The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Scotiabank chief executive officer Scott Thomson said Tuesday that an increasingly pro-business climate and rising U.S. influence in Latin America could benefit the lender's growth strategy. The Globe's Stefanie Marotta writes that the U.S. military action in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro -- potential precursors to taking over the country's oil and energy resources -- has prompted concerns about uncertainty in Latin America and challenges for Canadian oil producers. While Scotiabank does not have operations in Venezuela, a shift in the political environment will benefit the region in the long term after a "bit of a lost decade in terms of growth," Mr. Thomson said. Scotiabank's international business is focused on Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia. Mr. Thomson pointed to Chile's election of right-wing candidate Jose Antonio Kast as President and Mexico's increasingly business-friendly administration under President Claudia Sheinbaum as examples of changing political winds in Latin America that are positive for economic growth. "You're seeing more U.S. influence, which plays very well to our Western Hemisphere strategy," Mr. Thomson said.