AGP Executive Report

Trade & Diplomacy: Canadians are quietly severing everyday ties with the U.S. as Trump escalates tariffs and renames “Lake Ontario” to “Lake America,” with Ottawa City Council moving to rename “Trump Avenue.” Regional Security & Crime: Bolivia arrested Los Pulpos leader Jhonsson Cruz Torres, exposing a cross-border criminal network stretching from Peru to “uncertain frontiers” including links toward Santiago. Chile in Science: ESO’s VLT in Chile has achieved “first light” for the MOONS spectrograph, kicking off a new push to survey millions of stars and galaxies. Student Mobilization: Chilean secondary students called a Sept. 3 protest in Santiago against President José Antonio Kast and the Madrid Forum, aiming to expand into a broader nationwide mobilization. Human Rights: Human rights groups urged Chile’s Congress to reject Kast’s constitutional overhaul. Sports & Culture: Chile is set to host a World Archery Para Series stage in October (after Ahmedabad), and Chilean secondary students’ Baquedano protest echoes the 2019 unrest site.

Human Rights Clash in Chile: Human Rights Watch urged Chile’s Congress to reject President José Antonio Kast’s constitutional overhaul on national security, warning it would weaken due process by enabling prolonged states of emergency, suspending freedoms, and allowing property seizures. Economic Pressure on Kast: Chile’s weak economic activity and a labor market slowdown are raising pressure on Kast’s growth agenda, with the Monthly Economic Activity Index down 1.5% year-on-year and unemployment at 9.5% (May–July), the highest since 2021. Chile Protest Politics: Chilean students are calling for an anti-Kast protest at Baquedano on September 3, adding to the week’s mounting political heat. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Peru announced it will sever ties with Iran, citing terrorism and human-rights violations—another sign of shifting security alignments across Latin America. Global Context: A Reuters report highlights Brazil’s presidential race tightening as Lula’s lead narrows to about a point in runoff polling, while corruption probes into Lula’s son add political strain.

Chile Unemployment Spike: Chile’s jobless rate hit a historic high in the March–May 2026 period, with 981,315 people out of work (9.4%), fueling fresh political and social backlash amid debate over President José Antonio Kast’s economic reforms. Student Mobilization: Chilean secondary students (ACES) are calling for a protest Thursday, Sept. 3 at Baquedano Metro, targeting the tax reform, the Protected Schools Act, and a proposed public security emergency without parliamentary approval. CPTPP Update: The UK has secured full access to the CPTPP after Canada completed accession steps, meaning UK firms can now trade across all member markets with zero-tariff eligibility for most goods. Regional Trade & Diplomacy: Peru says it cut diplomatic ties with Iran, citing escalation concerns and disruption to maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz. Mining & Copper Strategy: A major copper consolidation debate continues, with attention on Chile-linked assets and the push to squeeze more output from existing districts as new mine builds lag.

Visa & Labor Mobility: Australia’s pause on issuing working visas for multiple nationalities—including Chileans—could hit seasonal and temporary staffing pipelines, with Home Affairs warning some Working Holiday Maker processing is slower and urging applicants not to travel until approval. Student Mobilization in Chile: Chile’s ACES student group is calling for a protest Sept. 3 at Baquedano Metro against President José Antonio Kast’s tax reform, the Protected Schools Act, and a proposed public security emergency without parliamentary approval. Chile Justice & Regional Fallout: Prosecutors say the Ronald Ojeda kidnapping-murder case is moving closer to Venezuela’s political leadership, alleging Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello was involved in negotiating and paying for the operation—still allegations, not a court finding. Mining & Copper Strategy: A proposed Anglo American–Teck copper merger is framed as a way to squeeze more output from existing Chilean districts, with a key sticking point: Glencore’s agreement over Collahuasi-linked value. Education Policy Watch: Chilean coverage also flags broader regional education efforts, while the Chile protest story keeps the focus on domestic schooling politics.

Chile-Mining Tech Deal: MacLean Engineering signed a five-year underground mining technology programme with Codelco to test and deploy solutions at El Teniente, focusing on trench scaling, tunnel development and service infrastructure. Energy Storage Milestones: Korkia said its Beltrán 750 MWh standalone battery in Valparaíso reached ready-to-build status, while its Mellizas hybrid solar-plus-800 MWh BESS project advanced after environmental approval. Regional Diplomacy & UN Race: A new UN secretary-general race is framed as a choice between a “secretary” who manages great-power interests and a “general” with a more hands-on approach, with candidates debating how to reform multilateralism. Cybersecurity in Chile’s Orbit: Berlin confirmed an extortion attempt after a data theft from its administrative network, while officials said election systems were protected. Trade Bloc Update: Canada’s final ratification lets the UK fully access CPTPP benefits, with Chile included among member markets. Sports With Political Echoes: Lionel Messi’s retirement from Argentina duty dominated headlines, prompting tributes across the region.

Chile Security: A Chilean court fined a Chinese inmate at Santiago’s maximum-security prison after cocaine was found during a search, underscoring prosecutors’ push to dismantle linked foreign drug networks. Regional Trade Diplomacy: India and Chile advanced Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks in Santiago, with both sides aiming to wrap negotiations by end-2026 and focusing on healthcare, energy, minerals, agriculture, and market access. Energy & Industry: Chile-linked recovery tech made news as researchers developed copper-and-zinc therapeutic suits to speed penguin healing after net-related injuries. International Business: LG Energy Solution signed a $1.5 billion lithium carbonate deal with a U.S. supplier, signaling continued battery supply-chain buildout in North America. Defense Exports: Hanwha Aerospace secured a contract to supply Spain with K9 howitzers, marking the first Western Europe operator for the platform. Sports Culture (Notable, but light on policy): Lionel Messi officially retired from Argentina’s national team, prompting major international tributes.

Trade & Investment: India and Chile advanced talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Santiago, with both sides aiming to wrap negotiations by end-2026 and expanding cooperation in healthcare, energy, minerals, agriculture, machinery and engineering. Energy Transition: The British Embassy in Santiago highlighted new offshore wind development studies and pushed next steps, arguing Chile has strong conditions but needs regulatory and permitting follow-through. Mining & Industry: Canada’s energy and mining officials reaffirmed deepening ties with Chile, citing critical-minerals cooperation and technology work tied to Codelco and Chilean partners. Government Finance: CAP S.A. in Chile kicked off a cash tender offer and consent solicitation for its 7.375% notes due 2036, alongside related indenture amendments. Infrastructure & Connectivity: IFX Networks said it plans to invest over $400 million in Latin America in 2026-27, with about $51 million earmarked for Chile to expand connectivity and data center infrastructure. Public Works: Paraguay announced new traffic diversions on Avelino Martínez Avenue in Asunción/San Lorenzo to support construction phase two. Regional Environment: The Panama Canal will cut daily transits due to drought and El Niño-linked water stress, tightening shipping capacity across the region.

Chile Trade Talks: India and Chile stepped up negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both sides pushing to conclude talks by end-2026 and highlighting market access plus cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, minerals, agriculture, machinery and engineering. Chile Industry Leadership: Chile’s Salmon Council executive president Loreto Seguel will step down in the coming months, as the sector faces tariff pressure and recent legal setbacks affecting salmon farming concessions. Space & Science: NASA launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, starting a multi-year mission to map the universe, probe dark matter and dark energy, and discover thousands of exoplanets. International Justice: The ICC debate heats up as the U.S. moves to sanction top ICC officials, arguing the court threatens sovereignty while critics question whether the ICC is being “demonised” for its successes. Tech & Economy: Komatsu marked a milestone in autonomous mining with its 1,000th ultra-class autonomous haul truck, signaling autonomy is shifting from pilots to repeatable fleet operations.

CEPA Push (India–Chile): India and Chile are accelerating talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both sides aiming to conclude negotiations by end-2026 after high-level meetings in Santiago focused on market access and cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, minerals, agriculture, machinery and engineering. Human Rights & Memory (Chile): Chilean human rights groups are calling for a memorial procession on Sept. 6 in Santiago to uphold Allende’s legacy and oppose pardons, warning of potential setbacks to truth, justice and reparations. Food Policy (Chile-relevant): A front-of-pack warning-label debate is intensifying abroad, with India’s regulator proposing red warning marks for foods high in sugar, salt or saturated fat—an issue that could resonate with Chile’s own consumer-protection discussions. UN Leadership (Global, with Chile link): The race for the next UN secretary-general continues with Security Council straw polls showing Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett as a frontrunner and Uganda’s Olara Otunnu gaining support. Trade & Industry (Chile): Chile’s trade and investment agenda also intersects with broader supply-chain politics as governments push faster deals and cooperation on critical minerals.

Human Rights Mobilization in Santiago: Chilean human-rights groups are calling for a Sept. 6 memorial procession in Santiago to honor Allende’s legacy, mark the 1973 coup anniversary, and push back against potential pardons for dictatorship-era crimes. Education Crisis in Chile: New reporting highlights rodent infestations and health risks in collapsed Chilean schools, underscoring how municipal and SLEP systems are struggling to maintain basic conditions. Mobility & Motorsport Policy: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met President José Antonio Kast in Santiago, with both sides backing road safety, sustainable transport, and Chile’s motorsport development; Kast also signed the FIA’s anti-online-abuse charter. Critical Minerals Cooperation: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru signed a declaration to coordinate on strategic minerals supply chains, geological info sharing, and technical work tied to copper and lithium demand from the energy transition and AI buildout. Cybersecurity Watch: Berlin faced a Rhysida ransomware extortion attempt ahead of elections, with officials refusing to pay after a claimed data theft. Trade & Supply Chains: Canada and Chile advanced cooperation on critical minerals and mining tech, including a Codelco–MacLean Engineering underground mining technology partnership for El Teniente.

Public Education Crisis: Chile’s municipal and SLEP schools are again in the spotlight after reports of rodent infestations and health hazards, with the Rayen Mapu Lyceum in Quellón among cases raising alarms about how fast the system is deteriorating. Cybersecurity & Elections: Berlin faces a Rhysida ransomware extortion attempt ahead of its Sept. 20 vote, with officials refusing to pay after claims of large-scale data theft. Regional Minerals Push: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru signed a declaration to coordinate on strategic minerals like copper and lithium, setting up working groups on geology, oversight and skills as demand from the energy transition and AI grows. Cross-Border Mining Rules: Argentina and Chile approved operating protocols for three Andes mega-mining projects, aiming to unlock over $20.7B in copper investment by sharing infrastructure and resources. Mobility & Motorsport: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met Chile’s President José Antonio Kast in Santiago, with Chile signing the FIA “United Against Online Abuse” charter. Tech Startups: Roma AI, a Chile-based AI agents startup, closed a $1.2M seed round to expand in Latin America with governance and security built for regulated companies.

Mobility & Sport: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem met President José Antonio Kast in Santiago, agreeing on road safety, sustainable transport, and Chile’s motorsport development; Kast also signed the FIA “United Against Online Abuse” charter. Critical Minerals Diplomacy: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru signed a declaration to boost cooperation on strategic minerals like copper and lithium, including working groups on geology, regulation, and skills—while Canada and Chile advanced mining-tech and critical-minerals ties, including a Codelco–MacLean underground mining technology deal. Cross-Border Mining Deals: Argentina and Chile approved protocols under their 1997 Mining Integration treaty to integrate three Andes projects (Vicuña, NexoAndino, Filo Sur), aiming to unlock over $20.7B in copper investment. Human Rights & Politics: Chilean human-rights groups urged President Kast to oppose pardons for dictatorship-era crimes, calling the Sept. 6 cemetery pilgrimage “No to Pardons!” Cybersecurity: A ransomware group Rhysida said it stole 5.79TB from Berlin agencies and is auctioning it ahead of Sept. 20 elections. Energy Transition Context: Reports on the Iran war’s energy shock highlight how higher fossil-fuel costs are accelerating renewables investment globally.

Chile-India Trade Talks: Chile and India are pushing to wrap CEPA negotiations by year-end, with market access and a dedicated critical-minerals chapter (lithium and copper) at the center of the talks. Chile-Regional Diplomacy: A new diplomatic shift is highlighted by Colombia recognizing Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a move framed as part of broader cooperation with Rabat. Chile in the Southern Atlantic: A Chilean shipping line is backing a regular commercial link between the Falklands and Punta Arenas, paired with an Expo promoting islands and Chilean products. Global Energy & Climate Context: New reporting on how the Iran war is reshaping energy economics points to higher fossil-fuel costs and a faster push toward renewables. Mobility & Sport Governance: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met Chile’s President José Antonio Kast in Santiago and the two signed the FIA “United Against Online Abuse” charter. Santiago/Chile Culture: Chilean-Indian filmmaker Shalini Adnani’s “Our Share of Sand” heads to Venice Critics’ Week, spotlighting sand-mining and child labor. Chile Security Debate: A report flags Chile’s “Protected Schools” law after Carabineros strip-searched two adolescents in a classroom.

Chile–U.S. Trade Talks: Chile and the U.S. are continuing negotiations to improve access for Chilean exports to the American market as the White House applies 12.5% tariffs, with USTR’s Jeffrey Goettman meeting Chile’s undersecretary Paula Estévez to review priorities and keep talks moving. Judicial Appointments in Argentina (Regional Watch): Argentina’s Senate approved 67 judge nominations under President Javier Milei, including key posts tied to the $LIBRA crypto scandal and corruption probes at ANDIS—another sign of how regional politics and courts are tightening together. Chile–Netherlands Partnership: Chile’s new ambassador in The Hague is pushing a strategic deepening with the Netherlands, highlighting green hydrogen, critical minerals, trade/investment, water management, and science cooperation. Mining & Exploration (Chile): Lodestar Minerals reported final assays from a second diamond drill hole at its Three Saints IOCG project in Chile’s Atacama region, reinforcing its copper-sulphide and magnetite-linked model. Green Hydrogen Education: Santiago is set to host the H2 Grand Prix 2026 final, bringing students from 21 Chilean high schools to race remote-controlled green hydrogen cars. Public Safety & Travel Advisory (Regional): The U.S. updated its Bolivia travel advisory, keeping Level 2 overall while flagging Chapare Province as Level 4 due to narcotrafficking-linked crime. Organized Crime Across Borders: A new global look at organized crime says foreign actors are driving the sharpest rise in cross-border criminal activity, including networks reaching Chile.

Chile–U.S. Trade Talks: Chile’s undersecretary Paula Estévez met USTR’s Jeffrey Goettman as both sides press for better U.S. market access amid new 12.5% tariffs, with negotiations continuing through political and technical work since 2025. Chile–Argentina Mining Integration: Santiago and Buenos Aires are reviving the 1997 Mining Integration and Complementation Treaty to speed up Andes-spanning copper projects, aiming to unlock major private investment and use Chilean ports and infrastructure. Chile Education & Police Powers: Students at Rayen Mapu Liceo in Quellón protested after Carabineros strip-searched classmates, arguing the “Protected Schools” law expands police authority inside classrooms. UN Leadership Race: Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett is leading a Security Council straw vote for the next UN secretary-general, with Michelle Bachelet and others also in contention. Regional Growth Warning (ECLAC): ECLAC says Latin America is stuck in a low-growth trap, projecting 2.2% growth in 2026 and warning it’s too weak for sustained per-capita gains.

Security Reform Debate: Chile’s government signals it may amend Jose Antonio Kast’s constitutional public-security emergency bill after pushback from opposition and coalition partners, with the biggest fight over how much parliamentary oversight would be required while the president could restrict rights and extend emergency powers. Mining & Community Voice: A new international project on critical minerals governance (Ghana, Chile, Australia) argues host communities must have a stronger say in extraction decisions, warning that “justice” is still poorly defined across governments and affected residents. Regional Tensions—Magellan Strait: Argentina reiterates its position on the Strait of Magellan based on treaties that recognize Chile’s sovereignty, after remarks by an Argentine military figure sparked Chilean protests. Chile’s Film Industry: Chile’s Film Academy selected Manuela Martelli’s “The Meltdown” to represent the country at the 2027 Oscars, as advocates push back against cuts to audiovisual funding. Food & Drink Policy: Chile moves to create a lower-alcohol wine category (starting at 8.5%) to reflect shifting consumption habits, while keeping the traditional 11.5% threshold.