AGP Executive Report

Tropical Storm Cristina: The NHC says Cristina is lingering off El Salvador’s coast with 40 mph winds and heavy rain that could trigger life-threatening flooding and mudslides, with El Salvador under an orange alert as coastal areas brace for several days of downpours. Protected Areas Closed: In response to the storm risk, El Salvador’s environment ministry temporarily shut down protected natural areas nationwide and tightened coastal safety, including a closure of Acajutla Beach due to dangerous surf. Renewables Push: El Salvador advanced clean energy with approval for a San Matías photovoltaic solar plant backed by Kuwait financing, targeting about 20,000 MWh a year. Ecosystem Restoration: On World Environment Day, MARN and UNDP launched the 7th year of “Trees for El Salvador,” reporting millions of native trees planted since 2019 to restore key ecosystems. Tourism Growth: A new report says El Salvador’s visitor numbers are outpacing official targets, with 2026 goals likely to be met early. Aviation Investment: President Bukele inaugurated AEROMAN’s Hangar 7 expansion in San Luis Talpa, positioning the country as a major aircraft maintenance hub.

Tropical Storm Cristina Alert: El Salvador is on an orange alert as Tropical Storm Cristina approaches the southern Gulf of Fonseca, with Civil Protection and MARN warning of heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides risk; officials say more than 6 inches could fall over three days. Protected Areas Shut: In response to the storm threat, MARN temporarily closed protected natural areas nationwide (including El Boquerón, Los Volcanes, El Imposible, Montecristo, Jiquilisco Bay, and Los Cóbanos) and Comandos de Salvamento closed Acajutla Beach due to dangerous surf. Renewables Push: The Legislative Assembly approved a loan authorization for the San Matías solar plant, backed by Kuwait Fund financing, expected to generate about 20,000 MWh annually and cut emissions. Eco Restoration: MARN and UNDP launched the 7th year of “Trees for El Salvador,” aiming to restore critical ecosystems with millions of native trees planted since 2019. Tourism Growth: El Salvador’s tourism keeps outpacing targets, with 4.1M visitors reached in 2025 and early 2026 numbers suggesting the 4.2M goal could be met ahead of schedule. New Hotel in Surf Zone: Punta Roca is set for its first Aloft by Marriott, signaling more foreign investment and jobs tied to the country’s surfing-driven tourism boom.

Tropical Storm Cristina: El Salvador is on orange alert as the eastern Pacific system strengthens and is forecast to approach the coast near the Gulf of Fonseca, with Civil Protection warning of heavy rain (over 6 inches in three days) and risks of flooding and landslides, while authorities say impacts are already being felt. Coastal & park closures: In response to severe weather, El Salvador temporarily shut down protected natural areas nationwide and closed popular coastal spots like Acajutla Beach due to dangerous surf, urging visitors to postpone plans. Ecosystem restoration: MARN and UNDP launched the 7th year of “Trees for El Salvador,” aiming to restore critical ecosystems through community planting and native species work, building on millions of plants produced since 2019. Renewables push: El Salvador secured Kuwait-backed financing for the San Matías solar plant, projected to generate about 20,000 MWh annually and support cleaner power. Biosecurity watch (regional spillover): The New World screwworm outbreak in the U.S. is expanding via quarantines in Texas and New Mexico, raising alarms for livestock and wildlife—an issue that also matters for El Salvador’s animal health preparedness.

Renewables Push: El Salvador cleared a key step for the San Matías Photovoltaic Solar Power Plant, backed by a Kuwait Fund loan, aiming to add about 20,000 MWh a year and cut carbon while diversifying power beyond dry-season hydro. Storm Preparedness: With Tropical Storm Cristina’s rains driving conditions, Civil Protection kept El Salvador under a nationwide Orange Alert, stressing it’s a preventive readiness level (not a shutdown) and outlining the Green-to-Red emergency ladder for heavy rain and localized incidents. Solar + Grid Buildout: The project includes panels, substations, interconnection systems, access roads, and facilities, with construction expected to start on site preparation and infrastructure. Tourism Surge: El Salvador’s visitor numbers are outpacing official targets, with 2026 goals (4.2M) looking reachable early and a push toward 5M visitors by 2030. Regional Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Boris and Tropical Depression Three-E are forming in the Pacific, with forecasts pointing to heavy rain and flooding risks across parts of southern Mexico and Central America—an added reminder for the rainy-season risk window. Wildlife/Ag Biosecurity: The New World screwworm fly remains a major threat in the region after reappearing in the U.S., underscoring how quickly livestock and wildlife health can be disrupted when pests cross borders.

Livestock Biosecurity: The New World screwworm fly has been confirmed in Texas again after more than 50 years, with new cases found in a calf and a dog; USDA says the flesh-eating parasite threatens the $113B U.S. cattle industry and has triggered quarantines and a push to ramp up sterile-fly production. Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Boris formed in the eastern Pacific and is expected to bring 4–10 inches of rain (up to 12 inches) to Mexico’s Guerrero and Oaxaca, with life-threatening flooding and mudslides possible; forecasters are also tracking a developing depression near Central America. El Salvador Tech & Privacy: El Salvador launched Nemotron-Personas-El-Salvador, a sovereign dataset of about 1 million synthetic “virtual citizens” built with ANIA and NVIDIA to support privacy-first AI development. Education Access: El Salvador expanded higher education scholarships by 1,750 new university spots for the 2027 cycle, including 1,000 virtual options, aiming to widen pathways for thousands of students.

New World screwworm threat: U.S. officials confirmed the first locally acquired case in Texas in decades, found in a 3-week-old calf near the Mexico border, triggering quarantines, expanded traps, and a push to speed up a $750M sterile-fly breeding facility—because the flesh-eating larvae can infest livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans. Regional climate risk: Forecasters are watching early hurricane activity in the Atlantic and multiple disturbances in the Eastern Pacific, while El Niño-linked dryness is raising fire concerns across Central America, including El Salvador’s rising wildfire counts. El Salvador tech push: El Salvador launched Nemotron-Personas-El Salvador, an open synthetic “virtual citizens” dataset built for privacy-first AI development with NVIDIA and local partners. Education access: A new agreement expands university scholarships by 1,750 spots for the 2027 cycle, including virtual options. Food industry investment: Productos Alimenticios Diana announced $87.3M in infrastructure upgrades to expand logistics and production for exports.

Hurricane Watch: The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific has been downgraded to a depression and is expected to weaken, while forecasters are tracking new disturbances offshore of Mexico and Central America and a Gulf system that could develop next week. Invasive Species Threat: USDA confirmed the first locally acquired New World screwworm case in the U.S. in 60 years—found in a 3-week-old calf in south Texas—prompting quarantine zones, border monitoring, and calls to speed up a sterile-fly breeding facility. El Salvador Tech & Data Privacy: El Salvador launched Nemotron-Personas-El Salvador, an open dataset of about 1 million synthetic “virtual citizens” built with ANIA, NVIDIA, and WideLabs to support privacy-first AI development. Education Access: El Salvador expanded higher-education scholarships with 1,750 new university spots for the 2027 cycle, including 1,000 virtual options via UFG. Mining & Water Concerns: A Guatemala protest over a proposed gold/silver mine highlights fears of pollution reaching Lake Güija and the Lempa River, a key drinking-water source for El Salvador.

New World screwworm alert: The USDA confirmed the first locally acquired New World screwworm case in the U.S. in 60 years—a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas—prompting quarantines, an “infested zone,” and calls to speed up a $750 million sterile-fly breeding facility to protect livestock and nearby wildlife. El Salvador tech sovereignty: El Salvador launched Nemotron-Personas-El-Salvador, an open dataset of about 1 million synthetic “virtual citizens” built for privacy-first AI development with NVIDIA and WideLabs. Education access: El Salvador expanded higher education scholarships by adding 1,750 new university spots for the 2027 cycle, including 1,000 fully virtual options. Food industry investment: Productos Alimenticios Diana announced $87.3 million in infrastructure upgrades (2026–2028) to expand capacity and export logistics, including new production lines and food-safety R&D. Climate pressure in the region: Reports highlight how El Niño-linked dryness and land-use change are worsening wildfire risk across Central America, with El Salvador seeing a sharp rise in fires.

Invasive Species Watch: The USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas—about 50 miles from the Mexico border—prompting a quarantine zone and plans to ramp up sterile-fly production to protect livestock and wildlife. Regional Biosecurity: Officials say the pest has been moving north through Central America and Mexico, raising fears of more hidden cases even as teams expand monitoring and containment. Tech & Privacy: El Salvador launched Nemotron-Personas-El Salvador, an open synthetic “virtual citizens” dataset of about 1 million profiles built with NVIDIA to support privacy-first AI development. Education Access: El Salvador expanded higher-education scholarships by adding 1,750 new university spots for the 2027 cycle, including 1,000 virtual options. Climate & Fire Risk: Reports warn that El Niño-linked dryness could worsen wildfire conditions across Central America, with El Salvador seeing a sharp rise in fires this year.

Screwworm Alert: El Salvador’s region is watching closely as the New World screwworm fly—known for larvae that feed on living tissue—was confirmed in a calf in south Texas, the first case there since 1966, prompting USDA and Texas quarantines and plans to speed sterile-fly production to prevent a wider spread. Sovereign AI & Privacy: El Salvador launched Nemotron-Personas-El-Salvador, an open dataset of about one million synthetic “virtual citizens” built with ANIA and NVIDIA to support culturally relevant AI without exposing real personal data. Education Access: The government expanded higher-education scholarships with 1,750 new university spots for 2027, including 750 in on-campus/hybrid options and 1,000 fully virtual seats through UFG. Regional Climate Pressure: Central America’s fire risk is rising as El Niño-linked dryness and warming intensify wildfires, with El Salvador seeing a sharp increase in fires compared with last year.

Invasive Species Alert (NWS Screwworm): The USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, south Texas, prompting quarantines, a 12-mile infested zone, and increased border traps as officials race to stop the flesh-eating parasite from spreading. Regional Climate & Fire Risk: With El Niño-linked dryness looming, Central America’s wildfire pressure is rising—Guatemala’s fire counts are up sharply, and El Salvador’s fires have more than doubled year-on-year. Water & Mining Pollution Watch: Activists staged an Aquatic March over concerns that a proposed gold-and-silver mine could pollute the Lake Güija watershed feeding the Lempa River, while also denouncing pressure on environmental groups. Sovereign AI (Tech + Privacy): El Salvador launched an open dataset of synthetic “personas” built from official demographic data with NVIDIA support, aiming to speed AI development without using real personal information.

Invasive Species Alert: The U.S. USDA confirmed the New World screwworm fly in south Texas for the first time in decades, detected in a 3-week-old calf near the U.S.-Mexico border, triggering quarantine rules and emergency plans to stop the parasite from spreading to livestock and wildlife. Biosecurity & Wildlife Risk: Officials say the larvae feed on living tissue and can affect pets and, rarely, humans—so even small wounds can become entry points—while the response includes sterile fly releases and tight movement controls. Regional Climate Pressure: Reports from Guatemala’s Dry Corridor highlight how El Niño-linked drought is drying wells and threatening subsistence crops, raising fears of hunger in hard-to-reach Indigenous communities. Local Tech for Sovereignty: El Salvador launched an open sovereign AI dataset of synthetic “personas” built from official demographic data in partnership with NVIDIA, aiming to speed AI development without using real personal information. Health Program Update: PAHO and Canada reviewed progress toward trachoma elimination in the Americas, with emphasis on water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental improvements in participating countries including El Salvador.

Biosecurity Alert: The New World screwworm—flesh-eating larvae that infest wounds in livestock and can infect humans—was confirmed in a 3-week-old calf in south Texas near the Mexico border, prompting USDA and Texas officials to set up quarantine zones and release sterile flies to stop spread. Border Pressure on Agriculture: Officials say the pest has been moving north through Mexico for more than a year, raising fears of major losses to cattle production and higher beef prices if it reaches wider areas. El Salvador Tech & Environment Angle: El Salvador also announced a new sovereign AI dataset launch (Nemotron-Personas-El-Salvador) built from official demographic data, aiming to accelerate AI development without using personal information. Health & Farm Safety: A separate report links glyphosate exposure in El Salvador and Nicaragua to kidney health concerns among agricultural workers, adding pressure for stronger chemical safety oversight. Regional Climate Risk: Drought fears tied to El Niño continue to worry communities across the Dry Corridor, including parts of Central America where water shortages threaten crops and food security.

Biosecurity Alert: The U.S. USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas—first in decades—after the parasite was detected in Mexico just 25 miles from the border, prompting quarantine rules and renewed fears for livestock and wildlife across the region. Climate & Food Security: As El Niño approaches, drought pressure is intensifying in Central America’s Dry Corridor; in Guatemala’s Quiché, families in villages like Xetzac/Cunen warn that failing rains could mean hunger again. Public Health & Chemicals: New research links glyphosate exposure in agricultural workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua to kidney harm, raising fresh questions about farm chemical safety and regulation. Local Economy & Tourism: El Salvador’s surf and tourism push continues, while IHOP is set to open in Santa Tecla (La Libertad Sur), signaling growing franchise confidence. Governance & Economy: Reports highlight El Salvador’s improved economic indicators under Bukele, including growth, investment, and higher international reserves. Newsroom Turmoil (US): CBS fired “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley after a bitter clash with leadership—an unrelated but prominent media shake-up.

El Niño Food Crisis Watch: Drought is tightening across Central America’s “Dry Corridor,” with Guatemala’s indigenous Maya communities in Quiché warning that wells are drying and subsistence crops may fail—reviving fears of hunger as El Niño approaches. Agro & Wildlife Biosecurity: The U.S. warns that New World screwworm larvae are being detected close to the border (including a case in Mexico about 25 miles from the U.S.), raising alarms for livestock and wildlife. Pesticide Health Link: New research links glyphosate exposure in agricultural workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua to kidney harm, adding pressure on farm chemical safety and regulation. Local Climate-Education Effort: UNESCO visited El Salvador to track progress on the EU-funded “Agustine Project,” focused on safer, more inclusive schools and student participation in violence prevention. Green Growth & Jobs: El Salvador’s business federation ANEP met President Bukele to push tech, AI, and bilingual training for nearshoring—framing it as a path to more investment and employment. Labor Rights Milestone: El Salvador was removed from the ILO’s watchlist for labor-rights non-compliance, a move officials say improves international standing and predictability for investors.

Drought & El Niño Food Fears (Central America): In Guatemala’s Dry Corridor, Indigenous Maya families in Xetzac are bracing for crop failure as El Niño is expected to intensify between June and August, with wells drying and corn, beans, potatoes and vegetables at risk—locals warn they could “die of hunger.” Agro-chemical Health Watch (El Salvador & Nicaragua): New research links glyphosate exposure in farm workers to kidney health problems, using urine measurements from workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua and raising fresh questions about occupational safety and herbicide regulation. Livestock Biosecurity Alert (New World screwworm): The U.S. warns as New World screwworm detections move closer to the border—Mexico reports cases about 25 miles from the U.S. line—prompting concern for agriculture and wildlife even though the pest is not confirmed in the U.S. Local Environment Education & Safety: UNESCO’s Agustine Project continues in El Salvador with visits to schools and student council meetings focused on safer, more inclusive learning environments and violence prevention. Green Development & Reforestation: El Salvador’s reforestation push under #MOPVerde and related park expansion efforts keep rolling forward, with more eco-friendly public spaces planned. Economy & Investment (context for sustainability): As Bukele enters his second year, reports highlight economic growth, higher international reserves, and rising investment—factors that can shape how quickly environmental and infrastructure projects scale. Public Life & Culture: IHOP is set to open in La Libertad Sur (Santa Tecla), signaling continued foreign franchise interest in El Salvador’s improving business climate.