AGP Executive Report

Health Alert: Chile’s Health Ministry issued its first-ever preventive hantavirus alert across 13 of 16 regions after 46 infections and 18 deaths were recorded last week, pushing the fatality rate to 39% (up from 18% in 2025). Officials say it’s not an epidemic, but they’re boosting surveillance and response as dengue, yellow fever, and avian influenza risks also rise. Chile-Korea Diplomacy: President Lee Jae Myung arrived in Santiago, telling Korean residents Chile was the first Latin American state to recognize South Korea in 1948 and highlighting the 2004 FTA. Summit talks with President José Antonio Kast are set to focus on modernizing the agreement, with cooperation also expanding into critical minerals, clean energy, AI, and culture. Mining & Copper: Glencore reported a 15% jump in H1 2026 attributable copper output to 397,000 tonnes, citing strong performance in South America and steady operations including Collahuasi in Chile. Culture & Memory: A major mural in Chile—once covered by Pinochet—has been undergoing restoration, reviving “Beginning and End,” commissioned to commemorate Allende’s victory.

Chile-Korea Diplomacy: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Santiago for talks with Chilean President José Antonio Kast, pushing to modernize the 2004 Korea-Chile free trade agreement and expand cooperation in supply chains tied to Chile’s copper and lithium. Banking Governance: Banco Itaú Chile filed a material event notice after the board accepted resignations from independent director Gustavo Ortiz Ramírez and director Diego Fresco Gutiérrez, naming Karen Ergas Segal and Mauricio Baeza Letelier as replacements effective Oct. 26, 2026. Health & Food Safety: Publix recalled GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries and mixed berries over potential E. coli O145:H28 contamination, with Chile-linked lot information cited in the recall expansion. Business/Mining (Chile footprint): Kinross reported strong Q2 results and updated its Chile Lobo-Marte project economics, while also declaring a quarterly dividend. Sports: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is set to join Chilean champions Colo-Colo, though Chilean league rules could affect how his nickname appears on his shirt.

Human Rights in Chile: Chilean police arrested a retired military colonel, Nelson Haase Mazzei, after years as a fugitive in the Victor Jara murder case, decades after the 1973 crime, with Jara’s family saying the delay still leaves justice incomplete. Banking & Business: Banco Santander-Chile reported strong results for 2Q 2026 and the first half, citing higher profitability, customer growth, and solid capital levels. Climate & Disasters: A UN climate warning said the crisis is hitting “nightmare” levels as heat and wildfires intensify across regions, with Chile among the places facing deadly storm damage. Health & Pharma: SK Biopharmaceuticals is accelerating its Latin America push, expanding Cenobamate in Brazil via a deal with Eurofarma, after earlier launches in Peru and Chile. Sports & Community: A Chilean World Cup hero, goalkeeper Vozinha, is set to join Colo Colo, adding fresh buzz to the club’s World Cup-linked stardom. Local Culture: A Taylor, Texas mural honoring Taylor’s 150th birthday was restored after vandalism with anti–data center messages.

Peru’s Security Reset: Keiko Fujimori was sworn in as Peru’s president, immediately authorizing the Armed Forces to lead public-order operations in regions hit by organized crime, drug trafficking, and illegal mining, while also pledging to strengthen the National Police and raising the national minimum wage by 15%. Regional Right-Wing Alignment: Ahead of the handover, Argentina’s Javier Milei met Fujimori in Lima, underscoring cooperation on economy, security, and science/tech, as leaders across the Southern Cone signal a broader conservative shift. Korea-Brazil Deal Push: South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung told the Korean community in Brazil that the two countries should move beyond raw trade toward joint prosperity, highlighting aircraft, critical minerals, and cosmetics, after talks with Lula on resuming Korea-Mercosur trade talks. Chile Climate & Environment: A UN climate chief warned that the “climate alarm is blaring” as extreme heat and storms intensify, with Chile also facing deadly weather impacts. Chile-Linked Business Dispute: Joyvio’s latest arbitration move against former Australis owner Isidoro Quiroga keeps a high-stakes legal fight alive after a Santiago appeals court annulled a prior tribunal ruling.

Chile Mining & Storm Response: Barrick evacuated 39 workers from a Chile camp after severe winter storms, while Lundin’s Caserones copper mine remains offline after a storm destroyed powerline towers, with full restoration expected in 2–3 weeks. Climate Pressure: The UN climate chief warned the “climate alarm” is blaring as deadly storms hit Chile and wildfires rage across Europe, with costs now reaching “national emergency” levels. Peru Politics With Regional Ripples: Keiko Fujimori is set to take office in Peru, promising tougher crime-fighting and migration controls, as Chilean and other regional leaders attend the handover. Payments & Trade Tech: ACI Worldwide and dLocal announced a partnership to let global merchants access local payment methods in Brazil and Mexico via a single integration, with Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru planned next. Culture & Film: San Sebastián Film Festival added Pablo Larraín’s “My Sad Dead” and Mike Leigh’s “Tender Loving Care,” alongside other international titles. Chile Justice: A Chilean judge jailed a fugitive colonel convicted in Victor Jara’s 1973 murder case, ending a years-long escape.

Justice in Chile: Police arrested retired colonel Nelson Haase Mazzei, a fugitive for years, in the decades-old murder case of singer-songwriter Víctor Jara, finally delivering a long-delayed prison sentence tied to Pinochet-era crimes. Environment & water: A new Chilean study says the country lost 344,000 hectares of glaciers from 1998 to 2025, with retreat threatening summer water supplies amid megadrought. Indigenous conflict: Reuters reports Mapuche resistance is entering a tougher phase as long prison terms and a crackdown under President José Antonio Kast intensify pressure on land defenders. Trade pressure on Chilean industry: The U.S. imposed forced-labor-related tariffs that include Chilean salmon, prompting concern from the sector as exporters seek exemptions and dialogue. Sports spotlight: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is set to join Chile’s Colo-Colo after his World Cup breakout. Global science & climate: Research using Chile’s ALMA suggests alien signals may be hiding at higher radio frequencies than classic searches target. Culture & society: The “clothing mountain” in Chile’s Atacama—built from discarded fast fashion shipped from Europe—was highlighted as an environmental and social emergency.

Chile Politics: A new post-storm poll shows disapproval of President José Antonio Kast hitting 54%, with criticism of the government’s emergency response rising after the July frontal system and atmospheric river left 13 dead, 18 missing, 13,500 displaced, and 40,000 isolated. Disaster Response: Mayors in affected regions say aid release has been slow, bureaucracy has blocked help, and prevention and catastrophe declarations were delayed. Climate Watch: Scientists warn a “Super El Niño” is 60% likely to develop, already disrupting fisheries—Peru has paused anchovy fishing and Chile’s salmon sector is bracing for toxic algal blooms. Energy & Markets: South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung ordered oil price caps to stay in place as Middle East tensions keep crude near $100, underscoring how global shocks feed into local costs. Mining Update: Lundin Mining says Chile’s Caserones mine is working to restore power after storm damage, with a gradual restart expected in about 2–3 weeks. Sports: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has an agreement to join Chile’s Colo-Colo after a standout World Cup run.

Diplomatic Reset: Israel has approved Vivian Aisen as its next ambassador to Colombia, signaling a full restoration of ties after Colombia cut relations in 2024. South America Trade & Tech: South Korea President Lee Jae Myung began a Brazil state visit with a summit and business roundtable, then plans stops in Chile and Argentina, as Seoul pushes Mercosur free-trade talks and $950bn semiconductor/AI partnerships. Chile in the Spotlight (Football): Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, a World Cup breakout, has signed an 18-month deal with Colo Colo and is set to arrive in Santiago for medical checks and presentation. Global Policy Watch: A new wave of forced-labor tariffs and UN secretary-general selection procedures are shaping international politics, while mining faces mandatory ESG reporting rules under ISSB/CSRD and similar standards. Environment & Risk: Wildfires in France and Spain have triggered mass evacuations, underscoring climate-driven disruption.

Colo Colo Signs World Cup Breakout: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, has agreed to join Chile’s Colo Colo on an 18-month deal after standout World Cup performances, with medical tests and an official presentation at Estadio Monumental expected soon. Copper Shock in Chile: Severe Andean winter weather and an atmospheric river have forced suspensions at major northern and central mining sites, cutting an estimated 1.6 million tonnes of annual copper capacity and raising supply worries. Patagonia Parks Pay Off: A new study says every $1 invested in Patagonia national parks can return $6 to local communities, with projections rising to $8.6 by 2030. SETI Gets a Boost: Researchers using archived ALMA data say past searches may have covered far more stars than previously estimated, and alien signals could be hiding in radio bands barely explored. President Lee’s Trip: South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung says ties with South America are entering a “new phase,” pushing tech, innovation, and critical minerals cooperation as he heads to Chile for summit talks.

Severe Weather: Chile’s ski town Portillo was hit by an extreme snow cycle, with one week’s total reaching about 193 inches—roughly a full season’s worth—after forecasts that locals initially doubted. Football: Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, the World Cup breakout who starred against Spain and Argentina, is set to join Colo Colo on an 18-month deal, with medical tests and an official presentation expected soon in Santiago. Trade & Diplomacy: The Philippines has concluded its first Latin America free trade deal with Chile, a CEPA that covers trade, investment, a digital economy framework, and sustainability and labor commitments. Regional Politics: Brazil denied visas to two Trump administration officials tied to plans to question the integrity of Brazil’s election system, escalating election-interference tensions across Latin America. Tech & Economy: A new AI Index report says AI capability is accelerating fast, with broad adoption and growing use in universities, while also expanding chapters on AI in science and medicine. Environment & Society: A major climate documentary, “Cresta Alta,” brought global glacier research to local audiences, aiming to make climate science easier to understand.

Colo Colo Signs World Cup Goalkeeper Vozinha: Cape Verde shot-stopper Vozinha, a breakout star at the 2026 World Cup, has agreed to join Chilean giants Colo Colo. Club president Aníbal Mosa says the 40-year-old will travel to Chile soon for medical tests and be presented at Estadio Monumental, with reports putting the deal at about 18 months. Mining Disrupted by Winter Storms in the North: A powerful winter storm has paralyzed operations in northern Chile’s mining belt, with companies including Antofagasta Minerals, Barrick Gold, Teck and Capstone Copper suspending production as power outages, evacuations and runoff incidents hit sites. Chile-Linked Diplomacy: Chile and Bangladesh discussed opening resident diplomatic missions and exploring a free trade agreement, alongside plans to expand trade in critical minerals and sectors like garments, pharmaceuticals and electrical goods. Sports & Culture: Chile’s football spotlight also continues as the World Cup’s surprise goalkeeper story drives major fan buzz, while Chilean audiences keep an eye on regional sports events and cultural features.

Chile-Serbia Diplomacy: Chile’s foreign minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna met Serbia’s Marko Đurić in Manila to discuss deeper political dialogue and cooperation, with Đurić also inviting Chile to Expo 2027 Belgrade. Philippines-Chile Trade: The Philippines says it has finished negotiations for a comprehensive free trade deal with Chile (CEPA), aiming to cut tariffs and boost exports like salmon and copper ores. UN Leadership Race: Six candidates for UN secretary-general faced tough questions in a Bloomberg-broadcast town hall, including how to handle a deadlocked Security Council, UN funding strain, and nepotism concerns. US Tariffs Hit Chile: The US rolled out new forced-labor tariffs on dozens of countries, with Chile listed among those facing a 12.5% rate. Storm Damage in Chile: A major El Niño-linked storm left at least 13 dead, four missing, and over $700M in losses, with tens of thousands affected and widespread power outages. Local Culture: Santiago-based Isabel Croxatto’s gallery highlights how choreography and performance research shape a “Living with Art” approach for Chilean and Latin American artists.

UN Leadership Race: Six candidates, including Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, faced nearly two hours of questions in a UN General Assembly debate, all promising to restore credibility and make the organization more effective amid financial strain and global conflict. US Tariffs, Chile in the Mix: The US imposed forced-labour tariffs on 60 economies under Section 301, with Chile hit at 12.5%, raising the duty level for many goods and adding pressure to supply chains. Chile Business Impact: Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres copper mine resumed operations after a heavy-rain shutdown, with guidance unchanged ahead of interim results. Tech and Trade Links: Indonesia says it’s deepening Pacific ties with Chile through IC-CEPA, boosting bilateral trade to $535.5 million in 2025. Space Watch: Astronomers reported a rare “Super-Jupiter” exoplanet, NGTS-38 b, orbiting once every 180 days.

UN Secretary-General Race: Six candidates, including Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, faced a first public debate at UN headquarters, laying out visions for a body in financial and trust crisis. US Tariffs and Forced Labor: The Trump administration announced new 10%–12.5% tariffs on dozens of countries over forced-labor claims, replacing emergency levies struck down by the Supreme Court. Chile-US-China Tension: Chile’s diplomacy is caught between deeper alignment with Washington and heavy economic reliance on China for copper and lithium exports. Chile Economy: Chile’s Congress approved most of President Kast’s tax reform package, including lower corporate taxes and VAT relief for new homes, with one municipal compensation issue still pending. Copper and Mining Watch: Anglo American lowered 2026 copper cost guidance; Teck beat profit estimates on stronger copper; and rare-earth mining threatens a prized Chilean surf coastline. Water Resilience in Chile: A rural Chiloé community restored its water supply by protecting its watershed and rebuilding soils, cutting reliance on tanker trucks. Food Costs: A new FAO snapshot says Chile has one of the most expensive healthy diets in South America, leaving 36.8% unable to afford it.

UN Spotlight: Six candidates—including Chile’s Michelle Bachelet—will face a televised UN secretary-general town hall in New York on July 23, with no clear front-runner ahead of Security Council voting. Chile Business & Health: MercadoLibre has discussed an in-house, online-only pharmacy model with Chilean authorities, a move that would require regulatory changes and ISP review. Copper Strategy: Chile is pushing to broaden copper buyers beyond China, targeting about US$100 billion in mining investment over the next decade as data-center demand grows. Storm Impact: Torrential rains across northern and central Chile have killed 13 people, left 7 missing, displaced thousands, and cut power to tens of thousands. Global Finance Watch: Sovereign wealth funds are growing fast and taking on wider roles, but analysts warn that vague mandates and weak governance can blur accountability. Tech & Industry: Rio2 filed a NI 43-101 technical report for its Condestable mine and published its 2025 ESG report, while Tesla reported a profit squeeze despite record Q2 deliveries.

Copper Strategy: Chile is pushing to diversify copper buyers beyond China, aiming for about US$100 billion in mining investment over the next decade as data-center demand grows and China’s share of Chilean shipments stays dominant. Tax Overhaul: Congress has approved most of President José Antonio Kast’s economic and tax reforms, including a gradual cut in the corporate tax rate to 23% from 27%, plus incentives for repatriating capital and changes meant to speed up investment. Mapuche Tensions: Reuters reports Mapuche militant groups are facing a tougher period as long prison sentences and a crackdown under Kast intensify, while some younger communities shift toward legal and environmental campaigns. Severe Weather Fallout: Chile’s deadly winter storm continues to hit communities, with authorities declaring a state of emergency after deaths and widespread isolation. Sports Diplomacy: Canada will host Chile and Peru in September-October friendlies, calling it a “hero’s welcome” after its World Cup run. Regional Politics & Markets: A BMI/Fitch Solutions outlook says the region’s rightward political shift in countries including Chile is boosting investor confidence despite global volatility.