Strategic Outlook: an analysis of the "post-Maduro" era in Venezuela and how the stabilization of Caracas is providing an unexpected security dividend for Guyana’s offshore boom.

Deep Dive: a look at the future of the Panama Canal and its $8.5B Master Plan to become a global energy and logistics hub through 2030.

Market Intelligence: key sectoral updates, including lithium policy shifts in Bolivia, record EV growth in Uruguay, and major automotive investments in Mexico.

Policy & Macro Watch: essential updates on Costa Rica’s election results, Chile and Argentina’s record-breaking export figures, and Mexico’s resilience against recession.

The interoceanic energy corridor, a $2bn+ game changer: the most ambitious pillar of the new strategy is the construction of a 76-kilometer gas pipeline connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The goal: The goal is to decouple energy transport from water constraints. The pipeline will move up to 2.5 million barrels of energy products per day (LPG, LNG, butane, propane), freeing up valuable transit slots in the locks for container ships. The ACP has initiated dialogues with international players, with the tendering process for the pipeline scheduled for Q2 2026. This project alone is expected to generate $35 billion in revenue by 2050.

Capturing the "transshipment" value through port expansion: Panama is aggressively expanding its land-side infrastructure to handle the next generation of ultra-large vessels. The plan includes two new major container terminals - Corozal (Pacific) and Telfers (Atlantic) - adding approximately 5.5 million TEUs of annual capacity. These ports will be linked via a "dry canal" (rail and road system), strengthening the competitiveness of the western bank and creating a multimodal hub.

Securing water resilience: to guarantee the 36 daily transits required for global reliability, the ACP is fast-tracking the Rio Indio Reservoir project ($1.6 billion). Beyond the dam, the project includes a massive social investment program for the 2,500 residents in the basin, setting a new international benchmark for "inclusive infrastructure." Final design tenders are expected by late 2026, with construction beginning in 2027 to ensure the Canal remains "drought-proof" for the next 50 years.

Digital and green excellence: approximately $1 billion of the Master Plan is dedicated to digital transformation and decarbonization. Through the EU Global Gateway partnership, Panama is developing "Green Shipping Corridors," providing incentives for vessels using alternative fuels and utilizing AI-driven scheduling to maximize water efficiency.

2026 is the "year of tenders": for engineering, construction, and finance firms, the Q2 2026 tenders for the pipeline and ports represent the largest infrastructure opportunity in the region since the 2016 expansion.

Operational certainty: the shift toward a pipeline-and-port model means the Canal's reliability will soon be less dependent on rainfall. Shippers can expect more stable scheduling as energy products move to the "dry" route.

The "hub" effect: Panama is positioning itself as the primary distribution node for the Americas. Businesses should look to secure space in the emerging logistics corridors now, before the 2029 port completions trigger a surge in land value.

Argentina: dry weather threatens 2025/26 crop
A critical lack of rainfall and extreme heat in the Pampas region are jeopardizing yield potential for the current season. While some localized relief occurred in late January, the soil moisture deficit remains a primary concern for global grain markets and local economic stability. (Infobae)

Ecuador’s cocoa boom driven by impacts of climate change
As traditional West African producers face intensifying climate stress, Ecuador is rapidly positioning itself as a dominant alternative. This shift is driving a focus on resilient genetics and climate-smart agroforestry to secure long-term global supply. (Market Screener)

Brazil explores conversion of 70 million acres of degraded pastureland
Research indicates massive potential for agricultural expansion without further deforestation by intensifying the use of degraded lands. However, high interest rates (up to 20%) and current commodity prices remain significant financial barriers to this large-scale conversion. (Farm Progress)

Bolivia’s strategic pivot to end lithium protectionism
Under the leadership of President Rodrigo Paz Pereira, Bolivia is drafting a new "Lithium Law" to replace previous protectionist policies. The administration aims to restore investor confidence by honoring existing contracts while introducing a more flexible tax system and transparent contract models to finally tap into the world's largest lithium resources. (Mining Technology)

Brazil bets on national Rare Earth Strategy
The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) is defining guidelines to promote high-value processing, aiming to reduce dependency on external processors and position Brazil as a key global supplier in the energy transition. (BN Americas)

Panama to define future of First Quantum's copper mine by June 2026
The government has set a deadline to decide on the potential reopening of the massive Cobre Panamá mine, a decision with major implications for the country's GDP and global copper supply. (Bloomberg Línea)

Argentina’s $1.3bn lithium project takes shape in the northern provinces
Investment continues to flow into the Argentine "Lithium Triangle," with major projects reaching key development milestones to meet surging global battery demand. (BN Americas)

Chile: $2.5bn green hydrogen plant receives environmental approval
A major green hydrogen and ammonia project in northern Chile has been granted the green light, supporting the country's ambition to lead the global clean fuel market. (H2 View)

AES Andes suspends green hydrogen megaproject in northern Chile
In contrast, a major energy project was halted after the scientific community warned it would threaten the "pristine skies" required for world-class astronomical observations in the Atacama Desert. (De Último Minuto)

Mexico’s energy law changes may open doors for U.S. ethanol exports
Proposed regulatory shifts could create new market opportunities for American ethanol producers as Mexico re-evaluates its fuel and energy framework. (Bioenergy Times)

Colombia to launch global tender for new LNG import terminal
The country’s major pipeline operator, TGI, in partnership with Ecopetrol, is preparing a worldwide tender for long-term LNG supply for the upcoming "Ballena" terminal. The project, expected to be operational by early 2027, aims to secure lower gas prices for industrial consumers amid dwindling domestic reserves. (Bloomberg Línea)

Uruguay’s electric vehicle market surges with 147% growth in 2025: Uruguay has cemented its position as a regional leader in the energy transition, with EV sales more than doubling in a single year. Fully electric vehicles now represent a significant portion of light vehicle sales, though experts warn that charging infrastructure must now expand rapidly to avoid a market bottleneck. (Bloomberg Línea)

General Motors to invest $1 billion in Mexico despite trade rhetoric
GM is moving forward with a massive investment in its Mexican manufacturing hubs for 2026-2027, reaffirming the country's strategic importance for North American automotive production. (El Economista)

Brazil: EU-Mercosur deal expected to boost plastic packaging exports
S&P Global research suggests that the long-awaited trade agreement could provide a significant lift to Brazilian industrial exports, despite ongoing concerns from some sectors. (S&P Global)

Mexico strengthens its appeal for European investment
Mexico is intensifying efforts to attract European firms through strategic incentives, highlighting its industrial infrastructure and proximity to the U.S. market as competitive advantages. (Mexico Business News)

Brazil targets 6% defense budget boost to $26.4B for 2026
The federal government has proposed a significant budget increase to fund "Mission 6" of the New Industry Brazil plan. Key investments include the production of Gripen fighters, KC-390 aircraft, and the consolidation of the national submarine program. (Globe Newswire)

Mexico’s data center demand to trigger $18 billion in investment by 2029
A January 2026 report indicates that the rapid expansion of Cloud and AI services in Mexico will require 1.5 GW of new power capacity. This surge is positioning Mexico as the primary digital infrastructure hub for Spanish-speaking LatAm. (Strategic Energy)

Costa Rica: Laura Fernández elected president with conservative mandate

The 39-year-old is the former Chief of Staff to incumbent president Rodrigo Chaves. She won the presidency on February 1st with over 48% of the votes in the first round. Her election signals continuity but with a tougher stance on crime. On the economic front, Fernández pledges a "zero new tax" policy, the privatization of two state-owned banks, and significant cuts to public spending to attract further foreign investment and strengthen ties with the U.S. (BBC)

JPMorgan highlights Latin America's resilience
The bank notes that despite macro pressures, the region remains highly attractive for investors due to its wealth of resources and strategic role in the global supply chain reorganization. (Bloomberg Línea)

Chile reports record $107 billion in exports for 2025
Driven by a strong performance in mining and non-traditional exports, Chile achieved an all-time high in trade volume, cementing its position as a regional trade leader. (Marca Chile)

Argentina logs trade surplus of $11 billion in 2025
The country recorded historic export figures in 2025, mainly driven by agriculture and energy exports and despite a 25% hike in imports. This provides a significant boost to the country’s foreign currency reserves and fiscal stabilization efforts. (Buenos Aires Herald)

Mexico’s economy grows 2.3% year-on-year in December
While the December performance was positive, a Citi survey shows market expectations for 2026 GDP growth are currently averaging around 1.3%. (Reuters)

Guatemala declares state of emergency against prison and gang violence President Bernardo Arévalo has implemented emergency measures following the killing of police officers, underscoring the severe security challenges facing the country. (The Guardian)