AGP Executive Report

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not appearing before lawmakers on the country’s worsening economic crisis, appointing Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto as interim economy minister (no timeline for a permanent replacement). Fuel & Cost-of-Living Pressure: The dismissal lands amid broader turbulence, including recent fuel-supply problems and public anger tied to past subsidy cuts and price shocks. Legal/Political Fallout: Paz’s week also included the arrest and detention push in the Fernando Cerimedo case, adding to uncertainty around governance and reform momentum. Regional Macro Backdrop: ECLAC held its 2026 Latin America growth forecast at 2.2%, warning the region’s sluggish pace is too weak to lift living standards—an environment that matters for Bolivia’s trade and investment outlook. Trade Diplomacy Watch: India’s commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal is set to visit Brazil, Argentina and Chile (Aug. 24-28) to deepen trade ties and advance negotiations that could indirectly affect South American supply chains and market access for Bolivia-linked commerce.

Economy Shake-Up: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz fired Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not showing up to answer lawmakers on the country’s deep economic crisis; Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto was named interim Economy Minister, with no clear timeline for a permanent replacement. Fuel Crunch: Fuel shortages are worsening daily life, with long lines at gas stations, diesel delays for freight trucks, and even propane shortages—raising questions about whether new drilling and YPFB/PETROBRAS operations can stabilize supply. Power Reliability: La Paz saw another wave of blackouts, with 33,000+ users affected after a technical failure at the city’s main substation, the second major outage in less than a week. Legal & Business Risk: The Cerimedo case escalated as prosecutors opened additional investigations into far-right Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, including illicit enrichment, after his arrest tied to a shooting of activist Nadia Beller. Trade & Integration: Bolivia and Venezuela reaffirmed plans to deepen integration and bilateral cooperation, signaling continued regional diplomacy that can affect cross-border commerce.

Fuel Crisis: Bolivia’s energy crunch is worsening, with drivers and freight trucks lining up for days for scarce fuel and even propane shortages hitting households, while contaminated gasoline issues raise costs and damage vehicles. Economic Governance: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not attending hearings, naming Oscar Mario Justiniano as interim economy minister as the government seeks room for IMF-backed reforms. Political Risk: The Paz administration is also dealing with fallout from the Fernando Cerimedo case, where a judge ordered 180 days of preventive detention over alleged attempted femicide and corruption probes, adding uncertainty to an already fragile political climate. Infrastructure Strain: La Paz reported another wave of power outages, with 33,000+ users affected after a technical failure at the main substation, compounding a week of grid disruptions. Mining & Investment: Silver Elephant Mining says it produced and sold three 2026 batches of silver-lead concentrate from its Apuradita project, generating about US$1.4 million in cash proceeds.

Bolivia Politics & Economy: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not appearing to answer lawmakers on the country’s deep economic crisis; Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto was named interim Economy Minister, a move seen as a concession to Congress as Paz seeks support for reforms and an IMF financing program. Power & Utilities: La Paz suffered another major blackout Thursday evening, with 33,000+ users affected after a technical failure at the city’s main electrical substation; it was the second big outage in less than a week. Security & Legal Affairs: Prosecutors opened a new investigation into far-right Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo for illicit enrichment, following raids tied to his alleged role in the attempted femicide of Nadia Beller. Business & Investment: Silver Elephant Mining reported it produced and sold three batches of silver-lead concentrate from its Apuradita project in Bolivia, generating about US$1.4m in cash proceeds. Local Finance: La Paz property owners can get a 35% discount on penalties and surcharges for overdue predial taxes if they pay by Aug. 31. Trade/Industry: Bolivia’s lithium push remains a flashpoint as environmental and Indigenous groups warn extraction could threaten water and livelihoods around Salar de Uyuni.

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz removed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him, naming Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto as interim Economy Minister pending a constitutional challenge. Municipal Relief for Cash-Strapped Owners: La Paz is offering a 35% discount on predial penalties and surcharges for overdue accounts if paid by August 31. Lithium Reality Check: A new look at Uyuni’s lithium push highlights the gap between Bolivia’s large deposits and tiny output, with Indigenous and environmental concerns front and center. Telecom Modernization Deal: Rakuten Symphony signed an MOU with VIVA Bolivia to modernize its network, starting with cloud-native upgrades and AI-enabled operations. Tourism Demand Signal: La Paz International Airport hit a record July with 72,000+ passengers (+11%), helped by new domestic routes. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow has stranded thousands across Bolivia’s highlands, hitting livestock and tourism and cutting communities off from markets and supplies. Political Risk Spillover: The arrest of far-right Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo in Bolivia over an alleged attempted femicide is widening into a broader political and legal controversy.

Political Shock in Santa Cruz: Bolivian authorities detained Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo at Viru Viru after lawyer Nadia Beller survived a shooting, with prosecutors alleging he masterminded an attempted femicide; Beller also claims links to corruption and extortion networks tied to President Rodrigo Paz and his circle, while Cerimedo’s defense calls it a staged attack. Local Tax Relief: La Paz is offering a 35% discount on predial penalties and surcharges for overdue property tax accounts, valid until August 31. Tourism & Connectivity: La Paz International Airport hit a record in July with 72,000 passengers (+11% year-on-year), helped by new domestic routes to Los Mochis and Aguascalientes. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow has stranded thousands across western Bolivia, affecting 26,220 families in 323 communities, with Potosí hit hardest and livestock and markets threatened. Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Symphony signed an MOU with VIVA Bolivia to explore network modernization starting in Bolivia, including cloud-native operations and AI-enabled services. Lithium Reality Check: A new report argues Bolivia’s lithium push faces major hurdles, with production far below its deposit share and strong environmental and Indigenous opposition around Salar de Uyuni.

Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Symphony signed an MOU with VIVA Bolivia to modernize the operator’s network and build a longer-term digital ecosystem, starting in Bolivia with work on cloud-native operations, Open RAN, OSS, and AI-enabled digital services. Political & Security Shock: Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo was detained in Santa Cruz while trying to board a flight to Buenos Aires after an attack on Bolivian lawyer Nadia Beller; prosecutors allege attempted femicide and link him to corruption/extortion claims, while his defense calls the attack staged. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow in Bolivia has stranded rural communities, threatening livestock and livelihoods; Civil Defense reports impacts across thousands of families and calls for fodder, veterinary supplies, food, blankets, and machinery support. Business/Infrastructure Watch: The SCTEX Luisita Interchange expansion (Philippines) story mentions La Paz Mayor Venus Jordan in a regional development context, while Bolivia’s own business signals this week include telecom upgrades and ongoing political uncertainty. Social Milestone: Bolivia recorded its first same-sex civil marriage, a legal win that could set a precedent for other couples.

Bolivia Political Risk: Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo was arrested at Viru Viru airport in Santa Cruz after lawyer/activist Nadia Beller survived a close-range shooting by men disguised as delivery workers; prosecutors say he may have masterminded the attack, while Beller alleges links to corruption and extortion networks tied to President Rodrigo Paz. Parliament & Economy: Bolivia’s Executive says Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza stays in office after lawmakers approved a censure motion that fell short of the constitutional threshold to force removal. Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Symphony and VIVA Bolivia (Nuevatel PCS) signed an MOU to explore phased network modernization, including Open RAN, cloud infrastructure and AI-enabled operations, starting with a first implementation roadmap. Border Security & Trade Disruption: A Reuters report highlights Brazilian organized crime groups (PCC and CV) pushing into Bolivia’s Amazon border routes, turning the Mamoré river port into a cocaine-supply battleground. Mining & Investment Signals: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) initiated equity research coverage focused on its Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, boosting investor attention on Bolivia’s metals pipeline.

Bolivia Politics & Security: Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo was arrested in Bolivia after an attempted shooting of lawyer/activist Nadia Beller in Santa Cruz; police say he was detained at Viru Viru Airport as he tried to fly to Buenos Aires, while prosecutors investigate links to the gunmen and his alleged role in the attack. Economic Governance: Bolivia’s Congress voted to censure Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza, a move the government says is unconstitutional; Paz has 24 hours to remove him, but Espinoza says he will challenge the process at the Constitutional Tribunal as the IMF-backed stabilization push hangs in the balance. Trade & Industry: Bolivia’s government reiterated support for Espinoza despite the censure vote, arguing the threshold for automatic dismissal wasn’t met. Mining & Investment: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) announced initiation of equity research coverage by Harbinger Research focused on its Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz. Energy Outlook: A new analysis argues Latin America’s underdeveloped natural gas resources could boost energy security and growth—relevant for Bolivia’s broader energy planning.

Government vs. Congress: Bolivia’s Congress voted to censure Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza after he skipped a hearing on economic and monetary planning, a move that could force his removal within 24 hours and complicate President Rodrigo Paz’s IMF-backed stabilization push amid fuel and foreign-currency shortages. Fuel & food security: The Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) rejected Decree 5676, saying differentiated diesel pricing won’t fix shortages and could worsen profiteering, speculation, and black-market activity—warning of production and national food-supply risks. Political violence & reforms: Bolivia arrested Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, adviser to Paz, after activist lawyer Nadia Beller was shot in Santa Cruz; authorities are investigating whether Cerimedo had a role, as Beller linked the attack to opposition to sweeping economic reforms under Decree 5503. China-LatAm diplomacy: Xi Jinping told Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa in Beijing that China backs Latin America’s independence and self-reliance, with cooperation flagged in energy, minerals, infrastructure, and finance.

Bolivia–Ecuador/China Ties: China’s Xi told Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa in Beijing that Beijing backs Latin America’s “independence and self-reliance,” and wants to expand cooperation in energy, minerals, infrastructure and finance—an angle that matters for regional investment flows that Bolivia also depends on. Mining Finance & Timelines: A new look at the mining pipeline warns that many junior discoveries stall before reaching production, with the discovery-to-mine journey now averaging 16 years—relevant for Bolivia’s own resource projects and financing expectations. Bolivia Mining Contract: Lycopodium won a $37 million EPCM contract for the San Cristóbal silver mine expansion in Bolivia, signaling continued capex momentum in the country’s metals sector. Payments & Stablecoins: Bitget Wallet says stablecoins can help unify cross-border payments for users in places like Bolivia, where currency depreciation pressure makes dollar-linked savings and remittances a key demand. Security Shock in Bolivia: A Milei-linked political consultant was detained in Bolivia after the shooting of activist lawyer Nadia Beller, keeping political risk and public safety in the spotlight for business planning.

Bolivia Security & Protests: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz extended a 90-day state of exception after violent June demonstrations, expanding security powers and formally outlawing road blockades that had choked the economy and energy supply for weeks, amid rights-monitor reports of excessive force and past impunity concerns. Mining & Finance: Lycopodium won a $37 million EPCM contract tied to expanding Bolivia’s San Cristóbal silver project, putting fresh spending and execution focus on the country’s mining pipeline. Payments & Currency Pressure: A Bitget Wallet executive said stablecoins and blockchain can help unify cross-border payments for users in places like Bolivia, where local currency depreciation makes dollar-denominated savings and remittances especially important. Health Systems Capacity: PAHO and Mexico’s disease-classification center wrapped a regional ICD-11 mortality-coding training that included Bolivia, aiming to strengthen national health information systems. Regional Policy Watch: Nigeria’s SEC ordered capital market firms to cut or restrict dealings with Iran and North Korea under FATF risk rules—another reminder of how compliance shifts can ripple into regional finance.

Stablecoin Payments in Latin America: Bitget Wallet’s COO said blockchain and stablecoins can speed cross-border transfers and help people in countries like Bolivia where currency depreciation pressures push demand for dollar-denominated savings. Bolivia Security & Protests: Coverage highlights how Bolivia’s security forces used expanded emergency powers amid unrest tied to President Rodrigo Paz, with rights monitors alleging excessive force and links to extremist groups. Health Data Capacity in the Region: PAHO and Mexico’s CEMECE wrapped a hybrid ICD-11 mortality-coding training that included Bolivia, aiming to strengthen national health information systems. La Paz Tourism & Real Estate: A La Paz development plan would convert a port/boat-storage site into a 107-unit residential and tourism complex, including a desalination-based water system. Bolivia’s Housing Push: Separate reporting notes Bolivia is set to add hundreds of homes as residents warn of flooding and traffic risks. Regional Policy Watch: Nigeria’s SEC ordered capital market firms to cut correspondent banking and dealings tied to Iran and North Korea under FATF-driven anti–money laundering rules.

Bolivia’s Digital Payments Shift: Peso has integrated with Yango Food so Bolivians can order meals and pay in USDT (Tether) via the Peso app, aiming to ease everyday dollar liquidity constraints without crypto-wallet friction. Lithium Supply-Chain Risk: New research warns UK firms exposed to lithium-linked industries (batteries, EVs, storage) could face losses from disruptions in the Lithium Triangle, including scenarios like a Bolivia/Argentina earthquake, export levies, and port labor disputes. La Paz Tourism Upgrade: La Paz’s Ecoparque launched a bird-watching guide program to professionalize aviturismo, training and certifying specialized guides to turn informal tours into a competitive, organized service. Housing/Urban Development Watch (La Paz): A proposed Marina Palmira project would convert a port/boat-storage site into a 107-apartment plus bungalow residential and tourism complex, with a detailed brackish-water extraction and desalination plan. Security & Protest Backdrop: Coverage notes Bolivia’s recent unrest and the expanded use of emergency powers, with business and logistics impacts tied to blockades and clashes.

Digital Payments Leap: Peso, a Bolivian fintech, has integrated with Yango Food so customers can order and pay in Bolivia using USDT via the Peso app, aiming to ease dollar-liquidity friction for everyday commerce. Capital Controls: Bolivia’s financial sector is in the spotlight as regulators worldwide push tighter anti–money laundering rules; the SEC ordered capital market firms to cut correspondent banking and restrict dealings tied to Iran and North Korea, reflecting FATF-driven compliance tightening. Bolivia Politics & Business Risk: La Paz’s June unrest ended with a 90-day state of exception and violent police actions against demonstrations, a reminder that security shocks can quickly disrupt blockades, energy supply, and trade flows. Energy Transition Supply Chain: New research warns lithium “triangle” disruptions could hit battery-related businesses across Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina through delays, non-payment, and operating restrictions—raising the stakes for investors and suppliers. Real Estate Watch (La Paz): Marina Palmira’s proposed 107-apartment plus bungalows development includes a desalination-based water plan, signaling continued tourism and housing investment in the capital.

Digital Payments in Bolivia: Peso has integrated with Yango Food so Bolivians can order meals and pay in USDT via the Peso app, aiming to ease dollar liquidity constraints for everyday commerce. Capital Markets Compliance: Nigeria’s SEC ordered capital market firms to cut correspondent banking and restrict dealings tied to North Korea and Iran, citing FATF risk updates and AML/CFT rules. Bolivia Security & Protests: La Paz saw security forces use violence against major demonstrations in June, with blockades and marches tied to demands for President Rodrigo Paz to step down; the crackdown followed a 90-day state of exception. Mining & Copper Output in Bolivia: Orvana Minerals reported ramp-up progress at its Oxides Stockpile Project in Bolivia, targeting stable commercial production in September 2026. Lithium Supply-Chain Risk: WTW warned UK firms could face losses from disruptions in the lithium triangle, including scenarios involving Bolivia and Argentina. Real Estate in La Paz: Marina Palmira Development proposed 107 apartments plus a water plant on a La Paz site currently used for port activities and boat storage. Regional Security Coordination: Washington’s “Shield of the Americas” (A3C) expands cross-border intelligence and policing coordination, with Bolivia among participating countries.