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Peru: The left sneaks into the presidential elections
PERU · In Brief · 25 Mar 2026 · 1 response

This morning Ipsos published its March 22nd poll and simulation. This poll was performed before the presidential debates taking place this week. Ipsos is the only pollster that simulates the presidential election using confidential ballots and we believe is the most accurate. The poll shows that ...

The Middle East conflict: a catalyst for policy recalibration in Argentina?
ARGENTINA · Report · 25 Mar 2026

The Middle East conflict represents a double-edged sword for Argentina. While it strengthens the external sector through improved terms of trade, it also exacerbates inflationary pressures and financial vulnerabilities. This combination may ultimately force a reassessment of the current policy mi...

The STF is set to review Justice Mendonça’s decision to extend the INSS CPMI, Hugo Motta outlined the current priorities of the Lower House, and the TSE declared former Rio Governor Cláudio Castro ineligible
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 25 Mar 2026

The full bench of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) is set to review tomorrow an injunction granted by Justice André Mendonça extending the INSS Joint Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (CPMI). The committee was initially scheduled to conclude on March 28. The President of the Lower House, Hugo Mot...

Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary
KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 25 Mar 2026

Mar 12 Energy Ministry: The Minister instructed to strengthen the protection of strategic facilities in the oil and gas sector KMG: Mr Khasenov, CEO of KMG, called on Tengizchevroil company to bring Tengiz oil field to full capacity as soon as possible Mar 13 Government: Kazakhstan intends to inc...

Iran War Days 24–25: Trump claims talks with Iran; more tankers transit Hormuz
GULF COUNTRIES · In Brief · 24 Mar 2026 · 1 response

Highlights Trump backed away from plans to bomb power plants and said talks are underway, causing oil to drop by $15. Iranian sources have been more circumspect about talks, but it appears as if Pakistan may host a meeting. In a worrying development, there was a strike on the grounds of the Bushe...

Fuel Prices Increase
CHILE · In Brief · 24 Mar 2026

Yesterday, the government announced measures that will take effect this Thursday, March 26, increasing gasoline prices at the pump by 34% and diesel prices by 70%. The stated objective is to prevent a short-term decline in fiscal revenues resulting from the reduction in the specific fuel tax unde...

No surprise at today's Monetary Council: the base rate remains at 6.25%
HUNGARY · In Brief · 24 Mar 2026

The MNB base rate was kept unchanged at today's monthly rate-setting meeting, in line with expectation. For sure, we know that the pricing of forward contracts suggested that a rate increase was expected by the market, but the fact remains that analysts, including us, had been forecasting no chan...

A government in a hurry; an economy in a daze
CHILE · Report · 24 Mar 2026

Growth close to its potential rate and a nearly balanced current account suggest that the Chilean economy is operating broadly in equilibrium. GDP rose 2.5% in 2025, above the preliminary 2.3% growth indicated by the Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMACEC). The upside surprise was largely exp...

Russian macro: Rising oil prices will help the budget but won't boost the economy
RUSSIA ECONOMICS · Report · 24 Mar 2026

As global markets are still enjoying various kinds of teeter-totter moves—mainly driven by regular war escalation/de-escalation rumors—fundamental economic factors remain either largely intact or are evolving much more gradually. As it is still widely believed that the Russian budget gets the bul...

Economics: Employment growth at the start of 2026 remains weak despite a slight uptick in economic activity
MEXICO · Report · 24 Mar 2026

The total employed population in Mexico as of January 2026 saw weak growth of 0.4% YoY, after remaining at low growth rates throughout 2025, when it increased by an average of 0.7%. While last year the weakening of employment was in line with the overall stagnation of the economy, in January 2026...

Justice Mendonça has ordered Alcolumbre to extend the INSS CPMI, Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior has withdrawn from the presidential race, and the TSE is set to rule on the case against Rio Governor Cláudio Castro
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 24 Mar 2026

Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice André Mendonça has ordered Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) to extend the INSS Joint Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (CPMI). The committee had originally been scheduled to conclude on March 28. Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior (PSD) has withdrawn fr...

Broad unemployment rises due to war-related disruptions, including school closures and business shutdown
ISRAEL · In Brief · 24 Mar 2026

Early data point to the economic impact of the war in Israel.  Yesterday, the CBS published labor market data for February. According to the CBS, the February survey partly covers the first week of March, reflecting the initial impact of the war, including business closures and workers placed on ...

Politics: New Electoral Reform proposal—what is President Sheinbaum's "Plan B" about?
MEXICO · Report · 23 Mar 2026

Following the rejection of President Sheinbaum’s initial constitutional reform on electoral matters—opposed by her allies PT and PVEM, who feared severe losses in funding and congressional seats—she submitted “Plan B” to the Senate last week. This more limited proposal seeks to “make democracy ch...

Truckers risk on the radar and other weekly topics
BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 23 Mar 2026

The Office of the Prosecutor General (PGR) may issue a position on a request for house arrest for former President Jair Bolsonaro. The PSD is expected to define its presidential candidate. On Friday, Confaz will discuss reducing the ICMS tax on diesel imports. This is the final week of activity f...

Facing the US, Colombia and Iran
ECUADOR · Report · 23 Mar 2026

Ever since the beginning of this year, Ecuador's external sector has been the epicenter of both good news and difficult news. In the good news, as of March 13 the government has a TRA (Trade Reconciliation Agreement) with the United States that could bring new revenues of approximately $1200 mill...