AGP Executive Report

Mesoamerican Astronomy: Archaeologists confirmed that a 2,500-year-old complex in Puebla, Mexico, was built to track the Sun and key calendar dates. It is the first known structure of its kind identified outside the Maya region, adding to evidence of sophisticated ancient astronomy. Coffee and Climate: Arabica is now growing outdoors in Sicily after earlier attempts failed in winter cold. Researchers say a warming Mediterranean has made cultivation possible, though greater water stress could pose a new challenge; the family behind the project was inspired by coffee on a trip to Guatemala. Health Research: A review of HPV self-sampling explores how to expand cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings, where access to clinics, trained staff and laboratory services can be limited.

Water and Climate: Guatemala is enduring what coverage calls its worst water year in decades, with wells drying, crops failing and floods arriving; the strain highlights the need for resilient water and food systems. Disaster Science: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama triggered regional tsunami alerts that included Guatemala, though the threat was later lifted. Digital Access: A report warns that U.S. reciprocal trade agreements, including one with Guatemala, could constrain which technology suppliers the country may use and risk deepening internet divides. Research Preservation: UCLA grants will support work documenting Ixil survivors’ archives in Guatemala, helping preserve records of their mobilization for justice.

Disaster Science: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama triggered tsunami alerts across Central America, including Guatemala. The threat was later lifted, but the event highlights the region’s exposure to seismic hazards. Water and Climate: Guatemala is facing its worst water year in decades, with wells running dry, crops lost and floods arriving — a stark challenge for communities and food production. Digital Access: Guatemala is among the countries covered by new U.S. trade agreements that could limit which technology suppliers governments use, raising concerns about internet access and the digital divide.

Regional Disaster Readiness: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama, prompting tsunami alerts that included Guatemala; the threat was later lifted. Digital Access: A U.S. trade agreement with Guatemala includes restrictions on some technology suppliers, raising concerns about internet access and digital inclusion. Maya Archives: A UCLA-backed preservation project will survey archives documenting Ixil survivors’ mobilization for justice in Guatemala. Water and Climate: Guatemala is facing a severe water year, with wells running dry, crop losses and floods adding to pressure on communities and agriculture.

Energy Transition: Civil society groups at Latin America’s Energy Week called for communities to help shape the region’s shift to renewables, storage and power-grid connections as electricity demand is projected to rise sharply. Earthquake Monitoring: A magnitude 7.7 quake in Panama triggered tsunami alerts that briefly included Guatemala; authorities later lifted the threat. Digital Access: A report warns that U.S. trade agreements, including one with Guatemala, could limit countries’ choices of technology suppliers and risk widening the digital divide. Climate and Food Security: A report describes Guatemala’s worst water year in decades, with wells running dry, crop losses and floods; an El Niño outlook warns of added pressure on food security across the region. Maya Archaeology: A 1,400-year-old tooth with a jade inlay highlights the dental skills of ancient Maya communities.

Climate and Water: Guatemala is facing what one report calls its worst water year in decades, with wells running dry, crop losses and floods; a strengthening El Niño could deepen pressure on food supplies across Latin America. Disaster Watch: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Panama triggered tsunami alerts that included Guatemala, though the threat later receded. Digital Access: A report warns U.S. trade agreements could limit countries’ choices of technology suppliers; Guatemala is among the signatories, raising concerns about internet access and digital inclusion. Health: PAHO says measles spread risk across the Americas remains very high, urging stronger vaccination and surveillance as travel increases. Research and Heritage: A UCLA grant will support documenting Ixil survivors’ mobilization for justice in Guatemala, helping preserve at-risk archives. Energy Costs: UNCTAD data show Guatemalan diesel prices rose 66.3% between February and August 2026, among the world’s sharpest increases.

Disaster Science: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Panama triggered tsunami alerts that included Guatemala. The alerts were later lifted, but the quake underscored the importance of regional monitoring and preparedness. Climate & Food Security: Guatemala is enduring its worst water year in decades, as El Niño intensifies climate pressures across Latin America and threatens food supplies. Digital Access: Guatemala is among the countries covered by U.S. reciprocal trade agreements that critics say could limit choices of technology providers and deepen internet-access gaps.

Earthquake Alert: A magnitude 7.7 quake struck Panama, prompting tsunami alerts that included Guatemala; the threat was later lifted, but the event highlights the region’s exposure to seismic hazards. Digital Access: A U.S. trade deal with Guatemala may limit which technology suppliers the country can use, raising concerns that security rules could restrict competition and widen internet-access gaps. Preserving Ixil History: A UCLA Library grant will support a survey of archives documenting Ixil survivors’ pursuit of justice, helping safeguard vulnerable records. Water and Climate: Guatemala is facing its worst water year in decades, with wells running dry, crops lost and floods adding pressure on communities.

Earthquake Watch: Panama’s magnitude 7.7 earthquake prompted tsunami alerts across the region, with waves under a foot forecast for Guatemala’s coast; the threat was later lifted. Digital Access: A report warns U.S. trade agreements could restrict technology suppliers and widen internet inequality; Guatemala is among the countries that signed a deal. Maya Heritage: A jade-inlaid tooth offers new insight into ancient Maya dentistry and their technical skill. Water Stress: Guatemala is facing its worst water year in decades, with wells running dry, crops failing and floods adding pressure. Ixil Archives: A UCLA preservation grant will support work on archives documenting Ixil survivors’ mobilization for justice in Guatemala.

Water & Climate: Guatemala is facing its worst water year in decades, with wells running dry, crops lost and floods arriving. Health & Infrastructure: Taiwan’s foreign minister’s visit highlighted an upgraded airport and a cancer-hospital project in Guatemala. Wildlife Research: A camera in Guatemala captured a once-in-a-decade wildlife snapshot. Maya Science: A jade-inlaid tooth reveals the ancient Maya’s dental skills.

Science in Latin America: A new analysis highlights the region’s small share of Nobel science awards: only five laureates in chemistry or medicine, and none in physics or economics. Water and Climate: Guatemala is facing a severe water year, with wells running dry, crops lost and floods threatening communities. Wildlife Research: A camera in Guatemala captured a rare, once-in-a-decade wildlife sighting. Health Technology: Taiwan’s foreign minister visited Guatemala amid updates on an airport and a cancer-hospital project.

Water and Climate: Guatemala’s worst water year in decades has brought a 25% rainfall deficit in August across 48 monitored weather stations. Researchers point to El Niño, weak infrastructure and the lack of a national water-governance framework. Wildlife Research: A camera in Guatemala captured a rare jaguar sighting, offering a valuable snapshot for conservation. Maya Science: A 1,400-year-old tooth with a jade inlay highlights ancient Maya dental skill. Regional Conservation: Guatemala is among seven countries in a Pacific research initiative using underwater recorders to study how ship noise affects whale songs. Health and Infrastructure: Taiwan’s foreign minister highlighted cooperation involving an upgraded airport and a cancer hospital project in Guatemala.

Water and Climate: Guatemala’s worst water emergency in decades has left wells in the Dry Corridor at record lows and crops under strain. INSIVUMEH recorded a 25% rainfall deficit in August, as El Niño intensifies pressure on communities already facing weak water infrastructure. Health Research: A long-running nutrition study in Guatemala found that children given a high-protein supplement before age three later earned 46% more as adults, highlighting how early nutrition can shape lifelong outcomes. Wildlife Science: A camera trap in Guatemala captured a rare jaguar sighting, offering a valuable glimpse of the country’s wildlife and the role of monitoring technology in conservation.

Climate & Water: Scientists say El Niño can intensify drought already worsened by global warming, though its interaction with climate change remains uncertain. In Guatemala, this year’s water emergency has left wells unusually low; INSIVUMEH reported an August rainfall deficit of 25% across monitored stations, amid weak infrastructure and no national water-access framework. Maya Science: Researchers used cone-beam CT to study a jadeite inlay in a molar from Guatemala’s Popol Vuh Museum collection. The precise cavity and cement suggest the tooth was treated while its owner was alive, revealing sophisticated ancient dental skills. Wildlife Monitoring: A camera trap in Guatemala captured a rare jaguar sighting described as a once-in-a-decade snapshot, highlighting the value of monitoring wildlife in the field. Early-Life Nutrition: Research cited in a development analysis found that Guatemalan children given a high-protein supplement before age three later earned 46% more as adults, underscoring the long-term impact of early nutrition.

Water Crisis in Guatemala: El Niño-linked drought plus infrastructure neglect left millions without safe water, with wells in the Dry Corridor dropping to record lows and INSIVUMEH forecasting major rainfall deficits. Marine Science in the Region: A Panama Pacific hydrophone project is testing how ship noise affects humpback whale song detection, part of a wider Sustainable Pacific effort that includes Guatemala. El Niño’s Food Shock: NOAA and UNICEF warn the developing “very strong” El Niño could intensify hunger and supply-chain damage across Latin America and the Caribbean. Guatemala–Taiwan Tech & Health Links: Taiwan’s FM Lin visited Guatemala, highlighting upgrades to airport surveillance and a planned specialized cancer hospital, while Taiwan’s new Phoenix office points to deeper tech and trade cooperation. Wildlife Monitoring: Camera-trap photos in Guatemala captured jaguars using a bi-national corridor with Honduras, a hopeful sign for connectivity despite habitat pressure. Ancient Maya Dental Science: A study of a Guatemalan molar with a jade inlay suggests ancient Maya dentistry involved a live intervention, using imaging to assess timing.

Circular Economy & Plastics: Mexico’s Circular Economy Law is reshaping packaging decisions, with a major LATAM conference in Mexico City (Oct. 28–29) focused on turning circular plastics regulation into real supply chains, recycled-material access, traceability, and scale-up tech. AI & Data Control: EQUS launched EQUS X, a personal AI paired with private, user-controlled data storage—no reading of files without permission, with access revocable anytime. Geothermal Energy: Ormat Technologies set its Q3 2026 results for Nov. 4 and a conference call Nov. 5, highlighting continued investment in renewable generation. Agriculture Science (Mango): The National Mango Board is pushing applied research to cut post-harvest losses, improve productivity, and develop climate-adapted varieties—aiming to move lab knowledge into grower practice. Food & Nutrition (Early Life): A UN-linked argument says the first 1,000 days should be a core development metric, citing Guatemala research linking early protein support to higher adult earnings. Wildlife Monitoring (Jaguars): Camera-trap photos from Guatemala and Honduras suggest jaguars still use a bi-national corridor, supporting conservation efforts to maintain connectivity. Tech Diplomacy (Taiwan-Guatemala): Taiwan’s FM Lin visited Guatemala and highlighted Taiwan-funded upgrades, including airport surveillance improvements and a planned specialized cancer hospital.