AGP Executive Report

ICE Shooting in Austin: A Venezuelan man, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, says he was shot during an ICE pursuit and left with a bullet lodged near his spine after being released into detention in Texas; LULAC urged authorities not to deport him, calling him a key witness, as protests and calls for an independent probe grow. Birth Tourism Crackdown: Texas officials are pushing investigations into Rio Grande Valley hospitals over alleged “birth tourism” marketing, arguing citizenship “is not for sale” despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling preserving birthright citizenship. Regional Economy Watch: ECLAC warns Latin America and the Caribbean face low growth and high uncertainty amid commodity volatility, high interest rates, and weak trade, urging more productive investment and jobs. AI Push in the Region: The IDB convened heads of state and tech leaders at the UN to back a roadmap for safe, broad AI adoption across the region, targeting productivity gains. Pope’s South America Trip: Vatican released Pope Leo XIV’s itinerary for Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, including multiple public Masses. Caribbean Agriculture: CARICOM’s Caribbean Week of Agriculture returns in Jamaica (Sept. 27–Oct. 2) with food security and climate-smart farming on the agenda. FIFA Governance Shake-Up: Gianni Infantino outlined FIFA reform ideas and a possible independent review after backlash over proposed changes, as he seeks support ahead of next year’s election. Invasive Species Alert: Golden mussels were found at Lake Del Valle in California, triggering a 30-day boat quarantine to slow spread.

Nubank Leadership: Nubank named Sarah Wilson Chief Legal Officer, effective Sept. 28, as she takes charge of the bank’s global legal team while the company pushes AI and international expansion. Aviation & Trade: Swissport is buying a majority stake in Colombia’s Giraldo Hermanos International to expand cargo and passenger handling across Latin America, with Colombia highlighted as a key growth market. Regional Security Cooperation: The Netherlands will review Curaçao’s specialized organized-crime team (RST) in 2027 and says Venezuela’s recent developments show the Caribbean needs stronger crisis preparedness, including more regional civil protection work. Caribbean Business & Markets: Guyana’s World Trade Centre Georgetown will host an Oct. 19-23 trade and investment conference to connect local firms with Brazil, Belize and St. Kitts and Nevis, focusing on market access rules and practical entry steps. Sports: Nigeria’s Falconets were eliminated at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after a late 0-1 loss to Colombia. Culture: Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzmán’s “Nostalgia for the Light” returns as a sweeping Atacama-set meditation on time, astronomy and atrocity.

Volleyball Spotlight: Brazil hosts Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Venezuela for the 2026 CSV Men’s South American Championship in Rio (Sept. 15-20), with Olympic LA28 and the 2027 FIVB Men’s World Cup in Poland on the line. Regional Sports: Venezuela climbed five spots to No. 44 in the FIBA Women’s World Ranking after strong qualifier results. Caribbean Cricket: Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop are named the inaugural inductees to the CPL Hall of Fame, to be honored in Barbados. Women’s Football: Colombia booked the U-20 Women’s World Cup semis by beating Nigeria 1-0, while Spain and Italy also advanced. Immigration Tensions: A federal ICE agent shot and injured a man in Austin, Texas, as enforcement operations expand. Human Rights: Global Witness reports 124 land and environmental defenders killed in 2025, with Latin America responsible for 85% of cases. Energy & Trade: European refiners are turning to U.S. crude and diesel as Saudi Aramco reportedly cuts October supplies under long-term contracts. Culture & Diplomacy: Venezuela met AEC’s secretary general to boost Caribbean cooperation; Shakira’s Madrid residency builds a temporary “Macondo” town around her shows.

Gaza Humanitarian Fallout: Ed Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia and called the Gaza situation “catastrophic and unjustifiable,” apologizing for how the Loop tour controversy was handled after Macklemore was dropped over pro-Palestine remarks. UN Leadership Watch: Chile’s former president Michelle Bachelet withdrew her bid to become the next UN secretary-general, saying the campaign helped put the idea of a Latin American woman leading the post on the global agenda. Ukraine-Russia Influence: Ukraine warned that “Russian House” cultural centers remain active beyond Europe even after Germany shut one in Berlin, calling the network a tool for disinformation and destabilization. Brazil Election Tensions: A Brazilian intelligence report alleges the U.S. could intervene in Brazil’s Oct. 4 election, raising fears of trade and diplomatic fallout. Regional Security: The U.S. military said it killed four people in a Caribbean strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel. Economy at Street Level (Chile): In Santiago, even the popular completo hot dog is getting pricier as Chile nears recession, with unemployment rising and the central bank cutting its growth forecast. Science & Nature: Bolivia researchers formally named a new wild cat species after examining a small spotted feline from a sanctuary.

UN Diplomacy: The UN General Assembly rebuked the Trump administration after U.S. visa sanctions barred Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from attending the UN General Assembly in person, though members voted to let him join virtually. U.S.-Latin America Security: The U.S. is redirecting MQ-9 Reaper drones toward Latin America as operations expand, with officials citing potential action against drug cartels. Regional Politics: Venezuela and Paraguay signed a joint statement in Caracas after leaders met, aiming to strengthen ties and a new work roadmap. UN Leadership Race: Chile’s Michelle Bachelet withdrew her bid to become UN secretary-general, saying the moment was against multilateral principles and that the debate still pushed for a Latin American woman to lead. Bolivia/Environment: Scientists reported the first new cat species in a century, the tilcayo tiger cat, found in Bolivia’s Yungas. Sports (Caribbean): West Indies named a seven-player Guyana contingent for India’s white-ball tour, with Shai Hope leading and Jason Holder rested. Sports (South America): Colombia faces extreme heat and wildfire risk as El Niño strengthens, with dozens of municipalities on fire alert.

Aviation & Trade: Swissport has started handling LATAM Cargo flights at Cape Town and Johannesburg, boosting direct freight links to São Paulo for perishables, pharma and high-value goods. Urban Tech: Buenos Aires approved rules for pilot tests of Level 4 autonomous cars on public roads, with permits tied to specific zones, times and safety supervision. Football Governance: UEFA and CONCACAF urged FIFA to release about $2.1 billion from reserves to member associations for 2027-2030, escalating the fallout from Infantino’s World Cup investor plan. Public Health: Argentina faces rising suicide concerns, with new data showing sharp increases since 2017 and protests in Buenos Aires calling for better mental health funding. Energy Crisis: Cuba suffered another major blackout after a total grid disconnection, with power restored to priority areas amid chronic fuel shortages. Diplomacy: India’s foreign minister sent Independence Day wishes to St. Kitts and Nevis, highlighting expanding ties including a new high commission in New Delhi.

FIFA Power Struggle: UEFA and CONCACAF leaders escalated their fight against Gianni Infantino, urging FIFA to release $2.1 billion from reserves as an extra $10 million per federation and pushing for his removal ahead of next March’s vote. US–Venezuela Policy Shift: Washington removed Venezuela from the “failed demonstrably” drug list while keeping it on broader drug-transit/producer categories, as ties deepen around energy and counternarcotics. Security in the Region: The U.S. is reportedly moving MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa toward Southern Command for potential missions in South America, including counternarcotics and counterterrorism. El Niño Food Shock in Central America: The IRC warns super El Niño could rapidly worsen food security in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, with conflict-linked shipping costs driving up essentials. Bolivia Biodiversity Find: Scientists described a new cat species, Leopardus tilcayo, from Bolivia’s Yungas forest, highlighting conservation needs. Caribbean Diplomacy: Guyana’s UN bid gains momentum as Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett argues her candidacy could break an 80-year women’s barrier for the next Secretary-General. Sports & Culture: Venezuela won multiple women’s boxing golds at the Santa Fe South American Games, while FIFA’s turmoil and regional sports continue to dominate headlines.

Global Inequality Watch: A new study from the Autonomous University of Barcelona says the “catch-up” story is a myth, with the income gap between rich and poor countries widening sharply since 1960. Immigration Relief in Florida: A TikTok influencer and Hispanic groups backed by LULAC and the Venezuelan American Caucus launched a Doral emergency fund for families hit by ICE detentions and deportations. Bolivia Biodiversity: Scientists named a new wild cat species in Bolivia’s cloud forests, the Tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo), after genetic testing. Climate Pressure: Reports warn the “Super El Niño” is intensifying, with record ocean heat and knock-on risks for weather and ecosystems. Energy & Trade: DHL Supply Chain is expanding in Colombia by acquiring Open Market, boosting warehousing and temperature-controlled logistics for healthcare and life sciences. Sports & Culture: Washington Spirit’s Melissa Bethi scored on debut for a win over Portland; and Paraguay’s Cerro Porteño futsal team extended its national dominance with an 11th straight title.

El Niño Food Crisis: Central America’s Dry Corridor is being hit by an unprecedented El Niño drought, threatening crops and livestock for more than 10 million people across Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. HIV Prevention Deal: PAHO and Gilead struck an agreement that could expand access to lenacapavir for HIV prevention in 14 Latin American countries, with AIDS Healthcare Foundation calling it a win for civil society. Public Safety Shift in the Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago ended its state of emergency after criticism of mass arrests and detentions without charge, moving toward a permanent legal framework for targeted anti-gang operations. US Military Aid Reallocated: The US redirected $52 million in foreign military financing to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, citing priorities tied to narcoterrorism and protecting the Panama Canal. Bolivia Biodiversity Breakthrough: Researchers identified a new cat species in Bolivia’s Yungas forest, a tiny “mini leopard” called Leopardus tilcayo. Peru Archaeology: Excavations at Chan Chan uncovered a funerary platform with multiple skeletons and elite-style grave goods, pointing to major ritual practices.

UN Diplomacy in the Caribbean: Guyana has nominated Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett for UN Secretary-General, backed by CARICOM leaders, putting the spotlight on the prospect of the Caribbean’s first woman in the top UN job. Regional Policy at the UN: CARICOM plans to use the UN summit in New York to push back on global risks and defend the bloc’s priorities amid a wider crisis of multilateralism. Climate and Food Pressure: El Niño is hitting marine production hard, with Peru and Chile driving declines in fishmeal and fish oil output as lower catches ripple into global supply. Energy Costs and Fuel Politics: Chile is weighing ethanol-blended gasoline (E10) to cut fuel supply costs as oil prices strain its economy and government finances. Business and Skills Gap: The Bahamas reports labor productivity above the Caribbean average but far behind high-income countries, pointing to skills, digital adoption, and business education gaps. Aviation Expansion: British Airways is adding long-haul capacity to South America and launching new routes to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro) and onward Zanzibar for 2027. Sports Spotlight: Lionel Messi backed for a record Ballon d’Or after Inter Miami’s Campeones Cup win, with Casemiro scoring off Messi’s corner.

Venezuela-U.S. Drug Policy: President Donald Trump signed a decree removing Venezuela from the U.S. drug-control “failed demonstrably” blacklist after two decades, citing Caracas’s compliance and renewed security coordination. Venezuela Energy Deals: At a G20 event in Houston, Washington and Caracas unveiled new oil and gold accords, including Continental Resources’ Orinoco-area Ayacucho 2 plan with PDVSA and a gold development deal tied to Henney Capital. El Niño Food Crisis: The UN World Food Programme warned El Niño drought could leave about 16 million people in Latin America facing food insecurity, with Central America’s Dry Corridor among the hardest hit. Regional Climate Risk: UN experts said penalizing peasant seed systems threatens global food supply, adding pressure as El Niño intensifies. Nicaragua Politics & Detention: Exiled Nicaraguan journalist Luis Galeano was detained by U.S. ICE in Florida despite a long-pending asylum case. Brazil Politics: Protests in São Paulo targeted Senator Flávio Bolsonaro over alleged corruption links to former banker Daniel Vorcaro. Caribbean Sports: Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop were inducted into the Caribbean Premier League Hall of Fame in Barbados.

Environmental Violence: Colombia leads a grim tally of land and environmental activist killings, with Global Witness reporting 39 deaths in 2025—85% of all documented murders happening in Latin America. Public Safety & Crime Tech: A new report warns drones are becoming a fast-growing weapon for organized crime across Latin America, with hundreds of armed-drone incidents recorded since 2018. Regional Security & Governance: Venezuela’s earthquake response highlights state capacity problems, including missing seismic equipment and a collapse in functioning monitoring stations. Business & Logistics: DHL Supply Chain is buying Colombia’s Open Market to expand healthcare and temperature-controlled logistics, adding warehouses, cross-docks and thousands of staff. Energy & Diplomacy: Venezuela’s delegation joins G20 energy talks in Houston amid renewed U.S.-Venezuela oil discussions. Culture & Society: Puerto Rico’s entrepreneurship push faces funding and skills gaps, even as registered small businesses rise. Sports & Politics: BRICS’ New Delhi summit produced a declaration despite internal tensions, sharpening the question of how India can shape the bloc as China’s influence grows.

Environmental Rights: Global Witness says 105 land and environmental defenders were killed in Latin America in 2025, with the region responsible for 85% of the global total; Colombia led for a fourth straight year (39), followed by Brazil (26), as conflicts over land and natural resources keep putting Indigenous communities and small farmers at risk. Diplomacy & Drugs: Colombia’s ambassador to the U.S., Maria Consuelo Araujo, presented credentials to Donald Trump as Washington weighs its annual drug-fighting certification decision. Energy Markets: China is ramping back crude purchases after months of relying on stockpiles, as Middle East disruptions and Hormuz-related supply worries push Brent above $109 and WTI above $106. U.S. Immigration Fight: New York’s AG Letitia James and NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani sued over a new anti-immigrant public-benefits rule tied to the federal “public charge” expansion. Sports: Venezuela’s Julio Mayora won gold and Dionangel Vargas took silver in 75kg weightlifting at the Santa Fe South American Games. Culture & Sports: Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour faces fallout as multiple supporting acts quit after Macklemore was removed over pro-Palestinian comments.

Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S.: Great Bend, Kansas is marking Sept. 15–Oct. 15 with a “Together, We Are More” theme, highlighting how Hispanic residents and Hispanic-owned businesses shape local jobs and downtown vitality. Football Governance: Former Peru PM Javier Velasquez weighs in on China’s development model, while Juan Mata launches a bid to influence FIFA’s next presidential election by presenting findings to candidates. Caribbean Connectivity: The Dominican Republic is pushing for direct air links with Middle East partners, aiming to boost passenger and cargo routes with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Health Alert: A mysterious kidney disease linked to agricultural work has reportedly surfaced in Texas, raising concerns about chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology. Drug Trafficking: The British Virgin Islands says it helped seize over 4.8 tonnes of cocaine in a major operation involving South American partners. Sports: Paraguay won the U-15 futsal world title on home soil, beating Colombia 3-2 in extra time. Business & Travel: Gol Airlines expands European access to Patagonia via Brazil, adding São Paulo–El Calafate–Ushuaia service. Culture & Media: Prime Video’s “The House of the Spirits” co-showrunners lead Alma Media Lab, a Miami-based publishing-to-screen slate for U.S. Hispanic and Latin American audiences.

Public Health Milestone: Chile became the first South American country to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health problem, after decades of prevention and surveillance, with WHO noting the last dog-to-human case in 1972. Energy & Trade: Sempra Infrastructure signed a 20-year LNG supply deal with Petrobras for about 0.8 million tonnes per year from Port Arthur LNG Phase 2 in Texas, while Colombia and the U.S. inked pacts on critical minerals and civil nuclear cooperation in Barranquilla. Regional Economy: The Inter-American Development Bank warned that low fertility and longer lives are reshaping Latin America and the Caribbean, creating pressure on labor, pensions, healthcare and public finances. Infrastructure Pressure: Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali admitted state power utility GPL is not keeping pace with demand and said InterEnergy’s recommendations target transmission and distribution upgrades. Culture Across Borders: Barranquilla Carnival brought more than 100 performers to Madrid to join Shakira’s residency programming, and Chile’s rabies win was echoed by other public-health and community stories across the region.

Ecuador Football: Argentine legend Marcelo Gallardo has been named head coach for Ecuador’s 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign, replacing Sebastián Beccacece after Ecuador’s World Cup exit. Haiti Elections: Haiti’s long-awaited presidential and parliamentary vote is set for Dec. 13, with a possible Feb. 21, 2027 runoff—yet LGBT+ activists warn gangs control much of Port-au-Prince, making voting and campaigning nearly impossible. Venezuela Oil Supply Chain: U.S. firms are shipping pre-owned oilfield equipment to Venezuela as sanctions ease and PDVSA ramps up needs for rigs, pumps and valves, with buyers sorting “gems” from “trash.” Honduras Nearshoring Push: Texhong and Danasun are building a $400m textile and solar complex in Choloma, including a 300MW photovoltaic plant and about 7,000 jobs. Indigenous Rights in Bolivia: “Carbon fever” is threatening Indigenous land protections in the Bolivian Amazon as communities question carbon-market deals and consent. Tech & Finance: UAE AI startup Synapse Analytics raises $13m Series A to expand agentic decisioning for regulated financial institutions. Aviation/Trade: Pilar Wolfsteller is named editor of Cargo Facts, bringing experience covering airlines and air transport across Europe and Latin America.