AGP Executive Report

Energy Deal: Honduras marked a major milestone as the first LNG cargo arrived under Centrica Energy’s long-term sale-and-purchase agreement with Exodus, delivered via ship-to-ship into the FSU Bilbao Knutsen at Puerto Cortés—fueling the Brassavola combined-cycle plant now being expanded from 150 MW to 240 MW and laying groundwork for Honduras’ first natural gas imports for power generation. Regional Trade & Security: The U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” framework is expanding across Latin America, with Colombia formally requesting joint operations with U.S. forces as Washington pushes a broader counter-narcotics and intelligence coordination model that includes Honduras among participating countries. Immigration Pressure on Families: TPS uncertainty remains a live issue for Central Americans, with reporting highlighting how U.S. policy shifts are driving families to self-deport or face deportation risk, including cases involving Honduran mothers and children. Agribusiness Knowledge Transfer: Belize dairy producers are training in Honduras on cattle genetics, herd management, and modern dairy systems—aimed at boosting milk output and improving processing for higher-value products.

Israel–Honduras Defense Ties: Israel and Honduras signed a memorandum to deepen defense cooperation, signaling closer security alignment as Washington expands regional anti-cartel coordination. Regional Security Architecture: The U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” (A3C) is being operationalized through joint military, intelligence, and police frameworks across multiple Latin American countries, with Colombia now formally requesting joint operations with U.S. forces. Migration & TPS Shockwaves: U.S. courts cleared the way for ending Somalia’s TPS, while broader TPS terminations for several African countries raise deportation risks and uncertainty for affected migrants. Human Smuggling Finance Watch: FinCEN reported nearly $5 billion flagged in suspected human smuggling activity (2023–2025), with a key compliance takeaway that a small share of bank filings accounted for most of the suspicious activity amount. Trade/Industry Link: Belize dairy farmers are training in Honduras on cattle genetics and modern dairy production, aiming to boost milk quality and compete with imports. Hondurasgate Media Allegations: New claims say Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy Honduras’ most-watched media outlets, keeping political-business fallout in focus.

Regional Security Realignment: The U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” (A3C) is expanding cross-border military, intelligence, and police coordination, with Colombia’s new President Abelardo de la Espriella formally requesting joint operations on Colombian soil after a PANAMAX 2026 push that also includes Honduras among member states. Immigration & Human Impact: A Honduran mother in the U.S. was forced to self-deport with her U.S.-citizen daughter, highlighting how enforcement decisions can split families and send children to countries they’ve never lived in. Anti-Smuggling Finance Watch: FinCEN says financial institutions flagged nearly $5 billion tied to suspected human smuggling (2023-2025), with most reports filed by money services businesses but a large share of suspicious activity value coming from banks and credit unions. Trade & Remittances: New York regulators secured commitments from Western Union to keep remittance services available and cap fee increases after its Intermex acquisition—an issue that matters for Honduras-linked money flows. Agribusiness Training Link: Belize dairy farmers are training at El Zamorano in Honduras on cattle genetics and modern dairy production, aiming to boost milk quality and compete with imports.

Land Rights Clash: Honduran peasant, Indigenous and Garifuna groups rejected the newly approved Agroindustrial Law, saying it favors corporate interests over ancestral territory rights and has enabled forced evictions, including cases in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca). They also demanded annulment of criminal proceedings against land defenders and criticized uneven enforcement, pointing to continued activity of Próspera in Roatán despite court rulings. Media Power Leak: New Hondurasgate audio recordings allege former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy control of major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes paid for and coordinated coverage to shape public opinion, helping explain why local media stayed silent. Regional Training & Dairy Trade: Belize dairy farmers traveled to Honduras for technical training at El Zamorano on cattle genetics, herd management and modern dairy production, aiming to boost milk quality and compete with imports. Remittances & Fees: Western Union commitments in New York require maintaining remittance services and limiting fee increases for three years after its Intermex acquisition, a reminder of how cross-border money flows affect families.

Land Rights Clash in Honduras: Peasant, Indigenous and Garifuna groups are rejecting Honduras’ agro-industrial law, saying it favors corporate interests over ancestral land rights, while they demand annulment of criminal cases and halt evictions of land defenders; they cite forced expulsions in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca) and point to uneven enforcement where the Próspera project in Roatán continues despite court rulings. Media & Politics Watch: A new Hondurasgate audio leak alleges former President Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy major media outlets (HCH and ICN) and that right-wing regimes financed and coordinated coverage to shape public opinion. Regional Security & Trade Links: The U.S.-backed “Shield of the Americas” (A3C) expands cross-border military and intelligence coordination, with Honduras listed among participating countries, as Washington pushes anti-cartel operations across the hemisphere. Remittances & Financial Access: Western Union’s Intermex acquisition faces consumer-access conditions in New York, including service continuity and fee caps—relevant for Honduras-linked money transfers. Agribusiness Training: Belize dairy farmers are training in Honduras on cattle genetics, herd management and modern dairy systems, aiming to boost milk quality and compete with imports.

Anti-Corruption & Land Rights: Honduran peasant, indigenous and Garifuna groups rejected the newly approved agro-industrial law, saying it favors corporate interests over ancestral land rights and has enabled forced evictions, including in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca). Media & Politics: New “Hondurasgate” audio leaks allege Juan Orlando Hernández tried to buy major media outlets and that right-wing regimes paid for and coordinated coverage to shape public opinion. Regional Security & Trade: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed Latin American militaries to join cartel-fighting operations under the “Shield of the Americas” coalition, with Honduras named among partners. Finance & Remittances: In the U.S., regulators secured commitments from Western Union to keep New York remittance services available and cap fee increases after its Intermex acquisition—an issue that matters for cross-border money flows tied to Honduras. Tax Enforcement: El Salvador reported the highest Central American tax burden in 2025, driven by enforcement against evasion and smuggling plus electronic invoicing—highlighting a regional push that Honduras tax policy watchers will track.

Anti-Corruption Push in Honduras: President Nasry “Tito” Asfura says he will send a draft Anti-Corruption Law to Parliament, built with COHEP, the judiciary, and the Public Ministry, aiming to strengthen prevention, control, and accountability while protecting the independence of state branches and oversight bodies. Remittances & Consumer Protection: New York officials secured commitments from Western Union to keep remittance services available statewide after its Intermex acquisition, including location maintenance and fee-increase caps for three years. Honduras in Regional Security Talks: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Honduras and Colombia agreed to allow joint operations under a U.S.-led coalition targeting narco-terrorist networks. Land Rights vs. Agro-Industrial Law: Indigenous, peasant, and Garifuna groups in Honduras reject the new agro-industrial law, citing forced evictions and alleged unequal enforcement favoring business interests. Honduras-Linked Agrifood Tech: IICA selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica, including Harvverse from Honduras. Business-Community Link: A Honduras-made coffee blend, OPBeans, is being used to support Oregon public media, with proceeds tied to women producers in Honduras.

Anti-Corruption Push: Honduras President Nasry “Tito” Asfura says he will send a draft Anti-Corruption Law to Congress, built with the private sector and the judiciary, aiming to strengthen transparency and curb impunity while preserving the independence of state branches and oversight bodies. Land Rights vs. Agro-Industry Law: Peasant, indigenous and Garifuna groups in Honduras reject the new agro-industrial law, alleging it favors corporate interests and has enabled forced evictions in ancestral territories, including cases in San Juan (Garifuna) and El Tulito (Choluteca). Workplace & Talent Signals: Great Place To Work names the 2026 Best Workplaces in Latin America, surveying 4.5 million employees across the region, a reminder that HR and retention are becoming business-critical. Agri-Innovation Pipeline: IICA selects 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica, including Honduras’ Harvverse, highlighting where regional agrifood investment and partnerships may flow next. Business Climate Watch: A U.S. report links deportation pressure to labor shortages hitting Miami-Dade plant nursery businesses, a cautionary tale for Honduras exporters and employers tied to migration-linked labor markets.

Anti-Corruption Push: Honduras President Nasry “Tito” Asfura says he will send a draft Anti-Corruption Law to Parliament, built with the private sector, judiciary, and prosecutor’s office, aiming to strengthen prevention, oversight, and reduce impunity while respecting institutional independence. Workplace & Talent: Great Place To Work named the 2026 Best Workplaces in Latin America, surveying 4.5 million employees across the region—an indicator of where companies are investing in trust and retention. AgTech for the Region: IICA selected 15 AgTech startups for Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica (Sept. 7-10), including Honduras’ Harvverse, highlighting growing interest in digital tools for agrifood systems. Business Climate Watch: A Honduras-related banking/insolvency legal update from the U.S. confirms Chapter 15 recognition enforcing foreign court releases, a reminder for cross-border deals and restructuring planning. Regional Context: Coverage also notes Central America’s push to strengthen public food supply systems and ongoing regional business finance efforts, including BAC’s push for a more integrated Central American banking model.

Regional AgTech Push: IICA and a specialized jury picked 15 AgTech startups from 13 countries for the 5th Digital Agriculture Week in Costa Rica (Sept. 7–10), including Honduras’ Harvverse, after nearly 300 applications. Central America Business & Finance: BAC highlighted how it’s moving from country-by-country banking to a single regional model to simplify cross-border payments and treasury management across Central America. Music & Trade Links: Central America Music Market (CAMM) returned as a regional hub in Panama City, bringing 89 Central American artists and business meetings to connect talent with labels and producers. Diplomacy & Markets: Israel’s diplomatic momentum in Latin America continues, with Venezuela and Israel agreeing to restore consular services and coordination after earthquake-related cooperation. Migration Pressure on Honduras Families: Coverage notes TPS uncertainty hitting Central American communities, with Honduras already among countries whose TPS ended. Public Food Systems: Dominican Republic inaugurated a regional meeting on public food supply and marketing systems with FAO support, aiming to protect food access amid market shocks.

Honduras BPO Push: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to expand Honduras’ nearshore customer service and BPO sector, with plans to hire 400 workers in Tegucigalpa by year-end and add new lines for global clients. Regional Banking: BAC’s corporate banking model for Central America aims to simplify cross-border payments and liquidity management across Honduras and neighbors, highlighting growth in transaction volumes and GDP coverage. Immigration Pressure on Honduras Families: A Honduran mother, Karina Oyuela Rodas, remains in ICE custody after her daughter Dulce Ponce died following a reckless driving incident; the case underscores how deportation and detention ripple through families. Trade & Security in the Region: Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed entry into the “Shield of the Americas,” aligning with U.S. security efforts against cartels as Washington signals a $1 billion assistance package. Business Climate Watch: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest month on record, a reminder of rising climate risk for regional supply chains and costs.

BPO & Jobs: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to push Honduras as a nearshore customer-service hub, announcing plans to hire 400 new Tegucigalpa employees by year-end as the firm adds new lines for global brands. Regional Banking: BAC’s Rodolfo Trejos says the bank is moving Central America toward a single-market model for cross-border payments, treasury management and financing, citing growth in transaction volume and payments across the isthmus. Trade & Sports Diplomacy: Asfura congratulated Dominican President Luis Abinader on Santo Domingo 2026 and asked for support ahead of Honduras hosting the next Central American and Caribbean Games in 2029, while also discussing stronger bilateral trade and business ties. Immigration & Human Impact: Reports highlight ICE’s Georgia operations netting over 1,200 arrests and renewed legal fights over detention and bond, including a case involving a Honduran mother in custody after her daughter’s death. Climate Risk: July 2026 tied with July 2024 as the hottest month on record, underscoring rising weather pressures that can hit food supply and business planning.

Regional Banking & BPO Push: BAC says it has shifted Central America from country-by-country banking to a single regional model, processing payments equal to 55% of regional GDP and boosting transaction volume to US$227bn, as multinationals seek easier liquidity and cross-border payments. Nearshoring Jobs in Honduras: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met Honduras President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to expand the BPO sector, adding multiple lines for global brands and planning to hire 400 employees in Tegucigalpa by end-2026. Honduras Displacement Crisis: A Norwegian Refugee Council report flags Honduras as the sixth most neglected displacement crisis, driven by gang violence, extortion, and climate pressures that keep families trapped inside the country. Trade & Tariffs Watch: The U.S. is reviewing forced-labor import rules; Honduras is among countries facing a 10% tariff in one update, with manufacturers weighing potential order shifts and energy risks. Immigration Fallout (Honduran angle): A Honduran mother in ICE custody in the U.S. is grieving after her daughter died following a reckless driving incident, highlighting how deportation processes can collide with family emergencies.

BPO Jobs Push: ibex CEO Bob Dechant met Honduras President Nasry Asfura and Investment Minister Epaminondas Marinakys to expand the country’s nearshore customer service and AI-enabled outsourcing, with plans to hire 400 workers in Tegucigalpa by year-end. Sports Diplomacy: Asfura congratulated Dominican President Luis Abinader on Santo Domingo 2026 and asked for support as Honduras prepares to host the next Central American and Caribbean Games in 2029. U.S.-Led Security Bloc: Colombia’s new president confirmed entry into the “Shield of the Americas,” signaling tighter U.S.-aligned military and intelligence cooperation against cartels. Immigration Pressure in the Region: U.S. ICE carried out Georgia’s “Operation Safe Community—Atlanta,” arresting 1,226 people with criminal histories, underscoring the broader enforcement climate affecting Central American migrants. Humanitarian Displacement: A report says Honduras ranks among the world’s most neglected internal displacement crises, where people flee violence and climate shocks without crossing borders. Trade Watch: A U.S. tariff framework is pressuring countries over forced-labor import controls, with Honduras named among affected exporters.

Security & Diplomacy: Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella confirmed the country’s entry into the Trump-backed “Shield of the Americas,” signaling tighter U.S.-aligned military and intelligence cooperation against cartels, with Washington also promising $1 billion in security assistance. Immigration & Business Impact: A U.S. judge cleared the way to end Temporary Protected Status for nearly 4,000 people from Myanmar, while broader TPS rollbacks are already disrupting livelihoods in places like Miami’s Little Haiti, where restaurant operators fear closures and raids. Trade & Compliance: The Philippines is pushing the U.S. to cut a Section 301 forced-labor tariff from 12.5% to 10% after Manila’s import-control system, as Washington reviews enforcement gaps. Honduras Displacement Crisis: A Norwegian Refugee Council report ranks Honduras among the world’s most neglected internal displacement crises, highlighting how gang violence, extortion, and climate pressures keep families trapped inside the country. Local Economy & Costs: Research cited in Australia shows small-business operating costs have jumped nearly 25% since COVID, with a cafe owner pointing to rising expenses—an indirect reminder for Honduras entrepreneurs facing cost pressure. Sports & Media: CD Choloma signed Honduran TikTok goalkeeper Saúl “La More” Fox, betting on social-media attention to boost the club’s profile ahead of the 2026 Apertura.

Honduras Displacement Crisis: A Norwegian Refugee Council report flags Honduras as the world’s 6th most neglected displacement emergency, where people are forced to flee within the country due to gang violence, extortion, and armed-group control—yet the suffering stays largely off the global radar. Honduras Business & Trade: A U.S. tariff framework tied to forced-labor import rules shows Honduras among the covered countries facing a 12.5% rate, with manufacturers and buyers watching how quickly exemptions or lower rates may apply. Honduran Economy & Investment: Talos Energy has taken operatorship of an offshore Honduras exploration block, a move that could shape future investment and production plans. Sports & Branding: CD Choloma’s unusual 2026 signing of Honduran TikTok goalkeeper Saúl “La More” Fox highlights how social media creators are being pulled into top-flight football for attention and marketing. Immigration Pressure on Hondurans in the U.S.: A case involving a Honduran man deported “without reason” and kept in custody after returning to the U.S. underscores ongoing legal and business risks for migrant workers and families.