AGP Executive Report

Farm Energy: A farmer near La Paz is turning plastic, tires and used oil into tractor fuel, producing up to 150 litres a day for his own use. The small pyrolysis plant cuts fuel costs as Bolivia’s subsidy cuts raise pressure on farms. Digital Finance: Tether has invested in EFY Finance, which provides stablecoin payment and settlement services in Bolivia and more than 16 other countries. The company serves over 25,000 accounts, though the investment amount was not disclosed. Business Growth: Two Bolivian companies are among 15 Latin American scaleups selected for a Spain program focused on international expansion; participants work in fields including logistics, energy transition and sustainability. Economic Outlook: Bolivia’s reform push faces protests and political unrest, while the IMF has lowered its regional growth forecast, citing higher energy costs. Mining: Eloro Resources reported silver and tin drilling results at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including a 87.1-metre interval grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne and 0.18% tin.

Economic Outlook: The IMF cut its Latin America growth forecast to 2.3% for 2026, citing higher energy costs and little boost from AI. The shock could squeeze Bolivian businesses as fuel and power costs rise. Bolivia’s Recovery: Economist Mario Galindo says stabilization requires cutting public spending and restructuring state-owned firms, not just reducing fuel subsidies or ministries. He argues credible reforms are needed to restore investment and growth. Mining: Eloro Resources reported high-grade silver and tin intercepts from expansion drilling at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including 87 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne. Lithium: Bolivia’s plans to develop lithium face unresolved extraction challenges, while calls for community input highlight the need to bring local voices into project decisions.

Economic Stabilization: Analysts say Bolivia needs more than fuel-subsidy cuts: reducing public spending, restructuring state-owned firms and rebuilding confidence are key to restoring investment and growth. Mining: Eloro Resources reported wide silver and tin intersections at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne and 0.18% tin. Lithium: A review of the Lithium Triangle highlights the gap between vast resources and viable production. Bolivia holds an estimated 23 million tonnes of lithium resources, but brine chemistry and water constraints complicate extraction; calls for community input also frame debate over the country’s lithium plans.

Lithium: Bolivia’s vast salt-flat resources remain difficult to develop: water availability and brine chemistry complicate extraction, while plans for lithium projects face calls for stronger community input. Mining: Eloro Resources reported high-grade silver and tin intersections at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, pointing to continued exploration in the department. Agriculture and Tourism: Tarija’s emerging wine industry is drawing attention as a distinctive part of the region’s economic story.

Lithium and Water: A new report from Chile’s Atacama salt flats highlights the tension between lithium extraction and the water and livelihoods of nearby Indigenous communities—a challenge shared across the Lithium Triangle. Mining in Potosí: Eloro Resources reported new silver and tin intersections at its Iska Iska project, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne and 0.18% tin. Lithium Supply: A review of 43 salt flats across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile says the region holds major lithium resources, but differences in brine chemistry and limited water complicate efforts to bring them into production.

Lithium: Bolivia holds an estimated 23 million tonnes of lithium resources, but a review of the Lithium Triangle finds that brine chemistry and water availability remain major obstacles to turning deposits into supply. A separate analysis says competition over critical minerals is increasingly tied to industrial and military supply chains, while Bolivia’s lithium plans face calls to include local communities. Mining: Eloro Resources reported high-grade silver and tin intersections at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne. Energy: High-altitude solar radiation is being highlighted as a potential advantage for hydrogen production in Bolivia.

Lithium: A review of 43 salt flats across Argentina, Bolivia and Chile puts Bolivia’s identified lithium resources at 23 million tonnes, but says differences in brine chemistry and water availability make extraction difficult. Resources are not the same as economically recoverable reserves. Potosí Mining: Eloro Resources reported high-grade silver and tin intercepts from expansion drilling at its Iska Iska project, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne and 0.18% tin. Economic Policy: Bolivia received $214 million from the IMF and has ended diesel subsidies. An opinion piece argues the government should use the resulting fiscal space to expand production and generate export dollars, rather than rely on borrowing.

Lithium: A review of Andean salt flats highlights the Lithium Triangle’s vast resources, but says differences in brine chemistry and limited water complicate extraction. Bolivia is estimated to hold 23 million tonnes of lithium resources, which are not the same as economically recoverable reserves. Mining: Drilling at Eloro Resources’ Iska Iska project in Potosí returned high-grade silver and tin intersections, extending exploration at the deposit. Energy and Investment: An opinion piece argues Bolivia should use savings from ending diesel subsidies to support production and earn more foreign currency, including through tourism. Agriculture: El Niño-related extreme weather is threatening rural livelihoods, with heavy snow in central Bolivia killing llamas, alpacas and sheep. Wine: Tarija winery Campos de Solana earned five medals at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, drawing attention to Bolivia’s emerging wine industry.

Lithium: Bolivia holds an estimated 23 million tonnes of lithium resources, but a new review says brine chemistry and limited water complicate development across the Lithium Triangle. Earlier calls for community input underline the challenge of turning deposits into projects. Mining: Eloro Resources reported long silver-and-tin intercepts from expansion drilling at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, adding to exploration activity in the department. Agribusiness: Bolivia’s Amazon açaí project won an IDB Group “Superheroes of Development” award for strengthening supply agreements, coordination and organic certification. Economic Policy: After Bolivia received $214 million from the IMF, analyst Jaime Dunn urged the government to use the funds for structural reforms and productive growth, rather than routine spending.**

Economic Reset: With Bolivia receiving $214 million from the IMF and ending its diesel subsidy, analysts are urging the government to use the breathing room for reforms and invest in industries that generate export dollars, rather than expand spending. Mining: Eloro Resources reported strong silver and tin intersections at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne; step-out drilling is targeting resource growth. Agrifood: An IDB-recognized project is strengthening Bolivia’s Amazon açaí industry through supply agreements, better coordination and organic certification. Meanwhile, severe snowfall has killed livestock in central Bolivia, threatening rural incomes and food supplies. Wine and Tourism: Tarija winery Campos de Solana won five medals at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, giving a boost to the region’s wine profile and tourism prospects.

Dollar Generation: Following a $214 million IMF disbursement and the end of diesel subsidies, Bolivian analysts urged the government to use the breathing room for reforms and production—not simply to fund existing spending. Tourism was highlighted as a way to bring foreign currency and spread income across local businesses. Energy Reform: President Rodrigo Paz has sent a new electricity bill to Congress. It would encourage renewable power and open generation to private and mixed investment. Mining: Eloro Resources reported strong silver and tin results from expansion drilling at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, supporting plans to upgrade resources and advance a preliminary economic assessment. Agriculture: Bolivia’s açaí industry won an Inter-American Development Bank development award for improving supply agreements, coordination and organic certification. Paz is also set to address the FAO World Food Forum on agrifood systems and climate resilience. Food Security: Extreme snowfall and climate disruption have killed livestock and damaged livelihoods in rural Bolivia, underscoring the risks to farming and food supply.

Mining: Eloro Resources reported strong silver and tin results from expansion drilling at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 g/t silver and 0.18% tin. Energy: President Rodrigo Paz sent a new electricity bill to lawmakers, proposing more renewable power and private and mixed investment as gas supplies decline. Industry and security: Bolivia approved proposals to strengthen security and intelligence against organized crime, including a legal framework for the Armed Forces to act against criminal networks involved in illegal mining; the measures still need review before going to the legislature. Agriculture: An IDB award recognized a Bolivian Amazon project that strengthened the açaí supply chain through producer agreements, better coordination and organic certification. Lithium: A report on Uyuni’s lithium plans calls for greater transparency and community input, as extraction could bring investment but also pressure on local ecosystems and livelihoods. Public finances: Analyst Jaime Dunn urged Bolivia to use potential IMF funds for structural reforms and deficit reduction, not to sustain existing government spending.

Electricity Reform: President Rodrigo Paz has sent a new electricity bill to Congress, proposing more renewable power and opening generation to private and mixed investment as gas supplies decline. Mining: Eloro Resources reported silver and tin intercepts from expansion drilling at its Iska Iska project in Potosí, including 87.1 metres grading 73.26 grams of silver per tonne and 0.18% tin. Technology Services: Santa Cruz-based AssureSoft earned Great Place to Work certification in Bolivia for a fifth consecutive year, highlighting the software firm’s efforts to retain engineering talent. Investment Climate: JPMorgan’s regional CEO says Bolivia’s Constitution limits foreign investment, though changing the rules could require congressional approval and a referendum. Lithium: Recent analysis of Bolivia’s Uyuni plans points to a need for greater community input as the country weighs lithium development against local livelihoods and environmental risks.

Electricity Reform: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz submitted a new Electricity Law draft to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, aiming to modernize the 1994 framework, boost renewables, open generation to private and mixed investment, and strengthen state participation aligned with the Constitution. Energy Transition & Hydrogen: Bolivia is pushing green hydrogen using high-altitude solar conditions, positioning it as a near-term strategy to cut fossil dependence and support advanced fertilizer production. Critical Minerals & Investment Rules: JPMorgan’s CEO said Bolivia’s Constitution currently limits foreign investment, pointing to either a promotion bill or constitutional reform as potential paths for long-term financing. Lithium + Community Tensions: Reporting highlights that Bolivia’s lithium plans for the Uyuni area still lack transparency and meaningful community input, even as climate shocks threaten local livelihoods. Climate Hit to Agriculture: Unseasonal heavy snow in August 2026 damaged pasture and llama herds in the Altiplano, raising food-security and income risks for rural producers. State Enterprise Debt: A Bolivian report says the Central Bank financed strategic state firms that underperformed, with YLB, EASBA, and EBIH owing billions and flagged in critical condition. Environment Enforcement: Mexico’s Profepa halted an unpermitted coastal build near La Ventana, underscoring how permitting gaps can stall development. Biodiversity Under Pressure: WCS Bolivia spotlighted two endemic lucachi primates in Beni, warning that fragmented forests are pushing them toward extinction.

Aviation & Finance: Japan’s SkyDrive launched a Kansai feasibility push for commercial eVTOL operations, partnering with MUFG and firms across transport, aviation, infrastructure, energy, tourism and finance to move from demos toward an operating framework in Western Japan. Energy & LNG: New Fortress Energy’s Mexico Fast LNG FLNG unit at Altamira went offline after a mechanical issue with its gas turbine, with a restart expected in Q4 as the company works with the turbine maker. Bolivia Energy Transition: Bolivia is advancing green hydrogen plans, citing high-altitude solar conditions and aiming to diversify away from hydrocarbons, with private-sector proposals tied to IMF-linked financing. Mining & Risk: Reports highlight ongoing pressure in Bolivia’s mining and surrounding regions, including alleged shifts toward illicit marijuana production in former mining areas. Public Finance: Bolivia’s central bank financing of struggling state firms is under scrutiny, with major outstanding loans tied to companies in critical condition. Politics & Business Climate: JPMorgan’s CEO for Bolivia-linked markets says constitutional limits constrain foreign investment, pointing to possible promotion legislation or constitutional reform. Regional Politics: Brazil’s election heads to a Oct. 25 runoff after Flávio Bolsonaro led Lula in the first round, a result likely to shape trade and investment signals across the region.

Bolivian Finance & Industry: Bolivia’s Central Bank reportedly financed strategic state firms that failed to meet targets, leaving YLB, EASBA and EBIH owing Bs 35.514 billion by end-2025, with Bs 7.441 billion (21%) tied to companies in critical condition—an issue that matters for energy, sugar and hydrocarbon industrialization. Investment Climate: JPMorgan’s regional CEO said Bolivia’s Constitution limits foreign investment, pointing to options like an investment-promotion bill or a constitutional reform requiring a two-thirds vote and a referendum. Governance & Risk: Vice President Edmand Lara warned he could be detained on fabricated charges amid a widening crackdown after the arrest of Attorney General Roger Mariaca and others, with the U.S. citing DEA-linked allegations. Energy Transition: Bolivia is pushing a Green Energy Promotion Law, with green hydrogen highlighted as a near-term path to cut fossil dependence, backed by high-altitude solar potential and possible fertilizer uses. Mining & Security: Reports also claim marijuana production is expanding into former mining areas of Potosí and Oruro, raising concerns about a shift in illicit economies.