Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 166

166th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 166th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Jun 21, 2026 and Aug 30, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Nguyen Hai Tien Appointed Vietnam’s New Minister of Home Affairs

One noteworthy event has occurred in Vietnam, Nguyen Hai Tien replaces his predecessor Do Thanh Binh who has been assigned by the Politburo as new Secretary of the Party Committee of the southern city of Can Tho.

The Ministry of Home Affairs exercises state management functions over public administration, organization of local administrations, cadres, civil servants, and public employees, labor, social insurance, employment, non-governmental organizations, gender equality, emulation and reward work among others.

Jay Clayton Sworn In as US Director of National Intelligence

Shifting our focus to United States, Jay Clayton has been sworn in as the US’s top spy after a contentious Senate confirmation hearing during which ⁠he refused to directly ⁠acknowledge ​that Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential election.

The oath of office was administered to Clayton by the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, in the Oval Office as the president looked on and applauded. He becomes the ninth director of national intelligence, replacing Tulsi Gabbard, who stepped down in June.

Clayton, a former US attorney for the southern district of New York and chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will oversee 18 US intelligence agencies. His appointment follows a turbulent two months in which the intelligence apparatus was temporarily led by Bill Pulte, the housing regulator whom Trump installed as acting director after Gabbard’s departure.

Pulte’s appointment had unsettled some Republicans because of his lack of national security experience. During his brief tenure, however, he became involved in the administration’s increasingly prominent campaign to raise concerns about the integrity of US elections.

Ghana Appoints Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as New Defence Minister

In Ghana, Ghana appointed a new defense minister, a year after a military helicopter ​crash killed his predecessor.

President John Dramani Mahama‘s ⁠office said in a statement that Kenneth ​Gilbert Adjei, previously minister of works, housing ​and water resources, had been reassigned to the defense portfolio.
Adjei served as deputy defence minister from 2012 to ​2017.

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson has been acting ​as defence minister since August 2025, when the helicopter ‌crash ⁠killed the defence minister, Edward Omane Boamah, the environment minister, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, three other officials and three air force crew.

Ghana held a ​memorial service ⁠for those killed in the crash and unveiled a cenotaph in ​Boamah’s honour.

RBI Imposes ₹5.40 Lakh Penalty on Infinity Fincorp Solutions for KYC Non-Compliance

In the realm of regulatory affairs, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated August 03, 2026, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5.40 lakh (Rupees Five lakh forty thousand only) on Infinity Fincorp Solutions Private Limited (the company) for non-compliance with certain provisions of the ‘Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions’ and the directions issued by RBI on ‘Fair Practice Code’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under section 58(G)(1)(b) read with section 58(B)(5)(aa) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

The Statutory Inspection of the company was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025. Based on the supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

Ecuador Charges Former Interior Minister José Serrano Over 2023 Presidential Candidate Assassination

Shifting our attention Ecuador, Prosecutors in Ecuador have charged a former interior minister and six others on suspicion of being involved in the assassination of a presidential candidate in 2023.

José Serrano and the head of cartel Los Lobos, Wilmer “Pipo” Chavarria, were implicated in the murder of Fernando Villavicencio at a campaign event in the capital, Quito, days before the election.

Five people linked to the criminal gang were jailed over the hit in 2024, while Pipo was captured in Spain last year, having faked his own death.

Villavicencio, a journalist turned prominent legislator, was known for his anti-corruption stance and was one of few candidates to allege links between organised crime and government officials.

He had continued to appear at public campaigns after being given a security detail due to his receiving a number of death threats.

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