AGP Executive Report

BRICS Diplomacy: Russia’s Vladimir Putin used the New Delhi summit to push UN Security Council expansion and reform of the IMF, World Bank and WTO, while BRICS leaders also condemned unilateral sanctions and warned about attacks on civilian infrastructure. U.S.-Led Security Push in LatAm: Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Colombia-Ecuador-Peru swing focused on joint action against drug cartels and economic security, with all three countries moving into the Shield of the Americas framework. Brazil Election Fallout: Brazilian police raids and a court document put Flavio Bolsonaro under investigation over alleged corruption and money laundering tied to a film project, adding pressure ahead of October 4 voting. Mexico Cartel Finance Tactic: Reuters reports police found a clandestine crypto-mining operation in Puebla, pointing to cartels expanding into financial crime. Coca Spraying Returns: Colombia will test aerial spraying to eradicate coca using a different herbicide, reopening safety and effectiveness debates. Caribbean Business: PBS Group fully acquired Trinidad Systems Ltd, aiming to expand integrated solutions across the wider region.

Brazil Fintech Watch: Mercado Pago is still issuing credit cards and says its underwriting models are “robust” despite Brazil’s central bank worries about rising household debt. Election Integrity in Brazil: A corruption and money-laundering probe has targeted Flavio Bolsonaro weeks before the October vote, tied to alleged financing behind a film about his father. Caribbean Reparations: Trinidad and Tobago says a new National Committee on Reparations will be appointed “in due course,” reviving a debate after the prior committee was dismantled last year. Regional Diplomacy: Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez visited Suriname to expand cooperation across agriculture, fisheries, energy, connectivity, tourism, education, and capacity building. Climate Pressure: Forecasters warn El Niño 2026-27 could be unusually strong, with impacts already showing in Central and South America, from fishing disruptions to water stress. US-LatAm Security: Marco Rubio’s South America tour included Peru security talks as Washington pushes its hemispheric agenda. Streaming Culture: HBO Max’s Spanish-language telenovela “Collision/Colisión” is climbing U.S. charts fast after a Sept. 7 premiere.

U.S.-Peru Security Pivot: Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped a South America swing by confirming Peru’s entry into the Trump-backed “Shield of the Americas” anti-drug coalition, after protests in Lima and talks with Peru’s leaders. Armed Enforcement Fight: A coalition of Latino and voting-rights groups sued to block a Trump-Vance policy allowing armed ICE officers to enter polling places, arguing it violates long-standing protections for elections. Caribbean Trade Shock: Panama Canal restrictions are putting up to $10B of CARICOM imports at risk, with higher costs and thinner inventories expected through the 2027 dry season. Defense Deals & Strikes: The U.S. approved a $140M Black Hawk helicopter sale to Argentina, while U.S. forces struck a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, killing three. Ecuador Crackdown: Washington designated Ecuador’s Los Tiguerones gang as a foreign terrorist organization, expanding a Latin America list to 21. BRICS Watch: India’s BRICS summit push continues as leaders meet on sidelines, with Brazil and other members in the mix.

US-Led Drug War: Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori says the country will join the “Shield of the Americas” coalition after talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aiming to speed intelligence-sharing and joint action against cross-border cartels. Digital Finance Security: Regulators in Trinidad and Tobago are pushing for safer digital finance as they host talks with virtual asset service providers on bridging the digital divide without undermining financial stability. Cybercrime Watch: Indonesia is seeing a new Android banking malware technique that clones banking apps using Google Work Profile to dodge security checks, with Group-IB estimating near-$1M in losses. Elections and Enforcement: A Denver lawsuit seeks to block armed ICE agents from being stationed at voting sites, arguing it violates federal law and could intimidate voters. Climate and Water Stress: Puerto Rico has shifted from no drought to widespread extreme drought in months, triggering water rationing and emergency declarations. Regional Politics: The U.S. expands its list of “foreign terrorist organizations” in Latin America and the Caribbean, adding an Ecuadorian group during Rubio’s tour. Banking Expansion: Nu officially launches in the U.S., partnering with Inter Miami CF to mark its move from a Latin American digital bank to a global platform.

China’s Consumer Push in Latin America: Euromonitor says Chinese exports to the region hit nearly $300B in 2025 (+7% YoY), with brands increasingly moving from shipping goods to investing in local manufacturing and supply chains. Cybersecurity: Check Point reports a 22% YoY jump in global cyber attacks in August, with Latin America the most attacked region and phishing plus ransomware still driving risk. Mexico–NFL Deal: Codere Online becomes the Official Betting Partner of the NFL in Mexico and also backs the Super Bowl and NFL Mexico Game under a multi-year agreement. Chile EV Logistics: DP World handled a record Chile shipment of 1,918 BYD new-energy vehicles (EVs and plug-in hybrids), underscoring Chile’s fast-growing EV market. El Niño’s Latin America Effects: Forecasters warn the 2026-27 El Niño could be unusually strong, already shifting fish and seabird patterns and stressing farming and water access. Caribbean Aviation Fees: A Bahamas aviation agreement raises concerns over higher, less transparent fees that could lift travel costs. U.S.–Ecuador Security: Marco Rubio says the U.S. is expanding anti-drug cooperation, designating Ecuador’s “Los Tiguerones” as a terrorist group.

U.S.-Backed Security Push in Ecuador: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced $45m in security funding plus new naval assets for Ecuador, alongside a $10m initiative targeting illegal gold mining, gang recruitment and drug trafficking. Immigration Rhetoric Meets Reality in Colombia: Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella is echoing Trump-style deportation talk, but experts warn sweeping raids may be hard to carry out. Panama Canal Disruption Hits Caribbean Trade: CARICOM’s private sector group says canal transit caps and low water could put $8–$10bn of annual non-fuel imports at risk, raising costs and squeezing inventories. Anti-Drug Crackdown Escalates: The U.S. designated Ecuador’s Los Tiguerones as a terrorist group, citing attacks on civilians, law enforcement and journalists. Jamaica-Africa Fintech Link: JN Money Services partnered with Kenya’s WapiPay to expand payment access into Jamaica, aiming to deepen trade ties. Politics & Sovereignty in Panama: Lawmakers accused China of interfering after Beijing rejected a Panama-Taiwan parliamentary exchange group. Culture With a Political Edge: “South Park” creators renamed the show to “SOUTH AMERICA” in a jab at Trump’s renaming spree.

US-Colombia Reset: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla, signaling a renewed security and investment push under the “Barranquilla Agreements.” Caribbean Governance Clash: Antigua PM Gaston Browne escalated his feud with the regional judiciary, questioning women judges after rape cases drew short sentences and threatening deportation of a sitting judge. Cuba Crisis Fallout: An AP report says Cuba’s shortages and instability are taking a psychological toll, with doctors describing patients “playing psychologist” as hope fades. Brazil Logistics Shift: Brazil’s tax reform is already reshaping corporate logistics, with many firms planning to resize or relocate distribution centers as incentives change. Venezuela Energy Bet: Chevron plans to more than double output in Venezuela to 600,000 barrels a day by 2031, despite political volatility risks. Caribbean Reparations Drive: Jamaica’s reparations petition to King Charles III is backed by regional leaders, including the Virgin Islands’ acting premier. Tech/Finance Expansion: Mexico’s Kapital raised $125M to expand AI-powered B2B financial services across Mexico and the US. Accessibility Upgrade: Punta Cana Airport earned Level 1 accessibility accreditation from ACI World.

US-Latin America Security Push: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Peru will join the Trump-backed Americas Shield as Washington seeks tighter coordination with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru on transnational crime and security. Trade Diplomacy: Rubio also signaled “good, solid” trade deals are next with Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, as he begins a three-country tour aimed at deepening ties with right-wing-aligned governments. Caribbean Reparations Clash: Jamaica’s delegation delivered a slavery reparations petition to Buckingham Palace, but King Charles was absent and the UK government rejected any payment obligation. Anti-Drug Crackdown: Spain dismantled the “Dubai Bank” underground network tied to cocaine trafficking, arresting 21 and seizing about €20 million in assets. Ecuador Strike Update: The US Southern Command sank another Ecuadorian vessel it linked to Los Choneros, removing people for transfer to Ecuadorian authorities. Environment & Blue Economy: Belize’s Blue Economy ministry is moving toward waste-to-energy plans to tackle sargassum, starting in the north. Local Business/Finance: PROVEN Bank named Sonja M. Salmon CEO for operations across Cayman and St. Lucia.

U.S.-Venezuela Energy Push: The Trump administration is reportedly seeking deeper U.S. access to Venezuela’s minerals, including gold, with possible steps to open the mining sector to U.S. investment alongside oil. Geopolitics & Influence: A separate report frames the U.S.-backed long-term Venezuela oil deal as a modern “Monroe Doctrine,” tied to North American Blue Energy Partners and U.S. rights over output and purchases. Diplomacy in Focus: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a Latin America tour with Colombia, aiming to bolster pro-U.S. leaders and expand cooperation against narcoterrorism. Public Health Research: A Latin America dementia trial (LatAm-FINGERS) finds hands-on coaching improved cognition far more than lighter-touch advice. Caribbean Governance: Caribbean leaders’ meetings in Bermuda highlight regional cooperation on finance, climate resilience, and citizen wellbeing. Trade & Logistics: DP World proposes a $1.3B expansion of Peru’s Callao terminal to boost capacity for exports like fresh produce. Tech in the Region: NowVertical expands its Google Cloud practice into Brazil to scale data modernization and enterprise AI programs.

Venezuela–Oil Deals: Eni struck a new 25-year agreement with PDVSA for the Junin 5 heavy-oil area and is also moving into Uruguay’s OFF-5 block, signaling fresh upstream push across South America. Regional Diplomacy: Colombia confirmed Alejandro Ordonez as its new ambassador to the OAS, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru to deepen cooperation with Trump-aligned governments. Economy Watch: Colombia’s inflation ticked up to 6.24% in August, adding pressure as fiscal accounts weaken. Energy & Climate: Markets tracked El Niño fears and commodity swings, with cocoa prices climbing for a sixth straight month. Caribbean Governance: St. Vincent and the Grenadines and CARTAC urged a “digital by design” approach to AI in public financial management, warning against tech for tech’s sake. Public Safety: Jamaica outlined investments to modernize justice and correctional systems, aiming to cut reoffending. Cuba–US Tensions: Cuba’s foreign minister renewed claims that the US blockade—especially energy restrictions—has driven record hardship.

Caribbean Justice Cooperation: Justice ministers from Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands agreed on tighter coordination against drugs, organized crime, youth violence and emergency response after a four-country consultation in Curaçao. Food Security & Health: The U.S. released its billionth sterile screwworm fly as Mexico and Panama scale up the fight against a pest that can devastate livestock and threaten the Southwest U.S. Cross-Ocean Trade Strategy: A new look at the Atlantic–Pacific Bridge through the Panama Canal argues connectivity reshapes global trade—but also creates new vulnerabilities when routes get disrupted. AI for the Global South: BRICS is pushing South-South AI cooperation focused on practical problems like healthcare access, not just building the biggest models. Aviation Crime Crackdown: Customs and partner agencies wrapped Operation ZAFIRO, targeting general aviation abuse across Latin America and the Caribbean and seizing narcotics and identifying clandestine airstrips. Jamaica Reparations Drive: Jamaica formally petitioned King Charles to refer slavery reparations questions to the Privy Council, seeking legal clarity on whether Britain has a duty to provide redress. Argentina Data Center Rush: Tech firms are courting Patagonia for AI data centers, drawn by power and space—while local communities and energy dynamics remain key pressure points. Disaster Disruption: Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau eruption stranded about 270,000 passengers as airports extended closures. Tech & Business in Costa Rica: Costa Rica markets itself as a medical-device and high-value tech hub, pitching reputation, legal certainty and sustainability to investors.

FIFA Power Struggle: Gianni Infantino says he will seek re-election in March 2027, with FIFA insisting “nothing has changed” despite UEFA’s accusations of “criminal mismanagement” over the World Cup investment plan. Caribbean Reparations Push: Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange leads a delegation to file a slavery-reparations petition to King Charles III and press for the return of Caribbean artefacts, including talks with the British Museum over items Jamaica says belong to the island’s people. Aviation Shock: An Amazon Prime Air cargo Boeing 767 overran a runway at Miami International, struck vehicles, killed at least five people, and triggered a full airport ground stop before operations partially resumed. Regional Infrastructure: Panama’s Tocumen Airport plans $306.75M in projects, including a Terminal 2 expansion and airfield modernization, to boost capacity and connectivity. Drug Trade Shift in Ecuador: Analysis warns Ecuador is expanding beyond cocaine into synthetics like MDMA and ketamine, with precursors and small shipments complicating enforcement. Politics & Oil: Uruguay’s Lacalle Pou calls for Venezuela elections and questions the terms of a US-Venezuela oil deal, reigniting debate over Uruguay’s foreign policy stance. Culture & Tourism: Disney Cruise Line adds more San Juan calls, including homeports during peak season, while Qatar’s Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra marks Mexico and Canada’s Year of Culture with new concerts.

Caribbean Spotlight: Trinidad and Tobago’s Georgia-Lee Gill won Miss World Caribbean 2026 in Vietnam, while the Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola took the overall crown and other runners-up claimed continental titles. Regional Courts: The Virgin Islands’ cabinet approved a third Commercial Court under the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, aiming to start hearings in Q4 2026. Energy & Trade: OPEC’s secretary general said stabilizing oil markets is the top priority and rejected price manipulation, as global supply routes face disruption. Oil Deal Watch: A Trinidad and Tobago energy expert warned any benefit from the U.S. move to take control of Venezuelan oil will depend on U.S. interests and refinery priorities. Crypto Fallout: Chile’s Orionx began permanent closure after a custody shortfall of more than $7m, with withdrawals suspended and restitution planned. Culture & Diplomacy: Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra announced “Sounds of Mexico” (Sept. 18) and “Sounds of Canada” (Nov. 7) for the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. Governance & Maps: France adopted a new equal-area projection for official maps after a UN-backed push to better reflect continent sizes.

Venezuela Energy Deal: The U.S. plans to buy a 35% stake in Alejandro Betancourt’s Blue Energy Partners, with priority access to Venezuela oil output—an effort to reshape the country’s petroleum sector and boost crude exports. Colombia Security: Colombia says ELN drones carried explosives in an attack on a military compound near Ocaña, killing at least three soldiers and injuring others. Caribbean Migration Pressure: Guyana agreed to temporarily receive a limited number of U.S. deportees without criminal records, as Washington expands third-country removals. Education Tech in El Salvador: An OECD-linked pilot finds AI tutors in 171 schools produced results comparable to Sweden and Germany, with plans to scale to all public schools. Tourism & Local Innovation (Jamaica): Jamaica’s Tourism Enhancement Fund selected 15 entrepreneurs for a new incubator cohort, adding AI-powered prototype development. Global Politics/Maps: The UN General Assembly backed a new “Correct the Map” projection showing Africa larger than on Mercator, with the U.S. voting against.

Caribbean Finance: Republic Financial Holdings expanded sustainable finance commitments by adding US$550M, lifting its total to US$750M by 2030, with money earmarked for climate resilience plus women- and agriculture-focused SME lending. Puerto Rico Economy: Visa Consulting & Analytics says Bad Bunny’s sold-out San Juan finale drove nearly 11% growth in Visa transactions citywide, with international visitor spending up 22% on concert days. Security in Colombia: A guerrilla drone attack on a military garrison in Ocaña killed at least two soldiers and wounded five, with President Abelardo de la Espriella blaming the ELN amid intensified operations. Venezuela Oil Deal: U.S.-investigated billionaire Alejandro Betancourt is now tied to a Pentagon-backed oil arrangement granting long-term access to Venezuela’s crude reserves, despite past money-laundering scrutiny. Global Map Politics: The UN General Assembly backed a new world map resolution correcting Africa’s size; the U.S. voted against it while 164 nations supported. Travel Costs: Expedia and Hopper report fall travel is pricier than usual, with higher lodging and airfare and fewer deals than in recent years.

UN World Map Overhaul: The UN General Assembly backed an African-backed push to adopt the Equal Earth projection, voting 164-1 (with the U.S. against) to better reflect Africa’s true size and reduce “symbolic minimization” from the Mercator map. Climate & Hurricanes: El Niño and strong wind shear are “crushing” Atlantic storm development, with activity at the lowest level since 1941. Primary Care Inequality: Researchers used machine learning to build “living evidence” maps on what works to cut primary care gaps, showing both where knowledge is strong and where it’s missing. Caribbean Security & Culture: New York’s Carnival week is set with major NYPD security steps for J’Ouvert and the West Indian American Day Parade after past violence. Costa Rica–U.S. Security Talks: President Laura Fernandez said any potential U.S. ground operations would need legislative approval and focus on transnational crime, drugs, and terrorism—while stressing no plans are underway. Jamaica Tourism Update: Jamaica reported 2.34M visitors and $2.5B in earnings through Aug. 31, with demand recovering faster than hotel capacity after Hurricane Melissa.