AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Bad Bunny’s sold-out London stadium run (Tottenham Hotspur, June 27-28) kept his Puerto Rican identity front and center, with fans and fellow stars packing the shows. Housing & youth stability: A new ASSMCA count says youth homelessness and housing instability are far higher than previously documented, identifying 204 young people ages 18-24 as homeless or in unstable housing. Energy updates: LUMA launched a new WhatsApp channel to share frequent, real-time-style updates on upgrades, outages, and safety tips across Puerto Rico. Local governance: The Senate approved a measure allowing municipalities to repair street lights on highways and streets through agreements tied to the grid operator, while keeping oversight by the Energy Bureau. Municipal finances under fire: San Juan’s PDP denounced a $323.7M bond issue, accusing the mayor of fiscal negligence and warning about future repayment burdens. Humanitarian response: Puerto Rico’s Department of State is coordinating aid for earthquake victims in Venezuela, working with local emergency agencies and community groups. Sports tourism: Puerto Rico will host the 2026 Caribbean Horse Racing Series in December at Hipódromo Camarero in Canóvanas.

Puerto Rico Tourism & Business: Hilton will open a new Hampton by Hilton San Juan City Center this September, its second Hampton property in San Juan, as part of a broader Caribbean expansion. Caribbean Connectivity: Contour Airlines says it’s evaluating new Caribbean routes with Puerto Rico as a hub, aiming to connect islands that lack direct U.S. access. Boxing (Puerto Rican spotlight): In Brooklyn, Puerto Rican champion Xander Zayas was stopped in the seventh by Jaron “Boots” Ennis in a unified title fight; Zayas was later transported to a local hospital as a precaution. Culture & Pride: Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin American artist to headline a UK stadium, drawing about 50,000 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and sending solidarity to Venezuela earthquake victims. Weather Watch: Tropical Storm Fred threatens parts of Florida, while another system is expected to bring heavy rain to Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, raising flood and mudslide concerns.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: After twin quakes devastated Venezuela, the U.S. is ramping up disaster help with three urban search-and-rescue teams and a pledged $150M, as the Trump administration tries to prove it can respond fast even after gutting USAID and shifting aid under the State Department. Puerto Rico Connections: Puerto Rican and Caribbean ties show up in the wider response effort, including reports of Venezuelan merchants in Puerto Rico turning businesses into collection centers for quake victims. Boxing—Puerto Rican Spotlight: In Brooklyn, Puerto Rican champion Xander Zayas lost his unbeaten record when Jaron “Boots” Ennis stopped him in the seventh round to unify the WBA and WBO super-welterweight titles, in a fight that included a major third-round scare for Ennis. Travel—More Direct Options: Avelo is adding nonstop service from Tweed-New Haven to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, starting Nov. 19, expanding direct access beyond San Juan. Community & Culture: A High Country Jazz Fest lineup highlights Puerto Rico’s Miguel Zenón and Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo, Grammy-winning for Latin jazz.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: As Venezuela’s search for survivors enters a third day, authorities say the death toll has climbed to at least 920 with more than 51,000 missing, while families report few state rescue teams in the hardest-hit areas and access to La Guaira is being tightened with permits. Puerto Rico in the Relief Effort: National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said rescuers and canines from Puerto Rico are among the international teams responding, alongside doctors and security personnel from Curaçao, Argentina, Qatar and Barbados. Local Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican champion Xander Zayas defends his WBO/WBA super welterweight titles tonight against Jaron “Boots” Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, with DAZN carrying the pay-per-view. Puerto Rico Community & Culture: Trópiko, the Creole-inspired fast-food brand, is expanding beyond Puerto Rico with a new location planned in Medellín, Colombia, aiming to bring “the essence of Puerto Rico” abroad. Agroecology & Food Sovereignty: The El Josco Bravo School of Agroecology graduated 240 students across nine municipalities, launching a mutual tools program to help communities keep building sustainable farms.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Rescue efforts in Venezuela are running out of time as the country enters the third day after deadly twin quakes, with authorities tightening access to La Guaira and families reporting a shortage of state rescuers while the death toll climbs and thousands remain missing. Puerto Rico Business & Community: Cooperativa de Seguros Múltiples says A.M. Best upgraded its financial strength rating to A with a stable outlook, while Pep Boys highlights Alan Cruz Nieves’ appointment to Puerto Rico’s automotive regulatory board. Public Safety & Services: A Coast Guard response from Puerto Rico helped rescue a boater after a vessel fire near St. Thomas, and HUD/VA announced $33 million to add 2,532 vouchers for homeless veterans through the HUD-VASH program. Culture & Faith: The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion will host “Saints of America” July 1-9, with a novena and relic exhibit tied to the U.S. 250th anniversary. Local Sports: Puerto Rico’s presence shows up in softball as a Mepham alum joins a top Juncos team pushing toward playoffs.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: A new civil lawsuit says FirstBank Puerto Rico helped enable Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation, alleging the bank kept accounts for Epstein entities and delayed suspicious-activity filings. Public safety and readiness: Fort Buchanan held a full-scale emergency tabletop exercise with Bayamón, the FBI, Puerto Rico Medical Center, the National Guard, and Army Reserve partners to test coordinated response plans. Sports with Puerto Rican ties: Mepham High School graduate Hailey Guerrero is now playing professional softball in Puerto Rico, helping Juncos push toward playoffs. Culture and business: Realty of America announced an expansion into Puerto Rico with a grand opening planned at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, naming Aixa Malavé to lead the effort. Local entertainment: Actor Modesto Lacén launched a summer film camp in Santurce, “Acción,” for ages 8 to 17, covering filmmaking from acting to editing.

Venezuela Earthquakes: Venezuela’s health minister says the death toll from the back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 quakes has climbed to at least 235, as search-and-rescue continues and officials report widespread damage in Caracas and La Guaira. Local Governance & Utilities: LUMA says the governor’s office secretary Francisco Domenech pressured officials to cancel its contract and seek a replacement operator, escalating the dispute as the government pursues legal action. Puerto Rico Budget Watch: The Senate approved a $13.18 billion operational budget for FY 2026–2027, with amendments, aiming to keep essential services running while pushing toward balanced budgets. Government Oversight: The Comptroller backs bills to modernize how government contracts are registered and to strengthen audit cooperation. Sports (Puerto Rico): The Puerto Rico Tennis Association named a four-player Billie Jean King Cup Americas Group II squad for July in Paraguay. Church Update: Pope Leo XIV appointed Monsignor Geraldo Ramírez Torres as the new bishop of Ponce. Water Crisis: Morovis and PRASA reached a court-supervised agreement to address long-running water outages. Food Safety: MorningStar Farms recalled frozen nuggets and sausage patties sold in Puerto Rico due to possible plastic contamination.

Venezuela Earthquake Update: A pair of powerful quakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast minutes apart, with experts calling it a rare “doublet” (7.2 followed by 7.5 about 39 seconds later). Reports say at least 164 people have died and nearly 1,000 were injured, with Caracas and nearby areas hit hard and officials warning aftershocks could continue for months. Puerto Rico Connections: The tremors also triggered a tsunami advisory for the U.S. Virgin Islands, while a Puerto Rico alert was quickly lifted. Travel & Access: Avelo announced more nonstop options from Florida to Puerto Rico, including new service to Aguadilla starting Nov. 19 from Lakeland, plus expanded routes from Orlando, Tampa and Southwest Florida. Local Culture & Arts: Bishop Hill Creative Commons received a $844,000 Live Music Society grant, including Puerto Rico venues, to fund residencies, mentorship and community music programs. Public Health: NASA is working on longer-range forecasting to better predict dengue risk in Puerto Rico, as cases remain a serious concern.

Earthquake Aftermath: Back-to-back powerful quakes struck Venezuela on June 24, with the U.S. Geological Survey reporting magnitudes of 7.1/7.2 and 7.5 about 39 seconds apart near Morón, triggering building collapses in Caracas and prompting a state of emergency; acting President Delcy Rodríguez said at least 32 people died and more than 700 were injured, with La Guaira described as the hardest hit and the toll expected to rise as rescues continue. Tsunami Watch for Puerto Rico: A tsunami alert was issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after the tremors, but it was later lifted/cancelled. Puerto Rico Connections: Avelo announced a new nonstop route from Lakeland to Aguadilla starting mid-November, adding another direct option for travelers to Puerto Rico’s west coast. Caribbean Business: Registration opened for the FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show in San Juan (Oct. 12–16), positioning Puerto Rico as a hub for cruise executives across the Caribbean and Latin America. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican boxing star Xander Zayas is set to unify titles against Jaron “Boots” Ennis at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 28.

Sports Tourism: Puerto Rico is leaning harder into sports tourism as an economic engine, citing 300+ tourism and entertainment events in 2025 and highlighting the 2026 World Baseball Classic in San Juan as a major draw with big spending ripple effects. Local Economy & Infrastructure: A private power company has countersued Puerto Rico’s government as legal fights deepen, underscoring ongoing pressure around the island’s energy system. Public Safety & Health: MorningStar Farms is recalling two frozen products in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Costa Rica over possible plastic contamination, urging consumers to discard and seek refunds. Aviation Connectivity: Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways are adding new nonstop routes this fall, including service to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and new links from Florida airports. Community & Faith: Puerto Rico’s Catholic Church sent communion wafers to Cuba after power cuts disrupted local production, with shipments coordinated through dioceses in Puerto Rico and Panama. Governance & Accountability: The U.S. Justice Department announced prison sentences in an insider trading scheme tied to a $3.2 billion pharma merger, including a Puerto Rico defendant.

Puerto Rico Power Grid: Luma Energy has countersued Puerto Rico’s government, accusing officials of acting “in bad faith” and trying to fulfill a campaign promise by seeking to cancel its contract—adding another legal twist to the island’s struggle with chronic outages and a grid still recovering from Hurricane Maria. Food Safety: MorningStar Farms is recalling two plant-based frozen items sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica—Buffalo Chik’n Nuggets and Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties—after possible plastic contamination was reported; consumers are told to discard affected products and request refunds. Tourism & Economy: Discover Puerto Rico says the island is gaining traction with luxury travelers, citing higher occupancy in key upscale segments and stronger demand for experiences, with diaspora visitors remaining a major driver. Local Culture & Community: Luna’s Borikén Bites opened in Santa Cruz, bringing Puerto Rican-inspired food and a family-focused vibe to the Bay Area. Music: Puerto Rican star Rauw Alejandro appears on Rvssian’s “Pongo,” which climbs on Billboard’s Latin Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts. Entertainment: Myke Towers confirmed a return to Colombia with his Trap Kings Tour, with a Bogotá stop set for Aug. 22.

Power Grid Legal War: Luma Energy, the private firm running Puerto Rico’s transmission and distribution system, has countersued the government, accusing it of acting “in bad faith” and trying to fulfill a campaign promise. The move follows the administration’s push to cancel Luma’s multimillion-dollar contract amid chronic outages and a bankrupt Electric Power Authority. Cuba Sanctions Ripple: The U.S. announced new sanctions on Cuban state entities tied to GAESA, warning analysts they could scare investors and worsen Cuba’s economic crisis—an issue that also lands close to Puerto Rico’s regional reality. Puerto Rico Investment Climate: Local economic experts say widening political turmoil and corruption allegations could hurt investor trust, even as they urge continuity in competitiveness efforts. Local Business/Community: Puerto Rican coqui-themed creative work won a Cannes Lions Audio/Radio Grand Prix, highlighting how island culture is finding global platforms. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican beach volleyball duo Maria Gonzalez and Allanis Navas won bronze on the NORCECA tour stop in Juan Dolio.

Economic Development Leadership: The Puerto Rico Senate confirmed Carlos Ríos Pierluisi as Secretary of the DDEC by voice vote, with senators praising his experience and promising a more agile, results-focused agency. Budget & Fiscal Oversight: The House approved a $13.18 billion General Fund budget for fiscal year 2027, while also advancing measures aimed at tighter public-funds management and a post–fiscal board future. Minimum Wage Policy: The House approved legislation to dismantle the Minimum Wage Evaluation Commission, keeping the $10.50 hourly minimum wage for now but shifting future changes to the Legislature on a four-year review cycle. Consumer Protection: A House resolution filed by Rep. Edgar Robles Rivera will investigate whether some entities running car shows and vehicle resale activities are meeting the same regulatory requirements as authorized dealerships. Water Resilience: Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero filed a measure to study residential rainwater collection systems to reduce pressure on aqueducts and improve drought resilience. Food Safety: MorningStar Farms recalled Buffalo Chik’n Nuggets and Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica due to possible plastic contamination. Governance & Corruption: A new report argues Puerto Rico’s widening political scandal and corruption risks harming the island’s recovery and credibility with the U.S.

Food Safety: MorningStar Farms is voluntarily recalling select frozen Buffalo Chik’n Nuggets and Hot & Spicy Sausage Patties sold in the U.S. and Puerto Rico after customer complaints about possible plastic contamination; consumers are told not to eat the affected UPC-coded bags and to discard for a refund. Local Economy & Finance: FV Bank says it’s expanding in Puerto Rico with a unified fintech platform for stablecoins, payments, custody, and programmable finance—aimed at bringing “real-time 24/7” settlement and cross-border rails under one regulated layer. Co-op Growth: Puerto Rico’s cooperative sector added momentum in fiscal year 2025-26, reaching 499 active cooperatives and $7.8B in assets, including the island’s first housing cooperatives in decades. Military & Community: Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico held a command relinquishment ceremony as Col. John D. Samples turned over leadership after nearly two years, with officials citing strengthened community partnerships. Sports & Culture: Puerto Rican salsa singer Charlie Cruz launched his new album “Invicto” in Tampa, highlighting long-running ties with the local audience. Environment & Science: Research on Puerto Rico’s coquí frogs points to how juvenile frogs “grow fast or fight disease,” adjusting immune effort based on survival risk.

Energy & Rates: Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau ordered LUMA and Genera PR to explain how they built fuel and purchased-power projections after a sharp drop in global oil prices, with an amended filing due June 24 for the July–September 2026 rate period. Fiscal Oversight: The Financial Oversight and Management Board certified a revised 2024 fiscal plan, warning that Puerto Rico’s path to stability still hinges on stronger structural reforms and disciplined implementation. Public Safety Pensions: The Senate approved a measure to protect the Puerto Rico Police Retirement Trust Fund, tightening rules on what the trust can pay for and steering resources toward retirement benefits. Democracy & Rights: Amnesty International Puerto Rico warned of “democratic deterioration,” citing laws it says restrict public oversight, raise barriers to information access, and shrink civic space. Power Resilience Funding: A $1 billion rooftop-solar-and-battery effort is reportedly being redirected toward PREPA and fossil-fuel infrastructure instead of backup power for low-income households. Local Business: Marco’s Pizza Puerto Rico reported 2026 sales growth and plans to expand to Mayagüez, adding another location. Environment: Brookfield Zoo helped ship more than 12,000 tadpoles to Puerto Rico to support the endangered Puerto Rican crested toad, “sapo concho,” tied to Bad Bunny’s mascot. Food Recall: MorningStar Farms recalled products in Puerto Rico due to possible plastic pieces.

Puerto Rico in Crisis: A new report highlights “We have no water” conditions as Puerto Rico faces worsening water problems, with Local Accountability: PRASA under Senate scrutiny over water service failures and officials facing pressure to explain breakdowns. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican boxer Oscar Collazo moved up in weight and knocked out late replacement Neider Valdez in round two, keeping his unbeaten run intact. Culture & Community: The 40th Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade filled the Grand Concourse with Boricua pride, honoring Willie Colón and pushing a “past to future” theme. Music & Identity: Bad Bunny hit a major milestone as the first Latin artist to surpass $1 billion in touring revenue, underscoring Puerto Rican influence on global pop. Business & Travel: Kohler is expanding its Caribbean presence, including a Puerto Rico showroom, while Avelo adds new nonstop routes connecting the Charlotte area with Cleveland and Indianapolis.