AGP Executive Report

Global Risks Insurance Expansion: Mapfre is shifting more underwriting firepower for complex “large risks” from Madrid, targeting growth in Europe and the U.S., with added focus on cyber insurance and parametric coverage. Colombia Election & Security: With Colombia’s presidential vote set for May 31 and a possible runoff June 21, analysts flag a polarized country facing a deteriorating security picture; meanwhile, reports cite deadly clashes between FARC dissident factions in the Amazon ahead of the election. White Hydrogen Framework: Colombia’s Mines and Energy ministry released a draft resolution to create the country’s first white hydrogen evaluation and permitting rules, including area assignments, technical standards, and environmental safeguards. Mining Pollution Cleanup Research: SINCHI researchers in Colombia’s Amazon report two mercury-tolerant bacterial strains that could help inform safer approaches to mercury pollution from mining waste. Healthcare Manufacturing Investment: Supermax’s associate plans a US$50m medical glove facility in Brazil’s Paraná, aiming to expand into Mercosur markets including Colombia. Tech & Investment Spotlight: A report ranks Medellín as the top Latin American destination for tech business development, citing strong startup concentration and recent investment inflows. Organized Crime & Cross-Border Threats: A Reuters report links Colombia’s election period to renewed violence tied to armed groups and trafficking routes.

Medical Manufacturing Push: Supermax’s associate will invest about US$50M (250M BRL) to build a medical glove plant in Brazil’s Paraná, aiming to deepen Latin America reach including Colombia and other Mercosur-linked markets. Security & Industry Disruption: Reuters reports at least 52 FARC dissidents were killed in clashes in Guaviare, a key cocaine production and trafficking area, with troops deployed to protect civilians. Cybercrime Market: A KELA report says Telegram and dark-web sellers are turning verified bank and fintech accounts into “money mule” marketplaces, lowering barriers for laundering stolen funds. EV Charging Expansion: Tesla opened its first proprietary Supercharger stations in Colombia—Bogotá and Medellín—adding 4 and 8 charging stalls respectively to boost the local EV network. Vaccine Localization: SK bioscience signed with state-owned VECOL to transfer vaccine technology and support local manufacturing under Colombia’s US$260M vaccine localization initiative. Presidential Race Watch: Reuters profiles Ivan Cepeda’s bid to continue Petro-era reforms and Abelardo De La Espriella’s “mega-crackdown” pitch ahead of Colombia’s two-round election system.

Colombia’s Political Transition: As President Gustavo Petro prepares to leave office on Aug. 7, analysts flag a sharp duality: major social gains (unemployment at 8.9% and multidimensional poverty down to 9.9%) alongside rising fiscal strain and a widening public debt burden. Election & Security: With the May 31 vote approaching, security remains central as armed groups control corridors and drive displacement and humanitarian pressure, shaping how voters weigh left vs right plans for peace and anti-crime. Energy Transition in Practice: Colombia hosted a first “transition away from fossil fuels” conference in Santa Marta, pushing roadmaps and a proposed fossil-fuel treaty; separately, the country outlined a nuclear roadmap in Vienna tied to El Niño-driven drought risk to hydropower. Infrastructure & Industry: Bogota’s metro project is moving ahead with a pilot phase and VIP early-access passes for voluntary taxpayers, while Colombia’s ICT ministry tested satellite direct-to-device SOS messaging in rural Sumapaz. Mining & Environment: Protests are planned against Glencore’s mining impacts in Colombia and other countries, as activists press for stronger protections and accountability. Digital Economy & Labor: A report highlights how Nepali workers power the platform economy abroad but often face weak protections.

Food Policy Fight in Colombia: A new investigation says ultra-processed food producers helped shape Colombia’s May 2026 election by funding 40% of political party donations in 2022, totaling over €5.85M, as lawmakers push for a tax on ultra-processed foods. Logistics Visibility for Truckers: VePAI is using WhatsApp plus AI to turn Colombian truckers’ voice notes and vehicle photos into structured data, aiming to improve freight visibility and make drivers easier to finance. Vaccine Localization Push: SK bioscience signed a technology transfer deal with state firm VECOL under Colombia’s $260M vaccine localization plan, targeting local manufacturing capacity for SKYVaricella. Energy Auction Results: Colombia’s CREG/ XM firm energy obligations auction awarded 1,546.9 MW solar, 246 MW wind, and 2,276.8 MW thermal for 2029–2030. Cybersecurity Pressure: Latin American cybercriminals are increasingly targeting government agencies; Colombia’s health ministry saw 23M attempted attacks in March. Rights and Security Allegations: HRW accuses UAE-linked recruitment networks, including Colombian security firms, of routing mercenaries through UAE infrastructure to Sudan. Public Health Alarm: An AP probe reports rising suicide deaths among ICE detainees, citing failures in oversight and mental health access. Urban Infrastructure Milestone: Bogota’s Line 1 metro trial run begins on the elevated viaduct, with full electric service planned for 2028.

Solar Push: Colombia just awarded 1,546.9 MW of solar in its firm energy auction for 2029–2030, alongside 246 MW wind and 2,276.8 MW thermal, with 85 plants participating and XM administering the market. Immigration Crisis: An AP investigation says ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an “alarming” rate, pointing to failures in oversight amid mass detention. World Cup Economics: South Florida is budgeting tens of millions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but FIFA contracts leave local governments chasing the payoff. AI in Business: PwC finds most companies are stuck in “pilot mode,” where AI tools don’t translate into measurable returns—suggesting the real gap is staffing and execution. Data Center Power: Kio Data Centers signed a 10-year PPA with Celsia to power its Panama operations, aiming for long-term energy certainty.

World Cup Momentum: FIFA confirmed 2026 Team Base Camps across North America, with Colombia set to train in Mexico—another step in spreading the tournament’s economic pull beyond match cities. EV Surge in Colombia: April EV sales jumped 316% year-on-year, with EVs reaching a 20% market share as price cuts keep accelerating demand. Colombia’s Election Watch: Colombia heads to the May 31 vote in a tight three-way race, with a likely runoff on June 21 shaping regional politics and security expectations. Agriculture Under Pressure: Colombia’s bee decline is raising alarms for pollination-dependent crops, with potential knock-on effects for food prices. Digital Gambling Shift: Colombia is rolling out lottery subscriptions, moving repeat ticket buying into a recurring digital model. Global Business Signals: A new AIDI gala in Queens spotlights growing cross-border capital links, while a Globant securities-fraud lawsuit deadline is set for June 23.

Colombiamoda Miami: In Wynwood during Miami Swim Week, Inexmoda is staging Colombiamoda Miami (May 27–29) with 35 Colombian brands and a bigger buyer-focused agenda, aiming to turn U.S. visibility into sales after 2025’s 1,200 attendees and direct sales of $140,000. IP Reform Push: Guyana President Irfaan Ali says intellectual property reform needs national consultations, potentially tied to broader governance talks. ICE Smear Response: U.S. officials hit back at New Jersey sanctuary politicians over claims about the Delaney Hall ICE facility, stressing detainees’ access to meals, care, and legal contact. Health Tech Market Watch: A report projects microneedle drug delivery systems could reach $14.37B by 2035, driven by self-applied, minimally invasive therapies. Colombia Election Countdown: Campaigns end ahead of May 31 voting, with polls pointing to a three-way race between Iván Cepeda, Abelardo de la Espriella, and Paloma Valencia. Innovation in the Field: UNAL researcher Edwin Casallas Moreno developed a camera-and-sensor system to help drones navigate when GPS fails, cutting errors by up to 40%.

World Cup Diplomacy: Mexico says it will host Iran’s national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the U.S. raised visa and safety concerns, with Iran shifting its training base to Tijuana. Music & Culture: Stray Kids will play Colombia for the first time in Bogotá on Sept. 9, 2026 as part of the STRAYCITY tour, with tickets starting May 27. Housing & Climate Resilience: At WUF13 in Baku, Colombia pushed housing finance models that blend affordability with climate-ready cities. Payments & Expansion: BlaBlaCar is rolling out carpooling across eight South American markets, including Colombia, aiming to replicate Brazil’s growth. Trade & Industry: U.S. red-meat exporters wrapped up a conference highlighting new retail marketing in Asia and Latin America. Colombia Economy: E-commerce hit record Q1 results—COP 39.7T in sales and 186.4M transactions. Politics Watch: Overseas voting for Colombia’s presidential election begins May 25–31, with 1.4M citizens abroad eligible.

Colombia E-Commerce Surge: Colombia’s online commerce hit a record in Q1 2026, reaching COP 39.7 trillion in sales (+14.5% y/y) and 186.4 million transactions (+22.2%), with more people buying smaller baskets thanks to wider digital payments. Election Countdown: Campaigns are wrapping ahead of May 31, with analysts expecting a bruising race and likely runoff on June 21; leftist Iván Cepeda and right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella are close in the final polls, while security and the “total peace” agenda remain central fault lines. Food Diplomacy: President Gustavo Petro ordered an urgent shipment of Colombia’s surplus rice to Cuba, responding to China’s announced rice donation and adding to recent Colombia-Cuba aid moves. Justice for Minors: Colombia’s Supreme Court upheld a 20-year sentence tied to commercial sexual exploitation of minors, with a UN expert calling it a landmark recognition of buyers as direct perpetrators. Regional Tech Push: El Salvador entered the top 10 Latin American startup ecosystems, driven by incentives including a 0% tax rate for innovation and an AI regulatory sandbox.

Latin Music Meets EDM: Sueños Music Festival in Chicago is turning into a Latin-rave showcase, with a new wave of Mexican and Latino DJs blending cumbia and reggaetón into mainstream festival energy—while J Balvin closes out Day 1 for the fifth anniversary. Colombia Election Pulse: A fresh AtlasIntel poll shows right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella surging to nearly tie Ivan Cepeda ahead of the May 31 vote, with a runoff scenario favoring De la Espriella. Energy & Trade Diplomacy: Colombia and China signed an academic alliance to boost rural tech and agricultural biotech, including a new agro-industrial innovation center in Antioquia. Mining & Health Warning: Reports spotlight asbestos tailings and toxic dust risks in abandoned mines, underscoring how broken cleanup promises can become long-term public health crises. Cauca Flashpoint: Colombia sent a large military contingent to Cauca to halt clashes between Nasa and Misak communities over ancestral territory.

Colombia Election Tightens: A new AtlasIntel poll shows right-wing Abelardo de la Espriella surging to 37.3%, nearly tying ruling-party Ivan Cepeda at 38.7%, with a projected runoff win for De la Espriella (50% vs 41.3%) ahead of the May 31 vote. Indigenous Conflict Escalates: In Cauca, clashes between Nasa and Misak communities have left 7 dead and 110+ injured as 500 troops move in to halt fighting over ancestral territory. Environment & Industry: Colombia’s Andean bear protection gets a boost via the Conservamos la Vida alliance, linking forest restoration with rural development. Energy Pressure: Colombia’s natural gas crunch worsens as supply constraints from the Strait of Hormuz closure collide with declining domestic production, pushing costly LNG imports. Regional Watch: DR Congo’s World Cup preparations take another hit after Ebola forces a Kinshasa camp cancellation, with Belgium set as the new base.

Election Momentum: Colombia’s right-wing presidential hopeful Abelardo De La Espriella surged in the final week of campaigning, nearly tying in the latest AtlasIntel poll ahead of the May 31 vote—Cepeda 38.7% vs De La Espriella 37.3%, with a projected runoff split of 50% to 41.3%. Indigenous Violence in Cauca: A military deployment moved into Cauca to curb clashes between Nasa and Misak communities over ancestral territory; the death toll rose to 7 with 100+ injured. World Cup Health Rules: DR Congo’s World Cup preparations took another hit as Ebola concerns trigger strict isolation requirements for the team before entry to the U.S., while officials say FIFA is monitoring closely. Banana Pressure: Ecuador’s banana surplus is pushing prices down, but the Ecuador–Colombia trade dispute is redirecting fruit and adding extra strain to the market. Energy Crunch: Colombia’s natural gas shortage is deepening as global supply tightens, with LNG imports facing uncertainty.

Indigenous Violence in Cauca: Six people were killed and nearly 100 injured in escalating clashes between the Misak and Nasa communities over ancestral land in Silvia, Cauca, with reports shifting from sticks and batons to live ammunition and allegations of detentions by opposing factions. Drones and Armed Groups: A new report highlights how Colombia’s armed groups increasingly use commercial drones for attacks and surveillance, including monitoring coca fields and labs, often sourced online and then modified. Election Tension: Bogotá’s campaign season stays volatile after vandalism hit right-wing candidate Paloma Valencia’s headquarters, underscoring security fears ahead of the May 31 vote. Micromobility Rules: The transport ministry published draft safety and registration requirements for electric scooters and e-bikes, including mandatory equipment, speed limits, and registration via the national transit registry (RUNT) by Jan. 1, 2029. Industry Watch: World crude steel output fell 1.9% in April 2026 year-on-year, while Colombia’s steel context remains mixed with regional swings.

Bolivia Unrest: Bolivia is facing a nationwide paralysis as tens of thousands block roads, cutting routes to Peru and Chile and triggering food and diesel shortages in La Paz, with hospitals strained by missing supplies; the unrest is tied to renewed fuel shortages and subsidy cuts, sparked by a controversial law on indigenous land tenure. World Cup Momentum: In South Florida, brokers say the 2026 World Cup is nudging foreign condo sales—especially short-term rental units—by sweetening deals with tickets and airline miles. Micromobility Rules: Colombia published draft safety and registration requirements for electric scooters and e-bikes, including mandatory equipment and a national registry via RUNT, with compliance targeted for 2029. Ebola Watch: Health experts say Ebola risk to World Cup fans is very low, but screening and travel restrictions could complicate logistics for teams. Tech & Education: The ASC26 student supercomputing challenge wrapped with Peking University winning after teams built and ran their own clusters under strict power limits. Energy Grid: Colombia’s UPME set new procedures to speed transmission capacity allocation and reduce grid connection delays for generation projects.

Grid Speed-Up: Colombia’s UPME issued Resolution 000358/2026 to speed how transmission capacity is allocated for generation projects, adding a fast-track for deals with energy obligations and for projects that already cleared environmental licensing—aimed at easing SIN congestion as demand is expected to rise in 2029-2030. Architecture & SDGs: UIA and UN-Habitat named winners of the UIA 2030 Award, spotlighting projects that link design excellence to water, labor safety, housing, and climate adaptation. Cash Access Expansion: NCR Atleos and Bancoomeva launched the Cashzone ATM network in Colombia, keeping cash use front and center while expanding regulated access nationwide. Mining Equipment Push: Sandvik booked another order for Aris Mining’s Segovia underground gold operation in Antioquia, with deliveries set to start in July. El Niño Watch: Authorities warn a possible “super” El Niño could bring extreme heat, drought, and energy and food pressure through 2026.

Cash Access Boost: NCR Atleos is expanding its Cashzone ATM network into Colombia with Bancoomeva as sponsoring and settlement bank, aiming to keep cash easy to access nationwide even as digital payments grow. Meetings Momentum: Colombia keeps climbing in global MICE rankings, landing 2nd in Latin America for international congresses and conventions in ICCA 2025, with 158 events in 2025 (+38% vs 2024). Culture & Tourism: Morat confirmed the North American leg of its “Ya Es Mañana World Tour 2027” across the US and Canada, while David Bisbal announced his “Eternos Tour” stop in Bogotá on Oct. 21, 2026. Media Spotlight: Netflix set “One Hundred Years of Solitude” Part 2 to start streaming Aug. 5 (7 episodes) with a standalone finale Aug. 26. Climate & Cities: C40 and UN-Habitat highlighted a climate-responsive urban planning push at the World Urban Forum in Baku, backed by 33 cities.