GlobalSource Partners | Country Insights

Preliminary data for GDP growth in Q2 has been reported at 0.4% qoq, 1.6% yoy, following 0.8% qoq, 1.7% yoy in Q1. So, GDP grew by 1.7% yoy in H1 this year.This actual falls short of the average analyst expectation of 0.7% qoq, but the shortfall is not particularly big. The key thing is that the ...

Bolsonaro’s defense stated he did not authorize the use of his image in the AI video shown during the PL convention, Flávio Bolsonaro will support Tarcísio’s reelection bid, and the PSB endorsed Lula’s candidacy

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 30 Jul 2026

Yesterday, former President Jair Bolsonaro's (PL) legal team filed a petition with the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) stating that he did not authorize the use of his image or voice in an artificial intelligence-generated video shown during the PL convention that formally nominated Senator...

Upcoming webinar - Venezuela: The road ahead

VENEZUELA · Report · 29 Jul 2026

Time: 10:00 AM EDT After Venezuela was shaken by twin earthquakes, bringing a tragic loss of life and destruction, the country must rebuild and try to move forward. How are recovery and reconstruction efforts proceeding? What are the economic and political ramifications for the country? How is...

Bi-Weekly Economic News Summary

KAZAKHSTAN · In Brief · 29 Jul 2026

Jul 16 International arbitration: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) arbitration has temporarily banned Kazakhstan from enforcing KZT 2.3 trln fine against the operator (NCOC, North Caspian Operating Company) of the Kashagan oil field until an arbitration decision is ...

Minister Durigan extended the Desenrola program until August 31, Justice Moraes gave Bolsonaro 48 hours to clarify the use of his image in his son’s campaign, and the U.S. extended the emergency that allows for tariffs

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 29 Jul 2026

Finance Minister Dario Durigan confirmed yesterday that the current edition of Desenrola Brasil, the federal program that allows consumers to renegotiate bank debts, will be extended until August 31, the expiration date of the provisional measure (MP) that created the initiative. Supreme Federal ...

Earthquakes expose the extent of U.S. oversight

VENEZUELA · Report · 28 Jul 2026

Since January 3, Delcy Rodríguez’s interim government has operated under an arrangement by which Washington retains strategic decision-making authority and control over oil revenues, while Rodríguez runs the government with autonomy limited to non-strategic areas. The June 24 earthquakes put t...

Momentum shifts: Zelensky visits Washington amid improving US sentiment toward Ukraine

UKRAINE · In Brief · 28 Jul 2026

Today’s meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in Washington was different from what we have grown accustomed to. For the first time under this administration, Ukraine’s president arrived in the American capital against a genuinely favorable news backdrop and amid moderately positive...

The labor market remains tight in June

ISRAEL · In Brief · 28 Jul 2026

Although the unemployment rate increased to 2.9% in June from 2.8% in May, the labor market remains generally tight. For the main age group (25-64, closely followed by the BoI) unemployment remained stable at a low 2.7% with the labor participation rate stable at 80.9%. In June, total job opening...

Justice Marques is the rapporteur for the lawsuit against Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign, the Novo party nominated Zema as its presidential candidate, and the CNPS will meet to decide on payroll-deductible loans for INSS retirees

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 28 Jul 2026

Justice Nunes Marques, president of the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), has been selected as the rapporteur for a lawsuit filed by the Workers' Party (PT) against the presidential campaign of Flávio Bolsonaro (PL). During the party convention last Saturday (July 25), the campaign used an artifici...

Challenges remain for Flávio and other weekly topics

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 27 Jul 2026

The Novo Party is scheduled to hold its national convention today (July 27) to formally confirm Romeu Zema as its presidential nominee. On Saturday (August 1), the Republicanos party will officially endorse Tarcísio de Freitas's bid for reelection as governor of São Paulo. Four presidential polls...

High Tide

BRAZIL ECONOMICS · Report · 27 Jul 2026

Brazilian long-term real interest rates remain high, and a significant share of the recent increase originates from external factors. There is a stable long-run relationship between Brazilian and U.S. interest rates, with the latter having risen substantially since 2022. The interest rate spread ...

Economics: Mazzucato's document for implementing Plan México is unviable in the context of the current Administration's policies

MEXICO · Report · 27 Jul 2026

Last week, what appears to be a preliminary version of the report "State Transformation for Plan Mexico" was made public, prepared by Mariana Mazzucato and Lara Merling of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London. In principle, this presentation is intended to ...

The PL nominated Flávio Bolsonaro as its presidential candidate, the latest poll shows Lula in a tie with right-wing candidates in the second round, and the CNPS may reduce the interest rate ceiling for INSS retirees

BRAZIL POLITICS · Report · 27 Jul 2026

The Liberal Party (PL) held its national convention on Saturday (July 25), officially nominating Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) as its candidate for the presidency. The event featured a strong appeal to female voters—one of Flávio Bolsonaro’s main electoral weaknesses. The Nexus/BTG Pactual presid...

Weekly report, July 27, 2026: The risk of another round of fighting with Iran will shape the outlook for inflation, rates and the budget

ISRAEL · Report · 27 Jul 2026

The past week was dominated by the escalation of the war between the United States and Iran and the increased likelihood that Israel might become directly involved. Financial markets have so far reacted in a measured manner: The shekel depreciated by around 1% against the U.S. dollar, while Israe...

Politics: Shielding allies, targeting rivals, and the politics of Mexican justice amid the erosion of the rule of law

MEXICO · Report · 27 Jul 2026

Two nearly simultaneous scandals have thrust Mexico's fractured rule of law back into the spotlight: leaked audio recordings implicating Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila in apparent negotiations with U.S. authorities, and the arrest and prosecution of former Governor Ernesto Ruffo ...