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April 2026
Week of Apr 27, compared to 12-week average
The regional economy is dominated by a severe trade war and energy sector crises. Ecuador has imposed 100% tariffs on Colombia, while Colombia's oil output is falling and Bolivia's natural gas production has hit a record low. In contrast, Guyana is experiencing a mining investment boom with major acquisitions.
Politics are defined by a major bilateral diplomatic rupture and a chaotic presidential election in Peru. Ecuador recalled its ambassador from Colombia, escalating their dispute, while Keiko Fujimori leads a chaotic Peruvian election that will proceed to a runoff against Sanchez. Colombia is also urging the EU and Latin America to suspend defense deals with Israel.
Security incidents are isolated but serious, involving potential foreign intervention, a mysterious crash, and a controversial cull. Ecuador's President says US troops could help confront drug gangs, while a ghost plane crashed in Bolivia after circling maneuvers. Colombia is moving to kill 80 of Pablo Escobar's 'cocaine hippos'.
Society is grappling with the controversial state-led culling of a symbolic invasive species, which has become the dominant social tension. Colombia has authorized the euthanasia and approved a plan to cull Pablo Escobar's legacy hippos to stop their spread, framing it as a public safety and ecological necessity.