Santander CIB marks 30 years of its Latin American CEO Conference in New York
Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander CIB) hosted the 2026 Latin American CEO Conference this week at The Plaza Hotel, marking the 30th anniversary of one of the region’s most respected corporate and investment banking forums.
Over three decades, the conference has established itself as a leading platform for dialogue between Latin American corporates, global investors and public sector representatives. This year’s edition brought together CEOs from across the region, institutional investors and senior policymakers to discuss the forces shaping Latin America’s economic outlook and long-term growth trajectory.
The agenda featured in-depth discussions on geopolitics, monetary policy, corporate strategy and investment opportunities across key sectors. The programme included contributions from Ana Botín, Executive Chair of Banco Santander; Héctor Grisi, Chief Executive Officer of Banco Santander; and José M. Linares, global head of Santander CIB. High-level panels with central bank governors – including Julio Velarde, President of the Central Bank of Peru, and Santiago Bausili, Governor of the Central Bank of Argentina – political figures and policymakers – Maria Corina Machado, leader of the Venezuelan Democratic Movement and 2025 Nobel Prize Laureate, Antony J. Blinken, 71st US Secretary of State, and 48th US Vice President Mike Pence – and corporate leaders – such as Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Horacio Daniel Marín, CEO of YPF – provided additional perspectives on the evolving macroeconomic and financial landscape.
Alongside the main sessions, and a conversation between José M. Linares and Rafa Nadal that went far beyond sport, the conference facilitated a broad programme of one-on-one meetings between corporate leaders and investors, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, capital formation and long-term partnerships.
Thirty years since its inception, the Latin American CEO Conference continues to reflect Santander CIB’s commitment to connecting markets, industries and regions. By fostering informed discussion and facilitating strategic relationships, the conference underscores Santander’s long-standing support for Latin America’s development and its next chapter of growth.
