Argentina, which has suffered chronic dollar shortages in recent years and limited access to foreign financing, has officially legalized the program for obtaining nationality through the Argentine Citizenship by Investment Program, as set out in Decree 524/2025. The decree aims to channel foreign savings into productive investment projects and offers investors nationality through the aforementioned investment program. The program itself, however, has yet to be launched pending publication of further implementing regulations establishing minimum investment amounts and granting benefits only for those made in “productive projects”.

In Argentina, Investors Can Obtain Citizenship

Through the program, not yet announced but already regulated by law, foreigners who make certain investments in Argentina will be eligible for Argentine citizenship, becoming the country’s first Argentine citizenship by investment program (similar citizenship-by-investment programs have been reported in other countries in recent years).

The stated goal is that said investments are intended to support long-term productive projects generating jobs and promoting regional development, contributing to Argentina’s export capacity. Although the precise amounts have yet to be announced, officials have said they are working on “a balance so that they are competitive but not insignificant.”

Citizenship-by-investment programs, however, are nothing new: Currently more than 80 countries around the world offer some type of investment-linked residency or citizenship program. In recent decades, citizenship by investment has poured billions of dollars into the United States through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Europe has also seen a boom in investor migration with Portugal, Malta and Hungary using investment-linked migration to drive investment. Some of these programs have come under pressure lately, leading some countries to tighten rules or suspend them altogether due to national security concerns.

Argentina Creates Agency to Administer Citizenship-by-Investment Programs

Decree 524/2025 provides for the creation of the Agency for Citizenship-by-Investment Programs which would be responsible for receiving applications for investments and projects associated with this type of program; analyzing and approving said projects by publishing them on the Agency’s website, and through technical teams assigned for this purpose; articulating and coordinating with the corresponding agencies of the Nation when required; monitoring compliance with agreements reached with investors; and developing other actions derived from its powers or those that are necessary for the fulfillment of its objectives.

The proposal would now require projects approved by the Agency for Citizenship-by-Investment Programs to be finally approved by the National Directorate of Migration and the corresponding Units of Financial Information of the Government of the Nation.

Argentine Citizenship by Investment

Furthermore, Decree 524/2025 stipulates that, although the citizenship-by-investment framework has been enacted, the program cannot yet be activated. Important aspects such as the investment required to obtain Argentine nationality through investment, designation of the so-called “strategic sectors”, among others, have not yet been released. To fill these gaps, the Argentine Government launched an international call for bids to select a company to provide technical consulting services related to the “study and implementation of citizenship programs by investment”.

It is estimated that the program would exceed USD $2.5 billion in foreign direct investment if implemented in its initial stages, attracting approximately 5,000 families that comply with the program’s requirements. This would represent an influx of foreign currency into Argentina and help boost the country’s reserves. Officials have said that they hope that capital will be placed in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and technology.

Areas like Infrastructure, Energy, Agriculture, and Technology Seek Investments

Argentina’s energy sector is the obvious candidate for investment. The nation is endowed with vast unconventional hydrocarbon reserves and now ranks seventh in the world in terms of shale oil and fifth in shale gas. Argentina needs investment if it wants to become a leader in energy production. Projects related to infrastructure would also be highly relevant, including transport infrastructure, logistics centers, construction projects, and even urban development projects that could help provide jobs and address inequality. When it comes to technology, many hope that those who participate in the program can help develop software and other knowledge-intensive services that Argentina is well-positioned to provide.

Countries worldwide offer residency-by-investment and citizenship-by-investment programs to attract foreign capital. Brazil and Chile, neighbors of Argentina, offer investment-linked visas that grant residence in their respective countries but do not lead to immediate citizenship. Countries like these, which many view to have clearer rule of law, will make competition for Argentina challenging. Argentina will need to price its program correctly and ensure foreign investors that their investments will be safe should they take the plunge and participate. These types of programs have also come under scrutiny for lack of transparency in recent years. Institutions will need to work hand-in-hand to ensure that Argentina does not fall into similar situations that have been seen in other jurisdictions.

The Venezuelan government projects oil investments to grow by 55% in 2026 as it reformulates the Hydrocarbons Law to open up the sector to private investments, marking a potential turning point for Venezuelan oil investment after years of decline and state dominance.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Venezuela expects “some $1.4 billion in investments” in its oil sector for the year, compared to $900 million invested last year. This is part of a strategy to grow hydrocarbon production and court private investors.

“We have faced difficulties given the aggression … But we are reactivating projects. Venezuela produces what it needs to,” Rodríguez said.

Rodríguez’s administration has taken steps in recent months to open Venezuela’s oil industry to private domestic and foreign firms, framing the legal overhaul as essential to restoring confidence and unlocking new Venezuelan oil investment flows.

Long one of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ largest oil producers by reserves, Venezuela’s oil production fell steadily for years as Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro increased state control of the industry and squeezed out independent operators.

OPEC member Venezuela pumps less than 1 million barrels per day of crude oil this year after hitting highs of more than 3 million barrels per day in the mid-2000s. To increase output, Venezuela will have to reverse years of economic stagnation and policies that disincentivized foreign investment.

Rodríguez said that Venezuela would grow oil production via reforming the Hydrocarbons Law to allow contracts based on productive participation with private firms, both domestic and foreign, a mechanism officials see as central to rebuilding Venezuelan oil investment momentum.

Venezuela’s Hydrocarbons Reform: What to Know

The National Assembly-approved Hydrocarbons Law reform bill is meant to make Venezuela attractive to foreign and private investment while maintaining state control of the sector.

It passed its first debate and is awaiting ratification later this month or in early May. According to the law, companies operating in Venezuela would be able to:

Operate Independently

Contractors operating in Venezuela would gain autonomy to operate as they see fit instead of going through cumbersome — and sometimes politically motivated — processes overseen by state oil firm Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA).

Focus on Production

Companies would focus on producing oil rather than obtaining rights to operate on the territory. Results are handed over to the state.

Commercial autonomy

Legal protections for companies would allow firms some certainty that their investments would not be stripped away by changes in Venezuelan policy. It would also allow companies to seek international arbitration for contracts, a point that was forbidden under Venezuela’s previous, more rigid hydrocarbons policy.

Become Part of the Global Market

The law also permits contractors to sell oil on the global market, something Venezuela previously only allowed through PDVSA.

The reform would guarantee productive participation contracts (CPPs), which were initially issued via executive order under former President Maduro’s Anti-Blockade Law in 2020 to bypass U.S. sanctions.

Rodríguez touted productive participation contracts as a way to attract investors to help Venezuela both increase output and sell oil abroad to help stabilize the domestic economy and currency.

“We need capital to develop productive participation contracts … we have signed contracts for the supply of dollars that will allow us to guarantee workers’ salaries,” Rodríguez said.

Chevron has said it would welcome deeper ties with Venezuela’s oil industry, while other firms could provide technology that can increase output and competitiveness. In other words, reforms to Venezuela’s Hydrocarbons Law are designed to open the country up for investment.

United States Factor

Oil prices surged this week after U.S. and Venezuelan officials announced a bilateral deal for the sale of Venezuelan oil to the United States, along with discussions about allowing Chevron to invest in oil projects in Venezuela, developments that could significantly accelerate Venezuelan oil investment if sanctions relief proves durable.

Bloomberg reported recently that U.S. officials were willing to involve American energy companies in Venezuela’s comeback story.

Washington’s approval of Venezuelan oil exports is the carrot that Venezuelan officials are hoping will unlock billions in much-needed investment in the country. However, lawmakers and energy analysts have warned that companies will be wary of sending capital to Venezuela without clear rules that protect their investment. The reforms in the Hydrocarbons Law would go some way to offering that reassurance.

Oil Investment Still Faces Hurdles

Opposition lawmakers, energy analysts, and legal experts have criticized the accelerated timeline of Venezuela’s Hydrocarbons Law reform. They argue that the government is pushing through legislation that may contradict the Venezuelan constitution.

The speed of the bill’s approval could open it up to legal challenges that stall reforms needed to attract capital. Chevron and other companies have the technical ability and personnel to help Venezuela jump-start oil output, but may be deterred if capital is at risk of nationalization.

Rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector is also expected to take significant investment, perhaps tens of billions of dollars. It will also take time to reverse damage from years of underinvestment, limited technology, and a shortage of experienced personnel to restart wells, expand capacity, and restore long-term investor confidence.

The global factory of the future is undergoing a radical transformation. The World Economic Forum’s research indicates that by 2026, leading-edge factories will be characterized by five megatrends: hybrid technologies (mass adoption of several technologies simultaneously), focus on human capital, sustainability-led value creation, data-intensive operations, and scalability from the design phase. Where does Paraguay fit in this new industrial world, and what role can the Paraguayan industry realistically play?

Information gathered by the Forum through its Global Lighthouse Network, an initiative that tracks the most advanced industrial plants turning innovative ideas into measurable impact, reveals that 94% of deployed solutions are hybrids, applying multiple technologies simultaneously and gaining productivity improvements of up to 60%. They are scaled platforms coordinated across functions—not isolated pilot projects—and combine artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and data analytics, establishing standards that are increasingly setting expectations for Paraguayan industry.

Scale is our biggest bottleneck

UIP Joven president Francisco Martino identified scalability as the main barrier confronting Paraguayan industry in adopting this new paradigm. “The historic problem we have had with national industry is precisely the lack of absorption capacity of our market. We do not generate enough volume to justify investments of millions or hundreds of millions of dollars in technology for us alone,” he remarked.

Martino added that Paraguay already produces at international quality standards in several sectors where industries have already scaled production to Brazilian slaughterhouses or global supply chains, such as beef and pork production. However, in many cases, Paraguay’s lack of scale limits the profitability of investing in high-end machinery or taking the further step of producing inputs on an industrial scale. “It is not that there is no willingness to innovate, but it does not pay or does not make sense because of the scale,” he summarized.

Foreign companies can play an important role in that sense. “We welcome the installation of Brazilian industries willing to come and produce here. They arrive with their market, with their standards, with their knowledge, and they generate technology transfer. When you manufacture for international companies, you learn; you also start to earn capital and then you can reinvest and buy machinery on an industrial scale,” he added.

Technology and data: mixed improvements

Use of data and real-time visibility is another pillar for competitiveness, according to the World Economic Forum. Factories that exhibit these characteristics reduced time to market for new products by 50% compared to their traditional competitors, and were eight times better prepared to deal with crises resulting in severe revenue drops.

The advance in Paraguay has been mixed. Diego Peyrat, acting head of the National Council of the Maquila Export Industry (CNIME), indicated that from the maquila sector there is progressive implementation of automated machinery and digital management and administrative systems. “From the Executive Secretariat of CNIME we carried out an implementation of IT systems that brought down export times from close to 24 hours to less than one minute. It’s an automatic request processing system with artificial intelligence to recognize components, importers, and issuing online traceability,” he described. At the plant level, maquila companies have integrated automated machinery and management software for productive processes in sectors like auto parts, textiles, plastics, etc. This ranges from inventory control to real-time monitoring of productive processes, allowing year-by-year improvements that are renewing Paraguayan industry from within.

Training qualified human capital is another shared bottleneck. Seventy-five percent of top-performing factories consider skills and safety their number one investment focus. Factories taking these steps have seen performance levels increase by 16% above the average.

“It’s a double challenge because technological incorporation depends a lot on training qualified human capital, and that human capital depends on companies making the effort to invest in technological infrastructure,” said Peyrat.

Reducing emissions, water, or energy is not only key to improving environmental performance but, according to the World Economic Forum, can translate into between 25% and 40% savings in operating costs.

Paraguay needs to improve productivity

For Martino, all that “is true, but today, sustainability is a condition of the market. Some industries can make that profitable, but not many.” He gave the example of a jeans manufacturer exporting to the United States and Europe, which he knows, obtaining organic certifications. “That factory sells its jeans at double the price of others because it has a differentiated market niche that demands organic products,” he noted.

Martino, however, clarified that they cannot make the same request of small and medium enterprises. “We have SMEs in Paraguay that, if they bill US$100,000 a year, are already considered microbusinesses. Many are selling just to pay salaries. We cannot ask them for a circular economy when they are still struggling to make it to the end of the month,” he asserted.

Martino concluded that growth and scale must precede. In that sense, investment in sustainability will have to wait, a reality that appears acutely true for Paraguayan industry.

“In the maquila sector, we see conditions are ripe for the incorporation of technology, automation, and value added. We have macroeconomic stability, tax benefits, competitive energy cost and recently we strengthened the maquila legal framework with the passing of the new Maquila Law 7547 last year. This modernized the service maquila and allows us to recover VAT among other benefits that make the sector even more attractive,” said Peyrat referring to steps that will enable service maquila industries to incorporate more technology and leapfrog into higher value stages of production.

“The world is big and very diversified. Paraguayans have proven they can adapt to many different realities,” concluded Martino.

The summit between Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader and Chile President-elect José Antonio Kast signaled the beginning of cooperation in migration control, responsible mining, and infrastructure projects between the two Latin American nations. Meetings took place in Dajabón province, Dominican Republic, which served as the platform for talks centered on policies surrounding sustainable growth, social responsibility, and regional integration. After a weekend of official meetings and technical visits, the representatives of the Dominican Republic and Chile have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations moving forward by exchanging successful policy experiences.

“The activities developed during these days sought to promote exchanges of experiences and strengthen regional integration through meetings of officials and working visits to programs that serve as an example at the national level,” reads a press release issued by the Presidency of the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic: Chilean Visit Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation Like Never Before

Dominican President Luis Abinader hosted President-elect José Antonio Kast on Sunday as they began official talks, marking the first time the Dominican Republic and Chile have committed to working together on projects related to sustainability, economic management, and quality-of-life standards. For two days, officials met to discuss actionable takeaways concerning the economy, migration management, mining regulation, tourism, and education. In Dajabón province, the Dominican Republic and Chile signaled their intent to align policies focused on sustainability and social responsibility while also learning from one another.

Chile will adopt several migration control policies based on systems implemented by Abinader’s administration. Technical teams from Chile also requested knowledge on airport administration and the management of free trade zones.

Likewise, the Government of the Dominican Republic will share its procedural blueprint with Chilean counterparts in the areas of migration control, airport management, and free trade zones.

Migration Control and Responsible Mining in the Dominican Republic and Chile

The visit allowed officials to exchange perspectives on responsible mining techniques that wouldn’t compromise either country’s natural resources or the quality of life for its citizens living in mining regions. Kast stated that while mining is essential to Chile’s growth, it will not be expanded at the expense of natural resources or vulnerable communities. “There are mining value chains that do not necessarily affect a community negatively, but quite the opposite,” he said.

That said, he looks forward to using the visit with Dominican officials to both protect Chile’s most important ecosystems and uplift mining communities through just policy. Kast went on to reaffirm his commitment to what will be Chile’s new mining policies that center on workers and environmental protection.

Ahead of implementing stricter mining policies, Abinader explained that the Dominican Republic will not allow any mining exploitation in territories where communities have voiced their concerns or vulnerabilities. Going one step further, Argentina will provide Chile with regulatory procedures that adhere to international standards of innovation, quality control, and prevention.

Security and Border Control

Security was also discussed during meetings between the delegations from the Dominican Republic and Chile. Abinader and Kast toured the Beller Fortress and observed the binational wall that separates Dajabón province from Haiti. Touring the binational wall system allowed Kast to personally witness the technology and organization between institutions that allow for efficient border control.

“I hope that our team can study those technological systems because we don’t have that degree of control,” Kast said. He continued by saying that Chile will have to find a balance between managing migratory flow and humane treatment of migrants.

Speaking on migration specifically, Kast estimated that there are around 200,000 Haitians living in Chile and called for the country to reach a level of “full respect of migrant rights” while maintaining better-controlled borders. As such, he went on to announce that Chile will be implementing a “border shield” plan to help mitigate undocumented migration as soon as March of this year. Kast made it clear that Chile will be analyzing multiple international examples, as well as leaning on the success of the Dominican Republic model.

Investing in Economy and Trade

Dominican Republic officials have impressed Kast with the country’s ability to manage free trade zones and locally owned private airports. As Kast mentions, the Dominican state has managed to become a “reference of excellence regionally in the administration of its airports.”

In terms of the economy, Kast explained that Chile will be using similar systems to better compete in international markets, attract more investors, and diversify Chile’s economy. Trade between the Dominican Republic and Chile was also discussed with the view of expanding bilateral investment opportunities.

Dominican Republic officials took President-elect Kast on a tour of local projects that focused on infrastructure and water management. The projects shared with Kast include: La Vigía Canal waterway, which underwent $6 million in repairs to boost productivity for farmers and citizens who rely on the water source. Officials from Masacre, a nearby rural municipality, also explained the modernization of their river irrigation system. This project was previously funded by a $526 million grant and looks to improve Masacre’s agricultural growth and food security.

In the same manner, new social infrastructure was highlighted, including Ramón Matías Mella hospital and classrooms for the Francisco Javier Ureña Canela school.

Tourism was also brought to the table as Kast expressed interest in working with Dominican officials to reactivate bilateral committees. When speaking about the reactivation of said committees, Kast explained that tourism can act as a bilateral driver for economic development. Creating jobs in the tourism sector can also allow for better regional integration.

Additionally, Kast and officials spoke about the industry sector and the opportunity to share both nations’ knowledge on topics such as sustainability, attracting foreign investors, and technology transfer.

Education

Dominican president Luis Abinader also had the opportunity to speak to students from Colegio La Altagracia about regional integration, the visit with Chilean officials, and the importance of being informed about current affairs. Both students and teachers had the opportunity to interact with President Abinader and his delegation.

“I invite you to continue informing yourselves about sustainable development issues, because you are the great generators of change that our country needs,” said Abinader when addressing students.

Conclusion

The historic visit by Chilean President-elect José Antonio Kast to the Dominican Republic marks a new chapter in bilateral cooperation, emphasizing sustainable development, responsible mining, migration management, and economic growth. By exchanging policy experiences, touring key infrastructure projects, and engaging in discussions on trade, education, and tourism, both nations have laid the groundwork for stronger regional integration and mutually beneficial partnerships. This unprecedented agenda reflects a shared commitment to social responsibility, environmental protection, and inclusive economic progress.

After having mobilized more than COP 54.8 trillion in investment and generated over 169 thousand formal jobs, the free trade zone regimes in Colombia have positioned themselves as a locomotive for attracting new capital and promoting economic and social development throughout the country in 2026.

A strategic engine for growth and internationalization

Consolidating themselves as one of the most robust engines for economic growth, attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI), and internationalization of Colombia, free trade zones are multiplying their capabilities and results. In just two years, the sector has attracted COP 54.8 trillion in investments and supported more than 169 thousand formal jobs while promoting an active business ecosystem that is continuously expanding the country’s productive offer in sophisticated manufacturing, global services, agribusiness, life sciences, and enabling technologies.

Beyond investment figures, the regime is contributing to a structural change in the Colombian productive matrix. Businesses operating under this special scheme are increasingly moving up the value chain by incorporating automation and digitalization processes into their operations, as well as boosting value-added tasks that improve competitiveness and resilience. For this reason, free trade zones in Colombia are not only understood as hubs for production but also as business venues that contribute to research and development, training of talent, and export diversification.

Exports and productive positioning

In 2024, free trade zones exported USD 3.12 billion FOB, demonstrating once again their role as pivotal platforms for the production of goods and services destined for markets around the world. From processed foods to chemicals, metal-mechanics, pharmaceuticals, software, or shared services, exports carried out by companies operating in free trade zones reach dozens of countries each year.

Through October 2025, year-to-date exports stand at USD 2.28 billion FOB. Although affected by global volatility, changes in demand, and tighter financial conditions in some countries of destination, other metrics such as import volume, continued investment deployments, and productive transformation trends reveal that businesses are pivoting to modernize their facilities, re-design their supply chains, and adjust output toward new nearshoring and regionalization opportunities. In that way, free trade zones are not only cushioning the impact of external shocks in Colombia but also laying the foundations for lasting industrial development.

Reasons to set up in Free Trade Zones from the global investor’s perspective

“Free trade zones have become strategic levers for positioning Colombian industry in the global market: they provide regulatory certainty, offer competitive benefits, and establish clear guidelines to connect with local suppliers. From the perspective of an international investor, they are safe places to set up operations in Colombia, export products from the country, and create productive and commercial linkages that generate value for our regions,” affirms Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia.

Additional benefits include reduced corporate income tax, customs incentives that allow companies to streamline costs and administrative times, and regulatory stability that facilitates long-term investment planning. Likewise, access to talented human capital —which is increasingly specialized— is backed by universities, technical institutions, and training projects tailored to investors’ needs.

Location, location, location

Colombia has 119 operational free trade zones located in 20 departments nationwide, with privileged access to port terminals on both the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coastlines, and nearness to main cities and consumption centers. That geographic reach allows companies to optimize their logistics operations, save time on shipments, and connect efficiently with markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Zones are located along strategic logistics corridors across Colombia and benefit from ongoing infrastructure projects related to ports, roads, airports, and digitization nationwide. All of the above make installation times faster and position free trade zones in Colombia as ideal destinations for operations sensitive to time and/or high value-added. Nearshoring, Reindustrialization, and Key Sectors

As the international economy experiences significant shifts in production localization and supply chain redesign, Colombia stands out as a safe haven to relocate operations that demand legal certainty, proximity to the United States market, and diversification of destinations. Colombia’s strategy for reindustrialization and promotion of investment clearly positions free trade zones as hubs for nearshoring projects.

Sectors of interest include data centers, multilingual BPO and shared services, health and medical devices, renewable energy equipment, and agribusiness, with greater levels of transformation among others. All of the previously mentioned not only create employment but also allow for knowledge, technology, and best practices spillovers to the local economy.

How Free Trade Zones Are Contributing to the Popular Economy and Regionalization

Another important feature that has distinguished the regime in recent years is its integration with the popular economy to widen the domestic productive base and strengthen its linkages with surrounding municipalities. Last April, the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Diana Marcela Morales, launched the sector’s policy, which includes provisions that ease the participation of microenterprises and small productive units as providers of goods and services to operators installed in free trade zones.

By integrating these small players with global value chains, the measure seeks to promote formalization, productivity, and income generation at the local level. In that way, FDI attracted to Colombia through free trade zones has positive repercussions not only at the national level by increasing competitiveness, but also for the social and economic development of municipalities and departments.

A speeding tool

To speed up the arrival of capital, ProColombia – together with the ANDI Free Trade Zone Users’ Chamber– launched The Directory of Free Trade Zones of Colombia, a tool available in English and Spanish that consolidates strategic information to help locate projects in free trade zones nationwide.

The directory lists value propositions, sector specialization, infrastructure, connectivity, and key contacts of each of the country’s permanent free trade zones. By streamlining evaluation, comparison, and selection processes for global investors, the directory reduces information asymmetries and shortens lead times—a decisive factor in today’s accelerated nearshoring decisions.

Towards 2026

“Looking toward 2026, we expect to see the consolidation of a more sophisticated export platform that is able to capture projects that are intensive in both employment and technology, positioning Colombia as a key node for international trade, innovation, and productive integration in Latin America,” Caballero concludes.

As multinational companies rethink their investment destinations and strategies, the scale, maturity, and flexibility of free trade zones in Colombia will allow the country to seize new investment opportunities, upgrade its productive capabilities, and continue inclusive growth.