Weekly Report - 28 May 2026 (WR-26-21)

Amid heightened tensions between Cuba and the US, which has imposed a fuel blockade on the island, hardened sanctions, floated military action and, most recently, indicted Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former Cuban president (2008-2018) [WR-26-20], aimed at forcing political and economic reforms, both sides have recently dialled up the rhetoric.... Read More

The final outcome of Colombia’s presidential election is up in the air ahead the first-round vote on 31 May.... Read More

After weeks of escalating protests against his government, with highways blocked around Bolivia and the situation drawing growing international alarm, President Rodrigo Paz is considering resorting to the most powerful tool in his arsenal.... Read More

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa submitted an optimistic state of the nation address to the national assembly on 24 May.... Read More

In the past week, two high-profile Venezuelan dissidents have returned to their country – Lester Toledo, a founding member of the opposition party Voluntad Popular (VP) and former deputy in the Zulia state legislature (2012-2016), and Rocío San Miguel, the president of the NGO Control Ciudadano.... Read More

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (Partido Liberal, PL), who is expected to be the main right-wing contender in the presidential election this October, met with US President Donald Trump at the White House on 26 May.... Read More

The supreme court (STF) has upheld a 2017 law that reduced the size of the Jamanxim natural conservation area, in the northern state of Pará, clearing an obstacle that had stood in the way of the controversial ‘Ferrogrão’ railway project.... Read More

President José Antonio Kast held an uncomfortable cabinet meeting in Viña del Mar on 22 May, hours after an early reshuffle of his ministerial team [WR-26-20], and amid criticism that the new administration hasn’t yet properly got to grips with promises to fix the economy and tackle issues of crime and security.... Read More

Emboldened by a freshly approved US$1bn disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a string of legislative victories, President Javier Milei is slashing export taxes and rolling out new investment incentives to develop frontier industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced biotechnology.... Read More

CHILE | New Codelco leadership.... Read More

Mexico and the European Union (EU) signed an updated trade agreement on 22 May during a summit in Mexico City (CDMX).... Read More

HONDURAS | Major dam suspends operations due to drought.... Read More

Last week Honduras’ 128-member unicameral legislature approved a package of legislation proposed by the conservative Partido Nacional (PN) government led by President Nasry Asfura, aimed at strengthening the fight against crime.... Read More

HONDURAS | Major dam suspends operations due to drought.... Read More

Paraguay is about to embark upon a turbulent electoral period.... Read More

“Cuba is not and cannot be a threat.... Read More