AGP Executive Report

El Niño Watch: A Sentinel-6 satellite analysis shows a warm Kelvin wave building off Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru—an early signal that El Niño is likely, with knock-on effects for rainfall and water supplies. Hydropower Risk: Colombia’s electricity transfers to Ecuador may be cut off soon if El Niño strengthens, since Colombia’s hydro reservoirs are already below normal and drought could threaten generation. Reuse Push: PR3’s new universal reuse symbol (designed in Bogotá) is rolling out across multiple countries, aiming to shift packaging from single-use toward reusable systems with matching infrastructure. Wildlife & Ethics: A Colombian-linked wildlife photographer will share practical, ethical wildlife photography tips after observing amphibians in rainforests across Peru, Panama, and Colombia. Biodiversity Notes: A study reports daddy longlegs (harvestmen) capturing and devouring live frogs in South American tropical forests, suggesting this predation is more common than previously thought. Food & Climate Stress: Peru’s coastal heat is shrinking Hass avocado size and accelerating harvests, potentially ending the season earlier and reshaping export availability. Health & Safety: Central line infections (CLABSIs) remain a preventable threat, with a focus on systems that fail even when prevention steps are known.

Reusable Packaging Push: A new universal symbol for reusable bottles and containers is now operational, designed in Bogotá and chosen after global consumer testing—another step toward cutting single-use waste. Climate Impacts on Coasts: A study with partners in Colombia and the U.S. warns mangroves may store less carbon over the long term as sea levels rise, even if some spots gain carbon temporarily. Mining vs. Communities: Glencore’s Cerrejón coal operations were temporarily suspended after Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities blocked rail lines in La Guajira, demanding land restoration, reparations, and environmental recovery. Heat as a Killer: Coverage highlights how urban heatwaves with no night cooling can be deadly, shifting the focus from daytime highs to lethal nighttime conditions. Clean Mobility Policy: Bogotá is considering new rules for electric motorbikes (“VELMPUs”), aiming to manage the surge of battery-powered vehicles on bike lanes. Connectivity for Resilience: SES and TV ISLA plan hybrid satellite broadband for Providencia Island, supporting fiber rollout after Hurricane Iota and reducing reliance on environmentally costly new subsea links.

Election Integrity in Focus: Colombia’s vote scrutiny ended with no evidence of fraud, and the EU Electoral Observation Mission said the count was “transparent, orderly and fluid,” rejecting Petro’s fraud claims as the runoff heads to June 21. Labor & Energy Transition: Ecopetrol’s main union, USO, launched a 24-hour strike at production fields and refineries, citing stalled talks over labor rights and a “fair, social, and sustainable energy transition.” Fossil Fuel Phaseout Diplomacy: In Santa Marta, a coalition of mostly Global South countries advanced frameworks to reduce fossil fuel production, linking phaseout road maps to climate targets and finance reforms. Urban Clean Mobility Policy: Bogotá is moving toward new rules for electric “VELMPUs” (light electric personal mobility vehicles), aiming to reshape enforcement and bike-lane access as battery-powered vehicles spread. Biodiversity Under Warming: New research warns climate refuges like Tasmania’s forests are still being eroded by warming, sediment runoff, and land-use change—an urgent reminder for Colombia’s own biodiversity hotspots.

Agrosecurity for bananas: Colombia’s banana growers and research institutions launched a public-private alliance to fight Fusarium TR4, aiming to speed prevention, diagnostics, and applied solutions to protect plant health, rural jobs, and export sustainability. Biodiversity & health tech: Google is seeking U.S. approval to release up to 32 million sterile mosquitoes in California and Florida to curb disease-carrying Aedes aegypti—raising new questions about how biotech meets public health and environmental safeguards. Resilient connectivity on islands: SES and TV ISLA plan to expand broadband on Providencia Island using a hybrid satellite setup, supporting faster fiber rollout while avoiding new subsea infrastructure impacts. Election stakes with climate in the mix: Colombia’s UN Security Council presidency sets a June agenda on peacebuilding and child protection, explicitly linking humanitarian crises to climate change impacts. Local environment politics in the spotlight: A new wave of enforcement in Chicago targets street vendors, while Colombia’s own political contest is framed around security and economic direction—both themes that can shape how communities respond to environmental pressures.

Indigenous Media Funding: Cultural Survival announced 2026 partners for its Indigenous Community Media Fund, including projects in Colombia aimed at strengthening community media infrastructure and intergenerational knowledge. Rare Earths Push: A new look at rare earths highlights Colombia’s untapped potential in supplying magnet and clean-energy materials, while noting extraction challenges and global buyer demand. Oil & Energy Politics: Colombia’s oil workers’ union USO backs fracking and urges the next government to expand oil and gas exploration—an alignment that could reshape the election’s energy direction. Mosquito Control Debate: Google is seeking federal approval to release up to 32 million “good” mosquitoes in California and Florida, raising regulatory and public-health questions about biotech vector control. Wildlife Crime Watch: A regional report details how wildlife trafficking networks operate across Latin America, including Colombia, linking illegal hunting and trade to organized crime. Election Shock: Pro-Trump outsider Abelardo de la Espriella won Colombia’s first round and will face Iván Cepeda in a June 21 runoff amid disputes over results and security concerns.

Indigenous Coffee & Livelihoods: Delta Coffee House Experience launched a limited-edition Impossible Coffees batch from Colombia’s Nasa We’sx community in Tolima, highlighting young entrepreneurs rebuilding coffee production after decades of conflict and rural exodus. Climate Risk & Disaster Preparedness: With the Atlantic hurricane season starting June 1, Miami World Cup organizers and emergency officials warned that international visitors may not understand hurricane threats—raising questions about summer match safety. Biodiversity & Invasive Species: Florida’s breeding populations of invasive spectacled caimans are expanding in Miami-Dade and Broward, flagged as a “highest impact concern” threat to local ecosystems. Conservation Results: Colombia’s Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary renewed its IUCN Green List status, as the program grows to 113 marine protected areas worldwide focused on real-world protection, not just legal designation. Wildlife Crime: A regional report links wildlife trafficking across Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia to transnational organized crime, including illegal hunting of jaguars and pumas and trade in protected marine species. Energy Transition Pressure: Franciscan advocates renewed calls for a just transition away from fossil fuels, stressing environmental costs and the need to protect workers and communities tied to extraction.

Colombia Election Update: Polls closed and vote counting began Sunday as Colombia’s presidential race heads toward a June 21 runoff, with officials reporting a smooth day and a massive security operation; voters framed the choice as peace and jobs versus a hard-right security push amid rising guerrilla violence. U.S. Reaction: The U.S. State Department publicly backed Colombia’s electoral process and transition, as Washington and political leaders watched the first-round results closely. Environmental Policy Watch: A new regional study urges stronger packaging reuse rules in South America, highlighting how Colombia’s reuse efforts remain fragmented and need incentives to compete with single-use. Coal & Health Alarm (Cross-border): A cross-border investigation links coal extracted from Colombia’s Yukpa lands to power-plant pollution in Chile, raising fresh concerns about environmental harm and Indigenous rights. El Niño Signals: NASA satellite data points to developing El Niño conditions later this year, raising the odds of major weather swings across the region. Water & Soil Science: Researchers in Colombia are testing “soilsmology” to map soil health using seismic methods, aiming to help farmers grow more with less environmental damage.

Colombia Election & Security: Colombians voted Sunday in a presidential first round that could steer the country toward extending “total peace” talks or shifting to a hard-right military crackdown, as guerrilla violence and drone attacks intensify; polls put leftist Ivan Cepeda ahead of hard-right Abelardo de la Espriella, with experts warning armed groups have used peace openings to strengthen positions and boost cocaine output. Environmental Defenders Under Pressure: In Lima, Latin American environmental defenders met to push back against pollution and the criminalization of people protecting water, territories, and biodiversity, citing high murder rates tied to extractive projects and weak state protection. Climate Signals for Colombia: NASA satellite observations detected a warm-water swell in the Pacific suggesting El Niño conditions may emerge later this year, raising the odds of weather extremes that can hit Colombia’s rainfall and ecosystems. Wildlife & Nature: A Colombian photographer won an Audubon Photography Award for a ringed kingfisher shot, spotlighting the country’s biodiversity and the value of protecting habitats. Aviation & Logistics: Aerosucre retired its last 737-200 after 45 years, marking a shift in how cargo and medical supplies reach remote border regions.

Coal Export Crackdown: Colombia’s ban on coal exports to Israel is being rerouted through South Africa, with shipments shifting after enforcement—raising fresh questions about climate accountability and supply-chain loopholes. Election Security & Humanitarian Risk: Ahead of Colombia’s Sunday presidential vote, reports flag heavy armed-violence pressure, with hundreds of political-violence incidents since 2025 and election risk in hundreds of municipalities—especially in conflict-hit areas where intimidation and mobility limits can shape outcomes. Biodiversity & Wildlife: A photographer’s frozen “Ringed Kingfisher” hunting moment won a top Audubon Photography prize, spotlighting Colombia’s birdlife and the value of careful habitat observation. Coffee Education: Huila is launching Colombia’s first University School of Coffee, expanding specialized training for the country’s leading coffee region. Climate Heat Watch: Research warns extreme heat risk is higher for the 2026 World Cup than in 1994, with climate change making unsafe conditions more likely in host cities. Nature Tourism Spotlight: A travel feature highlights Mavecure Mountains in Colombia’s Amazon region as a sacred, sandstone-and-quartz landscape—another reminder of the country’s conservation-linked tourism potential.

Colombia Election Security: Ahead of Sunday’s presidential vote, humanitarian groups warn that ceasefires won’t stop intimidation, mobility limits, and attacks on election logistics in conflict-hit areas, with 386 municipalities flagged for electoral risk. International Scrutiny: Colombia welcomed 1,207 international observers in Bogotá to boost transparency as the campaign stays tense and polarized. Women in Tech Agenda: Women’s technology communities delivered a policy proposal to candidates calling for better access for girls and women in STEM, citing a widening talent gap from school to leadership. Energy & Environment Stakes: Analysts say the next government could reshape Colombia’s fossil-fuel future, as Petro-era restrictions have pushed oil and gas output near historic lows—an issue tied to jobs, exports, and the country’s climate transition path. Conflict’s Human Cost: In Suarez, guerrilla violence is traumatizing children as drone attacks destroy homes and community infrastructure.

Colombia Election Watch: Colombians head to the polls May 31 in a highly polarised race, with security, corruption, the economy, and health system concerns shaping voter mood as armed violence and disinformation loom over the campaign. Emergency Tech for Remote Areas: Colombia tested satellite-based direct-to-device emergency messaging in Sumapaz, sending SOS alerts from a smartphone to a satellite network and routing them to Bogotá’s C4—an important step for rural communities with no mobile coverage. Amazon Mercury Cleanup Potential: Colombian researchers report two Amazon bacteria strains from mining-contaminated sediments that tolerate extremely high mercury levels and appear safer for potential environmental use, offering a promising lead for future bioremediation. White Hydrogen Framework: Colombia’s Mines and Energy ministry released draft rules to create the country’s first framework for evaluating, exploring, and exploiting “white hydrogen,” including long permit timelines, technical standards, and environmental protections. Urban Biodiversity in Focus: A new “Pink Floyd” spider species was identified in Ibagué, showing how tiny predators can thrive in city walls and street-lit habitats. Darién Waste Cleanup: The U.S. and Panama announced a $3 million project to remove tons of solid waste left in the Darién jungle by migrants, aiming to restore a biodiversity-rich reserve and create local jobs.

White Hydrogen Policy: Colombia’s Mines and Energy ministry unveiled a national framework for “white hydrogen” (geological hydrogen), setting rules for exploration, environmental safeguards, and long permits—aimed at diversifying the energy mix. Emergency Tech for Remote Areas: Colombia tested direct-to-device satellite emergency messaging in Sumapaz, sending an SOS from a smartphone to orbit without relying on terrestrial coverage. Mercury Cleanup Breakthrough: Researchers in the Amazon found two mercury-tolerant bacterial strains from mining waste that appear unlikely to carry dangerous traits, raising hopes for safer bioremediation of toxic mercury pollution. Biodiversity in the City: A new tiny urban spider species—nicknamed the “Pink Floyd spider”—was identified in Ibagué, showing how wildlife can thrive in city walls and street light ecosystems. Darién Waste Cleanup: The U.S. and Panama announced a $3 million plan to remove tons of abandoned migrant trash from the Darién jungle, with local jobs tied to the restoration work. Election Pressure in the Jungle: A deadly clash between FARC dissident factions in Colombia’s Amazon hit just before the presidential vote, underscoring how armed violence still shadows democracy. Vaccine Localization: SK bioscience signed with Colombia’s VECOL to transfer vaccine technology and expand local manufacturing under the country’s vaccine localization push.

El Niño Watch: A NASA-European satellite is tracking a widening warm-water surge across the Pacific, an early sign of El Niño that could reshape rainfall and temperatures worldwide later this year. Health Security: PAHO convened yellow fever experts in Bogotá to update regional surveillance guidance, including how to define suspected cases and outbreaks. Vaccine Localization: SK bioscience signed with Colombia’s VECOL to transfer vaccine technology and expand local manufacturing under a national push to cut import dependence. Urban Sustainability: Barranquilla earned LEED Gold for Cities, citing progress on air quality, energy efficiency, water use, waste management, climate resilience, and public spaces. Wildlife Connectivity: In Malaysia, rope bridges are helping dusky langurs cross roads safely, reducing deaths and restoring ecological links—an approach noted as relevant to Colombia and Costa Rica. Responsible Travel: Holafly partnered with Valientes Colombia to support education and prevention of exploitation as tourism grows. Energy Transition Politics: Colombia hosted a conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, with a proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty and a draft national roadmap. Social Gains, Fiscal Strain: Colombia’s left-wing government leaves record social progress but also a worsening fiscal deficit—setting the stakes for the next administration.

El Niño & energy security: Colombia presented a nuclear roadmap in Vienna tied to stronger El Niño drought risk, signaling it wants technical guidance and regulatory room before any reactor timeline—because hydropower dependence can quickly turn dry seasons into power-price shocks. Urban sustainability: Barranquilla earned LEED Gold for Cities, a rare regional win that credits progress on air quality, mobility, energy efficiency, water use, waste management, resilience, public spaces, and quality of life. Forest pressure: A new analysis warns rainforest biomes are nearing breaking point as demand for critical minerals, biofuels, and pulp stacks on ranching, monocrops, oil, and logging—raising the urgency to cut and replace forest-linked products. Biodiversity & wildlife: Colombia is highlighted as a top birdwatching destination, with nearly 2,000 bird species across mountains, forests, and coasts. Climate-linked disasters: A guide to Colombia’s most common natural hazards focuses on how earthquakes, floods, landslides, and volcano threats overlap—pushing residents to prepare for repeated smaller crises, not just one big event.

El Niño Watch for Colombia: IDEAM says Saharan dust has started reaching the Caribbean in small amounts, with no major impacts expected in the next few days—more haze than a sandstorm. Climate & Food Risk: El Niño conditions are expected to reduce rainfall in tropical regions, raising concerns for rice-growing areas and broader weather adversity later in 2026. Public Health & Environment: A major European study links loneliness to worse memory in older adults, but not faster decline over time—researchers include Colombia-based scientists. Biodiversity & Science: An international team has identified the origin of a rare 20-meter Andean tree species, Daturodendron absconditum, solving a decades-old botanical mystery. Wildlife Discovery: A new report highlights daddy longlegs (harvestmen) hunting frogs in South America, underscoring how little we still know about predator-prey roles in tropical forests. Health Security (Vaccines): SK bioscience signed a technology transfer deal with Colombia’s VECOL to boost local vaccine manufacturing under a $260m localization initiative. Amazon Under Pressure: An International Crisis Group report warns organized crime is expanding across the Amazon, driving violence and deforestation tied to illegal gold mining and drug trafficking.

South Africa Jobs vs Migration: South Africa’s Labour and Employment Department has introduced a “Job Reservation Bill” to reserve jobs for locals in sectors facing unemployment and foreign competition, with penalties looming for employers that ignore it. ICE Custody Crisis: A new AP investigation says ICE detainee suicides have surged at an unprecedented pace since Trump returned to office, with at least 10 deaths since January 2025 and major questions about care and oversight. Colombia Election Silence: Colombia’s final stretch before the May 31 vote is marked by an unusual lack of debate between top contenders—leaving insecurity and polarization to do the campaigning, with a likely June 21 runoff. Amazon Under Pressure: An ICG report warns organized crime is expanding across the Amazon—driven by drug trafficking and illegal gold mining—making Indigenous communities especially vulnerable. Colombia Tourism Push: Colombia is promoting World Cup travel through an alliance with 20+ Mexican airports, aiming to capture millions of travelers in peak vacation weeks.