AGP Executive Report

U.S.-Ecuador Security Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats and said Washington will seek $45 million in additional security funding for Ecuador, including more equipment, while designating the Los Tiguerones gang as a foreign terrorist group. Drug-War Controversy: Rights groups and fishermen have questioned the campaign, alleging targets were hit without clear links to trafficking. Aviation Demand: Copa Holdings reported August traffic up 16.8% year-on-year, with capacity rising 16.8% and load factor steady at 88.3%. Chinese Consumer Inroads: Euromonitor says Chinese brands are deepening their Latin America footprint, with China exports to the region nearing $300B in 2025 and growth driven by e-commerce and local investment. Energy Storage in Mexico: Olade says Mexico had 192 MW of battery storage operating as of August 2026, while CFE plans 2,216 MW by 2030. Cybersecurity: Unit 42 warns hackers used commercial AI tools to speed up intrusions across Latin America, including Mexico, Ecuador and Brazil’s financial sector. Tech & Payments: Univar Solutions will distribute LANXESS lubricant and metalworking additives across Mexico, expanding specialty-chemicals supply. Business/Travel Tech: Zeal raised $10M to scale payment-terminal loyalty and customer identification across the Middle East and Latin America.

U.S.-Ecuador Security Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Ecuador the Trump administration’s “most aggressive” partner on counternarcotics and designated the Los Tiguerones gang a terrorist group, escalating the campaign against drug trafficking and violence. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar’s foreign minister held calls with Guatemala and Belize, stressing support for security and stability across Latin America. Cyber Threats: Check Point reported rising cyberattacks across sectors, with Latin America the highest by average attack volume per organization. Migration Policy Impact: Salvadorans with Temporary Protected Status face uncertainty as the TPS sunset approaches, leaving many worried about losing legal status and livelihoods. BRICS Spotlight: South Africa’s BRICS envoy Anil Sookal said the bloc should amplify Global South voices on conflicts, food, and energy security. Culture & Media: WWE launched its first Spanish-language podcast, WWE Ahora, as it kicks off South American live dates.

US-Colombia-Ecuador-Peru Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a three-nation tour, meeting Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella, Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, and Peru’s Keiko Fujimori, with an agenda focused on disaster response, “narcoterrorism” cooperation, and faster trade deals to counter China’s influence. Security at Sea: The US Southern Command sank another Ecuadorian vessel it linked to Los Choneros, saying it targeted a floating refueling station supporting drug trafficking; it was the fifth strike in under two weeks. Digital Payments Boost: Visa and the IFC launched a risk-sharing initiative to expand digital financial inclusion, with initial focus on 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries. Counter-Drone Alarm: A new report says armed-drone incidents in Latin America have surged since 2018, with drones increasingly used across borders and by criminal groups. Food Shock Risk: The UN’s WFP warns El Niño could push at least 49 million more people into acute food insecurity in 2027, including major impacts across Latin America and the Caribbean. Business & Finance: Suntera Global named a Bahamas managing director, while ProntoPaga is set to highlight LatAm payments expertise at SBC Summit Lisbon.

US-LatAm Security & Trade Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a tour of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, aiming to lock in “good, solid” trade deals while deepening cooperation against narcoterrorism and transnational crime; in Colombia, he met President Abelardo de la Espriella and highlighted Colombia’s push to step up operations against armed drug groups and join the “Shield of the Americas.” Food Prices Watch: The UN’s FAO says global food prices rose in August to the highest since late 2022, driven by heat, drought, and Middle East/Black Sea disruptions—raising risks for staples across Latin America. Digital Trade Growth: A new IDB/WTO/World Bank report finds digitally delivered services exports in Latin America and the Caribbean nearly quintupled since 2005, reaching about $87.7B in 2024, with big upside if connectivity and rules improve. Venezuela Economy Debate: A commentary argues that adopting Peru’s monetary setup wouldn’t work in Venezuela, warning against “exporting” a system built on unique conditions. Business/Tech: Cognition raised $2B at a $48B valuation as Devin revenue nears $900M, while Brazil fintech Bull raised $3.9M to scale credit-as-a-service using AI. Culture & Sports: TV Globo confirmed “Avenida Brasil” season 2 for January 2027; Panama boxing legend Ismael “Tiger of Colón” Laguna died at 83.

U.S.-Colombia Security Push: Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Colombia to meet President Abelardo de la Espriella, signaling tighter U.S. cooperation on “narcoterrorism” and reconstruction after an Aug. 10 earthquake that killed more than 330. Ecuador Gang Displacement: Reuters reports violence between Ecuador gang factions has driven over 300,000 people from their homes in three years, with families in Guayaquil’s Nueva Prosperina fleeing after bullets hit rooftops. Guatemala Press Crackdown: An independent study says a coordinated campaign on X helped harass investigative journalist José Rubén Zamora and frame his detention as criminal—amid his prolonged detention and legal battles. DRC Copper Demand: U.S. imports of DRC copper cathode hit a July record, with DRC supplying 23.9% of U.S. imports as tariff uncertainty looms. Colombia Biotech Expansion: Cellgenic begins local commercial arrangements in Colombia, subject to local regulatory requirements and contract terms. Spain Drug Seizure: Spanish police seize 1.2+ tons of cocaine hidden in coconut shipments, underscoring Spain’s role as a major EU entry point for Latin American cocaine.

Oil Markets: China’s demand is rebounding fast, pushing Shanghai crude back above $100 and lifting crude prices across Africa, Canada, and Latin America as Hormuz disruptions and tighter Iranian supply spark a scramble. US-LatAm Diplomacy: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to deepen cooperation on earthquake response and anti–narco-terrorism, amid a rightward political shift in the region. Aviation Safety: An Amazon Prime Air cargo jet overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing five and injuring others; investigators are dispatched as officials compare it to a 1997 crash. Mexico Security: A car bomb in Zacatecas injured at least 11, with authorities suspecting CJNG involvement in a widening turf fight with the Mayiza faction of the Sinaloa cartel. Business & Competition: The US FTC cleared the Volaris–Viva Aerobus merger for now, moving the deal closer to Mexico’s final antitrust decision. Culture & Heritage: UNESCO’s Memory of the World Regional Register added the Earl Lovelace manuscripts, with a ceremony at the University of the West Indies.

UNGA Watch: Ghana’s President John Mahama is set to deliver key remarks at the UN General Assembly’s 81st session in New York, with the high-level debate running Sept. 22–28 and Climate Week scheduled Sept. 20–27. El Niño Shock: The UN’s weather agency warns El Niño is intensifying into a “supersized” event lasting into Feb. 2027, raising risks of floods, droughts, and extreme heat across Latin America and beyond. Energy & Climate Resilience: Colombia’s Vector Geophysical bought 30,000 STRYDE Halo-Connect seismic nodes to boost high-density exploration capacity, while the Philippines’ MTerra Solar Phase 1 hit commercial operations for 600 MWac solar plus large battery storage. Tech Infrastructure: Argentina’s Patagonia is drawing hyperscalers for mega data centers, attracted by cool conditions and energy resources, as projects face less local backlash than in the US. Cross-border Payments: SQRIL says it’s expanding bank and neobank support so users can scan-and-pay local QR codes across Asia, Africa, and Latin America in their home currency. Security: Check Point details JSCeal malware campaigns using fake trading sites and malicious ads to harvest credentials and intercept traffic.

Venezuela Oil Row: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright denied Washington is “stealing” Venezuela’s oil, saying the U.S. controls exports and Venezuela is “forced to work” in partnership—while royalties and taxes go to Caracas. Peru-Iran Break: Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori backed the U.S. war drive by breaking diplomatic ties with Iran, a move framed as aligning with Washington’s agenda. Falklands Tensions: Argentina’s Milei says he’ll push tougher sanctions against firms drilling near the Falkland Islands, signaling a harder line on sovereignty. Mexico Politics: Morena leaders urged unity ahead of 2027 midterms, aiming to “leave them without a task” as governorships and local races loom. Panama Infrastructure: Tocumen Airport approved two mega-projects totaling about $306.75M to expand capacity and modernize runways. Cross-border Payments: The ECB and Brazil’s central bank are assessing a link between Europe’s TIPS and Brazil’s Pix, with a possible pilot as soon as 2028. Chile Memory March: Thousands marched in Santiago to mark the 1973 coup and protest cuts to funding for memory and human-rights sites. Miami Airport Disaster: An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International, killing five people on the ground and shutting down flights.

Crypto Shock in Chile: Orionx, backed by Tether, is permanently shutting after a forensic audit found over $7M in customer assets moved to outside wallets, suspending withdrawals and leaving 100,000+ users in limbo. Ecuador Rights Backlash: Ecuador’s adoption reform bars LGBTQ+ couples and requires single adopters to be straight, while critics warn vague language could trigger custody loss for parents supporting trans children. Colombia Security: A guerrilla drone attack in Catatumbo killed three soldiers, with ELN blamed and authorities saying operations against armed groups will continue. Ecuador Power Crunch: An asymmetrical El Niño pattern threatens electricity shortfalls in 2026, endangering 33 hydro plants that make up 83% of capacity. Mobility Safety Push: Yango Ride says safety incidents fell—grave violations down 31%—linking improvements to privacy tech, anti-fraud tools, and 24/7 support across Latin America and beyond. Education That Works (Bogotá): A Bogotá public school cut bullying to zero and slashed serious coexistence incidents by 85% by shifting to emotional well-being and peer-led conflict resolution. Culture & Soft Power: Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will stage “Sounds of Mexico” (Sept 18) and “Sounds of Canada” (Nov 7) in Doha as part of the Qatar-Canada-Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. Tech & AI Growth (China): China unveiled a plan to grow AI-focused SMEs—aiming for 10,000+ AI firms and “little giant” specialists by 2028.

UN Map Fight: The UN General Assembly backed a non-binding switch from Mercator to the Equal Earth projection, making Africa look larger and North America/Europe smaller; Togo led the push, 164 countries voted yes, and the US was the lone no, arguing the UN should focus on “genuine” problems. Argentina–UK Falklands: President Javier Milei says Argentina will toughen sanctions against firms drilling near the Falklands, framing it as sovereignty protection; Britain says its stance is “unwavering,” and Argentines broadly support the harder line. China–Trinidad Tech Tensions: China’s embassy in Port of Spain rejected US criticism of Chinese tech firms, accusing Washington of political interference and pointing to US surveillance claims across Latin America and the Caribbean. El Salvador AI in Schools: An OECD PISA-for-Schools assessment says El Salvador’s AI tutor pilot in 171 schools is producing results comparable to Sweden and Germany, and the program is set to expand to 1,000+ schools. Uber/Glovo in Africa: Uber’s planned $14.8B Delivery Hero deal could bring Glovo back into Nigeria via Uber’s delivery footprint, pending regulators. Child Online Abuse Crackdown: South Africa arrested a 16-year-old tied to a transnational online extortion network allegedly targeting minors for sexual abuse and coercion.

Colombia Security: A guerrilla drone attack hit a military garrison in Ocana, Catatumbo, killing at least two soldiers and wounding five as President Abelardo de la Espriella vows tougher action against the ELN. UN Cartography Fight: The UN General Assembly backed a new “Equal Earth” world map that makes Africa look larger and shrinks North America and Europe; the US voted against. Venezuela Oil Deal: The US took a 35% passive stake in Venezuela’s oil venture tied to Alejandro Betancourt, amid a wider push for majority control over major fields. US-Cuba Intelligence: ICE deported a Cuban intelligence agent from Miami, alleging long-running infiltration of exile and dissident communities across the US and Latin America. Regional Diplomacy: Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela agreed to set up a joint commission to restart stalled cooperation across multiple ministries. Tourism Spotlight: Puerto Rico was named “International Guest Destination of Honor” for ANATO 2027 in Bogotá, aiming to deepen Colombia ties. Education in LatAm: UNESCO is preparing ERCE 2025 results on student learning across Latin America and the Caribbean, due in December. Business/Industry: Tata Motors began its all-cash tender offer for Iveco at €14.1 per share, with acceptance set to run from Sept. 7 to Oct. 26.

UN World Map Overhaul: The UN General Assembly backed an African-led proposal to adopt the Equal Earth projection, aiming to show Africa’s true relative size and reduce the apparent size of North America and Europe; 164 countries voted in favor, the US voted against, and six abstained. Costa Rica Security Debate: President Laura Fernandez said US military operations in Costa Rica could benefit national security against transnational crime and drugs, but only with approval from the national legislature and with no current plans for US forces. Energy Watch (LatAm): OLACDE reported April 2026 oil extraction in Latin America and the Caribbean rose 10% year-on-year to 318 million barrels, led by Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela; natural gas extraction also climbed 8.5%. Workplace Mental Health: A TELUS Health study found Puerto Rico’s worker mental health remains “vulnerable,” with 53% lacking emergency savings and financial stress driving risk to productivity. Tech & Finance: Argentine startup UIN raised US$2M to expand BehaviorOS, using AI to turn bank/fintech transactions into recurring customer behavior across LatAm. Travel & Business: Alaska Airlines launched a new San Diego–Loreto nonstop route for its 40th anniversary, while Hilton appointed Kolin Pound as area president for the Caribbean and Latin America.

US-Fintech Expansion: Revolut cleared a major hurdle after receiving conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national bank charter, aiming for a 2027 launch and offering products like deposits, loans, cards, and stablecoin access. Energy & Transport: Brazil’s electrified vehicle growth is starting to squeeze gasoline and ethanol demand, with Citi and ICCT Brazil projecting a longer-term decline even as the economy grows. Renewables in the Region: Spain’s Norvento Enerxía is pushing deeper into Latin America’s energy storage market, targeting Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala with utility-scale battery projects. Digital Finance in LATAM: Banco do Brasil made a $5M investment in Citi’s digitally native structured note on Euroclear’s blockchain-based D-FMI platform—its first digital note deal. Tourism Spotlight: Mexico ranked 4th globally for tourism’s direct GDP contribution and leisure spending, with Cancún and the Riviera Maya still driving the numbers. Climate Risk: The UN’s El Niño warnings point to intensifying extreme-weather impacts through 2027, raising drought and flood risks across the region.

U.S.-Cuba Sanctions: Washington announced fresh sanctions targeting Cuba’s power-grid supply chain, including Abapet, as blackouts worsen and daily outages top 24 hours. Florida Voting Fight: Two voting-rights groups sued to block Florida’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, arguing it conflicts with federal law and could disenfranchise voters of color. Venezuela Energy Moves: GeoPark entered Venezuela by buying the Bare block, while Eni and Chevron signed/expanded major upstream deals tied to Junín-5 and higher output targets—fueling a wider sovereignty debate. EU Trade Pressure on Brazil: The EU moved to suspend imports of Brazilian animal products over antibiotic and antimicrobial drug concerns, putting exporters on edge. Climate Watch: UN and WWF-linked reporting warns a “supersized” El Niño could intensify droughts and floods across Latin America. CARICOM AI Governance: Jamaica’s Wheatley urged a coordinated CARICOM approach to AI rules to protect regional interests. Tech Payments: Bybit Pay integrated with Mesh to let users fund purchases directly across connected merchants without extra transfers. DR Congo-Israel Diplomacy: DR Congo agreed to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, with no timeline given.

Venezuela Energy Deals: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright oversaw signing of “tens of billions” in new oil and energy deals with Chevron and Eni during a high-profile visit, as Caracas pushes to ramp production and translate agreements into benefits. Brazil Election Watch: Ahead of October voting, Lula is running a unusually cautious campaign, with advisers focused on avoiding misinformation risks and legal missteps that opponents could exploit. Latin America Climate Risk: The UN’s WMO warns El Niño is “supersized,” with near-100% odds it persists into early 2027, raising the odds of extreme weather across the region. Peru Social Trend: “Aura farming” is spreading in Peru, with real-world dance battles where young people compete for attention and momentum from the viral concept. Healthcare Expansion (Brazil): Cellgenic is expanding its commercial presence in Brazil with local representation and physician-facing support to back product distribution. Telecom (Caribbean/Central America): Digicel named Salvador “Salva” Hierrezue-lo as group chief business officer to grow enterprise offerings. UNICEF Child Safety: A UNICEF study estimates about 20 million children faced online sexual exploitation or abuse across 21 countries, with social media driving most incidents. Tech & Travel: Civitatis is integrating its tour catalog into ChatGPT and Claude to help users plan and book activities inside AI chats.

Venezuela–U.S. Energy Deal: Chevron confirmed it will expand in Venezuela’s Orinoco Belt after the U.S.-Venezuela pact targets 1.5 million barrels per day, with officials saying it could unlock major investment and tax revenue. Regional Governance & AI: CARICOM urged Caribbean countries to coordinate AI governance so the region can shape rules that protect citizens. Caribbean Reparations Push: Barbados will host the third CARICOM Regional Conference on Reparations (Sept. 17–19), focusing on practical implementation of the reparatory justice plan. Food Waste Reality Check (LatAm): A survey across Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Mexico found 91% say food waste is relevant, but only 12% say they never throw food away—prices are driving behavior. Cross-Border Fintech: Félix Pago raised $200 million to scale WhatsApp-based remittances and expand into lending and savings for Latinos. Cuba Culture & Shortages: Silvio Rodríguez said Cuba’s cultural life endures despite shortages tied to the U.S. blockade. Colombia Art Scene: Bogota is gearing up for ARTBO 2026 (Sept. 24–27), with 50+ galleries and a full education-and-arts program.