Latinometrics Newsroom

Pilgrim's Pride will invest $1.3 billion in Mexico over the next five years to boost food production, create over 4,000 direct jobs, and reduce poultry imports by up to 35%.

Paraguay's instant payments with aliases (SPI) surged from G. 5.3 million in September 2023 to over G. 3.5 trillion in December 2025, with transactions increasing from 45 to nearly 13 million.

General Motors announced a $1 billion investment in Mexico over the next two years to strengthen its local manufacturing operations and domestic market strategy, having sold 198,153 units in 2025.

Pilgrim's Pride announces a significant $1.3 billion investment in Mexico by 2030, aiming to boost food production by over 373,000 tons and create 4,000 direct jobs, with a large portion ( $950M) directed to the south of the country.

The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, creating a free trade zone for over 700 million consumers, was formally signed in Paraguay after 25 years of negotiations.

Bolivia is set to receive up to $4.5 billion from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) between 2026 and 2028, significantly boosting its economic stability and investment potential.

Mercosur and the EU signed a historic free trade agreement, encompassing a quarter of global GDP and over 700 million people, with Argentina's Milei touting it as Mercosur's most significant achievement.

Ecuador is returning to international bond markets after seven years, leveraging a reduced country risk of 485 points (down from 2,000 points in April 2025) for expected interest rates below 10%, compared to 12.75% in 2019.

Mercosur and the European Union signed a historic trade agreement after decades of negotiation, forming one of the world's largest markets and aiming to eliminate or reduce bilateral tariffs.

Pilgrim’s Pride will invest $1.3 billion in Mexico to reduce chicken imports by 35%, boosting local production.

Petrobras will invest R$ 6 billion to transform the Refinaria Riograndense into Brazil's first 100% biorefinery, alongside R$ 2.8 billion for new ships.

Mexico's investment fund industry saw assets grow by 15.52% to 4.916 trillion pesos and clients increase by 38.67% to over 16.1 million in 2025, driven by a preference for debt instruments.

Tesla's General Manager confirms Chile is strategic for its resources, highlighting plans for humanoid robots, autonomous cars, and charging networks, indicating significant future investment.

The World Bank projects the Dominican Republic's economy to grow by 4.5% in 2026, leading economic growth in Latin America, excluding Guyana.

El Puerto de Acajutla in El Salvador grew 11.2% in cargo movement in 2025, driven by over $1.6 billion in investments and a public-private partnership with Yilport Holding Inc.

China has become the leading origin of vehicle and motorcycle imports to El Salvador, selling $268.3 million by November 2025, a 400% growth over a decade, surpassing the US ($179.1 million).

Dominican Republic's mining exports reached a record-breaking $2.59 billion in 2025, up 52% from 2024, with gold, silver, and copper leading the growth.

Ecuador returns to international markets after seven years with a new bond issuance, marking a significant milestone in rebuilding investor confidence and securing external financing.

Banco del Pacífico reported $206.13 million in profits for 2025, a 30.4% increase from 2024, and channeled over $1.357 billion in credits to corporate, business, and SME segments.

Ecuador's country risk has plummeted from 1,925 points to 485 points under President Noboa, nearing levels desired for new international bond emissions, potentially by mid-2026.

Argentina's public debt has fallen to 42% of GDP (excluding intra-public sector debt), its lowest level since 2017, and total public debt fell from 156% of GDP in 2023 to 78% currently, driven by debt payments and economic growth.

Ecuador's oil exports fell 19.0% to $7.18 billion between January and November 2025, primarily due to operational issues in its oil infrastructure, impacting its trade balance.

ATC Red Enlace is launching virtual asset payments in Bolivia through BINANCE, USDT, and USDC, projecting a transformative impact on the national economy and fintech segment.

China's trade with Latin America surged from $12 billion in 2000 to $518 billion in 2024, projected to exceed $700 billion by 2035, even as Mexico imposes new tariffs.

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced gas exports and defended a new investment phase with the US, signaling potential shifts in energy policy despite ongoing sanctions.

UNPD forecasts Venezuela's inflation to reach 275% in 2025, one of the highest globally, despite an 8.71% Q3 GDP growth driven by oil.

Costa Rica faces a structural shift in multinational employment, with net job creation dropping from nearly 19,000 to just over 3,300 between 2022 and 2025, and a nearly 2% net fall in the services sector for 2025.

Costa Rica's service sector multinational employment contracted by 1.9% in 2025, a loss of 2,192 jobs from a peak of 116,000, primarily due to exchange rate-driven loss of competitiveness.

Argentine President Javier Milei delivered a strong speech at Davos, criticizing government intervention and promoting free-enterprise capitalism, citing 13,500 structural reforms in Argentina.

Bolivia is set to receive up to $4.5 billion from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) between 2026-2028, with approximately $2 billion slated for the first year to support stabilization and vulnerable populations.

Bolivia's government is targeting 14 loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) amidst an accumulated economic damage of $2.595 billion from 64 out of 67 public companies operating with sustained losses.

Argentina reactivates a hydroelectric complex, La Barrancosa-Jorge Cepernic, after a two-year halt, with a crucial $136 million installment from a $150 million Chinese loan already disbursed.

Viridis Mining and Minerals is negotiating rare earth sales from its $360 million Colossus project in Brazil to the US and Europe, aiming to begin production by 2028 and reduce dependence on China.

Brazil's Banco Master is under investigation for allegedly using funds totaling R$5.7 billion to purchase securities from companies linked to its own partners, with R$1.8 billion directly attributed to irregularly structured operations.

Argentine fintech Pomelo secured a $55 million Series C investment, bringing its total funding to $160 million from top-tier global investors, to expand its financial infrastructure products across Latin America.

BYD's advanced vessel, the BYD Changzhou, delivered approximately 5,800 hybrid and electric vehicles to Argentina, bypassing a 35% Mercosur tariff due to their new energy status.

Brazilian Central Bank is investigating 36 companies for allegedly taking R$ 11.5 billion in fictitious loans from Banco Master, with individual loans approaching R$ 500 million, primarily in the civil construction sector.

Venezuela's proposed oil reform aims to attract private investment by reducing state controls and offering more flexible royalty/tax terms, potentially transforming the country's oil sector.

Banco Macro acquired 50% of fintech Personal Pay, signaling a major strategic shift in Argentina's financial sector towards hybrid models driven by changing macroeconomic conditions.

Nicaragua faces significant economic challenges starting in 2026 due to impending US tariffs of up to 15% by 2028, potentially reducing exports by 5-10% annually and impacting over 150,000 jobs.

Chinese-owned malls in Chile grew by almost 28% nationwide in one year, reaching 169 establishments, while surprisingly decreasing in Santiago Centro.

Venezuelan immigrants now account for 1 in 5 rental agreements in Santiago's Metropolitan Region (RM) and nearly 50% in three specific communes, significantly impacting Chile's real estate market according to an Inciti study.

Mexico's 'Plan México' has attracted $2.3 billion in new investments this week from Pilgrim’s Pride ($1.3B) and General Motors ($1B), contributing to a $293 billion national portfolio, but overall investment as a percentage of GDP has fallen from 24.8% to 22%.

Pemex reported a net asset deterioration of MXN $52.6 billion through September (up MXN $771 million from 2024), driven by falling oil prices, rising production costs, and regulatory changes impacting its exploration arm (MXN $32.4 billion) and logistics business (MXN $22.1 billion).

General Motors confirmed the layoff of 900 workers at its Coahuila plant, shifting to a single production turn for EVs due to lower demand, despite a recent $1 billion investment announcement.

Costa Rica's economy is projected to decelerate in 2026, with growth falling below the 4% seen in the past three years, amid stable exchange rates and low inflation, as predicted by the Central Bank and other financial institutions.

Costa Rica's hospitality sector is seeing a shift towards reconversion and business-oriented hotels by 2026, driven by international brands like Marriott and Hilton, with a focus on locations near free zones and medical device industries.

Costa Rica's tourism sector saw 2.69 million foreign arrivals in 2025, a 1% increase over 2024, falling short of the 1.7% growth target but showing strong recovery in Q4 with a 13.6% growth in December.

Costa Rica's tourism grew only 1% in 2025, significantly underperforming regional competitors who saw over 4% growth, indicating a critical loss of market share.

Two Costa Rican entrepreneurs founded their startup Mission Inbox in the US due to high costs and bureaucracy in Costa Rica, where registering a company can take months compared to days in Delaware, offering services to 133 global companies.

Costa Rica's aging population (16% to 20% by 2030) faces a significant gap in care, as median incomes of ¢420,000 are insufficient for private care, with a proposed national care system costing 0.3% of GDP, below the OECD average.

Signature Aviation, backed by Cascade Investment (Bill Gates's firm), is investing in a new VIP terminal at Liberia Airport, expanding its network of 200+ FBOs across 27 countries to Costa Rica, signaling a major upgrade for high-end tourism.

Costa Rican business confidence for Q1 2026 shows mixed results, with commerce leading optimism and agriculture recovering, as 22.7% of businesses expect to increase employment.

Two Costa Rican entrepreneurs founded Mission Inbox in the US, which now generates over $1M in annual revenue and projects to reach $3M by 2026, due to perceived high costs and obstacles in Costa Rica; they serve 133 global clients, including Y Combinator firms.

Miches, Dominican Republic has been named to the New York Times' '52 Places to Go 2026' list, drawing global attention and validating over 23 billion pesos in recent sustainable tourism investments in the area.

The Dominican Republic is projected by the World Bank to grow 4.5% in 2026, driven by foreign investment and export diversification, outperforming the Caribbean regional average of 2.9-3.7%.

Panama's Cabinet approved a $4.17 million contract with AECOM for feasibility studies and 20% engineering design for the national Panama-David train project, including the conceptual design for a fifth bridge over the Panama Canal.

Panama's Colón Free Trade Zone saw a significant recovery in Q4 2025, reaching $17.1 billion in trade volume by September despite an 8.2% accumulated fall earlier in the year, and expects further growth with 2,800 operating companies.

Venezuela's oil industry is in a dire state, requiring over $200 billion to restore production to pre-crisis levels of 3 million barrels per day.

Venezuela's bolivar depreciated 12.6% against the dollar in the first half of January 2026, with the parallel market rate reaching over 590 bolivars per dollar, signaling pre-hyperinflationary concerns.

Venezuela's bolivar devalued from ~301 to over 341 per dollar in the first 15 days of 2026, with economists projecting 27-30% monthly inflation for December 2025 and 590% annual inflation for the prior period.

Venezuela's Vice President presented a 2026 national budget totaling nearly $20 billion, representing a 12% decrease from the 2025 budget.

S&P warns Colombia faces high political and fiscal uncertainty by 2026, with an estimated fiscal deficit of 7% of GDP in 2025 and potential credit rating cuts amid rising inflation above 5%.

Paraguay's Minister of Economy warns that a potential collapse of the Caja Fiscal could jeopardize pension payments, medicine procurement, and the 'Hambre Cero' program, indicating a severe fiscal crisis.

Paraguay saw 7,618 new Simplified Stock Companies (EAS) registered in 2025, a 28% increase from the previous year, attracting a total investment of $363 million.

Bolivia is facing the end of its demographic dividend, with 65.6% of its population in working age, but over 80% of young people in informal employment, risking a future where fewer workers support more retirees.

The Inter-American Development Bank (BID) committed $4.5 billion in credits to Bolivia, signaling renewed confidence and support for economic recovery amidst a predicted recession.

The President of the IDB, Ilan Goldfajn, visited Bolivia for the first time in 15 years, proposing a $4.5 billion investment commitment for new financing and technical assistance for the country's private sector.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz promises to make efforts for Bolivia to become a full member of Mercosur, aiming to reverse the country's economic isolation and low foreign investment, which reportedly stood at $240M in 2024 and fell to $140M in 2025.

Nicaragua faces a trade dilemma with the US if it continues economic ties with Iran, potentially incurring a 25% tariff on its annual $5.7 billion in exports to the US, while current trade with Iran is only $111,000.

Nicaragua's gross international reserves reached $8.32 billion in 2025, a $2.22 billion increase in one year and a doubling over four years, significantly bolstering economic stability.

Ecuador's economy saw an 8.9% GDP decline in 2019-2020 with sectors like transportation and construction falling over 16%, leaving the new administration with a $40 billion public debt, including $24 billion in external debt.

Nader Enterprises and GAL GM Development Group announced Miches City Centre, a mixed-use development in the Dominican Republic with an initial investment of US$10M and a total investment exceeding US$25M, aiming to create a new urban hub.

Ecuador is close to finalizing a deal where Power China will take over operation of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, resolving a dispute and bringing _$400 million_ to the country.

Industries in Cuenca, Ecuador, have prepared 12.9 MW from 26 emergent generators to contribute to the national electricity system amid a government request for private companies to sell their self-generated power.

Ecuador's government claims to have reduced its electricity deficit from 1,800 MW to 800 MW by December 2025, largely through renting barges and purchasing energy from Colombia.

Ecuador's government announced a new procurement process for 260 MW of thermoelectric generation, valued at approximately $258 million, after the initial bid failed due to the selected consortium's inability to provide required guarantees.

BYD, a major Chinese EV manufacturer, has begun importing vehicles to Argentina using its own fleet of ships, with one vessel capable of carrying up to 7,000 cars, signifying a significant push into the local market by Chinese brands.

Bodegas Bianchi, an Argentinian winery, is facing financial problems with a bank debt of $18.661 billion ARS (approx. $20M USD) and $1.012 billion ARS (approx. $1.1M USD) in bounced checks, aiming to avoid bankruptcy proceedings amidst a global decline in wine consumption.

Peruvian businesses, including retail and F&B, are adjusting investment and expansion plans with caution ahead of the 2026 presidential elections, with brands like Azaleia projecting 3-5% growth and cautious store openings of around $200k-$250k per store.

A contract for a R$468.8 million loan from Banco Master to a company linked to a Spanish soccer coach in India stipulated that 90% of the amount be deposited into a fund administered by Reag, which is now under investigation for fraudulent activities involving low-value securities.

Investigations reveal that Brazil's Banco Master granted R$468.8 million in loans to a company whose supposed partner, an Indian football team coach, claims no knowledge of the firm, raising questions about potential financial fraud and systemic risk to Brazil's financial sector.

Itaú Unibanco is the only Brazilian company among the 500 most valuable global brands, ranking 254th with a brand value of US$9.9 billion after a 15% growth.

Brazilian authorities are investigating a suspicious R$650 million transaction between Banco Master and Reag funds, benefiting a company linked to ex-banker Daniel Vorcaro, which then purchased a R$36.1 million mansion.

São Paulo's city hall chose the third-ranked company, Acciona, for a R$2 billion infrastructure project, despite their bid being R$294 million higher than the lowest, leading to a legal dispute.

Grupo Live plans to invest R$250 million to build three new concert venues in Brazil, driven by high demand in the entertainment market post-pandemic.

A PwC survey reveals that 51% of Brazilian CEOs are competing in new sectors, with 18% focusing on technology, but economic instability is now their top concern, surpassing talent shortages.

Colombian President Petro stated that 'mega-rich' individuals must pay for the government's record-high fiscal deficit and warned of potential default if emergency measures are struck down.

Chile's President-elect Kast unified the Economy and Mining ministries under Daniel Mas, formerly of the CPC, following a cabinet controversy.

The Punta Arenas Free Trade Zone in Chile generated a record $4.713 billion (CLP, approx. $5 million USD) in annual concession payments for the Magallanes region, reflecting a 3.4% increase from 2024 and totaling over $43.5 billion (CLP, approx. $46 million USD) since the concession began.

Gemines projects Chile's economy to grow between 2.5% and 3.3% in 2026, driven by a 5% increase in investment and private consumption under 3%, with 2025 inflation at 3.5%.

Bolivia's government targets a 25-30% reduction in public sector payrolls by eliminating 'ghost employees' and irregularities, aiming to cut the fiscal deficit to 7% of GDP while also planning to reduce IVA and IUE taxes and aiming for a 3-4% economic growth by 2027.

Bolivia's Vice Minister of Treasury attributes improved international financial backing, including $4.5B from the BID and $3.1B from CAF, to the government's decision to remove fuel subsidies and reduce the fiscal deficit.

Argentine President Javier Milei attends the World Economic Forum in Davos, planning to present his economic adjustment program and geopolitical alignment, aiming for 2025 inflation at an eight-year low.

PwC anticipates a M&A boom in Argentina in 2026, driven by macro consolidation, lower country risk, privatizations, and the RIGI, which is expected to mobilize over $25 billion in investments across five key sectors, alongside an projected 3.5% GDP growth and 15% inflation.

Moody's maintained Argentina's Caa1 rating despite the central bank accumulating over $500 million in reserves in January, citing concerns about debt sustainability.

Foreign investors have amassed nearly US$10 billion in derivatives betting against the Chilean peso, indicating significant bearish sentiment and potential market instability.

Remittances to Ecuador hit a record high of over $2 billion in Q3 2025, totaling nearly $5.737 billion from January to September 2025, surpassing foreign investment and some exports.

Ecuador's floriculture sector, the country's fifth-largest non-oil/non-mining export, anticipates its strategic Valentine's Day season, which can concentrate up to 30% of annual revenues, after exporting $948 million between January and November 2025.

The World Bank has raised Ecuador's 2025 economic growth projection from 1.9% to 3.2%-3.3%, surpassing the South American average of 2.7%, with other institutions like the IMF and ECLAC making similar upward revisions.

Ecuador's construction sector rebound in 2025 with a 6.2% Q3 growth and projected annual growth of 5-10%, driving a 14.8% increase in sales and creation of over 540,000 jobs.

Ecuador re-enters international bond markets for the first time in seven years, signaling renewed investor confidence and enabling public investment.

Ecuador's Celec and Power China are set to close an international arbitration for the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, involving a compensation of $400 million to Ecuador and unlocking a nearly $200 million credit.

Ecuador's economy closed 2025 with $265 billion in accumulated sales, an 8.2% increase from 2024, driven by commercial activity.

President Daniel Noboa's agenda at Davos includes meetings with CEOs of major companies like Palantir, SICPA, Corporación América Airports, BHP, and the Safra Group, signaling Ecuador's re-engagement with global investors.

Ecuador's private banking sector has attracted over $4.24 billion in foreign financing for sustainable projects between 2019 and mid-2025.

Costa Rica saw a significant slowdown in new job creation by multinational companies, dropping from 18,988 jobs in 2022 to just 3,259 in 2025, according to Cinde.

Bolivia is reversing two decades of ideological distance from the World Economic Forum to seek investment for its deteriorated economy, focusing on energy transition and sustainable finance.

Bolivia's adoption of Mercosur's Common External Tariff (AEC) poses significant challenges, with its current tariffs of 0-10% on capital goods and tech contrasting sharply with AEC's 14-35%, potentially increasing costs for its import-dependent economy.

Mexico's Fonatur is partnering with BBVA Mexico to attract private investment for tourism projects, including a 3,000-person convention center in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, aiming to leverage its land assets.

Mexican micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are investing in technology, marketing, and infrastructure ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to generate $3 billion in economic activity.

Mexico's investment funds saw assets under management grow to approximately 4.9 trillion pesos by 2025, a 109% increase since 2020, driven by digitization and a 500% increase in contracts to 15.43 million.

Mexico's informal sector now employs over 50% of the working population and accounts for nearly 25% of its GDP, with formal employment decreasing by 441,742 people and informal employment increasing by 962,385 in Jan-Nov 2025.

Brazilian corporate mobility solution Fretadão reached R$400M in annual revenue, operating in 21 states and managing 2.4M individual trips monthly, leveraging $70M in investments for tech-driven efficiency.

Brazilian pharmacy chain Ultrafarma is closing all current stores and consolidating operations into one 3,000 sqm megastore in São Paulo, following an investigation into a R$1 billion corruption scheme.

Brazilian company Ticket secured an injunction against a government decree restricting lunch voucher fees to 3.6% and reducing payment terms from 30 to 15 days, impacting a market with over 500,000 workers.

Brazilian tech group MGITech projects R$150 million revenue for 2026 after restructuring to focus on AI and outsourcing, following R$120 million in 2025.

Volvo captured 15% of Paraguay's premium car market in 2025 by selling 217 units, including 152 electric vehicles, and led the EV segment.

Paraguay's electricity consumption grew by 12.5% in 2025 to 29,419 GWh, marking a significant increase from 18,583 GWh in 2021, and reflecting economic activity, industrial growth, and a historic peak demand of 5,280 MW on Dec 15, 2025.

Latin America has invested over $10 billion in data centers in the last five years, with Paraguay hosting 10 out of 450 regional facilities, evolving towards high-density, cloud-driven complexes.

The European Parliament has referred the EU-Mercosur trade agreement to the European Court of Justice, pausing its ratification and raising concerns among Paraguayan business leaders after 25 years of negotiations.

Paraguay's electricity system is nearing critical capacity, with projections indicating a severe service degradation by 2030, potentially impacting industrial growth and requiring costlier reactive measures due to ANDE's monopoly structure.

Paraguay's Vice Minister of Commerce projects a 6% GDP growth, supported by $1 billion in announced investments, reforms to Ley de Maquila and Ley 60/90, and a new Renewable Energy Law aiming to attract $20 billion by 2040.

Carlos Slim's Grupo Carso is expanding DAX, a beauty retail chain, across Mexico after its acquisition in 2004 and a re-evaluation of its growth potential.

BanBajío and Visa launched BBClik in Mexico, an app converting Android phones into POS terminals using NFC, addressing payment accessibility for SMEs.

Mexico's Secretary of Economy outlines priorities for the upcoming T-MEC review, emphasizing maintaining the dispute resolution system and seeking parity in mechanisms by the July 1st deadline, citing significant trade growth and job creation.

Venezuela's government targets a 100% increase in tax collection for 2025, mirroring 2024, signaling continued fiscal pressure on businesses.

Venezuela's monthly inflation for January was 4.2%, with an alarming annual rate of 121%, indicating prices doubled over the last year despite attempts to curb hyperinflation.

Costa Rica's GDP grew over 4% in 2025, but employment rose by only 0.7%, with stark disparities between free trade zones (13% growth) and the definitive regime (2.8%), and a decline in less-educated employment.

Costa Rica is facing scrutiny over a $600 million loan from BCIE for the San José-San Ramón highway expansion, alongside a 150 million euro loan from the OPEC Fund, with concerns about high interest rates and lack of transparency.

Costa Rican financiera Desyfin S.A. and Coopeservidores R.L. have officially entered liquidation proceedings, with a court order issued on January 5th to convert assets into liquid resources to pay creditors.

Costa Rica is resuming the Barranca-Limonal road expansion project after a previous contract failed, incurring an additional cost of $112 million and involving some original contractors.

VIANT Costa Rica, a medical device multinational, announced the layoff of approximately 900 employees due to changes in a specific program, while affirming continued operations in the country.

Microenterprises in Costa Rica increased by 13.5% in 2025, reaching 494,564, up from 435,779 in 2024.

Nicaragua and Central America face a 'triple shock' in 2026, threatening remittances that constitute 20-30% of their GDP, due to potential US policy changes including a 1% tax on transfers and mass deportations.

VIANT Costa Rica announced the layoff of 900 workers, a significant reversal from its previous $45 million expansion and 1,000 new job projections just months ago.

Insulet Corporation, a global medical device company, plans to establish a new manufacturing plant in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica's multinational services sector, with over 360 companies, generated more than $8 billion in exports by September 2025 and anticipates 49% of firms expanding operations in the next three years.

BYD's vessel arrived in Argentina with over 5,000 hybrid and electric vehicles, representing the first large shipment under a special quota to import 50,000 units without a 35% extra-zone tariff.

The IMF projects Argentina to grow 4% in 2026, above the global average of 3.3% and LatAm's 2.2%, despite 21,046 company closures and 272,607 job losses reported between Nov 2023 and Nov 2025.

Brazilian credit infrastructure company UY3 raised $37.2M from Vinci Compass to expand its platform, which has already processed over $2.79B in transactions in 2025.

Despite the US Department of Transportation demanding and receiving six slots at Mexico City's AICM from Mexican airlines, only one US airline accepted and used them, highlighting an ongoing dispute that impacts 13 routes.

The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate a $3 billion economic boost for Mexico's consumer sector, benefiting companies like Walmart and Bimbo, despite challenges like an 80% increase in IEPS for sugary drinks.

Ecuadorian company Graiman is investing $30 million to expand its production capacity in Cuenca, with reported sales of $69.5 million in 2024.

Colombian startup SkanHawk, leveraging AI and IoT for oil & gas data, plans to enter Ecuador's market by 2026, aiming to duplicate sales this year after a 50% increase in 2025.

Ecuador's non-oil economy, led by shrimp, cacao, banana, and mining (copper, gold), is projected to drive export growth to over $3.9 billion by 2026, contributing to a trade surplus of approximately $7.647 billion.

Costa Rica's financial system, though stable, has seen its credit-to-GDP ratio decrease by 8 percentage points since the pandemic, highlighting a loss of dynamism despite increased digitalization and regulation.

Costa Rican departures abroad hit a new record of 1.5 million in 2025, driven by an 8.5% increase in trips, largely influenced by the appreciation of the Colón against the dollar.

Costa Rica's financial system faces challenges due to a significant relative reduction in credit to commercial, manufacturing, agricultural, and construction sectors, favoring household credit.

The EU's new ambassador highlights the Dominican Republic's strategic importance, noting that European economic operators are the primary direct investors with €1.5 billion in 2024, and the EU is the second-largest commercial partner.

Air France has resumed seasonal flights between Paris and Punta Cana with three weekly frequencies, carrying over 1,300 potential passengers per week.

Panama is executing an infrastructure investment plan exceeding $30 billion over five years, with a 2026 budget of $11 billion for public works, highlighting a shift towards efficiency and digitalization in industrial demand.

Installing solar panels in Colombian homes costs COP 380,000-750,000 per panel, with a full system recovering its investment in 5-7 years, indicating a growing domestic renewable energy market.

El Salvador's stock market grew by 7.2% to $5.445 billion in 2023, driven by a 5% increase in repo operations, despite a decrease in primary market placements.

El Salvador reformed its International Services Law, allowing companies to engage in multiple incentivized activities, requiring a minimum investment of $150,000 and 10 jobs for business process services, aiming to attract global investment and nearshoring.

El Salvador is projected to grow by 3% in 2025, yet poverty is expected to remain high at 29.9%.

Paraguay's state spending on pensions and retirements increased by almost USD 134 million, growing over 10% by the end of 2025.

Bolivia has implemented a zero-tariff policy via Supreme Decree 5518 for electronic device imports until December 31, 2026, aiming to reduce technology access costs.

A proposed anti-blockade law in Bolivia, aimed at addressing millions of Bolivianos in losses due to road closures, may be put to a national referendum.

Bolivia's government will not raise the price of subsidized LPG, which costs 22.50 Bolivianos per 10kg cylinder, despite international prices ranging from 100 to 200 Bolivianos, impacting families and fueling contraband.

Dominican Republic's central bank is implementing a real-time instant payment system (SGPI) to align with global efforts like Project Agora, which aims to make international payments faster and cheaper by 2026.

The World Bank has raised Ecuador's 2025 growth projection from 1.9% to 3.2%, exceeding the South American average.

Ecuador's government has invested $22 million into the 'Miti-Miti' housing program, generating a $54.32 million mortgage portfolio to provide subsidized 4.99% interest rates for home purchases, with plans to double the annual $120 million in credits.

A previously unknown Guatemalan company, Distribuidora Siloe, saw its government contracts increase by 11,000% in one year, sparking an investigation into potential political influence.

Argentina is adjusting income tax (Ganancias) thresholds retroactively to January 1st, 2025, with single workers earning 2.5 million pesos net monthly being exempt, while those earning 4 million pesos will pay 187,000 pesos monthly.

Ultrafarma, a Brazilian pharmacy chain founded 25 years ago, is closing all four existing stores to open a 3,000 square meter concept store in São Paulo and focus on online operations, following the arrest of its owner in a 'billion-dollar' corruption scheme.

President Lula sanctioned Brazil's 2026 Budget of R$ 6.54 trillion, with R$ 400 million in vetoes to parliamentary amendments and R$ 11 billion in budget blocks, emphasizing adherence to the fiscal framework.

Brazilian President Lula's decision to cut R$11 billion ($2.2 billion USD) from parliamentary amendments in the budget has escalated tensions with Congress.

Bolivia's Banco Unión has consolidated a green credit portfolio of over $131 million, actively promoting sustainable development including vehicle electrification and energy efficiency for micro-enterprises.

Dominican Republic's Banco Agrícola faces allegations of financial mismanagement with RD$ 12,396.0 million in overdue loans and RD$ 7,828.6 million in outstanding 0% interest loans, raising concerns about political use of funds.

Argentina's financial markets saw positive movement with bonds up 0.3%, risk country down to 564 points, and the S&P Merval up 0.2%, driven by the BCRA's USD 700M in purchases this month and a USD 3BN REPO loan to cover debt payments.

Banco del Pacífico reported historical profits of $206.13 million in 2025, a 30.4% increase from 2024, and allocated over $1.35 billion to productive credit.

Bolivia faces challenges in the recently finalized EU-Mercosur agreement due to its undiversified production and primary export dependence, with experts noting the need for strategic integration to leverage potential in specialized agriculture and high-value-added products.

Mexico, despite aiming for 25% of GDP in investments by 2026 and a 28% target by 2030, only reached 22% by Q3 2025, and its economic rank has fallen from 12th to 13th globally.

Mexico's tourism industry is projected to attract €500 million in business opportunities from the Fitur 2026 fair, despite investor concerns over insecurity.

No Latin American country, including Mexico (which was on the list in the previous year), ranked in PwC's top 10 most attractive countries for global investment, based on a survey of 4,454 CEOs globally.

Brazilian bank Inter revised its Selic rate expectation, now forecasting the rate to end the year at 12.5% due to slow inflation convergence and fiscal risks, a shift from the previous 12% projection.

The EU-Mercosur agreement is projected to open up significant opportunities for Paraguayan SMEs (mipymes), with current exports in handicrafts and textile products already fetching 5-7 times higher prices in the EU, and maquiladora mipymes contributing over $1 billion in exports.

Senator Maidana highlights the Mercosur-EU agreement as historic for Paraguay, citing access to a 450 million person market and the liberation of around 500 Paraguayan products for export.

Paraguayan agro-exporters are cautiously optimistic about the Mercosur-EU agreement, viewing it as historic but raising concerns about EU safeguards and the extent of market access.

Paraguay's double investment grade status is expected to attract new institutional investors to its tech startup scene, influencing how venture capital evaluates local companies and emphasizing global scalability.

El Salvador plans to invest over $106.8 million in telemedicine by 2026, as per the General Budget of the Nation.

Chinese Vision Group acquired a significant stake in UCB Power, a Brazilian battery company, with plans to invest R$200 million (~$40 million USD) over the next five years to expand production capacity for energy storage systems.

Brazilian market analysts reduced their inflation projection for 2026 IPCA to 4.02%, while GDP growth for 2026 is holding at 1.80% and the Selic rate remains at 15%.

Farmacias del Ahorro, a Mexican pharmacy chain, has diversified significantly beyond medicine, offering payments for 10+ subcategories of services, 37 catalog brands, e-commerce, and even operates a real estate business called Promo Locales, which has undertaken 798 projects with clients like BBVA and DHL.

Carlos Slim, the wealthiest man in Latin America with an estimated fortune of $114 billion, primarily relies on America Movil for his income, a key part of his four major companies: America Movil, Grupo Carso, Inbursa, and Minera Frisco.

Mexico's economy showed signs of recovery at the end of 2025, with both gross fixed investment rising 0.9% monthly and private consumption increasing by 0.8% monthly, driven by construction and imported goods.

Mexico's economy showed a preliminary monthly growth of 0.2% in December 2025, driven by a 2.9% annual increase in the services sector, with a full-year GDP growth estimated at 0.65% for 2025.

Economist Orlando Ferreres highlights Argentina's 'disparate economy' lacking investment, currently at 15-16% of GDP, far from the 26% needed for 6% growth.

Argentina's economic activity (EMAE) fell 0.3% monthly in November 2025, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, despite a 3.3% growth in Q3 and significant increases in financial intermediation (13.9%) and agriculture (10.5%).

Costa Rican travel to the US hit a record 333,660 departures in 2025, showing resilience despite political hurdles and a post-pandemic recovery.

New car imports in Costa Rica fell by 4.8% in 2025 to 73,123 units, representing a normalization after strong growth, with gasoline cars making up 53% and EVs 16% of imports.

Tecto Data Centers is investing R$ 200 million in a new data center in Porto Alegre, Brazil, with a total capacity of 20 MW.

Bancop in Paraguay is offering loans of up to G. 800,000,000 (approximately $107,000 USD) at 9.9% in Guaraníes or 7.4% in USD over 8 years with a 2-year grace period, to enhance cattle retention and boost beef production for internal and export markets.

BCIE approved a $150 million loan for El Salvador to renovate 13 sports facilities.

Argentine fintech Pomelo raised $55M in a Series C round to scale its credit processing and expand globally.

Brazilian B2B lending startup CashU raised $22.5M for its Credit Rights Investment Fund (FIDC) to provide credit to SMEs.