U.S.-Venezuela Drug Policy: Trump removed Venezuela from the drug-control “failed” blacklist after 20 years, citing Caracas’s compliance and renewed security coordination, while also signaling Colombia could face a similar review. Nicaragua Democracy Under Pressure: A UN human rights report warns power is increasingly concentrated in Nicaragua’s executive and ruling party, with democratic checks weakened and proposed reforms extending terms and limiting opposition. El Niño Food Shock: The WFP says El Niño drought could leave 16 million people across Latin America without enough food, with Central America’s dry corridor among the hardest hit. Regional Security Funding Shift: The U.S. will divert $52 million in military aid toward Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama to support counternarcotics and protect the Panama Canal. Caribbean Climate Impacts: Saint Lucia’s agriculture minister says climate change is already hitting crops, fisheries and water access—ultimately raising the cost of nutritious food. Business & Finance: Nubank launched in the U.S. via a partner-bank model, while the U.S. DFC approved over $8B in new investments aimed at boosting trade and energy/digital infrastructure across Ukraine, Jordan and Africa.