Disaster Response in Colombia: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia near San José del Palmar, killing at least 132 people and injuring 570+ as rescue teams search collapsed buildings; President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency and reported thousands of homes damaged and hospitals collapsed. Energy & Cross-Border Deals: BP agreed to sell a 20% stake in Trinidad’s Manakin block of the Cocuina-Manakin gas field to Trinidad’s NGC, with development targeted for end-2026 and gas marketed via Atlantic LNG. Bolivia’s Economic Pivot: President Rodrigo Paz is set to send an Investment Law to Congress and push market-oriented reforms to attract private capital, loosen state control in energy/mining, and support an IMF-backed stabilization plan. Tech & Payments: Apple Pay could launch in India as early as October, initially without UPI support, as Apple negotiates interchange fees with card issuers. Sustainable Transport Milestone: Latin America hit 10,000 electric buses in operation, cutting an estimated 10M+ tonnes of CO₂ annually, driven by coordinated city electrification efforts. Crypto & Policy: Paraguay’s second Accelerating Bitcoin conference opens Aug. 12–13, spotlighting mining, regulation, and the country’s growing role as a regional crypto hub. Automotive Trade: China’s car sales fell for a 10th straight month in July, but exports surged, with Brazil and Russia leading destinations for Chinese passenger-vehicle shipments in H1 2026.