Andean Group - May 2026

In a move that echoed the opening up of Venezuela’s oil and gas sectors earlier this year, on 9 April the national assembly approved sweeping legislation aimed at transforming a mining sector plagued by illegality and environmental degradation into a hub for the West’s critical mineral supply chains.... Read More

In a move that echoed the opening up of Venezuela’s hydrocarbon industry earlier this year, on 9 April the national assembly approved sweeping legislation aimed at transforming a mining sector plagued by illegality and environmental degradation into a hub for the West’s critical mineral supply chains.... Read More

General Vladimir Padrino López was a stalwart of Venezuela’s Chavista regime, in which he had served as defence minister since 2014.... Read More

The assassination of conservative presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, who died in August 2025, just over two months after he was shot in the head while campaigning in Colombia’s capital Bogotá, continues to cast a shadow over the 2026 presidential campaign and has sharpened candidates’ focus on insecurity.... Read More

At a moment of high political tension as the vote count crawled on following the 12 April first round of Peru’s general election, the country teetered on the edge of another bout of instability as opposition lawmakers called for President José María Balcázar’s impeachment over a messy deal to purchase F-16 fighter jets from the US.... Read More

Marcelo Blanco was sworn in as Bolivia’s new hydrocarbons and energy minister on 22 April, having formerly served as deputy to Mauricio Medinaceli, who had held the role since President Rodrigo Paz took office in November 2025.... Read More

The general secretariat of the Andean Community (CAN) trade bloc met on 4 March with representatives of the Latin American steel association (Alacero), as well as with individuals representing the steel industry in each of the CAN member countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru).... Read More