Andean Group - March 2026

With the signing into law of an amnesty bill for political prisoners on 19 February, Venezuela’s new government has taken an important step towards easing the repression that prevailed under former president Nicolás Maduro (2013-2026). However, as we discuss in the first article in this March 2026 edition of the Latin American Regional Report: Andean Group, the law has clear limitations which could see many political prisoners remain behind bars. The message from the authorities seems to be that, whilst Venezuela may be entering “a new political moment” as was promised by President Delcy Rodríguez on 14 January, democratic reform will come slowly if it comes at all.

We then turn to Colombia to assess the disappointing results of President Gustavo Petro’s flagship ‘total peace’ initiative as he prepares to step aside in August following presidential elections. A second article on Colombia discusses how the results of the 8 March legislative and primary elections could shape the presidential race and the policies of the next government.

The next article considers President Daniel Noboa’s latest efforts to tackle organised crime after Ecuador suffered its second most violent January in history this year, hot on the heels of what was, by some distance, the country’s most violent year on record in 2025. Despite Noboa making security his central focus, his radical measures have so far failed to stem a rising tide of violence. The government announced a new security plan in January that will see it double down on its tactics. We retain our focus on Ecuador for the following article, which discusses a recently approved mining and energy reform that the government says will revitalise the economy, but which has been criticised by the country’s indigenous movement.

Turning to Peru, we explore the economic impact of the Chinese-built Chancay mega-port, which opened in November 2024. Chancay has dynamised Peru’s trade relationship with China but has been regarded with apprehension by the US, particularly following a January court ruling which limited the Peruvian authorities’ ability to regulate the port. The US warned in response to the verdict that Peru is ceding its sovereignty in return for Chinese-built infrastructure.

We conclude this edition in Bolivia, which is facing yet another fuel crisis after revelations in early February that contaminated fuel was distributed by state-owned hydrocarbons company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB). The Bolivian mechanics’ association, CIMB, said on 3 February that as many as 60% of vehicles being seen by mechanics were having problems due to poor quality fuel.