Dealflow.la #76 - CashU 🇧🇷 Secures $17.3M for Financial Platform, Argentina 🇦🇷 Faces Crypto Controversy, & Colombia 🇨🇴 Advances AI Policy.

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Funding

Glim 🇨🇴 raised a $3.47 Million Seed round with funding from Skandia 🇸🇪, DCG 🇺🇸, and ParaFi 🇺🇸 to develop an enterprise financial wellness platform that provides employees with access to convenient financial products alongside personalized coaching and education. The platform enables employees to save in dollars, earn cashback, and reduce financial stress, helping companies lower payroll costs and attract top talent through comprehensive economic benefits.

CashU 🇧🇷 raised a $17.3 Million Credit Rights Investment Fund (FIDC) round with funding from Itaú BBA 🇧🇷 and Credit Saison 🇯🇵 to develop an embedded financial platform that enhances the security and precision of commercial credit offerings. The platform leverages quick approval technology to grant clients greater autonomy in the credit granting process by addressing market asymmetries with reliable, real-time data, thereby enabling companies to better assess credit risks and opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.

Acquisition News

• Jeitto 🇧🇷 acquired Pilla 🇧🇷, a developer of a financial management platform that offers financial planning, education, and emergency salary advances to help employees improve their financial well-being, to enhance Jeitto’s employee-centric financial solutions and support broader financial wellness in Brazil.

• Kevel 🇺🇸 acquired Nexta 🇲🇽, a software development company providing cloud infrastructure, technical support, and security services, to broaden its technology capabilities and expand its global service portfolio.

Startup & VC News

• Leadsales 🇲🇽 announced its integration into NVIDIA Inception to accelerate the incorporation of artificial intelligence into its CRM platform, enhancing sales management and customer service for SMEs in Latin America. This collaboration aims to implement predictive lead scoring, intelligent conversation automation, and real-time data analysis, enabling businesses to offer personalized responses and make strategic decisions more efficiently. (Contxto)

• Airwallex 🇦🇺 announced its expansion into Latin America, focusing on Brazil and Mexico to facilitate cross-border payments and support international businesses entering the region. The fintech obtained a payment license from Brazil’s central bank and acquired Mexican firm MexPago, aiming to strengthen financial infrastructure in two of LatAm’s largest economies. (The Jerusalem Post)

Sociopolitical News

🇦🇷 Argentina

• Argentina’s government plans to revoke all medical marijuana cultivation permits, citing safety concerns and irregularities in the current system. This policy shift includes eliminating the Cannabis Registry Program (REPROCANN) and starting anew with the permit process. (Reason)

• Argentina’s President Javier Milei initially endorsed the private crypto token $LIBRA under the “Viva La Libertad Project” as a financing tool for local entrepreneurs, but soon retracted his support after uncovering concerning details about the initiative. Amid growing scrutiny following the token’s dramatic price surge and subsequent crash, lawmakers are now calling for an investigation into Milei’s role in promoting the volatile cryptocurrency. (Bloomberg Línea) (France24)

🇧🇷 Brazil

• Brazilian President Lula da Silva has pledged reciprocal measures if U.S. President Donald Trump imposes increased tariffs on Brazilian imports, particularly steel. Lula emphasized that Brazil prefers peaceful trade relations but will respond through the World Trade Organization or by imposing tariffs on U.S. goods if necessary. (Agência Brasil)

🇨🇱 Chile

• Chile forms a task force to address potential U.S. tariffs on copper, aiming to avoid overreaction and prevent escalation. The group, led by Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren, includes officials from the Mining Ministry, Codelco, and Cochilco, and plans to meet regularly to monitor developments. (AméricaEconomía)

• The Central Bank of Chile held its monetary policy interest rate at 5%, with the board unanimously agreeing that maintaining the rate was the only plausible option amid evolving global financial trends. Local markets have adapted as nominal rates rose and the peso depreciated, while Bank of America had anticipated the decision amid transitory inflation and copper price uncertainties. (AméricaEconomía)

🇨🇴 Colombia

• Colombia has approved a national public policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) through coordinated efforts by key government ministries, aiming to leverage AI for sustainable socio-economic transformation. The policy allocates nearly 479 billion pesos for initiatives that enhance governance, technological infrastructure, and digital talent, positioning Colombia as a regional leader in ethical AI development. (Ministerio TIC Colombia)

• Colombia’s President Petro faces a crisis as four high-profile cabinet ministers resign amid growing concerns over his leadership and the legacy of the new pink tide in Latin America. The political turmoil underscores mounting challenges in his administration, including policy missteps and deteriorating domestic legitimacy, which may impact the future trajectory of leftist governments in the region. (Foreign Policy)

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

• Costa Rica adopts a cautious yet pragmatic approach to Trump’s policies, balancing concerns over migration pressures and U.S. aid freezes with opportunities in cybersecurity cooperation. Foreign Minister Arnoldo André urged interpreting Trump’s rhetoric as geopolitical signals rather than literal threats, while highlighting risks of migrant backflows straining Central American resources. (POLITICO)

• Panama and Costa Rica have established joint mechanisms to manage the “reverse flow” of irregular migrants returning southward. This initiative aims to ensure an orderly, legal, humanitarian, and safe migration process, preventing migrants from remaining on the streets in both countries. (CNN)

🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

• Senate President Ricardo de los Santos has advocated for leveraging nearshoring to stimulate the Dominican economy, emphasizing the nation’s strategic location and robust legal frameworks. He highlighted initiatives to streamline business processes and boost foreign direct investment, positioning the country as a key logistics hub in the Caribbean. (Dominican Today)

🇪🇨 Ecuador

• Technical tie between González and Noboa forces a runoff in Ecuador’s presidential election in April, reflecting deep political polarization as both candidates vie to capture the majority of votes. The outcome of the second round is seen as pivotal for Ecuador’s future direction amid a complex socio-political landscape. (France 24)

• Air Force Colonel Porfirio Cedeno was fatally attacked by hitmen in Ecuador, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into potential organized crime links. The incident underscores escalating security challenges in the region, raising serious concerns over the safety of military personnel. (CBS News)

🇸🇻 El Salvador

• El Salvador’s government faces allegations of using public funds for political campaigns under President Nayib Bukele, despite recent legislative reforms aimed at increasing transparency. Critics argue the new laws may consolidate power for Bukele’s party while failing to address misuse of state resources during elections. (AP News)

• El Salvador’s Congress approved housing minors convicted of organized crime in adult prisons, though in separate areas, as part of President Nayib Bukele’s controversial anti-gang measures. The law, criticized by rights groups for alleged torture and due process violations, follows a broader crackdown including mass trials and a “mega prison,” while the U.S. considers housing its citizens in Salvadoran jails. (Reuters)

🇬🇹 Guatemala

• Guatemala and the United States have reached a new agreement to expedite the deportation of illegal migrants by increasing deportation flights by 40%, ensuring faster transfers of individuals without legal status to their countries of origin. The pact, confirmed by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, aims to reduce detention delays and could raise annual deportations from 60,000 to 90,000, with US funds covering the transport costs. (LA NACION)

🇭🇳 Honduras

• The UAE is emerging as a key financier for Honduras’ ambitious “Canal Seco” infrastructure project, as highlighted by Honduran Public Administration Minister Marcio Sierra. The minister underscored the active involvement of UAE investors in bolstering the country’s infrastructure development, signaling a strengthening economic partnership between the two nations. (WAM)

🇲🇽 Mexico

• Mexico may file a lawsuit against Google if the tech giant changes the name of the Gulf of Mexico on its maps, arguing that such a change would erode the country’s historical and geographical identity. The move, criticized by the Mexican president, underscores national efforts to safeguard cultural heritage in the digital era. (Reuters)

• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that if U.S. authorities designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations, Mexico will expand its lawsuit against American gunmakers whose firearms are fueling cartel violence. The announcement underscores Mexico’s determination to hold U.S. companies accountable for the illegal arms trade that exacerbates cross-border crime and further strains bilateral relations. (CBS News)

• Mexico has rejected the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, announcing plans to request consultations with Washington to address these protectionist measures. The move underscores Mexico’s commitment to defending its industrial interests and maintaining stable bilateral trade relations. (Los Angeles Times)

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

• The European Parliament has denounced Nicaragua’s latest constitutional reform, arguing that the changes further entrench authoritarianism and undermine democratic institutions. The resolution calls on the international community to oppose these measures amid growing concerns over the erosion of checks and balances in the country. (DW)

• Nicaragua’s government sharply criticized the Vatican after exiled bishops appeared on television to denounce state policies, accusing the church of meddling in its internal affairs. The backlash intensifies longstanding tensions between the government and dissident clergy amid growing political strife in the country. (Reuters)

🇵🇦 Panama

• Panamanian police arrested over 480 protesters during nationwide demonstrations against Law 163, a bill that would privatize Social Security, with heavy-handed tactics resulting in over 100 injuries and widespread denunciations of police brutality. The protests, led by trade unions like SUNTRACS, also condemned President Mulino’s pro-US stance and his labeling of protest organizers as “terrorists,” as demonstrators demanded the immediate release of detained workers. (Peoples Dispatch)

• Panama faces significant challenges in reducing poverty and inequality as stagnant human capital development and low-quality employment threaten to cost up to 50% of its future income. The new World Bank report highlights the urgent need for enhanced education, modernized job training, and policies to bridge territorial and ethnic gaps amid persistent labor market disparities. Strengthening these areas is deemed essential for fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Panama. (World Bank)

• The U.S. deported 119 migrants from various nations to Panama, highlighting ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement policies between the two countries. The move comes amid broader geopolitical debates involving Panama’s President Mulino and U.S. statements by Donald Trump, intensifying scrutiny over U.S. border policies and their regional impact. (AP News)

🇵🇾 Paraguay

• Maká people in Paraguay are contesting ownership of an 828-acre territory—Fray Bartolomé de las Casas—originally granted in 1944 as recognition of their valor during the Chaco War, though only a portion has been officially recognized. Faced with government plans to repurpose part of the land for infrastructure, the community remains resolute in reclaiming their sacred space and preserving their ancestral traditions. (Associated Press)

• Seven Paraguayan localities, including Asunción, set new historical high temperature records amid an intense heatwave, with the capital reaching 39.6°C and surpassing records from 1969. The extreme temperatures, which also exceeded 40°C in some areas, have led the National Meteorology and Hydrology Directorate to issue alerts as the heat is expected to persist for several more days. (Infobae)

🇵🇪 Peru

• Movistar Perú has initiated a financial restructuring under Peru’s Procedimiento Concursal Ordinario to settle liabilities while ensuring uninterrupted telecom services for over 13 million customers. Telefónica España will inject 394 million euros to cover immediate obligations, following a 7% revenue decline in 2024 attributed to long-standing fiscal and administrative challenges. (Valora Analitik)

• Peruvian banks are bracing for significant market volatility as the 2025 election campaign nears, with political uncertainty and potential policy shifts raising concerns among investors. Financial institutions are closely monitoring fiscal and regulatory signals that could trigger broader economic turbulence in the run-up to the polls. (Bloomberg)

🇻🇪 Venezuela

• US authorities deported Venezuelan immigrants back to Venezuela after a federal judge blocked their transfer to Guantanamo Bay, derailing a key component of the government’s immigration crackdown. The decision forces officials to pursue alternative removal measures amid ongoing legal challenges and debates over detention policies. This development underscores the persistent tension between immigration enforcement and judicial oversight in the United States. (AP News)

🇺🇸 Miami

• Miami Beach officials have reintroduced strict measures, including curfews and enhanced enforcement, to manage the surge of spring break crowds and reduce public disturbances. The new restrictions, aimed at balancing tourist activity with community safety, have sparked mixed reactions among residents and local businesses. (WLRN)

• Miami International Airport processed about 940 million cut flower stems ahead of Valentine’s Day, handling 90% of the U.S. market’s fresh imports while the remaining 10% enter through Los Angeles. The blooms—including roses, carnations, hydrangeas, and chrysanthemums—mainly come from Colombia and Ecuador and are transported via hundreds of flights by carriers such as Avianca Cargo to meet the seasonal surge in demand. (Voz de America)
  

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