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In this Wealth Wednesday episode, filmed just before Christmas, we explore Brazil's significant public energy investment, highlighting the country as a top destination for such ventures. We discuss how these investments and other financial management strategies contribute to wealth building strategies across the region.

Brazil now leads Latin America in oil production, surpassing Mexico and Venezuela, while simultaneously building one of the cleanest renewable energy matrices in the region. With massive oil and gas reserves, expanding offshore wind farms, hydropower dominance, and over $88 billion in public energy investments, Brazil is positioning itself at the center of the global energy transition.

This episode connects the dots between politics, public investment, renewable energy, oil production, and long-term national strategy — and explains why Brazil’s energy rise could reshape Latin America’s economic future.

Chapters

01:27 What 2025 revealed about business and growth

07:03 Why Brazil is becoming an energy superpower

07:58 What makes Brazil different from other LATAM countries

13:10 What $88B in energy investment looks like

15:06 Why Brazil surpassed Mexico in oil production

16:40 Who is funding Brazil’s energy expansion

17:57 Why China’s energy influence matters globally

22:05 Can Brazil become a long-term energy leader

23:42 What a trillion-dollar opportunity really means in Brazil

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In this Wealth Wednesday episode, we break down Puerto Rico’s ongoing power crisis and the government’s lawsuit against LUMA Energy. While the story has dominated news in Puerto Rico, it has barely reached the mainland United States — and the implications are serious.

We clarify misinformation around LUMA’s finances, explain why the real issue traces back to PREPA’s $9 billion bankruptcy, and unpack how decades of neglect left Puerto Rico’s power grid fragile long before Hurricane Maria. We also explore why blackouts last days instead of hours, how rising electricity bills are impacting residents and businesses, and why unreliable power continues to block economic growth on the island.

This episode dives into who actually controls Puerto Rico’s power system, why many believe the government is effectively suing itself, and what a realistic best-case scenario could look like moving forward.

Chapters

00:00 Intro and episode overview

02:23 Why Puerto Rico is suing LUMA Energy

03:18 What LUMA bankruptcy rumors get wrong

06:13 Why blackouts hurt Puerto Rico’s economy

09:09 Who actually owns the power grid

14:33 Why transparency and public data matter

18:36 Can Puerto Rico fix its energy crisis

22:05 What the best-case scenario looks like

23:34 When real change could happen

In today’s Wealth Wednesday episode, we break down two major developments shaping the future of Latin America’s digital economy: the explosive rise of AI and fintech across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, and TikTok’s massive new data center project in Brazil valued at 38 billion dollars.

Latin America has become one of the fastest-growing regions in the world for AI adoption, with fintech expanding more than 300 percent from 2017 to 2023. But despite this rapid growth, companies across the region are facing a huge talent shortage. More than 60 percent of businesses report that AI training is their number one need, and 40 percent say they do not have the internal talent to scale their AI operations. We explore why the demand is rising so quickly, where AI is being used the most (payments, fraud detection, customer service, e-commerce), and whether Latin America can develop the workforce needed to compete globally.

We also break down TikTok’s plan to build a 38 billion dollar renewable-energy-powered data center on the northern coast of Brazil. This project will bring more than 4,000 jobs to the region, deepen Brazil’s role in global tech infrastructure, and place the country at the center of a growing competition between the United States and China for digital dominance in Latin America.

This episode covers economics, geopolitics, AI innovation, global talent gaps, and the future of the Latin American tech ecosystem. If you want to understand where opportunity is heading over the next decade, this is a must-watch conversation.

Chapters

00:00 Intro and episode setup
01:53 Why AI and fintech are exploding across Latin America
03:43 What is driving 300 percent fintech growth
05:39 Why companies lack AI skills and training
08:06 Who benefits from AI opportunities in emerging markets
10:29 What high-paying AI jobs reveal about the talent gap
15:13 Why TikTok is investing 38B in a Brazil data center
17:27 What this means for US-China influence in Latin America
21:17 Should Latin America become a global AI competitor
22:43 When the Latin Wealth community launches

In today’s Wealth Wednesday episode, we break down two major topics impacting the Latino and Black communities in finance, opportunity, energy policy, and economic mobility.First, we dive into Puerto Rico’s newly approved $3.2 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal with New Fortress Energy. We discuss what LNG is, how it works, why this deal caused New Fortress stock to surge, and whether this creates real opportunity for Puerto Rico’s energy future or simply another monopoly that consolidates control over the island’s infrastructure and ports. We also explore concerns about oversight, investors behind the deal, and whether Puerto Rico will actually benefit or repeat historical financial cycles.Second, we unpack the viral video related to Pharrell Williams’ comments about diversity programs and whether people should get opportunities because they are the best candidate — independent of race. We explore the deeper issue: do talented minority candidates actually receive equitable access, or do systemic barriers still block qualified individuals from the table?This conversation brings real-world insight from lived experiences, including workplace bias, academic barriers, affirmative action, and the challenges Black and Latino professionals face entering spaces traditionally dominated by others.If you’re interested in energy economics, wealth-building, systemic equity, Puerto Rico’s future, merit-based advancement, and diversity in opportunity, this episode brings a powerful and nuanced discussion.Chapters 00:00 Intro and episode setup01:53 Why Puerto Rico’s $3.2B LNG deal matters04:42 What liquefied natural gas actually is07:31 Monopoly and oversight concerns10:23 Pharrell diversity video reaction12:05 Why access and opportunity still matter#puertorico #latinwealth

Puerto Rico may be at its true inflection point. In this episode, we unpack a powerful essay by Francisco Rodriguez Castro (Berlin Capital) that argues Puerto Rico can shift from decades of stagnation to sustained growth—if it acts with urgency. We break down the island’s world-class manufacturing base (pharma, biotech, medical devices, aerospace), the talent pipeline, and the 12 transformative goals for “Puerto Rico 2030,” including economic freedom, 300,000 high-quality private-sector jobs, a modern energy grid, and sustainable GNP growth above 4%.

We also discuss the island’s over-regulation and low labor participation, how to streamline permits, why the grid must come first, and how nearshoring and tariff dynamics could position Puerto Rico as a strategic U.S. manufacturing hub. Finally, we talk culture and mindset—why belief, accountability, and a modern education-to-workforce pipeline are essential for the island’s next chapter.

If you’re Puerto Rican on-island or in the diaspora—or you care about economic development, manufacturing, and the future of Latin America—this conversation is for you.

Chapters

00:00 What’s in this episode and why Puerto Rico now
02:03 Who benefits from Puerto Rico’s manufacturing strength
05:00 Why economic freedom matters more than slogans
07:18 Should the energy grid be goal #1?
10:22 How to create 300,000 quality private-sector jobs
13:05 What a faster education-to-workforce pipeline looks like
16:10 Can nearshoring and tariffs accelerate growth by 2030?
18:44 When streamlined permits unlock investment
21:04 What realistic 4%+ GNP growth requires
24:10 How belief and accountability change the trajectory

Is the U.S. headed for a larger conflict in Latin America—or will China quietly win the region through investment? In this Wealth Wednesday episode, we break down the U.S. military escalation near Venezuela (strikes on “narco” boats, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, and a $50M bounty on Maduro) versus China’s venture capital push across Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile.

Plus, a big announcement: we’re launching a Latin Wealth community by December 1—a live, hands-on space for Latinos to learn business, investing, marketing, podcasting, life insurance, and succession planning with real Q&A, expert sessions, and zero gatekeeping. Link coming soon.

What you’ll learn

• Why the U.S. is framing operations as counter-drug—while fielding a land-strike carrier
• What a $50M bounty on Maduro signals for risk in the region
• Who China’s funding (Didi, Tencent, Ant-backed deals, and more) and where capital is flowing
• When startup funding fell in LatAm—and how China is filling the gap
• Should founders in LatAm align with U.S. markets or China’s capital—and what that means for jobs
• How our new community will help you start, grow, and scale your business

Chapters (SEO-boosted)

00:00 — What we’re building: the Latin Wealth community (Dec 1)
00:26 — Why Latinos need a live, no-gatekeeping space to learn and earn
01:51 — Who and what you’ll access inside: experts, live sessions, real Q&A
04:14 — Can this community help you launch and scale a business?
05:41 — When headlines escalate: U.S. strikes and “counter-drug” framing
06:10 — What the carrier group means: USS Gerald R. Ford near Venezuela
08:36 — Why a $50M bounty on Maduro raises regional risk
19:06 — How China is funding LatAm startups (VC, tech, fintech, infra)
27:05 — What falling LatAm funding means—and who fills the gap
29:31 — Should founders pivot to capital, customers, or capacity first?

Is Costa Rica the next Central American tech powerhouse? After spending three days in San José for the Blockchain Jungle conference, I break down why the answer might be yes—and what that means for innovation, crypto, and opportunity across Latin America.

In this episode, I share my on-the-ground experience (clean, safe city; watch restaurant prices), plus what made Blockchain Jungle different: Spanish-first programming, strong local turnout, career and trading rooms, multi-stage learning, premium “whale” networking, and full podcast support on site. Most importantly, I outline four reasons Costa Rica is rising—from community and talent to brand positioning and real tech presence.

What you’ll learn

• Why Costa Rica’s innovation momentum is accelerating after Blockchain Jungle
• What I saw: Spanish-led sessions, local builders, hands-on career and trading rooms
• Who is showing up: students, founders, and regional talent from Brazil, Panama, and Colombia
• How “Essential Costa Rica” branding pushes excellence, sustainability, and innovation
• When tourism still matters—and how it funds infrastructure and jobs
• What big tech footprints (Intel, HP, Amazon, IBM) and a bilingual, STEM-driven workforce signal
• Can early crypto education and policy openness unlock the next adoption wave?

Key takeaways

• Community > spectacle: the event kept learning and real connections front and center.
• Local pride: organizers want the world to come to Costa Rica, not export the event.
• Brand alignment: you see “Essential Costa Rica” everywhere—from the airport to the city.
• Economic pillars: tourism remains a jobs and infrastructure engine while tech expands.
• Talent pipeline: English + Spanish fluency and STEM emphasis make Costa Rica attractive to global firms.

Chapters

00:00 — Why Costa Rica might be Latin America’s next innovation hub
01:25 — What surprised me about San José: safety, cleanliness, costs
02:50 — Who was at Blockchain Jungle: local builders, Spanish-first talks
04:12 — How the conference worked: career room, trading room, whale room, stages
06:36 — Can community-first events beat big-show conferences?
08:41 — What organizers told me: keep the movement in Costa Rica
10:26 — When national branding helps: “Essential Costa Rica” everywhere
21:18 — Who is investing: big tech footprints + bilingual, STEM talent
25:29 — Should you watch Costa Rica for crypto and startup growth?

#costarica

The U.S. military has launched multiple strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean, deploying ~10 naval ships and ~10,000 troops—the largest buildup there since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Officials say they’re targeting “narco-terrorists tied to Venezuela,” while critics argue this is really about pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, sanctions, and oil leverage—not fentanyl flows.

In this episode, we break down what’s known vs. what’s narrative: the strikes, war-powers questions, the 150+ U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, the drone plot history, and why Venezuela’s 300B+ barrels of proven oil reserves put it at the center of a bigger U.S.–China–BRICS contest for influence. We also unpack the risks of accidental escalation and what diplomacy would actually require.

What you’ll learn

• What the new U.S. operations are and how they’re being justified
• Why critics compare this to past “WMD-era” pretexts and info gaps
• Who backs Venezuela (Russia/China/BRICS) and why that matters
• How sanctions, embargoes, and oil flows shape the standoff
• When military buildups spill into broader regional conflicts
• Can a negotiated off-ramp reduce risk without rewarding bad actors?
• Should Americans view this as a drug war—or energy geopolitics?

Join the discussion: Is this truly about narcotics, or about oil and leverage? What off-ramps should the U.S. and Venezuela pursue? Comment below and share with someone who follows Latin America, energy, or security policy.

Chapters (SEO-optimized)

00:00 — What is happening: strikes, ships, and troop levels
01:25 — Why call it a drug war? Claims vs. data on trafficking routes
02:22 — Who gains from pressure on Maduro? Sanctions and politics
03:50 — When history rhymes: Iraq/WMD analogies & war-powers scrutiny
06:08 — What oil explains: Venezuela’s 300B+ barrels and global stakes
10:49 — Should the U.S. risk escalation with Russia/China in the mix?
17:26 — Can diplomacy work? Sanctions relief, verification, and off-ramps
22:13 — Who pays the price if miscalculation sparks wider conflict?