Ones to Watch, 10 February 2025

Americas: Private sector set to strike on 10 February in Bolivia Sectors: all Key Risks: economic risks; business disruptions; supply chain disruptions In Bolivia, on 10 February business unions and export associations are set to stage a nationwide 24-hour strike to protest President Luis Arce’s government’s refusal to repeal Article 7 of the 2025 General […]
Democratic Republic of Congo: Die by the sword

Date first published: 04/02/2025 Key sectors: all Key risks: insurgency; war-on-land; regional tensions Risk development On 27 January Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23) rebels seized Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, marking the most serious escalation in the ongoing war since it resumed in 2022. At least 778 people have been killed and 2,880 others […]
Ones to Watch, 3 February 2025

Americas: Ecuador gears up for high-stakes presidential and legislative elections on 9 February Sectors: all Key Risks: political violence In Ecuador, on 9 February voters will head to the polls for legislative and presidential elections. While voters will have a choice of 16 presidential hopefuls, the voter intention polls suggest the presidential election will be […]
Gaza and the West Bank – Israel: Signed, sealed – delivered?

Date first published: 23/01/2025 Key sectors: all Key risks: war-on-land; regional stability Risk development On 19 January a ceasefire agreement came into effect following 15 months of an incessant war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The truce – mediated by the United States (US), Qatar and Egypt – is to be implemented in three […]
Ones to Watch, 27 January 2025

Americas: The ELN guerilla pledges to continue the “war of liberation” in Colombia Sectors: all Key Risks: violent clashes; regional conflict In Colombia, on 24 January the ELN announced it would continue its “war of liberation” in Catatumbo region, Norte de Santander department, claiming that the dozens of captured members from the 33rd Front of […]
Trinidad and Tobago: Gang violence reaches crisis point

Date first published: 09/01/2025 Key sectors: all; tourism Key risks: insecurity; gang-related violence; violent crime; economic risk Risk development On 30 December 2024 Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s government declared a state of emergency (SoE) amid a surge in gang-related violence. The move followed a series of homicides over the weekend of 28-29 December. On 28 […]
Panama: Panama Canal at the nexus of great power competition

Date first published: 16/01/2025 Key sectors: all; maritime shipping Key risks: geopolitical conflict; supply chain disruption Risk development On 26 December 2024 President Jose Raul Mulino rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for US vessels or ceding control of the Panama Canal after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to take the canal back into US […]
Ones to Watch, 20 January 2025

Americas: Heightened civil unrest risks ahead of protesters’ deadline for government in Bolivia Sectors: all Key Risks: civil unrest In Bolivia, on 16 January supporters of former president Evo Morales suspended protests in the capital La Paz after delivering a letter to President Luis Arce, demanding action on the economic crisis and an end to […]
Ones to Watch, 13 January 2025

Americas: Mayor killed amid rising political violence ahead of 5 February elections in Ecuador Sectors: all Key Risks: political violence; political instability; gang-related violence In Ecuador, on 11 January the Mayor of Arenillas, Eber Ponce, was shot five times by a gunman on a motorbike while driving his pickup truck in El Oro province. He […]
Syria: Navigating fragile political stability

Date first published: 7/1/2025 Key sectors: all Key risks: political stability; regime change Risk Development On 29 December Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa – widely known under his nom de guerre Abu Mohamed al-Julani – declared that organizing elections in Syria could take up to four years as it requires a comprehensive population […]
Ones to Watch, 6 January 2025

Americas: Opposition leader Machado calls for nationwide anti-government protests in Venezuela Sectors: all Key Risks: civil unrest; traffic disruption In Venezuela, on 5 January opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged supporters to demonstrate nationwide on 9 January to oust President Nicolas Maduro ahead of his 10 January inauguration for a third term. This came hours […]
NATO: Whatever the hell they want

Date first published: 31/12/2024 Key sectors: all; defence Key risks: geopolitical tensions; defence spending Risk development Donald Trump’s looming return to the US presidency on 20 January 2025 has sparked concern across NATO member states. Trump’s first presidency from 2017–2021 was marked by his criticism of NATO as “obsolete,” demands for increased European defence spending, […]