Only one event related to Latin America was detected in this period, concerning Boston Scientific's global restructuring program. The event itself is a corporate development of a U.S. medical device company and has no direct connection to the Latin American region.
Boston Scientific disclosed a global restructuring program on July 21, 2026, aiming for cost efficiencies and growth, with $700-$800 million in costs and $500 million in annual pre-tax savings, including headcount reductions. The company reported Q2 2026 earnings of $0.86 per share on $5.44 billion revenue, beating expectations, but trimmed its full-year outlook due to competitive dynamics. Shares initially rose then fell over 5% after the restructuring news.
Uber Technologies is in advanced negotiations to acquire German food-delivery company Delivery Hero, with a deal potentially finalized as soon as this week. Uber already holds a 36.8% economic interest in Delivery Hero, which has a market value of about €11.2 billion. The acquisition would expand Uber Eats into Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, but may face antitrust scrutiny. Delivery Hero confirmed the talks on July 14, 2026, after a Bloomberg report.
On July 7, 2026, Palantir Technologies announced a multi-year, multimillion-dollar enterprise expansion agreement with GNP Seguros, Mexico’s largest insurer. This marks Palantir’s first publicly disclosed commercial customer in Latin America. The deal will deploy Palantir’s Foundry and AI Platform across GNP’s health, life, auto, and property insurance lines, unifying claims, underwriting, and risk data. The move aims to diversify Palantir’s revenue beyond U.S. government contracts amid a stock decline.
U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) activated Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere (JTF-WHEM), replacing Operation Southern Spear. The new task force aims to synchronize U.S. military operations with 18 partner nations of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) to disrupt narcoterrorism networks. It will coordinate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and multinational operations, imposing "total systemic friction" against threats. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Kevin Jarrard will command the task force, which also supports humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Colombia has finalized a contract with Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer to purchase two KC-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft, valued between $336 million and $366 million. The deal, announced on August 4, 2026, includes mission equipment, support services, and an offset program. The aircraft will enhance Colombia’s tactical airlift and aerial refueling capabilities, supporting its future fleet of Saab Gripen fighters. Deliveries are expected in 2029 and 2030. This acquisition strengthens defense ties between Colombia and Brazil and positions the KC-390 as a key competitor in Latin America.
Boston Scientific disclosed a global restructuring program on July 21, 2026, aiming for cost efficiencies and growth, with $700-$800 million in costs and $500 million in annual pre-tax savings, including headcount reductions. The company reported Q2 2026 earnings of $0.86 per share on $5.44 billion revenue, beating expectations, but trimmed its full-year outlook due to competitive dynamics. Shares initially rose then fell over 5% after the restructuring news.
Philip Morris International Inc. announced a significant increase in its investment in U.S. nicotine pouch production, committing $1.2 billion to its manufacturing facility in Aurora, Colorado, by 2028. This doubles the $600 million pledged in 2024, driven by growing demand for smoke-free nicotine products. The Aurora facility has begun operations and will expand production of Zyn nicotine pouches, including the new Zyn Ultra variant introduced in June 2026, which features a softer pouch design and higher nicotine strength. The investment comes amid rising competition from British American Tobacco's Velo Plus. Beyond the U.S. market, the facility will also produce Zyn for export to Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, supporting Philip Morris's international expansion strategy as it reduces reliance on traditional cigarettes.
The Japan-Brazil Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue was held in Tokyo on May 18 between Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira. Both countries are working to strengthen their relationship under the 'Strategic and Global Partnership Action Plan Japan-Brazil (2025-2030),' reflecting untapped potential. Trade remains narrowly concentrated, with Japan's share of Brazil's foreign trade declining to 2 percent. Brazil, moving toward free trade after signing an FTA with the EU, sees an opportunity to diversify partners, while Japan seeks to expand trade and secure resources. Progress was made on entering EPA negotiations and economic security cooperation. The article notes that while China is Brazil's largest trading partner, Brazil pursues a multipolar order and avoids over-reliance on any single country, declining to join China's Belt and Road Initiative. Japan and Brazil share diplomatic objectives like UN Security Council reform and values such as democracy and human rights. The dialogue is seen as a meaningful step, but realizing the relationship's potential requires sustained investment in people-to-people ties and business engagement.
According to the FAO's 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition report, global hunger has declined for the third consecutive year, with 7.8% of the world's population undernourished in 2025. This marks a dramatic improvement from nearly 35% in 1970. The rate fell from 8.1% in 2024 and 8.5% in 2023, though 645 million people still face hunger. Less than 2.5% of people in the U.S., Canada, Eastern Asia, and Europe are undernourished, with hunger concentrated in developing regions of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Armed conflict remains the primary driver of acute food insecurity in 12 of 13 identified hunger hotspots. Despite progress, the current level remains above the pre-pandemic low of 7.2% in 2017, and the FAO projects 510 million people will still be undernourished by 2030, far short of the UN's zero hunger goal.
The Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center released a report mapping two decades of US investment in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). While China's investments often dominate headlines, the US remains the region's largest foreign investor, averaging $28.7 billion per year in greenfield FDI. The report reveals a heterogeneous investment profile spanning energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and services, concentrated primarily in Mexico, Brazil, and Guyana. US investment generates more jobs per dollar invested than other countries, funds more R&D, and transfers managerial best practices. However, a key gap is mining, where US investment averages just $200 million per year (2020-2024), while China invests twenty times more. The report offers policy recommendations for US policymakers and LAC governments to deepen economic partnerships.
The Atlantic Council's Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center released a report mapping two decades of US foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Despite China's high-profile investments, the US remains the region's largest investor, averaging $28.7 billion per year in greenfield FDI. US investment is concentrated in Mexico, Brazil, and Guyana, spanning energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, and services. The report finds that US investment generates more local jobs per dollar, funds more R&D, and transfers managerial best practices compared to competitors. However, a key gap is mining: US greenfield mining investment averaged just $200 million annually (2020-2024), while China invested twenty times more. The report offers policy recommendations to strengthen US economic diplomacy in the hemisphere.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Peru's SIMA Shipyard have presented the HDS-MGP (Hyundai Design Submarine – Marina de Guerra del Perú) next-generation submarine design, aiming to establish a regional submarine construction and MRO hub in Latin America. The presentation was held on July 14, 2026, at the Peruvian Navy Headquarters, showcasing progress since their strategic partnership began in 2024. The HDS-MGP is a 65-meter, 1500-ton displacement submarine tailored to Latin American maritime conditions, incorporating Peruvian Navy operational experience. The program has completed its basic design phase and is moving toward a joint construction contract. HD Hyundai aims to enable SIMA to independently construct and maintain the submarines, creating a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem. The partnership also includes a 2024 contract for local construction of four naval vessels worth 640.6 billion KRW, the largest defense export deal in Latin America's history. The BALOG amphibious vessel is scheduled for launch this year.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Peru's SIMA Shipyard have presented the HDS-MGP (Hyundai Design Submarine – Marina de Guerra del Perú) next-generation submarine design, aiming to establish a regional submarine construction and MRO hub in Latin America. The announcement followed the successful completion of the basic design phase. The event, held on July 14, 2026, at the Peruvian Navy Headquarters, showcased progress in the joint development program. The HDS-MGP is a 65-meter, 1,500-ton submarine tailored to Latin American maritime conditions, incorporating Peruvian Navy operational experience. HD Hyundai aims to enable SIMA to independently construct and maintain the submarines, fostering a self-sustaining industrial ecosystem. The partnership began with a joint production contract in April 2024 for four naval vessels, followed by a submarine MoU in November 2024 and a formal joint development agreement in December 2025. The BALOG amphibious vessel is scheduled for launch this year, while the submarine program moves toward a joint construction contract.
International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) has agreed to sell its portfolio of functional ingredients and natural colors to nutraceutical firm SuanNutra for an undisclosed amount. The deal, expected to close by the end of 2026, covers IFF's botanical extracts, vitamins, minerals, food enhancement assets, natural colors, and antioxidants. This transaction comes approximately two months after IFF announced the sale of its food ingredients business to CVC Capital Partners for $4.3 billion. The natural ingredients operations generated approximately $170 million in revenue last year. The acquisition includes five manufacturing facilities in the US, Europe, and Latin America. SuanNutra owner Carbyne Equity Partners stated the deal positions the company at the center of the industry's shift from synthetic ingredients to natural and clean-label alternatives. The ingredients sector is experiencing increased dealmaking as food companies reformulate products to meet consumer health and wellness demands.
Augustus, a fintech startup building a federally chartered clearing bank designed for stablecoins and programmable money, announced a $180 million Series B funding round led by Tiger Global, valuing the company at $1 billion. The round included participation from Hummingbird, QED, and founders of Nubank, Ramp, Circle, and Deel, as well as crypto figures like Circle co-founder Sean Neville and former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan. Augustus has raised $210 million to date. The company is developing an API-first platform that supports operating and FBO accounts, settling via Swift, ACH, SEPA, and stablecoins on a proprietary core banking system called Marble. It received conditional approval for a U.S. national bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in May 2026, making it the eighth bank to do so since 2010. Augustus plans to use the capital to expand in Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, positioning its infrastructure as a geopolitical counter to China's digital yuan and Russia's BRICS Pay.
The article analyzes the launch of Open USD (OUSD), a stablecoin backed by a consortium of over 140 participants including Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, Coinbase, and BlackRock. OUSD differentiates itself by sharing reserve earnings with consortium members, creating a financial incentive for distribution through exchanges, wallets, and merchant services. This model intensifies competition against established incumbents USDT and USDC, which maintain advantages through liquidity depth and exchange listings. Experts interviewed include Louisa Bai (Mysten Labs), Marc Boiron (Polygon Labs), and Kevin Cui (OSL Group). The article notes that different stablecoins will serve different use cases—PYUSD for consumer payments, OUSD for business settlement, exchange-backed coins for trading. Regional demand analysis highlights Latin America as the strongest market for stablecoin adoption due to currency instability and high remittance costs, with the Gulf as an early regulatory leader and Japan building bank-connected products.
The article analyzes the launch of Open USD (OUSD), a new stablecoin backed by a consortium of over 140 participants including Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, Coinbase, and BlackRock. OUSD differentiates itself by sharing reserve earnings with consortium members, creating a financial incentive for distribution through exchanges, wallets, and merchant services. This model challenges established incumbents USDT and USDC, which maintain advantages through liquidity depth and exchange listings. Experts interviewed note that different stablecoins will serve different use cases—PYUSD for consumer payments, OUSD for business settlement, exchange-backed coins for trading, and bank-supported assets for treasury management. Regional demand varies, with Latin America leading in everyday stablecoin use for savings and cross-border payments due to currency instability and high remittance costs. The Gulf region is an early regulatory leader, Japan builds bank-connected products, and the US gains more room for regulated issuance.
Aurobindo Pharma's subsidiary CuraTeQ Biologics has received approval from Brazil's health regulator Anvisa for its biosimilars manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, India. The facility underwent a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspection by Anvisa from May 11-15, 2026, covering four biosimilar products, mammalian and microbial drug substance manufacturing, prefillable syringe and vial filling, packaging, labeling, and QC testing. The approval enables CuraTeQ to enter the broader Latin American market. The facility is already certified by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), underscoring its global compliance standards.
This article from VoxDev's Economics Unpacked podcast features economist Gabriel Ulyssea analyzing the informal economy in developing countries, where 30-90% of workers operate outside government regulation and taxation. Ulyssea explains that while informality may benefit individual workers or firms in the short term, it collectively undermines government revenue for public services like health and education, creates disincentives for firm growth and productivity, and traps over 1 billion people in informal housing settlements. He argues that simply cracking down on informal businesses often worsens the problem, and recommends a combined strategy of easing formalization costs while raising enforcement. The piece emphasizes that ignoring the informal sector leads to flawed economic analysis and policy with unintended consequences.
This article from VoxDev's Economics Unpacked podcast features economist Gabriel Ulyssea discussing the informal economy, which accounts for 30-90% of the labor force in developing countries. The informal sector consists of legal businesses and jobs that operate outside government regulation and taxation, making them invisible to authorities. This undermines tax revenue, limits public services like health and education, and creates bad incentives for firm growth and productivity. The article notes that over 1 billion people live in informal settlements, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Ulyssea argues that simply cracking down on informal businesses often makes matters worse, and that informality is a symptom of deeper institutional problems. The recommended solution is a combined strategy of easing the costs of formalization while raising enforcement, as ignoring the informal sector can lead to policies with unintended consequences.
This newsletter article by Alessandro Ford, a Latin America contributor for The Economist, explores the deep-rooted rivalry between Argentina and other Latin American countries, arguing that it extends far beyond football. Published on July 20, 2026, the piece references the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina as a backdrop. The article is part of 'El Boletín' newsletter and includes summaries of other regional stories, such as South America eradicating hunger, Brazil's Pix payment system drawing U.S. ire, the growing importance of the Panama Canal, and the rivalry between Argentina and England in sports.
Terra Innovatum Global N.V., a micro-modular nuclear reactor developer headquartered in Italy with a U.S. office in Pennsylvania, announced on July 20, 2026, that it has been selected by Latin American technomedia group Waiken ILW to deploy its SOLO micro-modular reactor platform. The initial deployment will support DIRECTV Latin America and SKY Brasil (Jaguariúna) data centers. A letter of intent covers up to 8 MWe of behind-the-meter power generation capacity. The agreement represents Terra Innovatum's first commercial deployment in Latin America and reflects growing demand for standardized, factory-built micro-modular nuclear power. The SOLO technology, conceptualized in 2018 and engineered over six years, uses commercial off-the-shelf components and supports both LEU+ and HALEU fuel. The companies aim to provide reliable, clean energy for data centers and other critical infrastructure, with potential applications in telecommunications, healthcare, industrial facilities, and more.
Terra Innovatum Global N.V., a micro-modular nuclear reactor developer with headquarters in Italy and a U.S. office in Pennsylvania, announced on July 20, 2026, that it has been selected by Latin American technomedia group Waiken ILW to deploy its SOLO micro-modular reactor platform. The initial deployment will support DIRECTV Latin America and SKY Brasil (Jaguariúna) data centers. A letter of intent covers up to 8 MWe of behind-the-meter power generation capacity. The SOLO technology, conceptualized in 2018 and engineered over six years, uses commercially available off-the-shelf components and supports both LEU+ and HALEU fuel options. The companies position this as a proof of concept for clean, reliable behind-the-meter nuclear energy for media, telecommunications, and other critical infrastructure sectors beyond AI data centers.
Ant International's Alipay+ has partnered with Latin American fintech PVS to integrate with Argentina's national QR payment scheme, Transferencias 3.0, enabling international travellers to make QR code payments at participating merchants including restaurants, shopping centres, and tourist attractions. The integration processes transactions as cross-border payments via Alipay+ using the Transferencias 3.0 infrastructure, an interoperable instant payment system developed by the Central Bank of Argentina. Alipay+ connects 150 million merchants to over 50 digital wallets and banking apps. The partnership follows a May 2026 deal between Alipay+ and PVS focused on cross-border mobile payments in Argentina and Chile. Ant International executives highlighted the move as a boost to Argentina's tourism economy and local business opportunities, while PVS noted it connects Latin American merchants to over 2 billion user accounts worldwide.
Ant International's Alipay+ has partnered with Latin American fintech PVS to integrate with Argentina's national QR payment scheme, Transferencias 3.0, developed by the Central Bank of Argentina. This integration allows international travellers to make QR code payments at participating merchants across Argentina, including restaurants, shopping centres, and tourist attractions. Transactions will be processed as cross-border payments via Alipay+ using the Transferencias 3.0 infrastructure. The partnership builds on a May 2026 agreement between Alipay+ and PVS to roll out cross-border mobile payment services in Argentina and Chile. Alipay+ connects 150 million merchants to over 50 digital wallets and banking apps. Executives from both companies highlighted the potential to boost inbound visitor spending and support Argentina's tourism economy while providing new growth opportunities for local businesses. Ant International is also expanding cross-border payment partnerships across Latin America.
This financial analysis article from The Motley Fool, published on Yahoo Finance on July 19, 2026, identifies two non-AI growth stocks that could potentially double in value by 2030. The first is MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI), the Latin American e-commerce and fintech leader, which reported 49% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 2026 and is planning to launch a major digital bank in Mexico. The author argues its stock is 30% off its highs and could quadruple if it maintains a 40% CAGR. The second is Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS), a drive-thru coffee chain with 1,177 shops and plans to nearly double its store count to 2,029 by 2029. With 31% revenue growth in Q1 2026 and a potential 25% CAGR, the stock could more than double even at its current price-to-sales ratio of 4.6. The article advises diversification beyond the AI trend.
In this personal column, author Alina Schwermer reflects on her evolving relationship with Latin America. Once an exoticized and romanticized destination in her youth, she returns to Chiapas, Mexico, for the men's soccer World Cup. She finds the region both foreign and familiar, recognizing elements from past travels while confronting her own neocolonial attitudes. The narrative explores how her perspective has matured, moving from superficial tourism to a deeper, more genuine connection. She notes the irony of coming 'home' to a place she has never been, and hints at a renewed, more respectful engagement with the continent.
In this personal column, author Alina Schwermer reflects on her evolving relationship with Latin America. Once an exoticized and eroticized place of longing during her student years, the continent now feels familiar upon her return to Chiapas, Mexico, for the men's soccer World Cup. She describes the strange sensation of coming home to a place she has never lived, recognizing cultural patterns like spontaneous late-night fair visits with a taxi driver. Schwermer acknowledges the neocolonial undertones of her earlier fascination and admits she previously treated the region as a phase. Now, she sees an opportunity to approach this old love with more maturity and genuine connection, noting that she still texts with the driver. The piece blends travelogue with introspection on privilege, memory, and personal change.
A growing number of Latin Americans are supporting Spain over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, driven by a combination of racism by some Argentine fans, historical football rivalries, and Argentina's recent dominance. Brazilian journalist Julia Duailibi publicly stated she cannot support Argentina due to racist scenes involving fans. Sociologist Nicolás Cabrera notes that traditional solidarity with Latin American teams has eroded, extending beyond traditional rivals like Brazil and Uruguay to include Mexicans, Colombians, and Ecuadorians. Factors include Argentina's success in reaching three of the last four World Cup finals, the increasing frequency of club matches in the Copa Libertadores, and the amplification of hate speech and xenophobia on social media. The article highlights a shift in regional sentiment away from continental unity.
This financial analysis article from Yahoo Finance highlights three U.S.-listed stocks trading under $50 that are recommended for purchase in July 2026: SoFi Technologies (SOFI), Nu Holdings (NU), and Pinterest (PINS). SoFi posted record loan originations up 68% year-over-year, with Q1 2026 revenue of $1.10 billion and net income more than doubling. Nu Holdings, the Latin American digital bank behind Nubank, grew revenue 57.9% to $4.97 billion with 135 million customers and an adjusted ROE of 31%. Pinterest beat Q1 EPS estimates by 25% and trades at a forward P/E of 13 against mid-teens revenue growth. The article notes caveats for each stock, including SoFi's Technology Platform segment decline and rising charge-offs, and Nu Holdings' planned US market entry. The piece also promotes a separate analyst list of top 10 AI stocks.
This article analyzes PriceSmart (NASDAQ:PSMT), a warehouse club operator focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. As of July 14, 2026, the stock trades at $194.56, up over 80% in the past year. The company has expanded to 57 clubs with a pipeline in Chile, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean. Key strengths include disciplined expansion, pricing power from a $5 membership fee increase in fiscal 2024, high membership renewal rates of 90.5%, and operational modernization via RELEX and Elera systems. Risks include currency volatility across diverse economies, a high trailing P/E of 37.34, and regional dependence on economic and political stability. The Motley Fool's Hidden Gems scoring system gives PriceSmart a Superscore of 79 out of 100 (Strong category). The article provides investment suitability guidance and a five-year growth prediction.
Betsson AB reported record Q2 2026 results, with group revenue reaching EUR 310 million and active B2C customers up 32% year-over-year, driven by the FIFA World Cup starting June 11. Latin America was the strongest region, growing 32% to new record levels, now the company's largest region. Peru and Argentina were top performers due to product investments and World Cup marketing. B2C revenue rose 14% to a record, while B2B revenue remained lower than the prior year but stabilized. CEO Pontus Lindwall and CFO Martin Ohman presented the results, highlighting high customer activity and broad-based growth.
Gherzi Textil Organisation, a Swiss-based advisory firm serving the textile and apparel sectors, has renamed its US office and launched a new division called Gherzi Americas. The expansion covers operations across the US, Canada, Latin America, and the regional textile supply chain. As part of the reorganization, Robert Antoshak was appointed managing partner for Gherzi Americas, with Radhika Shrinivas and David Uricoli joining as partners. The team will advise brands, retailers, manufacturers, investors, government agencies, and technology providers on sourcing strategy, manufacturing development, trade exposure, and operational improvement. Antoshak emphasized that tariffs, sourcing shifts, compliance demands, and geopolitical risk are now central to competition. The new division will collaborate with Gherzi's global network, including partner Uday Gill based in Vancouver, Canada. Gherzi aims to provide tailored regional advisory services to help clients evaluate sourcing alternatives, develop manufacturing capacity, and improve supply chain resilience.