THREAD: alsea seizes control starbucks colombia

AMAZON’S Shocking Power Grab: Shopify Deal Rocks Wall Street After Bank Collapse

27 May 2025 — Amazon just announced it will buy Shopify for $85 billion. This move could make Amazon even stronger in online shopping and cloud services. Stocks for both companies shot up after the news came out. Regulators are now expected to take a hard look at the deal because of its massive size and impact on competition.

At the same time, First National Financial, a big Wall Street bank, went bankrupt after losing money in the latest crypto crash. The bank’s failure rattled financial markets and caused banking stocks to fall fast. Investors are now worried that more trouble could be coming as crypto keeps shaking up regular banks.

These two events signal major changes for tech giants and America’s financial system. Many Americans will be watching closely as government officials decide what comes next.

How regulators handle this Amazon-Shopify deal — and the fallout from another big bank collapse — could shape our country’s economic future for years to come.

ALSEA SEIZES Control: Starbucks Colombia Franchise Deal Shocks Market

24 May 2025 — Mexican company Alsea now fully owns all 72 Starbucks shops in Colombia. They bought out Grupo Nutresa’s 30% share, making Alsea the only owner. The price of the deal was not shared with the public.

This move gives Alsea more power in Latin America’s coffee market. With full control, they can make faster decisions and grow even more across the region.

In other news, Singapore Business Federation released a new e-book to help businesses handle tariffs and trade barriers. They’re also offering advice on financing and supply chains as global trade rules keep changing.

No other major business news happened on May 22, 2025, besides these updates.

COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT’S Shocking Defense of Cocaine Sparks Global Outrage

05 February 2025 — Colombian President Gustavo Petro caused a stir by defending cocaine, arguing it’s only illegal because it’s made in Latin America. He suggested legalizing it could break the drug trade and sell it like wine. Petro compared cocaine to whiskey but didn’t provide scientific proof for his claims.

Petro criticized the U.S.'s handling of fentanyl, highlighting its deadly effects despite not being made in Colombia. He accused North American pharmaceutical firms of introducing fentanyl to Mexico for profit without facing major policy crackdowns. His remarks came during a six-hour government meeting broadcasted nationally, inspired by Cuba’s communist regime practices.

The meeting was unprecedented in Colombian politics but echoed tactics used by socialist regimes like Venezuela’s. Petro called it an “exercise in transparency,” yet it quickly became a platform for public grievances among his administration members. Some officials openly criticized their peers, showing internal discord within Petro’s government.

Petro admitted his administration has failed to meet over 75 percent of its campaign promises since taking office in August 2022. He spent much time scolding his ministers for their lack of progress on key projects, especially targeting the Housing and Defense ministries for unfinished work and criticizing the Education Minister for tardiness.

COLOMBIA CHAOS: Peace Talks Fail, Violence Erupts

22 January 2025 — At least 80 people have died in northeast Colombia as violence surges after peace talks between the government and rebel forces collapsed. The failed negotiations have reignited fighting, putting civilians in danger and raising fears of human rights abuses.

Local leaders condemn the violence and call for international help to address this humanitarian crisis. They stress the need for new peace talks to stop more bloodshed.

Human rights groups demand immediate investigations into these tragic events and accountability for those responsible. The world community faces pressure to step in and help stabilize this troubled area.

This incident shows Colombia’s fragile peace situation and highlights ongoing challenges in solving conflicts that have plagued the nation for decades.

AMAZON’S BOLD Move: New South Africa Center Shakes UP Market

17 January 2025 — Amazon has opened a new center in Cape Town, South Africa, to support its independent sellers. This is part of Amazon’s plan to grow its market share and compete with local leader Takealot, owned by Naspers. The center aims to help sellers attract more customers and expand Amazon’s product range, potentially boosting revenue.

APPLE’s CHINA TROUBLES: iPhone Shipments PLUMMET

Apple shares fell 3.2% after research firm Canalys reported a 17% drop in iPhone shipments in China for 2024. This decline pushed Apple down to third place in China’s market share rankings. Despite the stock’s volatility, this news is significant but doesn’t drastically change the company’s business outlook.

STOCK MARKET SLUMP: Earnings Reports RATTLE Investors

The stock market took a hit following Wednesday’s rally due to retail sales data and major bank earnings reports taking the spotlight. Analysts remain hopeful about gains for the S&P 500 by year-end despite current swings. Focus is also on upcoming hearings on tariff plans before President-elect Donald Trump that could affect future economic strategies moving forward.