US-Venezuela Energy Deal: The White House says the Pentagon’s investment arm will take a 35% stake in North American Blue Energy Partners, led by Alejandro Betancourt López, under a pact granting 100-year concessions tied to an estimated 65bn barrels—raising fresh questions on transparency and investor risk. Guyana Development Finance: Pas Cargo Guyana secured its first IDB Lab loan, with Finance Minister Ashni Singh overseeing the signing—another signal of growing private-sector financing in the country. Brazil Consumer Credit Watch: Mercado Pago told Reuters it’s comfortable expanding credit cards despite rising household debt concerns, citing stable underwriting and a “healthy” loan book. Fintech Funding & Tax Shift: Felix Pago closed a $200M Series C to scale stablecoin-based remittances and expand into lending and savings, benefiting from a new US federal excise tax that exempts digital transfers. Brazil Market Volatility: Argentina-focused coverage flags how Fed rate-hike odds and oil-price rebounds could lift global yields and pressure Milei’s borrowing costs. Sanctions Compliance: OFAC designated Ecuador-linked maritime networks and vessels tied to major cartels, warning Latin American firms to tighten screening and due diligence. Corporate Moves (LatAm): Vinci Compass completed its acquisition of Navi’s real estate platform, adding about R$800m in AUM, while Cemento Panam bought a Salvadoran plant to expand regional cement capacity.