News and AnalysIs for

Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Chile continue leading Latin America with the highest hourly labor costs based on 2026 minimum wage rates. The analysis assumes a standard workday of 8 hours daily and 22 working days monthly, though this may differ from legal calculations in each country.

Parex published its operational and CAPEX guidance for this year. It also announced that founder Wayne Foo would retire as Board Chair and Director of the Board, effective May 12, 2026.

President Gustavo Petro ordered the National Legal Defense Agency (Andje) to recover property from the SPEC regasification plant in Cartagena, claiming it represents an unconstitutional private monopoly that substantially raises electricity tariffs.

Colombian energy company Terpel announced its strategic focus on three business lines for 2026—solar energy, electromobility, and lubricants—to compensate for impacts from divestments in Ecuador and Peru.

An AtlasIntel poll (sponsored by Revista Semana) conducted January 5-8, 2026, reveals Abelardo de la Espriella leading Colombia’s presidential race with 28% voter intention, narrowly ahead of Iván Cepeda at 26.5%. The survey of 4,520 participants carries a 1% margin of error for general results and 3% for party consultations, with 95% confidence level. UPDATED Bottom-Line.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy, led by Minister Edwin Palma, activated an institutional monitoring plan for strategic fuel gas sector projects aimed at strengthening supply and guaranteeing energy system functionality.