Ones to Watch
Americas: Bolivia to face crucial general elections; uncertainty over potential runoff mounts Sectors: all Key Risks: violent unrest; arson attacks; political instability; policy uncertainty In Bolivia, general elections – a rerun of the controversial October 2019 vote and postponed twice due to COVID-19 – are scheduled for 18 October. Tensions are on the rise, with […]
Americas: Unrest set to intensify in Chile ahead of protest movement anniversary, referendum Sectors: all Key Risks: violent unrest; arson attacks; business risks In Chile, violent unrest is set to intensify ahead of the one-year anniversary of the protest movement that started on 18 October 2019, which will be followed by the 25 October referendum […]
Americas: Protests over lack of public services risk further escalation across Venezuela Sectors: all Key Risks: violent unrest; crackdown on dissent In Venezuela, ongoing protests over the lack of public services risk further escalating nationwide over the coming weeks as the controversial 6 December legislative elections approach. Fuel, water, gas and electricity shortages, amongst others, […]
Americas: Bolivia’s interim president Anez withdraws from presidential race ahead of vote Sectors: all Key Risks: political instability; civil unrest; business disruption In Bolivia, on 17 September interim president Jeanine Anez withdrew from the presidential race ahead of the 18 October general elections, citing the need to unify those opposing frontrunner Luis Arce, the candidate […]
Americas: Peru’s President Vizcarra to face impeachment proceedings Sectors: all Key Risks: political instability In Peru, political tensions are set to remain high as Congress is scheduled to vote on whether to impeach President Martin Vizcarra on 18 September. The opposition Accion Popular (AP), Alianza para el Progreso (APP) and Podemos Peru promoted the motion […]
Americas: Unionised workers launch strike at Colombia’s Cerrejon coal mine Sectors: mining Key Risks: strikes; business interruption In Colombia, Sintracarbon, the largest union at Cerrejon’s coal mine, began an indefinite strike at the facility owned by BHP, Anglo American and Glencore as efforts to avert industrial action failed. On 20 August 99 per cent of the union’s members […]
Americas: Corruption fallout looms as former Pemex CEO accuses ex-presidents, other officials Sectors: all, particularly energy sector Key Risks: frustration of process; contract reviews; business risks In Mexico, Emilio Lozoya, CEO at state-owned oil firm Pemex under former president Enrique Pena Nieto in 2012-2016, accused former presidents, ministers, lawmakers and other government officials of corruption, according to a […]
Americas: Governor Vazquez loses primary vote to Pedro Pierluisi in Puerto Rico Sectors: all Key Risks: political instability; economic and political risks; civil unrest In Puerto Rico, Governor Wanda Vazquez acknowledged losing the ruling New Progressive Party’s primary vote to Pedro Pierluisi after the postponed vote to cast gubernatorial candidates for the 3 November general […]
Americas: Nationwide demonstrations, blockades to enter second week in Bolivia Sectors: all Key Risks: political instability; civil unrest; business disruption In Bolivia, nationwide anti-government protests and associated road blockades against the recent decision to postpone general elections are expected to enter their second week. The seventh consecutive day of protests, backed by the Bolivian Workers’ […]
Americas: Opposition candidate Mohamed Irfaan Ali sworn in as president Sectors: oil and gas; mining Key Risks: political instability; policy continuity; civil unrest In Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali from the opposition PPP/C was sworn in as president on 2 August, exactly five months after the 2 March general elections. The political standoff over the results of the highly […]
Americas: Chile’s President Pinera signs early pension withdrawals into law; shocks expected Sectors: all Key Risks: financial market disruption; economic risks; civil unrest In Chile, on 24 July President Sebastian Pinera signed into law a bill allowing citizens to withdraw 10 per cent of their pension savings, a move that officials estimate could have a […]
Americas: Landslides continue to affect oil pipeline operations in Ecuador Sectors: oil and gas; power generation Key Risks: business interruption; force majeure In Ecuador, erosion in part of the riverbed of the Coca River continues to affect strategic infrastructure in the area. On 18 July pumping operations were suspended at the privately-held Heavy Crude Pipeline […]