AGP Executive Report

Regional Logistics: Cargo theft in Costa Rica is an organized threat along key freight routes, including the corridor to Peñas Blancas on Nicaragua’s border. At least 71 loads were stolen by July 2026, raising risks for regional shipments. Economic Pulse: Nicaragua’s construction sector grew 4.4% year over year in July, below Costa Rica’s 12.7% and El Salvador’s 14.6%. Investment: Nearly 2,000 Chinese businesses have been established in Nicaragua since the free-trade agreement took effect. Agribusiness: Colombian sugar producer Ingenio Mayagüez has sold its Nicaraguan sugar and renewable-energy operations to a Panamanian company, exiting the market. Exports: Flor de Caña named Paragon Brands its exclusive UK distributor, covering all ten products in the rum range.

Construction: Nicaragua’s construction sector grew 4.4% year over year through July 2026, trailing El Salvador and Costa Rica, according to regional economic data. Agribusiness: Colombian producer Ingenio Mayagüez has sold its Nicaraguan sugar and renewable-energy operations to a Panamanian company, marking a change in ownership for two key assets. Export Markets: Flor de Caña named Paragon Brands its exclusive UK distributor after its previous distributor entered administration, giving the Nicaraguan rum brand a new route to British retailers and bars. Trade and Investment: Nearly 2,000 Chinese businesses have been established in Nicaragua since a free-trade agreement took effect, highlighting expanding commercial links. Creative Economy: Nicaragua Diseña’s 15th edition brought together 83 designers and more than 50 brands and entrepreneurs in Managua.

Export Markets: Nicaraguan rum maker Flor de Caña has named Paragon Brands its exclusive UK distributor, covering the brand’s full range across retail, hospitality and online sales. The move follows the collapse of its previous UK distributor, Amber Beverage UK. Chinese Investment: Nearly 2,000 Chinese businesses have opened in Nicaragua since the China free-trade agreement took effect in January 2024, an industry association says. But reported Chinese net investment was just $29.3 million in 2025, suggesting many of the businesses are small-scale.

China Trade: Nearly 2,000 Chinese businesses have been established in Nicaragua since the bilateral free-trade agreement took effect in January 2024, mostly in commerce, with some in export-processing zones. But official Chinese net investment totaled just $29.3 million in 2025 — 1.9% of Nicaragua’s total — pointing to mostly small-scale ventures. Creative Economy: Nicaragua Diseña’s 15th edition brought together 83 designers and more than 50 brands and entrepreneurs, giving local businesses a platform for international exposure and exchange.

Business and State Ties: Eight of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s nine children hold government or state-linked roles. Laureano Ortega advises on investment and trade, while Rafael has led the family’s petroleum businesses, highlighting how political power and commercial interests intersect in Nicaragua. Nicaraguan Entrepreneur: A U.S. judge ordered the return of Kenis Lopez Gonzalez, a Nicaraguan who fled political persecution and later started a construction company in Minnesota, after he was deported to the Central African Republic. Regional Trade: An upgraded China–Peru free-trade agreement took effect, streamlining customs and adding provisions on e-commerce, investment and supply chains—developments that could shape the wider Latin American trade landscape.

Regional Trade: China and Peru’s upgraded free-trade agreement took effect, streamlining customs and supply chains and adding rules for e-commerce, investment and standards. Nicaragua is not party to the deal, but the changes highlight how regional trade agreements are evolving. Business and Political Ties: Eight of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s nine children hold government or state-linked roles, according to a recent report. Their son Laureano advises on investment and trade and serves as a liaison with China, while another son has led the family’s petroleum businesses — underscoring the close links between political power and commercial interests. Services Sector: Outsourced business-services company ibex reported revenue growth of more than 150% across Central America and the Caribbean from 2018 to 2025, citing demand for AI-enabled customer support. The company did not specify Nicaragua’s contribution.

Economic Governance: Ortega and Murillo have placed family members across government and state-linked businesses. Laureano Ortega advises on investment and trade, while relatives are linked to petroleum businesses and tourism, raising questions about how political power shapes Nicaragua’s economy. Regional Business: Outsourced-services firm ibex was named Central America and the Caribbean’s 2026 customer-experience company of the year, citing revenue growth of more than 150% from 2018 to 2025 and expanding use of AI. The announcement points to momentum in the region’s business-services sector.

Economic Power: A report says eight of President Daniel Ortega and co-president Rosario Murillo’s nine children hold government or state-linked roles. Laureano Ortega advises on investment and trade, while another family member has led the family’s petroleum businesses—underscoring the family’s reach across Nicaragua’s political and commercial networks. Regional Business: Customer-experience provider ibex was named Central America and the Caribbean’s 2026 Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan, which cited more than 150% revenue growth from 2018 to 2025; the announcement did not specify Nicaragua operations.

State-Linked Business: A report says eight of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s nine children hold government or state-linked roles. Their son Laureano advises on investment and trade, while another family member led petroleum businesses, highlighting the family’s reach into Nicaragua’s economy. Nicaraguan Entrepreneur: Kenis Lopez Gonzalez, who fled Nicaragua and later started a construction company in Minnesota, says he was deported to the Central African Republic despite a U.S. judge ruling he could not safely be returned to Nicaragua. He is fighting to get back to the United States.

Economic Power: Eight of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo’s nine children hold roles in government or state-linked companies, extending the family’s influence across Nicaragua’s economy. Laureano Ortega advises on investment and trade and handles ties with China, Russia, Belarus and Iran; other relatives have held roles linked to petroleum businesses and tourism. Regional Trade Policy: Nicaragua backed a U.N. resolution urging an end to the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. The measure passed 130–17, though it is nonbinding.

Migrant Businesses: Nicaraguan entrepreneur Kenis Lopez Gonzalez, who started a construction company in Minnesota, was deported to the Central African Republic despite a judge ruling he faced torture if sent back to Nicaragua. His case highlights the risks facing migrant entrepreneurs under shifting U.S. immigration enforcement. Regional Finance: Central American Bottling Corp. raised US$875 million through a notes issue and launched a tender offer for up to US$400 million; Consortium Legal’s Nicaragua office was among the advisers. Business Services: Outsourcing firm ibex was named Central America and the Caribbean’s 2026 customer-experience company of the year, with regional revenue up more than 150% from 2018 to 2025.

Business Services: Ibex was named Central America and the Caribbean’s 2026 customer-experience company of the year by Frost & Sullivan. The firm reported regional revenue growth of more than 150% from 2018 to 2025, driven in part by AI-enabled services. Regional Manufacturing: Apparel maker Hansae plans to ramp up its integrated Guatemala production complex next year, aiming to shorten U.S. delivery times and compete for higher-value orders. The investment highlights Central America’s growing role in regional supply chains. Corporate Finance: Central America Bottling Corporation issued US$875 million in notes and launched a tender offer for up to US$400 million; Consortium Legal Nicaragua was among the firms advising on the transaction.

Regional Services: ibex was named Central America and the Caribbean’s 2026 customer-experience services company of the year, after growing regional revenue more than 150% from 2018 to 2025. Corporate Finance: Central American Bottling Corporation issued US$875 million in notes and launched a tender offer of up to US$400 million; Consortium Legal Nicaragua was among the advisers. Supply Chains: South Korean apparel maker Hansae plans to ramp up its vertically integrated Guatemala operation next year, aiming to shorten U.S. delivery times and expand higher-value production in the region. Trade Risks: Cargo theft and delays at Peñas Blancas, a key Costa Rica–Nicaragua crossing, highlight security and congestion risks for regional trucking.

Trade Finance: Central America Bottling Corporation raised US$875 million in a notes issue and launched a tender offer for up to US$400 million. Consortium Legal Nicaragua was among the firms advising on the regional transaction. Cross-Border Logistics: Cargo theft and long truck queues at Peñas Blancas, the main Costa Rica–Nicaragua commercial crossing, expose the costs and security risks facing regional freight. Drivers report waits of up to four days, with trucks vulnerable to robbery.

Corporate Finance: Central America Bottling Corporation raised US$875 million through a notes issue and launched a tender offer for up to US$400 million. Nicaragua’s Consortium Legal advised on the deal, alongside regional and international firms. Regional Expansion: Vietnam’s Kim Long Motor signed an agreement with Costa Rica’s Vertex R.L. to explore commercial-vehicle sales in Costa Rica and the wider Central American market, including potential electric-vehicle opportunities. Mining: Metals Exploration has resumed construction at the La India site in Nicaragua, a step forward for the project.

Regional Expansion: Vietnamese automaker Kim Long Motor signed an agreement with Costa Rica’s Vertex R.L. to explore commercial-vehicle sales across Central America, with potential reach into Nicaragua. Gold Mining: Metals Exploration has resumed construction at Nicaragua’s La India site, restarting development activity at the project. Mining Tensions: China rejected U.S. allegations of illegal mining and pressure on miners in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, underscoring political friction around the region’s extractive sector.