AGP Executive Report

Immigration Costs Rise: USCIS will increase several immigration fees starting Oct. 16, including higher asylum, work-permit, parole, and TPS-related charges, as the U.S. tightens legal immigration. Honduras Fuel Protest: Honduras erupted in protest as fuel prices climbed for an 11th straight week, underscoring pressure on household costs and business operating expenses. Regional Trade & Jobs: El Salvador ranks high in economic complexity and manufacturing exports, while Honduras is cited as lagging in the same index—an angle that matters for investors weighing nearshoring and supply-chain shifts. Latin America’s China Shift: A new Economist/Latinobarómetro survey finds favorability toward China improving across Latin America, including Honduras, while views of the U.S. decline—potentially reshaping trade and financing preferences. El Niño Supply-Chain Risk: Research warns a super-strength El Niño could disrupt Latin American supply chains, commodity output, and infrastructure, with uneven impacts across Central America and northern South America. Security Cooperation: The OAS urged full deployment of Haiti’s Gang Repression Force, with Honduras among signatories—relevant for regional stability and cross-border commerce. Coffee Flows: On International Coffee Day, reporting highlights the U.S. as the top coffee consumer and lists major suppliers from the Americas, including Honduras, tying commodity demand to Honduras’ export outlook.

Immigration & Enforcement: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security expanded its public “Worst of the Worst” immigration database by 5,000 people, pushing the total above 40,000 names tied to criminal histories. Regional Trade & Industry: El Salvador stands out in Central America for industrial sophistication, ranking highest in an Economic Complexity Index and leading the region in technical manufactured exports, while Honduras is listed among the lowest performers. Central America Migration Pressure: Multiple reports track a new Honduras-linked migrant caravan moving north through Mexico toward the U.S., with DHS warning that people will be turned back. Energy & Cost of Living: Honduras faces mounting public pressure as fuel prices keep climbing for an 11th straight week, fueling protests and business uncertainty. Security & Cross-Border Cooperation: The U.S. is pushing its “Shield of the Americas” plan, including visa restrictions tied to transnational criminal networks, with Honduras named among participating countries. Tourism & Investment (Roatán): Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa opened a new rooftop venue, betting on high-end tourism demand in the reef-and-beach economy.

Shield of the Americas: The U.S. is expanding visa restrictions and other actions tied to its “Shield of the Americas” push against transnational organized crime, with a Sept. 22 declaration naming Honduras and 13 other countries and adding economic cooperation alongside security. Honduras Migration Pressure: A Honduras-led migrant caravan (“Fe y Esperanza”) has grown to more than 600 people as it moves north through Mexico, while U.S. border officials warn crossings will be turned back, arrested, and deported. Fuel Prices Hit Honduras: Honduras is seeing renewed unrest as fuel prices climb for an 11th week, squeezing household and business costs. Visa Backlog Watch: A U.S. audit says Indians face a 346-day wait for visitor visa interviews, with Honduras also listed among the longest waits—highlighting how travel and business planning can get stuck. Banana Supply Risks: A new report flags mounting weather, disease, and cost pressures on banana production across Central America, including Honduras, with potential spillovers for U.S. supermarket supply and prices. Energy & LNG Context: Offshore coverage points to shifting natural gas project timelines across the region, underscoring how energy security planning remains a live business issue.

Tourism & Investment: Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa opened Bêyabu Rooftop, an open-air sunset spot above West Bay Beach with capacity for up to 80 guests, adding a new luxury draw tied to Garifuna culture. Fuel & Inflation Pressure: Honduras saw fresh protests and road blockades after an 11th straight week of fuel price hikes; Tegucigalpa reported premium up to 153.17 lempiras per gallon and regular to 135.26, despite a higher temporary fuel subsidy. Migration & Border Risk: A Honduras-origin migrant caravan (“Fe y Esperanza”) grew to more than 600 people moving through Mexico toward the U.S., while DHS warned the border is “sealed shut” and crossings will be apprehended and removed. Security & Trade Links: Canada’s Vancouver police seized 328.55 kg of cocaine worth about $5.8M from a container traced to Honduras, highlighting ongoing illicit trade routes. Regional Policy: The U.S. revoked visas of Latin American officials over alleged corruption or narco-trafficking, while Honduras remains in the spotlight amid broader “Shield of the Americas” politics. Agribusiness: Banana producers warned that El Niño-linked weather swings, disease and rising costs are straining supply chains, with Honduras among key producing countries.

Fuel Prices Protests: Honduras saw fresh unrest as fuel prices jumped for the 11th straight week, with demonstrations and road blockades reported in Tegucigalpa and other cities after the government raised a temporary fuel subsidy. Drug Trade & Security: Canada’s Vancouver Police seized 328.55 kg of cocaine worth about $5.8M from a container traced back to Honduras, highlighting ongoing regional trafficking risks. Migration Pressure: DHS warned a Honduras-linked migrant caravan moving through Mexico that the U.S. border is “sealed shut,” as hundreds reportedly headed north toward the U.S.-Mexico line. Trade & Jobs: A report says Central America is gaining tariff advantages in the U.S. market through successive exemptions, benefiting sectors that include coffee and bananas—key for Honduras’ export outlook. Bananas Under Strain: Banana producers across the region, including Honduras, face mounting weather, disease, and cost pressures, with El Niño adding uncertainty for supply and prices. Visa Curbs on Corruption: The U.S. announced visa restrictions on foreign officials suspected of corruption or drug trafficking under the “Shield of the Americas” push.

Visa Crackdown: The Trump administration revoked visas of 27 Latin American officials and former officials, including Bolivia’s attorney general Roger Mariaca, citing alleged corruption tied to narco-trafficking. Migration Pressure: DHS warned that a Honduras-led migrant caravan moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border could face a “closed and secured” border, as “Fe y Esperanza” reportedly grew to 600+ people after leaving San Pedro Sula. Courtroom Reality: A Texas immigration court story highlighted Honduran child cases, including a 13-year-old boy without an attorney arguing it’s too dangerous to return. Local Business & Security: In New York, police raided “Honduras Deli” in Huntington Station over alleged cocaine, unlicensed on-site alcohol, and illegal gambling devices. Regional Crime Policy: OAS member states urged renewal and full deployment of Haiti’s gang suppression force, linking security to credible elections and longer-term socioeconomic recovery. Tourism & Trade Links: Carnival Jubilee added Bahamas itineraries from Galveston, while continuing calls in Honduras’ Roatán.

Migration & Border Pressure: A “Fe y Esperanza” caravan that began in Honduras on Sept. 20 has swelled to more than 600 people as it moves through southern Mexico toward the U.S. border, underscoring how tighter U.S. enforcement is reshaping Central American flows. Regional Security: The OAS is urging the UN Security Council to renew and fully deploy Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force, calling for personnel, funding, equipment and logistics to support Haitian-led security and credible elections. Honduras in the Economy & Travel: Roatán is highlighted in coverage of new cruise itineraries and tourism demand, while separate reporting spotlights Prospera’s “private city” model on the island—an investment-driven experiment that could affect local business rules and labor conditions. Business & Finance Risk: T. Rowe is using climate analytics to protect a US$165B emerging-markets portfolio from El Niño impacts, noting disruptions to crops in Honduras and El Salvador. Crime & Enforcement: A Suffolk County deli raid in New York led to four arrests tied to alleged cocaine, illegal gambling devices and unlicensed liquor service.

H-2B Hiring Signals in the U.S.: USCIS data show Florida approved 20,100 H-2B workers for fiscal 2026 through June 30 (99.1% approval), while Missouri hit 5,740 (100%), New York 5,893 (99.6%), and South Carolina 6,685 (100%). Other states ranged from Alaska 1,570 (100%) and Kansas 1,550 (100%) to Indiana’s lower 2,568 approvals (93.3%) and Nebraska’s 1,163 (97.5%), highlighting uneven approval rates across U.S. worksite locations. Honduras Migration Pressure: A Central American migrant caravan entering Mexico’s Chiapas brought about 300 people, mostly Hondurans, citing economic hardship, unemployment, and insecurity as drivers. Honduran Recruitment Risks: A report describes how Honduran families say relatives were lured by fake job offers to Russia and then reportedly sent to the army, underscoring the economic vulnerability behind recruitment schemes. Tourism & Investment Model Watch: A feature on Roatán spotlights Prospera, a private “city-state” with its own rules, as a growing example of special economic zones backed by Silicon Valley investors.

Anti-Gang Security: OAS member states, including Honduras, urged the UN Security Council to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate and to back it with personnel, funding, equipment and logistics for full deployment. Climate & Food Risks: T Rowe says it’s using custom climate/weather models to protect a US$165B emerging-markets portfolio from El Niño fallout, noting impacts on crops in Honduras and El Salvador. Tech Adoption Gap: A Microsoft study puts Honduras at 14.5% generative AI use among working-age adults, behind Costa Rica and El Salvador in Central America. Regional Security Policy: The US-led “Shield of the Americas” coalition says it will target 24 armed groups, including Colombian FARC dissidents, ELN and Clan del Golfo, with Honduras among signatories. Legal/Border Dispute: Belize filed written observations at the ICJ in the Sapodilla Cayes/Cayos Zapotillos sovereignty case, with Honduras also submitting responses.

Anti-Gang Cooperation: OAS member states, including Honduras and Belize, urged the UN Security Council to renew Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force mandate and to back it with personnel, funding, equipment and logistics, stressing Haitian-led solutions. Regional Security & Sanctions: The US-led “Shield of the Americas” coalition moved to define 24 criminal groups for asset freezes, visa restrictions and sanctions, naming targets including Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel, with Honduras among endorsers. Honduras Security Law: Honduras approved a sweeping anti-gang and prison security law, signaling tighter enforcement and detention controls. Trade & Connectivity: US and Argentina announced the Andes-Atlantic Corridor, while the US Export-Import Bank outlined up to $7B in financing for energy, transport, critical minerals and digital infrastructure through 2027. Banana Supply Pressure: Banana growers warned that weather volatility and disease risks are stressing Central American supply chains even as retail availability holds. AI Adoption Gap: Honduras is cited behind regional peers in generative AI use, with El Salvador leading Central America in Microsoft’s latest adoption ranking.

Honduran Recruitment Scams in Russia: Two separate cases show how economic desperation is exploited by fake job offers that end with Hondurans being sent into military service, including one brother allegedly told he’d work for a “company” tied to harpoon manufacturing before being drafted. Regional Security Push: The “Shield of the Americas” coalition says it will freeze assets and impose visa restrictions on supporters of 24 criminal groups, naming targets including Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel, with Honduras among the signatories. Honduras in the Crosshairs of U.S. Immigration Enforcement: ICE Dallas reported arrests of 121 people in a summer operation, including two alleged Tren de Aragua members—one identified as a Honduran man. Tech Adoption Gap in Central America: A Microsoft study puts Honduras at 14.5% generative AI use among working-age adults, behind Costa Rica and Panama, while El Salvador leads the region at 20.1%. UNGA Diplomacy and Legal Tensions: Coverage highlights U.S. moves blocking Palestinian leadership from UNGA amid disputes involving the ICJ and ICC, underscoring how geopolitics is spilling into legal and economic arenas. Banana Supply Chain Pressure: Even with steady retail availability, banana growers warn weather volatility and rising production/transport costs are stressing supply reliability across Central America, including Honduras.

Shield of the Americas: A 15-country coalition backed by the U.S. says it will freeze assets and impose visa restrictions on supporters of 24 criminal groups, including Tren de Aragua, MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel, with Honduras among the signatories. Honduras security law: Honduras approved a sweeping anti-gang and prison security law, aiming to tighten enforcement and reduce organized-crime influence. Deportation due process: A federal judge ordered the U.S. to return Honduran Bryan Omar Sánchez from forced deportation to Africa, citing due-process violations in third-country removals. Immigration enforcement in Texas: ICE Dallas arrested 121 people in a Lake Lewisville operation, including two alleged Tren de Aragua members—one identified as Honduran. Regional hiring data: A report on U.S. hiring in Latin America shows Colombia, Argentina and Brazil dominate placements, while Honduras accounts for a smaller share. Geothermal investment: Ormat won up to ~$35M from the U.S. DOE for geothermal projects in Nevada and Utah, signaling continued renewable energy financing. Banana supply pressure: Banana growers warn that weather volatility and disease risk are making supply chains harder to manage, even as retail availability holds.

Honduras-US Court Ruling: A U.S. federal judge ordered the return of Honduran Bryan Omar Sánchez after ICE deported him to the Central African Republic without due process, a blow to Trump’s third-country removal policy. Shield of the Americas: Honduras joined a 15-nation coalition adopting sanctions and visa restrictions targeting 24 narco-terrorist groups, including Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, as part of a wider hemispheric security push. UNGA Diplomacy: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez returned to the UN General Assembly in person after years away, while the U.S. barred Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas from attending, escalating tensions around UNGA access and international legal actions. Digital Payments Expansion: Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to Honduras and other Latin American markets, letting merchants accept contactless payments using an iPhone plus participating payment platforms. Regional Security & Business Risk: The coalition’s focus on criminal networks underscores growing compliance and security pressures for cross-border trade and finance across Central America.

ICJ Filings: Belize and Honduras both submitted written observations to the International Court of Justice in the long-running Sapodilla Cayes sovereignty dispute, with Guatemala intervening as a non-party—another procedural step in the Belize v. Honduras case. Anti-Gang Security Pact: Honduras signed onto the “Shield of the Americas” coalition, joining the U.S. and 14 partners to freeze assets, impose visa restrictions, and pursue sanctions against 24 narco-terrorist groups across the hemisphere. Payments Tech for Trade: Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to Honduras (along with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and others), letting merchants accept contactless payments using only an iPhone plus a compatible payment app. Port/Logistics Finance: ICTSI secured a US$1 billion loan facility (10-year tenor) to fund terminal expansion and upgrades, including planned work at Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana in Honduras. Regional Crime Spillover: Vancouver police seized 328.55 kg of cocaine worth about $5.8M from a container traced back to Honduras, highlighting ongoing cross-border trafficking risks. Migration Due Process Ruling: A U.S. federal judge ordered the return of Honduran deportee Bryan Omar Sánchez from Africa, citing due process violations in third-country removals.

US Court Ruling on Africa Deportations: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to return Honduran Bryan Omar Sánchez from the Central African Republic, saying ICE third-country removals violate due process when asylum seekers aren’t given notice and a chance to challenge transfer. Immigration Health Scrutiny: A Costa Rican detainee, Carlos Josue Marchena Marchena, died in ICE custody in Louisiana after family alleged missed insulin, inadequate meals and limited water; the cause of death is pending. Honduras in Regional Security Push: Honduras signed onto the “Shield of the Americas,” a US-led coalition of 14 countries planning asset freezes, visa/immigration restrictions and criminal liability targeting 24 narco-terrorist groups. Payments Modernization: Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to Honduras and other Latin American markets via local payment partners, letting merchants accept contactless payments with an iPhone and compatible app. Port/Trade Finance: ICTSI secured a US$1 billion loan facility (10-year tenor) to fund terminal expansion, including planned work at Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana in Honduras. Coffee & Culture: Hispanic Heritage Month continues across the region, with Honduras-linked community events highlighted in New York’s 82nd Street business district.

Honduras Security Law: Honduras’ Congress unanimously approved a sweeping anti-gang, anti-terror prison security regime, including mandatory maximum-security detention, tighter limits on visits and communications, and virtual court hearings. Shield of the Americas: President Donald Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” coalition added momentum at the UN General Assembly, with Honduras among member states backing a joint push to hit narco-terrorist networks through economic, security, and multilateral coordination, including asset freezes and visa restrictions. Crypto & Remittances Context: Venezuela’s crypto economy more than doubled to $39.1B, while a new IFAD report highlights how global remittances reached $728.6B in 2025—key household lifelines for low- and middle-income families. Payments Upgrade: Apple expanded Tap to Pay on iPhone to Honduras (and seven other countries), letting merchants accept contactless payments without extra card readers. Regional Crime Spillover: A major cocaine shipment traced to Honduras was seized in Vancouver—328.55 kg worth about $5.8M—after drugs were found hidden in a legitimate t-shirt order.