AGP Executive Report

Trade & Climate Cooperation: South Korea’s foreign minister met Guatemala’s Carlos Martinez in Seoul to push early completion of Guatemala’s accession to the Korea–Central America FTA and expand development ties, including climate change and public administration. Sustainability Finance: Guatemala-headquartered Mobiliare Real Estate Solutions is working with Clifford Chance to launch a sustainability-linked bond program aiming to raise US$100 million. Water & Health Access: A global map highlights that safe drinking water remains out of reach for billions, while a separate report on detention conditions underscores ongoing struggles for medical care access. Disaster Response: After Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes, a humanitarian network that includes Guatemala-based volunteers helped rescue a child alive from rubble, spotlighting regional disaster readiness. Heat Risks: Coverage links rising extreme heat to worsening health outcomes for outdoor workers, a warning relevant to Guatemala’s own heat and labor conditions.

Trade & Climate Cooperation: South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Guatemala’s Carlos Martinez in Seoul, agreeing to push Guatemala’s early accession to the Korea-Central America FTA and expand development cooperation, including climate change and public administration. Housing & Water Stress: A new UN-Habitat report says housing affordability is worsening almost everywhere, with renters hit hardest as shortages and insecurity rise; another data-driven global map highlights that safe drinking water remains out of reach for over 2 billion people. Disaster Response & Seismic Risk: After Venezuela’s deadly earthquakes, Direct Relief and Medical Impact are mobilizing medical teams and support for the critical early response window, while Latin America’s seismic vulnerability is again in the spotlight. Conservation & Wildlife Trade: Zoos across Latin America warn that illegal wildlife trade is increasingly shifting to social media, complicating enforcement.

Venezuela Earthquakes Response: Two powerful quakes near the northern coast and Caracas killed at least 188 people, with rescue teams still searching collapsed buildings, underscoring how poverty and fragile infrastructure turn seismic shocks into disasters. Water Access Map: A new global look at safe drinking water finds more than 2 billion people still lack safely managed services, with access near-universal in wealthy regions but far below 20% in several low-income countries. Housing Affordability: UN-Habitat reports housing is getting less affordable almost everywhere as prices rise faster than incomes, rental strain grows, and housing deficits continue to widen. Biodiversity & Seeds: A collaborative seed banking push aims to strengthen conservation capacity across Colombia, Guatemala and Bolivia, supporting ecological restoration and future food security. Guatemala-Linked Conservation: Latin America’s zoos warn illegal wildlife trade is increasingly shifting to social media, raising new enforcement challenges. Local Environment & Community: Guatemala’s Indigenous food heritage is being spotlighted as a travel draw, tying community culture to native ingredients and local markets.

Venezuela Earthquakes: Back-to-back quakes off the northern coast and near Caracas killed at least 188 people, with rescue teams still searching collapsed buildings—another stark reminder that disaster risk grows where buildings and services are fragile. Water Access Map: A new global look at safe drinking water shows more than 2 billion people still lack safely managed services, with huge gaps between wealthy countries and many low-income regions. Guatemala Health in Detention: A Guatemalan immigrant in U.S. ICE custody says he’s still fighting for proper medical care after a long detention period marked by serious rectal bleeding and disrupted recovery. Conservation & Seeds: A collaborative seed banking push across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia aims to strengthen native seed storage and expertise to support ecological restoration and food security. Wildlife Trafficking Online: Latin American zoos and aquariums warn illegal wildlife trade is increasingly moving to social media and e-commerce, making enforcement harder. Regional Disaster Response: Direct Relief is funding rapid medical deployment for Venezuela’s quake response, including mobile teams that also help with water purification and infection prevention.

Earthquake Response in the Region: Venezuela’s rare back-to-back earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5) have killed at least 188 people, with rescuers still searching collapsed buildings—another stark reminder that weak infrastructure turns seismic risk into catastrophe. Disaster Aid Mobilization: Direct Relief is funding rapid medical deployment for the first critical hours after the quake, including mobile medical teams that can treat trauma, prevent infection, and support safe water. Water Access Gap: A new global map highlights that more than 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water at home, with access dropping sharply in many low-income countries. Biodiversity & Wildlife Crime: Latin American zoos and aquariums launched a regional push against illegal wildlife trafficking, warning that sales are increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media. Conservation via Seeds: A collaborative seed banking project is strengthening seed banks across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia to protect plant diversity and support ecological restoration and food security. Sustainability Rankings: Cambodia topped a U.S. News land-and-resource sustainability ranking, with Guatemala also listed among the countries assessed.

Water Access Gap: A new map-based look at safe drinking water finds over 2 billion people still lack safely managed service, with access near-universal in parts of Europe and far below 20% in several low-income countries. Housing Affordability Crisis: UN-Habitat’s World Cities Report 2026 says housing is becoming less affordable almost everywhere, driven by rising prices, overcrowding, and a growing rental burden—leaving many renters at risk of losing land or housing rights. Earthquake Aftermath in the Region: Back-to-back earthquakes in Venezuela have killed at least 188 people, with rescuers still searching collapsed areas; the disaster is a grim reminder of how weak buildings and poverty turn seismic risk into catastrophe. Wildlife Trafficking Goes Digital: A regional campaign warns illegal wildlife trade in Latin America is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media, making it harder to detect and fueling links to organized crime. Guatemala Seed Banking Push: A collaborative seed banking project will strengthen seed bank capabilities across Guatemala, Colombia, and Bolivia to protect plant diversity and support ecological restoration and food security. Food System Resilience: FAO warns that even with strong cereal production, rising risks—from El Niño and energy costs to trade tensions—could quickly disrupt supply and access.

Safe Water Gap: A new global map shows more than 2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water at home, with access near-universal in wealthy regions but under 20% in several low-income countries. Venezuela Earthquakes: Back-to-back quakes near Caracas killed at least 188 people, with rescue teams still searching collapsed buildings—another stark reminder that weak infrastructure turns seismic risk into catastrophe. Regional Earthquake Context: Reuters’ roundup of Latin America’s deadliest quakes highlights how past disasters—from Haiti to Venezuela—were worsened by poor building practices and limited emergency capacity. Guatemala Conservation Push: A collaborative seed banking project is set to strengthen seed banks and native seed networks across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia to support ecological restoration and future food security. Wildlife Trafficking Online: Zoos and aquariums in Latin America launched a campaign warning illegal wildlife trade is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media. Food System Resilience: FAO warns that even with stable global cereal supply, rising risks like El Niño, energy and fertilizer volatility, and conflict could quickly disrupt access.

Coastal Resilience & Tourism: Trou aux Biches Beachcomber in Mauritius is set to reopen in October after a four-month renovation and beach restoration aimed at strengthening shoreline protection. Indigenous Food Culture: A travel guide spotlights Guatemala’s Indigenous heritage through traditional cuisine, markets, and cooking experiences that blend native ingredients with colonial influences. Coffee & Climate-Friendly Trade: A local coffee success story highlights direct-trade roasting that links farmers in Nicaragua, Tanzania, and Guatemala to community-focused businesses. Regional Conservation: Latin America’s zoos and aquariums launch a campaign against illegal wildlife trafficking, warning the trade is increasingly moving to social media. Biodiversity Protection: A new collaborative seed banking push will strengthen seed banks across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia to support ecological restoration and future food security. Disaster Risk & Resilience: After Venezuela’s deadly double earthquakes, Direct Relief and partners are deploying medical teams focused on the critical early response window. Climate Litigation Backdrop: A global analysis says climate protections are facing unprecedented courtroom challenges as governments roll back rules. Guatemala in the Spotlight: Rotary Foundation’s Wade Nomura visited Rabinal to assess an agriculture-based project that helped 650 families improve daily food access. Wildlife Health Threat: Central America and Mexico coordinate on New World screwworm control and residue monitoring to protect livestock and food safety.

Disaster Response: After Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes killed at least 188 people, rescue teams comb collapsed buildings while Direct Relief and Medical Impact prepare rapid medical deployments across the region, including support for water purification and infection prevention. Biodiversity & Wildlife Crime: Latin American zoos and aquariums launched a regional push against illegal wildlife trafficking, warning that the trade is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media. Conservation & Seeds: A new collaborative seed banking project will strengthen seed banks in Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia to protect plant diversity and support ecological restoration and food security. Regional Environment Security: Central America and Mexico agreed to boost cooperation on New World screwworm control and residue monitoring in milk and meat, aiming to protect livestock and food safety. Guatemala Spotlight: Rotary Foundation member Wade Nomura assessed a Rabinal project that helped 650 families shift from eating only a few times a week to daily food access through agriculture and livestock support. Climate Litigation Watch: A global analysis finds a surge in lawsuits defending climate protections as deregulation efforts face court challenges worldwide.

Regional Security & Disaster Response: U.S. Southern Command and El Salvador will co-host the multinational CENTAM Guardian 26 exercise, with troops from Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Belize and others training to respond to transnational threats, natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Climate & Land/Resource Sustainability: Cambodia topped U.S. News & World Report’s Land and Resource Sustainability ranking; Guatemala placed 10th globally, with the category tracking carbon emissions, deforestation, protected areas, sustainable trade and water stress. Biodiversity & Wildlife Crime: Latin American zoos and aquariums launched a regional campaign against illegal wildlife trafficking, warning the trade is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media. Conservation & Seeds: A collaborative seed banking push will strengthen seed banks in Colombia, Guatemala and Bolivia to support ecological restoration and food security. Food Systems Under Pressure: FAO says global cereal supplies look stable, but growing risks—from El Niño to energy and fertilizer volatility—could quickly disrupt access. Earthquakes & Humanitarian Response: After Venezuela’s back-to-back earthquakes, Direct Relief is mobilizing medical deployment, emphasizing the critical first 72 hours. Guatemala Link: Rotary Foundation’s Wade Nomura assessed a Rabinal project supporting sustainable agriculture and daily food access for 650 families.

Conservation & Biodiversity: A new Collaborative Seed Banking project will strengthen seed banks and native seed networks across Colombia, Guatemala, and Bolivia to protect plant diversity and support ecological restoration and food security. Wildlife Crime: Latin American zoos and aquariums launched a regional campaign warning illegal wildlife trafficking is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media, making it harder to detect and fight. Climate & Food Security: The UN warns global cereal supplies look stable, but growing risks—from El Niño and energy/ fertilizer volatility to conflict and trade tensions—could quickly disrupt access. Disaster Risk: Reuters reports two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela killed at least 188 people, with the toll expected to rise. Regional Cooperation (Guatemala): Central American countries, including Guatemala, agreed to boost coordination on New World screwworm control and veterinary medicine residue monitoring to protect livestock and food safety.

Volcano Watch: Terrified tourists scrambled for cover after Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted June 22, sending burning rocks and thick ash skyward; no deaths were reported, but witnesses described it as “absolutely terrifying.” Biodiversity & Food Security: A new Collaborative Seed Banking project (Oct 2025–Sep 2027) will strengthen seed bank capacity and build a native seed network across Colombia, Guatemala and Bolivia to support ecological restoration and community food security. Wildlife Crime Online: Zoos and aquariums across Latin America launched a campaign warning illegal wildlife trafficking is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media, making it harder to detect and combat. Disaster Risk in the Region: Back-to-back earthquakes hit Venezuela, killing at least 188 people, with the toll expected to rise as rescue teams search collapsed buildings. Public Health Funding: PAHO announced nearly $25M in projects across Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and Honduras to expand essential health services for people affected by humanitarian crises, reaching 1.1M directly. Maya Heritage Science: A study using X-ray and CBCT scans documented jade inlays in children’s teeth from Guatemala’s Popol Vuh Museum collection, pushing back the age range previously assumed for the practice.

Volcano Safety in Guatemala: Terrified tourists scrambled for survival after Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted June 22, sending burning rocks and thick ash into the air; no fatalities were reported, but hikers described it as “absolutely terrifying.” Wildlife Crime Goes Digital: Zoos and aquariums across Latin America launched a campaign against illegal wildlife trafficking, warning the trade is increasingly moving to e-commerce and social media, where it’s harder to detect; the group links the activity to organized crime networks. Regional Animal Health & Food Safety: Central America and Mexico agreed to strengthen cooperation on New World screwworm control and residue monitoring in milk and meat, aiming to protect livestock and food safety while improving coordination among authorities and labs. El Niño Food Risks: Forecasts say El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen through 2026, raising the odds of floods and droughts that can hit crops, livestock, and prices—WFP is urging early action to protect food-insecure communities. Guatemala Governance: A look at Guatemala’s new Attorney General, Gabriel García Luna, highlights early steps toward restructuring and transparency after years of political deadlock and alleged institutional damage.

Volcano Safety: Terrified tourists scrambled for survival after Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted on June 22, sending burning rocks and thick ash down during what was supposed to be a routine hike; no fatalities were reported, but witnesses described it as “absolutely terrifying.” Food Security & Climate: UN agencies warn El Niño could strengthen through 2026 and trigger floods, droughts, storms, and heat that hit crops and prices, with a joint appeal seeking $202 million to protect 8.8 million people across 22 vulnerable nations. Biodiversity & Research: Conservation groups are using AI to speed up bird surveys, turning months of sound and image data into faster insights for protecting habitats as biodiversity loss accelerates. Community Resilience: Rotary Foundation evaluator Wade Nomura visited Rabinal, where a project helped 650 families shift toward sustainable agriculture and report daily access to food. Wildlife Health: Texas officials say rodents and small wildlife may be linked to New World screwworm spread, while the original source of the first case remains under investigation. Human Rights: A report says environmental and Indigenous rights defenders were among the world’s most targeted human rights advocates in 2025, with 84 killed for land and environmental protection work, including cases documented in Guatemala.

Volcano Safety in Focus: Terrified tourists scrambled for cover after Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted on June 22, with burning rocks and thick ash turning a routine hike into a near-disaster; no fatalities were reported, but witnesses described it as “absolutely terrifying.” Institutional Reform Watch: Guatemala’s new Attorney General, Gabriel García Luna, began his first month with high-profile dismissals and a push for transparency after years of political deadlock and alleged “weaponization” of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Maya Heritage & Science: A study using X-ray and cone beam scans reports prehispanic Maya jade inlays in the teeth of young adults, challenging earlier claims that such work was only done on older individuals. Climate & Food Security Alert: Coverage highlights El Niño’s growing risk through 2026 and the need to prepare early to protect food-insecure communities from floods, droughts, and price shocks. Biodiversity Tech: AI is increasingly speeding up bird conservation surveys by turning months of audio and image data into faster answers for protecting habitats.

Volcano Watch: Terrified tourists scrambled for safety after Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego erupted June 22, sending burning rocks and thick ash into the air; no fatalities were reported, but witnesses described it as “absolutely terrifying.” Food Security & Climate Risk: El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen through 2026, raising the odds of floods, droughts, storms, and heat that can hit crops and drive up hunger—UN agencies are seeking major funding to protect vulnerable people. Biodiversity & Conservation: Guatemala’s rare nimble long-limbed salamander is still at risk, with a limited habitat range and a small wild population that conservationists say could be pushed further by habitat loss and decline. Environmental Defenders Under Pressure: A new global report says environmental and Indigenous rights defenders were among the most targeted human rights advocates in 2025, with land and environment protection linked to a large share of killings. Agriculture & Trade: The U.S. says it’s ready to supply more ethanol to Guatemala as the country moves toward an E10 mandate, tying energy policy to agricultural trade.