Rio Times · Analysis
Key Facts
—The Hormuz chokehold The 38-day Iran War forced the world’s most vital oil tankers around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10-14 days to trade and inflating fuel and food prices across Latin America.
—Disinflation stalls The IMF warns that global disinflation has paused, with the ECB holding rates at 2.25% as oil-linked price pressures refuse to fade, hitting import-dependent Caribbean economies hardest.
—A Monroe Doctrine 2.0 The US apprehension of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on 3 January 2026 reset hemispheric power dynamics, signalling a newly aggressive Washington doctrine to secure resources and block rivals.
