Americas: 20 killed, 36 injured in explosive attack on bus in Colombia
Sectors: all
Key Risks: gang violence; targeted attacks
In Colombia, on 25 April at least 20 people were killed and 36 were injured in an IED attack on a bus along the Pan-American Highway in Cajibio, Cauca department, in one of the deadliest recent attacks attributed to dissident former FARC rebels. Authorities blamed the Jaime Martinez Front, led by alias Ivan Mordisco, amid a broader surge in violence across the strategic coca-growing region. It coincided with a spate of 26 attacks across the Cauca and Valle del Cauca departments on 25 and 26 April, including one that targeted a military base in which two people were injured. The attack has intensified scrutiny of President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” strategy, which has faced mounting criticism for failing to contain armed groups ahead of the presidential election on 31 May. The risk of further such attacks, including political violence, will remain elevated.
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Asia Pacific: South Korea’s Samsung workers threaten 21 May strike over low pay
Sectors: electronics; manufacturing; telecommunications
Key Risks: business risks; business disruptions; industrial action; supply chain disruption
In South Korea, on 23 April 40,000 Samsung manufacturing employees rallied at the company’s industrial plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi province, causing advanced computer chip production to fall by 58 per cent by 27 April. Demonstrators cited poor wages and a cap on bonus pay as key drivers for the protest, with Samsung’s Labour Union stating that despite Samsung’s KRW57.2tn (US$38.86bln) 2025 profits, employees earned less than 30 per cent of pay compared to rivals such as SK Hynix. A smaller counter-protest, largely consisting of retail shareholders, accused demonstrators of “holding their assets hostage” and “acting like predatory creditors”. Protesters stated that they would launch a formal strike from 21 May to 8 June if their demands are not met, potentially prolonging disruptions to AI chip production and electronic manufacturing supply chains in the coming months.
Click here to access South Korea’s Global Intake country profile.
Eurasia: Ukraine targets Russia’s biggest fertiliser plant amid global energy, agriculture crunch
Sectors: agriculture; fertiliser; oil and gas
Key Risks: war-on-land; targeted attacks; economic risks; supply chain disruptions
In Russia, on 26 April local authorities reported that at least five people were injured after Ukrainian drones struck the Apatit fertiliser plant – a subsidiary of PhosAgro – in Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, damaging a high‑pressure sulphuric acid pipeline. It is reportedly one of Europe’s biggest such plants. The targeting of Moscow’s fertiliser production marks an escalation of Kyiv’s attempts to prevent Russia from capitalising on global supply chain disruptions due to the Middle East war. Global fuel shortages caused by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have cascaded into the fertiliser industry as oil and gas are required to produce chemicals essential for nitrogen fertiliser, driving up demand for Moscow’s exports – with Russia the world’s biggest fertiliser exporter. Further such attacks risk exacerbating global fertiliser shortages, with ripple effects for the coming agricultural planting season in vulnerable countries, including in South Asia.
Click here to access Russia’s Global Intake country profile.
Europe: Slovenia’s President Musar declines to nominate PM candidate amid tense coalition talks
Sectors: all
Key Risks: political stability
In Slovenia, on 25 April President Natasa Pirc Musar announced that she would not propose a prime minister candidate following consultations with parliamentary groups, citing a lack of mutual respect and credibility among political parties. This came after on 20 April PM Robert Golob announced that he had failed to form a coalition following the 22 March general election in which his Freedom Movement secured 29 seats, while the opposition Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) of former prime minister Janez Jansa gained 28 seats. Local media reported that Jansa was secretly negotiating with centre-right parties despite claiming that he was not working to form a government. Should Jansa succeed, major policy changes are expected, with Ljubljana likely moving to the Eurosceptic conservative camp. If no candidate is nominated in the first round, parliamentary groups or at least 10 MPs can propose a candidate. Political stability risks will remain elevated.
Click here to access Slovenia’s Global Intake country profile.
MENA: At least 14 people killed, 37 injured in IDF strikes, despite Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
Sectors: all
Key risks: war on land; regional escalation
In Lebanon, on 26 April at least 14 people were killed and 37 were injured by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strikes across southern provinces. Earlier on the same day, one IDF soldier was killed and six were injured during clashes with Hizbullah in the south of Lebanon, while three drones were intercepted before they crossed into Israeli territory. The strikes hit Hizbullah fighters and infrastructure north of the Litani River, despite a US-brokered ceasefire in place since 16 April. Both sides have accused each other of violations and have continued cross-border attacks following the 2 March escalation tied to the wider Middle East war. Since an IDF spokesperson warned residents to leave seven towns beyond the “buffer zone” it occupied before the ceasefire, IDF strikes and Hizbullah retaliatory attacks are likely to continue in the short term.
Click here to access Lebanon’s Global Intake country profile.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Mali’s junta under substantial pressure amid JNIM-FLA attacks
Sectors: all
Key risks: political violence
In Mali, on 25 April Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal- Muslimin (JNIM) and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) launched co-ordinated attacks across key locations in the country, marking an unprecedented shift in its combat alliance. Defence Minister Sadio Camara was killed in a JNIM attack on his home in Kita, Koulikoro region, outside of the capital Bamako, while separate insurgency offensives targeted military positions in areas including the capitals of Mopti and Gao regions. Despite the Armed Forces of Mali (FAMa) claiming the situation was “under control”, FLA militants seized control of Kidal, Kidal region, following claims that Africa Corps fighters negotiated their safe evacuation in exchange for unchallenged FLA control of the town. The attacks will sharpen scrutiny on the Africa Corps presence, the need for additional external support and the most serious threat to the junta’s governance.
Click here to access Mali’s Global Intake country profile.