AGP Executive Report

Storm Aftermath in Chile: An El Niño-linked storm has killed at least 13 people, left four missing, affected nearly 65,000 and caused over $700M in losses, with heavy rain, flooding, winds and snow hitting 10 regions and electricity outages peaking at 658,128. US Tariffs and Chile’s Trade Exposure: The US has rolled out new 10%–12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 economies over forced-labor claims, with Chile among the countries facing 12.5%, raising pressure on regional exporters. President Lee’s South America trip: South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung will skip summer vacation and instead head on an 11-day trip to San Francisco, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Germany for “sales diplomacy.” Copper and Markets: Anglo American’s Q2 update beat output forecasts and cut its blended copper cost guidance, while analysts flagged Teck as a standout. UN Leadership Race: Chile’s Michelle Bachelet is one of six candidates pitching a UN reset focused on restoring credibility amid global conflict.

UN Secretary-General Race: Six candidates, including Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, faced a public UN debate on restoring credibility and steering the world body through deep crisis. South America Diplomacy & AI: South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung begins an 11-day trip to San Francisco and then Brazil, Chile and Argentina, meeting big tech CEOs and unveiling a “San Francisco AI declaration,” with Chile talks with President José Antonio Kast. Chile Storms: El Niño-linked rains and flooding in northern Chile have killed at least 13 people, with others missing and communities isolated, prompting emergency measures. US Tariffs Ripple: The US is rolling out new 10%–12.5% tariffs on 60 partners over forced-labour claims, with Chile among countries affected; the move is also sparking political backlash abroad. Pacific Trade Push: Indonesia is deepening ties with Chile under IC-CEPA, boosting market access and investment as bilateral trade rose in 2025. Sports: Indiana (Team USA) beat the Virgin Islands and will face Chile in the FISU America Games semifinals.

Chile Economy: Chile’s Congress approved most of President José Antonio Kast’s sweeping tax reform, cutting the corporate tax rate from 27% to 23%, exempting newly built homes from VAT, and adding investment “certainty” measures—though one municipal-compensation issue still needs resolution before it can fully take effect. Water & Resilience: On Chiloé Island, a rural community ended years of tanker-truck dependence by restoring forests, protecting its watershed, and running a community-managed water system—now shared as a practical model for other drought-hit areas. Environment & Food: Spain’s Nueva Pescanova has withdrawn plans for what would have been the world’s first commercial octopus farm in Gran Canaria after environmental and permitting concerns. Global Trade: The U.S. is preparing new tariffs targeting dozens of countries, including Chile, under a forced-labor rationale. Business & Deals: Latin America’s M&A totaled €43.169bn (1,062 deals) through June, with Chile down in both operations and value. Tech & Backlash: A new U.S. data-center fight is spreading, with communities pushing back on Big Tech’s fast, opaque builds and their water and energy impacts.

UN Watch: Six candidates for UN Secretary-General will face a televised General Assembly debate on July 23, including Chile’s former president Michelle Bachelet, as the UN tries to navigate a deep financial and confidence crisis. Women’s Football: FIFA has confirmed the 2027 Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Brazil, with host cities and stadiums announced, and ticket guidance now circulating ahead of the tournament. Chile Economy & Taxes: Chile’s Congress has approved most of President José Antonio Kast’s economic and tax reforms, including a gradual cut in the corporate tax rate to 23% and measures aimed at boosting investment certainty. Copper & Trade: Chile is pushing to diversify its copper buyers beyond China, targeting about US$100 billion in mining investment over the next decade as data-centre demand grows. Regional Security: Chile and the Dominican Republic signed a bilateral agreement to create a Joint Investigation Team to tackle human trafficking, migrant smuggling, money laundering, and corruption. Weather Disaster: Severe storms in Chile have left at least 13 dead and seven missing, with flooding and landslides disrupting communities.

Severe Weather in Chile: Chile’s storm death toll rose to 13, with four still missing, after heavy rains and flooding left more than 60,000 people isolated and damaged tens of thousands of homes; President Kast has declared a state of catastrophe for parts of Coquimbo and Atacama as recovery continues. Economy & Tax Policy: Chile’s Congress approved most of President José Antonio Kast’s economic and tax overhaul, including a gradual cut to the corporate tax rate and measures aimed at boosting investment certainty. Science & Space: Using Chile’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers reported a moon-like object orbiting a brown dwarf in the CD-35 2722 system—an “exosatellite” that may be the first exomoon-like discovery, but is hard to classify. Health: Chile is watching global momentum for a universal RSV vaccination approach that could ease winter hospital pressure, with international programs already cutting hospitalisations sharply. Indigenous Conflict Watch: Reuters reports Mapuche resistance faces tougher conditions as long prison sentences and a crackdown under Kast’s far-right agenda intensify. Regional Trade & Oceans: Argentina signed onto the UN Port State Measures Agreement to curb illegal fishing, with Chile also a signatory.

Storm Aftermath in Chile: Heavy rains have killed at least 13 people and left 7 missing, with 2,281 displaced, 81 homes destroyed and 87,000 still without electricity as authorities keep a state of emergency in affected areas and warn river levels could rise again. Congress & Economy: Chile’s lower house has approved nearly all changes to President José Antonio Kast’s sweeping tax and economic overhaul, including a gradual cut in the corporate tax rate and longer tax stability for big investments, with one municipal-compensation article still pending. Public Health & Environment: The Chilean Medical Association is urging the government to reinstate key environmental rules tied to air pollution, warning delays could worsen respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Energy & AI: A Chile-linked power-grid project (“Digital Intelligence Brain”) has been selected for China’s international AI case collection. Culture & Sports: BTS concerts at Estadio Nacional were cleared after revised stage plans to protect the pitch. International: Trump is reportedly considering FIFA boss Gianni Infantino for UN secretary-general. Indigenous Media: Applications are open for a Cultural Survival Indigenous Community Media Fund, including Chile-based groups.

Disaster Response in Northern Chile: President José Antonio Kast declared a 30-day constitutional state of catastrophe for Coquimbo and Huasco after El Niño-linked storms brought historic rain, flooding, mudslides and power cuts. Human Toll & Disruption: Authorities report at least 10 dead, 4 missing, and nearly 100,000 people cut off by road closures, with drinking-water impacts and thousands displaced. Political Pressure: Opposition leaders are urging Kast to pause the government’s mega-reform and focus resources on the emergency, arguing the response came too late. Local Resilience: In flooded low-income neighborhoods, FECh students cleared streets and distributed sandbags under “La Chile helps Chile,” stepping in where state help has been slow. Industry Watch: AKVA Chile is progressing on the second phase of Cermaq’s USD 32.5m land-based RAS smolt facility, with deliveries expected from 2027–2028.

Storm Aftermath in Northern Chile: Chile’s death toll from torrential rains has risen to ten, with four more people reported missing, 17 injured, and more than 99,000 cut off in Coquimbo and Atacama as President José Antonio Kast declares a state of catastrophe and deploys resources. Health Alert: The Health Ministry issued a winter-storm public advisory for northern regions, citing respiratory virus risks and water access problems, including mass hepatitis A vaccination measures. Chile-Indonesia Trade Push: Indonesia and Chile plan to accelerate IC-CEPA implementation to expand market access and advance investment talks, with a business forum proposed to boost private-sector links. World Cup Fallout: FIFA is set to investigate Argentina after post-final altercations following Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a ten-man Argentina, with potential sanctions for players and staff. Tech & Security: Sophos reports ransomware attacks often begin with compromised identities (79%), while the U.S. seized 1,000+ domains used to illegally stream World Cup matches.

Severe Weather in Chile: Chile declared a state of emergency after deadly, unusually heavy rainfall hit Coquimbo and Atacama, killing five people, leaving four missing, and damaging or destroying over 1,000 homes; officials say “what normally rains in a month fell in an hour,” with blocked roads, isolated communities, and power cuts disrupting water supplies. Chile’s Economy & Trade: Rabobank says Chile’s salmon sector is poised for growth again, projecting Atlantic salmon output could rise up to 6% as biosecurity and governance improve, while warning against expecting an oversupplied global market. Chile in Global Diplomacy: Chile’s foreign minister met Indonesia’s in Jakarta to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, science and technology, agriculture, and healthcare, with an emphasis on business-to-business ties under the Indonesia-Chile trade framework. Energy & Tech: Terra Innovatum announced a commercial deal to deploy its micro-modular nuclear reactors for data center power in Latin America, including DIRECTV Latin America and SKY Brasil facilities. Regional Security: Chile also received international solidarity messages after the storms, with Venezuela’s foreign minister expressing support for Chile and others affected by natural disasters.

World Cup Final: Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring 37 seconds into the second extra-time period. Lionel Messi finished in tears after a match where he had just one shot and Argentina managed no shots on target for 120 minutes, while Spain’s defense delivered another title—its second overall, after 2010. Chile Economy: A new report says Chile is sliding into a technical recession as the Central Bank cuts growth forecasts and the economy contracts for a fifth straight month, with critics warning the government’s response is hitting working people hardest. Mining & Lithium: Codelco pushed its Maricunga lithium project timeline to 2034, citing permitting and environmental approval delays, while partner Rio Tinto reaffirmed funding support. International Politics: A Xinhua commentary argues the “China Squeeze” narrative is really about “squeezing China,” claiming China’s manufacturing helps other countries upgrade infrastructure and productivity.

World Cup Final (Chile time): Spain and Argentina meet at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the 2026 title, with Lionel Messi chasing back-to-back glory and Spain aiming for a second crown after a dominant run. Sports Diplomacy & Rivalry: The build-up is still shadowed by the Falklands/Malvinas banner row and calls for FIFA scrutiny, keeping politics mixed into the football spectacle. Chile–China Ties: Chile’s deputy foreign minister Patricio Torres and China’s assistant foreign minister Cai Wei co-chaired the China-Chile Inter-governmental Standing Committee meeting in Beijing, with updates across politics, science, mining, agriculture and Antarctica. Climate & Disasters: Severe weather has hit Chile again, with reports of deaths and widespread power cuts, while a 5.1 quake struck Peru’s Junín region, causing casualties and damage. Water & AI Debate: A Cape Town data-centre rezoning has reignited questions about how much water hyperscale AI facilities consume and whether the environmental cost is being properly weighed. Copper Watch: The IEA warns copper supply conditions are worsening, tied to a sulphuric acid shortage that could complicate the energy transition.

World Cup Final (Chile fans watching): Lionel Messi returns to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain, a decade after the 2016 Copa America heartbreak vs Chile that included a missed penalty and his brief retirement. Sports & Culture: The matchup is framed as Messi’s last big national-team run versus Spain’s long unbeaten streak, with ticket prices reported in the thousands of dollars. Chile & the Region (Weather): Chile is bracing for El Niño-linked storms after deadly flooding and power outages, while Peru was hit by a 5.1–5.5 quake near Chupaca that left at least one dead. Tech & Society: A Meta Oversight Board study warns AI chatbots may refuse to criticize repressive governments, potentially spreading online speech restrictions. Science (Chile): Chilean researchers report a new fungus species with an unusual life cycle.

World Cup Final Focus: Lionel Messi returns to MetLife Stadium for Argentina’s World Cup final against Spain, with the holders chasing back-to-back titles and Spain aiming for a second crown; organizers say they’re monitoring Canadian wildfire smoke for spectator safety. Falklands Tension: The White House defended Argentina players after they displayed a “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” banner, while the UK backed FIFA scrutiny—adding diplomatic heat ahead of Sunday’s match. Chile Climate Push: Greenpeace launched a Chile campaign urging urgent action on the climate crisis, warning extreme weather is tied to ecosystem destruction and calling for a government response. UN Leadership Race: Rafael Grossi, a candidate for UN secretary-general, said states won’t fund UN expansion indefinitely, as he campaigns to succeed António Guterres. Chile Weather Disaster: Storms in Chile have killed at least three and cut power widely, with more severe conditions expected. Energy & Copper Watch: The IEA warned copper supply outlook has worsened, citing a sulphuric acid bottleneck that could tighten the metal used for electrification.

Severe Weather in Chile: A powerful storm system hit 10 of Chile’s 16 regions, killing at least three people, injuring seven, damaging more than 800 homes, and leaving about 257,000 people without power as gusts reached up to 160 km/h; President José Antonio Kast is set to tour the Biobío region as authorities warn more heavy rain is coming. World Cup Final Talk (Argentina/Spain): Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni called Lionel Messi a “legend” ahead of Sunday’s final, highlighting Messi’s late-career renaissance and his record World Cup scoring run. Space & Astronomy: A new study warns that plans for 1.7 million satellites could have “devastating consequences” for astronomy by brightening the night sky and harming observations. Chile Science Spotlight: Astronomers using Chile’s WINERED spectrograph detected signs of an atmosphere on rocky exoplanet LHS 1140 b, a major step in the search for life. Water Innovation in Atacama: Communities in Chile’s Atacama Desert are testing fog-harvesting mesh systems to capture water droplets for drinking and crops as drought pressures grow. Digital Rights: A report argues governments can’t deny people access to public services just because they don’t use smartphones.

Severe Weather in Chile: Torrential rain and fierce winds have hit central and southern Chile, killing at least three people and displacing hundreds, with President Jose Antonio Kast heading to Biobío to assess damage; SENAPRED says 466 people are in shelters, 158 are isolated (mostly in Coquimbo), 7 are injured, and about 257,000 customers are without power as schools suspend classes and more heavy rain is expected. AI and Speech Rules: Meta’s Oversight Board reports major AI models refuse politically critical requests far more often for “restrictive” countries than for “permissive” ones, raising fears of “censorship-by-proxy” that could spread government speech limits beyond their borders. World Cup Culture: A football-inspired baby-name boom is spreading across Latin America, with Peru seeing “Haaland” registrations and Argentina’s “Lionel” climbing after World Cup stars. Space Watch: NASA/JPL researchers say a puzzling near-Earth object is actually a comet, and separate studies report an atmosphere on the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b. Business/Tech: Wise says Q1 revenue rose 25% to $714m, with faster cross-border transfers and more Chile-linked services.

AI Speech Rules: A Meta Oversight Board study says major AI systems are more likely to refuse to criticize restrictive leaders, raising fears chatbots could spread government limits on online speech. Trade Diplomacy: Chile is among the 19 countries in the expanded FIT Partnership, with Korea, Peru and Thailand joining at a ministerial meeting in Auckland hosted by Trade Minister Todd McClay. Chile Climate Emergency: Chile declared an emergency as extreme weather threatens the country. Kast Mega-Reform Fight: Chile’s Senate approved business-friendly economic reforms tied to Kast’s mega-reform, while opposition says it fuels abuse and inequality and plans to challenge the package at the Constitutional Court. Indigenous Data-Center Pressure: Indigenous advocates at the UN say hyperscale AI data centers can strain water and land, pushing for free, prior and informed consent. Mapuche Court Case: Chile’s government found former Mapuche mayor Juan Carlos Reinao guilty of statutory rape, sexual abuse and inducing abortion; sentencing is set for August 7. Safety Alert: A driver rams into an open-air market in Chile, killing several people. Copper Watch: Reports point to Chile’s copper output falling sharply across top miners, adding to the wider market focus on supply deficits.