AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico Power Crunch: Puerto Rico’s grid is “suspended between two realities,” the island’s top utility regulator warned, as the system still struggles with slow rebuilds and mounting financial pressure. Tourism Push: Southwest is adding more nonstop flights from Orlando to San Juan starting in June, betting on strong summer demand and a bigger Puerto Rico travel push. Local Economy Check: Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate held at 5.6% in April, according to the latest workforce survey. Energy Politics: In her State of the Commonwealth address, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón renewed her fight with LUMA, saying the contract cancellation process is “already underway,” while also touting energy initiatives. Culture & Safety: Ricky Martin’s European tour hit a scare in Montenegro after tear gas was discharged toward the stage; his team says he’s safe and the tour continues. Tech From Abroad: Tesla confirmed Supervised FSD is rolling out in China, with Puerto Rico listed among regions where the system is available.

Puerto Rico Power Push: Gov. Jenniffer González says chronic outages won’t be fixed overnight, but a bidding process for 3,000 MW of new generation is underway, with nearly 1,000 MW more coming soon—plus Tesla battery installations using over $700 million in federal funds, aimed at cutting outages. Science Policy: NIH and NASA are telling grantees to get advance approval for co-authoring with foreign institutions, and to remove unapproved foreign-affiliated publications from progress reports—an especially sensitive move for researchers tied to Puerto Rico’s NIH funding programs. Music & Pop Culture: Ricky Martin’s concert in Montenegro was interrupted when tear gas was sprayed toward the stage; he’s reported safe and the show resumed after authorities contained the situation. Culture Spotlight: Madrid’s Wax Museum says it’s preparing a permanent Bad Bunny figure, timed with his Madrid residency and the rollout of his Zara “BENITO ANTONIO” collection. Local Angle: Puerto Rico’s Fairmont El San Juan is advertising lower-than-usual early-June rates, with rooms starting around $278 a night.

Memorial Day in Carlyle: Retired U.S. Army Col. Rachele Smith will be the guest speaker at a May 25, 10 a.m. Memorial Day service at Carlyle Cemetery, with Carlyle VFW and Vietnam Veterans leading the program. Blue Jays Injury Shock: Toronto says José Berríos will undergo Tommy John surgery and likely miss 12–14 months, after rehab starts worsened elbow issues. Border Crackdown at Sea: Air and Marine Operations, with Border Patrol and HSI, intercepted a suspected Yola-type vessel in western Puerto Rico and apprehended 64 migrants. Health Alert: FDA ordered a recall of 4,000+ bottles of certain vitamin supplements sold in Puerto Rico and 23 other states over possible black particulate contamination. Puerto Rico Water Fix: Resident Commissioner Hernández Rivera says EPA is sending $27.4M to help Puerto Rico identify and replace lead pipes in drinking-water systems. ICE I-9 Shift: ICE updated guidance that reclassifies many common I-9 paperwork errors as “substantive,” meaning faster fines for employers. Culture Spotlight: Roberto Lugo unveiled a massive Puerto Rican culture installation in Madison Square Park, featuring portraits including Bad Bunny.

Cuba Crackdown: The U.S. indicted former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of two Brothers to the Rescue planes, with prosecutors saying a warrant is in place and they expect him to face charges in Miami—while Cuba’s president calls it political pressure. Puerto Rico Tax Pressure: Local restaurants are asking the government to eliminate the IVU sales tax on prepared food for months, arguing the current relief is too short as inflation squeezes diners and costs hit businesses. Senate Power Fight: President Trump escalated his feud with Senate rules, attacking parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough and pushing Republicans to replace her as lawmakers fight over what can pass. Local Housing: Philadelphia’s housing authority approved a first Kensington project—61 senior affordable apartments—highlighting how neighborhood politics shape affordability. Sports Update: Blue Jays ace José Berríos is out for the season after Tommy John surgery.

Hurricane Preparedness Update: The National Hurricane Center is refreshing the 2026 hurricane “cone of uncertainty” to show a wider picture of impacts—especially inland areas—so Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can better understand risk beyond the storm’s track. Border Politics: President Trump escalated his fight with the Senate parliamentarian after key border funding provisions were blocked from a GOP reconciliation package. Surveillance Push: The FBI is moving to buy nationwide access to license plate reader networks, aiming to track vehicles across the U.S. in near real time. Puerto Rico Culture & Fashion: Bad Bunny’s Benito Antonio collection with Zara is set to launch May 21, with the campaign shot on the island and rooted in Puerto Rican everyday life. Local Business Watch: El Maestro Hospital’s bankruptcy auction has a selected buyer, setting up a major shift in control and operations.

Hurricane Readiness Push: Puerto Rico’s Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Serviced Corporation say farmers should lock in hurricane insurance before May 31, reporting 4,137 applications for the 2026-2027 policy year as of May 15—up 7% from last year—while highlighting premium subsidies (including a 35% May discount) and coverage for crops like coffee, plantains, bananas, citrus, and mango. Healthcare Planning: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera joined a La Fortaleza roundtable with the Health Task Force to review a draft Medicaid strategy for Puerto Rico, noting about 1.5 million people depend on Medicaid and that Medicare Advantage funding rose roughly 4% after talks with CMS. Public Safety Data Grab: A new report says the FBI is seeking access to license plate reader data across Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories via a private vendor. Culture & Community: The National Puerto Rican Day Parade announced honorees, including Daddy Yankee as grand marshal and Anthony Ramos, with the parade set for June 14 in New York. Conservation Win: Brookfield Zoo Chicago says it helped produce 12,244 tadpoles in a single cycle to support Puerto Rican crested toad recovery.

FBI Surveillance Push: The FBI is seeking a vendor to access nationwide license-plate reader data—including coverage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands—so agents can track vehicles by plate and even make, model, and color, with a reported $36 million price tag for full coverage. Puerto Rico in the Spotlight: The National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York just named honorees, including Daddy Yankee as Grand Marshal and Anthony Ramos, with Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez and jazz musician Charlie Sepulveda also recognized. Legal Fight in Wearables: Watch Skins says it’s preparing an expanded amended complaint in its federal case against TAG Heuer/LVMH, after a judge paused proceedings to let it find substitute counsel. Sports & Culture: Don Omar announced his “Last King” world tour dates, while a Puerto Rico-linked Messi friendly saw a viral pitch-invasion moment. Local Economy: Wyndham says it’s expanding its Puerto Rico footprint, moving from five hotels to nine.

Election Integrity Clash: Democratic senators are demanding the White House fire Kurt Olsen, arguing the election-security chief exceeded a 130-day limit for special government employees and is still tied to debunked 2020 “Stop the Steal” claims—reportedly including scrutiny of Puerto Rico election equipment. Puerto Rico Politics: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso is pushing a Puerto Rico-focused federal platform in the NY-7 race to succeed Nydia Velázquez, including calls to reintroduce the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act, dissolve La Junta, and permanently exempt the island from the Jones Act. Public Safety & Privacy: The FBI is seeking up to $36 million for nationwide access to automated license plate reader data, explicitly listing Puerto Rico among target areas. Culture & Community: A new food hall opens in Atlanta’s former CNN Center as “The CTR,” with one of the tenants, La Tropical, bringing Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Latin cuisine. Sports: Jordan Scott set a new world lead in the men’s triple jump at the Coquí International Cup in Puerto Rico.

Water Spirit Docking Pressure: Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett says her office is in active contact with the U.S. Coast Guard and Puerto Rico Ports Authority over new docking restrictions hitting Water Spirit Freight Services, raising alarms about delays for goods moving between Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Tortola. Fashion Drop Watch: Bad Bunny’s Zara collab, “Benito Antonio,” is set to launch May 21 after a Puerto Rico pop-up at Plaza Las Américas—streetwear and tailored looks, with the island getting first access. Energy Update: Enphase is rolling out PowerMatch battery software in Puerto Rico to cut inverter losses by matching battery output to a home’s real-time needs. Public Records Fight: Sembrando Sentido warns Puerto Rico’s corporate registry is adding account and authentication steps for basic searches, calling it a new barrier to public access. Hurricane Prep: Puerto Rico’s IVU exemption for hurricane-season items runs May 22–25. Sports & Culture: Don Omar announces a San Antonio tour stop this fall; and Puerto Rico plena gets spotlighted in a Sheboygan free concert lineup.

Supreme Court & statehood sparks new backlash: Kamala Harris is again floating “no bad ideas” for Democrats—packing the Supreme Court, changing the Electoral College, and pushing statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico—fueling fresh online criticism. Tax relief for storm season: Puerto Rico’s IVU exemption for hurricane-prep items runs May 22–25, with rules for layaway, shutters, rain checks, and online purchases. Public budget priorities: Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s FY2027 consolidated budget totals $33.57B, with $13.18B from the General Fund and heavy focus on public safety, health, and education. Registry access controversy: Sembrando Sentido warns new identity/authentication steps for the corporate registry could block basic public searches. Local safety incident: At Camarero Racetrack in Canóvanas, a fire in a stable injured at least two horses; authorities are investigating. Community & culture: McDonald’s Puerto Rico donated sports equipment to youth soccer clubs in San Juan.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake rattled the Eastern Caribbean on May 16, with initial readings later revised from 6.5, striking around 10:50 a.m. AST near the North Atlantic (about 80 km northeast of St. John’s, Antigua) at roughly 30–31 km deep; residents across multiple islands—including Puerto Rico—reported strong shaking, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no major tsunami threat. Puerto Rico Travel: Spirit’s shutdown hit the island’s mainland connections hardest via Fort Lauderdale, but JetBlue is moving in—expanding San Juan and Aguadilla service and adding a new daily Fort Lauderdale–Ponce nonstop starting July 9. Community Sports: McDonald’s Puerto Rico donated soccer equipment to youth clubs in San Juan’s Don Bosco and Jardines de Sellés communities, aiming to support about 200 players. Boxing: Siyakholwa Kuse won the WBC minimumweight rematch in South Africa and is set for at least one home defense before any unification push. Local Culture: La CASA, a new Latino arts hub in Boston, opened with bomba, salsa, and art.

Caribbean Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake rattled the Leeward Islands Saturday, with strong shaking reported across Puerto Rico and nearby islands; officials say there’s no tsunami threat for the U.S. East Coast or Gulf states. Puerto Rico Courts: S2 Services asked a federal judge to disregard documents attached to a Ports Authority-related amicus brief, arguing they add new claims that weren’t part of the original case. Housing & Evictions: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez renewed her fight against short-term rentals, saying Airbnb “supercharging evictions” is worsening displacement from Puerto Rico to other markets. Sports—Injury Update: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios, who played for Puerto Rico this spring, is set for elbow surgery Wednesday after a stress fracture diagnosis, with his 2026 timeline uncertain. Public Health: A CDC report points to a sharp rise in dengue cases in the U.S., with most linked to travel including the Caribbean and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.

Baseball Injury Shock: Toronto Blue Jays ace Jose Berrios will undergo elbow surgery Wednesday after a stress fracture and possible ligament or loose-body issues, raising fears he could miss the rest of the season. Puerto Rico Courts: S2 Services Puerto Rico asked a federal judge to disregard documents MIDA attached to its amicus brief in the Ports Authority dock/cargo scanning dispute, arguing the filings add new claims that weren’t part of the original case. Housing & Evictions Debate: AOC says Airbnb is “supercharging evictions” from Puerto Rico to Jackson Hole, arguing short-term rentals worsen affordability for young people. Sports Scandal Watch: USA Today reports Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz’s social media activity links him to illegal cockfighting in Puerto Rico, with posts reportedly restricted after scrutiny. Earthquake Jolt: A 6.5 quake hit St. Kitts and Nevis and was felt across the region, including Puerto Rico, with no damage reported so far.

World Cup Spotlight: FIFA just announced a Super Bowl-style halftime show for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium, headlined by Madonna, Shakira and BTS—plus a push for its Global Citizen Education Fund. Puerto Rico in the Headlines: A new USA TODAY report links Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz to alleged illegal cockfighting activity in Puerto Rico, pointing to social media posts and tournament promotions; the federal ban on cockfighting applies to U.S. territories too. Local Health Support: MMM Multihealth says it will award seven Puerto Rico scholarships of up to $8,000 for students pursuing nursing, physical therapy, or psychology-related careers. Economy Watch: New car sales in Puerto Rico are down sharply in early 2026, with analysts tying it to high interest rates, tighter credit, and higher costs. Culture & Community: Military families can visit museums nationwide—including in Puerto Rico—for free this summer under the Blue Star Museums program.

Cockfighting Scandal: Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz—and Kentucky Derby jockey brothers José Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr.—are linked to an alleged illegal cockfighting ring in Puerto Rico, with reports pointing to social media posts and promotional materials; Díaz has previously defended the practice as “legal in Puerto Rico,” even as the U.S. federal ban remains in force. Labor & Pay Rules: The U.S. Department of Labor restored the 2019 overtime salary thresholds after court vacated a 2024 update, a move that could reshape who qualifies as exempt for many employers. Public Health & Courts: A Center for Food Safety FOIA lawsuit targets the EPA over how pesticide-coated seeds are handled and disposed of at ethanol plants, pressing for records tied to neonicotinoid contamination concerns. Disaster Aid in PR: FEMA approved nearly $40M for Puerto Rico recovery, including COVID-19 reimbursement and work tied to past natural disasters. Culture Spotlight: FIFA confirmed a Super Bowl-style World Cup final halftime show featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS.

Election Security: The ODNI has named two officials to coordinate spy-agency efforts against threats to the 2026 midterms, as the election-security push ramps up. Puerto Rico & Courts: A Second Circuit ruling says a Puerto Rico bank doesn’t have a statutory right to a Federal Reserve account, a fintech/crypto access fight with real consequences for local players. Local Economy: Fine dining in Puerto Rico is holding steady despite inflation, with operators absorbing higher costs while tourism patterns shift. Aviation: JetBlue is ending service to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport this summer, and frequent flyers—including those who fly to Puerto Rico—are worried about fewer options and possible price hikes. Culture & Media: A Puerto Rico song is going viral on TikTok, but it’s AI-generated—fueling a new round of debate over authenticity online. Sports: Crunchyroll’s 2026 Anime Awards in Tokyo add Puerto Rican rapper-singer Young Miko as a presenter.