AGP Executive Report

Drug Policy & Trade: The U.S. removed Venezuela from its “failed demonstrably” drug-control list for FY2027, citing progress under interim President Delcy Rodríguez, while keeping Colombia under scrutiny and signaling it could revisit Colombia if coca eradication and narco-network dismantling accelerate. Security Infrastructure: Medellín’s “Pentagon of Security” C5i emergency-control center is 36% complete, with plans to open in June 2027 and consolidate monitoring, response, citizen services, and tech systems for the Shield of the Americas. Automotive Electrification: Electric and hybrid vehicles hit a record 50.6% share of Colombia’s new-car market in August, with EV registrations up 176% year-on-year. Logistics & M&A: DHL is set to expand in Colombia by acquiring Open Market, strengthening supply-chain capacity. Environment & Risk: A Global Witness report verified 124 land and environmental defender killings worldwide in 2025, with Colombia accounting for 39 and violence concentrated in Cauca. E-commerce Push: Colombia’s Chamber of Electronic Commerce confirmed Hot Sale Colombia 2026 (Oct. 20–24) to drive online trade with discounts up to 70%.

Logistics & Trade: DHL Supply Chain is buying Colombia’s Open Market, adding 21 warehouses (120,000m²), 13 cross-docking sites and 4,100 staff to strengthen healthcare and temperature-controlled logistics. Finance & Banking: Revolut received Colombia’s banking licence approval from the Superintendencia Financiera and is also seeking Swiss approval, aiming to expand products and remittances. Energy & Renewables: Novva Group agreed to buy ABO Energy’s 3.17GW renewable portfolio in Argentina, while Colombia’s exploration slowdown is raising concerns about gas and power rate hikes. Mining & Production: Aguia Resources reported record gold output at its Santa Barbara mine in Colombia, supported by a third-party processing trial with the Colombian Mint. Security & Environment: Global Witness says Colombia again led the world in killings of land and environmental activists in 2025 (39 deaths), with violence tied to land disputes, illegal mining and coca expansion. Policy & Industry: The US is redirecting $52m in military aid from Europe/Middle East to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama to target “narco-terrorism” and secure the Panama Canal. Food & Agri-Industry: Globoil India 2026 will spotlight edible oil prices, biofuels and the shifting roles of Argentina and Colombia in oilseed trade.

Environmental & Land Rights: Global Witness reports 124 land and environmental defenders were killed worldwide in 2025, with Latin America at 85% of deaths; Colombia logged 39 killings (fourth straight year as deadliest), underscoring risks tied to mining, logging and agribusiness. Energy & Utilities: Promigas warns Colombia could see “significant” gas and power rate pressure as oil and gas exploration investment drops 43% (2022-2025), with thermal generation costs rising amid El Niño stress on hydro supply. Oil & Governance: Ecopetrol elected a new board for 2026-2029, with government-nominated candidates taking seats as the company faces production, exploration, transition, and risk-control priorities. Logistics & Trade: DHL will buy Colombian logistics operator Open Market, expanding warehouses, crossdocking and temperature-controlled capabilities for pharma and healthcare supply chains. Infrastructure: Three consortia applied to prequalify for Bogotá Metro Line 2, with contract award expected in Q1 2027 and opening targeted for 2035. Foreign Investment: FDI into Colombia fell 9.7% in the first eight months of 2026; oil and mining still account for 83% of inflows. Security & Industry Links: Colombia plans to resume aerial spraying of coca crops after 2015, as US-Colombia counternarcotics coordination intensifies.

Critical Minerals & Nuclear Cooperation: Colombia and the US signed pacts in Barranquilla to secure supply chains for critical minerals and expand strategic civil nuclear cooperation, with no nuclear tech transfer authorized under the nuclear memo. Aviation Consumer Protection: A Colombian bill “Fly at a Fair Price” targets transparent ticket pricing, limits overbooking, and adds compensation for passengers, while pushing more competition on regional routes. Earthquake Recovery Costs: Insurers’ estimated claims tied to the Aug. 10, 2026 quake surged to $3.7 trillion COP as of Sept. 7, with claims volume climbing week to week. Venture Capital Boost: Medellín revives Smart Capital on Oct. 7-8 after a six-year gap, aiming to connect regional startups with investors as 2026 funding reaches $216M. Mining Update: Soma Gold reported new high-grade vein results from surface drilling at its Cordero Mine in Antioquia, supporting further resource growth. Agribusiness Research: A regional soybean cultivar evaluation network will test maturity groups across the Americas to help producers and seed firms compare performance on shared protocols. Food Safety: US authorities issued a Class I recall for De Todito potato chips due to ineligible pork cracklings imported from Colombia. Trade & Policy: A Colombian bill would ban intensive cephalopod farming and imports of farmed octopus, squid, and cuttlefish. EV/Software Engineering: Coforge expands its automotive engineering footprint in Colombia and the region to support connected, EV, and software-defined vehicle development.

Food Safety & Trade: The U.S. USDA issued a Class I recall for 264 pounds of De Todito Natural and De Todito BBQ potato chips after finding pork cracklings (chicharron) produced in Colombia from a source not eligible for U.S. import; no illnesses reported, but consumers are told not to eat and to return or discard. Energy & Industry Policy: Colombia is studying feasibility of its first nuclear power reactor by 2035, with universities and regional authorities analyzing technical, economic, environmental and social conditions for small modular reactors, starting with the Coffee Region. Critical Minerals & Nuclear Cooperation: Colombia and the U.S. signed framework pacts in Barranquilla on securing supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, plus civil nuclear cooperation focused on research and regulators (no technology transfer authorization). Disaster Risk & Insurance: Fasecolda says earthquake-related insurance claims have climbed to about $3.7 trillion COP per month as of Sept. 7, with claims volume rising week over week. Startup & Capital Markets: Medellín revives Smart Capital on Oct. 7-8 after a six-year gap, aiming to connect investors and financing across Latin America as local startup funding rebounds. Labor Signals: A ManpowerGroup Colombia survey finds 48% of employers plan to expand workforce in Oct-Dec, lifting the net employment outlook to 35%. Aviation & Logistics: Frontier launches its first South America service in December with nonstop Orlando–Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín routes.

Air Freight & Shipping Costs: Maersk added a $500 emergency surcharge for containers bound for the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, with Colombia listed among “regulated countries” getting later deadlines; some UAE-bound cargo will be rerouted via Fujairah and bonded transport to Dubai’s Jebel Ali. Aviation & Connectivity: Frontier launched its first South America service from Orlando with nonstop routes to Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin starting December, filling gaps left by Spirit’s exit. Colombia Mobility & Safety: Iteris highlighted how school drop-offs can create 20%–30% morning traffic and worsen safety risks, pointing to signal timing tweaks and traffic intelligence as practical fixes. Cybersecurity: Fortinet warned about the Casbaneiro banking Trojan using phishing PDFs and geofenced delivery to target users in Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. Digital Banking Expansion: Nu launched U.S. deposit, debit and credit products via Lead Bank and a separate Nu Global stablecoin account (USDC/EURC), with approvals still pending. Industrial Innovation: A Colombia-linked startup demo day in Shanghai showcased bioindustry, health biotech and agriculture/food tech for Chinese investors. Public Health Tech: Colombian doctor Maria Artunduaga presented Samay’s low-cost respiratory sensor concept, aiming to flag crises up to 15 days earlier than current diagnosis. Trade & Food: USDA data shows July U.S. pork exports down 6% in volume and value, but shipments to Colombia rose.

Security & Trade Policy: Colombia’s Vice President Jose Manuel Restrepo unveiled five “major missions” to build President Abelardo De la Espriella’s “Miracle Homeland,” linking state transformation with youth opportunity, energy availability, investment attraction and AI/energy-security projects. Regional Defense Cooperation: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a tour with Peru’s Keiko Fujimori, marking Peru’s entry into the “Shield of the Americas,” a hemispheric anti-drug and security alliance tied to U.S. influence and military cooperation. Public Health & Innovation: Colombian doctor Maria Artunduaga presented a low-cost wearable device (about US$30) aimed at detecting respiratory crises up to 15 days earlier than current diagnosis. Consumer Safety: Colombia-made Ricky Joy Sour Crush candy is recalled in the U.S. over a rollerball top that can detach and create a choking hazard. Environment & Industry Impact: A study reports Colombia’s mangrove fiddler crabs are ingesting microplastics and breaking them into smaller particles, raising cleanup and ecological risk. Tourism & Logistics: Panama cruise traffic rose 21.6% in Jan–Jun 2026, with calls including Cartagena and Santa Marta, boosting transport, excursions and commerce.

Health Innovation: Colombian doctor Maria Artunduaga unveiled “Samay,” a low-cost (about US$30) wearable device aimed at detecting respiratory crises up to 15 days earlier than current diagnosis, targeting gaps in continuous lung monitoring in Bogotá. Antidrug Policy & Agriculture: Colombia will restart limited aerial spraying of coca crops for the first time since 2015, using glufosinate-ammonium instead of glyphosate, after court conditions—reigniting debate over safety and effectiveness. Environment & Industry Impact: A study finds fiddler crabs in Colombia’s Gulf of Urabá are swallowing microplastics and breaking them into smaller particles, worsening cleanup challenges and spreading contamination through the food web. Trade & Security Cooperation: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio left open the possibility of expanded U.S. military bases in Colombia, alongside deeper intelligence, training, equipment and joint operations under the “Shield of the Americas.” Finance & Payments: Nu accelerates U.S. expansion via a Lead Bank partnership, while MoneyGram launches a Visa card in Colombia that spends USDC stablecoins—signals of faster digital payments adoption.

Coca Eradication: Colombia will restart limited aerial spraying of coca crops, using glufosinate-ammonium instead of glyphosate, after a 2015 halt tied to health concerns—an experiment meant to test both effectiveness and safety. Security & Diplomacy: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a South America tour with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru aligning around the “Shield of the Americas” anti-drug push; Rubio also left open the possibility of expanded U.S. military bases in Colombia. Peace Talks Shut Down: Colombia’s new president formally ended “Total Peace” negotiations, revoking dialogue credentials for groups including ELN, FARC dissidents and Clan del Golfo. Military-Image Scrutiny: A Bogotá labor judge ordered temporary removal of government videos showing the president among bodies in white bags after strikes, raising rights concerns. Finance & Trade Tech: Nu launched U.S. operations via Lead Bank, offering yield accounts and fee-free transfers to Latam, while MoneyGram rolled out a Visa stablecoin card in Colombia using USDC. Logistics & Food Trade: Loads secured $15M in revolving credit to scale embedded financing for cross-border food commerce, including activity in Colombia. Mining & Finance Accountability: Methodist churches and partners filed an environmental complaint against HSBC over financing linked to Glencore’s mining impacts in La Guajira.

Coca Eradication: Colombia will restart limited aerial spraying to test herbicide effectiveness and safety, using glufosinate-ammonium instead of glyphosate, after court and health concerns stalled prior efforts. Security & Trade Alignment: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s South America tour spotlights a push for joint action against drug cartels, with Colombia, Ecuador and Peru deepening cooperation under “Shield of the Americas.” Peace Talks Shut Down: Colombia’s new president formally ends “Total Peace” negotiations, revoking dialogue credentials tied to groups including ELN, FARC dissidents and Clan del Golfo. Gun Policy Shift: Colombia eases gun restrictions, arguing legal carry should protect citizens as critics warn it could worsen firearm deaths. Industrial Finance for Food Trade: Loads secured a US$15M revolving credit line to expand embedded financing for food logistics across Colombia and the region. Mining & Water Risks: Methodist churches and partners filed an environmental complaint against HSBC over alleged impacts from financing Glencore’s La Guajira mining operations. Reconstruction Costs: After a major earthquake, affected cities are moving from emergency response to rebuilding homes, services and local economies—requiring major financial planning. Aviation Connectivity: Frontier plans new low-cost routes from Orlando to Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena starting December 2026.

Renewables & Grid Resilience: Cuba’s Las Tunas completed eight solar photovoltaic parks (64.8 MW, rising to ~85 MW after Veguita), using daytime power to reduce outages and protect water and health services. Security & Trade Diplomacy: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a Colombia-Ecuador-Peru tour, pushing new regional alliances on counternarcotics, organized crime, and trade concessions, while the U.S. expanded its “foreign terrorist organizations” list to 21 groups in Latin America. Industrial Automation & Investment: Colombia’s German Chamber of Commerce launched “Powered by Germany” to bring 20 German firms into industrial automation and modernization, aiming to measure shared employment, investment, and knowledge transfer. Energy Markets: Frontier Airlines announced its first South America routes from Orlando to Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena starting December 2026, signaling growing low-cost demand into Colombia. Public Safety & Water Stress: Eight Colombian capital cities remain on red alert for El Niño-driven water shortages and fire risk, with intensity expected to peak in late 2026. Food & Consumer Compliance: U.S. CPSC issued recalls affecting millions of products, including Sour Crush candy bottles manufactured in Colombia, after choking-hazard concerns.

El Niño Preparedness: Eight Colombian capital cities are still on red alert as El Niño raises the odds of water shortages and vegetation fires, with the highest vulnerability flagged in Santa Marta, San Andrés, Riohacha, Quibdó, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Neiva and Pasto. Security & Trade: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a South America tour by pushing closer cooperation with Colombia’s new government and confirming Peru’s entry into the U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” anti-cartel coalition, aimed at faster intelligence-sharing and cross-border action. Food Safety: The U.S. issued a Class-I recall for “De Todito” potato chips containing pork cracklings after finding the products were made in Colombia, a country not authorized to export meat/poultry to the U.S. Payments & Fintech: MoneyGram launched a Visa stablecoin card in Colombia, while Nu expanded its U.S. banking offering via Lead Bank and stablecoin-based accounts. Energy/Infrastructure: Colombia’s solar program for low-income households is under review after the new government moved it forward. Aviation & Tourism: Frontier announced new routes to Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena starting December 2026, as Colombia’s tourism continues to rebound.

Cybersecurity: Group-IB warns that Android banking malware (Gigabud, linked to GoldFactory) is using Google Work Profile features to evade fraud checks, with Indonesia seeing about 1,469 compromised devices and nearly $1M in losses. Aerial Eradication: Colombia approved a 7-day pilot to test aerial coca spraying using glufosinate ammonium (not glyphosate), limited to up to 1,000 hectares, with environmental and Indigenous consultation hurdles before planes or drones can fly. Food Safety: The USDA issued a Class I recall for De Todito mixed chips after finding pork cracklings produced in Colombia—an ineligible meat-export origin for the U.S.—with no illnesses reported so far. Digital Banking: Nubank officially launched in the U.S. via Lead Bank, offering savings, transfers, and a stablecoin-based global account, while Colombia remains a key customer base. Payments Innovation: MoneyGram debuted a stablecoin-backed Visa card in Colombia using USDC, aiming to turn stored stablecoin value into everyday spending. Security Diplomacy: Peru joined the U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” coalition against transnational organized crime during Marco Rubio’s regional tour. Wildlife Management: A Colombian judge ordered control measures for hippos threatening schoolchildren in Puerto Nare, after a tutela action highlighted missing warning signs. Aviation/Trade: Avianca signed a sale-and-leaseback for 12 Airbus A320neos with BOC Aviation, supporting fleet growth into 2029.

Middle East Energy Shock: Iran says it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the US destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, pushing Brent back above $100 a barrel and raising new shipping-risk alarms. U.S.-Ecuador Security Push: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats and announced a bid for $45M more security funding for Ecuador, alongside sanctions tied to the Los Tiguerones gang. Colombia Solar Program Under Review: Colombia’s new Mines and Energy minister put the COP 4.2T “Colombia Solar” plan under review, citing contract questions and “zero connected users,” with targets of 563,057 households by 2030. Construction & Manufacturing Dividend: Tecnoglass (Barranquilla) declared a Q3 2026 dividend of $0.15/share, underscoring ongoing output in high-end windows and architectural glass. Food Safety Recall: A US recall hit Colombian-made potato chip products containing pork cracklings after USDA flagged the exporter as ineligible. Mining Deal: British Gem Resources entered a conditional agreement to acquire a gold processing facility in Colombia, planning modernization and new dore alloy production.

U.S.-Colombia Security Reset: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla, signaling a “rebirth” of ties and pushing a security-and-investment agenda, including a “21st-Century Patriot Plan” for drones, radars, air defense, cyber and special forces, plus supply-chain cooperation tied to mining and processing. Critical Minerals & Civil Nuclear: The same visit produced memorandums on nuclear cooperation and critical minerals, with plans to finance mining and processing projects and streamline permitting. Energy Push: Colombia is aiming to bring crude output back to 1 million barrels per day (from just above 730,000 bpd), betting on renewed exploration and production to strengthen energy sovereignty. Oil Market Shock: Escalating Iran–U.S. tanker attacks near Hormuz pushed Brent back above $100, raising costs and adding volatility for regional logistics and energy-linked industries. Food Inflation Pressure: Colombia’s El Niño drought and wildfires are driving up food prices, with some staples reportedly climbing as much as 60% as supply volumes and quality drop. Agribusiness Trade: U.S. pork exports to Colombia rebounded sharply after earlier disruptions, with May–July volumes and values posting strong gains. Mining & Safety Tech: Arrow Exploration reported record corporate production above 6,000 boe/d in Colombia’s Llanos Basin, highlighting operational updates at the Icaco field.

U.S.-Colombia Reset: Secretary of State Marco Rubio met President Abelardo de la Espriella in Barranquilla, signaling a renewed security and investment agenda under the “Barranquilla Agreements,” including civil nuclear cooperation and critical minerals pacts. Energy Shock for Industry: Oil jumped back above $100/bbl as U.S. strikes destroyed five Iranian tankers and Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Jordan and actions near the Strait of Hormuz, raising shipping and supply-chain risk. Security Tech for Logistics & Worksites: A report says drones are increasingly used by organized crime across Latin America, and Colombia’s new leadership is looking to Ukraine’s counter-drone experience as armed groups adapt. Solar Manufacturing Deal: Midsummer inked a joint venture in Indonesia to scale CIGS thin-film PV production via manufacturing partnerships, targeting 20MW/year initially with expansion potential. Payments Infrastructure: TerraPay linked Xend to Alipay+ to enable cross-border QR in-store payments, expanding merchant acceptance for wallet users across Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Colombia Project Cargo: DAKO shipped massive power-plant equipment through Cartagena, loading three 291-tonne engines plus generators onto a multipurpose vessel. Cyber Risk: Kaspersky survey flags widespread SMB cyber incidents, with phishing and ransomware among top threats.