AGP Executive Report

Venezuela Influence Case: Former GOP congressman David Rivera was sentenced to 10 years for a secret $50M lobbying scheme tied to Venezuela’s Maduro regime, spotlighting Miami’s role in foreign-influence efforts. Argentina Investment Migration: Argentina unveiled a “golden passport” citizenship-by-investment plan, offering passports for a $350,000 treasury contribution or an $800,000 government bond, with family add-ons—aimed at boosting dollar inflows. Energy & Prices: The G7 agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel, starting with diesel, as record fuel prices pressure governments ahead of elections. Hydropower Crunch in Ecuador: Ecuador extended electricity disconnections for large firms to 72 hours due to low water at key hydro plants, sparking business complaints about who bears the burden. Regional Geopolitics: A Latinobarometro poll found China is now seen as a more positive influence than the US across 17 countries. Corporate Restructuring: Nike plans more layoffs and an operating-model overhaul, including merging North America and Latin America into an Americas unit. Aviation Connectivity: Caribbean Airlines will resume Trinidad–Caracas flights and add Tobago–Toronto service, improving regional travel links.

LNG Deal: Petrobras will buy about 0.8 million tonnes per year of US LNG from Cheniere for 22 years, locking in long-term supply and reducing exposure to spot-price swings. Brazil Election Watch: With Brazil voting Sunday, Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro are neck-and-neck; investors are focused on fiscal reforms more than the winner itself. Finance & Markets: BlackRock expects Brazil assets under management to keep growing around 30% next year regardless of the election, citing rising interest in international investing. Payments & Fintech: Jeeves raised $110M to expand stablecoin-native banking across 35 countries, while Walapay secured a $4.6M seed round to speed cross-border payments via local rails. Energy & Risk: A US diesel export ban threat is rattling global fuel markets, raising the odds of higher costs for freight and food. Cybersecurity: Authorities arrested suspects tied to the KillSec ransomware operation, including a 16-year-old alleged mastermind. Bolivia Governance: Bolivia’s attorney general Roger Mariaca was reportedly abducted by security forces amid a US-linked corruption/drug probe.

LNG Finance: MidOcean Energy closed a 2026 equity raise with over $4B in commitments to expand its LNG growth pipeline across Canada, Australia, the U.S. and Latin America. Cybersecurity Readiness: A new benchmark finds most organizations still lack mature 24/7 security operations and aren’t fully prepared for ransomware, even as AI speeds up both attacks and defenses. Caribbean Aviation: CARICOM and ICAO urged stronger regional cooperation and oversight capacity to improve aviation safety and resilience across the Caribbean. Brazil Politics & Sovereignty: Brazil’s attorney general asked law enforcement to probe alleged U.S. funding of far-right groups amid a tense election backdrop. Payments Innovation: Exodus launched stablecoin payments for DIRECTV’s DGO in Argentina, with plans to roll out across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador. Energy Investment: ADNO C’s XRG committed to Argentina LNG, citing Vaca Muerta’s scale and aiming to boost Latin America’s role in global gas.

Impact Investing: Saudi Eksab, IDB Invest and IDC Network launched the “Impact Fund” with CAF support to back private growth companies across North of Latin America, with Valante Capital managing investments. Mining & Operations: Dynacor appointed Jonathan Hill as COO to lead operational excellence as it ramps expansion across South America and Africa. E-commerce & Fintech: MercadoLibre shares jumped in Frankfurt after a tough September, as investors weigh strong growth against thinner margins. Consumer & Credit Access: inDrive.Money said driver loans in Latin America more than doubled in H1 2026, driven by Peru, Colombia and Mexico demand. Energy Transition (Chile): Chile approved two solar-plus-storage projects totaling $569m, including Pampino (170MW/1,020MWh) and Monterrico Solar (248.73MWp/200MW/1,200MWh). Power & Storage (Chile): Promigas-backed solar-linked storage progress highlights Chile’s push to firm renewables. Politics & Markets (Brazil): With Brazil’s election nearing, Reuters reports a tight race between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro, with foreign policy and security alongside kitchen-table costs. Immigration (US): The Trump administration revoked 250,000+ visas, including thousands tied to “birth tourism” and visas of Latin American officials accused of corruption.

Election Tech Clash in Brazil: Lula’s campaign says Meta temporarily disabled its Facebook ads account days before the vote, with the team appealing and still seeking an explanation—raising fresh claims that U.S.-based platforms tilt politically. Energy & Mining Pressure in Panama: A government commission recommends reopening the Canadian-owned Cobra copper mine, shut after 2023 protests and a Supreme Court ruling; First Quantum seeks major damages, and the decision is tangled in ongoing litigation. Brazil’s Economic Narrative: A CEPR analysis credits Lula’s 2022-2025 term with 8.9% cumulative growth, lower unemployment and reduced hunger, while flagging high interest rates and delinquency risks. Aviation Finance: Aeromexico renewed and expanded a $250M syndicated credit facility with BBVA Mexico, boosting liquidity ahead of strategic investments. Trade & Food Costs: China’s soybean purchases may fall as weak feed demand and crush margins bite, with U.S. soybeans excluded from tariff relief—likely shifting more demand to Brazil and Argentina. SME Focus: Mastercard’s Dreamonomics report finds SMEs prioritize stability over fast growth and launches a business card benefits package.

Aviation Demand: IATA says global air passenger demand fell 0.8% year-on-year in August, with Middle East carriers hit hardest, while forward schedules for October show cautious optimism. Air Cargo: Cargo demand rose 4.4% in August as yields improved and airlines recouped higher fuel costs; Latin America and the Caribbean grew 4.1%. Brazil Tax Shock for Airlines: Brazil’s tax reform could raise international airfares by 13.3% and cut demand by 17.8%, with airlines already selling tickets amid uncertainty over rates. Fintech/Capital Markets: Brazil’s CSD BR will record BTG Pactual fund ownership on the XRP Ledger, aiming to speed reconciliation while keeping CSD BR as the official registry. Payments Startup: Chilean fintech Toku says its AI agent helps companies collect recurring payments and arrange repayment plans, cutting unrecoverable debts by up to half. Sports Governance Money: FIFA president Gianni Infantino signals more reserve funding could be distributed to members after the failed FIFA Forward plan. Climate & Health: Copernicus warns 34% of the world faced extremely poor air quality (ozone) this year so far, driven by heatwaves and wildfires. Paraguay Healthcare Tech: Paraguay inaugurated its first robotic surgery training center to scale specialist capacity.

U.S.-Backed Anti-Drug Push: Gen. Francis Donovan says “land strikes” against cartel networks are on the table as the Pentagon expands operations across Central America, South America and the Caribbean, moving beyond past sea-based actions. AI Governance at the UN: Developing nations pressed for a bigger say in shaping AI rules, warning that standards set by wealthy countries could deepen inequality. Brazil Jobs Boost Ahead of Vote: Brazil’s unemployment rate hit a record low (5.3% in the three months to August), strengthening Lula’s campaign as election tension rises. Colombia Investment Signal: PepsiCo plans a US$1B, five-year investment in Colombia to expand production, modernize plants and strengthen distribution, tied to the government’s push for 6% growth. Fintech Expansion: Jeeves raised $110M to scale stablecoin-native banking and expand stablecoin cards across more Latin American markets. Aviation & Trade Links: Guyana wants a major airline to use Cheddi Jagan’s Terminal Two as a hub, while Satena resumes Montería–Panama City flights. Climate Risk for Peru: Peru’s Coastal El Niño alert rose to 88%, with extraordinary intensity possible through early 2027, threatening rainfall, rivers and marine resources.

Food Supply Stress: Banana growers across Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and others face mounting weather, disease and cost pressures, with El Niño adding fresh uncertainty for U.S. supermarket supply. Sports Governance: FIFA accuses UEFA of a “misinformation campaign” in a Florida court fight tied to Gianni Infantino’s World Cup commercial-rights plan. AI Expansion in LatAm: Naver’s CEO met Mexico’s economy and science ministers to push a regional AI ecosystem and public-sector digital transformation. Payments Deal: Getnet and Nayax announced a global strategic partnership to speed cashless acceptance for unattended commerce, starting in Chile and rolling into Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. Brazil Election Economics: With polls tight, Lula is advancing populist measures, including a ban on online gambling and fixed-odds betting aimed at curbing household debt. Travel & Hotels: Amex GBT forecasts hotel rates rising in 2027, with Mexico City up to 7.1% and major Latin America cities seeing double-digit pressure in places like São Paulo. Business Finance: Yellow Card named Ross Everett as Group CFO to support expansion of its stablecoin-enabled payments and dollar liquidity infrastructure.

Brazil Election Watch: Lula’s government moved to ban fixed-odds betting platforms nine days before the first round, ordering the removal of 506 sites—an issue that could sway voters in a tight race. US–Latin America Energy: The White House is weighing a temporary diesel export ban as prices near record levels, with analysts warning it could ripple through Latin American supply chains that rely heavily on US shipments. Visa Crackdown: The US revoked visas of 27 Latin American officials and relatives over corruption allegations, including Colombia’s Senator Martha Peralta Epieyu and businessman Euclides Torres Romero. Colombia Security: Police arrested the wife and daughter of Ecuador drug boss “Fito” Macias in a joint operation involving the FBI and Ecuadorian authorities. Argentina Investment Push: Javier Milei is set to meet France’s Macron in Paris for “Argentina Week” aimed at attracting investment amid signs of economic stagnation. Retail & Consumer Trends: Shein reported 1% net revenue growth in H1 2026 but profit fell 67% as margins compressed and Europe sales slid.

Aviation & Infrastructure: Armenia’s PM Nikol Pashinyan met Corporación América Airports to discuss new investment plans to expand and upgrade Zvartnots and Shirak airports, aiming to boost capacity, service quality, and tourism. Climate Finance: At Climate Week NYC, Latin American governments backed forest carbon as a key Article 6 pathway; Brazil’s Tropical Forest Forever Facility is targeting $10bn, while Colombia signaled possible €8m support for forest governance and results-based payments. Energy Markets: Brent jumped over 2.5% after Trump rejected an Iran peace proposal, raising concerns around Strait of Hormuz supply flows. Security & Crime: Colombian police arrested the wife and daughter of Ecuador drug boss “Fito” in an operation tied to money-laundering charges, with FBI and Ecuadorian authorities involved. Business Services: FTI Consulting named José Claudio Treviño to lead Mexico risk and investigations, expanding financial crime and anti-corruption services across Latin America. Tech & AI: Fusemachines said IBM partner modulAIre is giving it expanded access to IBM Fusion infrastructure to speed development of its AI Twin. Culture & Trade: FILBo in Bogotá named Sharjah as its first Arab Guest of Honour for 2027, spotlighting publishing and translation ties with Colombia.

Education Finance at UNGA81: Education Above All put education protection and new funding models at the center of its UN General Assembly push, warning of a widening global education financing gap and continued attacks on schooling. Colombia Investment Push: PepsiCo says it will invest $1 billion in Colombia over five years to expand production, modernize operations and strengthen distribution, backing jobs, farmers and small shopkeepers. Venezuela Election Pressure: Supporters of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado rallied in Caracas and other cities demanding her safe return and presidential elections, as activists accuse the government of blocking her return. UN Leadership Race: UN secretary-general succession talks intensified during UNGA’s high-level week, with secret Security Council polling showing Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leading in one round. Payments for Latin American Gamers: EBANX and NetEase Games Club are expanding local payment options across Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Peru, aiming to close the credit-card gap. Trade Diplomacy: Canada and India signaled deeper economic and multilateral cooperation at UNGA, while India-Canada CEPA talks were flagged for a December push. Colombia Anti-Gang Move: Police arrested the wife and daughter of Ecuador gang leader “Fito” after his extradition to the U.S., with authorities stressing no safe haven for criminal finances.

UN Diplomacy: Russia’s Sergey Lavrov backed India (and Brazil) for permanent UN Security Council seats, arguing reforms must expand representation for Asia, Africa and Latin America while blocking any extra Western seats, including Germany and Japan. US–Cuba Tensions: The Pentagon is expanding contingency planning for a possible Cuba operation, with U.S. Army Reserve units asked to assess readiness to support SOUTHCOM within 90–120 days, amid renewed U.S. pressure on Havana. Brazil Politics: A profile on Lula’s push for a final term spotlights how Brazil’s election stakes are shaping policy and political strategy. Climate & Food Risks: El Niño forecasts point to major weather swings and rising food insecurity risks, with UN warnings that Central America and parts of South America could face serious impacts. Health Systems: Abu Dhabi’s “Future Health” initiative convened global health leaders at UNGA81 to shift countries toward prevention, early intervention, and better execution capacity. Tourism & Investment: Trinidad and Tobago tourism operators are calling for fresh investment and easier financing access, saying the sector needs reinvestment to become a stronger economic pillar. Infrastructure Trade: A China-developed pile-driving vessel is heading to Brazil for the Salvador–Itaparica bridge, a major connectivity project expected to boost local economic activity.

UN & Diplomacy: UN chief António Guterres is set to leave at year-end, with the race for his successor sharpening as the organization faces financial strain and geopolitical gridlock. Climate & Risk: El Niño has hit record-breaking daily Pacific heat levels, with scientists warning it could intensify further—raising stakes for Latin America’s weather and economic planning. Cuba-US Tensions: Cuba’s foreign minister told the UN the U.S. fuel restrictions amount to an “energy blockade” and a de facto naval blockade, citing thousands of containers detained at ports. Security & Organized Crime: INTERPOL says criminal networks across the Americas now operate like diversified corporate enterprises, exploiting ports, borders, and digital finance. Colombia Biotech Investment: The EIB is backing Colombia’s VaxThera with a €15m venture debt loan to scale vaccine and biopharma production. Energy & Markets: Oil slid as Iran-US talks returned to focus, with the Strait of Hormuz reopening floated—an immediate reminder of how quickly regional diplomacy can move global prices. Travel & Connectivity: Aeromexico will add Mexico City–Montego Bay nonstop service in March 2027, boosting Latin America-Caribbean business and tourism links.

Drug Trafficking Crackdown: UK authorities jailed four men tied to the “Fish Conspiracy,” plotting to smuggle about 600kg of cocaine and ketamine worth over £20m hidden in frozen fish shipments from South America to London’s Billingsgate Market. Energy & Trade: US officials are weighing a diesel export ban or limits as prices hit record highs, with analysts warning any cut in US supply could push fuel costs higher worldwide. Regional Politics & Business: Venezuela’s interim acting president Delcy Rodríguez went to the UN seeking debt, energy and mining deals, but left New York with no major agreements—underscoring the gap between high-visibility diplomacy and concrete financing. Bolivia’s Economic Pivot: Bolivia’s government says it’s moving from socialism toward “capitalism for everyone,” highlighting reserve rebuilding and a more open stance to private investment. Latin America Tech & AI: Chinese AI models are gaining major adoption on major developer platforms, drawing new scrutiny in Washington over access to advanced chips and model “distillation.” Finance Deal Watch: UK digital bank Monzo is in talks about a potential sale/combination with Brazil’s Nubank, valued at up to £10bn. Trade Talks: South Korea’s president urged Mexico to restart negotiations on a comprehensive trade agreement to deepen investment and jobs. Tourism & Culture: Antigua and Barbuda is betting on “dating tourism” with a new reality series aimed at turning matchmaking into a destination draw.

Brazil Election Watch: President Lula signed an order banning fixed-odds online betting, citing household debt and “public health” concerns; the ban takes effect immediately but needs Congress approval within 120 days, with users given until Oct. 5 to withdraw funds. Cybersecurity & Elections: Brazil’s Army ran “Cyber Guardian” with 1,300 participants across states to simulate coordinated cyberattacks ahead of the presidential vote, amid warnings of foreign interference. Venezuela Timeline Risk: Reuters reports promised elections could be delayed a year or more as the government plans major court and electoral council overhauls. Colombia Fintech Pressure: Bogota’s proposed “Smart City” tax reform would raise the tax burden on major financial activities, sparking alarm among fintech startups over how the ICA is calculated. Mexico Water Infrastructure: Rosarito’s long-delayed desalination plant finally broke ground after a $304M contract, aiming at “water sovereignty” and a major regional capacity boost. Energy & Prices: A diesel export restriction debate in the US follows record pump prices, with Latin America watching potential knock-on effects for fuel costs. Geopolitics at UN: Lula accused Trump of trying to “colonize” Brazil; Cuba’s delegation walked out during Trump’s UN remarks. Climate Risk: IRI warns “Super Niño” 2026-27 could be among the most intense in decades, pushing countries toward anticipatory disaster planning.

Disaster Resilience: CAF approved US$200,000 for CDEMA to strengthen Caribbean disaster-resilient housing over 18 months, focusing on builder training and resilient building standards. Consumer Health Outlook: Haleon is expected to cut 2026 organic sales growth guidance after UBS flagged weaker visibility for the cough-and-cold season, with Latin America seen slowing on tougher comparisons. Argentina Poverty Shock: Argentina’s poverty rate rose to 32.3% in the first half of 2026, with extreme poverty climbing to 7.5%, hitting children hardest—an economic blow for Milei. Brazil Election Tensions: Lula accused Trump of trying to “colonise” Brazil by meddling in the election, as the campaign heats up ahead of the Oct. 4 vote. Fintech Expansion: Revolut won Central Bank approval to acquire BNP Paribas’ Banco Cetelem in Argentina, aiming to build a regulated banking operation. Energy & Security: Mexico ordered a second Lockheed C-130J-30 Super Hercules to boost airlift capacity for regional emergencies and humanitarian missions. Trade & Food Risks: Russia extended its Western food import ban through 2028, adding pressure to global supply as weather hits yields in parts of Europe and the US.