SME Tech Funding (Chile): Lokal, a Chilean B2B marketplace for warehouses, minimarkets and pharmacies, raised US$700,000 to expand nationally and push toward 100,000 small businesses, adding an AI tool to recommend what to buy, how much, and when to restock. Payments & Financial Inclusion (Latin America): Nu Holdings reported Q2 2026 results, highlighting its push to deepen banking services across Latin America, including Mexico and Brazil. Local Water + Debt Stress (Puerto Rico): A deep look at Puerto Rico’s water crisis frames it as also a debt crisis, tying infrastructure strain to financial constraints that hit households and businesses. Security-Driven Business Risk (Chile): Chile’s proposed constitutional emergency controls for months would restrict movement and communications and formally designate criminal groups—raising uncertainty for day-to-day commerce. Regulatory/Operations Pressure (Trinidad & Tobago): Debate over AI data centers weighs costs, jobs and environmental risk against the price of “standing still,” with small businesses and FX shortages in the spotlight. Business Continuity (Caribbean): Tyrell Bay Marina in Carriacou renewed its request to access disputed mangrove land after a fence blocked boat launches, warning of impacts on customers and workers. SME Hiring Shock (Haiti/US): The end of Haitian TPS threatens a Central Ohio remodeling business that relied on Haitian workers as a key part of its growth. Mining Deal (Peru): Latin Metals and Minsur agreed option terms for Peru’s Lacsha copper project, with earn-in payments and drilling funded by Minsur.