LatinNews Daily - 24 August 2026

*Ecuador’s central bank (BCE) has announced that economic activity grew by 2.2% year-on-year in June, up from 1.6% in May. Accumulated growth over the first six months of the year was 2.0%. The year-on-year growth in June was driven by the expansion of the services sector, which grew by 2.6%, with the BCE highlighting increased electricity generation and greater lending in the financial system. Trade increased by 4.0% year-on-year, amid greater dynamism in vehicle and fuel sales. Activity in the manufacturing sector increased by 4.2%, driven by factors such as increased shrimp processing, cement production, and the refining of oil derivatives. Construction increased by 3.9% year-on-year. In contrast, the oil and mining sectors declined by a combined 3.4% due to lower oil production and mineral exports, while the agricultural, fishing and forestry sector contracted by 1.5% amid lower export volumes of cacao, bananas, and fish products.