AGP Executive Report

Climate & Agriculture: Venezuela’s CONFEAGRO says its “Let’s Go with Sorghum” push is expanding sorghum planting in drought-hit Guárico and aims to eventually restore far more area nationwide, positioning the crop as a heat- and water-stress alternative to corn. Animal Health & Trade: U.S. senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to restore funding to protect U.S. livestock from New World Screwworm, warning the pest is already confirmed in dozens of U.S. cases and could hit Texas cattle alone at massive cost. Public Health & Water Security: Trinidad and Tobago faces worsening water-supply strain as rainfall patterns shift and droughts intensify, with experts calling for long-term resilience planning. Governance & Civil Society: Jamaica’s proposed Non-Profit Organisations Act is under debate as experts say it must meet anti–money laundering standards without choking civic space. Energy Transition: Chile’s Verano Energy selected Sungrow for a 152 MW / 606 MWh battery storage system for the Observatorio solar-plus-storage project. Health Research: A new study finds men’s higher tuberculosis rates are driven more by higher infection risk than by faster progression after infection. Disaster & Weather: Hurricane Lala’s record-shattering Pacific impacts and a hostile Atlantic linked to El Niño are reshaping near-term storm expectations.

Measles Alert: Barbados urged to tighten defenses as the Americas face their worst measles outbreak in over two decades, with PAHO calling for stronger vaccination drives and surveillance. Public Health: New Jersey confirmed its first Zika case since 2020, stressing it was travel-associated and keeping local risk “extremely low.” Climate & Food Risks: El Niño is forecast to raise heat, drought and cyclone risks across the region, with warnings for Latin America’s crops and water supplies. Disaster Response: Colombia’s earthquake recovery faces scrutiny as rescue teams race to find survivors and the death toll climbs. Energy Infrastructure: Brazil’s Belo Monte UHVDC Phase II project is hailed as a “green artery” for transmitting clean power from the Amazon to the southeast. Health Research: Trials report survival gains for MET-driven EGFR-mutated lung cancer using TAGRISSO plus savolitinib. Trade & Ports: Turkey’s Yilport deal to modernize El Salvador’s Acajutla and La Union ports signals deeper logistics investment into Latin America.

Earthquake Response & Trade: Colombia’s newly elected President Abelardo de la Espriella asked U.S. President Donald Trump to temporarily suspend high tariffs to ease business pain after the 7.4 quake killed at least 289 people, with the U.S. already pledging $26.5 million in emergency aid. Disaster Accountability: A viral incident from Medellín shows an executive allegedly threatening staff not to evacuate during the quake, drawing condemnation from occupational health specialists and unions. Climate & Fisheries: NASA flagged a drop in phytoplankton in the eastern Pacific tied to El Niño, warning of knock-on effects for marine life and fishing; NOAA says El Niño has a 97% chance to persist into early 2027. HIV Funding Pressure: At AIDS 2026 in Rio, leaders pushed “innovation without access is injustice” as global funding gaps threaten progress against HIV/AIDS. Gender in Chile: Chile’s cabinet fell to 36.4% women after reshuffles, with critics saying progress is being weakened. Biodiversity & Heritage: LiDAR research in Brazil’s Acre suggests the Aquiry civilization supported far larger populations than previously thought, with thousands of ceremonial earthworks.

Climate Outlook: El Niño and La Niña forecasts are shaping expectations for wetter and stormier conditions in parts of the U.S., while other regions face drought risk, with NOAA and climate institutes warning Latin America’s food and trade networks could feel the impact. Water Stress: Puerto Rico has started rotating 48-hour water shutoffs for about 180,000 properties as the Carraízo reservoir nears depletion, underscoring how drought and aging infrastructure collide. Biodiversity & Conservation: Florida sea turtle nesting hit record levels, but experts warn recent U.S. moves to weaken the Endangered Species Act could slow recovery. Health & Policy: New UK guidance could limit automatic PSA testing for men over 50 without symptoms, a reminder of how screening rules can shift outcomes. Regional Development: OECS unveiled a regional child policy and strategic plan for 2026–2032 with UNICEF support, aiming to protect children across the subregion. Energy & Investment: Peter Thiel bought a 1% stake in Argentina’s Vista Energy tied to the Vaca Muerta shale boom, while Argentina’s EV market share continues to climb as Chinese brands expand. Environment & Community: In Guatemala, rural Indigenous communities are tackling plastic waste and health risks through locally led cleanups and research-backed workshops.

Haiti Stability Push: An OAS-led high-level delegation headed by Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin is set to visit Haiti Aug. 16-19 with CARICOM, PAHO, the World Bank, IDB and others to back governance, elections, humanitarian needs and longer-term development. Bolivia Security Crackdown: In La Paz, President Rodrigo Paz’s government used a 90-day state of exception after weeks of protests, with rights monitors alleging excessive force and links to extremist groups. El Niño Watch: NASA and WMO say El Niño is already shifting Pacific conditions and is likely to become very strong by late 2026, raising risks for rainfall, fisheries and food supplies across Latin America. Colombia Earthquake Response: Rescue teams reported possible signs of life under rubble in Pereira and Cali as the 7.4 quake death toll climbed, while search efforts extended into the weekend. Panama-Darien Crime Fight: Panama says it is targeting an illicit gold-mining network tied to Clan del Golfo, after operations captured dozens near the Mangle River. Health Systems Upgrade (Caribbean): St. Kitts and Nevis deployed a National Digital Health Information System at JNF General Hospital to modernize records and patient-centered care. Food Security Alarm: JPMorgan warns the next global food crisis may be forming, with “Five Ws” (war, weather, warehousing, water, waste) and a potentially historic El Niño keeping inflation pressure into 2027. Venezuela Gold Dispute: Venezuela’s government and opposition say they’re working to recover about $4bn in gold bullion held in the Bank of England for reconstruction and sanctions relief. Mexico Sargassum Surge: Mexico is racing to clear record sargassum levels along the Caribbean coast, with Quintana Roo already collecting over 105,000 tons this year.

Colombia Earthquake Response: Colombia’s 7.4 quake death toll has climbed past 270, with hundreds injured and dozens still missing, as authorities face fresh scrutiny after declining foreign rescue offers. Disaster Preparedness Debate: Seismologists stress that short-term earthquake prediction isn’t reliable, even as the tragedy revives calls for better warning systems. Human Impact on the Ground: A Bermudian doctor helping set up a clinic in Ibague described the shaking as lasting less than a minute but feeling endless, highlighting the anxiety that follows aftershocks. Eastern Caribbean Social Policy: The OECS, with UNICEF support, launched a regional child policy and strategic plan for 2026–2032 aimed at protecting children through a whole-of-the-child approach. Education Digital Push: The OECS Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) marked a milestone toward a regional post-secondary education tech ecosystem, including a virtual campus and education management system. Caribbean Water Crisis: Puerto Rico’s drought has triggered rationing amid aging infrastructure, while experts argue rainwater harvesting could have reduced the impact. Caribbean Court of Justice: The CCJ president rejected “panel fixing” claims amid reported internal tensions, defending the court’s independence.

Kidney Transplant Hope in Puerto Rico: A Puerto Rican veteran received a call for a kidney transplant in May 2026, only for the donor organ to be deemed non-viable on the way to Iowa—another reminder of how fragile access to life-saving care can be. Tropics Watch: Southwest Florida’s storm risk eased as the Hurricane Center downgraded development chances for two Atlantic disturbances to “code yellow,” though monitoring continues. Cuba at 100: Cuba marked Fidel Castro’s centennial with top leadership attending events and reaffirming revolutionary legacy. Cuba Sanctions Pressure: UN-linked reporting says sanctions “chill” is blocking aid flows to Cuba, keeping the country under strain. Caribbean Climate Resilience: OECS and New Zealand wrapped a climate-resilience school project in Dominica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, strengthening disaster-ready education. Sargassum Crisis in Mexico: Mexico’s Caribbean coast is clearing record sargassum volumes—over 105,000 tons so far this year—with another difficult season possible. El Niño Forecast: NOAA says El Niño is likely to become a historic event, with knock-on effects for hurricane patterns and regional flood risk. Colombia Cartel Crackdown: Colombia is joining the U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas” anti-cartel coalition, signaling deeper military cooperation. Nubank Growth: Brazil’s Nubank reported first-ever quarterly income above $1 billion, pushing expansion plans including a U.S. bank.

USMCA Trade Talks: Mexico is pressing the U.S. for a discount on a 25% auto tariff and more flexibility on steel duties as negotiations enter a tighter, sector-by-sector phase. Disaster Response & Gender Risks: After Venezuela’s double earthquakes, advocates warn that lack of gender-disaggregated data is leaving women and girls exposed, including gaps in maternal health and sexual and reproductive care. Climate Shock for the Amazon: Reports say El Niño could peak during the Amazon’s most vulnerable dry months, raising drought and fire risks that could ripple into food and climate stability. Regional Environment Diplomacy: Belize is hosting CCAD’s 75th Council of Ministers, coordinating Central American climate and environmental priorities under its CCAD pro tempore chairmanship. Food Safety & Health Debate: A Mexico-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to contaminated lettuce is back in focus, while commentary continues on the health tradeoffs of artificial sweeteners. Earthquake Aftermath: Colombia’s quake recovery remains urgent as search efforts continue and casualties climb.

El Niño Watch: NOAA says El Niño is strengthening fast, with a 69% chance it becomes the strongest since 1950—raising flood and drought risks across the region, including warnings about when rains hit, not just how much. Caribbean Governance & Finance: CARICOM education ministers meet in Guyana to focus on skills, assessments and teacher development, while the CDB and World Bank review Grenada projects to improve delivery on water, health, education and climate resilience. Cuba at 100: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary amid a deepening squeeze, with supporters highlighting his legacy and critics pointing to the crisis. Argentina Immigration & Health: Argentina ends free routine care for non-resident foreigners in public hospitals and expands measures targeting migrants who incite hate. U.S. Navy Strain: Reports of worsening conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln—food, sanitation and mental health—spark lawmakers’ demands for accountability as the ship heads toward the Middle East. Mexico Cruise Costs: Mexico doubles a “no-resident duty” cruise fee for foreigners, with further increases planned.

El Niño Watch: Latin America is bracing for what experts call a potentially record-strong El Niño, with heavier rain likely in the south but higher drought risk in the north—raising alarms for crops, energy and trade routes as the pattern strengthens from September. Disaster Response: Colombia’s deadly 7.4 earthquake has killed at least 265 people, with nearly 500 missing; international search teams are working alongside local authorities as the new president declares a national emergency and deploys security to prevent looting. AI Governance: A Sensedia–Squadra–MIT Sloan study finds 74% of companies face unexpected AI costs and governance risks, shifting the focus from pilots to scaling with better data access and risk controls. Caribbean Connectivity: CAN’T0 says telecom growth across the Caribbean needs more regional integration, harmonized rules and sustained investment to keep up with digital demand. Cuba at 100: Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary amid a worsening economic squeeze tied to U.S. pressure, with supporters highlighting internationalism while critics point to the system behind today’s crisis. Marine Conservation: Bahamas non-profits can apply for up to $50,000 in marine grants after training in grant writing and monitoring.

Colombia Earthquake Relief: Aid agencies warn the true scale of Monday’s 7.4 quake is “still emerging,” with deaths above 250 and thousands missing as damaged roads and broken communications slow help in remote Chocó communities. Disaster Response & Health: The quake has hit homes and services, while international partners step up shelter and basics for displaced families. Ancient Water Engineering: New research on Colombia’s La Mojana shows pre-Colombian farmers managed seasonal floods with canals and raised fields—an approach that could inform today’s water crisis. Caribbean Food Security: Trinidad and Tobago is pushing beyond “food availability” to tackle whether people can afford healthy diets, citing UN findings that over half a million can’t access nutritious meals. Tourism Research Push: The Caribbean Tourism Organization will launch a Caribbean Tourism Research Forum to link research with policy and industry decisions at SOTIC 2026 in Guyana. Digital Nomad Safety: A new ranking highlights where remote workers get the best mix of healthcare, safety, peace, life expectancy, and air quality. Cuba Centenary Politics: Multiple tributes and solidarity statements mark Fidel Castro’s 100th anniversary, emphasizing Cuba’s internationalist legacy and ongoing pressure from the U.S. Brazil Soy Moratorium: Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld state laws affecting tax incentives tied to the soy moratorium, reshaping the future of deforestation-linked rules.

Colombia Earthquake Response: A 7.4-magnitude quake has killed at least 181 people, with thousands injured and hundreds missing as rescue teams search collapsed buildings in cities like Pereira, Cali and Manizales. Regional Governance & Rights: Nicaragua’s Ortega says there will be “no more elections,” scrapping a vote pushed to 2027 and further tightening political control. Climate & Health: New climate data says nearly 900 million people across Africa, Latin America and Europe faced the hottest July on record, raising drought and wildfire pressure. Caribbean Digital Sovereignty: Caribbean leaders are urged to form a regional digital sovereignty pact to prevent “digital colonization,” including a federated cloud and shared rules for data centers. Food & Biosecurity: The U.S. USDA and DHS signed a new MOU to protect food, agriculture and veterinary systems, targeting threats like New World screwworm. Tropics Watch: The NHC is tracking Invest 92L and Invest 93L as they could strengthen into named storms this week. Tech & Education Integrity: Latin American universities are seeking AI detection and academic integrity tools as generative AI reshapes higher education.

Colombia Earthquake Response: A 7.4 quake has killed at least 181 people, with thousands injured and many still missing as rescue teams sift through rubble in western cities like Cali, Pereira and Quibdó. Climate & Wildfire Risk: A new analysis warns forest fires are burning about twice as much area as two decades ago, with “historic” fire seasons becoming the new normal without serious action. Caribbean Tourism Research: The Caribbean Tourism Organization will launch a Caribbean Tourism Research Forum at SOTIC 2026 in Guyana to connect researchers, policymakers and industry on practical solutions. Caribbean Connectivity: The GSMA says 5G is set to reach 23% of Caribbean mobile connections by 2030, but regulatory updates and investment are needed to avoid a widening digital divide. Digital Finance in Brazil: Itaú is joining an ANBIMA-led pilot to test tokenization of fixed-income securities and funds using distributed ledger tech. Cybersecurity Threat: A joint alert warns the Gunra ransomware gang is exploiting known Fortinet flaws and running a ransomware-as-a-service affiliate model. Puerto Rico Development: Puerto Rico approved a $2 billion luxury resort and residential project with Mandarin Oriental and Rosewood.

Disaster Response: Colombia is reeling after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in the Chocó region killed at least 132 people and injured 570, with rescue teams still searching for survivors amid aftershocks and reports of missing residents. Tech & Industry: TCS and Google Cloud opened a Gemini Experience Center in Mexico City, rolling out 3,000+ industry-focused AI agents aimed at boosting innovation and data-driven decisions across finance, retail, manufacturing, healthcare and energy. Healthcare Workforce: St. Kitts and Nevis welcomed 47 nurses from Ghana to ease staffing gaps and improve patient outcomes across hospitals and clinics. Cybersecurity & Industry Risk: A new report warns ransomware is increasingly disrupting industrial production by targeting enterprise IT systems that support operations. Energy & Climate: IRENA says global renewable capacity hit 10.41 TW by end-2025, with solar and wind driving most new power additions. Regional Economy & Crypto: A look at Mercosur’s stabilizing economies highlights renewed interest in Bitcoin as inflation hedging, even as adoption evolves. Policy & Public Health: Research in South Africa finds many smokers back risk-based tobacco regulation that treats less harmful nicotine alternatives differently. Sports/Entertainment: Crunchyroll and HoYoverse announced Genshin Impact Version 7.0 rewards for members in select Latin American countries.

Disaster Response: Colombia declared a national disaster after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck its Pacific coast, killing at least 111 and injuring 87, with more than 1,500 homes damaged and dozens of buildings collapsed; the EU activated Copernicus to aid search and rescue. Public Health & Environment: Mexico’s New World screwworm outbreak is surging again, with hundreds of human cases reported and authorities launching new containment efforts after detections in U.S. livestock. Climate & Food Security: The UN warns El Niño could push about 50 million people into acute hunger by year-end, with Central and South America and the Caribbean among the hardest hit. Digital Rights: Latin America’s digital privacy gap is widening as mobile-first life outpaces protections, driving rising VPN use across Brazil and Mexico. Caribbean Economy: Puerto Rico’s hotel pipeline is nearing $4 billion despite declining passenger traffic, signaling investors are still betting on future demand.

Climate Shock: Copernicus data analysis shows around 900 million people across Africa, Central America and parts of Europe endured their hottest July on record, with 33 countries hitting new highs and El Niño intensifying heat that is raising food-insecurity fears. Tropical Watch: The Atlantic has three disturbances under monitoring, including a system that could become Tropical Storm Cristobal later this week. Haiti Security & Social Priorities: A rare Haiti poll finds most residents reject gang amnesty and say neutralizing gangs is urgent, while many also prioritize fixing schools and other institutions. Drug Trafficking Pressure: South Africa’s crackdown is pushing cocaine routes toward harder-to-police maritime corridors, with fishermen reporting they’re increasingly suspected and targeted. Energy & Industry: BYD’s overseas passenger exports from January-June 2026 show Brazil as its top destination, while Highway Holdings moves into energy storage via a joint venture with Huahu. Governance & Rights: Reform UK’s deportation pledge to El Salvador drew warnings about torture risk, and the Caribbean continues to face heat and drought-linked strain on water and livelihoods.