AGP Executive Report

Trade Pressure: A bipartisan bloc of 109 U.S. lawmakers and sugar industry groups is urging the U.S. Trade Representative to open a Section 301 investigation into “unfair and discriminatory” sugar practices abroad, aiming to protect American sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers. Immigration Clash: DHS says ICE has asked Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger not to release a man charged with raping a child and possessing child pornography, arguing sanctuary policies have fueled illegal-alien crime. El Salvador Security Spotlight: A new documentary segment spotlights El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison as part of Bukele’s gang crackdown, with claims of harsh conditions and near-total restrictions. Crypto Payments Expansion: Bitget Wallet is rolling out QR crypto payments across Latin America, extending stablecoin spending beyond Brazil into Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia. Local Justice: In Houston, an El Salvadoran man was sentenced to 40 months for illegal reentry, with removal proceedings expected after prison. Climate Watch: El Salvador unveiled a hydroclimate contingency plan as El Niño risk tops 82%, including a nationwide ban on agricultural burning under a yellow alert.

Justice Infrastructure: President Nayib Bukele and Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado inaugurated a new Attorney General’s Office headquarters, pitching it as a boost to investigations and “law and order” as El Salvador enters a new modernization push. Border Education Friction: The government says Honduran authorities restricted educational aid deliveries for border communities, after concerns were raised about military uniforms used by personnel involved in the distribution. Crypto Momentum: El Salvador’s bitcoin move continues to ripple—its legal-money rollout helped lift prices, while the Central Reserve Bank reported lower short-term loan rates in April, a sign of easing credit costs for consumers and businesses. Regional Security Signal: UK Ambassador Ramin Navai told listeners El Salvador is in its “best moment in decades,” citing reduced fear and renewed investor confidence. US Deportation Pressure: In the US, DHS urged Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger not to release a man charged with child sex crimes, as immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint.

Law-and-order push: President Nayib Bukele and Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado inaugurated the new Attorney General’s Office headquarters, promising more capacity, technology, and faster investigations as El Salvador enters a “new stage” focused on modernization and security. Border education dispute: Honduras blocked an El Salvador education delegation from delivering 1,900 school packages to dual-nationality border communities, citing concerns over military uniforms used by personnel—leaving families scrambling as the program is a key lifeline for students. Regional aviation shift: Honduras confirmed Toncontín Airport will not regain international flights because of the Palmerola concession rules, keeping Tegucigalpa’s international hub status tied to Palmerola. Finance watch: The BCR reported lower short-term interest rates for personal and business loans in April, while long-term housing rates edged up slightly. Energy milestone: An IAEA mission found El Salvador has made progress toward an informed decision on a peaceful nuclear program, with nuclear planning aimed at boosting grid resilience.

Honduras–El Salvador Border Tension: Honduras blocked an El Salvador education delegation from entering the frontier to deliver school packages and devices, turning a humanitarian school-aid mission into a standoff at the Pasa Mono checkpoint and leaving families scrambling. Aviation Update: Honduras also shut down months of speculation by confirming Toncontín Airport in Tegucigalpa will not regain regular international flights because of a concession deal protecting Palmerola within 100 kilometers. El Salvador Finance: The Central Reserve Bank reported lower short-term interest rates for personal and business loans in April, a potential boost for near-term borrowing. Energy Push: El Salvador is moving ahead on nuclear planning after an IAEA assessment, with officials evaluating SMR options as demand is projected to rise sharply by 2050. Youth Prevention: A workshop in Guantánamo focused on drug prevention for students, emphasizing education and tools to say no.

Immigration Crackdown in the Courts: A Salvadoran man, Jose Leandro Juarez-Rivas, was convicted after a jury deliberated under 10 minutes for illegally reentering the U.S., with sentencing set for Aug. 19. Smuggling Case Escalates: In a separate South Texas case, a Beaver, Oklahoma resident, Juan Nasario-Reyes, faces federal charges after authorities say he hid 42 migrants in a tractor-trailer near the Sarita checkpoint—along with meth. Prison Hunger Strike Spotlight: In Costa Rica, inmates at La Reforma’s La Reforma prison joined a hunger strike over alleged food-ration changes, as the justice minister told them they could continue “as many days as they wished.” Sports & Culture: BYU announced international soccer matches at South Field featuring El Salvador (June 3) and Korea Republic (May 30). Tech & Finance: Bitget Wallet integrated xStocks, expanding access to tokenized equities and ETFs for its 90M+ users.

Border Crackdown: A 43-year-old man from Beaver, Oklahoma, Juan Nasario-Reyes, was charged in Texas after Border Patrol found 42 migrants hidden in a tractor-trailer at the Sarita checkpoint—four in the cab and 38 in the trailer—along with about 16 grams of meth, a glass pipe, and a funnel; prosecutors say the trailer was latched shut from the outside and held people in extreme heat. U.S. Immigration Case: Separately, an El Salvador man, Jose Leandro Juarez-Rivas, was convicted of illegal reentry after being caught on a bus at the Falfurrias checkpoint; he faces up to two years in federal prison. El Salvador Tourism: Tourism keeps climbing—April brought 473,000 international visitors, up 36% year-on-year, with 1.7 million arrivals in the first four months.

Guilty Plea in FBI Firearms Case: The farm manager of a Haymarket ranch and Salvadoran-style restaurant, Jorge Steve Zepeda Irias, has pleaded guilty to firearms and drug trafficking charges after an undercover probe found he conspired to sell dozens of guns, including “ghost guns,” and allegedly moved weapons tied to a transnational gang. He faces sentencing Sept. 8. ICE Crackdown in Buffalo: ICE Buffalo arrested 29-year-old Josue Coreas-Chavez, an El Salvador native suspected of MS-13, after his release from a New York prison; he’s now detained for removal proceedings. Deportations to El Salvador Surge: U.S. deportations to El Salvador nearly doubled in early 2026, with 5,033 returns in the first three months versus 2,547 a year earlier, as Bukele aligns more closely with Trump’s enforcement push. Human Rights Alarm: A new report highlights rising use of solitary confinement in ICE detention, including accounts from an El Salvadoran asylum seeker held in “el pozo.”

U.S.-El Salvador Migration: The U.S. nearly doubled deportations to El Salvador in early 2026, sending 5,033 people back in the first three months versus 2,547 a year earlier, as Bukele leans further into Trump’s crime-and-removals push. Regional Security: Colombia’s election season turns deadly—two presidential campaign staffers were killed in Meta, with rights officials warning the violence could chill democratic participation. Justice in El Salvador: The country’s biggest mass trial is underway: 486 alleged MS-13 inmates face charges tied to thousands of crimes, including a weekend killing spree that helped trigger Bukele’s state of emergency. Sports Spotlight: South Korea named its World Cup squad with Son Heung-min as captain, while Qatar prepares for its tournament opener with a friendly against Sudan. Media Watch: Anderson Cooper emotionally signed off from “60 Minutes” after 20 years.

Migration Crackdown: The U.S. nearly doubled deportations to El Salvador in early 2026, sending 5,033 Salvadorans back in the first three months versus 2,547 a year earlier, as Bukele deepens alignment with Trump’s crime-and-removals push. ICE Case Update: In a separate development, ICE released the wife of U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Serrano after a month in detention, with DHS saying she’ll wear a GPS device and face check-ins. World Cup Focus: South Korea named its 26-man FIFA World Cup squad, with captain Son Heung-min leading a Group A that includes Czechia, South Africa and Mexico, and a pre-tournament camp in high-altitude Salt Lake City. Regional Football Build-Up: Qatar also set a World Cup warm-up friendly against Sudan on May 21, with El Salvador listed as another upcoming test in Los Angeles. Haiti Security Watch: New details on Kenyan officers in Haiti describe strained conditions and limited growth of the mission despite major U.S. funding.

Boxing Spotlight: El Salvador’s Johanna Nicol Martínez fell short in the La VI Copa Internacional de Boxeo Regil Ventura, losing 5-0 to Trinidad and Tobago’s Tianna Guy in the 60 kg final—Guy now faces home favorite Katherine Vera for gold. World Cup Watch: South Korea named a 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 with Son Heung-min as captain, aiming first for the round of 32; the team opens Group A in Mexico against Czechia, then plays Mexico and South Africa. Crypto Regulation: The U.S. Senate Banking Committee advanced the CLARITY Act, even as lawmakers and critics keep pressing on money-laundering concerns tied to illicit crypto flows. Immigration Pressure: In the U.S., a judge ordered authorities to bring back a woman deported to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while faith leaders push back—over 5,000 churches have declared themselves ICE-free zones. Local Angle: Hyattsville woman charged after electronics allegedly shipped to El Salvador.

Immigration Crackdown Fallout: Sierra Leone agreed to take in hundreds of West Africans deported by the U.S., with the first flight of 25 ECOWAS citizens due to arrive May 20—another test of whether “third-country” removals can survive legal and rights challenges. ICE Resistance: In the U.S., more than 5,000 churches declared themselves ICE-free zones after a federal ruling limiting warrantless arrests on church property. El Salvador in the spotlight: El Salvador’s bitcoin reserve has topped $600 million as the government keeps buying BTC despite IMF concerns. Sports: South Korea named Son Heung-min as World Cup captain for the 26-man squad, with a camp in high-altitude Salt Lake City and friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador. Culture: Beijing hosted a neighborhood festival mixing Miao embroidery and international booths, including tea and coffee from Burundi and El Salvador.

Catholic Church vs. Trump: A new clash is reshaping U.S. politics as Pope Leo XIV’s push for peace in Iran and criticism of migrant persecution boosts the Church’s popularity while Trump’s approval among Catholics drops, according to a Washington Post survey. Immigration Custody Fallout: In a rare win for families, the wife of a U.S. Army sergeant was released from ICE after a month in detention, with DHS saying she’ll get full due process under GPS tracking and check-ins. Court Orders Return: A federal judge ordered the U.S. to bring back a woman deported to the Congo despite health-care concerns, setting a deadline for how officials will comply. El Salvador Watch: El Salvador’s bitcoin reserve has topped $600 million, even as IMF commitments raise questions about continued purchases. Haiti Security: The UN-backed Gang Suppression Force has a new commander arriving in Port-au-Prince to expand operations against armed gangs.

Bitcoin & IMF Tensions: El Salvador’s strategic bitcoin reserve jumped past $600 million, with the Bitcoin Office reporting 7,652 BTC after a May 14 purchase—growth that keeps happening even as IMF commitments under a $1.4 billion program reportedly require the country to stop increasing holdings in state-controlled wallets. Migration Pressure on the Region: U.S. deportations to El Salvador surged, with migration data showing 5,033 Salvadorans sent back from January to March 2026—nearly doubling the pace from the year before—while broader U.S. removal efforts keep reshaping Central America’s political and humanitarian landscape. Local Spotlight: In Henderson, Nevada, a Salvadoran family story is tied to a business boom that has issued hundreds of new licenses since the start of the year. Regional Cooperation Against Piracy: An INTERPOL-backed anti-piracy training in Costa Rica included El Salvador and other countries, signaling tighter cross-border enforcement.

Immigration Shockwave: ICE released the wife of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jose Serrano after a monthlong detention—Deisy Rivera Ortega, an El Salvador native, was held after an April 14 arrest in El Paso while seeking “Parole in Place” protections for military families. Sanctuary Clash: In Washington, lawmakers sparred with Fairfax County leaders over local non-compliance with ICE detainers, with witnesses pointing to how enforcement policies ripple into public safety debates. Deportation Courtroom Fight: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a Colombian woman deported to the DR Congo despite Congo refusing her, calling the move “likely illegal” over medical-care concerns. Gang Case Moves Forward: The DOJ says the highest-ranking Tren de Aragua member ever extradited to the U.S. is headed to a Houston courtroom on terrorism and drug charges. El Salvador Angle: U.S. deportations of Salvadorans nearly doubled in early 2026, as Bukele aligns more closely with Washington’s removal priorities.

US Aid Cuts Backlash: Human Rights Watch says Washington’s near-total foreign aid slash in early 2025 was “chaotic and abrupt,” freezing investigations and leaving rights groups in 16 countries scrambling or shutting down. Immigration Court Clash: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return a Colombian woman deported to DR Congo after the country refused to accept her, spotlighting the administration’s “third country” deportation push. El Salvador Link in US Politics: Deportations to El Salvador nearly doubled in early 2026, as President Nayib Bukele aligns with Trump’s deportation agenda. Local Crime, Cross-Border Justice: In Florida, a man accused in a 2023 Lake Worth Tri-Rail homicide was extradited from El Salvador back to Palm Beach County to face first-degree murder charges. Tech & Finance: RS2 expands its Latin America payment processing reach into El Salvador and others via a new long-term deal.

FBI Hearing Fallout: FBI Director Kash Patel’s Senate budget hearing turned into a personal shouting match with Sen. Chris Van Hollen over allegations of “excessive drinking,” misuse of resources, and whether Patel lied to Congress—then both men agreed to take alcohol screening tests, with Van Hollen posting his results online and daring Patel to do the same. Deportations to El Salvador: New AP figures show U.S. deportations to El Salvador nearly doubled in early 2026—5,033 in the first three months versus 2,547 a year earlier—as Bukele leans further into Trump’s deportation push. Local Justice, Cross-Border: In Florida, a homicide suspect extradited from El Salvador to Palm Beach County is back in custody after fleeing abroad following the 2023 death of a woman found at the Lake Worth Tri-Rail station. World Cup Prep: South Korea’s squad heads to the U.S. for altitude training ahead of Mexico tune-ups, with morale described as gloomy but preparation “extensive.”