AGP Executive Report

Drought & Water Security: Honduras expanded El Niño emergency coverage, adding 28 municipalities to red alert and bringing the total to 103, with 10.5 million people in the Central American Dry Corridor affected; authorities cite reservoir levels near Tegucigalpa falling to about 30% and warn of water rationing as rainfall deficits reach 100–200 mm. Regional Trade & Logistics: Panama declared a national emergency over El Niño, joining Honduras and El Salvador, as drought cuts Panama Canal capacity and forces shipping reductions—raising knock-on risks for Central America’s export supply chains. Manufacturing & Jobs: Anduro Manufacturing opened a new woven polypropylene packaging facility in San Pedro Sula (Zip San Jose free zone), doubling its footprint to meet rising demand for polywoven bags and improving logistics via nearby Puerto Cortés. Shipping Connectivity: Crowley announced a new weekly Port Houston service to Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with refrigerated and dry containers aimed at faster transits for produce, apparel, industrial and consumer goods. Security & Business Climate: The U.S. updated its Honduras travel advisory with a “Do Not Travel” warning for Gracias a Dios due to high crime and organized trafficking risks, a signal that safety concerns remain a factor for tourism and cross-border commerce.

Manufacturing Expansion: Anduro Manufacturing opened a new woven polypropylene packaging facility in San Pedro Sula inside the Zip San Jose free zone, doubling its footprint (155,000 ft²) and aiming to meet rising demand for polywoven bags, with Puerto Cortés nearby for logistics. Climate & Supply Chains: El Niño is worsening drought across Central America; Honduras placed 80% of territory on alert, while Panama declared a national emergency and El Salvador issued a red alert, with the Panama Canal cutting shipping traffic as water levels fall—raising pressure on regional trade routes. Logistics & Trade: Crowley launched a direct weekly container service from Port Houston to Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), targeting faster transits for fresh produce, apparel, industrial and consumer goods using dry and refrigerated containers. Security & Business Risk: The U.S. updated its Honduras travel advisory with a “Do Not Travel” warning for Gracias a Dios due to high crime and organized trafficking risks, a reminder that safety conditions can affect tourism and operations. Immigration & Labor Impact: A deportation case tied to a Honduran spouse of a Fort Bliss sergeant highlights how U.S. enforcement actions can disrupt family stability and workforce continuity for Honduran workers.

Drought & Trade Disruption: Panama declared a state of emergency over El Niño-driven drought, joining Honduras and El Salvador; the move is aimed at protecting harvests and food security, while falling water levels are already forcing the Panama Canal to cut vessel capacity—raising pressure on Central American logistics and regional supply chains. U.S. Travel Advisory Impacts Tourism: The U.S. State Department updated Honduras travel guidance with a “Do Not Travel” warning for Gracias a Dios due to high crime risk, even as cruise traffic continues to bring large visitor flows. Shipping Boost for Honduras Exports: Crowley announced a new weekly direct container service from Port Houston to Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with dry and refrigerated capacity for produce, apparel, industrial and time-sensitive cargo—starting with a first call in September. Immigration Pressure on Honduran Families: Reports highlight deportations tied to U.S. enforcement actions, including a Honduran woman removed after detention at Fort Bliss, underscoring labor and family disruption risks for Honduras-linked communities.

Shipping & Trade: Crowley announced a new weekly direct container service from Port Houston to Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with first Houston call set for Sept. 10 and Thursday departures, targeting dry and refrigerated cargo plus 53-foot containers for produce, apparel, industrial goods, and other time-sensitive shipments. Climate & Logistics: El Niño is reactivating drought conditions in Honduras and is also disrupting the Panama Canal, forcing reduced ship drafts and adding pressure to regional supply chains. Water & Waste: In Tegucigalpa, the Guacerique River dam at Los Laureles is facing accumulated residential and construction waste, raising concerns for the capital’s water supply. Immigration Pressure on Hondurans: Reports highlight how Honduran immigrants in the U.S., including in Miami, are being hit hard by intensified deportation enforcement, while another story notes a Honduran man facing a DHS immigration detainer after an alleged vehicle attack on an ICE agent. Labor & Policy Context: A wider regional debate on working hours notes Honduras among countries with 44-hour workweeks, keeping the spotlight on how labor rules shape productivity and workforce sustainability.

El Niño and logistics shock: El Niño has reactivated drought conditions in Honduras and is also disrupting the Panama Canal, forcing shipping slowdowns that raise maritime costs and ripple into regional supply chains. Water and waste pressure in Tegucigalpa: A dam near Honduras’ capital is facing threats to its water supply as accumulated residential and construction waste clogs the Guacerique River dam area. Trade and industry connectivity: Crowley is launching a weekly direct Houston–Central America container service, linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), targeting refrigerated and industrial project cargo. Labor and working-time debate: A new discussion highlights that Honduras (44-hour workweeks) sits in a Latin America group where working-time rules are being reconsidered as countries debate productivity and worker well-being. Rural agriculture under strain: Rural poverty in Honduras is undermining farming livelihoods and food security, with families moving away from farms as drought and extreme weather worsen. Immigration enforcement spillover: A DHS filing reports an immigration detainer for an 18-year-old Honduran man in Maryland after an alleged vehicle strike involving an ICE agent. TPS changes affecting Honduras nationals: Reports say TPS protections ended for the last group of 13 countries, including Honduras, leaving more people facing removal proceedings.

Shipping & Trade Links: Crowley is launching a weekly Houston–Central America express service, with direct calls at Puerto Cortés (Honduras) and Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala), targeting dry, refrigerated, project cargo and 53-foot containers—aimed at cutting transshipment delays for time-sensitive industrial and produce shipments. Water & Waste Risk: Near Tegucigalpa, the Guacerique River dam at Los Laureles is facing a growing buildup of residential and construction waste, raising concerns for the capital’s water supply. Rural Livelihoods: A Honduras Outreach program highlights how rural poverty is undermining agriculture, pushing families away from farms as drought, floods and soil deterioration worsen food security. Immigration Pressure on Honduras: With Temporary Protected Status ending for 13 nationalities, including Honduras, more people face removal proceedings—an issue with direct labor and family impacts across the region. Cruise Industry Safety: An MSC Cruises lifeguard was arrested over alleged sexual contact with a 17-year-old guest; MSC says the crew member was dismissed and authorities were notified.

Water & Waste Risk: A dam near Tegucigalpa (Los Laureles/Guacerique River) is facing a growing problem of accumulated residential and construction waste, raising concerns about drinking-water supply. Regional Growth Watch: ECLAC kept Latin America’s 2026 growth forecast at 2.2% (2.5% for 2027), warning the pace is too weak to lift living standards—an issue that matters for Honduras’ investment and jobs outlook. Logistics & Trade Links: Crowley launched a weekly container service connecting Port Houston with Puerto Cortés (Honduras) and Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala), aiming to speed shipments of fresh produce and industrial goods. Climate & Agriculture Pressure: El Niño is intensifying globally, with forecasts pointing to record heat and knock-on effects for rainfall and crops—Honduras is already on drought alert. Immigration Policy Spillover: TPS protections ended for nationals including Honduras, with many now facing removal proceedings, adding pressure to migration flows and labor markets.

Immigration Policy Shock: A court effectively ended Temporary Protected Status for the last of 13 nationalities targeted by DHS, including Honduras, putting more than a million people at risk of removal as the first deportation flights resume. Regional Growth Watch: ECLAC kept Latin America’s 2026 growth forecast at 2.2% (2.5% in 2027), warning the pace is too weak to lift living standards—an issue that matters for Honduras’ investment and jobs outlook. Trade & Logistics: Crowley launched a weekly Port Houston service to Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with refrigerated and dry containers for fresh produce and time-sensitive goods—good news for Honduras exporters. Climate Pressure on Industry: El Niño is intensifying, and Honduras has 80% of the country on drought alert; the Panama Canal is cutting daily ship traffic, which can ripple into Central American supply chains. Defense Cooperation: Israel and Honduras signed/deepened a memorandum of understanding for long-term defense partnership, signaling continued security ties that can affect cross-border operations.

Logistics & Trade: Crowley is launching a weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with refrigerated and dry cargo for fresh produce, apparel, industrial goods, and consumer items—first Houston call Sept. 10 and Thursday departures—aimed at cutting transshipments and speeding Central America–U.S. supply chains. Shipping Disruption: The Panama Canal Authority says El Niño-driven drought will reduce daily vessel transits starting Sept. 3 (36 to 34 ships) and again Sept. 15 (to 32), a move that can ripple through Central American maritime routes. Agriculture & Costs: Coffee markets slid as Brazil’s harvest advanced faster than expected, with above-normal rains easing dryness concerns—another reminder of how weather swings can hit regional farm incomes and export earnings. Water & Industry Resilience: A Honduras-linked clean-water technology story highlights AguaClara Reach’s work to deploy easier-to-run treatment systems, relevant for communities facing extreme weather and unreliable water quality. Food Security: A regional food insecurity report flags Honduras at 41.3% affected, underscoring pressure on local agriculture and household demand.

Port & Logistics: Crowley launched a new weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with the first Houston call set for Sept. 10 and Thursday departures thereafter—aimed at faster transits and fewer transshipments for fresh produce, apparel, industrial and consumer goods. Trade Disruption Risk: The Panama Canal Authority says El Niño-driven drought will cut daily ship traffic starting Sept. 3 (36 to 34 vessels, then 32 from Sept. 15), a move that could ripple through Central America’s supply chains. Agriculture & Food Security: Honduras is facing El Niño impacts, with the government placing 80% of the country on drought alert, while broader Mesoamerica data flags high food insecurity—Honduras at 41.3% of the population. Energy/Water Tech: A Honduran nonprofit partner is helping scale easier-to-use clean water treatment solutions (AguaClara Reach), using AguaClara technology to support communities dealing with extreme weather and unreliable water quality.

Port & Logistics: Crowley launched a new weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with refrigerated and dry cargo for fresh produce, apparel, industrial goods and consumer items—aiming to cut transshipments and speed up Central America–U.S. supply chains. Climate & Supply Chains: El Niño is intensifying globally, and the Panama Canal will reduce daily ship traffic from Sept. 3 due to drought—an impact that matters for Honduras exporters relying on regional maritime routes. Food Security: A new FAO-linked snapshot flags Honduras with 41.3% food insecurity, underscoring pressure on small-scale farming and poverty-linked vulnerability across Mesoamerica. Water & Industry Skills: A Honduran nonprofit, AguaClara Reach, is scaling simpler clean-water treatment tech (AguaClara) to help communities manage turbidity and extreme weather—supporting healthier local production and services. Immigration & Labor: About 800 migrants, including many from Honduras, marched from Tapachula toward Mexico City seeking faster regularization and work—highlighting ongoing workforce and mobility pressures across the region.

Port & Logistics: Crowley launched a new weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), with refrigerated and dry cargo for fresh produce, apparel, industrial goods and consumer items—aimed at cutting transshipments and speeding Central America–U.S. supply chains. Shipping Disruption: The Panama Canal Authority says El Niño-driven drought will reduce daily vessel transits starting Sept. 3 (36 to 34, then 32 from Sept. 15), a move that can ripple through Central American trade routes Honduras relies on. Water & Infrastructure: A clean-water technology push highlights easier, lower-cost treatment approaches being tested with partners including a Honduran nonprofit, as communities face turbidity and unreliable water during extreme weather. Industry & Food Security: New reporting underscores how food insecurity remains severe in Honduras (41.3% cited), tying it to poverty and pressure on small-scale agriculture. International Links: Honduras is also showing up in broader defense and diplomatic moves, including Israel–Honduras defense cooperation coverage.

El Niño & Drought Watch: Honduras has put 80% of the country, including Tegucigalpa, on drought alert as El Niño dries up reservoirs, threatens harvests, and leaves cattle dying or “thin,” with emergency plans like new wells, reservoirs, and food deliveries expected to run until around March/April. Shipping & Trade: The Panama Canal is cutting daily vessel traffic from Sept. 3 (36 to 34, then 32 from Sept. 15) due to low rainfall, a move that matters for Central America’s logistics and U.S. container flows. Port & Logistics Push: Crowley announced a new weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), carrying dry and refrigerated cargo for produce, apparel, industrial goods, and consumer items. Water Tech for Honduras: A clean-water approach built around simpler, community-friendly treatment systems is being advanced by AguaClara Reach, with Honduras nonprofit partners helping scale easier-to-run solutions. Industry Talent & Mobility: Apollo Maritime Services named José Negron to lead ports and destinations development, with experience tied to cruise port projects across the Caribbean and Latin America including Honduras.

El Niño Impact on Honduras: Honduras has put 80% of the country, including Tegucigalpa, on drought alert as El Niño worsens crop losses and livestock deaths, with emergency steps like new wells, reservoirs, and food deliveries expected to run until March/April. Maritime & Ports: Crowley launched a new weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), targeting faster, more reliable supply chains for fresh produce, apparel, industrial and consumer goods. Cruise Industry Moves: Apollo Maritime Services named José Negron to lead ports & destinations development, bringing 30+ years of cruise port and destination experience across the Caribbean and Latin America, including Honduras. Energy for Industry: Avenir LNG completed its first LNG bunkering delivery to Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in Honduras, signaling growing LNG use in marine fuels. Defense Cooperation: Israel and Honduras signed/renewed defense cooperation via a memorandum of understanding, deepening long-term ties. Logistics & Trade Infrastructure: The Port of New Orleans secured a permit for a $1.8B container terminal, a reminder of continued investment in regional shipping capacity that can ripple into Central American trade flows.

El Niño Fallout: Honduras has put 80% of the country—including Tegucigalpa—on drought alert as El Nino threatens harvests and livestock, with emergency steps like new wells, reservoirs, and food delivery aimed at affected municipalities. Trade & Logistics: Crowley is launching a weekly container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Puerto Cortés (Honduras), targeting faster, more reliable routes for fresh produce and industrial goods. Energy for Industry: Avenir LNG completed its first LNG bunkering delivery in Honduras for Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, signaling growing use of lower-emission marine fuels in the region. Defense Cooperation: Israel and Honduras signed an MoU to deepen long-term defense and security collaboration, including defense-industry briefings and operational lessons. Agribusiness Prices: UK banana prices stayed broadly stable, while Honduras was reported at £0.93 with no prior-week comparison—useful for tracking regional supply impacts. Community & Housing: A Colorado-based group is partnering to help fund a new home for a 13-year-old boy in Honduras, aiming at safer shelter and basic household needs.

Drought Shock to Industry: Honduras has put 80% of the country—including Tegucigalpa—on El Niño drought alert, covering 234 municipalities as reservoirs fall, crops fail, and livestock die, with emergency steps like new wells, reservoirs, and food delivery aimed at a crisis expected to last until March or April. Energy for Manufacturing: Atera Energy, already operating in Honduras, expanded in Mexico with a planned US$350M investment by 2030, pushing “energy as a service” distributed generation and efficiency for industrial clients. Marine Fuel Shift: Avenir LNG completed Honduras LNG bunkering for Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, signaling growing use of LNG as a lower-emission marine fuel across the Caribbean cruise sector. Defense & Security Link: Israel and Honduras signed an MoU to deepen long-term defense cooperation, with briefings on Israel’s defense industry and operational lessons. Regional Trade Signals: UK banana prices stayed broadly stable, with Honduras reported at £0.93, offering a quick read on Central American fresh-produce market conditions. Skills for Dairy Supply Chains: IICA and Zamorano trained Belizean dairy producers on sustainable production, processing, and quality control—supporting regional food-industry resilience.