International

El Salvador’s bitcoin reserves soar in value as cryptocurrency’s bullish surge continues

Bitcoin continues to solidify its position in the global economic landscape during a bullish period that seems to have no ceiling. On Monday at 10:39 a.m., it set a new record by reaching $107,054, bringing its market capitalization to $2.116 trillion, making it the seventh most valuable asset in the world and not far from overtaking Google.

It seems that time is proving right the institutions and countries that have incorporated Bitcoin into their financial strategy, making periodic acquisitions. For instance, the 5,965 coins in El Salvador’s reserve have surpassed $636 million in value due to the price increase, yielding a return of 137.58% and unrealized gains of $360 million. The country’s bet on the cryptocurrency has even had a positive impact on traditional markets. Just after Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the first time in early December, Bloomberg reported that Salvadoran bonds appreciated in value in response to the state’s benefits from the digital currency. “This is the first time in history that Bitcoin has driven sovereign bonds in traditional markets,” said President Nayib Bukele at the time.

On another note, MicroStrategy Inc., a business intelligence and data analytics software maker, was recently confirmed as a new member of the Nasdaq 100 index.

Being selected for the widely followed technology benchmark index is a milestone for MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor, who has been leading a strategy of massive Bitcoin purchases since 2020.

According to Bloomberg, the company’s average gains of 40% over three consecutive months have raised its value to nearly $100 billion, meeting a key requirement to become a member.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

International

Air Canada suspends JFK flights amid soaring fuel costs linked to Iran conflict

Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June through late October, citing rising jet fuel costs driven by the conflict involving Iran.

“Since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, some routes and less profitable flights have become economically unviable, so we are making adjustments accordingly,” the airline said in a statement.

Despite the suspension, the carrier confirmed it will continue operating 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Air Canada expects to resume its JFK operations after October 25.

Meanwhile, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a temporary ceasefire in the region. However, jet fuel shortages could persist even if the truce holds.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

Fuel accounts for between 25% and 30% of operating costs for most airlines, and carriers worldwide have responded to the crisis by raising fares and suspending select routes due to safety and profitability concerns.

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.