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February 2026
Week of Feb 23, compared to 12-week average
broadly favourable, with some neutral reporting
A full-scale trade war has erupted between Colombia and Ecuador, with both nations imposing reciprocal 50% tariffs. This conflict is the dominant economic disruption, overshadowing foreign investment in Ecuador's mining sector from firms like Lundin and Belorusneft.
Peru's Congress removed President Jeri, creating a leadership vacuum. In Colombia, President Petro's diplomatic pivot is complete, marked by a surprisingly positive White House meeting with Donald Trump that reset a previously hostile relationship.
Security is dominated by a catastrophic military plane crash in Bolivia that killed at least 15 people and scattered cash, triggering a chaotic recovery operation. In Colombia, President Petro claims he survived an assassination attempt, and a cartel suspended peace talks following the Trump-Petro meeting.
Society is grappling with severe natural disasters, primarily catastrophic flooding in Colombia that has caused dozens of deaths and displaced over 120,000 people. This crisis has sparked political controversy over the government's response.