Colombia

Argentina is the last Latin American team remaining at the World Cup after a comeback victory against Egypt, with a quarter-final scheduled for Saturday. Colombia's wage hike has increased visa income thresholds, and analysts have raised their economic forecasts for Argentina.

The article highlights Argentina's Messi miracle, Colombia's toxic handover and World Cup heartbreak, Chile's drought grid, and Mexico's Toyota blow. These events reflect a mix of triumph and challenges across Latin America.

The World Cup 2026 quarter-finals saw Argentina face Switzerland following an Egypt comeback, Colombia lose on penalties, and Neymar retire from Brazil national team duties.

Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suspended the transition process after President Gustavo Petro refused to recognize the election results, alleging fraud without evidence. Petro accused de la Espriella of winning through fraud in the June 21 presidential run-off against Petro coalition candidate Ivan Cepeda.

Colombia’s President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella suspended the transition process with outgoing President Gustavo Petro after Petro refused to recognize de la Espriella’s electoral victory, alleging fraud. De la Espriella accused Petro’s administration of corruption and destructive policies, while Petro’s transition team emphasized transparency. The election result, which saw de la Espriella defeat Iván Cepeda by 1 percentage point, was described as a rejection of Petro’s government by international observers.

Team USA's World Cup journey ended with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16, but fans in San Jose's San Pedro Square continued celebrating the team's tournament run. Despite eliminations of the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Portugal, attendees emphasized the experience and memories, with watch parties continuing for remaining matches like Argentina vs. Egypt and Colombia vs. Switzerland.

Colombia's August 2026 election saw right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella narrowly defeat leftist Senator Iván Cepeda, ending the first left-wing presidency under Gustavo Petro. The result reflects a divided nation grappling with unresolved social, economic, and security challenges, as voters chose between de la Espriella's hardline security approach and Cepeda's push for continued peace negotiations with insurgent groups and criminal cartels.

Colombia’s 2026 minimum wage increased by 23.7% to 1,750,905 pesos monthly. Digital-nomad visas now require three times this wage (~$1,400/month), while pension and rentista visas demand ten times the wage. The changes make residency visas more difficult to obtain.

Colombia's incoming government has initiated an audit across all ministries, involving 22 working tables and 1,200 personnel. Key concerns highlighted include the fiscal situation, energy crisis, and health system challenges.

Colombia's government handover enters a substantive phase with audit teams addressing fiscal, energy, and health concerns. Argentina and Colombia compete in World Cup matches as the region's last two teams. Transition teams are active across ministries.

Argentina faces Egypt and Colombia meets Switzerland in World Cup last-16 matches. Brazil processes a Haaland-inspired exit and Neymar's farewell.

Colombia's outgoing president, Gustavo Petro, rejects the legitimacy of Abelardo de la Espriella's election win, alleging fraud without evidence, despite official and international validation.

Colombian President-elect Abelardo De la Espriella appointed retired major general Jorge Eduardo Mora López as defense minister. Mora López pledged to secure all areas of the country to advance security and social progress. The appointment follows De la Espriella's selection of several other cabinet members.

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella appointed retired Major General Jorge Eduardo Mora López as defense minister. Mora founded the military’s transnational-threats strike force and led campaign efforts in Norte de Santander.

Colombia's president-elect will prioritize an urban security bloc as his first decree, a decision supported by mayors but criticized by others who worry about its scope.

Brazil and Mexico were eliminated from World Cup 2026, while Argentina and Colombia advanced. Political developments continued across Latin American cities including Lima and La Paz.

Brazil and Mexico are eliminated from the World Cup, leaving Argentina and Colombia as Latin America's remaining teams, set to play tomorrow as markets reopen. Tax authorities in the region are intensifying efforts to target long-staying foreigners.

Colombia's COLCAP stock index rose 1.57% on July 3 as the peso held near its 52-week low and Brent crude prices increased.

Colombia has announced its largest military modernization plan in recent history, valued at over 12 billion dollars, including 80 new aircraft such as 17 Saab Gripen fighter jets. The plan spans all branches of the armed forces.

The far-right candidates in Peru and Colombia's presidential elections secured victory with significant support from expatriate voters. The Peruvian National Office of Electoral Processes oversaw vote counting in Lima on June 9, 2026, for the second round of the election.

The World Bank established an Andean Countries Division to oversee $9 billion in active lending across Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Ariel Yepez was appointed as the division's director, effective July 1.

Argentina defeated debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in Miami during the World Cup, with Lionel Messi extending his all-time scoring record. Colombia is also mentioned in the report.

The outgoing Petro government plans to submit a tax reform in Congress on July 20, but the incoming government opposes it, claiming fiscal policy should be their responsibility. The reform may affect VAT and income taxes impacting foreigners.

Five Latin American nations advanced to the World Cup's last 16, with Argentina surviving a close match against Cape Verde and Colombia defeating Ghana. Peru’s president-elect is formally proclaimed as the knockout round begins.

Colombia's equity index (COLCAP) closed flat near its 52-week range while the peso reached a six-year high of 3,367, driven by rate-driven carry attracting foreign capital.

Argentina and Colombia may send five Latin American teams to the World Cup last 16. Spain and Portugal are set to face each other in another match.

Colombia’s next government faces $175 billion in debt amortizations and interest between 2026 and 2030, with $33 billion due in 2026 alone. President-elect De la Espriella is appointing finance chief Miguel Gómez to address the challenge.

Colombia's COLCAP stock index remained nearly unchanged, rising 0.01% to 2,260, while the peso gained approximately 2% against the dollar following a weak US jobs report. The dollar fell to around 3,360 pesos as a result of the economic data.

Colombia's next finance minister, Miguel Gomez, faces the worst fiscal situation in a generation and plans to shift policy toward market-oriented approaches, breaking from President Petro's stance.

Landmark court rulings in Colombia and Bangladesh recognized rivers as legal persons, but pollution and threats persist due to legal systems designed to treat nature as an object for human use. A new study attributes ongoing issues to systemic legal frameworks prioritizing exploitation over protection.

Colombia's COLCAP index fell 0.41% as Ecopetrol dropped over 5%, while ETB rose nearly 16% to a one-year high. The market decline was driven by Ecopetrol's performance despite ETB's gains.

Two Tennessee residents are among 11 Venezuelan and Colombian nationals charged in a federal case involving sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and illegal firearms trafficking.

BTG, Brazil's largest investment bank, led an $85 million growth-equity round in Colombian fintech Addi, marking its first investment outside Brazil. The deal represents BTG's expansion into international markets through a fintech partnership.

Brazil and Mexico experienced economic declines, while Chile led in copper performance and Colombia unexpectedly raised interest rates to 12%. The report highlights mixed economic trends across Latin American countries on July 1, 2026.

Brazil's financial performance shows a +6.76% increase in the first half, with the real near R$5.16. Colombia raised its interest rate to 12%, and Wall Street recorded its best half since 2021.

The loser of the Colombian presidential election threatened civil disobedience if the winner does not renounce US citizenship. De la Espriella, a conservative lawyer endorsed by US President Donald Trump, won the runoff on June 21, defeating Cepeda by 250,000 votes.

President-elect De la Espriella appointed Miguel Gómez Martínez as finance minister. Gómez has experience as an economist, Bancóldex president, vice comptroller general, and ambassador to France. He pledged to respect the central bank’s independence.

Colombia appointed Miguel Gómez as its finance minister, Mexico advanced in the World Cup by breaking a 40-year Azteca curse, and Uruguay implemented a tax on foreign income. The article highlights these developments as key events for July 1, 2026.

Colombian senator Iván Cepeda refuses to recognize Abelardo de la Espriella as the new president unless he meets certain conditions. Cepeda threatens 'civil disobedience' if de la Espriella does not abandon his US citizenship.

Colombian Senator Iván Cepeda, who lost the presidential election, threatened civil disobedience if Abelardo de la Espriella, the winner, does not renounce his U.S. citizenship and address claims of U.S. ties. Cepeda accused de la Espriella of being an 'agent' of the U.S. due to his defense of a paramilitary leader linked to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and demanded he halt efforts to extradite outgoing President Gustavo Petro.