Banking
El Salvador Central Bank Launches 24/7 Banking Platform
El Salvador’s Central Bank launches a free 24/7 payment system aimed at improving financial inclusion for informal workers.
Author: Nic Wirtz
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Emerging & Frontier Markets
Latin America’s Lithium, Copper Boom
Digitalization and clean energy drive demand for Latin America's critical minerals—lithium and copper. But there are rising concerns.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Costa Rica: New Law-And-Order President Taking Office
Costa Rica's new president won in a first-round landslide; a Nayib Bukele-style crime crackdown could be next.
Banking
Colombia’s Government Seeks Forced Investments In Financial System
Colombia’s recent economic crisis has spurred a proposed measure to raise 8 billion pesos (about $2 million) to address the fallout.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
EU Parliament Delays Mercosur Trade Deal
The EU and South America’s Mercosur bloc agreed to a trade deal last month, after 25 years of on-again, off-again negotiations. But the European Parliament has opted to wait on giving the final go-ahead.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
Chile’s New President Moves Country To Right
José Antonio Kast of the far-right Republican Party was elected president of Chile last month in a 58%-to-42% rout of rival Jeannette Jara, the Communist Party standard-bearer.
Emerging & Frontier Markets
Costa Rica: Regional Dynamo
From pineapples and bananas to med tech, Costa Rica has reinvented itself as a high-value-added economy.
Economics, Policy & Regulation
With Push From US, Mexico Hikes Tariffs
Mexico has placed tariffs up to 50% on goods from China and other countries following a 76-5 vote in the country’s Senate last month.
News
Trump’s Maduro Arrest Shakes Venezuela—And The Region
Beyond regime change, the operation raises immediate questions over Venezuela’s oil rebuild, proxy retaliation, and how far Washington will push compliance on migration, security, and trade.
Insurance
Hurricane Melissa Devastation Saddles Jamaica With Multi-Billion-Dollar Bill
Per the World Bank’s and Inter-American Development Bank’s estimates, $8.8 billion-worth of repairs from Hurricane Melissa amount to 41% of Jamaica's GDP.
Capital Raising & Corporate Finance
BAC Eyes Panama’s Multibank Deal
BAC Credomatic has announced plans to purchase Panama’s Multibank, potentially making it the largest bank in Central America by market share.
Awards
World’s Best Private Banks 2026: Caribbean & Central America
Digital Adoption Blooms: Integrated offerings and sustainability spur regional growth.