Latin America

Latin America is currently a focal point for geopolitical and technological competition, particularly between the US and China. Huawei is exploring the deployment of its Ascend AI chips in the region, intensifying the AI hardware race, while Nvidia denies its chips are being smuggled through Latin America to China. Politically, the region is experiencing significant shifts, with Peru heading into a high-stakes presidential runoff marked by concerns over insecurity and instability, and Colombia witnessing the rise of an anti-cartel candidate channeling populist rhetoric. Security remains a major concern, with drug trafficking and criminal gangs posing threats, leading to US military actions and designations of Brazilian gangs as terrorist organizations. Agricultural concerns are also present, with a flesh-eating screwworm outbreak impacting cattle in Central America, Mexico, and Texas, prompting containment efforts.