The Rio Times

Analysts predict an 8% decline in WEG's second-quarter profits due to a stronger Brazilian real and transformer expansion costs. Major banks attribute the expected earnings pressure to these factors.

Argentina’s Javier Milei is visiting Brazil to hold a campaign rally for Flávio Bolsonaro in São Paulo, while pursuing a strategy to attract Brazilian investment and restructure Mercosur. The visit focuses on trade initiatives rather than engaging with Lula.

A French oil company shipped 1 million barrels of Venezuelan crude under a US waiver. The move highlights Washington's changing policies on who can trade with Venezuela.

A presidential decree outlines Brazil's Armed Forces securing the 2026 election in seven states following formal requests from state electoral courts.

Brazilian digital bank Nubank and Itaú Unibanco top Latin America's AI maturity ranking in the 2026 Evident AI Index for Banks. The index highlights their leadership in artificial intelligence adoption among regional banks.

Buenos Aires remains the top city in Latin America for university life, but declining affordability is affecting international students' budgets and family relocations. The Argentine capital's position is highlighted in a report by The Rio Times.

Peru's economy grew 3.0% in Q2 2026, driven by a mining recovery and strong construction activity, which counterbalanced declines in farming and fishing caused by weather issues.

The Brazilian Air Force and AERO Concepts developed a 1 MW gas turbine generator powered by hydrated ethanol, providing a renewable alternative to diesel for military and disaster-relief use. The generator aims to offer a homegrown solution for energy needs in these sectors.

Lula's absence from early debates for Brazil's 2026 election is attributed to a packed pre-convention schedule, with opponents criticizing the move as reminiscent of past leaders avoiding early face-offs. The article highlights tensions around political strategy and debate participation.

GeoPark maintained its output at 27,271 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the second quarter while accelerating shale drilling in Argentina's Vaca Muerta formation. The company, focused on Colombia, is expanding operations in Argentina.

China granted tariff-free entry to Colombian beef by authorizing two Minerva Foods plants while imposing 55% punitive tariffs on dominant meat exporters from South America. This decision positions Colombia as a beneficiary in China's meat import market.

Brazil has assembled its first Gripen E fighter jet in São Paulo, marking a shift from a 2014 arms deal as a buyer to developing local production capabilities. The event highlights the transition from purchasing defense equipment to building it domestically.

Brazil's president vetoed parts of the national health industry strategy law, removing provisions related to import taxes, mandatory drug sales, and technology compensation. The changes aim to reduce imports.

Average daily volume on Brazil's benchmark stock index, Ibovespa, fell 32.5% in July, reaching pandemic lows and marking the thinnest summer market in six years.

Vale's Q2 iron ore output rose to 85 million metric tons due to increased volumes from Capanema and Vargem Grande. Analysts predict a 14% decline in net profit to US$1.8 billion amid rising costs. The Brazilian government is pushing a nominee into Vale's board.

Trump Tariffs impose a 50% rate on Brazilian goods effective July 2026, the highest in Latin America, while Mexico secured a 90-day delay on reciprocal levies, maintaining a 25% rate for most goods. USMCA covers 89% of Mexican exports, providing some protection.

Petrobras has shifted from chartering FPSOs to a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model. SBM Offshore secured the first two BOT contracts for SEAP I and SEAP II units, totaling approximately $8.4 billion.

Mexico's tourism sector projects a record 22.4 million travelers for the summer 2026 season, driven primarily by domestic tourists. Foreign visitors to World Cup host cities accounted for 3 million, with 60% being day-trippers.

Embraer secured a deal with Abra Group, Gol’s owner, for 20 E195-E2 jets with options for up to 45 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q4 2027, with all units being Embraer’s largest commercial jet model.

Brazil’s Embraer and US defense firm Anduril signed an MoU on July 21, 2026, to develop the KC-390 as a platform for deploying the Barracuda-500M cruise missile. The missile has a range exceeding 500 nautical miles and would be delivered via palletized munitions dropped from the aircraft’s cargo bay.