AGP Executive Report

Energy Security: First LNG cargo arrives in Honduras under Centrica Energy and Exodus deal, starting ship-to-ship deliveries into Puerto Cortés and feeding the Brassavola power plant expansion—aimed at diversifying generation and boosting industrial resilience. Defense & Procurement: Israel and Honduras sign an MoU for long-term defense cooperation, including intelligence, border security, training, and defense-industry briefings—signaling deeper security ties. Agri-Industry Skills: IICA and Zamorano train Belizean dairy producers in sustainable production and processing, covering herd management, milk quality, food safety, and dairy product processing. Regional Construction Demand: El Salvador’s cement imports jump to a 30-year high, with trade links including Honduras—an indirect read-through for regional building materials flows. Supply Chain Volatility: Heavy Lift Group members stress flexibility for complex logistics amid geopolitics and price swings, including inflation and fuel-cost planning. Policy Pressure on Migration: U.S. moves to end Temporary Protected Status for multiple nationalities, with Honduras-linked TPS impacts highlighted in coverage.

Defense & Security: Israel and Honduras signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen defense cooperation and set a framework for a long-term security partnership, with talks covering border security, intelligence, equipment procurement, training, and lessons from recent conflicts. Energy & Industry: The first LNG cargo arrived in Honduras under Centrica Energy’s long-term sale and purchase agreement with Exodus, starting ship-to-ship deliveries into Puerto Cortés to support the Brassavola combined-cycle expansion and lay groundwork for Honduras’ first natural gas imports for power generation. Agri-Food Capacity Building: IICA and Zamorano trained Belizean dairy producers in sustainable milk production and processing, including herd practices, forage and feed use, milk quality and food safety, and production of cheese, yogurt, and cream. Regional Construction Demand (Context): El Salvador’s cement imports surged to a three-decade high in early 2026, with China emerging as the top supplier—an indicator of broader Central American construction momentum that can affect regional sourcing, including Honduras-linked trade flows.

Immigration Policy Shock: Honduras-linked TPS uncertainty remains in the spotlight after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that lets the Trump administration revoke Temporary Protected Status by nationality, with DHS pushing back hard on court blocks and warning that “temporary means temporary.” Defense & Industry Ties: Israel and Honduras signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen defense cooperation, including discussion of Israel’s defense-industrial establishment—an angle that could matter for future procurement and security-related contracting. Agri-Production & Training: Belize dairy farmers are training in Honduras at El Zamorano on cattle genetics, herd management, and modern dairy systems, with a focus on crossbreeds suited to tropical heat and possible embryo-transfer tech—useful for regional value-chain upgrades. Land Rights vs Agro-Industry: Honduran peasant, indigenous, and Garifuna groups rejected the new agro-industrial law, citing forced evictions and unequal enforcement, and demanded annulment of proceedings tied to land defenders. Media & Governance: A Hondurasgate audio leak alleges former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy major media outlets and orchestrate public opinion through paid segments and hiring reporters. Trade Costs: U.S. importers face new Section 301 forced-labor tariffs affecting Honduras among other countries, raising the risk of higher duties and supply-chain pressure for exporters.

Honduras Land Rights Clash: Peasant, indigenous, and Garifuna groups in Honduras are rejecting the new agro-industrial law, saying it favors corporate interests and has enabled forced evictions in ancestral territories, including cases in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca), while they accuse the state of uneven enforcement. Hondurasgate Media Leak: A new leak from the Hondurasgate platform alleges former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes paid for and coordinated coverage, including buying entire programs, to shape public opinion. Regional Dairy Training in Honduras: Belize dairy farmers are in Honduras for technical training at El Zamorano on cattle genetics, herd management, and modern dairy production, with plans to improve milk quality and processing to compete with imports. Trade Pressure on Honduras Imports: U.S. importers face new Section 301 forced-labor tariffs affecting Honduras among other countries, raising potential duty costs and supply-chain impacts. Remittances Deal Touches Honduras Links: Western Union’s New York commitments after acquiring Intermex focus on keeping remittance services available and limiting fee hikes—relevant for cross-border money flows tied to Central America.

Agro-Industrial Conflict in Honduras: Peasant, indigenous, and Garifuna groups are rejecting Honduras’ June 2026 Agroindustrial Law, saying it favors corporate interests over original land rights and is being used to justify violent evictions; they’re demanding the annulment of criminal proceedings against land defenders and pointing to forced expulsions in San Juan (Garifuna coast) and El Tulito (Choluteca), plus continued operations in Roatán despite Supreme Court rulings. Hondurasgate Media Leak: New leaked audio from Hondurasgate alleges former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy control of major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes paid for programs, reporters, and synchronized coverage to shape public opinion—explaining why local outlets stayed silent despite international attention. Regional Dairy Modernization: Belize dairy farmers are training at El Zamorano in Honduras on cattle genetics, herd management, and modern dairy production, with a focus on crossbreeds suited to tropical heat and possible embryo-transfer tech. Coffee with Local Impact: Portland Coffee Roasters launched OPBeans, a Honduras-sourced coffee blend made by women in Honduras, with proceeds supporting Oregon public media. Remittances Watch: Western Union’s New York commitments after acquiring Intermex include service continuity and fee caps—relevant for Honduras-linked remittance flows.

Agro-Industrial Conflict in Honduras: Peasant, indigenous and Garifuna groups are rejecting Honduras’ agro-industrial law, saying it favors corporate interests over original land rights, while they demand annulment of criminal cases and stop evictions tied to the law’s enforcement. Hondurasgate Media Leak: New audio recordings from Hondurasgate allege former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes paid for and coordinated coverage to shape public opinion. Regional Dairy Training: Belize dairy farmers are in Honduras for technical training at El Zamorano on cattle genetics, herd management and modern dairy production, with a focus on improving milk quality and processing. Remittances Watch: New York regulators secured commitments from Western Union to keep remittance services available and cap fee increases after its Intermex acquisition—important for cross-border money flows that include Honduras. Agrifood Tech Pipeline: IICA selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica, including Harvverse from Honduras, aiming to spur partnerships and investment across the agrifood sector.

Agro-Industry & Land Rights: Honduran peasant, Indigenous and Garifuna groups rejected the newly approved Agroindustrial Law, saying it favors corporate interests over original land rights, while they demand annulment of criminal cases and halt evictions tied to enforcement; they cite forced expulsions in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca) and point to uneven justice. Media & Politics: Fresh Hondurasgate audio leaks allege former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy control of major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes paid for programs and synchronized coverage to shape public opinion. Agriculture & Regional Training: Belize dairy stakeholders are training at El Zamorano in Honduras on cattle genetics, herd management and modern dairy systems, with plans to improve milk quality and processing for products like cheese and powdered milk. AgTech & Agrifood Innovation: IICA selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica, including Honduras’ Harvverse, as part of a push for digital transformation across agrifood systems. Coffee & Local Branding: Portland Coffee Roasters launched OPBeans, a Honduras-made coffee blend by women producers, with proceeds supporting Oregon public media. Security & Cross-Border Influence: Coverage highlights the “Shield of the Americas” expanding U.S.-coordinated cross-border security operations across Latin America, including Colombia’s request for joint operations.

Agro-Industrial Conflict in Honduras: Peasant, Indigenous, and Garifuna groups rejected Honduras’ June 2026 Agroindustrial Law, saying it favors corporate interests over original land rights, while they demand annulment of criminal cases and an end to evictions of land defenders; communities cite forced expulsions in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca) and point to uneven enforcement, including continued activity around Roatán despite court rulings. Hondurasgate Media Allegations: A new leak of Hondurasgate audio recordings claims former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes paid for programming and coordinated coverage to shape public opinion. Coffee Supply Chain Link: Portland Coffee Roasters partnered with Oregon Public Broadcasting to launch OPBeans, a Honduras-produced coffee blend supporting public media. Digital Agrifood Push: IICA selected Honduran startup Harvverse among 15 AgTech firms for Costa Rica’s Digital Agriculture Week, aiming to speed agrifood digital transformation across the Americas. Regional Trade/Logistics Note: A Honduras-related distribution deal was announced for Paramount’s medical drama “The F Ward,” with Claro video carrying it across Honduras and other Latin American markets.

Agro-Industry & Land Rights: Honduran peasant, Indigenous, and Garifuna groups are pushing back hard against the June 2026 Agroindustrial Law, saying it favors corporate interests over original land rights and has enabled violent evictions—while they also demand annulment of charges against land defenders and point to continued operations in Roatán despite court rulings. Agriculture & Exports: A USDA update flags pressure on Central American melon shipments, citing pests like silverleaf whitefly and cool, humid conditions that boost downy mildew; it notes shipments from Guatemala and Honduras down 12% and 25%, respectively. AgTech & Investment: IICA selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica (Sept. 7–10), including Honduras’ Harvverse, as part of a push to speed up digital transformation across agrifood systems. Finance & Remittances: In the U.S., New York regulators secured commitments from Western Union to keep remittance services available statewide after its Intermex acquisition, including limits on fee increases for three years—relevant for Honduras-linked money flows.

Agro-Industry & Land Rights: Honduran peasant, indigenous, and Garifuna groups are rejecting the June 2026 Agroindustrial Law, saying it favors corporate interests and has enabled forced evictions in ancestral territories, including reported expulsions in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca), while they call for annulment of criminal proceedings against land defenders. AgTech & Agriculture Tech: IICA and a regional jury selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica (Sept. 7–10), including Harvverse from Honduras, as part of a push to modernize agrifood systems across the Americas. Coffee & Local Supply Chains: Portland Coffee Roasters launched OPBeans, a Honduras-produced coffee blend made by women in the country, with proceeds supporting Oregon public media—an example of cross-border sourcing tied to community impact. Climate & Food Pressure: USDA reports melon shipments from Guatemala and Honduras down (watermelon down 12% and Honduras down 25%), citing pests and downy mildew linked to unusual cool, humid weather. Energy & Regional Policy: Belize hosted CCAD talks under its pro-tempore presidency, with Honduras among participating countries, focusing on biodiversity, solid waste, water resources, and regional projects like Sargassum. Business & Finance: BAC highlights a more integrated Central America banking model to simplify cross-border payments and treasury management for multinationals operating across Honduras and neighbors.

BPO Hiring Push in Honduras: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to expand Honduras’ nearshore customer-service and AI BPO sector, with plans to hire 400 workers in Tegucigalpa by year-end and grow lines of business for global clients. Immigration-Driven Labor Strain (U.S. impact on Hondurans): Miami-Dade plant nursery owners say Trump-era deportation moves and the end of TPS for Haitians, Venezuelans, Hondurans, and Nicaraguans are shrinking their labor pool, threatening closures despite higher wages. Agrifood Supply Pressure: USDA reports uneven melon production and weaker shipments tied to pests and weather; imports from Guatemala and Honduras fell, with downy mildew and cool, humid conditions disrupting output. Climate Shock for Supply Chains: New Copernicus-linked reporting says July 2026 was the hottest on record for nearly 900 million people across regions including Central America, raising risks for food and water security. Regional Security Context: SOUTHCOM urged partners to “fight against the enemy” at an anti-cartel forum, adding to the broader push to pressure criminal networks across the Americas.

BPO Growth in Honduras: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to push expansion of Honduras’ nearshore customer service and AI-enabled outsourcing sector, including plans to hire 400 new workers in Tegucigalpa by year-end. AgTech for Agrifood Modernization: IICA and a specialized jury selected 15 AgTech startups—including Harvverse from Honduras—for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica (Sept. 7–10), aiming to speed digital transformation across the region’s agrifood systems. Climate Pressure on Exports: USDA data shows Honduras melon shipments fell sharply, with pests and cool, humid conditions driving down supplies—an added headwind for producers already facing volatile demand. Regional Security Signals: SOUTHCOM urged partners at a Panama cartel-fighting forum to “take the fight to the enemy,” while Honduras is also referenced in broader Latin America political-security reporting tied to U.S. strategy. Tariff Watch for Industry: A new U.S. Section 201 safeguard sets a four-year tariff-rate quota on quartz surface products starting Aug. 15, with steep over-quota duties once allocations are used up.

BPO & Nearshoring: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys in Tegucigalpa to discuss expanding Honduras’ outsourced business services and AI-powered customer experience; the company plans to hire 400 new employees in Tegucigalpa by year-end as it adds new lines for global brands. Port & Infrastructure Development: Cruise Terminals International (CTI) development chief Miguel Reyna says cruise terminal planning should start with local stakeholders, positioning terminals as destinations to better match community needs and long-term investment goals. Climate & Food Security Pressure: New Copernicus/NOAA reporting shows July 2026 tied as the hottest July on record, with record heat and drought stressing regions including parts of Central America—raising risks for water and food supply chains. Organized Crime & Business Risk: A study highlights how Latin America’s criminal groups diversify into legal sectors (from mining to fuel) and embed in local economies, making enforcement harder and increasing operating risk for legitimate businesses. Governance & Land/Community Tensions: Rights groups urge Honduras to drop charges against five Garifuna land defenders, underscoring ongoing friction around land rights and community protection. Hondurasgate Fallout: New Hondurasgate audio releases tied to Juan Orlando Hernández again focus on control of police and the handling of drug-trafficking cash stashes, keeping legal and political pressure on the former leader.

BPO Investment Push: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met Honduras President Nasry Asfura and the Investment Minister to discuss expanding the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, with plans to hire 400 new employees in Tegucigalpa by year-end and add more service lines for global clients. Port & Logistics Development: Cruise Terminals International (CTI) says it’s shaping cruise infrastructure by starting with local stakeholders, aiming to close the gap between megaship demand and port capacity. Food Supply Systems: Honduras-linked regional coverage highlights the Dominican Republic’s XI Meeting of Public Food Supply and Marketing Systems, organized with FAO support, focused on strengthening public food networks. Land Rights Under Pressure: Human rights groups urge Honduras’ judiciary to drop charges against five Garifuna land defenders from OFRANEH, alleging “illegal judicial persecution” tied to a San Juan, Tela eviction case. Climate & Cost Risks: UN and climate reporting points to rising food prices tied to extreme heat and energy shocks, a warning for Honduras’ agriculture and food supply chains. Energy & Heat Context: Record ocean and global heat reports underscore worsening conditions that can hit regional production and logistics.

Regional Banking & Payments: BAC says it has shifted Central America from country-by-country banking to a single regional model, processing payments worth 55% of the region’s GDP and growing transaction volume from $107bn (2020) to $227bn. BPO Jobs in Honduras: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to expand Honduras’ nearshore customer service and BPO sector, announcing plans to hire 400 workers in Tegucigalpa by year-end. Port Development: Cruise Terminals International (CTI) frames cruise terminal projects around local stakeholders first, aiming to close the gap between megaship demand and port capacity. Food Prices Pressure: The UN warns July staple food costs rose as heatwaves and energy price hikes hit supply chains, with cereal and vegetable oil prices climbing. Climate Risk for Industry: Copernicus data shows record July ocean and land heat, including marine heatwaves around Europe—raising risks for fisheries and logistics. Human Rights & Land Defenders: Rights groups urge Honduras to drop charges against five Garifuna land defenders tied to a San Juan, Tela eviction case. Hondurasgate Update: New leaked audios in the Hondurasgate saga depict Juan Orlando Hernández discussing police control and cash “stashes,” with recordings reportedly forensically verified. Agribusiness Context: A report on oil palm expansion highlights land grabbing, displacement, and violence across Latin America—relevant for Honduras’ broader agribusiness debate.

Nearshoring & BPO Jobs: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met Honduras President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to push growth in the BPO sector, with plans to hire 400 people in Tegucigalpa by year-end and expand services for global brands. Energy & Climate Pressure: AFP reports record July heat across regions home to about 900 million people, including Central America, raising risks for agriculture and supply chains. Food Prices: The UN warns July food costs rose as heatwaves and energy price hikes hit staples, with cereals and vegetable oils among the drivers. Oil Palm Human Cost: A GRAIN report links oil palm expansion in Latin America to deforestation, land grabbing, and violence, criticizing weak enforcement and “greenwashing” claims. Port Development: CTI’s Miguel Reyna says cruise terminal planning should start with local stakeholders, positioning the company to close gaps between megaship demand and port capacity. Honduras Land Rights: Rights groups urge Honduras to drop charges against five Garifuna land defenders (OFRANEH) tied to a San Juan, Tela eviction case. Offshore Exploration: Talos Energy agreed an 80% operated interest in a block offshore Honduras, planning new 3D seismic later this year. Hondurasgate Update: New Hondurasgate audios attributed to Juan Orlando Hernández discuss “caletas” and alleged control over police and security channels.