The Week in LatAm - Mexico’s energy market reignites under Sheinbaum

Momentum is building behind renewed private sector investment in power generation in Mexico under the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum. BNamericas spoke to Laura Picardo, senior associate at analytics firm Aurora Energy Research, about the outlook for the Mexican power market amid increased regulatory clarity and growing political support for private investors.

"Mexico represents one of the largest and most dynamic energy markets in Latin America, with rapidly growing electricity demand and a pressing need for new investments in generation and transmission. The fundamentals are clear: population growth, industrial expansion, and electrification trends are driving long-term demand, and the country will need significant infrastructure development to meet these needs sustainably," she said. Read full interview here.

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Operational complexity, high costs and productivity are the main risks facing the global mining and metals industry in 2026, particularly Latin American mining companies, which are under pressure to maximize their production amid amid growing geopolitical competition to build resilient supply chains.

In this interview with BNamericas, Afonso Sartorio, mining and metals leader for Latin America at global consulting firm EY, suggests adopting collaborative models, among several other key solutions, to overcome logistical constraints and consolidate the region's role as a supplier of critical minerals. Read the full interview here.

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The second-biggest shale oil producer in Argentina's Vaca Muerta formation – Vista Energy – said company plans did not hinge on the outcome of Sunday's midterm election. Interest in the election has grown following a local vote this year in Buenos Aires province in which Peronist forces defeated President Javier Milei’s La Libertad Avanza party. 

Vista CEO Miguel Galuccio told the company’s third-quarter earnings call: “In short, the elections do not change our plan. It will not affect Vaca Muerta, it doesn’t affect our ability to continue growing and to execute our plan.” Continue reading here.

ELECTRIC POWER

Mexico beckons as next big power play

Brazil seen adding 8.7GW in centralized power plants in 2026

International groups plan energy storage projects in Brazil

Argentina's electricity market on cusp of new era

Colombia unveils new energy contracting rules, readies auctions

Mexico invites bids for 34 power plants in US$7.1bn call

OIL & GAS

Latin America’s forgotten shale plays

Why, despite the history of dry wells, should Brazil's Foz do Amazon yield fruit?

Latin America’s changing oil and gas map

Hydrogen, biofuels, and mature basins mark the agenda of the Argentine Congress

Latin America eyes ethanol mandates to drive biofuels growth

MINING & METALS

How to address mining operational risk and costs in 2026: Keys for Chilean and Latam companies

SQM's new logistics port area in Chile and the mining rush to expand maritime trade capacity

Tía María could help revive mining project development in Peru

AngloGold faces new setback in US$1.4bn Quebradona project in Colombia

Chile prepares private sector contracts for lithium projects in Salar de Llamara 

INFRASTRUCTURE

Citi prioritizes energy, transportation, and water due to mining backlog in Mexico

Chile’s US$7.13bn concessions tender agenda for 2026

Peru stays on track with infrastructure despite political chaos

Panama outlines schedule of US$8.5bn plan for canal

Mexico boosts train network with new projects and tenders 

POLITICAL RISK & MACRO

Vaca Muerta heavyweight: Election outcome 'won't change our plan'

Think tank IMCO calls for more private investment to meet Plan Mexico goals

AngloGold faces new setback in US$1.4bn Quebradona project in Colombia

Peru stays on track with infrastructure despite political chaos

The main challenges facing Chile's mining industry in 2026

Imbabura, the epicenter of the fight against illegal mining in Ecuador 

ICT

Critical minerals demand accelerates mining transformation

'We want to be a global data destination', says Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul governor

Energy investment drives Aveva's expansion in Argentina

Tecto cuts ribbon on sixth data center, announces five new sites under US$1bn capex

Licensing for Casa dos Ventos' Tik Tok data center generates controversy in Ceará

The knowledge industry expects a multiplier impact from SurEnergy and OpenAI's investment in Argentina