AGP Executive Report

Central Bank Watch (Dominican Republic): Reconfirmed governor Héctor Valdez Albizu says foreign direct investment could hit US$5.3B in 2026, after US$3.27B in the first half, with tourism, remittances, exports and free zones driving momentum. Public Finance (Bahamas): The Bahamas Ministry of Finance reports outstanding public sector debt up $1.2B to $14.7B by end-June 2026, with central government debt rising and agency debt jumping tied to power and desalination financing. Development Finance (IDB/JICA): The IDB Group and JICA expand their partnership to $14B in financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, adding focus on critical minerals and agriculture plus health and care systems. Energy & Infrastructure (Nevis): NEVLEC sends a delegation to Iceland for the final inspection of a geothermal drilling rig ahead of drilling five wells at Hamilton. Disaster Relief (Colombia): Bogotá’s “Voces por la Vida” concert raised 11.2B pesos (~US$3.6M) for families affected by the Aug. 10 earthquake. Diplomacy (Grenada): Grenada opens an Honorary Consulate in Manila, aiming to deepen economic, cultural and sports ties with the Philippines.

FIFA Power Struggle in the Caribbean: Nordic football associations (Denmark, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Finland, Norway, Sweden) say they’ve “lost confidence” in Gianni Infantino and demand governance reforms, while Infantino counters by pushing his “grow football in every corner of the world” message during a Caribbean visit that also drew CONCACAF criticism. US Visa Policy Impact on Latin America: A New York federal judge vacated a Trump-era policy suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, a move that could affect families across the region. Venezuela Flood Recovery: Caracas Metro restored full commercial service after Tropical Wave 40 flooding, though Metrocable lines stayed closed for maintenance. Caribbean Tourism & Business: St. Kitts hosted ASTA’s Caribbean Showcase session, and Anguilla highlighted festive travel demand at Virtuoso Travel Week. Regional Environment & Marine Cleanup: Trinidad and Tobago agreed to keep funding its International Coastal Clean-Up, backing volunteer logistics and debris removal. Caribbean Aviation Expansion: Contour Airlines will launch flights between Trinidad and Dominica in October, improving island-to-island connections.

U.S.-Colombia Security Pact: Colombia’s new government signed an agreement with the U.S. to allow military operations aimed at drug trafficking, with Colombia also set to join the “Shield of the Americas” initiative. Trade Diplomacy: India is intensifying South America outreach as Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal visits Brazil, Argentina and Chile (Aug. 24-28), pushing joint trade talks and upgrading the India-Chile PTA toward a full FTA, with market access and critical minerals as key sticking points. Caribbean Health: Bermuda will send representatives to the first KPMG Caribbean Healthcare Summit in Miami next month, focused on health system delivery and investment across the region. FIFA Governance Fallout: Gianni Infantino defied a CONCACAF request to skip a Caribbean youth tournament, drawing fresh criticism amid FIFA’s governance crisis. Immigration Court Ruling: A U.S. judge struck down Trump’s nationality-based immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including several in Latin America. Human Rights in El Salvador: A new analysis says El Salvador’s “state of exception” has become a permanent repression tool, with mass detentions and rights curbs continuing.

FIFA Governance Clash: Gianni Infantino ignored a Concacaf request to skip a Caribbean Under-14 tournament in the Dominican Republic, showing up anyway and further inflaming a wider fight over FIFA leadership and a World Cup profit-sell plan. U.S. Immigration Ruling With Regional Impact: A federal judge in New York struck down Trump-era visa processing suspensions for nationals of 75 countries, including parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, saying the nationality-based freeze was “patently unlawful.” Caribbean Business & Capital: A Jamaican fintech founder is launching a platform to route diaspora investment into vetted, regulated Caribbean opportunities, aiming to reduce trust and access barriers. Weather Watch: The Atlantic has multiple areas to watch, with a tropical wave off Africa gaining slowly rising odds for development next week. Regional Economy: ECLAC forecasts Caribbean growth but warns it would be much weaker without Guyana, highlighting how uneven energy-driven momentum is shaping the region. Sports: Trinidad and Tobago’s Derek King says the Soca Warriors are ready for the Concacaf Nations League after the group draw.

Immigration Courts Clash: A U.S. judge struck down Trump’s nationality-based immigrant visa ban and a separate freeze on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, calling the policies “patently unlawful,” with Latin American nations like Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay among those affected. FIFA Fallout in the Caribbean: CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani asked embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino to stay away from a Dominican Republic youth tournament, saying his presence would derail the children’s event amid the FIFA governance crisis. UN Leadership Race: Guyana’s UN secretary-general candidate Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett pulled ahead in a second Security Council straw poll, edging Costa Rica and Argentina. Caribbean Security Deal: Jamaica and the U.S. signed a new Status of Forces Agreement to deepen cooperation on security, organized crime, drug trafficking and disaster response. Food Security Win: A UN report says hunger in Latin America fell for a fifth straight year, and the Dominican Republic is the last country in the region to reach “zero hunger.” Tourism Push: Dominica is moving ahead with a Cruise Village at Woodbridge Bay, funded by foreign direct investment, aiming to boost local vendors and jobs.

Caribbean Aviation & Trade: St. Kitts and Nevis’ agriculture ministry praised IICA’s technical support for food security as climate shocks hit farmers, while Crowley launched a new weekly Houston–Central America container service linking Guatemala and Honduras to speed up fresh-produce and other time-sensitive shipments. Banking & Finance: The U.S. OCC approved Itaú Bank’s U.S. charter, with plans to serve high-net-worth clients from a Miami base tied to Brazil and Latin America. Tech & Antitrust: Epic Games asked Brazil’s antitrust watchdog CADE to force Apple to honor its App Store deal in practice, arguing Apple’s rules create barriers to alternative app marketplaces. Politics & Diplomacy: Colombia’s ex-president Gustavo Petro says he’ll post less on X and focus on “strategic” messages, while Venezuela’s foreign ministry deputy met multilateral partners (CAF, UNAIDS, PAHO, UNICEF) to push cooperation tied to national priorities. Regional Security: UN secretary-general candidate Ivonne Baki called for major Security Council reform, citing deadlocks and Africa’s lack of a permanent seat. Climate Watch: The UK Met Office warns El Niño could be the strongest on record, raising risks of extreme weather across the region.

US-Mexico Migration Pressure: The US deported nearly 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala and sent others to Honduras, with reports saying the transfers are being used to pressure Mexico as joint anti-crime operations expand. UN Leadership Race: The Security Council held a second straw poll to pick the next UN secretary-general, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan leading after the first round. Media & Streaming Investment: Prime Video announced a $2bn-plus plan for Latin America (2027-2030), aiming to double local originals and expand sports coverage. Energy & Infrastructure: CAF launched a call for studies for El Salvador’s first submarine internet cable, while the Dominican Republic advanced a major LNG-to-power financing deal. Climate & Trade Disruption: Panama Canal traffic will be capped and reduced as El Niño-driven drought worsens, threatening shipping schedules. Regional Politics: Uruguay hosts the third Pan-American Congress in Montevideo, bringing together progressive lawmakers amid recent left defeats. Health & Safety: St. Kitts launched electricity and water reconnection drives to ease pressure on households.

Deportation Pressure: The U.S. sent about 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala this year, with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo saying they’re routed through Guatemala and repatriated to Mexico within 24 hours—despite Mexico’s objections. Canal Bottleneck: Panama will cut daily Panama Canal transits starting Sept. 3 due to El Niño-fueled drought, dropping from 36 ships to 34 and then 32, raising stakes for regional shipping and U.S. container traffic. Anti-Cartel Ops: U.S. special forces are bolstering Ecuador’s anti-narco campaign near the Colombian border, as Washington expands “narcoterrorism” pressure in the Andean corridor. Cuba Sanctions: The U.S. Treasury and State Department escalated Cuba-related sanctions, targeting Cuban entities tied to ICAP and related officials. Chile Governance: Chile’s President José Antonio Kast proposed constitutional reform to expand executive powers, including a more routine “state of emergency” model. Colombia Earthquake Response: IOM says about 282,000 people were affected by Colombia’s 7.4 quake, with nearly 163,000 homes impacted and a $30M flash appeal launched. AI Race in Brazil: Brazil announced $444M to build AI supercomputing capacity, splitting work between Chinese and U.S. firms.

Argentina Energy: Continental Resources and Colombia’s Geopark are among bidders for Neuquén’s biggest shale licence auction in over a decade, targeting new drilling blocks in Vaca Muerta. U.S.-Latin America Disaster Prep: The U.S. plans to send the hospital ship USNS Comfort to Peru in February 2027 to help the country prepare for El Niño impacts. Venezuela Oil: SLB and Formentera executives say they’re working to reactivate or import more drilling rigs, as Venezuela also signs new U.S.-linked production contracts and crude exports to U.S. refineries rise. Caribbean Media & Tech: Guyana’s Irfaan Ali urged broadcasters not to let AI replace editorial judgment at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union meeting in Georgetown. FIFA Governance Crisis: Fans’ groups worldwide launched a petition calling for Gianni Infantino’s resignation after FIFA turmoil over plans to bring private investors into tournament operations. Bolivia Rights Milestone: Bolivia’s first same-sex civil marriage is a legal breakthrough that could set a precedent beyond the couple involved. Regional Finance: Brazil’s banks report strong profits despite high rates, but fintech pressure from Nubank and Pix is steadily eroding incumbents’ advantages. Travel & Tourism: BermudAir will add nonstop Newark–South Caicos flights this winter, boosting access to Turks and Caicos resorts.

Haiti Elections & Identity: The OAS chief urged Haiti to speed up voter registration ahead of December elections, warning that gang control has left many areas without registration centers and only about 260,000 people registered so far; a Japan-OAS $3M deal will expand Haiti’s biometric ID system, issuing 350,000 new cards and updating the electoral registry. Caribbean Media & AI: Guyana President Irfaan Ali told Caribbean broadcasters to use AI to improve newsroom efficiency, but insisted it must never replace journalists or editorial responsibility. Hurricane Outlook: AccuWeather cut its Atlantic forecast for 2026 storms and hurricanes, but warned El Niño could still drive major U.S. impacts, keeping the Gulf Coast and Carolinas at higher risk. Regional Business & Trade: Crowley launched a weekly container service linking Port Houston with Guatemala and Honduras ports, aiming to speed time-sensitive Central American shipments to the U.S. Energy & Tech: Telefónica is digitizing Negratín’s energy construction projects in Colombia with IoT and real-time tracking to improve coordination and access control. Colombia Spotlight: Two Colombian universities placed in the Shanghai Ranking’s top 1,000 (National University of Colombia and University of Antioquia in the 801–900 band). U.S.-Peru Disaster Prep: The U.S. will send the hospital ship USNS Comfort to Peru’s Pacific coast in February 2027 to support El Niño response planning. Weather Watch: A heat advisory remains in effect across the Houston area as temperatures near 100°F with dangerous humidity.

Peru Defense Shipbuilding: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and SIMA Perú launched BAP Chimbote, the second landing support ship for the Peruvian Navy, following BAP Talara, with both vessels set for logistics, transport, and disaster-response missions. Caribbean Sports: Saint Lucia Kings host Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL Match 11 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, with both sides chasing early-round momentum. Mining & Rare Earths: American Rare Earths named Nick Lissolo Chief Commercial Officer as it pushes toward Nasdaq execution and U.S. investor relations for its Halleck Creek project in Wyoming. Renewables & Climate Tech: A new geothermal resource effort aims to connect research, funding, and testing infrastructure to speed next-generation geothermal deployment. AI for Inspections: Project Aidra’s AI inspection platform was adopted by Servus Limited to turn site visuals into structured asset data and cut reporting timelines from weeks to about a day.

Grenada-Qatar Ties: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell says relations with Qatar are “very good” and expanding, with cooperation priorities in education, healthcare, tourism, sports, and broader Caribbean links. Costa Rica Pension Crackdown: Costa Rica moves to end “lavish pensions” for former presidents, pushing a bill that would cut lifetime payments with no income exceptions. Peru Fuel Protests: Peru’s new President Keiko Fujimori faces early protests as transport workers block roads over soaring fuel prices tied to regional shocks and domestic supply problems. Bolivia Political Violence: Bolivia arrested Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo after an attack on lawyer Nadia Beller, amid allegations tied to controversial reforms. U.S.-Liberia Deportation Deal: Liberia agreed to take up to 1,200 third-country deportees from the U.S., with the first group of 20 expected soon. Caribbean Education Results: CXC reports a 72.18% regional pass rate for the 2026 CSEC exams, with IT leading and math lagging. UN Women’s Rights Pressure: Governments meet in Montevideo for a population-and-development conference as Amnesty warns of rollbacks to women’s rights safeguards. Peru Archaeology: Excavators near Huaca Pucllana in Lima unveiled skeletal remains believed to be a ritual offering linked to a ceremonial canal closure.

Earthquake Aftermath in Colombia: Shakira pledged to rebuild at least 10 schools and restore a university in Chocó after the 7.4 quake, as aid groups and officials scramble to get children back to class. Political Fallout: Colombia’s housing minister faced backlash after photos showed him on a Caribbean beach while thousands remained homeless. Brazil Election Legal Fight: Brazil’s electoral court accepted a complaint against Lula over a publicly funded Carnival parade tied to his campaign, with a response deadline set. FIFA Power Struggle: FIFA sacked COO Kevin Lamour after he criticized Gianni Infantino’s World Cup sell-off plan, deepening turmoil inside the federation. Caribbean Justice & Governance: St. Kitts and Nevis prosecutors said they’ll study a Privy Council ruling that could push a review of mandatory minimum sentences. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Xi told Ecuador China backs Latin American independence and regional peace, while U.S. military moves and anti-drug operations remain a recurring flashpoint across the region. Climate Watch: Forecasters warn a strengthening El Niño could disrupt rainfall and hit tropical crops, with Latin America among the most exposed.

Defense & Diplomacy: Brazil’s top foreign-policy adviser says Paraguay’s deal allowing a temporary U.S. military presence is “concerning,” warning it could expand Washington’s ground operations near Brazil’s borders. Security & Counterterror: Colombia’s new right-wing government says it is launching joint U.S.-backed military operations against far-left ELN networks, as the group threatens resistance. Disaster Response: Colombia’s earthquake fallout keeps worsening, with thousands displaced and political pressure rising after a housing minister was criticized for a Caribbean holiday during reconstruction. Digital Safety: Discord suspended livestreams in Brazil after regulators cited child-safety failures following a suicide case, as Brazil tightens rules for minors online. Business & Finance: Butterfield Bank seeks shareholder approval for new share issuance tied to its $1.8B purchase of CIBC Caribbean. Energy Transition: Chile’s Verano Energy selected Sungrow for a 152 MW/606 MWh battery storage system for the Observatorio project. Sports & Culture: NFL’s first Rio regular-season game will feature halftime performances by Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio; in the Caribbean, Bahamas U14s opened the CFU U14 Challenge Series with wins over Anguilla and Montserrat.

Energy & Infrastructure: Honduras received its first LNG cargo under Centrica Energy’s long-term deal with Exodus, kicking off imports for power generation and supporting a new terminal on the Caribbean coast. Elections & Governance: CARICOM election observers urged The Bahamas to tighten campaign finance rules, strengthen the voter register, and boost PRD preparedness to protect electoral integrity. Public Finance & Labor: The Dominican Republic’s public sector employs 14.2% of the workforce—one in seven workers—raising concerns about the state payroll’s fiscal weight. Health & Policy: Barbados warned parents to keep vaccinations up as measles spreads across the Americas, citing vulnerability to imported cases. Business & Payments: EBANX expanded its senior leadership team to push growth across Latin America and other emerging markets. Aviation: Brazil’s GOL named André Fehlauer as incoming CEO, as the carrier continues operational and strategy changes. Sports & Tech: SEON says fraud pressure during the 2026 FIFA World Cup hit hardest at cash-out, not sign-up. Trade & Security: Russian foreign intelligence claims the West plans to accuse Moscow of supplying arms to Latin American drug gangs.

Caribbean Court of Justice Turmoil: Guyanese lawyer Ralph Ramkarran says the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission lacks power to “review” CCJ President Winston Anderson after leaked emails sparked panel-fixing claims, while Anderson denies wrongdoing and says leaks erode public trust. Venezuela Economy Watch: Delcy Rodríguez highlights 21 straight quarters of growth and rising food consumption, citing gains in proteins, cereals and fats, as the government pushes recovery and exports. Brazil Election Campaign: Lula launches a bid for a fourth term, promising to block the right’s return and targeting organized crime bosses, with Flávio Bolsonaro positioned as a key challenge. U.S.-Cuba Signals: U.S. Ambassador Peter Lamelas tells Argentina’s TN channel he expects political change in Cuba “before the end of the year.” Sports & Culture: Puerto Rico’s culture takes center stage in Worcester with a new Somos Boricuas festival; in entertainment, Jerry Bruckheimer says talks are underway to bring Johnny Depp back for “Pirates of the Caribbean 6.”