AGP Executive Report

Geopolitics & Trade: A new ECLAC-linked UN report, “Fracture and Opportunity,” urges Latin America to avoid rigid alignment in the U.S.-China rivalry and use its resources—lithium, copper, graphite and rare earths—to build “geopolitical muscle,” noting China is now the top trade partner for countries including Colombia. Stablecoins & Payments: Bridge co-founder Zach Abrams says stablecoin demand is booming outside the U.S., including cross-border payment infrastructure for Colombia and payouts to places like Venezuela, arguing the next growth wave may come from tokenizing local (non-dollar) currencies. Security & Violence: Colombia’s violence remains severe despite the 2016 peace accord, with a report citing 651 massacres from 2019 to mid-August and a surge again in 2026. Mining & Investment: Copper Giant Resources reported new Mocoa drilling results in Putumayo, expanding mineralization and supporting its grade model ahead of a future PEA. Consumer Protection: Colombia’s SIC warned more than 100,000 vehicles are still affected by an airbag recall and repairs are free. Budget Watch: Finance Minister Miguel Gomez presented a COP 634.9 trillion (about $203B) budget proposal, up 14%, with higher debt costs and earthquake-related spending driving the increase.

Colombia Immigration Crackdown: President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered coordinated raids targeting undocumented foreigners, starting with people linked to crime, and said criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, extortion, illegal mining and smuggling will be treated as “terrorists.” Security Policy Shift: De la Espriella also moved to dismantle Petro’s “Total Peace,” resuming extraditions for five armed-group members recognized as negotiators. Earthquake Response & Aid: The U.S. announced $26.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Colombia after the Aug. 10 7.4 quake, as recovery continues and damage remains widespread. Water & Health Funding: UNICEF and the Baxter Foundation say their WASH work in rural Colombia has reached 23,000+ people via new community water systems and sanitation support. Business & Trade: SC Ports added CMA CGM’s AMERXL rotation, boosting weekly reefer capacity between Charleston and South America with Cartagena included. Aviation Connectivity: Cartagena will launch direct flights to Buenos Aires—Avianca in November 2026 and Aerolíneas Argentinas from Jan. 1, 2027. Tech Expansion: Muto Studio is expanding U.S. services in custom software development, AI automation and digital transformation. Workplace & Growth: Command Alkon earned Great Place To Work certification for its Colombia and India offices.

Medical Innovation: Colombian researchers say tilapia waste could be turned into human bone implant material, extracting gelatin-like collagen and hydroxyapatite from discarded fish parts. Aviation & Tourism: Seats to Spain for September are set to hit about 13.1 million globally (+7.4% year-on-year), with Colombia’s planned capacity slightly down (-0.9%) while Mexico rises (+11.6%). Israel Ties & Diplomacy: An explainer looks at why Colombia is moving to restore ties with Israel, with analysts linking the shift to broader alignment with Washington. Public Health Policy: A bill in Colombia would eliminate a tax on ultra-processed and sugary products, arguing it pressures small shops without delivering the promised health gains. Monetary Policy: Colombia’s central bank expects inflation to approach the 3% target by mid-2028, citing demand outpacing domestic production. Energy & Investment: Bia Energy raised US$18.5m to expand from energy marketing into distributed solar generation and software. Security & Migration: Colombia’s president ordered immigration raids and says undocumented foreigners who commit crimes will be targeted first, with broader deportations following. Tech & Consumer Protection (US): Meta agreed to a roughly US$18bn settlement over alleged harm to teens on Facebook and Instagram, with major platform changes. Earthquake Relief (Colombia): Beyoncé donated US$1m to support recovery after the Chocó earthquake, alongside other high-profile commitments.

Colombian FX Watch: The U.S. dollar slid to 2018-era lows in Colombia, with the TRM settling around 3,048 pesos and trading briefly near 3,028—good news for importers, but a squeeze for exporters as the peso strengthens. Earthquake Relief & Recovery: Beyoncé pledged $1 million for emergency food and housing supplies for victims of Colombia’s Aug. 10, 7.4 quake, with funds routed via Food For The Poor and World Central Kitchen as the death toll cited by authorities remains at 331. Security Policy Hardening: President Abelardo de la Espriella says all illegal armed and criminal groups will be treated as “terrorists,” ending distinctions by crime type as the government ramps up enforcement. Pension Reform Boost: Colombia’s Constitutional Court upheld most of Petro’s pension overhaul, with changes taking effect in April 2027 after Congress fixes legislative issues. Immigration Crackdown: De la Espriella ordered immigration raids targeting irregular migrants, starting with people accused of crimes, as deportations are set to begin this week. Tech & Payments: KiiChain integrated TRON to expand 24/7 on-chain FX and stablecoin payment capabilities, aiming at faster cross-border liquidity for users and enterprises. Corporate Finance: Credicorp will hold its 2026 Strategic Update on Nov. 17, outlining maturity, monetization and AI-driven growth across its regional financial ecosystem.

US Immigration Crackdown: The Trump administration paused all immigrant visa applications worldwide as the State Department rolls out new consular training tied to “public charge” screening, rescheduling interviews already booked for applicants. Colombia Migration Enforcement: President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered coordinated operations to identify irregular migrants who commit crimes first, then deport those without regular status—an approach that could strain legal and administrative capacity. Child Recruitment Online: Human Rights Watch says Facebook and TikTok helped spread Colombian armed-group content recruiting children, with about 1,500 child recruits since 2021. Earthquake Recovery Logistics: Pereira’s Matecaña airport resumed flights after the Aug. 10 quake, and a recycled-plastic home was delivered in Chocó in just 11 days. Coffee Market: Coffee prices slipped after reports of fuller Brazil warehouses, while inventories and harvest pace remain key drivers. Business/Media Deal: Netflix and Stella Artois launched “The Gentlemen’s Serve,” a global brand partnership tied to Season 2.

Humanitarian Response: Samaritan’s Purse keeps scaling up relief after Venezuela’s June 24 twin earthquakes, sending a Boeing 767 plus multiple airlifts and a 60-patient field hospital that has treated thousands. Colombia Security & Migration: President Abelardo de la Espriella moves to deport undocumented migrants via coordinated raids and a broader security plan that treats all illegal armed groups as terrorists, while Colombia also faces scrutiny over his public tax return. Earthquake Aftermath: Colombia’s Aug. 10 quake death toll climbed to 331 as housing damage and missing people figures rose, with volunteer pilots helping reach isolated communities. Public Health for Migrants: Community groups report nearly 7% HIV positivity among a large Venezuelan migrant group in Colombia, with many facing barriers to testing and chronic care. Forest Fires in Tolima: Authorities say criminal groups may have set some fires burning nearly 30,000 hectares, citing videos and claims of deliberate ignition. Business & Media: Firefly expands mobility advertising into Bogotá and Medellín, while Prime Video plans to invest over $2bn in Latin America (including Colombia) from 2027–2030. Digital Rights: HRW says Facebook and TikTok recommendation systems have helped armed groups recruit children in Colombia, even after takedowns. Energy/Trade: DP World launched Latin America’s first shore power system at Peru’s Port of Callao, cutting emissions for ships at berth. Infrastructure/Tech: Tesla Charging opened a new Supercharger voting round that includes a site in Cali, Colombia.

Immigration Crackdown: Colombia’s new far-right president Abelardo de la Espriella ordered police-and-migration raids to detain and deport irregular migrants, starting this week, prioritizing people accused of crimes and those without regular status—aimed mainly at the Venezuelan community (about 2.8 million in Colombia, with hundreds of thousands estimated irregular). Earthquake Recovery & Spending: After the Aug. 10 7.4 quake, Colombia’s UNGRD updated the toll to 331 dead, 4,439 injured, and 240 missing, with reconstruction formally starting in Chocó; the government also launched a “Miracle Fund” subsidy for quake-affected families and says it will bring in major construction materials. Coffee Market Pressure: Coffee prices jumped as supplies tightened—linked to slower Brazil harvest progress and Colombia’s quake impact on key growing areas—pushing arabica to a multi-month high. Security & Migration Policy Shift: The administration framed the crackdown as part of a broader security policy against narco-terrorism and extortion, including prison-focused actions and financial intelligence upgrades. Business/Trade Signals: Colombia’s quake recovery is also drawing private-sector involvement, with officials saying the rebuilding plan will include business coordination and large-scale funding.

Terror & Diplomacy: The U.S. State Department formally removed Syria from its state sponsors of terrorism list, signaling sanctions easing and a further thaw in Washington–Damascus ties. Migration & Enforcement: Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered a crackdown on irregular migration, directing immigration authorities to detain undocumented foreigners convicted of crimes and start deportation steps “this week.” Human Rights & Digital Recruiting: Human Rights Watch says Facebook and TikTok helped spread Colombian armed-group content recruiting children, with about 1,500 child recruits since 2021 and Indigenous kids disproportionately affected. Politics & Justice: Fresh allegations in the Nicolas Petro case claim pressure to drop money-laundering charges; prosecutors and the Attorney General’s Office deny wrongdoing. Markets & FX: The Colombian peso strengthened sharply, pushing the dollar to levels not seen since October 2018—good for importers, but a headwind for exporters. Business & Connectivity: Frontier applied to launch Orlando–Bogota and other nonstop Colombia routes, aiming to fill capacity gaps left by Spirit. Tech & Growth: Medellin will host the first Artificial Intelligence Week in the Americas (INMERXIA) in November, targeting business, education and public-sector use of AI.

Colombia Earthquake Recovery: Colombia’s new government is moving fast on reconstruction after the Aug. 10 quake, with President Abelardo de la Espriella meeting top business leaders in Barranquilla and agreeing on lower mortgage rates for victims plus a joint Chocó recovery visit; the UNGRD reports 329 deaths, 4,600 injured and 247 missing, with damage across hundreds of municipalities. Private-Sector Push: The government says the earthquake response could cost about 30 trillion pesos and is seeking private capital to speed rebuilding. Trade & Energy: Colombia has resumed thermal coal exports to Israel, reversing Petro-era restrictions and framing it as restoring economic certainty and reducing “ideological” barriers. Security & Geopolitics: A new U.S.-Colombia defense pact would allow expanded U.S. military operations in Colombia under a drug-fighting and security agenda, drawing criticism from a Brazilian analyst as an “escalation of imperialism.” Global Business Context: Colombia also appears in a wider U.S. court fight after a judge struck down Trump’s 75-country immigrant visa ban, a ruling that could affect families and labor mobility tied to the region. Culture & Relief: Latin music stars are organizing “Voces por la Vida” and other events to raise funds for Colombia’s quake victims.

Earthquake Relief & Business Mobilization: Colombia’s new government says it has seized 12,296 tons of cocaine and 11,232 tons of marijuana in its first 15 days, dismantling 162 drug-linked facilities and arresting 1,574 people, while the Aug. 10 quake response keeps scaling up: UNGRD puts deaths at 329 and impacts at 314,751 people across 481 municipalities, and President Abelardo de la Espriella says private-sector contributions for reconstruction have topped 2 trillion pesos (about $651m), including major pledges from the Sarmiento, Gilinski, Nubank founder David Vélez, and Santo Domingo families. Trade Policy Shift: De la Espriella also authorized the resumption of thermal coal exports to Israel, ending Petro-era “ideological” restrictions and aiming to restore revenue and legal certainty. Regional Outlook: ECLAC held Latin America’s 2026 growth forecast at 2.2%, warning the pace is too weak to lift living standards. US Legal Watch: A US judge struck down Trump’s nationality-based immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Colombia. Security & Diplomacy: Colombia and the US signed an agreement enabling US military operations in Colombia under a drug-fighting pact, as China delivered about 80 tons of earthquake aid to Bogota.

Coal & Earthquake Response: Colombia’s government signed a decree to restart coal exports to Israel, reversing Petro-era restrictions and framing the prior ban as “ideological,” while President Abelardo de la Espriella says private-sector contributions for quake reconstruction have topped 2 trillion pesos (about $651m). Disaster Aid & Resilience: China delivered about 80 tonnes of earthquake humanitarian supplies to Colombia, including tents, water purification units, solar lamps and generators, as the country continues recovery efforts. Environment & Rural Income: In Sesquilé and Guatavita, Colombia restored 577 hectares of high Andean forest by planting 97,000 native trees and placing 190 beehives, aiming to protect water sources and create income via beekeeping. US Immigration Ruling: A New York federal judge struck down Trump’s 75-country immigrant visa suspension, ruling it exceeded the State Department’s authority—an outcome that affects applicants from countries including Colombia. Markets & Rates: Fund managers rotated into financial stocks in Q2 2026 as higher rates supported banks and insurers, while tech and REITs faced net selling.

US Courts vs. Trump Immigration: A federal judge in Manhattan struck down the Trump administration’s suspension of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, ruling it was “contrary to law” and beyond Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s authority; the policy had targeted countries including Colombia, Brazil and others, and the court ordered it reversed. Earthquake Recovery in Colombia: Colombia’s UNGRD reported the Aug. 10 quake death toll at 329, with 4,600 injured and 247 missing, affecting 481 municipalities; a separate court action halted demolitions of some earthquake-damaged buildings where people might still be trapped. Climate & Rural Restoration: In Sesquilé and Guatavita, Colombia launched a native-tree and beehive restoration project with 97,000 trees and 190 beehives to recover degraded high-Andean forest and support local incomes. Macroeconomic Outlook: ECLAC forecast Latin America growth at 4% for 2026 and 4.4% for 2027, with Colombia among the projected growers. Energy/Infrastructure: Ecopetrol’s Colombia Pacific LNG regasification facility faces a delay in startup.

Colombia Earthquake Recovery: Ecopetrol’s Pacific regasification facility is set to miss its original startup timeline after a 7.4 quake disrupted port and road access, delaying unloading of imported machinery by 22–30 days to around Nov. 1, with talks underway on force majeure. Climate & Agriculture Impact: El Niño is hitting cattle hard: FEDEGAN says between June 1 and Aug. 1, 9,865 animals died, 333,000+ cattle/buffaloes were relocated, and losses reached 47 billion pesos as drought pressure spreads across 15 departments. Disaster Response & Jobs: The government is preparing an extraordinary package to prevent earthquake damage from turning into an employment crisis, using a new emergency framework that includes wage subsidies and relief on social-protection obligations. International Aid: Colombia thanked Türkiye for sending humanitarian supplies after the quake, including food, blankets, and medicine. Business & Trade: Colombia’s earthquake is also complicating logistics and timelines for energy infrastructure—another reminder that recovery is as much about supply chains as rebuilding. Culture & Talent: Three Colombian authors under 40 were selected for FIL Guadalajara, boosting the country’s literary visibility in a major Spanish-language publishing market.

Colombia Earthquake Response: UNGRD says the Aug. 10 quake death toll has climbed to 321, with 257 still missing and major damage across homes, healthcare and schools, as rescue and assessment work continues. Economic Shock Prevention: President Abelardo De la Espriella’s government is preparing an emergency package to protect jobs in quake-hit regions, using wage subsidies and relief on social-protection obligations under a 30-day emergency framework. International Aid & Diplomacy: Colombia thanked Türkiye for sending more than 1 ton of food, 900 blankets and 450 kg of medicine, while India also delivered humanitarian supplies. Business & Media Investment: Prime Video will invest over $2 billion in Latin America from 2027-2030, including Colombia, to expand local originals and sports rights. Policy & Governance: A new controversy surrounds the appointment of De la Espriella’s ex-wife to a senior notaries role, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. Trade & Industry Skills: U.S. wheat and feed-industry training in Iowa brought milling executives from Colombia and others to improve processing and storage practices. Culture: Medellín is gearing up for the 20th International Book and Culture Festival (Sept. 11-20) with free events and South Korea as guest of honor.

U.S. Sanctions & Drug Routes: The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 15 Ecuadorian people and companies plus 10 fishing vessels tied to cocaine trafficking from Ecuador’s Manta hub, alleging cartel-linked “legitimate” tuna-fleet operations that transfer drugs to go-fast boats headed through the Eastern Pacific to Mexico and the U.S. Earthquake Response & Oversight: Colombia declared a 30-day state of emergency for 15 quake-hit regions as the death toll rose to 319, with UNGRD reporting thousands injured and missing; meanwhile Bogotá’s archdiocese launched a “Spiritual First Aid” mission with 80 clergy to support affected parishes. Security & Military Leadership: President Abelardo de la Espriella formalized a military command overhaul, promising a sustained push against illegal armed groups and narcoterrorism. Public Finance Watchdog: Colombia’s Congress elected Jorge Eliécer Laverde as comptroller general for 2026-2030, tasked with overseeing public spending and pursuing recovery in misuse cases. Energy & Investment Signals: Gran Tierra Energy agreed to sell its Colombia and Ecuador oil businesses to Maurel & Prom (Pertamina proxy), exiting South America as it repositions its strategy. Media & Local Content: Prime Video announced a $2B-plus Latin America investment (2027-2030), including expanded originals and live sports across Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. Humanitarian & Community Aid: Fort Myers, Florida, launched a donation drive for Colombia quake victims, collecting supplies for shipment via local partners.

Earthquake Response & Emergency Powers: Colombia expanded its quake emergency to more regions, enabling faster decrees and budget/credit moves as UNGRD figures put deaths at 319, with 260 missing and 4,469 injured, and damage estimates topping 151,995 homes affected. US–Colombia Trade Talks: The U.S. and Colombia want to speed up negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement after the Aug. 10 disaster, with Colombia pushing for tariff relief to support recovery. Aid & Reconstruction Funding: India delivered the first tranche of humanitarian supplies (20 metric tons) to Bogotá, while Prime Video pledged over $2B for Latin America originals and sports through 2030, and HYBE donated $300,000 for earthquake victims. Diplomacy & Mobility: Colombia and Israel will mutually waive advance visa requirements starting Sept. 1, signaling a rapid reset in bilateral ties. Local Economy & Sustainability: Medellín launched payments for environmental services, paying farmers to protect forests and biodiversity.