AGP Executive Report

Papal Health: Pope Leo is recovering after surgery for lung cancer and plans to lead prayers Sunday; his November South America trip remains uncertain. Climate and Food: A strong El Niño is raising concerns for food security, while Latin American farmers face region-specific risks from shifting weather. Biodiversity Finance: Ahead of the COP17 summit, global funding to protect nature is falling short. A new Global Environment Facility and Inter-American Development Bank initiative aims to mobilize private investment for conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Care and Health: A regional report warns that about eight million older adults need help with daily activities, a figure projected to triple by 2050, while women shoulder much of the unpaid care. Disaster Response: Project C.U.R.E. has launched a relief fund for survivors of Colombia’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake.

El Niño Threat: A powerful El Niño is raising concerns across the region, with wildfires already spreading in Peru and risks mounting for food supplies, agriculture and fisheries. Forest Protection: Latin America and the Caribbean cut deforestation by 28% in 2025, but still lost about 2.54 million hectares. Brazil and Colombia made gains, while investigators linked 161 firms to Amazon clearing in a regional probe that led to 233 arrests. Cross-Border Crime: Peru and Ecuador are coordinating intelligence and security operations to stop illegal mining and logging networks from shifting across their shared border. Amazon Ecosystems: Researchers warn rising temperatures threaten Amazon insects and could unsettle the wider ecosystem.

Amazon Protection: A new platform tracking Bolivia’s Amazon Indigenous territories found more than 186,500 hectares of forest were lost from 2003 to 2023, with over 90% of clearing deemed illegal. Nearly all surveyed territories reported outside land invasions. Climate Research: A study of more than 2,000 insect species found lowland Amazon insects have limited ability to adapt to rising temperatures, putting biodiversity and ecosystem functions at risk. Waste Management: Brazil’s 6,868 post offices now collect small electronics for recycling. The country generates 2.4 million metric tons of e-waste annually, but collects only 3%. Colombia Recovery: Project C.U.R.E. launched a fund to send medical supplies to hospitals damaged by the August earthquake, which killed more than 300 people and injured over 4,400.

Peru’s Fires and El Niño Risk: Fires are spreading across Cusco, Áncash and Ucayali, threatening rural and Amazon communities as dry conditions worsen and a powerful El Niño approaches. Caribbean Climate Push: CARICOM negotiators are aligning their positions ahead of COP31. Health Research: Researchers in Ecuador and Peru are developing AI tools that recognize Spanish-Quechua speech, aiming to make online health information more accessible to Indigenous communities. Iguazú Flooding: Heavy rain sent the river to nearly eight times its usual flow, prompting Argentina and Brazil to restrict access to walkways and trails at the falls. Pope’s Recovery: Pope Leo is walking and eating after lung-cancer surgery, but his planned South America trip remains uncertain.

El Niño and Food Security: A strengthening El Niño is raising concern across the region, with drought already leaving El Salvador’s cattle ranchers struggling to find buyers for starving animals. Scientists caution that its effects will vary by place. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led crackdown across nine Latin American countries resulted in more than 230 arrests linked to illegal mining, timber and wildlife trafficking. Biodiversity: New regional findings warn of steep wildlife declines, while Iguazu Falls temporarily closed in Argentina after heavy rain. Public Health Research: Scientists found a compound in infected mosquito saliva may help dengue and Zika viruses evade the body’s early defenses, pointing to a possible new prevention strategy.

Forests and El Niño: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, with losses in Latin America down 33%, helped by Brazil’s Amazon enforcement. Researchers warn a powerful El Niño could reverse the gains as forests face pressure from farming and mining. Panama Earthquake: Panama declared an emergency after a major quake triggered more than 100 aftershocks and school closures; a 6.1-magnitude tremor struck southern Panama. Jamaica Health: The government plans four new public hospitals, adding 1,370 beds, including a replacement Kingston Public Hospital. An assessment found much of the current facility’s infrastructure obsolete. Marine Research: Scientists identified 57 new species and five genera in Argentina’s Mar del Plata Canyon, while finding plastic and fishing debris in the deep-sea habitat. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across Latin America and the Caribbean arrested 233 people and exposed 60,000 hectares linked to illegal activity.

Panama Recovery: South Korea pledged $300,000 in humanitarian aid after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake damaged more than 800 homes, 419 education facilities and 29 health centers; aftershocks prompted school closures. Climate Watch: El Niño is driving exceptionally warm Pacific waters and record-long hurricane activity, adding to concerns over extreme weather and food security across the region. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led crackdown across Latin America and the Caribbean arrested 233 people and exposed about 60,000 hectares to illegal activity, including forest clearing and mining. Research: A study found that gut microbes in Bolivia’s Tsimane people closely resemble those of African hunter-gatherers, while differing sharply from nearby urban populations—raising questions about how modernization affects human microbiomes. Greener Mining: Argentina- and Chile-based Giraffe Bio raised $6.4 million to develop lower-impact reagents for copper recovery and became the first Latin American company selected for Breakthrough Energy’s Fellows Program. Health Research: Panama and Brazil joined the Global Virus Network as new centers, strengthening international work on emerging viruses, vaccines and disease surveillance.

Panama Earthquake: A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck early Tuesday, following last week’s 7.7 quake. Panama has declared an emergency as aftershocks continue and schools close. Climate & Food Security: A study found extreme rainfall can hurt cocoa yields more than heat or water shortages, damaging flowers and young pods and spreading disease. The research included Ecuador, where cocoa supports farming livelihoods. Amazon Protection: An Interpol probe into environmental crime across Latin America has led to 233 arrests and linked 161 companies to Amazon clearing, exposing about 60,000 hectares to illegal activity.

Panama Earthquake: A magnitude 7.7 quake off the southern coast injured at least 27 people and prompted a state of emergency; no deaths were reported. Amazon Crime: An Interpol operation across nine countries led to 233 arrests and linked 161 companies to forest clearing; authorities recorded about 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared land. El Niño Risks: Flooding in Argentina’s Entre Ríos and Corrientes forced evacuations, while a new warning says a climate-intensified El Niño could cause nearly half a million excess deaths worldwide by February. Environmental Law: More than 30 experts from 14 countries proposed a regional model law that would punish severe, extensive or long-lasting environmental destruction with up to 20 years in prison. Child Health: Paraguay has climbed from 10th to second in a regional ranking for first-year childhood vaccination, sharing the spot with Mexico and Panama.

Disaster Watch: Panama declared an emergency after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake injured at least 27 people and damaged buildings and roads. Off Mexico’s Pacific coast, Hurricane Simon brought dangerous winds and heavy rain, prompting evacuations and class suspensions. Climate and Health: Forecasters warn El Niño could intensify and threaten food security across Latin America, while UNICEF says climate impacts could put 347 million children worldwide at risk. A global survey also found most maternal-health professionals questioned had seen more heat-related complications for pregnant women and babies in recent years. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led crackdown across Latin America and the Caribbean resulted in 233 arrests tied to environmental offenses, including illegal mining and wildlife trafficking. Public Health: PAHO warned that large religious gatherings could fuel measles spread across the Americas.

Panama Earthquake: A 7.7-magnitude quake injured at least 27 people and damaged hundreds of homes, schools and public buildings. The government declared an emergency and made up to $100 million available for recovery. El Niño Threat: UNICEF warns the climate pattern could put 347 million children at risk, while Latin America faces added pressure on food security. Chile’s Lithium Frontier: Researchers warn extraction around the Atacama salt flats threatens water, flamingos and Indigenous communities, even as lithium is key to clean-energy batteries. Renewable Energy: IRENA launched a regional partnership in the Dominican Republic to help Latin American and Caribbean countries turn clean-energy plans into projects and investment. Environmental Crime: An international crackdown across Latin America and the Caribbean led to 233 arrests linked to illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and other environmental offenses.

Panama Earthquake: A magnitude-7.7 quake near Tonosí injured at least 26 people, damaged homes and schools, and triggered more than 100 aftershocks. No deaths were reported as authorities assessed the damage and U.S. teams began delivering aid. El Niño Threat: UNICEF warns the strengthening climate pattern could put 347 million children at risk, while drought is already hurting crops in Colombia and Central America. Health Care: Venezuela says 1,874 medical devices, including CT scanners and intensive-care equipment, are being installed in public hospitals. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led operation across Latin America and the Caribbean resulted in 233 arrests linked to crimes against nature. Brazil Wildfires: Fires in Amazonas state are worsening air quality in Manaus.

Panama Earthquake: A magnitude 7.7 quake damaged buildings and roads, injured at least 27 people and triggered dozens of aftershocks. President José Raúl Mulino called it a major disaster; no deaths had been reported. Caribbean Climate Finance: A new regional bond aims to raise up to US$250 million for climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, water and environmental projects. Brazil’s Amazon: Former environment minister Marina Silva warned that a Flávio Bolsonaro presidency could accelerate the destruction of the rainforest as Brazil heads to a runoff on Oct. 25. Environmental Crime: An Interpol operation across nine Latin American and Caribbean countries led to 233 arrests, recovered more than 1,000 live animals and identified 60,000 hectares of illegally cleared forest. Healthy Aging: Latin America has about 98 million people aged 60 and older, a figure projected to reach 183 million by 2050—putting growing pressure on health systems and long-term care.

Amazon Fires: Wildfire smoke pushed Manaus air pollution to unhealthy levels, prompting school closures, remote work at municipal offices and mask advice. Brazil has recorded nearly 50% more Amazon fire hotspots this year than by the same point in 2025. Chaco Protection: Paraguay submitted updated plans for the 7.5-million-hectare Chaco Biosphere Reserve after a UN deadline. Deforestation for farms and cattle ranching threatens the forest and Indigenous Ayoreo communities, including people living in voluntary isolation. El Niño Alert: The WMO says the warming Pacific phenomenon is intensifying and could rank among the strongest since 1950, with a December peak forecast. Shifting rainfall patterns raise risks of drought and flooding across the region. Disaster Readiness: Mexico is expanding free cellphone alerts to cover hazards such as hurricanes and wildfires, using broadcasts that do not require data or prepaid credit. Climate Finance: A new US$250 million Caribbean bond aims to fund climate resilience and growth across the region.

El Niño Alert: The WMO warns the Pacific warming could become one of the strongest on record, intensifying through December and lasting into February 2027. It could bring extreme heat and shifting rainfall, including heavier-than-usual rain in southeastern South America. Galápagos Invasion: A bird introduced to control cattle ticks spread across the islands after heavy El Niño rains in 1982–83. Its population is now estimated at 250,000, raising concerns for native wildlife. Biodiversity: New reporting warns of steep wildlife losses across Latin America and the Caribbean, while an Interpol operation targeting illegal mining and wildlife trafficking led to 233 arrests and exposed 60,000 hectares to harm. Colombia Discovery: Researchers confirmed a new giant water lily species in the Inírida River basin; it is already classified as critically endangered.

El Niño: The WMO says the warming Pacific will intensify through December and could rank among the strongest since 1950. The shifts in rain and heat raise risks of droughts, floods and food insecurity; reports say Colombia is already feeling the effects. Environmental Crime: An Interpol-led operation across nine Latin American countries exposed 60,000 hectares to illegal activity and resulted in 233 arrests linked to mining, wildlife and timber trafficking. Indigenous Livelihoods: In Guyana, Warao women are earning income from climate-resilient pepper and vegetable gardens that also collect rainwater for communities facing saltwater intrusion. Wildlife: WWF reports monitored wildlife populations worldwide have fallen an average of 73% since 1970, though some conservation efforts are working. In the Caribbean, researchers found shaded corals recovered colour during a marine heat wave.