AGP Executive Report

Earthquake Watch: A 7.3-magnitude quake struck off southern Mexico near Chiapas, shaking parts of Guatemala and El Salvador; Mexico’s navy and regional leaders said there were no immediate reports of major damage or deaths, though evacuations and aftershock monitoring continued. The US Tsunami Warning System briefly issued a Pacific coastal alert for Mexico and Guatemala, then lifted it after sea-level checks showed only minor fluctuations. Aftershocks & Response: Officials reported multiple aftershocks (up to around 6.8) and urged people to stay away from beaches and follow official guidance while inspections were carried out. Local Impact: In El Salvador, tremors were felt strongly enough to prompt public evacuations in some areas, with authorities reporting no major damage as teams assessed conditions. Tourism Push: Separately, El Salvador expanded family-friendly tourism certifications under First Lady Gabriela de Bukele’s initiative, adding Apulo Recreational Park and other accessible sites. Workforce & Food Security: The government also highlighted WFP-backed efforts, including meetings to expand public-private partnerships and climate resilience, plus a Surf City Gastro-Lab culinary showcase featuring young talent.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 7.3 quake struck off southern Mexico near Chiapas, shaking buildings across Guatemala and El Salvador and prompting tsunami precautions along parts of the Pacific coast; Mexico’s Navy said there was “no serious maritime impact” and advised people to avoid beaches while authorities monitored sea levels. Aftershocks & Response: USGS reported the quake at about 15 km depth and noted multiple aftershocks; in Guatemala City, residents rushed into the streets as emergency protocols kicked in, but officials reported no immediate casualties or major damage. TPS Fallout in the U.S.: Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court backed ending Temporary Protected Status, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people including Salvadorans, as the Trump administration moves to send more migrants home.

U.S.-El Salvador ties: President Nayib Bukele is set for a private White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, with no agenda details yet released. TPS pressure on Salvadorans: U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi and lawmakers are pushing to extend Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, warning that without an extension (currently set to expire Sept. 9) up to 200,000 people could face deportation. Local services for Salvadorans abroad: RNPN launched a 24/7 online DUI renewal platform (dui.sv), letting people in El Salvador and the U.S. renew or replace identity documents digitally, with delivery via DUI Express. Economy and jobs: Coexport honored “Surf City” for boosting service exports, as El Salvador’s service exports near the $3 billion mark in the first half of the year, with tourism supporting 300,000+ jobs. Humanitarian response: El Salvador sent its eighth aid flight to earthquake-hit Venezuela, expanding medical care through a field hospital in La Guaira. Education push: El Salvador hosted an international higher-education congress on AI and digital transformation under Bukele’s education vision.

TPS Deadline Pressure: U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi is pushing to extend Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, warning that without action the Sept. 9 expiration could leave about 200,000 people facing deportation and upheaval for families and the U.S. economy. Congressional Push: Jim McGovern and 80 lawmakers also urged DHS to keep TPS for Salvadorans, arguing El Salvador still can’t safely absorb returns and that deportees have faced detention or disappearances. ICE Under Scrutiny: Homeland Security is back in the spotlight after three fatal ICE encounters in less than a week, putting pressure on Secretary Markwayne Mullin as he tries to balance mass-deportation goals with public backlash. Money Transfers Go WhatsApp: Zapp announced it’s expanding money transfers to El Salvador, letting migrants send funds via WhatsApp with bank deposit or cash pickup options. World Cup Ref Spotlight: France coach Didier Deschamps publicly questioned World Cup semi-final referee Ivan Barton, an El Salvador official, after France’s loss to Spain.

MS-13 Court Wrap-Up: A three-month mass trial of 485 alleged MS-13 members ended in El Salvador with prosecutors seeking maximum sentences, as human rights groups warn the state of emergency has led to arbitrary arrests and unfair convictions. Human Rights Alarm: Amnesty International says deaths and abuse in El Salvador’s jails could amount to “crimes against humanity,” citing thousands of detentions without due process. Maternal Health Win: PAHO recognized First Lady Gabriela de Bukele’s “Nacer con Cariño” law as a regional model for improving maternal and early childhood care. Constitution Debate: President Nayib Bukele pushed back on criticism of constitutional reforms, arguing El Salvador is being judged by a different standard than other democracies. World Cup Referee Row: France coach Didier Deschamps publicly questioned Salvadoran referee Iván Barton after Spain beat France 2-0, while FIFA officials defended Barton as “world class.” Disaster Aid: 130 rescuers and six dogs returned from Venezuela to El Salvador after the June earthquake response, bringing medical supplies for the field hospital.

TPS Push for Salvadorans: 80 U.S. lawmakers led by Rep. Jim McGovern urged DHS to extend Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans, warning that without an extension ending Sept. 9, about 200,000 people could face deportation and major harm to families and the U.S. economy. State of Exception Under Scrutiny: Amnesty International says El Salvador’s “state of exception” has hardened into a permanent security approach tied to mass arbitrary detentions, due-process denial, deaths in custody, and enforced disappearances—raising the risk of crimes against humanity. World Cup Spotlight on El Salvador Referee: France’s Didier Deschamps publicly questioned whether Salvadoran referee Iván Barton was “up to the task” after Spain beat France 2-0, with the controversy centered on a penalty decision involving Lamine Yamal. Academic Freedom Drop: A global ranking using the V-Dem index shows El Salvador among the steepest declines in academic freedom from 2015 to 2025.

Bukele’s Third-Term Push: El Salvador’s ruling party backed President Nayib Bukele to run again in February, clearing the path for a possible third consecutive term despite legal and human-rights criticism over constitutional changes. World Cup Spotlight on Salvadoran Referee: France’s Didier Deschamps said his team was “outclassed” by Spain in a 2-0 semifinal loss, but he also publicly questioned whether Salvadoran referee Iván Barton was up to the standard for a World Cup semi-final after a penalty decision sparked controversy. EU-Backed Cooperation: El Salvador and the European Union renewed dialogue with a focus on investment, connectivity, infrastructure, transport, and renewable energy, positioning the country as a strategic partner. Public Health Milestone: El Salvador became the first Central American country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, recognized by PAHO/WHO. Trade Zones Boost: A new EY study ranks El Salvador second in Latin America for free trade zone contribution to GDP, highlighting industrial parks’ export-driven impact and job creation. Crypto Payments Deal: Bitget Wallet partnered with alfred to let users across Latin America buy dollar-pegged stablecoins via local bank transfers.

Bukele’s 3rd-term push: El Salvador’s ruling Nuevas Ideas says President Nayib Bukele won the party’s internal primaries, clearing the way for his 2027 presidential run after a 2025 constitutional reform enables indefinite re-election. Support remains high, fueled by his gang crackdown and sharply lower homicide rates, though critics warn the changes weaken democratic checks. World Cup spotlight on El Salvador: FIFA has appointed Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to officiate the France vs. Spain semifinal in Dallas, with fellow Salvadoran David Moran as assistant and Nicaraguan Antonio Pupiro also on the crew—another major international moment for El Salvador’s officiating team. Health milestone: The WHO validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, following multi-year assessments showing no active transmission or blindness-causing cases. Human rights pressure: The IACHR enabled a prison visit for Ruth López’s sister, highlighting ongoing concerns about conditions and her case. Local development: Mérida Mayor Cecilia Patrón will attend an Ibero-American urban development congress in Ecuador focused on financing sustainable growth.

Bukele’s Third-Term Push: El Salvador’s ruling Nuevas Ideas ratified President Nayib Bukele as its candidate for the February 2027 election, with Vice President Félix Ulloa again on the ticket—clearing the way for a third consecutive term after 2025 constitutional changes. World Cup Spotlight on El Salvador: FIFA named Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to officiate the France vs. Spain semifinal, a high-profile assignment that follows his earlier tournament controversy involving a red card for Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón. Tourism and Investment Drive: A German business delegation visited El Salvador to explore deals in fintech, AI, clean energy, and infrastructure, with tourism and Surf City branding a key focus. Tech in Retail Health: Farmacia San Nicolás launched Central America’s first robot-powered smart pharmacy, aiming to speed dispensing and improve inventory control. Agriculture Exports Rising: Coffee exports surged 37% in the first five months of 2026, helping push agricultural exports past $151.5 million. Immigration Pressure in the U.S.: Reports highlight the looming end of Haitian TPS and renewed scrutiny of Trump-era deportation enforcement, with El Salvador mentioned in the broader context.

World Cup Spotlight: FIFA has appointed Salvadoran referee Iván Barton to officiate the France vs. Spain semi-final in Dallas, with fellow Salvadorans David Moran and Antonio Pupiro as assistants—another big milestone for El Salvador on the sport’s biggest stage. Politics at Home: Reuters reports President Nayib Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas has nominated him for a third term after legal changes cleared the way for indefinite presidential re-election. Public Health Win: PAHO/WHO validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, following multi-year assessments showing no active transmission. Local Rights & Community: El Salvador’s Pride March drew hundreds in San Salvador, turning a main avenue into a visible show of LGBTQ+ demands for respect and rights. Environment Watch: Lake Suchitlán’s pollution and fish die-offs remain unexplained, raising concerns for fishing livelihoods, power generation, and public health. Tech & Business: El Salvador is pitching its AI and digital innovation opportunities to South Korean investors, while a separate report highlights the “Mype 360” initiative supporting small businesses with digital tools.

World Cup Officiating: Salvadoran referee Iván Barton has been ranked the top official after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, boosting national pride ahead of his France vs. Spain semifinal assignment in Dallas. Bitcoin Diplomacy: El Salvador officially inaugurated its Bitcoin Embassy in Lugano, Switzerland, aiming to deepen education and digital-asset cooperation with the Swiss city. Politics Inside Nuevas Ideas: The ruling party is set for a nationwide internal election on July 12 to pick pre-candidates for 2027, with President Nayib Bukele expected to be nominated. Sports—El Salvador on the Court: El Salvador’s women’s team pulled off a dramatic overtime win over Guyana in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifiers, highlighted by Ruth Adams’ 33-point, 15-rebound night. Energy & Connectivity: Guantánamo, Cuba is installing photovoltaic systems at ETECSA telecom centers to keep services running amid fuel shortages, including Wi‑Fi and landline support. Public Health Recall: A soft-cheese recall tied to Listeria has expanded to include Salvadoran- and Mexican-style requeson products sold in parts of the U.S. East Coast. Local Justice: El Salvador’s specialized court sentenced 97 MS-13 members linked to the Francis Locos Salvatruchos clique to prison terms up to 60 years.

Sports & El Salvador on the court: El Salvador is set for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup 2027 Centrobasket Qualifier in Managua, with official rosters confirmed and the team placed in Group B alongside Guyana, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; the top team from each group advances straight to the semifinals, with El Salvador already qualified as host. Regional diplomacy: The U.S. and the “Shield of the Americas” bloc urged Colombia to protect the integrity of the June 21 election and ensure a peaceful, orderly transition after President Gustavo Petro questioned the results. Public safety & migration pressure: Reports from South Florida describe ICE detentions in Miramar that families and lawmakers say can stretch far beyond the agency’s stated 72-hour limit. Health & food safety: A U.S. recall expanded to certain soft-cheese and requeson products tied to a Listeria outbreak, including items sold in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. El Salvador in the spotlight: A Salvadoran duo’s Wimbledon run ended in the men’s doubles final, where Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic lost to Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara.

Regional Economy: El Salvador is leading Central America’s construction boom, with an 18.5% year-over-year expansion through April 2026, outpacing Nicaragua (11.9%) and far ahead of Costa Rica (1.5%) and Honduras (0.7%). Workforce & Innovation: The country also marked a milestone in technical training by graduating Central America’s first Automotive Mechanics and Electromobility Technicians cohort (273 students) from ITCA-FEPADE. Education & Exchange: Five Salvadoran students were selected for the U.S. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program, aimed at leadership and academic exchange. Public Safety & Justice: A specialized El Salvador court convicted 97 MS-13 members tied to the Francis Locos Salvatruchos clique, handing down sentences of up to 60 years. Health: A wider requeson recall linked to Listeria has been reported, with Salvadoran- and Mexican-style products sold in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Sports: Wimbledon delivered more El Salvador headlines as Marcelo Arevalo won mixed doubles, while Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara captured the men’s doubles title.

Wimbledon Spotlight: Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara reclaimed the men’s doubles crown, beating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 7-6(4) 7-6(3) in a serve-dominated final with no break points. Local Economy & Food Prices: El Salvador’s agromarkets are cutting grocery costs by 20% to 30%, with 61 active markets and 24.5 million visitors since the program scaled up, helping families stretch food budgets. Tech & Jobs: El Salvador graduated Central America’s first cohort of Automotive Mechanics and Electromobility Technicians (273 students) to support electric mobility and modern vehicle systems. Construction Boom: The country led Central America in construction growth, up 18.5% year-over-year through April 2026, reinforcing broader economic expansion. Education Exchange: Five Salvadoran students were selected for the U.S. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) program to build leadership and academic ties. Humanitarian Response: President Bukele’s mission opened a fully equipped field hospital in Venezuela’s earthquake-hit areas to expand pediatric and adult care.

El Salvador Innovation Push: El Salvador showcased its AI and digital transformation push to South Korean investors at the Korea–El Salvador Innovation Forum, highlighting a modern legal framework for digital assets and responsible AI adoption. Tourism Spotlight: Wanderlust named El Salvador Central America’s next big adventure destination, pointing to volcano trekking, surfing hotspots like El Tunco, and the “Bitcoin Beach” experience in El Zonte. Digital Assets & Finance: Satstreet said it hit C$4B+ in lifetime trading volume and secured key regulatory status in El Salvador as it expands institutional Bitcoin access. Sports Pride: Marcelo Arévalo made history as the first Salvadoran to win a Wimbledon title, capturing the mixed doubles crown with Jelena Ostapenko. Regional Politics: Reuters reports the U.S. and a group including El Salvador urged Colombia not to cast doubt on its election process, backing the integrity of the outcome.

ICE Crackdown in Massachusetts: Local leaders and immigrant advocates say ICE arrests are rising, with detentions happening not just on the street but also at offices and biometrics appointments, as critics argue the focus is expanding beyond violent offenders. Salvadoran Spotlight at Wimbledon: Marcelo Arévalo and Jelena Ostapenko won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title after a comeback, making Arévalo the first player from El Salvador to lift a Wimbledon crown. El Salvador’s Crypto Pitch: A new residency and tax setup is being marketed to Bitcoin holders, cutting the residency physical presence requirement to 90 days and aiming for a zero-tax outcome on certain crypto gains. Regional Security Watch: Sri Lanka has joined an international anti-gang force in Haiti, as the UN-backed effort ramps up to support Haitian police against armed groups. Central America Illicit Trade: A report flags tobacco, alcohol, agrochemicals and electronics as major contraband flows, pointing to weak controls and regulatory gaps across the region.