AGP Executive Report

Colombia Earthquake Relief & Tariffs: President Abelardo de la Espriella asked Donald Trump to temporarily suspend high tariffs on Colombian goods to ease business pain after the 7.4 quake killed at least 289 people; the U.S. has pledged $26.5M in emergency aid, but no response yet. Food Safety Fallout: Fact-checkers scrutinized Taylor Farms’ political donations amid the cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce, with records showing no 2026 donations from the Mexico supplier but donations from the parent company in 2025. Trade Pressure on Consumers: The White House accused 40+ countries of helping Chinese exporters evade U.S. tariffs via “transshipment,” while the U.S. and Canada race toward a deal to avert 50% tariffs on select Canadian goods. Port & Supply Chain Boost (Venezuela): Venezuela’s Port of Guanta added a Liebherr mobile crane to speed container and project cargo handling. Health Watch (Mexico): Yucatán ranked 15th for obesity diagnoses in Mexico, averaging 56 new cases daily. Retail/Travel Lifestyle: Delta plans Austin–Paris nonstop service from March 2027, and Southwest signals more international routes ahead.

Tariff Relief Push (Colombia): Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella asked Donald Trump to temporarily suspend U.S. tariffs on Colombian goods after the 7.4 earthquake, saying the higher duties (up to 12.5% from 10%) are squeezing exporters like flowers and other sectors while rebuilding costs mount. Food Safety & Retail Impact: Chipotle’s internal recall process helped narrow a salmonella-linked jalapeño issue, while Whole Foods expanded recalls tied to salmonella risk—another reminder that grocery supply chains can move fast when illness hits. Trade Enforcement (U.S.-China): The White House accused Chinese exporters of “illegal transshipment” through 40+ countries to dodge tariffs, with Singapore and others told to tighten origin declarations; the risk is more scrutiny for importers. Consumer Tech & Payments: Uber rolled out trip audio recording across the UK, aiming to improve safety reporting. E-commerce & Consumer Finance (LatAm): Nubank reported first-time $1B quarterly income and highlighted efficiency gains from AI, signaling continued momentum in Brazil’s digital banking. Sustainability & Community: A Guatemala project trains rural villagers to cut plastic waste and reduce harmful burning.

Earthquake Relief & Trade Pressure: Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella asked President Trump to temporarily suspend tariffs that rose to 12.5% on Colombian goods after the 7.4 quake, arguing businesses are struggling amid the disaster; meanwhile, rescue efforts are shifting as hopes fade, with at least 294 dead and 320 missing reported. Food Safety Watch: The FDA began inspecting Taylor Farms’ central Mexico plant tied to a Cyclospora outbreak; for shoppers, CDC guidance says most lettuce is fine, but recalled iceberg lettuce should be off shelves, with the broader outbreak still under monitoring. Retail & Consumer Health: H-E-B and NatureBest recalled refrigerated pico de gallo and jalapeño products tied to a Salmonella outbreak in Texas and Louisiana—check use-by dates and packaged items, not loose produce. Ag Exports: Argentina and Panama agreed on phytosanitary rules to restart citrus exports, including lemons and mandarins/oranges/grapefruits. Energy Investment: ADNO C’s XRG entered Venezuela’s offshore Loran gas licence, expanding its gas/LNG footprint across Latin America. Digital Consumer Security: Google is rolling out mandatory developer verification for sideloaded apps on certified Android devices, starting with scam-prone markets.

Food Safety Watch: Hawaii’s DOH confirmed a 5th cyclosporiasis case in 2026, with no known links between cases and risk to the public still described as low. Salmonella Recall Ripple: Taylor Farms’ jalapeño-linked salmonella recall continues to expand across retailers, adding pressure on grocery supply chains and shoppers’ trust. Trade & Consumer Prices: Brazil launched retaliatory steps under its Economic Reciprocity Law after new U.S. tariffs, signaling more cross-border friction that could feed into import costs. Retail/Media Deal: Paramount Skydance says it cleared regulatory hurdles for its Warner Bros. Discovery merger after Mexico approval, but a U.S. state lawsuit still blocks closing—watch for knock-on effects in entertainment pricing and content. Water & Infrastructure: Puerto Rico is rationing water amid drought and aging pipes, with experts pointing to underused rainwater harvesting as a practical fix. Mobility & EVs: With EV demand cooling, hybrids are rebounding globally as consumers weigh price and charging realities. Coffee Market: Strauss Group reported stronger coffee profits despite lower revenues tied to FX and cheaper green coffee, highlighting margin swings in LATAM-linked supply.

Food Safety Watch: FDA and CDC have begun onsite inspections and sampling at Taylor Farms de Mexico in Guanajuato as the multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce continues, with cases reported across 17 states and Taco Bell removing the implicated lettuce. Recall Roundup: A separate FDA/USDA salmonella-linked jalapeño recall expanded across dozens of grocery items at major retailers (Walmart, Target, Kroger), with the latest notice noting only one Mississippi product listing. Retail & Consumer Demand: Retail earnings are set to test consumer confidence as households face housing pressure and lingering cost-of-living headwinds. Better-For-You Breakfast: Ferrero is buying Purely Elizabeth to strengthen its U.S. better-for-you breakfast lineup, adding premium oatmeal and granola to its portfolio. Meat Supply Chain: Tyson and JBS are cutting slaughter capacity amid U.S. cattle shortages, reshaping how beef is processed and supplied. Small Business Growth: The Virgin Islands and CDB launched an MSME capacity-building series focused on business continuity, digital marketing, and financial management. Consumer Tech Finance: Nubank reported record quarterly income above $1B and is pushing ahead with expansion plans, including a U.S. bank.

Food Safety Shock: The CDC/FDA cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce keeps widening, now hitting 17 U.S. states (including Maine and Massachusetts) with 9,481 cases and 398 hospitalizations, as regulators point to Taylor Farms and earlier lettuce recalls. Retail & Consumer Health: Whole Foods and other retailers expanded salmonella-related jalapeño/salsa/guacamole recalls tied to the same broader food-safety scare, keeping shoppers on high alert. Trade & Prices: A White House report alleges a “Great Transshipment Scam,” naming Mexico and other countries as part of a shadow network to help China dodge tariffs—raising the risk of higher consumer costs across the Americas. Energy & Investment: BP is returning to Venezuela with a gas project operator role, signaling faster foreign capital re-entry as the country’s energy sector opens. Consumer Markets: Grupo Bimbo is leaning into China’s “eating right” trend with clean-label breads and new products, while big snack makers show growth shifting toward Latin America. Brand Moves: Oriflame appoints Kenneth Benaim Campbell as CEO, aiming for a new growth phase.

Food Safety Recalls: Whole Foods Market recalls salsas, guacamoles, pico de gallo and prepared foods in Ontario tied to a U.S. salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños from Mexico, with CFIA noting no reported illnesses in Canada but urging consumers to check best-before dates. Food Safety Recalls (Beef): A Florida-based importer recalls nearly 30,000 pounds of Argentine raw beef shipped to Florida and Texas after a missed U.S. inspection. Consumer Tech & Privacy: Australia’s under-16 social media ban keeps spreading globally, raising fresh questions about age verification and teen access to platforms. AI ROI Debate: OpenAI’s enterprise ChatGPT report highlights rapid AI adoption but still shows unclear returns for companies. Payments & Loyalty: Citi agrees to acquire Kard Financial to expand commerce media and personalized rewards for cardholders. Logistics: Maersk posts strong Q2 results and lifts full-year guidance as trade flows stay volatile. Travel Demand: Caribbean Airlines adds 1,200 seats on the Trinidad–Tobago airbridge for Great Race weekend. Sustainability Spotlight: Natura shares how it scales rainforest-protecting sourcing without diluting sustainability goals.

Food Safety Shock: Taylor Farms recalled jalapeño products across 26 states after salmonella linked to peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico—coming on the heels of a major Taylor Farms cyclosporiasis lettuce outbreak, reigniting scrutiny of imported produce oversight. Retail Recall Watch: Whole Foods expanded jalapeño-related recalls (salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods) tied to the same supply chain. Disaster Relief & Consumer Impact: Colombia’s 7.4 earthquake response entered a “final phase” as rescuers raced against the 72-hour survival window; officials cite 265 deaths and thousands injured, with aid logistics now under pressure. Trade & Pricing Pressure: U.S.-Canada talks intensified ahead of a tariff deadline, with farmers warning new duties could disrupt agricultural flows and raise costs. Digital & Kids Safety: Brazil ordered Discord to suspend livestreaming after regulator findings that minors could access self-harm content, following a 13-year-old’s death tied to a livestream. Retail Expansion: Cost.U.Less announced a new Hagåtña flagship opening Aug. 28, replacing its Tamuning store the day before.

Food Safety Shock: Taylor Farms expanded its jalapeño recall after a Salmonella outbreak linked to peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, sickening at least 345 people across 26 states; Whole Foods also issued a separate recall for jalapeño-containing dips, salsa, guacamole and prepared foods tied to Coast Citrus Distributors. Tech & Identity: Prove is pitching privacy-preserving biometric “binding” to help businesses authenticate users as AI agents and real people transact together. Caribbean Tourism: The Caribbean Tourism Organization will launch a Caribbean Tourism Research Forum at SOTIC 2026 in Guyana to connect researchers, policymakers and industry on smarter, sustainable tourism. Retail & Convenience: A new ghost kitchen, Fuego Birria, is opening in Cambuslang with WhatsApp ordering and limited tray meals on Fridays and Saturdays. Travel Loyalty: Porter Airlines marks 20 years with limited-edition blind boxes, including chances to win a Golden Porter Pass for 20 flights. Consumer Finance: Amex Travel expands Fine Hotels & Resorts with 350+ new properties and added member perks like upgrades and credits.

Aviation & Services: FL Technics launched operations at a new FAA-certified heavy-maintenance MRO facility in Punta Cana, aiming to serve growing narrowbody demand across the Americas. Food Safety & Consumer Impact: The Cyclospora outbreak coverage keeps expanding, with explainers on what the parasite is and why pinpointing sources is hard—while consumers look for safer choices. Retail & Health Alerts: Taylor Farms’ jalapeño-linked salmonella recall continues to ripple across U.S. retailers, adding pressure on shoppers and supply chains. Digital Trust: Online platforms face rising calls to strengthen age assurance, with consumers backing online age checks to block minors from restricted content. Payments & Telecom: After Colombia’s earthquake, EE offered credited mobile and call charges for affected customers, highlighting how telecom support becomes part of consumer recovery. Auto & Trade: Chinese automakers are reshuffling exports—BYD shifting toward Europe—signaling tougher competition for LATAM buyers and dealers. Energy Costs: The IEA warns oil stockpiles are rapidly depleting, raising the odds of higher fuel-related costs for consumers.

Food Safety Watch: The U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce is still climbing (nearly 14,000 cases reported), but experts say the specific recalled lettuce is likely off shelves now—while health agencies keep monitoring new clusters. Recall Ripple Effects: At the same time, Taylor Farms jalapeño-linked salmonella recalls expanded across multiple retailers, including meat and prepared foods, prompting fresh USDA/FDA alerts. Consumer Impact: Oklahoma reported cyclosporiasis cases surpassing 500, with hundreds hospitalized nationwide—raising questions for shoppers about what’s safe and what to toss. Trade & Prices: A report warns that if the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal (CUSMA) breaks down, hundreds of thousands of jobs could be lost on both sides, adding pressure to affordability. Logistics for Consumer Goods: ICTSI is expanding a Rio de Janeiro cabotage link to more Brazilian ports, aiming to improve feeder cargo options for sectors like consumer goods and beverages. Energy & Travel: Westgate opens its first Caribbean resort in Bimini, betting on continued tourism demand.

Food Safety Alert: Taylor Farms expanded its salmonella recall tied to jalapeños, pulling prepared foods like salsa, guacamole and dips sold across major U.S. retailers—another blow as shoppers already avoid greens amid a wider outbreak. Public Health & Food Supply: The CDC-linked investigation keeps pointing back to Mexican jalapeños, with authorities urging consumers to check affected items and retailers to remove products. Disaster Impact: Colombia reported at least 132 deaths and 570+ injuries after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake, with hundreds missing and airports disrupted—an immediate consumer and logistics stress test. Payments & Retail Tech: Apple Pay is reportedly set to launch in India as early as October, initially without UPI support, as negotiations over fees continue. Automotive Trade: China’s car sales fell for a 10th straight month in July, but exports surged—Brazil and Russia remain top destinations, while Mexico saw a drop. Energy & Consumer Costs: Oil prices rose on stalled U.S.-Iran talks, keeping pressure on fuel costs and household budgets.

Food Safety Shock: Taylor Fresh Foods expanded its jalapeño recall after a Salmonella-linked outbreak tied to Sinaloa, Mexico, with products sold via major chains including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Kroger and Trader Joe’s; the FDA says consumers should toss items with “Best If Used By” dates through Aug. 16 and seek refunds. Supply-Chain Scrutiny: The recall lands amid fresh produce fallout from earlier cyclospora concerns tied to Taylor Farms’ Mexican lettuce, keeping the company under intense regulator and media focus. Digital Privacy Push: A new report highlights how VPN use is surging across Latin America as privacy rules like Brazil’s LGPD and similar frameworks drive consumers to protect data themselves. Crypto Compliance in Brazil: Brazil’s central bank is moving to formally supervise the $318.8B crypto market, requiring virtual asset providers to apply for authorization by Oct. 30, 2026. Trade Tensions: China asked to join WTO consultations Brazil opened over U.S. forced-labor tariffs, escalating the tariff fight. Consumer Tech Access: Aptoide’s games store is now available inside Google Play for U.S. users, signaling continued pressure on app distribution rules after Epic’s antitrust win.

Food Safety Fallout: Taylor Farms is pulling jalapeño-linked prepared foods (including salsa and guacamole) from retailers across the U.S. after a Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican jalapeños sickened 345 people in 27 states, with Target stores in Ohio among those affected. Public Health Watch: In Ohio’s Mahoning Valley, new cyclosporiasis cases fell week over week, but the CDC continues investigating clusters tied to lettuce linked to earlier recalls. Retail & Consumer Impact: Shoppers are changing buying habits as recalls spread to more stores and restaurants, while regulators keep issuing alerts for affected products. Food Industry Dealmaking (Mexico): SuKarne, a major Mexican meat exporter, is reportedly exploring a sale that could value it above $2B, with banks brought in to advise. Mobility & EVs (LATAM): BYD’s overseas passenger-vehicle exports from Jan–Jun 2026 show Latin America leading, with Brazil the top destination. Travel & Services: American Airlines adds seasonal routes from JFK to Quebec City and Calgary, while Cayman Airways expands its Austin service for 2026–2027.

Food Safety Shock (LATAM-linked): The FDA/USDA-linked salmonella scare tied to jalapeños traced to Mexico’s Sinaloa has triggered recalls and broader public health alerts, with 27 U.S. states reporting hundreds of illnesses and major restaurant chains pulling jalapeños from menus. Consumer Behavior Shift: As warnings spread, shoppers are changing habits—farmers markets report big jumps in traffic and consumers are asking more questions about where produce comes from. Legal Fallout: A Minnesota lawsuit alleges a Chipotle burrito bowl caused severe Salmonella infection and sepsis, adding pressure on brands already dealing with outbreak-linked product removals. Crypto Compliance (Brazil): Brazil’s central bank ordered a 24-hour hold on outbound crypto transfers over $10,000 (and potentially smaller flagged transfers) to curb fraud. Caribbean Loyalty Push: LIAT launched “LIAT Air Club,” rewarding frequent flyers with points for eligible flights. Cacao Development (Venezuela): A Venezuelan delegation at a UN/FAO and China workshop advanced fine aromatic cacao production, focusing on post-harvest processing and traceability.

Crypto Compliance in Brazil: Brazil’s central bank will require virtual-asset providers to place up to 24-hour precautionary holds on certain crypto transfers over $10,000 to foreign platforms or self-custody wallets, starting Jan. 1, 2027, as regulators push back on fraud. Food Safety Shock in the U.S.: The Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico has spread to 15 states, with retailers and chains reporting demand hits and some cutting forecasts as consumer trust takes a hit. Mexico Avocado Exports: Mexico increased security in Michoacan after the U.S. suspended avocado inspections over a threat, aiming to restart exports quickly; the U.S. is the destination for most Mexican avocados. Stablecoin Payments Expansion: Mastercard launched stablecoin settlement after getting a New York virtual-asset license, with trials already running in Brazil and Colombia and plans to expand further. Caribbean Consumer Markets: Demerara Distillers will build a new facility in St. Kitts and Nevis to expand local spirits and beverage production for regional demand. Pharma Affordability Push (Canada): Vimy Pharmaceuticals plans to go public to produce a made-in-Canada generic version of Ozempic, targeting lower-cost access.