The Rio Times

Who runs the Chile economy in 2026: President Kast, Finance Minister Quiroz, the central bank, Codelco, SQM, the big banks and four family groups.

Argentina population in 2026: 46.5 million and ageing fast.

Colombia geopolitics in 2026: how President De la Espriella is realigning with the US and Israel, and where China, Venezuela and Europe fit.

Peru population explained with 2025 census data: 34.2 million people, 61.8% mestizo, 17.2% Quechua, Lima's 10.1 million, languages and migration.

Peru foreign players explained: Chinese port and power owners, US and European miners, IMF and World Bank ties, US security links and the diaspora.

We rank six Chilean places for expats on rent, safety and quake risk, from Valparaíso at about US$600 a month to Las Condes at about US$940.

Officials say El Tanque, a suspected fuel smuggling chief of the Jalisco cartel, was caught in Zapopan on 5 October.

Canada's August exports to the US rose 8.1% and imports fell 2.5%, widening its surplus while Washington declines to restart trade talks.

A wage dispute at the Port Harcourt refinery shows why Nigeria's state-owned plants still struggle to compete with Dangote and cut fuel imports.

Brussels proposed special accession terms that could cap Ukrainian farm exports and subsidies, shifting grain flows toward Brazil and Argentina.

Rio Times · USA & Canada Intelligence Brief October 7, 2026 — Trump says no hurry on Canada trade talks; Canadian surplus with US nearly doubles to C$11.2 billion; C$35.2 billion Pacific Link pipeline designated national interest.

Rio Times · Europe Intelligence Brief October 7, 2026 — Russia launched 70 missiles and 130 drones at Ukraine, killing 11; EU disbursed US$3.2 billion to Kyiv; ambassadors agreed sanctions on 743 individuals and 826 organisations.

Rio Times · Asia Intelligence Brief October 7, 2026 — China rejects UN human-rights criticism as politically motivated; Asian markets retreat on oil and Gulf risk; India awaits a hawkish rate signal; Taiwan receives first F-16V Block 70 jets.

Rio Times · Africa Intelligence Brief October 7, 2026 — Nigeria counts its military losses after the Ondo crash; Kenya reports its first Ebola death with 28 contacts traced; South Africa's migration tension moves to Durban.

Ecuador will use software from Palantir, the US data firm, from January to detect money laundering in sports betting, a senior official said.

A 47-year-old Peruvian father of two died in ICE custody in Louisiana on 29 September.

The Panama Canal will auction 558 long-term transit slots for January to April 2027, adding its older Panamax locks for the first time as El Niño looms.

Dominican renewable energy drew about US$900 million in foreign investment in early 2026, the energy minister said, as the country targets storage.

Forecasters polled by Argentina's central bank expect a 1.0% third-quarter contraction and cut 2026 growth to 1.5%, yet dollar bonds rallied on Tuesday.

A Flock of Seagulls at Cine Joia, a Janis Joplin tribute on Paulista and Duvivier comedy in Barra Funda, with rain, prices and transport tips for Wednesday.

A Leblon theatre show, a Gávea concert with orchestra and free Festival do Rio films in Botafogo, with rain, prices and transport tips for Wednesday.

The World Bank raised its 2026 Paraguay growth forecast to 4.7%, over twice Latin America's 2.2%, citing security, fiscal discipline and investment.

Twenty Dominican Supreme Court candidates faced public hearings on Tuesday, as a council led by President Abinader seeks a new court president.

Brazil shipped 5.21 million tonnes of corn in September, down 31% on a year earlier, as US farmers face a late harvest and US$5 corn.

Peru's Supreme Court approved asking Paraguay to let prosecutors try jailed gang leader El Monstruo for 26 more crimes, including killings and extortion.

Peru has identified 1,211 hectares of state land near the Chinese-run Chancay port and may sell it at public auction, the housing ministry said.

The US Embassy in Guatemala said on 6 October it will not vet 240 names from the Servir party, whose leader was found ineligible for a US visa in 2023.

Costa Rica's Foreign Ministry says 77 Costa Ricans are in US immigration detention, up from 67 in August, as one man nears 18 months in custody.

Banco do Brasil shares fell 6.42% on 6 October after JPMorgan cut the state lender to sell, while NYSE-listed rival Bradesco won an upgrade to buy.

Peruvian exports rose 34.3% to US$74.1 billion from January to August, led by copper and gold, exporters' group ADEX said on 6 October.

Prosecutors found US$391,555 in cash at the home of Roger Mariaca, Bolivia's former attorney general, whom the US accuses of drug-linked bribery.

The Dominican Republic received 9.2 million visitors from January to September, up 7.5%.

Colombia's Fondo Milagro quake fund began operating on 7 October with about US$312 million, two months after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake.

Mexico's judiciary asked President Sheinbaum to back changes to two laws, including budget control for top courts.

Brazil's União Brasil and PP federation, with 87 lower-house seats, voted unanimously to endorse Flávio Bolsonaro against Lula in the 25 October runoff.

More than 30 people have died after swallowing a farm weedkiller near Ngaoundaye, local leaders say, while the regional doctor has recorded fewer than ten.

Tanzania's energy regulator raised its October fuel caps, adding about 10 US cents a litre to petrol in Dar es Salaam as Middle East tensions lift world prices.

Higher gold and platinum prices have handed South Africa a mining tax windfall, easing pressure on public finances that US bond investors watch closely.

A bigger fuel levy for South Africa's Road Accident Fund would land on top of record pump prices, adding to costs for drivers, firms and visitors.

Sudan's state mining company says gold export earnings reached US$2.29 billion in nine months, well above all of 2025, while much gold is still smuggled.

Egypt's economy grew 5.1% and its budget deficit narrowed, the World Bank says, but it still needs about US$28 billion in external financing by December.

A witness at the Emefiele trial in Abuja said Nigeria's central bank withdrew about US$94 million from the federal account without the finance ministry knowing.

Morocco's currency has fallen 6.5% against the US dollar since late July, making the country cheaper for American visitors and US goods dearer for Moroccans.

Idrissa Gueye explained: the 37-year-old Senegal midfielder has won two African titles, captained his side at the 2026 World Cup and now plays for Diriyah.

Nigeria has put 40 oil and gas blocks up for bidding and will make every bidder name its real owners, a test of reforms watched by US oil investors.

Juba's commissioner told foreigners, Ugandans included, to leave retail trade to South Sudanese, then denied reports of a 7-day order to leave.

A guide to the Central African Republic in 2026: who runs it, the fragile peace, Wagner and the UN, hunger, the CFA franc and the US deportation deal.

Americans need no visa for Antigua and remote workers can stay two years, but a US$230,000 passport now faces US visa curbs and a 2028 EU deadline.

Chile’s UF, the unit behind many rents, rose about 0.6% in a month.

Peru’s central bank has held its rate at 4.25% for 12 months while Lima inflation reached 4.55%.