AGP Executive Report

Venezuela Quake Response: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez said the twin earthquakes’ death toll has climbed to 589, with 2,980 injured and tens of thousands still unaccounted for as international rescue teams and sniffer dogs arrive and La Guaira is placed under military control. Humanitarian Funding: Global Impact activated a Venezuela Earthquakes Response Fund, letting donors support vetted groups like UNICEF USA and Save the Children through one donation. Colombia’s Role in Aid: Reports say Colombia will send dozens of rescue personnel and equipment, joining other countries’ search-and-rescue deployments. Colombia Business Watch: Canacol Energy won an Alberta court decision allowing it to restructure Colombian natural gas supply and transportation contracts under the CCAA, with protections for regulated consumers. Sports & Trade: U.S. Customs seized counterfeit World Cup 2026 items, with many shipments reportedly originating from Mexico and Colombia. Markets & Weather Risk: S&P warns El Niño could hit emerging markets including Colombia, pressuring water, electricity, and food production.

Colombia Politics & Markets: Leftist Iván Cepeda conceded Colombia’s presidential election to Trump-endorsed outsider Abelardo de la Espriella, setting up a rightward policy shift that investors will watch closely for crime, drug enforcement, and fiscal direction. Venezuela Disaster & Regional Business Impact: Twin 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes devastated northern Venezuela, with aid and rescue teams mobilizing internationally as officials reported at least 188 deaths and hundreds injured, disrupting logistics and communications across the region. Illicit Economy: A UNODC report says Colombia’s coca cultivation rose 3.5% to 261,000 hectares in 2024, with 180 municipalities affected and just 10 accounting for nearly half the crop area. Cross-Border Payments: XTransfer expanded its Latin America strategy with a BBVA partnership framework aimed at more automated, real-time FX and trade payments for SMEs. Tech & Finance Security: KPMG survey data shows banking executives expect AI-driven disruptions and are boosting cybersecurity spending, including defenses against deepfakes and AI-related vulnerabilities. Agriculture & Climate Risk: FAO analysis warns an El Niño phase could raise drought risk in parts of Central America and the Caribbean, with knock-on effects for harvests and food security.

Colombia Politics: Colombia’s electoral authorities have officially confirmed Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella as president-elect after a razor-thin runoff win over Iván Cepeda, ending weeks of election turmoil and setting up a rightward policy shift focused on tougher security and pro-business reforms. Venezuela Disaster: Twin earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5) have killed at least 164 and injured nearly 1,000 in Venezuela, with Caracas’s main airport damaged and closed and rescue efforts concentrated in La Guaira as the death toll is expected to rise. Aviation Disruption: A commercial flight from Spain was diverted to Curaçao after earthquake damage shut Venezuela’s main airport, while Colombia’s aviation authority flagged Bogotá and Barranquilla as alternate destinations. Business & Trade: ProColombia was recognized for record international air connectivity, highlighting Colombia’s growing role in regional travel and investment flows. Health/Pharma: Chiesi and Arbor said the European Commission granted orphan drug designation in the EU for ABO-101 for primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Sports & Economy: World Cup halftime coverage underscores Colombia’s Round of 32 qualification and the tournament’s broader consumer and tourism boost.

Venezuela Disaster Response: Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after twin 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within seconds, collapsing buildings in Caracas and forcing the closure of the main airport; acting President Delcy Rodríguez said at least 32 people died and more than 700 were injured, with La Guaira described as the hardest-hit “disaster zone,” and aftershocks already reported. Regional Disruption: Authorities reported major damage to infrastructure including subway and natural gas services in Caracas, school cancellations, and a tsunami alert that was later lifted as international search-and-rescue and medical support begins to mobilize. Colombia Political Economy Watch: Colombia’s election authority officially declared Abelardo de la Espriella president-elect, a shift that markets are watching closely as the country prepares for a new administration starting Aug. 7.

Colombia Election Fallout: Progressive senator Iván Cepeda conceded Colombia’s presidential runoff to Trump-backed outsider Abelardo de la Espriella after a 1% margin, while Cepeda denounced foreign interference, vote-buying and AI-driven manipulation; official scrutiny reportedly matched preliminary results at 99.997%, leaving a tight but confirmed outcome. Energy Transition Watch: Economists warn the incoming “El Tigre” agenda could reverse parts of Petro’s fossil-fuel phaseout push, with deregulation and renewed oil focus raising fiscal and environmental risks. Markets & Investment Mood: Despite initial market cheer (peso, bonds and equities), analysts say promised tax cuts and a sharper Washington pivot may not deliver enough growth room, especially for poorer regions. Regional Capital Flows: ECLAC reported Latin America and the Caribbean received $194.2B in FDI in 2025 (+1.7%), but U.S. investment into the region fell 11% as Europe gained ground. Business Expansion: El Poblado Investment Group said it is expanding its Colombia strategy and raising Fund III, betting on renewed investor confidence after the election. World Cup Business Angle: Colombia advanced to the Round of 32 after a 1-0 win over DR Congo, keeping the country in the tournament spotlight.

World Cup Business: Colombia booked its knockout spot with a 1-0 win over DR Congo in Group K, with Daniel Muñoz scoring in the 76th minute after a string of saves by DR Congo keeper Lionel Mpasi; the win follows Colombia’s 3-1 opener vs Uzbekistan and puts the team on track for top spot. Regional Finance: CAF announced a US$10B plan through 2031 to fund Latin America and the Caribbean integration, targeting physical and digital infrastructure, intra-regional trade, food security, energy, tourism, innovation, logistics and mobility. Politics & Investment Mood: A right-wing populist outsider is set to return Peru to conservative rule after Keiko Fujimori surged to an “insurmountable” lead in the runoff, deepening Latin America’s rightward shift that investors watch closely. Startups & Social Impact: Aguia Resources reported a major turnaround at its Santa Barbara gold project in Colombia, cutting monthly costs 74% while feeding high-grade ore to processing. Cross-border Trade Links: A CRF roundtable in New Delhi urged deeper India–Latin America strategic engagement, with Colombia among participating ambassadors.

Colombia Politics: Far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff narrowly (49.66% vs. 48.7% for Iván Cepeda), setting up a sharp rightward shift after Gustavo Petro, with the result hinging on a slim margin and fresh disputes over the vote. U.S.-Colombia Link: Coverage highlights De la Espriella’s deep Miami ties and U.S. backing, with Marco Rubio signaling closer regional security cooperation and tougher anti-drug policy. Public Finance: Colombia’s next president inherits debt of about 60.6% of GDP and a large fiscal deficit, leaving limited room for maneuver. Healthcare (Curaçao, regional angle): Curaçao’s health ministry announced measures to stabilize hospitals and cut waiting lists, including possible recruitment missions to Colombia. AgTech (Latin America): An IICA-led study maps 2,656 AgTech startups across 23 countries, with Brazil dominating and Colombia ranking among the top markets. World Cup (Colombia focus): Colombia plays DR Congo late Tuesday in Group K, while Portugal faces Uzbekistan—both matches carry knockout implications.

Colombia Election & Markets: Colombia’s presidential runoff delivered a razor-thin win for right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella over Ivan Cepeda, with the registrar showing about 49.66% vs 48.70% as votes neared completion, while Cepeda and outgoing President Gustavo Petro disputed the count and raised concerns about transparency and software; the “Abelardo effect” also coincided with a softer peso as investors priced in a more business-friendly shift. Democracy & Labor Rights: A new International Trade Union Confederation report warns that attacks on workers’ rights are weakening democracy, with rising restrictions on speech, assembly, and unions across many countries. Security Cooperation: Ecuador and the U.S. signed a “Secure Border Strategy” to strengthen northern border security, with Colombia named as the first implementation focus. Business & Investment: A major market update projects fiber optic test equipment growth to about $2.48B by 2035, driven by 5G and data center buildouts. Tech & Industry: China’s CISCE showcased an AI zone with 200+ players, highlighting AI-driven robotics and healthcare demos. Food & Trade: A specialty coffee launch from Colombia’s cloud-forest terroir is bringing a new single-origin release to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.

Colombia Election Watch: Trump-backed far-right outsider Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”) led the preliminary count in Sunday’s presidential runoff over Iván Cepeda, 49.7% to 48.7%, with 99.9% of votes tallied; both Petro and Cepeda signaled they will challenge the result as officials finish verification, keeping markets and investors on edge. Markets & FX: Colombian stocks jumped in early trading on the prospect of a policy shift, led by Grupo Aval (+~10%) and gains in Ecopetrol and financial names, while the peso softened slightly and bonds were also weaker. Trade Policy: Colombia’s new customs law took effect June 19, ending mandatory advance clearance and tightening penalties for smuggling and customs fraud, replacing an older sanctions framework. US-Linked Politics: U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly congratulated de la Espriella, underscoring expectations of closer ties with Washington. Security & Crime Context: A record cocaine seizure in Australia (2.7 tons, ~$572m street value) highlights the scale of trafficking profits that Colombia’s next government will face as it promises a hard crackdown. Global Economic Forum: The World Congress of Economists opened in Belgrade with 1,000+ participants debating globalism vs nationalism and the future of the economic order.

Colombia Election & Markets: Preliminary results from the presidential runoff show far-right nationalist lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella leading leftist Iván Cepeda by about 250,000 votes (49.66% vs 48.70% with nearly all ballots counted), but both Petro and Cepeda say the count is not final and plan legal challenges—keeping investors focused on the official tally and potential policy shifts. Policy Direction: De la Espriella’s agenda centers on a hardline security crackdown, ending peace talks with armed groups, and a more market-friendly stance (including plans to restart oil exploration, expand fracking, broaden the tax base, and cut the state), while he says he will preserve some popular social measures. US Ties: US Sec. of State Marco Rubio and Trump publicly congratulated de la Espriella, signaling closer cooperation on regional security, migration, and economic ties. Security Flashpoint: Colombia also reported the killing of senior FARC dissident commander “Marlon” during operations in Cauca, underscoring the election’s security backdrop. Digital Economy Note: Separate from politics, Bhutan joined the 50-in-5 digital ID initiative and Malaysia upgraded MyDigital ID kiosks, pointing to continued growth in digital public infrastructure across the region.

Colombia Runoff Election: Colombians vote Sunday in a high-stakes presidential runoff between far-right outsider Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”) and leftist senator Iván Cepeda, after a May 31 first round left no winner; De la Espriella leads in several polls and is backed by Donald Trump, while Cepeda is seen as the heir to Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” approach—both candidates are promising a different path on security, peace talks, taxes, and the economy, with the race also shadowed by fraud and foreign-interference allegations and heavy security concerns. Market Watch: Reuters notes markets and debt worries are central, with De la Espriella proposing an end to armed-group talks and a push to expand oil and gas, while Cepeda vows to continue Petro-era social and labor policies. Digital Politics: Analysts say social media is driving sentiment more than televised debates, with short-form clips shaping how voters frame the “security vs. peace” choice. Crypto & Sports Betting: A report links Polymarket World Cup profits to three wallets tied to a single Binance deposit address, raising fresh questions about insider-style advantages in prediction markets. Energy Data: US EIA data show Iraq’s crude exports to the US fell to zero last week, while Colombia supplied about 1,000 bpd.

Colombia Runoff Election: Colombians vote Sunday in a presidential runoff that could reshape the country’s decades-long conflict, with far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella (Trump-endorsed) promising an end to peace talks and a tougher military approach versus leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who backs “total peace” with changes; analysts warn the outcome could swing Colombia further into a broader Latin America rightward shift. Security & Voting Pressure: The ombudswoman says Colombia’s Early Warning System flagged up to 40 threats tied to FARC dissidents ahead of the vote, while the government rolls out incentives and security measures to protect polling integrity. Armed Groups Update: President Gustavo Petro confirmed the death of “Marlon,” a top FARC dissident commander in Cauca, hours before election day. Water, Business & Drought: In La Calera near Bogotá, residents won a rare fight against Coca-Cola bottling subsidiary Indega after complaints it kept drawing from local springs while households faced long water cuts during drought. El Niño Risk to Food: FAO and WFP seek $202m to protect 8.8m people in 22 high-risk countries, including Colombia, from expected El Niño impacts. World Cup Business Angle: FIFA’s tournament continues to drive global attention and betting activity, with Colombia’s team noted among Group K results while prediction markets see big trading volumes.

Colombia Runoff Politics: Colombians head to the presidential runoff Sunday with a stark choice between Ivan Cepeda, promising continuity of Gustavo Petro’s agenda and peace talks, and Abelardo de la Espriella (“The Tiger”), pushing an end to ELN dialogue and a tougher security line, as polarization and trust issues shape turnout. Peace Process Under Pressure: A peace deal referendum defeat left no clear Plan B, raising questions about how negotiations can survive a political earthquake. Security and Violence Watch: Renewed clashes in the Amazon around FARC dissident factions are disrupting travel and threatening Indigenous communities, while campaign rhetoric centers on an “iron fist” approach. Illicit Gold and Sanctions: Colombia’s defense minister asked the U.S. to widen financial sanctions targeting illegal gold linked to Clan del Golfo, highlighting supply-chain weaknesses and scrutiny of refiners. Cybersecurity Alert: CISA warned companies about FortiBleed, a credential-scraping incident hitting FortiGate devices and VPN gateways, with tens of thousands of systems exposed. World Cup Business Pulse: Colombia’s jersey is made in Cali by Supertex, and World Cup fever continues to drive local production and tourism interest.

Illegal Gold Sanctions Push: Colombia’s defense minister asked the US to sanction players in the illegal gold trade tied to Clan del Golfo, arguing the racket finances the group—amid scrutiny over whether US buyers have sourced gold from illicit mines. Data Centers & AI Demand: CBRE says global data-center capacity availability hit historic lows as AI buildouts strain power; Bogotá is among the listed Latin American hubs. World Cup Business Angle: A Cali factory, Supertex, says it has manufactured Colombia’s 2026 national team jersey for over a decade, highlighting local supply-chain wins during the tournament. Telepathy AI Funding: Colombian healthtech Telepathy closed a $33m Series A led by a16z, adding to a $9m seed and positioning its AI clinical assistant for faster documentation. Colombia Runoff Watch: With youth turnout a key swing factor, campaigns are intensifying social-media outreach ahead of the June 21 presidential runoff. Coffee Trade Link: Venezuela and Colombia will hold the first binational coffee congress to boost cultivation, marketing, and cross-border business ties.

Colombia Runoff Preview: Colombia heads to a June 21 presidential runoff with conservative outsider Abelardo de la Espriella facing leftist Senator Iván Cepeda, with analysts flagging fiscal strain, coalition-building in a fragmented Congress, and security as the immediate tests. Election Rules & Governance: The campaign is notable for the lack of debates between the leading candidates, leaving voters with fewer direct comparisons of proposals. Security & Justice: Separate reporting highlights Colombia’s broader security pressure, including a new probe into alleged links between former President Álvaro Uribe and 1990s paramilitary massacres. Environment & Energy Stakes: The runoff is framed as a choice on the Amazon, fossil fuel policy, and Indigenous and traditional community rights, with one side promising to expand extraction and the other to halt oil and gas. Trade & Logistics: Colombia also moves ahead on a 750-mile electric truck corridor linking Bogotá and Cartagena, aiming to support growing EV freight fleets. Global Watch: UN reporting says record child-violation levels in conflict, with government forces named as leading perpetrators for the first time.

Colombia Runoff Politics: With Colombia’s presidential runoff on June 21, the race is tightening around security and foreign alignment. Far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”) has drawn a fresh, high-profile endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who framed the vote as crucial for ties with Washington and for Colombia’s economic growth and anti-drug fight. Bogotá Security Prep: Bogotá is ramping up election readiness, deploying 12,500 police officers and setting up an emergency coordination center as authorities ease some alcohol restrictions after World Cup-related compromises. Competitiveness Watch: Colombia slipped five spots in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, falling from 54th to 59th, underscoring ongoing pressure on business climate, productivity, and infrastructure. Macroeconomic Signal: Colombia’s economy grew slightly in April, but agriculture lagged, pointing to uneven momentum. Climate & Food Risk: UN agencies FAO and WFP launched a $202m anticipatory appeal to protect 8.8m people across 22 high-risk countries from El Niño impacts, with knock-on risks for livelihoods and food security.