AGP Executive Report

Digital Payments: ACI Worldwide and Circle will test USDC settlement on Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payments network, exploring how stablecoins can work alongside existing bank infrastructure. Conservation Science: Researchers found no deadly chytrid fungus among more than 2,000 amphibians screened in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—but detected a virulent strain just 20 kilometres away. They warn strict biosecurity could help protect the region’s unique species. Clean Shipping: The world’s largest battery-electric ship has entered service between Argentina and Uruguay. The 130-metre ferry runs on batteries and carries up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles. Automotive Technology: Volkswagen plans to bring a China-developed vehicle platform and electronic architecture to South America by the end of the decade, using its China operations as a technology hub. Nature Finance: A new IDB-ECLAC study puts Latin America and the Caribbean’s annual biodiversity funding gap at $153 billion, with nearly 60% of needs tied to more sustainable agriculture and livestock.

Enterprise Data: Monterrey-based Definity teamed with Germany’s dab to help Latin American companies connect SAP data to Microsoft Fabric for analytics, automation and AI. Digital Payments: Circle and ACI are piloting USDC settlement on Colombia’s Bre-B instant-payments network, bringing stablecoin technology into a national payments system. AI Infrastructure: HIVE has committed more than $250 million to build an AI hub in Paraguay, a major bet on the region’s computing capacity. Caribbean Connectivity: A U.S. aid package includes $175.8 million for digital infrastructure, including undersea cable links. Research & Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a palm-waste-based water-cleaning solution, while El Salvador hosted a regional WIPO summit on using intellectual property to attract investment and support exports.

Brazilian Health Tech: Terumo and Ribeirão Preto Blood Center are automating blood processing, bringing new technology to a key part of Brazil’s health system. Connectivity: AST SpaceMobile won Anatel approval for spectrum use in Brazil, signed agreements with four regional operators and plans ground infrastructure. AI Investment: HIVE committed more than $250 million to build an AI hub in Paraguay. Digital Economy: Colombia leads the region’s digital economy ranking, with the sector accounting for 15.1% of GDP. Caribbean Broadcasting: CANAL+ and SES extended their satellite-capacity partnership through 2040, supporting TV services across Caribbean markets. Streaming Access: Catalan broadcaster 3Cat launched on Titan OS smart TVs, making its programming available to viewers in Latin America.

AI in Industry: AoFrio’s new Ask iQ tool lets beverage companies query connected cooler fleets in plain language; the company says more than 30 customers, including in Latin America, joined early pilots. Biodiversity Finance: The IDB is urging governments, development lenders and private investors to work together to fund conservation across Latin America and the Caribbean. Space Connectivity: AST SpaceMobile won Brazilian approval to use S-band spectrum and part of the 700 MHz band, signed agreements with four regional operators and plans ground infrastructure. Digital Economy: Colombia leads the region in digital activity, which accounts for 15.1% of GDP. Research & Conservation: Two Argentine scientists secured international grants for collaborative biomedical research, while Suriname’s Saamaka community is using mapping and documentation to help protect its rainforest.

Space Connectivity: AST SpaceMobile secured Brazilian approval for S-band spectrum and secondary use of 700 MHz, signed agreements with four regional operators and plans ground infrastructure to expand satellite broadband access. Technology Business: Chile-based Sonda reported revenue of US$1.15 billion for the first nine months of 2026, up 10.8% year over year, led by growth in the Andean region and Brazil. Energy Transition: Wärtsilä will convert a Brazilian power station from heavy fuel oil to natural gas, supporting a 10-year contract to supply 50 MW to the grid with lower emissions. AI Infrastructure: HIVE plans to invest more than US$250 million in an AI hub in Paraguay, while Crusoe is partnering on cloud infrastructure there. Science and Conservation: Researchers in Colombia identified a new giant water-lily species after images drew attention to it; in Peru, acoustic alarms cut whale entanglements in fishing nets by more than half.

Public Health: Researchers in Brazil found that mutations in the Sabiá virus have undermined standard PCR tests, leaving fatal infections undetected. The findings point to the need to update diagnostic tools as viruses evolve. AI Infrastructure: HIVE plans to invest more than $250 million in an AI hub in Paraguay, which has also joined a U.S.-led AI infrastructure pact. Climate Science: The World Meteorological Organization warns that a powerful El Niño could bring severe, cascading weather impacts, with consequences for Latin America’s farms and water supplies. Ocean Technology: Acoustic alarms cut whale entanglements in Peruvian fishing nets by more than half, offering a practical tool to protect marine life. Water Research: University of Florida researchers are testing whether sargassum can be converted into biochar to remove contaminants—a potential new use for troublesome coastal seaweed.

Clean Energy: Latin America and the Caribbean have vast renewable resources, but a new IDB-backed study says policy uncertainty, weak infrastructure and costly financing are holding back investment. Weather Science: In drought-hit Honduras, pilots are seeding clouds with silver iodide to encourage rainfall, a decades-old technique now drawing attention as rivers dry up. AI Infrastructure: HIVE plans to invest more than $250 million in an AI hub in Paraguay, adding to the region’s bid to attract computing capacity. Regional Energy: Ministers agreed to advance electrification and energy storage and study AI’s role in power systems, while environmental groups called for stronger climate commitments and public participation. Biodiversity: Researchers identified a new giant water-lily species in Colombia after social-media photos prompted closer investigation. Cybersecurity: A new Caribbean training initiative aims to build local capacity to defend against digital threats.

AI Infrastructure: HIVE committed more than $250 million to build an AI hub in Paraguay, which also joined a U.S.-led AI infrastructure pact. Industrial AI: Brazil’s Tractian raised $130 million at a $1.4 billion valuation to scale AI for industry. Cybersecurity: CaribNOG launched SHIELD, a Caribbean initiative focused on hands-on security training and local expertise, with an internship planned in St. Kitts and Nevis for 2027. Research and Conservation: A Colombian researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a way to clean water using palm waste, while an Instagram photo helped lead scientists to describe a new giant water lily species in Colombia. CARICOM also urged stronger biodiversity data systems to track conservation progress.

Digital Payments: Stripe and Plasma plan stablecoin-linked cards for more than 100 countries by 2027, supporting the Brazilian real, Mexican peso and Colombian peso alongside US dollars and euros. AI Infrastructure: Paraguay joined a US-led pact to explore using its hydropower and mineral resources for advanced AI infrastructure. Climate & Agriculture: An exceptionally strong El Niño could bring drought, floods and extreme heat across the region; Costa Rica’s banana sector is testing adaptation tools including drone surveillance, gene editing and biological soil controls. Cybersecurity: A firewall breach exposed more than 70,000 credentials worldwide, with Latin America accounting for nearly a third of reported victims. Industrial AI: Brazil’s Tractian raised $130 million to scale its industrial AI business, at a reported $1.4 billion valuation.

Biodiversity Data: CARICOM called for stronger monitoring systems at a UN conference, saying better data is needed to track conservation gains and meet 2030 targets. Food & Clean Energy: El Salvador’s Grupo Campestre broke ground on a $12.3 million poultry farm with 12 modern barns and a biodigester to turn organic waste into biogas. It is part of a wider $77.8 million investment plan. Rural Connectivity: An Argentine couple planning a 2027 expedition hopes to bring satellite internet and online learning resources to rural schools in Belize, pending local approvals; Starlink support is unconfirmed. AI Strategy: Georgia Tech is partnering with Panama to develop a national AI strategy, while Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America’s AI index. Election Technology: Brazil’s fast vote count has put its offline electronic voting system in the spotlight, with analysts pointing to its audits and security as U.S. midterms approach.

Brazil’s Tech Shift: Chinese automakers are moving beyond exports to local production, bringing investment and innovation to Brazil. Industrial robot installations rose 38% last year, with nearly half going to automotive factories. AI in the Region: Georgia Tech is partnering with Panama on a national AI strategy, while ECLAC is urging Latin American countries to put greater focus on AI. A new Hispanic AI safety institute also aims to make training and debate more accessible to Spanish speakers. Cybersecurity: Brazil tested nuclear cybersecurity in a large-scale exercise with the IAEA. Amazon at a Crossroads: Brazil’s presidential runoff could shape rainforest protections and the Amazon’s risk of reaching an ecological tipping point, with consequences for biodiversity and climate. Research for Clean Water: A Colombian researcher received L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a water-cleaning approach using palm waste.

AI and Cloud: Crusoe has partnered with Paraguay’s Araico to deploy AI cloud infrastructure, while ECLAC is urging Latin America and the Caribbean to build greater ownership of AI. Regional Connectivity: Construction has begun on a $25 million international internet cable in Curaçao, a major step for the island’s digital links. Water Research: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO backing to develop a water-cleaning solution using palm waste. Health Technology: New Brazilian cardiology guidelines endorse contrast-enhanced ultrasound as a safe, cost-effective tool for improving heart diagnostics.

AI in Latin America: ECLAC is urging countries to take greater ownership of artificial intelligence, as a new regional ranking places Colombia fourth in AI development. Water Innovation: An Antioquia researcher won L’Oréal-UNESCO support to develop a way to clean water using palm waste. Technology and Rights: A regional human rights body is calling for oversight of technologies used in environmental crimes. Wildlife Science: GPS data from 99 jaguars is helping researchers map potential wildlife corridors stretching from Mexico to Argentina. Caribbean Discovery: A newly named giant isopod found in Puerto Rico offers clues to a 15-million-year-old journey through a vanished Panama Seaway.

AI and Digital Rights: Colombia ranked fourth in Latin America’s AI index, while a regional human-rights body called for oversight of technology used in environmental crimes. Election Platforms: Brazil’s electoral court gave Meta 24 hours to show it was treating presidential candidates equally, after Lula’s campaign alleged bias ahead of Sunday’s runoff. Connectivity: Digicel is adding satellite backup for businesses in Trinidad and Tobago, aiming to keep them connected during network outages. Digital Finance: Digital dollars are challenging banks and exchange houses in Colombia, as fintech reshapes how people move money. Wildlife Research: GPS data from 99 jaguars is helping researchers map potential corridors from Mexico to Argentina, offering new insight into how to protect the species. Precision Farming: FAO training in Antigua and Barbuda gave farmers hands-on tools to improve nutrient and water management.

AI in Brazilian Retail: Sensei and supermarket group Muffato launched an AI-equipped store in Curitiba, using the technology to track shelf availability, detect losses, manage fresh goods and support online orders. Digital Access: The World Bank’s first digital strategy targets cheaper internet and devices, stronger public services and digital skills; a related AI infrastructure initiative with Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA is set to focus initially on Africa and Latin America. Nuclear Engineering: Argentina’s IMPSA signed a three-year agreement with US company NANO Nuclear to support design and manufacturing planning for components of its KRONOS microreactor, including evaluation of the reactor pressure vessel. Wildlife Science: GPS data from 99 jaguars is being used to map potential wildlife corridors from Mexico to Argentina, helping identify routes that could connect habitats. Technology Oversight: A human rights body is calling for oversight of technology used in environmental crimes across Latin America.

Brazilian Biotech: Samsung Bioepis signed a 10-year deal to supply a rare-disease biosimilar through Brazil’s public health system, with production technology transfers to local partners. AI Readiness: Colombia ranks fourth in Latin America and the Caribbean’s AI index, behind Chile, Brazil and Uruguay; the report says gaps still constrain wider adoption. Amazon Monitoring: Brazil reported its lowest deforestation on record, but fires have tripled since early October. Researchers warn satellite counts miss many blazes burning beneath the forest canopy. Digital Payments: Brazil and Mexico are projected to add $249 billion and $191 billion, respectively, in online spending by 2036, while credit-card access remains limited across emerging markets. Regional Safety Tech: Venezuelan specialists presented work on safer radioactive-material transport at a regional training in Uruguay, including purpose-built protective containers and automated monitoring.