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ECLAC projects 2.2% growth for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has released its 2026 Economic Study, projecting a regional GDP growth of 2.2%. This figure represents a slight downward revision from previous estimates and marks five consecutive years of growth averaging approximately 2.3%. ECLAC officials, including Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, warned that this growth rate remains insufficient to close development gaps or significantly increase per capita income.
Economic performance varies significantly across the region. Venezuela is projected to lead growth with a 6.5% expansion, followed by Nicaragua (4.5%), Panama (4.4%), Paraguay (4.3%), and Guatemala (4.0%). The Dominican Republic is also expected to perform strongly with 4.0% growth. Conversely, Mexico is facing a slowdown with a projected growth of 1.3%, placing it among the region's lower performers alongside Uruguay (1.5%) and Chile (1.6%). The most severe contractions are expected in Cuba (-10.3%) and Haiti (-1.9%).
The report attributes the cautious outlook to global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, energy market pressures, and fluctuating international trade environments.
Entities
Dominican Republic · ECLAC · Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean · José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs · Mexico · United Nations · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Mexico's economic growth is projected at 1.3% for 2026. www.diarioevolucion.com.mx · tiempodigital.mx · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · loultimodigital.com · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Venezuela is projected to grow by 6.5% in 2026. www.diarioevolucion.com.mx · loultimodigital.com · noticiasaldiayalahora.co · eltrueno.com.py · eldiario.com · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Cuba is projected to experience a 10.3% contraction in GDP in 2026. www.diarioevolucion.com.mx · loultimodigital.com · tiempodigital.mx · nuevodia.com.ve · muropolitico.mx
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Guyana is projected to grow by 16.2% in 2026. noticiasaldiayalahora.co
- [● 16 SOURCES] The regional growth rate is considered insufficient to close development gaps. loultimodigital.com · precision.com.do · udgtv.com · m.n.com.do · nuevodia.com.ve · +9 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] El Salvador's growth projection for 2026 was raised to 3.9%. www.tcsahora.com · lanoticiasv.com · dinero.com.sv
- [● 4 SOURCES] Chile's growth projection for 2026 was reduced to 1.6%. www.latercera.com · loultimodigital.com · nuevodia.com.ve · www.diarioevolucion.com.mx
- [● 23 SOURCES] ECLAC projects Latin America and the Caribbean will grow by 2.2% in 2026. www.diarioevolucion.com.mx · loultimodigital.com · precision.com.do · www.tcsahora.com · tiempodigital.mx · +15 more