AGP Executive Report

Venezuela Quake Aftermath: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have killed at least 1,430 people, with 3,238 injured and up to 68,900 missing, as rescuers and civilians in La Guaira keep digging through rubble and families accuse the government of arriving too late and lacking heavy equipment. International Rescue Surge: Officials say 1,600+ foreign rescuers have arrived, with more teams on the way, and there’s been at least one high-profile rescue of a mother and baby pulled alive after days trapped. Local Spotlight for El Salvador: Reports note Salvadoran rescue teams are among those responding, while U.S. lawmakers again urged action for detained Salvadoran human rights lawyer Ruth López, citing due-process concerns. World Cup (Not El Salvador, but in the feed): England beat Panama 2-0 with goals by Bellingham and Kane, finishing Group L top and setting up a Round of 32 match against DR Congo.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s twin quakes have killed at least 1,430 people, with 68,900 missing reported as rescuers and civilians keep digging through rubble in La Guaira, where families say the official response has been too slow and heavy equipment is scarce. Local Impact (El Salvador): El Salvador’s USAR teams are among the foreign responders, including high-profile rescues of a 39-year-old woman pulled alive after 48+ hours and a 15-year-old found trapped for days, with teams working to reach survivors still buried. Aid & Logistics: International help is expanding fast—Venezuela says 1,600 foreign rescuers have arrived and more flights are expected—while access to La Guaira has been tightened to keep search operations moving. Tech Policy (Pax Silica): Separately, the Philippines joined the US-led Pax Silica AI alliance, backing shared rules meant to protect tech supply chains.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) have left at least 920 dead, 3,360 injured, and 50,000+ missing as rescue teams race to find survivors under rubble in Caracas and hardest-hit La Guaira. Local Search Pressure: With heavy equipment scarce and access tightened, residents are digging by hand and authorities have moved to block entry to La Guaira, requiring permits. International Aid Ramps Up: Dozens of foreign teams are arriving, including U.S. military support and multiple countries’ rescue units. El Salvador Steps In: El Salvador’s first rescuers and specialists have reached Venezuela, with additional support including heavy machinery sent to speed debris removal and access collapsed buildings. Regional Security Training: Separately, the U.S. and El Salvador will co-host CENTAM Guardian 26 in El Salvador, training regional forces for disasters and transnational threats.

Venezuela Quake Response: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez says the twin earthquakes have killed at least 589 people and injured 2,980, with tens of thousands still unaccounted for as rescue teams race through rubble in La Guaira and Caracas. International Rescue Mobilization: The UN says about 1,000 specialists in 25 search-and-rescue teams are being deployed, with teams already operating from countries including El Salvador, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the U.S., and others. Local Strain and Frustration: Reports describe patchy government presence early on, while neighbors and volunteers dig for survivors and field hospitals are set up as aftershocks continue. El Salvador Diplomacy & Investment Push: Separately, El Salvador promoted investor ties in Chile through a “Doing Business with El Salvador” forum, pitching tech, pharma, tourism, logistics, and trade-friendly conditions. U.S. Immigration Fallout: The U.S. Supreme Court is also in the spotlight for expanding Trump-era immigration detention and ending TPS protections, a move that could affect millions, including Salvadorans, as legal fights continue.

Venezuela Quake Response: Two back-to-back quakes (7.2 and 7.5) have left at least 164 dead and 971 injured, with La Guaira described as a “disaster zone” as rescuers race to pull people from collapsed buildings. International Aid: UN-certified teams are en route, while Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Red Cross, and even Pope Leo XIV have pledged emergency support and equipment. El Salvador’s Role: Salvadoran authorities say a 300-strong rescue team and 50 tons of medical and humanitarian supplies are being deployed to help search and rescue, including an elite K-9 unit. Regional Politics: In Colombia, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has given guerrilla groups one month to surrender, echoing hardline security models associated with Bukele. Central America Watch: Belize has taken over SICA’s rotating presidency pro tempore, with migration, energy security, and disaster risk management flagged as near-term priorities.

Venezuela Earthquake Response: Twin 7.2 and 7.5 quakes have killed at least 164 and injured 971, with La Guaira dubbed a “disaster zone” as rescuers race to free people trapped in collapsed buildings; the state of emergency has paused airport, rail and transport services, and aftershocks keep hitting. U.S. Aid Mobilization: President Trump says the U.S. is “ready, willing, and able” to help; Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms search-and-rescue teams are already deploying (including from Fairfax County and Los Angeles) and that damaged Maiquetía airport will require military assets, plus satellite imagery support. Regional Solidarity: El Salvador and other countries have offered help as international rescue teams and medical support begin arriving. Colombia’s Rightward Shift: Abelardo de la Espriella defeats Iván Cepeda in Colombia’s presidential race, signaling a conservative turn across the Andes. Crypto Court Fight: Kraken sues El Salvador-based PowerTrade, alleging unauthorized moves that turned a $6M+ balance into a near $2M negative.

Venezuela Earthquakes: Two powerful quakes hit northern Venezuela minutes apart, collapsing buildings in Caracas and nearby states. Casualties & Response: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez says at least 32 people died and more than 700 were injured, with La Guaira described as a “disaster zone” and the death toll expected to rise; Maiquetía airport was closed and classes, metro and rail services were suspended while rescue teams search rubble. Seismic Warning: The USGS warned “high casualties and extensive damage” are probable, with a possible toll in the tens of thousands. International Aid: Aid offers poured in, including from the U.S. and regional governments; El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said 300 rescuers and paramedics plus 50 tons of supplies are ready to depart for Caracas.

El Salvador–U.S. ties and migration enforcement: DHS/ICE announced arrests of Salvadorans in the U.S., including Jose Victor Gonzalez-Rosales (Los Angeles) and Saul Alberto Garay-Amaya (Fairfax, Virginia), both tied to serious prior convictions, as part of ongoing “criminal illegal alien” operations. Colombia’s rightward shift with El Salvador in the mix: Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella says Colombia will join the U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas” on Aug. 7, aligning with a tougher line on cartels and immigration; the runoff was razor-thin and already challenged. El Salvador’s growth push: Bukele inaugurated a new $50M airport terminal aimed at cutting passenger processing time, while the Port of La Unión moves toward deeper access and bigger ships to attract international investors. Trade and education wins: Coexport says food exports jumped 54% in five years, and El Salvador’s embassy partnered with BYU Pathway for 50 online scholarships plus English training. Sports spotlight from El Salvador: Bermuda’s Shelby Madeiros helped secure a 2-1 Billie Jean King Cup win in El Salvador.

El Salvador’s exports boom: Coexport says food and agri-manufacturing exports jumped 54% in five years, reaching $1.5B, with the U.S. buying $382M (25.5%) and demand rising for “nostalgic” Salvadoran products like loroco. Education push: The El Salvador Embassy in the U.S. teamed with BYU Pathway for 50 full online scholarships plus free English training through English Connect. Security-to-growth story: Bukele’s model continues to fuel investment, with new housing at Los Senderos Opico II, a modernizing Port of La Unión, and a $50M airport terminal that cuts passenger processing to about 30 minutes. Trade and jobs: La Unión port expansion plans include deeper access for bigger ships, while a large worker contingent is set to head to Canada under the Labor Migration Program. Regional context: A U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas” push is growing as Colombia’s incoming president signals tougher anti-cartel policy.

Colombia Election: Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”) has won Colombia’s presidential runoff with about 49.7% vs. Iván Cepeda’s 48.7% after nearly all ballots were counted, but Petro and Cepeda are challenging the result and calling for an investigation. Security Model Watch: De la Espriella campaigned on “mega-prisons” modeled on El Salvador and a tougher line on cocaine trafficking, signaling a potential shift away from Petro’s peace and social policies. US-Linked Pressure: Trump and US officials quickly congratulated the winner, while the vote dispute raises the risk of unrest during the final certification process. Local Angle: El Salvador’s near-zero homicide narrative continues to travel abroad as a reference point for crime-fighting politics. Justice Department Update (US): DOJ plans to appeal the dismissal of human-trafficking charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, tied to a mistaken deportation to El Salvador. Culture & Trade: El Salvador’s Kolashanpan is now available on Amazon in the US, expanding visibility for Salvadoran brands.

El Salvador trade & travel: Ocean Network Express (ONE) is back in El Salvador, launching a weekly Los Angeles–Acajutla route that arrives Sundays, a boost tied to port modernization and refrigerated-cargo capacity. Air connectivity: Air Europa will add a new nonstop Madrid–El Salvador service starting Dec. 17, three times weekly, using a Boeing 787-8. Salvadoran culture abroad: Kolashanpan, a classic Salvadoran soft drink, is now available on Amazon in the U.S., giving the diaspora easier access. Regional politics with local echoes: Colombia’s election swung sharply right as Trump-endorsed Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”) edged Ivan Cepeda, with security and “Bukele-style” hardline promises at the center—another sign of the region’s rightward turn. Immigration fallout: In the U.S., DOJ plans to appeal a judge’s dismissal of human-trafficking charges tied to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation involved El Salvador.

Colombia Election Shock: Trump-backed far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”) leads in the presidential runoff with about 49.66% vs 48.70% for Iván Cepeda, but the margin is razor-thin and both Petro and Cepeda say the result isn’t final yet, with legal challenges and protests already erupting. Security Model Debate: De la Espriella promises a hard crackdown on crime and mega-prisons modeled on El Salvador’s CECOT, while critics warn the country could slide into deeper polarization. Regional Ripples: Right-wing leaders across Latin America—including Javier Milei and Daniel Noboa—quickly congratulated him, signaling a broader rightward turn that could reshape Colombia’s ties with the U.S. Local Angle: El Salvador’s security approach keeps showing up in regional politics, as the campaign rhetoric explicitly points to Salvadoran-style detention as a blueprint.

Colombia Election Shockwave: Pro-Trump nationalist lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella (“The Tiger”) is leading in Colombia’s presidential runoff with about 99.9% of ballots counted—49.65% vs. Iván Cepeda’s 48.7%—a margin under 250,000 votes, but both sides are disputing legitimacy and pushing legal challenges. US Signals: Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly congratulated de la Espriella, framing the win around security, migration, and closer economic ties. Security vs. Peace Debate: De la Espriella promises a hard crackdown on guerrillas and cartels, including “mega-prisons,” while Cepeda—an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro—says he’ll keep negotiating under “Total Peace.” El Salvador Angle: Multiple reports compare de la Espriella’s security plans to El Salvador’s Bukele-style approach, keeping Salvador’s model in the spotlight across the region. World Cup Moment: Spain crushed Saudi Arabia 4-0 as Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal powered a statement win.

Drug Enforcement: President Nayib Bukele says El Salvador seized a record 6.68 tons of cocaine in two Pacific naval operations, arresting six suspects and pushing the year’s total to about 13 tons. Local Culture & Tourism: The 8th Peach Festival opened in Río Chiquito, Chalatenango, with farm tours and peach-based food and drinks drawing visitors for a two-day run. Regional Politics: Colombia heads to a presidential runoff Sunday between far-right outsider Abelardo de la Espriella (“El Tigre”), backed by Trump, and leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who wants to continue Petro’s “total peace” approach—both promising to curb violence and polarization. Sports Spotlight: World Cup headlines include Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal setting a record with three goal involvements in a match and Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron receiving the first-ever red card for covering his mouth during play.

Drug Enforcement: President Nayib Bukele says El Salvador seized a record 6.68 tons of cocaine in two Pacific naval operations, worth about $167 million, arresting six suspects tied to the haul and bringing the year’s total to roughly 13 tons. Sports & FIFA Rules: In the World Cup, Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón became the first player sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation, with El Salvador referee Ivan Barton issuing the red card after VAR review; Paraguay held on to beat Türkiye 1-0. Local Culture & Tourism: The 8th Peach Festival opened in Río Chiquito, Chalatenango, with farm tours, peach-and-strawberry tastings, and community events running through Sunday, aiming to keep visitor spending in local families. Immigration & Public Safety (US): A Salvadoran man with a final removal order dating to 1998 was indicted in New York for raping a 16-year-old, renewing calls for sanctuary policies to keep violent offenders detained.

Drug Bust: El Salvador’s Navy and President Nayib Bukele say authorities seized 6.68 tons of cocaine in the Pacific, stopping two low-profile vessels near Bocana El Cordoncillo; six people were arrested and the haul is valued at about $167 million, topping the country’s previous single-operation record. World Cup Spotlight: FIFA’s new rule banning players from covering their mouths during disputes was enforced at the 2026 World Cup when Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was sent off for the gesture; Paraguay still beat Türkiye 1-0, keeping its knockout hopes alive. Regional Politics: Colombia’s presidential runoff this Sunday pits left-wing senator and human-rights activist Iván Cepeda against far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, with voters deciding between continued social reforms and a more conservative, security-first direction. Local Governance: Mayor Edgar S. Lignes attended the inauguration of an OPAMC office facility in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, aimed at strengthening coordination for development concerns in Northern Mindanao.