Cuba Tourism Shock: Cuba’s tourism fell 62% from January to July after intensified U.S. pressure, with visitor arrivals dropping to 419,000 from 1.1 million a year earlier. Venezuela Energy Deal: The U.S. detailed a sweeping oil agreement giving the Pentagon’s investment arm a 35% stake in the operator running 17 Venezuelan fields, with Washington also securing discounted output for strategic needs. Caribbean Security & Drugs: Australia pledged $600 million for a Pacific maritime crackdown on cocaine and meth, including better surveillance and coordination with Central and South America. Guyana Private-Sector Finance: Pas Cargo Guyana became the first local firm to get IDB-Lab financing, marking a new push to deepen private investment as Guyana’s economy grows. Colombia Violence: A car bomb hit a Colombian police station, killing one and injuring 11. Regional Governance & Accountability: A Caribbean Development Bank push for stronger evaluation meets calls from officials that governments must use evidence to prove programs work. Tech & Business in Latin America: Flō Networks said it plans public tender offers to buy up to 100% of Axtel companies, pending regulatory approvals. Sports: Guyana’s Shimron Hetmyer powered a 7,000-run T20 milestone with an unbeaten 111 in CPL 2026.