams in Venezuela. Mobility & Growth: BYD says 43% of its first-half 2026 sales came from outside China, underscoring its push into Latin America and other export markets.

Aviation Watch: Aeroméxico reported June 2026 traffic of 1.851M passengers, down 9% year-on-year, with domestic demand hit by World Cup travel shifts while international demand held up. Payments & Politics: Brazil’s Flavio Bolsonaro wants Pix barred from linking with non-Western cross-border settlement systems, arguing it would reduce U.S. concerns—Lula calls it handing Pix to foreign interests. Security & Sanctions: The U.S. designated Ecuador’s Chone Killers as a foreign terrorist organization, enabling sanctions and prosecutions tied to the gang. Crypto Crackdown: OFAC added 134 crypto wallet addresses linked to ISIS-K, including 131 TRON wallets tied to over $1.4M in activity since 2023. Mining & Capital Markets: American Lithium appointed Amandip Singh to its board, adding mining and capital-markets experience as it advances its assets. Trade/Regulation: Peru’s court reinstated state oversight of China’s Chancay port, ending a brief regulatory immunity for Cosco. Immigration Numbers: Spain’s regularization drive drew 1.175M applications after the window closed end-June. EU Animal Health: Eco Animal Health launched its poultry vaccine Ecovaxxin MS across the EU, targeting Mycoplasma synoviae. Energy/Defense: The U.S. withdrew most troops from Nigeria’s Lake Chad counterterrorism mission but will keep intelligence support.

Venezuela Earthquake Aftermath: Doctors warn the next phase after the June 24 twin quakes is a widening medical crisis, with untreated injuries, infections, and sanitation failures in shelters and hospitals; Verisk estimates economic losses could top $10B. EU Humanitarian Response: The EU says it’s preparing for a “huge need” as extreme heat and humidity complicate relief, with €5M pledged for affected communities. Peru Politics & Markets: Keiko Fujimori is set to become president-elect after a razor-thin runoff, a result that keeps Peru’s political risk and policy uncertainty front and center for investors. Uruguay-Chile Security Pact: Uruguay’s Orsi and Chile’s Kast agreed to deepen cooperation against transnational organized crime, including steps on digital signatures and future security and infrastructure deals. Argentina-UAE Trade Push: UAE Trade Days talks with Argentina focused on technology, renewables, logistics, and investment partnerships. AI & Work in the Region: A new report highlights how administrative assistants are using AI tools to speed tasks, even as job outlooks look grim. Latin America Finance: Addi closed an $85M Series D led by Citius with BTG Pactual co-leading, aiming to accelerate Colombia’s AI-first fintech growth.

Venezuela Disaster Response: Doctors warn that after the twin earthquakes, the next big threat is infections and untreated injuries as thousands crowd shelters with poor sanitation and limited clean water. U.S.-Venezuela Oil & Aid: The U.S. is scaling up military support for relief while sanctions and control of oil revenues complicate access to assistance. Crime Crackdown: The U.S. says it has arrested nearly 350 suspected Tren de Aragua members nationwide, targeting leadership, finances, and regional cells. Central America Services Push: El Salvador reported $6.21B in 2025 service exports, up 4.4% year-on-year, led by travel, transportation, and growing tech/call-center work. Agribusiness Exports: Colombia’s “Avocados from Colombia” brand officially launches in the U.S., following a surge to 85M pounds of Hass shipments in the first half of 2025. Trade & Diplomacy: Serbia and Chile resumed bilateral consultations after a seven-year gap, covering trade, science, police, and defense cooperation. Regional Security Debate: GCC leaders stress future security arrangements must reflect member-state interests, while analysts question how far the bloc can go beyond coordination. Illegal Fishing Watch: A monitoring report flags nearly 400 Chinese fishing vessels operating off Peru, raising concerns over unauthorized catches and pollution.

Disaster Relief & Humanitarian Crisis: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have killed nearly 2,000 and left tens of thousands missing, but rescuers still pulled a 3-year-old boy alive from the rubble in Caracas nearly a week later as food and shelter shortages worsen. Regional Security: Mercosur leaders met in Paraguay to push a regional security “architecture” against organized crime, including cross-border intelligence and action against illicit financial flows. Trade & Diplomacy: Paraguay signaled it wants to boost trade with China while insisting it will not sever official ties with Taiwan, as domestic exporters lobby for access to Beijing’s market. Energy Transition: Chile’s Grenergy secured a major 15-year PPA for 1 TWh annually from its battery storage system, underscoring the push for solar-plus-storage supply beyond daylight hours. Mining & Critical Minerals: Brazil-focused St George Mining reported its thickest Araxá rare earths and niobium intercept to date, reinforcing open-pit potential from surface. Retail & Consumer Markets: H&M confirmed it will bring & Other Stories to Mexico City in October 2026, expanding its local fashion portfolio. iGaming Expansion: PopOK Gaming obtained Argentina certification, enabling certified content for licensed operators in a fast-growing regulated market. Quick Commerce Leadership: Swiggy Instamart named Gautam Swaroop as chief business officer to drive growth and brand partnerships.

Mercosur Trade Push: Brazil’s Lula used the bloc’s summit in Paraguay to call for starting negotiations for an economic partnership with China, while also pointing to talks with Japan and other partners as protectionism rises. Peru Politics: Keiko Fujimori was declared president-elect after a razor-thin runoff, with the result hinging on overseas votes and triggering allegations of “fraude en desarrollo” from her rival. Venezuela Earthquake Relief: The UN says tens of thousands still need food and shelter after the twin quakes, as health officials warn of disease outbreaks; rescuers pulled a 3-year-old from rubble while the death toll nears 2,000. Spain Immigration Policy: Spain’s mass regularization drew over 1 million applications, mostly from Latin America, as the deadline for submissions closed. Cuba Economic Plan Reality Check: Díaz-Canel admitted Cuba’s 176 measures won’t follow the 2026 Economic Plan as written, as the economy faces a deep contraction. Labor Pressure in Brazil: Rio bus drivers protested for better pay and an end to a six-day workweek, backing a proposed 40-hour limit.

Venezuela Disaster Response: The death toll from twin earthquakes has climbed past 1,700, with growing anger over slow aid and a shrinking chance of finding survivors; reports also flag casualties among deportees and widespread damage across hundreds of buildings. Peru Politics: Keiko Fujimori has won Peru’s presidential runoff narrowly, promising “order and hope” and a tougher line on organized crime as she takes office in late July. Mercosur Fault Lines: Argentina’s Javier Milei skipped a key Mercosur summit in Paraguay, underscoring deepening rifts within the bloc even as trade talks with Japan and a European deal move forward. Cuba Sanctions & Aid: Cuba’s only purpose-built mosque hosted U.S.-linked humanitarian deliveries, highlighting how tightening sanctions are worsening fuel and power shortages. Spain Immigration Policy: Spain’s mass regularization program closed with over 1 million applications, mostly from Latin America, as the government processes eligibility for work and residence permits. Agri-Tech Deal: Tropic acquired Rahan Meristem to scale gene-edited banana varieties aimed at boosting disease resistance and cutting waste across banana supply chains. Healthcare Trade: World Health Expo Miami drew 13,000+ attendees and 1,200 exhibitors, pushing cross-Americas partnerships in medical innovation and business.

Disaster Relief in Venezuela: Twin earthquakes have killed about 1,700 people, with tens of thousands still missing, and frustration is growing as some hard-hit towns report slow or uneven government aid; the US is rushing to reopen a major port and keep cargo and rescue flights moving, while search teams race against fading survival odds. Regional Finance for Recovery: The Andean Development Bank (CAF) has set up a Fund for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Venezuela to channel third-party donations for rapid response, triage, and rebuilding essential services. Mining & Industry Investment (Mexico): Metso will deliver additional cone crushers worth over €20m to Grupo México’s La Caridad copper concentrator in Sonora, aiming to boost throughput as the plant expands. Air Cargo Momentum: IATA reports global air cargo demand rose 6% in May, with Africa leading at +13.3% year-on-year despite weaker Middle East performance. Tech & Business (Latin America): CIPE and Colombia’s CCIT were named runner-up Small Business Champions for an AI-in-trade project supporting MSMEs across Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Sports & Culture: Karol G urged Colombia’s president-elect to govern “for everyone,” while Panini World Cup sticker demand is driving sellouts and backorders.

Disaster Response in Venezuela: Venezuela’s quake toll is nearing 1,500 as rescuers race past the critical 72-hour window, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for and reports of major building damage in La Guaira; the acting president says a housing and infrastructure commission will assess habitability using a traffic-light safety system, while electricity has been partially restored and schools remain suspended. International Aid & Diplomacy: Israel’s rescue delegation has arrived to support recovery, the EU has mobilized about €5 million in emergency help, and China pledged $14.7 million plus satellite imagery and technical support, underscoring how the crisis is drawing fast-moving external partners. Latin America’s Political Shift: Analysts say the region’s “conservative sweep” is really voters turning against incumbents over security, inflation, corruption, and basic order—highlighting a broader swing toward opposition across Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Business & Investment Signals: Prosus reported a sharp profitability jump tied to its AI-powered “ecosystem” strategy, while Naspers’ Takealot hit $1bn in revenue—both pointing to stronger consumer internet momentum. Sports Meets Commerce: A World Cup-linked travel data update shows demand is holding up but shifting as travelers get more price-sensitive, with host-city hospitality still feeling the squeeze.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Rescue teams pulled 33 people from rubble over the weekend, but the death toll climbed to about 1,450 and tens of thousands remain unaccounted for as the search window narrows; families and volunteers say they faced limited heavy equipment while aftershocks kept residents on edge. Disaster Mechanics: Reports point to two very shallow quakes (7.2 and 7.5) hitting less than a minute apart along a coastal fault line, leaving little time to evacuate and worsening collapse. Aid & Logistics: The government inspected a central relief hub in La Guaira as international brigades expanded; Pope Leo XIV also urged continued support. Regional Emergency Capacity: Costa Rica sent a second 48-person search-and-rescue team to help, while a Northern Ireland dog unit prepared to deploy. Trade & Spirits: Brazil’s cachaça makers see growth after the EU-Mercosur deal advanced, cutting tariffs on hundreds of goods. Sports Business: Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz criticized the 48-team World Cup expansion as “vulgar and ordinary,” arguing money drove the change.

Disaster Response in Venezuela: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have killed at least 1,430 people, with 3,238 injured and up to 50,000 missing, as rescuers—now joined by more than 1,600 foreign teams—push deeper into La Guaira and Caracas amid complaints of limited heavy equipment and an uneven official presence. Public Health Watch: In Guyana, the PUC says water in Regions 4, 7 and 10 fails WHO safe-drinking standards for pH, turbidity and iron, raising health risks for thousands. Regional Health Policy: Latin America and the Caribbean backed a new UN HIV/AIDS political declaration to keep the 2030 goal alive, despite funding gaps and stigma. Trade & Infrastructure: Peru selected Korea’s smart road management plan for a 1,560-km stretch of the Pan-American Highway, aiming to improve accident and disaster-proof transport systems. Energy & Industry Links: Guyana is courting Indian investment beyond oil—pushing minerals and infrastructure ties as production ramps up.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s twin quakes have killed 1,430 people, with 3,200 injured and about 68,900 missing as rescuers race against aftershocks and access limits in La Guaira; officials say 1,600 foreign rescue workers have arrived, with more flights expected, but residents complain about shortages of heavy equipment and a thin official presence. Humanitarian Impact & Damage: The UN estimates up to 6.76 million people could be affected and puts physical damage at about $6.7 billion (around 6% of GDP), while aid groups warn sanitation and shelter needs are urgent. Local Aid Mobilization: Venezuelans abroad and in the US are stepping up—Philadelphia-area groups and Miami restaurants are collecting supplies and coordinating shipments. Built-Environment Risk: Engineers had warned that soft soil plus tall, poorly reinforced buildings could trigger catastrophic collapse, a risk now playing out across the coast. Crypto as Relief Channel: Crypto communities are using stablecoin and wallet-to-wallet transfers to speed donations when banking and logistics are strained. Sports Business: Colombia vs Portugal in Miami decides Group K at the 2026 World Cup, with Colombia favored to secure top spot.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin quakes in northern Venezuela have killed at least 920 people, with more than 50,000 missing, as residents in La Guaira say rescue help is arriving slowly and many searches are being carried out by neighbors with limited equipment. US Humanitarian Push: Washington has launched a major military-backed relief effort and pledged $150 million via the UN and NGOs, marking a high-stakes test of the new US-Caracas relationship. Oil & Prices Watch: India is monitoring whether damage could disrupt Venezuelan crude exports; reports say major facilities and exports are largely intact so far, easing fears of near-term petrol and diesel spikes. Colombia Security Shift: President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has given cartels and guerrillas one month to surrender, signaling a tougher stance after Petro-era policies. Brazil-China Finance: Brazil is moving toward its first sovereign panda bond issuance in China, aiming to raise up to 5 billion yuan. Tech & Industry: Prosus is rolling out an AI platform (ToqanClaw) to help smaller merchants build apps and automate workflows without heavy engineering.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s twin quakes have killed at least 920 people and left about 3,360 injured, with 172 still trapped and more than 50,000 reported missing as rescuers race against fading survival odds. Aid Logistics: The U.S. is ramping up a “massive response,” but large cargo planes can’t fully land yet because damaged airports must be cleared and certified; initial flights used tilt-rotor aircraft while C-17s begin delivering supplies. On-the-Ground Friction: Reports say heavy equipment and state rescue capacity have been slow, pushing neighbors to dig by hand in La Guaira and Caracas. Colombia Politics: Colombia elected far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, signaling a continued rightward shift and closer alignment with the Trump administration’s security agenda. Business & Markets: dLocal was added to the Russell 2000, while Argentina secured most of its July debt payment via lower-cost domestic and multilateral financing. Regional Growth: Breeze Airways announced three new routes from Fort Myers, and El Salvador launched Servicio Pro, a verified home-services marketplace expanding across Latin America.

Disaster Response in Venezuela: Rescuers in and around Caracas are racing to pull survivors from rubble after twin 7.2 and 7.5 quakes killed at least 235 people and left about 4,300 injured, with tens of thousands reported missing; the US Treasury moved to waive some sanctions through Oct. 23 to speed up earthquake-relief transactions, while Spain confirmed deaths among its nationals and more international teams are arriving. Corporate Reshuffle at BHP: BHP will split its Americas leadership into President North America and President South America, with Jessica Farrell taking the North America role from July 1 and also covering South America until a permanent hire is found. Energy Deal for Clean Power: Baker Hughes and Mantle Reach Power announced a geothermal commercial agreement aimed at scaling baseload clean energy in North America. Inclusive Fintech in Brazil: QI Tech and Bettr (Ant International) are expanding credit access for e-commerce merchants and shoppers in Brazil, including a BNPL option at checkout. Legal/Agri Impact: The US Supreme Court upheld a glyphosate ruling in favor of Bayer, limiting state-by-state Roundup litigation. Trade/Politics Watch: Macron and Meloni met on the French Riviera to reset cooperation after Meloni’s break with Trump, focusing on defense, nuclear and space.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck northern Venezuela 39 seconds apart, killing at least 188 and injuring 1,500+ as rescue teams race through collapsed buildings; officials warn the toll could climb sharply, with La Guaira described as a “disaster zone” and thousands reported missing. Disaster Economics & Logistics: The airport in La Guaira was damaged and closed, complicating aid delivery while the government deploys heavy machinery and coordinates with businesses to reach trapped residents. Regional Business Signals: Beyond the crisis, Latin America’s broader investment mood keeps shifting—Brazil is moving toward sovereign “panda bond” issuance, while the region’s rightward political turn is reshaping expectations for policy and markets. Energy & Materials Watch: A new outlook spotlights lithium’s growing pull for East Texas, while Latin America remains central to the global lithium supply chain. Tech & Mobility: Hybrid electric vehicle demand continues to rise globally, with market forecasts pointing to rapid growth through 2033.