June 2025 was marked by significant developments in Latin American countries. Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and nations in Central and Andean America faced economic changes, social tensions, and major regulatory milestones, directly impacting the regional and international paths of politics, economy, and innovation.
Mexico
With a stronger peso, Mexico expects agreement with the U.S. on steel and aluminum
June was a relevant month for Mexico in economic, political, and social aspects, bringing key information for the country’s short- and medium-term future.
On the economic front, the highlight was the monetary policy decision by the Bank of Mexico, which cut the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 8%. This was the fourth consecutive cut of this magnitude, with expectations for further declines.
The announcement came amid slowing inflation, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Consumer prices rose 4.51% in the first half of June compared to the same period the previous year — below the 4.62% recorded in the second half of May.
In trade, Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in early June to discuss tariffs imposed by Donald Trump on steel and aluminum imports. Ebrard stated that an agreement could be reached soon.
Following this news, along with reduced tensions in the Middle East and progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations, the Mexican peso posted its best quarter since 2020, appreciating by 10% in 2025 — one of the best global performances.
Politically and socially, the historic election of the judiciary stood out. Mexico became the only country in the world to democratically elect judges and magistrates — a widely criticized process with just 13% voter turnout.
Sources:
- https://www.banxico.org.mx/publicaciones-y-prensa/anuncios-de-las-decisiones-de-politica-monetaria/%7B7774AEE4-AF2E-9A74-A34C-EDB53F483361%7D.pdf
- https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/2025/06/25/inflacion-se-modera-a-451-en-primera-quincena-de-junio/
- https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2025/06/06/ebrard-concluye-reunion-con-el-secretario-de-comercio-de-los-eeuu/
- https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/mercados/precio-dolar-hoy-30-junio-2025-cuanto-cerro-20250630-765949.html
- https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c0k316xk1r5o
Argentina
Inflation rises, protests grow, and Argentina bets on financial innovation with asset tokenization
Argentina ended June with a slight acceleration in inflation, estimated between 2% and 2.1% for the month, mainly driven by increases in regulated services like fuel and food, according to private consultancies such as Equilibra and LCG.
The Central Bank’s Market Expectations Report (REM) projected 1.9% inflation in June and 30% for the full year. Despite a drop in unemployment to 7%, labor precarity persists.
Socially and politically, protests grew against budget cuts by President Javier Milei’s government — nicknamed “the chainsaw” — organized by unions, informal workers, retirees, and university students, demanding more investment in health, education, science, and university funding.
On June 12, the National Securities Commission (CNV) approved General Resolution No. 1069, creating a pioneering regime for tokenizing real-world assets — such as trusts and closed-end funds — through blockchain technology, with legal equivalence to traditional methods. This positions Argentina as a regional leader in financial innovation with a clear regulatory framework.
Sources:
- https://www.argentina.gob.ar/noticias/rg-final-1deg-etapa-regimen-de-tokenizacion-para-activos-del-mundo-real-real-world-assets
- https://www.infobae.com/economia/2025/06/30/la-inflacion-se-acelero-en-junio-y-fue-cercana-al-2-mensual-segun-relevamientos-privados
- https://elpais.com/argentina/2025-06-26/trabajadores-y-universitarios-desafian-en-la-calle-a-la-motosierra-de-milei-en-una-nueva-oleada-de-protestas.html
Central America
Central America strengthens strategy as logistics hub with EU support
Central America took a strategic step toward becoming an international logistics hub with the launch of the ecoTRADE initiative — Economic Integration for Sustainable Trade — financed by the European Union and implemented by SIECA. Running from 2025 to 2028, the project aims to boost regional competitiveness by removing trade barriers, speeding up border processes, and implementing digital tools aligned with the European Green Deal.
Strategically, the initiative leverages the region’s geographic position as a natural corridor between continents, while fostering investor confidence by promoting efficiency, sustainability, and transparency. Coordination with policies like the 2035 Master Plan for Mobility and Logistics, and a strengthened Association Agreement with the EU, opens opportunities in infrastructure, tech, logistics, and e-commerce.
Source: Revista Vida y Éxito
Costa Rica
Exports grow 12%, driven by medical and precision sectors
Costa Rica’s goods exports rose in the first five months of 2025, hitting a record US$8.99 billion — a 12% increase year-over-year, with US$994 million in additional exports.
The medical and precision equipment sector led this growth, with US$4.2 billion in exports. Up 27% (+US$884 million), this sector now represents 47% of Costa Rica’s total exports and accounts for 89% of the export growth in the period.
Source: El Financiero
Guatemala
Remittances up 18% by mid-year
Remittances to Guatemala totaled US$11.33 billion as of June 19, 2025 — an 18% increase, double the growth from the same period in 2024, according to the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat). This trend strongly impacts private consumption, fiscal revenue, currency policy, and balance of payments.
Although annual growth is projected between 8% and 10%, Banguat anticipates a slowdown of 1–7 percentage points next year due to anti-immigration policies in the U.S. Nonetheless, flows are expected to persist as U.S. industries continue relying on immigrant labor. Guatemala’s GDP is projected to grow 3.8% in 2025 and 3.9% in the following two years.
Source: Diario de Centroamérica / Vida & Éxito
Panama
Logistics and port investment boom
Panama has solidified its status as a regional leader in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the logistics and port sectors, thanks to its strategic location and stable environment. Countries like the U.S., Taiwan, and Singapore invest through companies like SSA Marine, Evergreen, PSA Panama, and DHL.
According to Ricardo Lince, president of the National Maritime Association (MAPA), Panama must urgently modernize its logistics ecosystem — especially digital integration between the Panama Canal and local ports, which currently lack coordination. It’s also necessary to offer value-added services to vessels, like technical maintenance and competitive labor costs, to reinforce Panama’s role as an international logistics hub.
Source: Vida y Éxito 360
Peru
Key industries grow in Peru
Peru’s Central Reserve Bank (BCRP) cut its 2025 mining sector growth forecast from 2% to just 0.3%, due to the Shougang shutdown and revised production plans. However, BCR President Julio Velarde said Peru could double output if existing mining projects are executed. A recovery is expected in 2026, with 2.3% expansion.
Meanwhile, according to IDC, Peruvian companies increased AI investments by 38% in 2025, exceeding US$50 million. Around 31.7% of IT directors identified process automation as the top investment priority. This surge signals accelerated digital transformation focused on personalization, efficiency, and data analysis.
On June 20–21, Lima hosted the fourth Peru Blockchain Conference 2025, the country’s largest event on blockchain, crypto, and trading. With over 3,000 participants and 100 international speakers — including Charles Hoskinson, Ethereum cofounder and Cardano founder — Sherlock Communications also gave a talk on how to communicate blockchain and crypto in Latin America.
Sources:
- https://www.rumbominero.com/peru/noticias/mineria/peru-produccion-de-cobre-2025/
- https://gestion.pe/economia/empresas/empresas-peruanas-invierten-mas-de-us-50-millones-en-inteligencia-artificial-segun-idc-noticia/
- https://larepublica.pe/zona-crypto/2025/06/04/peru-blockchain-conference-2025-el-evento-que-pone-a-lima-como-el-epicentro-de-latinoamerica-sobre-blockchain-cripto-y-trading-hnews-328740
Brazil
Pro-LGBTQIA+ legislation and rising deforestation dominate national debates
In June, the legislative field in Brazil saw the Agência Pública report that, despite conservative advancements, 57 pro-LGBTQIA+ bills were presented at various government levels in the first half of the year — reflecting a growing mobilization for LGBTQIA+ rights.
The environment also made headlines: Amazon deforestation alerts surged by 92% in May, prompting experts and the government to warn of possible forest collapse due to fire, especially under worsening drought conditions tied to climate change.
Lastly, the debate on the Artificial Intelligence Bill (PL da IA) remained heated. The Special Commission created to regulate AI in Brazil continues to face criticism for lack of transparency and limited civil society participation.
Sources:
- https://apublica.org/2025/06/brasil-teve-57-pls-pro-lgbtqia-no-primeiro-semestre-de-2025
- https://apublica.org/2025/06/desmatamento-na-amazonia-fogo-pode-gerar-colapso-da-floresta
- https://apublica.org/2025/06/inteligencia-artificial-e-os-novos-limites-da-realidade/
The post June Highlights in Latin America: Economic Progress, Social Challenges, and Technological Innovations appeared first on Sherlock Communications.
