AGP Executive Report

Diplomatic Realignment: Colombia formally severed diplomatic relations with Iran effective Sept. 19, citing alleged links to terrorist and narcoterrorist groups, human-rights violations, Strait of Hormuz disruptions, and IAEA nuclear-inspection obstacles; it also designated Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization while keeping consular services active. Security Cooperation: Colombia joined the Shield of the Americas push, with focus groups including FARC dissidents, ELN, and Clan del Golfo, as regional governments coordinate against drug trafficking and terrorism. Industry & Growth: In Medellín, the Colombia Fashion Summit 2027 drew 700+ executives to tackle scaling challenges; organizers noted only a small share of formal exporters sustain high-value exports over multiple years. Energy & Infrastructure Watch: Ecuador’s electricity crisis is forcing a contingency plan that disconnects 185 large industrial users one day per week to avoid blackouts. Tech Skills Pipeline: Colombia’s government proposed a Microsoft-backed pilot to train young people and adults in AI, alongside plans for broader emerging-tech capacity. Maritime Strategy Angle: A new analysis argues naval power alone can’t secure maritime order without governance systems—highlighting how China builds influence through standards, training, and port access.

AI Skills Push: Colombia’s Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo met Microsoft to propose a pilot program to train young people and adults in artificial intelligence, with possible expansion into quantum computing. Energy & Trade: Petrobras may include Colombia’s offshore Sirius gas project in its 2027–2031 business plan if it secures the environmental license, using a direct subsea transport approach to move gas to shore. Mining Update: Collective Mining reported high-grade gold and tungsten in schist outside the Apollo breccia margin in Caldas, opening a new drilling target beyond the current resource model. Coal Logistics: Colombia’s coal trade is entering a new phase as policy and logistics drive Atlantic demand, despite ongoing operational disruptions. Industrial Policy: Colombia’s 2027 budget cleared its first congressional hurdle, moving toward final approval in October amid debate over higher spending and cuts to social subsidies. Security & Diplomacy: Colombia broke diplomatic relations with Iran, citing national and hemispheric security and alleged links to terrorist groups, and also urged international action against transnational drug trafficking at the UN.

Security in the Caribbean: Colombia deployed 1,100 security forces to Santa Marta after threats from the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN) shut down transport and businesses, with the U.S. Embassy issuing a local alert. Payments & fintech infrastructure: EBANX announced it will expand into Pakistan for the first half of 2027 using local wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa) and instant-payment rails, and it is rolling out native Apple Pay decryption across Latin America and the Caribbean. Agro-export momentum: Colombia strengthened its lead in goldenberry exports, topping US$43.5M in 2024 sales and shipping 8,500+ net tons to nearly 25 markets, supported by traceability and food-safety certifications. Energy & industrial projects: Petrobras said the Sirius offshore gas project could enter its 2027-2031 business plan if environmental licensing clears, with community consultations still underway. Mining logistics hit: Glencore’s Cerrejón coal mine reported a sixth rail attack in 2026, suspending railway operations while production continues. Public health warning: Venezuela’s hygiene institute flagged counterfeit OPDIVO (nivolumab) batches, noting irregular labeling and unauthorized entry channels.

Security Disruption in Colombia’s Caribbean: Santa Marta’s tourism and commerce ground to a halt as an illegal armed group ordered business and transport closures, burning vehicles and threatening shopkeepers; President Abelardo de la Espriella moved to militarize the city with troops and police after the group’s leader was killed. Mining & Logistics Under Attack: Glencore’s Cerrejón coal mine reported explosives damage to its railway network near Uribia, La Guajira, suspending rail operations while production continues and the army secures the area. Carbon Markets Push: Colombia’s carbon registry chief says the new government plans “quick wins” with Singapore on Article 6 cooperation and aims to revamp the internal carbon tax compensation mechanism to restore market volumes and prices. Trade & Agriculture Signals: Colombia’s coffee brand Juan Valdez expands in Canada, adding to retail and online distribution across 400+ outlets, supporting higher-value exports for growers. Climate Pressure on Industry: El Niño heat is intensifying on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, driving higher cooling demand and straining water and power—an operational risk for households and businesses alike. Payments Tech for Latin America: Apple expands Tap to Pay on iPhone to more countries including Colombia, enabling contactless payments without extra card readers via local payment partners.

Tourism & Hospitality: Curaçao reported 578,814 stayover visitors in Jan–Aug 2026 (+9.7% y/y) and 1.19M total visitors including cruise and day trippers, with the Netherlands still the top market and the U.S. rapidly closing the gap. Sustainable Growth: CHATA warned that tourism expansion must shift from chasing volume to protecting environment, infrastructure and quality of life via “Growth, Responsibility & Carrying Capacity.” Finance & Payments: Thunes and J.P. Morgan Payments expanded Xpedite Remit, adding access to local bank accounts and mobile wallets across 100+ corridors for faster cross-border payouts and FX conversion. Energy & Water Management: Colombia’s ANLA authorized EPM to raise Hidroituango’s operating level from 408 to 420 meters to support Medellín’s El Niño response as rationing resumes. Geospatial & Industry Tech: Colombia-based XphereLab turns natural-language requests into usable geospatial maps and indicators for planning, engineering, cadastre and disaster risk. Climate Risk: UN warns El Niño could cut Latin America’s GDP by over 2% in three years, urging cross-border energy sharing and climate-resilient infrastructure. Security & Logistics: A U.S. assessment says Latin American cartels are recruiting Ukraine war veterans and upgrading drone tactics, raising risks for border operations.

Hydropower & Water Security: Colombia’s ANLA authorized EPM to raise Hidroituango’s operating level from 408 to 420 meters, giving Medellín a stronger buffer as the city prepares to resume water rationing (night cuts 8 p.m.–4 a.m.) after reservoir levels fell sharply. Renewables Deal: Patria Investments and Ashmore Colombia agreed to sell the 360 MW Puerta de Oro solar park to ISAGEN; the transaction is pending antitrust approval and is expected to close by end-2026. Inflation Watch: Colombia’s annual inflation accelerated to 6.24% in August, with services prices driving most of the increase, according to DANE data analyzed by Bancolombia. Agro-Exports: Agro-industrial exports hit a record in the first eight months, reaching USD 37.525B and 84.26M tons, up year-on-year on both volume and value. Logistics/Industry Services: Plugg Technologies reported 40% growth in the first half of 2026 as U.S. firms expand LATAM engineering teams, supporting 100+ billable consultants across 30+ clients. Energy Transition Finance: Climate Impact Partners says more corporates are linking carbon credit buying to revenue-linked climate strategies, not just offsets. Right to Repair: Global meeting at Automechanika Frankfurt pushes for continued access and fair competition in the independent automotive aftermarket.

AI & Customer Services: Bright Pattern and iké expanded their partnership to help Latin American enterprises modernize omnichannel support with AI, automation, analytics, and human-centered service. Coffee Exports & Retail Expansion: Juan Valdez entered Canada for the first time, rolling out 100% Colombian premium coffee to 400+ retail points and e-commerce partners. Carbon Credits Market: A carbon credits interview highlights how more corporates with net-zero targets are using credits for hard-to-abate emissions, with demand tied to reported business impact. Energy & Renewables (Colombia): Patria Investments’ Puerta de Oro solar PV project (nearly 530 hectares, 511,000 modules) reached commercial operations, while Patria also sold a 360MW solar PV plant to Isagen/Enel-linked assets. Climate Policy (Colombia): ICC and Carbon Measures named former President Iván Duque to chair a Colombia-based advisory panel supporting product-level carbon accounting. Digital Payments (Peru, regional): Kunfupay and EBANX launched Yape On-File in Peru, driving a 46% revenue uplift in four months. Public Health Access (Latin America): PAHO and Gilead expanded access to lenacapavir for HIV prevention across 14 countries, including Colombia. Cybersecurity: Researchers warned of a WordPress wp2shell chain exploiting CVE-2026-63030 and CVE-2026-60137, with reported targets including Colombia. Industrial Growth Push (Colombia): Vice President José Manuel Restrepo launched “Mission Crecer” in New York aiming for 6% GDP growth via investment, productivity, and rule simplification. Food & Ag Exports (regional): Peru’s Hass avocado exports hit 505,377 metric tons in H1 2026, with expanded market access including Colombia.

Aviation & Ground Handling: Swissport is entering Colombia by acquiring a majority stake in Bogotá and Medellín ground-services provider Giraldo Hermanos International (GHI), aiming to scale across the country’s major airports and support carriers including Copa, Air Europa, and FedEx. Retail & Consumer Infrastructure: McDonald’s Colombia, via Arcos Dorados, signed its first franchise contract in the country, with a Valledupar restaurant planned under a model where the independent operator invests capital while McDonald’s provides guidance. Investment & Growth Strategy: Colombia’s VP José Manuel Restrepo launched “Mission Crecer” in New York, targeting 6% GDP growth through incentives, legal stability, investment project pipelines, and rule simplification. Digital Finance: Nubank founder David Vélez says the bank will invest about US$1.58B in Colombia from 2026-2030, focusing on data/AI, new services, teams, and capital for scaled growth. Mining & Industrial Projects: Energy Today and QED Connect discussed a potential second Trafigura meeting tied to expansion plans for the La Palmichala gold project in Antioquia. Security & Risk: Kaspersky reported a new multi-stage malware campaign spreading through torrent trackers disguised as popular films, with victims including Colombia. Heritage & Construction: Bogotá’s demolition of English-style houses at Carrera Séptima and Calle 54 is reigniting debate over architectural preservation and permitting. Energy & Infrastructure Tech: OData is deploying Aligned’s DeltaFlow liquid cooling at data centers in Brazil and Mexico, signaling growing demand for high-density AI cooling in the region. Aviation/Logistics Tech: Intermap signed a three-year flood-risk and property-valuation analytics subscription with Colonnade Insurance, pushing recurring geospatial services.

Aviation & Logistics: Swissport is entering Colombia by buying a majority stake in Giraldo Hermanos International (GHI), expanding ground handling at Bogotá and Medellín and aiming to grow with key airline and air-cargo customers. Mining & Workforce: Energy Today and QED Connect say they’re lining up a second meeting with Trafigura on potential financing/offtake for the La Palmichala gold project in Remedios, Antioquia, alongside SENA AI and AiHammock-related initiatives. Geospatial for Risk: Intermap signed a three-year subscription with Colonnade Insurance (Fairfax-owned) for flood risk and property valuation analytics, pushing recurring geospatial services. Live Entertainment Infrastructure: BeatHub acquired the remaining 50% stake in Bogotá’s Movistar Arena, consolidating full ownership and doubling down on Colombia’s venue and ticketing ecosystem. Sustainability & Security: Global Witness reports 124 land and environmental defender killings in 2025, with Latin America at 85% and Colombia topping the list for the fourth straight year (39). Digital Economy (Korea): GIIB and TripleX Global plan a 20-year, $5B program to deploy on-device AI + POS terminals in Korean merchant locations. Humanitarian Aid: UAE dispatched earthquake relief to Colombia via Paraguay’s logistics and local suppliers.

Humanitarian Response: The UAE is sending $10M in earthquake aid to western Colombia, using Paraguay’s production and logistics to speed deliveries and support local small and medium-sized suppliers. Disaster Recovery: A Northern Virginia teacher launched a fundraiser to rebuild homes for her three elderly uncles in a remote Cauca Valley community still living in tents after a 7.4 quake destroyed nearly 30,000 homes. Security & Fraud: The FBI warns of scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement and government officials, pushing victims to pay “fees” or share personal data. Environmental & Land Rights: Global Witness reports 124 land and environmental defender killings in 2025, with Latin America at 85% and Colombia the deadliest country for the fourth year, tied to mining, logging, and agribusiness conflicts. Energy & Industry: Colombia plans to reactivate gas and oil exploration amid El Niño-driven supply concerns, framing hydrocarbons as a strategic priority. Logistics & Commerce: Amazon’s renewed investment in Colombia’s Rappi highlights continued growth in last-mile delivery across Latin America. Infrastructure & Transit: China’s ambassador defended a Bogotá Metro Line 1 visit amid political debate over ownership and contracting.

Energy Security: Colombia moves to reactivate gas and oil exploration as officials warn the power system is “in intensive care” ahead of El Niño, with the Vice President promising new work across hydrocarbons and pushing back on degrowth arguments. Power Reliability: Ecuador plans to cut electricity to large companies one day a week and renew contracts for Turkish power barges to protect hydro reservoirs as El Niño intensifies. Digital Commerce & Logistics: Amazon invests over US$20M in Colombia’s Rappi, boosting its last-mile reach across Latin America and deepening ties with AWS. Trade & Ports: DHL expands in Colombia via an Open Market deal, signaling continued growth in regional supply-chain services. Governance & Oversight: A Bogotá judge orders Colombia’s Defense Ministry to fully disclose records on President Abelardo de la Espriella’s early flights, after an opposition lawmaker challenged incomplete answers. Environment & Industry Risk: Global Witness reports 124 land and environmental defenders killed worldwide in 2025, with Latin America at 85% and Colombia leading with 39 cases linked to land conflict, illegal mining, logging and agribusiness expansion.

Energy & Infrastructure: Colombia’s Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo will pitch 100 investment projects in New York at UNGA, with energy and infrastructure leading the portfolio, alongside state modernization and incentive plans. Power Reliability: Ecuador plans to cut electricity to large consumers one day a week to protect hydro reservoirs as El Niño deepens drought risk, after Colombia’s power transfers were hit. Logistics & Trade: DHL is set to expand in Colombia via an Open Market acquisition, signaling continued growth in regional supply chains. Security & Crime: The U.S. plans $52M in security aid to Colombia, Panama, Peru and Ecuador to buy U.S. military equipment for anti-narcoterrorism and to help secure the Panama Canal. Economy: Colombia’s peso has surged nearly 23% in 2026 on dollar inflows, higher rates and improved risk perception after the election. Climate Impact on Industry: UNICEF reports 374,377 students in Colombia faced climate-related school disruptions in 2025, mainly from drought—an indirect hit to workforce continuity. Food & Agribusiness: USDA highlights biofuels growth as a boost for grain farmers, while pushing new export markets including Latin America.

Defense & Security Tech: The U.S. Navy is buying automated Voyager surface drones to help interdict cartel speedboats carrying fentanyl into the U.S., with long endurance for mapping and counter-drug missions. Governance & Oversight: A Bogotá judge ordered Colombia’s Ministry of Defense to fully disclose records on President Abelardo de la Espriella’s early presidential flights within 48 hours, after a lawmaker said the first response was incomplete. Investment Pipeline: Colombia’s VP Jose Manuel Restrepo will pitch a portfolio of 100 projects in New York at UNGA, with energy and infrastructure leading, alongside state modernization and legal stability measures. Climate Impact on Industry & People: UNICEF reports 374,377 Colombian students faced climate-related school disruptions in 2025, mainly from drought—an early signal for El Niño-linked disruptions. Logistics & Trade: Panama Canal Authority warns El Niño could cut FY2027 net revenue by $225m–$400m due to lower water and fewer transits.

Transnational Security: Analysis says Tren de Aragua has expanded into Brazil, shifting from turf wars to alliances (notably with the Red Command) and moving money via crypto; authorities estimate 150–250 members across Roraima/Amazonas with cross-border pressure in the Brazil–Paraguay–Argentina tri-border. Investment Push: Colombia’s VP Jose Manuel Restrepo heads to New York for UNGA with a portfolio of 100 projects, led by energy and infrastructure, alongside state modernization and legal stability measures to attract private capital. Public Services: Colombia’s Foreign Ministry declared “manifest urgency” to keep passport and visa issuance running after a court halted a prior Portugal deal; consulates and scheduled appointments remain valid. Currency & Industry: The peso rally in 2026 is tied to dollar inflows, higher rates, and election-driven confidence, helping curb inflation but squeezing exporters and dollar-earning manufacturers. Logistics/Trade: DHL expands in Colombia via an Open Market deal, signaling continued consolidation in logistics and cross-border trade. Health Access: Gilead and PAHO expand access to twice-yearly HIV prevention lenacapavir across 14 countries, including Colombia, via a regional procurement pathway.

Logistics & Trade: DHL Supply Chain agreed to buy Colombia’s Open Market, adding 21 warehouses (120,000m²), 13 cross-docking platforms and a transport fleet, with about 4,100 employees joining—aimed at life sciences, healthcare and other specialized supply chains. Energy & Renewables: Actis launched Yeltica Energy, a Mexican renewables platform targeting a 2GW portfolio after winning CFE mixed investment tender awards for solar-plus-storage (330MW PV, 225MWh BESS). Mining & Metals: Outcrop Silver & Gold more than doubled inferred silver at its Santa Ana project in Tolima, lifting indicated silver to 21.7M ounces and inferred to 20.1M ounces, as prices stay near elevated levels. Consumer & Enforcement: Azerbaijan was elected to ICPEN’s advisory group for 2026/2027, joining Colombia among other member countries to share consumer protection practices. Climate & Water Risks: El Niño is intensifying across Latin America with uneven impacts; in Colombia, rainfall pattern shifts could mean both water shortages and sudden floods. Shipping: Panama Canal bulker transits fell 22% year-on-year as slot competition rises and El Niño threatens lower water levels, pushing some cargoes to longer routes. Security & Migration: A DOJ case highlights a Colombian smuggling conspiracy tied to a boat that vanished in 2023 with 42 people aboard, underscoring maritime risks on routes toward the U.S.

Energy & Power Resilience: Colombia’s reservoirs are holding up as El Niño intensifies, with the National Interconnected System at about 79.67% capacity, offering a buffer for hydro generation even as regional rainfall varies. Electric Infrastructure: A major 69kV substation expansion in Colombia, East Bank Demerara, is reported 60–70% complete, with materials shipped and factory acceptance testing done—an example of how grid upgrades are moving from planning to execution. Oil & Corporate Governance: Abelardo de la Espriella’s team has elected Carlos Suarez as chair of Ecopetrol’s board, signaling a governance reset at the country’s largest energy firm. AI & Software Industry: Axiacore, a Colombian-founded company, became an OpenAI Select Partner, positioning it to help businesses deploy AI beyond pilots across Latin America. Logistics & Trade Support: ITC and DHL renewed their partnership to back small and medium-sized exporters with cross-border logistics, market support, and programs for women-led firms. Security & Drug Policy: The US named 23 major drug transit/production territories for FY2027, including Colombia, while also shifting Venezuela off its blacklist—raising questions about what comes next for Colombia’s certification. El Niño Risk Management: Latin America is building contingency plans, but impacts differ by country, from flooding threats to drought and power-system pressure. Industrial Events: International Hardware Fair India 2026 (Oct 23–25, New Delhi) will bring tools and hardware manufacturers and buyers together, reflecting continued momentum in industrial supply chains. Mining & Critical Minerals: Investor coverage highlights Fathom Nickel’s Saskatchewan exploration push for nickel sulphides tied to the clean-energy supply chain. Cybersecurity: Kaspersky reports iTorrents.org was used to spread Windows malware via disguised torrent downloads, with victims including Colombia.