AGP Executive Report

Migrant Rescue Off Mona Island: The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued 49 people and is searching for 10 more after a boat carrying 62 migrants capsized west of Puerto Rico near Mona Island. Officials report at least three bodies recovered and say one passenger attacked others with a machete, triggering panic and forcing people into the water. Local Economy Hit: Lares is reeling after Eagle Industries del Caribe shut down, leaving more than 300 workers without jobs, including many residents, as the town scrambles for new employers. Public Health Alert: The FDA assigned the highest risk level to a Salata Salad Kitchen Jalapeño Avocado Dressing recall in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, citing possible Salmonella contamination. Business & Tourism: Nobu announced it will open Nobu Hotel and Restaurant San Juan in 2028, marking the brand’s first Puerto Rico venture. Culture & Community: A Puerto Rican artist’s work is featured in an exhibition exploring “home” and immigration, with roosters as a personal symbol of belonging.

Maritime Tragedy Off Puerto Rico: The U.S. Coast Guard says a makeshift boat capsized near Mona Island after a machete altercation, leaving 3 dead and 10 missing, with 49 rescued; survivors reported severe injuries and no life jackets as search efforts continue with Puerto Rico Police, CBP, and Dominican support. Energy & Power Sector: Puerto Rico’s cooperative credit union system is holding a major Banco Cooperativo executive forum to discuss geopolitical, demographic, and financial risks shaping strategy across the island. Healthcare Watch: Puerto Rico faces a growing pediatrician shortage as doctors age and many leave; officials cite a sharp decline in licensed pediatricians and uneven distribution outside metro areas. Local Culture & Food: Isabela’s “Tiene Sabor” returns Nov. 7-8 with free family activities, local restaurants, artisans, cooking demos, and live music. Diaspora Spotlight: Toñita, the Puerto Rico-born Williamsburg icon, is celebrated for decades of feeding and welcoming the Latino community in Brooklyn. Business/Legal: Flotek Industries’ Puerto Rico power contract dispute continues as investors push forward with a securities class action tied to PREPA-related claims. Tourism Coordination: The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce convenes tourism leaders to set priorities and improve coordination with the Tourism Company and Discover Puerto Rico.

Migrant Rescue Off Mona Island: The U.S. Coast Guard says at least 40 people were pulled from the sea and two died after a makeshift boat capsized west of Puerto Rico near Mona Island. Survivors reported a machete fight aboard and said no one had life jackets; search crews are still looking for possible missing people. Electricity Costs for Restaurants: The Puerto Rico Restaurant Association (ASORE) warns a potential electricity rate increase could add roughly $1,000 a month to restaurant bills, pushing energy costs up 25% to 30% as businesses already struggle with higher operating expenses. Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved more than $71 million for Puerto Rico recovery and mitigation, including repairs to public facilities, roads and bridges, plus major work at the Punta Santiago pier in Humacao. Healthcare Fraud Watch: FinCEN flagged about $17.5 billion in suspicious activity tied to suspected healthcare fraud, urging financial institutions to keep reporting red flags. Local Economy & Tourism: A Cornell-led effort with the U.S. Forest Service is mapping “low volume, high value” sustainable tourism opportunities around El Yunque, aiming to grow visitor experiences while protecting the forest. Puerto Rico in U.S. Policy: A new U.S. House bill would update international tax rules for foreign entities, with changes taking effect for taxable years starting after Dec. 31, 2026.

Migrant Crisis at Sea: The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued at least 40 people after a makeshift boat capsized near Mona Island west of Puerto Rico; two died and several others are still missing, following a machete fight that left survivors jumping into the water without life vests. Local Governance & Autonomy: In New York, Puerto Rico advocates rallied for three City Council resolutions targeting predatory debt buying, the unelected oversight board “La Junta,” and displacement tied to the Esencia luxury project in Cabo Rojo. Disaster Recovery: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón announced FEMA obligated more than $87.1M for 47 reconstruction projects, including PREPA street-light modernization and permanent work at the Punta Santiago Pier in Humacao. Infrastructure & Tech: Ferrovial is using autonomous rollers to build a new runway at Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla, aiming to reduce downtime while keeping one operator in charge. Health & Community: Puerto Rico’s water crisis is spotlighted with guidance on protecting children during drought conditions. Business & Investment: Puerto Rico sues New Fortress Energy to activate natural gas supply. Culture: A proposal in New York would designate October as Reggaeton Heritage Month, tracing the genre’s Afro-Caribbean roots in Panama.

Energy & Infrastructure: PREPA’s governing board authorized a 100MW/400MWh four-hour battery contract for Yabucoa Energy, moving the project forward after the Energy Bureau required contractual and long-term capacity changes; the deal still needs review by the Financial Oversight and Management Board before execution. Tourism & Housing: Puerto Rico broke ground on the $6.1M Hotel Ojo de Agua in Rincón, funded with CDBG-DR money, aiming for 16 rooms and about 46 direct jobs over an estimated 365-day build. Local Business & Tech: The CUD says Puerto Rico SMEs are adopting AI at a basic level—mostly for simple tasks and research—while training is pushing toward deeper use. Finance & Payments: Arival Bank launched a new Visa card platform that lets customers spend USD balances funded by both crypto and fiat, powered by stablecoin payments tech. Sports (Caribbean): Golden Jaguars opened the Concacaf Nations League with a 2-0 win over the Cayman Islands, after beating Puerto Rico 1-0 earlier. Weather Tools: NOAA expanded its Flood Inundation Mapping tool to cover nearly 100% of the U.S., including Puerto Rico, to help forecast river flooding impacts. Shipping Reminder: USPS posted 2026 holiday mailing deadlines for Puerto Rico and U.S. territories, with key dates ranging from Dec. 16–19 depending on service.

USPS Holiday Shipping: USPS says the best dates to mail holiday packages from Puerto Rico and U.S. territories range from Dec. 16 (ground) to Dec. 19 (Priority Mail Express, 1–3 days), with full military and international guidelines coming mid-October. Puerto Rico Healthcare: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. inaugurated Vieques’ new Susana Centeno Hospital, a $85.5M project backed by FEMA and local funds to restore hospital-level care after Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico in Pop Culture: Ricky Martin, a Puerto Rican star, teamed with Brazilian DJ Pedro Sampaio for the “Pikito, Pikito” halftime show at the NFL Rio game in Maracanã. Climate Watch: Scientists warn Puerto Rico should brace for extreme heat through at least next fall as El Niño intensifies. Local Dining: Tras-Patio reopened in San Juan’s Hato Rey with a new steakhouse concept centered on Puerto Rican flavors. Sports Spotlight: Golden Jaguars beat Puerto Rico 1-0 in CONCACAF Nations League, while Nigeria’s U-17 Flamingos won the WAFU-U17 Girls’ Cup—Puerto Rico is in their World Cup group.

Healthcare Access in Vieques: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. inaugurated the new Vieques Health Center (Susana Centeno Hospital), a $85.5M project backed by $48.3M in FEMA funds, restoring hospital-level care for about 8,000 residents after Hurricane Maria forced years of travel to the main island. Puerto Rico Culture Abroad: The Dalí Museum kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with Puerto Rican bomba and plena, featuring Tampa’s Proyecto 813-PR, bringing the island’s rhythms to a new audience. Local Media Shift: El Nuevo Día announced it will stop printing on paper, moving fully to digital platforms and apps. Tourism Leadership: Guyanese-American journalist Melissa Noel was named to host SOTIC 2026 in Guyana, spotlighting Caribbean tourism futures. Sports—Nations League: Guyana opened Concacaf Nations League play with a 1-0 win over Puerto Rico, with Osaze DeRosario scoring the penalty in the 78th minute. Business & Policy: CUD outlined plans to expand growth opportunities for Puerto Rico’s small businesses across the Caribbean. Powerball: Jackpot climbed to $360M for the Sept. 26 drawing (14-40-52-55-57; Powerball 24; Power Play 3x).

Puerto Rico Politics & Health Funding: Gov. Jenniffer González and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández say they’ll use “the same data” to argue for extending Medicaid funding, as they unveil a preliminary report on fraud reductions tied to the program that serves about 1.3 million people. Local Economy & Small Business: Centro Unido de Detallistas (CUD) says it will push Puerto Rican SMEs to expand across the Caribbean, outlining a growth plan for small and mid-sized retailers. Energy & Accountability: A new allegation of misconduct against Energy Czar Josué Colon Ortiz claims he emailed subordinates to “make sure the contract gets signed” as a nearly $6 billion grid deal neared an August deadline, raising questions about whether concerns were overridden. Sports (Puerto Rico in CONCACAF): Guyana’s Golden Jaguars opened the Concacaf Nations League with a 1-0 win over Puerto Rico, scoring from a penalty in the 78th minute. Culture & Community: Puerto Rican painter Antonio Martorell is using art and community outreach to promote water conservation amid worsening supply problems and drought conditions.

Miss Universe Fallout: Nawat Itsaragrisil says there’s “nothing left to save” and has fully withdrawn from Miss Universe affairs, blaming Raúl Rocha Cantú and Anne Jakrajutatip amid the organization’s legal and governance turmoil. Tourism & Public Funds: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company followed up by sending a cease-and-desist letter to Itsaragrisil over statements it says are misleading about the agency, officials, and how public funds tied to Miss Universe 2026 were handled. Energy Corruption Watch: Puerto Rico’s energy czar Josué Colon Ortiz faces fresh scrutiny after reports say he emailed subordinates to “make sure the contract gets signed” as a nearly $6 billion grid deal deadline neared. Local Business & Jobs: Customed Inc. announced a $12 million expansion in Fajardo to boost medical-product sterilization capacity, creating 35 jobs. Community & Sports: Ponce will host Special Olympics Puerto Rico National Games next month, with more than 1,000 athletes competing across 16 sports. Sports Brief: Guyana beat Puerto Rico 1-0 in Concacaf Nations League action, with DeRosario scoring the winning penalty.

FEMA Funding Boost: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced nearly $43 million in FEMA Public Assistance for recovery and infrastructure repairs across 18 Puerto Rico municipalities, including roads, bridges, water systems, and electrical work. PREPA Legal Update: A First Circuit ruling rejected PREPA bondholders’ $8.5B claim, upholding the oversight board’s position in the long-running dispute over payments. Puerto Rico Identity on Screen: The award-winning independent film “Esta Isla” is bringing a story about Puerto Rican identity and belonging to New Haven and Fairfield, with creators discussing the island’s hidden histories. Maritime Safety at Sea: A 32-year-old crew member was urgently evacuated from Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas northwest of Puerto Rico after severe chronic abdominal pain, with the ship turning back to meet the Coast Guard helicopter. Puerto Rico in the News Cycle: Puerto Rico’s legacy newspapers are moving to digital-only, ending print editions as the industry sheds jobs. Local Business & Jobs: CUD presented a plan to expand growth opportunities for Puerto Rico’s small businesses, while a separate report highlights Puerto Rico’s need for stronger retirement savings participation among young adults.

CONCACAF Nations League: Guyana edged Puerto Rico 1-0 in the opener, with Osaze De Rosario scoring from a penalty in the 78th minute, while the Cayman Islands and Dominica played to a 0-0 draw in the tournament’s 500th match. Puerto Rico Courts & Energy: The First Circuit upheld a ruling blocking PREPA bondholders’ $8.5B claim, keeping it subordinated under bankruptcy law. Local Economy: CUD unveiled its 2026-2028 “Fomento Local” plan to back small and midsize businesses, expand export opportunities, and cut barriers to doing business. Labor Law: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón signed Act 185-2026, updating summary labor claims to allow prevailing employees to recover litigation costs while keeping fast-track deadlines. Health Policy: CMS says all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico applied for its Medicaid “GENEROUS Model,” with participation agreements due by Sept. 30. Public Health & Services: Head Start directors in Puerto Rico warn proposed federal rule changes could disrupt services for more than 21,300 children. Government Oversight: FEI expanded its OGPe investigation to include potential criminal liability involving DDEC deputy secretary Roberto Lefranc Fortuño. FDA: Eli Lilly’s once-weekly Onswik insulin was approved for adults with type 2 diabetes. Community & Education: Proyecto Nacer and Albizu University partnered to support teen parents through research, training, and service-learning in Puerto Rico. Transportation Outreach: AutoExpreso’s “One Sticker Only” campaign continues with drive-through help at the PR-53 toll plaza in Ceiba this weekend.

FEMA Funding for First Responders: Puerto Rico first responders received more than $1.2 million in FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants for fiscal year 2025, including nearly $790,000 for Toa Baja vehicles and $440,000+ for the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps. PREPA Bondholders Legal Setback: The First Circuit rejected Puerto Rico bondholders’ $8.5B claim, ruling they’re not entitled to payments from the central government under the island’s restructuring plan. Drought Relief Expansion: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón announced USDA expanded the federal drought disaster declaration, adding 31 municipalities as primary disaster areas and 22 as contiguous areas, unlocking more FSA emergency loan eligibility. Energy and Cost Pressure: Truckers warned they may cut or stop service if fuel surcharges go unpaid as diesel prices reportedly jumped over 70% in a year. Telecom Push: Claro launched a fiber-focused campaign promoting symmetrical speeds and a new “Claro Full” bundle with 1,000 Mbps up and down. Sports—Nations League: Guyana edged Puerto Rico 1-0 in the Concacaf Nations League opener, with Osaze DeRosario scoring in the 78th minute. Local Business/Health: Puerto Rico Hospital Supply said it’s expanding its sterilization subsidiary, and a new study estimates hospice care in Puerto Rico generates about $142M in economic activity and supports 1,417 jobs.

Housing & Economy: Puerto Rico Senate Vice President Carmelo Ríos Santiago called an emergency meeting with housing stakeholders after sharp rent hikes in the San Juan metro, citing monthly prices now ranging from about $800–$2,700 for one- to two-bedroom units and $1,100–$4,000 for three- to four-bedroom homes. Energy & Courts: A dispute between New Fortress Energy and the San Juan Bay Pilots escalated in federal court over LNG berthing requirements, with the delay forcing the San Juan power plant to burn diesel instead of natural gas—raising costs for ratepayers. Governance & Transparency: The Financial Oversight and Management Board’s Robert Mujica Jr. urged lawmakers to modernize Puerto Rico’s lobbying rules, warning that the island still allows contingency fees tied to government action and lacks limits common elsewhere. STEM Access: NSF’s Arecibo C3 opened new labs and a makerspace at the Arecibo Observatory Historic District, expanding hands-on science tools for students and educators across the island. Business Outreach: United Retailers Center (CUD) president-elect Sheila Otero Rivera will lead the group’s “CUD de tu pueblo” outreach, focusing on training and municipal coordination to help small businesses tackle electricity, water, permits, and tax burdens.

Puerto Rico Energy: Infinigen says it has closed a $33M tax-equity deal for the Yabucoa Solar Project, with an added $26M commitment for battery storage at the same site—advancing a 42.6-MW plant that would become the company’s third utility-scale solar project on the island. Puerto Rico Courts & Business: A Puerto Rico federal judge’s unpaid $24,000 sanction tied to error-riddled filings is being challenged by attorneys, who argue it shouldn’t end an antitrust case against FIFA and affiliates. Puerto Rico Infrastructure & Oversight: A new report flags gaps in how Jones Act waivers are tracked, including domestic voyages that include Puerto Rico, raising questions about reporting and oversight. Puerto Rico Pageantry: The Miss Universe Organization begins ticket sales Friday for three Puerto Rico events marking the pageant’s 75th anniversary, culminating Nov. 24. Puerto Rico Public Policy: Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate rose to 6.1% in August, according to new figures. Puerto Rico Media/Community: TelevisaUnivision is launching “Soy Univision,” a search for bilingual talent with casting calls that include San Juan.

Federal Funds Oversight: The Puerto Rico Senate held hearings on how the administration is handling federal money, with community groups pushing for faster, less burdensome processes so programs don’t stall. Housing Costs: The Senate is also set to tackle rising rental costs in an upcoming meeting, as affordability pressures keep mounting. Aging Crisis: New Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics data shows the island’s Aging Index jumped 41% from 2020 to 2025, driven by migration and falling birth rates. Public Health & Industry: EPA and DOJ are moving toward a proposed settlement with Steri-Tech that would fine the Salinas sterilizer $700,000 and require major ethylene oxide emission controls. Media Shift: Two major Puerto Rican newspapers—Primera Hora and El Nuevo Día—will end print editions this week and go digital-only. Economy Watch: A new analysis says July showed stabilization in Puerto Rico’s economy, but not enough to confirm a full turnaround. Community & Culture: Puerto Rico’s Bad Bunny scholarship discussion continues in academia, with writers and professors using his work to teach students about identity and resistance.

Housing Costs: Puerto Rico Senate Vice President Carmelo Ríos says he’ll convene a meeting with landlords, mayors, the Housing Department and other officials to tackle the sharp rise in residential rental prices, citing a jump in average two-bedroom rent from about $750 in 2020 to $1,300 today. UN Delegation: President José Raúl Mulino is in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, traveling with seven ministers as the government lines up meetings and outreach during the trip. Demographics: A new Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics report says the island’s aging index rose 41% from 2020 to 2025, with births falling and the working-age population shrinking—raising pressure on health and elder care. Public Safety: A 19-year-old in Bauxite faces a manslaughter charge after a weekend fight left a 17-year-old Bauxite High School student dead. Health & Care Access: MISTR announced a push to get one million people tested for HIV and another one million for hepatitis C by end of 2027, linking results to care and treatment. Mail Deadlines: USPS released 2026 holiday shipping recommendations, with earlier dates for Puerto Rico and U.S. territories.