AGP Executive Report

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not attending hearings on the economic crisis, appointing Óscar Mario Justiniano as interim economy minister while a constitutional challenge is still moving through the courts. Fuel & Energy Pressure: A fuel shortage is worsening daily life across Bolivia, with long queues at gas stations and delays for diesel and even propane, raising questions about whether new drilling and YPFB/PETROBRAS operations can stabilize supply. Crypto in Trade & Savings: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino says USDT use is rising in Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Turkey as people seek “digital dollars” amid currency instability and limited access to cash dollars. Mining & Security Fallout: Bolivia-linked political consultant Fernando Cerimedo faces new investigations for illicit enrichment alongside an earlier case tied to an alleged attempted femicide, as raids reportedly collected cash and digital materials. Lithium vs. Livelihoods: Coverage on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni highlights the push to expand lithium output versus strong environmental and Indigenous concerns about groundwater and tourism impacts.

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not attending a parliamentary hearing on the economic crisis, appointing Óscar Mario Justiniano as interim Economy Minister pending a permanent replacement. Fuel & Energy Pressure: A new report says Bolivia’s fuel shortages are worsening daily life, with long queues at gas stations, delays for diesel freight, and even propane scarcity, raising questions about whether new drilling and YPFB operations can stabilize supply. Mining & Metals Watch: Silver Elephant Mining reported it produced and sold three batches of silver-lead concentrate from its Apuradita project in 2026, generating about US$1.4 million in cash proceeds. Security & Politics Spillover: Prosecutors opened another investigation into far-right Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo in Bolivia, tied to illicit enrichment and linked to an attempted femicide case, with raids reportedly yielding cash and documents. Regional Trade Context: India’s commerce team plans a Latin America outreach (Aug. 24–28 for Rajesh Agrawal) aimed at expanding bilateral trade and talks around MERCOSUR-related agreements.

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not attending a parliamentary hearing, appointing Óscar Mario Justiniano as interim Economy and Public Finance minister while a constitutional challenge is still moving through the courts. Energy & Industry Pressure: Fuel shortages are worsening across Bolivia, with long queues at gas stations and freight truck delays of 1–3 days, plus reports of propane scarcity and adulterated gasoline damaging vehicles—raising fresh questions about drilling and YPFB’s capacity. Mining & Metals Output: Silver Elephant Mining reported three 2026 batches of silver-lead concentrate sold from its Apuradita project in Bolivia, generating about US$1.4 million in cash proceeds and showing rising concentrate grades across batches. Cyber & Business Risk: A cybercrime campaign (UAT-10147) targeting Windows and Linux web servers using BadIIS malware was observed in multiple countries including Bolivia, aiming at data theft and search result manipulation. Lithium vs Livelihoods: Coverage from Uyuni highlights the push to expand lithium production under Paz, while Indigenous and environmental groups warn extraction could threaten groundwater, aquifers, and tourism-based livelihoods. Social Turmoil & Governance: The week also kept attention on far-right political consultant Fernando Cerimedo’s detention in Bolivia amid allegations tied to an attempted femicide case, with investigations and raids expanding.

Fuel & Energy Security: Bolivia’s energy crisis is deepening as fuel shortages push drivers and freight trucks into 1–3 day queues, while propane scarcity is also hitting households; the report links the disruption to declining gas reserves and YPFB distribution problems, including adulterated gasoline damaging vehicles. Economic Governance: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not attending hearings, appointing Óscar Mario Justiniano as interim Economy Minister while the government seeks room to pass reforms and secure an IMF financing program. Mining & Industry Finance: Silver Elephant Mining says it has produced and sold three 2026 batches of silver-lead concentrate from Bolivia’s Apuradita project, generating about US$1.4 million in cash proceeds. Cyber & Digital Crime: Cisco Talos reports a web-server malware campaign (UAT-10147) targeting organizations across multiple countries including Bolivia, using known software flaws to steal data and manipulate search results. Extractives vs. Livelihoods: Coverage highlights how Bolivia’s lithium push around Salar de Uyuni faces opposition from environmental and Indigenous groups worried about groundwater and aquifer impacts.

Economy Shake-Up: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for missing a hearing on the cost-of-living crisis, appointing Óscar Mario Justiniano as interim economy minister via decree. Mining & Metals: Silver Elephant Mining reported it has produced and sold three batches of silver-lead concentrate from the Apuradita project in 2026, generating about US$1.4 million in cash proceeds. Lithium Debate: A new report revisits the Uyuni salt flat lithium push, highlighting the gap between Bolivia’s large deposits and its tiny current output, alongside Indigenous and environmental fears over water and tourism impacts. Cyber & Industry Risk: Cisco Talos flagged a cybercrime campaign (UAT-10147) targeting web servers in multiple countries, including Bolivia, using BadIIS malware and stolen data tactics. Security & Politics: Bolivian prosecutors expanded investigations tied to far-right consultant Fernando Cerimedo after his detention at Viru Viru airport, linked to an attempted femicide case. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow stranded thousands of families across Bolivia’s highlands, threatening livestock, markets, and tourism and exposing how weather volatility hits the Andes unevenly.

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz removed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after his Legislative Assembly censure, naming Óscar Mario Justiniano as interim Economy and Public Finance while a constitutional challenge is still pending. Mining & Industry Watch: A new Bolivia-linked probe into far-right Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo expands after his detention in Santa Cruz, with prosecutors citing raids, seized funds, and a “bot farm” claim tied to political influence networks. Energy & Supply Chain: Venezuela moves to restart offshore gas development with major multinationals including Shell and BP, aiming to revive production and potentially export gas to Europe. Agriculture & Climate Impact: Heavy snow in Bolivia stranded thousands of families, disrupted roads and livestock, and raised urgent needs for fodder, veterinary supplies, and heavy machinery. Regional Trade & Logistics: Argentina’s security minister says South America produces about 3,800–4,000 metric tons of cocaine annually, with Bolivia and Peru flagged for production increases and Argentina for transit. Infrastructure Development: Bolivia’s lithium debate continues as Uyuni’s extraction prospects face environmental and Indigenous opposition over groundwater and tourism risks.

Lithium Debate in Uyuni: A new report revisits how Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni—home to major lithium deposits but producing under 1% of global supply—faces intense pushback from environmental groups and Indigenous communities worried about groundwater and tourism impacts. Mining & Metals Watch: Separate mining-market updates highlight exploration momentum and dealmaking in the region, including research coverage and project advancement tied to copper-gold systems and nickel-copper assets. Bolivian Political Shock: Fernando Cerimedo’s detention at Viru Viru airport over an alleged attempted femicide is widening into a far-right political scandal, with prosecutors seeking pretrial detention and claims of corruption and illicit smuggling swirling around the case. Climate Hit to Industry: Heavy snow across Bolivia is stranding communities, threatening livestock and disrupting access to markets, veterinary supplies and machinery—an immediate drag on rural production and logistics. Regional Trade & Logistics: Cocaine production figures and trafficking logistics are again in focus across South America, underscoring how ports and shipping routes shape enforcement priorities.

Infrastructure & Logistics: Bolivia’s snowbound highlands are showing the hidden cost of climate whiplash, with Civil Defense reporting 26,220 affected families across 323 communities and urgent needs for fodder, veterinary supplies, staple foods and heavy machinery to reopen mountain routes. Mining & Investment: American Gold & Copper (AGCI) signed a non-binding LOI to acquire Homeland Nickel’s Shamrock nickel-copper project in Oregon, while Harbinger Research initiated coverage focused on AGCI’s Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Energy & Industry: Magnum Mining advanced its Parker gold-copper project toward first-pass drilling after the US BLM confirmed its exploratory Notice as complete, clearing the way for regulatory guarantees and drilling prep. Public Health & Research: New findings on Indigenous Tsimane and Moseten in Bolivia highlight why COVID hit them differently, with researchers noting low rates of severe complications despite infection spread. Governance & Risk: A political scandal around Fernando Cerimedo’s detention in Bolivia is widening after an alleged attack on his ex-partner, raising fresh questions about links to corruption and illicit gold smuggling.

Mining & Drilling Permits: Magnum Mining and Exploration advanced its Parker Gold-Copper Project in Arizona after the US BLM accepted its exploratory drilling Notice, clearing the way for first-pass drilling and a required reclamation financial guarantee. Bolivia Energy & Industry: A report on Bolivia’s Eastern Agricultural Chamber rejects a diesel price decree, highlighting pressure on farm input costs and production. Bolivian Mining Investment: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) initiated equity research coverage focused on its Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, underscoring continued capital interest in Bolivian mineral assets. Textiles & Trade Risks: A Peru-focused study flags Chile as a main entry point for used clothing into South America, with smuggling routes via Chile and Bolivia and knock-on impacts for local textile industries and pollution. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Rakuten Bolivia signed an agreement with Viva to explore network modernization, pointing to ongoing telecom upgrades in the country. Agribusiness & Logistics: ORVANA announced Q3 ramp-up in Bolivia, signaling production momentum for the mining sector’s downstream supply chain.

Mining & Investment: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) says Harbinger Research has started equity coverage, spotlighting its Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and outlining a staged path toward production. Agri-Industry & Energy Costs: Bolivia’s Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) rejected Supreme Decree 5676, which sets higher diesel prices for large consumers, warning it won’t fix fuel shortages and could fuel speculation and black-market activity—raising risks for production and food supply. Regional Energy Outlook: A new industry analysis argues Latin America’s natural gas potential remains underdeveloped, framing gas as a practical lever for energy security and development while supporting a gradual energy transition. Supply Chains & Trade Risks: A Peru-focused study links used clothing smuggling to an international chain that runs through Chile and also uses routes via Bolivia, warning of textile-waste pollution and knock-on damage to local textile and fashion industries. Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Bolivia signed an agreement with Viva to explore network modernization in Bolivia, joining broader regional moves toward faster, shared infrastructure.

Diesel & Food Security: Bolivia’s Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) rejected Supreme Decree 5676 after it set higher diesel prices for large consumers, warning it won’t fix fuel shortages and could trigger profiteering, speculation, and black-market activity—raising risks for production and national food supply. Mining Finance: Lycopodium won a $37 million EPCM contract for the expansion of Bolivia’s San Cristóbal silver project, signaling continued investment momentum in the country’s mining pipeline. Energy & Trade Diplomacy: China’s Xi Jinping told Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa that Beijing backs Latin America’s “independence and self-reliance,” and offered to expand cooperation in energy, minerals, infrastructure, and finance. Regional Industry Watch: A “copper crunch” narrative resurfaced as demand climbs faster than supply, with Chile highlighted for economic constraints despite its large copper base. Agribusiness Community Support: Yuma County Ag Producers Scholarship (YCAPS) awarded a record $70,000 to 30 agriculture students, underscoring how local funding keeps farm talent pipelines growing.

China–Ecuador Diplomacy: Xi Jinping told Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa in Beijing that China backs Latin America’s “independence and self-reliance,” and wants to expand cooperation in energy, minerals, infrastructure and finance. Mining Pipeline Pressure: A new look at the mining sector warns that junior explorers often stall between discovery and production as funding, permitting and processing capacity lag. Copper Crunch Watch: Copper demand is surging while supply expansion struggles, with Chile’s Codelco facing economic rather than geological constraints—raising stakes for Bolivia’s mining-linked supply chains. Bolivia Energy/Industry Context: Bolivia is pushing economic reforms amid ongoing social tension, while La Paz is also launching a reforestation push and expanding bird-watching tourism via certified guides. La Paz Water & Urban Works: Reports highlight infrastructure strain, including a sewage leak in El Esterito that has dragged on for weeks. Contract & Expansion Signal: Lycopodium won a $37M EPCM contract for the San Cristóbal silver project expansion, a direct investment signal for Bolivian mining production. Food & Compliance Angle: A price-fixing settlement led to egg deliveries to food banks, underscoring how consumer prices and agribusiness oversight can collide.

Mining & Metals: Lycopodium won a $37M EPCM contract for Bolivia’s San Cristóbal silver project, a fresh signal for investment momentum in the country’s mining expansion. Energy & Transport: Bolivia’s diesel shortage is hitting public transport hard, with Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz seeing long queues and fleets running at about 70%, pushing operators to switch vehicles to gas where possible. Water & Infrastructure: In La Paz, residents of El Esterito report a sewage leak left unresolved for nearly 25 days, despite earlier municipal warnings that the pumping station’s capacity had been exceeded. Agribusiness & Environment: La Paz is also driving a statewide reforestation push, starting plantings with native species as part of a broader effort to restore ecosystems. Industry & Services: Construction is underway for a new health and emergency services hub in Bolivia’s namesake town of Bolivia, North Carolina—an example of how public infrastructure projects are scaling up service capacity.

Diesel Crunch Hits Bolivia’s Transport: Urban and inter-department public transport in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz is running short due to a diesel shortage since May, with petrol queues of 2–5 days and some drivers sleeping in vehicles, forcing fleets down to about 70% and pushing operators to convert some vehicles to gas. Water Infrastructure Under Strain in La Paz: Residents in El Esterito report a sewage leak left unaddressed for 25 days, despite an earlier municipal briefing saying the area’s pumping station capacity has been exceeded and spills have been ongoing. La Paz Tourism Push for Bird-Watching: La Paz’s Ecoparque is launching a guide training and certification program to professionalize aviturismo, linking desert-wetland habitats to a more organized tourism offer. La Paz Urban Development Proposal: A Marina Palmira project in La Paz would convert a port and boat-storage site into a 107-apartment and bungalow complex with pools and an on-site water system using reverse osmosis. Lithium Supply-Chain Risk for the Region: New research warns UK firms exposed to battery materials could face losses from disruptions tied to lithium operations and logistics across Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Bolivia Payments Go Stablecoin: Peso fintech has integrated with Yango Food so Bolivians can order meals and pay in USDT via the Peso app amid ongoing dollar liquidity constraints.

Diesel Crunch Hits Bolivia’s Transport: Urban and inter-department public transport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is running with a reduced fleet after a diesel shortage that began in May, cutting frequencies and forcing long queues at petrol stations across Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz. Water Infrastructure Under Pressure: In La Paz’s El Esterito neighborhood, residents report a sewage leak left unresolved for about 25 days, despite earlier municipal briefings noting the pumping station’s capacity has been exceeded. Construction & Urban Development: A La Paz project in Marina Palmira proposes 107 apartments and 5 bungalows on a former port/boat-storage site, including a reverse-osmosis desalination system and dedicated water infrastructure. Food Payments Go Digital: Peso has integrated with Yango Food so Bolivians can order meals and pay in USDT via the Peso app, aiming to ease dollar-liquidity constraints in everyday commerce. Critical Minerals Risk Watch: New research warns UK firms could face losses from lithium supply-chain disruptions across the “Lithium Triangle,” including scenarios involving Bolivia and Chile. Mining Output Ramp-Up: Orvana Minerals says its Bolivian copper cathodes and gold-silver circuits have entered commercial ramp-up after logistical hurdles, targeting stable production in September 2026.

Diesel Crunch Hits Bolivia’s Transport: Urban and inter-department public transport in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz is running on a reduced fleet as diesel shortages persist since May, with fuel queues of 2–5 days and drivers sleeping in vehicles to keep their place. Urban Water Stress in La Paz: Residents in El Esterito report a sewage leak left unresolved for 25 days, despite earlier warnings that a pumping station’s capacity had been exceeded. La Paz Development Proposal: A La Paz project in Marina Palmira would convert a port and boat-storage site into a 107-apartment, 5-bungalow complex with pools, commercial areas and a reverse-osmosis desalination system producing potable water. Bolivia’s Reform and Unrest Backdrop: Coverage revisits La Paz’s June protests and the return of “mano dura” style emergency powers, raising concerns about how security actions affect economic activity and energy supply. Digital Payments for Food Delivery: Peso fintech has integrated with Yango Food so Bolivians can pay for meals in USDT via the Peso app amid ongoing dollar liquidity constraints. Mining & Processing Update: Orvana reports ramp-up progress at its Bolivia Oxides Stockpile Project, including new copper cathodes and gold-silver circuits targeting stable commercial production in September 2026.