AGP Executive Report

Bitcoin & Media Clash: President Nayib Bukele hit back at El País over claims El Salvador transferred its Bitcoin reserves, saying the deal involved only Chivo shares—not the country’s holdings. Press Freedom Shock: BET removed years of digital articles from its site, pushing writers’ work into the void while keeping video and social posts. Immigration & TPS Uncertainty: With U.S. Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador set to expire Sept. 9, Salvadorans in the U.S. are bracing for what comes next. Surf City Spotlight: El Salvador kicked off the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship with 11 local surfers among 428 athletes from 56 countries at El Sunzal and La Bocana. Local Arts & Culture: Jandrou released “Crying At The Dairy Queen,” a breakup anthem with a cinematic video and a path toward a 2027 debut album. Sports Link to El Salvador: Transformers: The Movie 4K returns to theaters with expanded dates, including screenings in El Salvador.

Surf City Spotlight: El Salvador kicked off the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship with 428 athletes (ages 8–18) from 56 countries, turning El Sunzal and La Bocana into a global stage through Sept. 13. Local Talent: The country brings 11 Salvadoran surfers—eight in U16 and three in U18—ready to compete on home waves. Art & Identity: Luis E. Garcia’s paintings and poetry trace a personal link back to his Pipil roots, shaped by his Bay Area creative journey. Sports Media: Alejandro Rodríguez talks about how living sports from the inside led her into sports journalism, now bringing her voice to TV in Cuba. Football Business: FESFUT and Ogilvy El Salvador team up to modernize the game’s digital, commercial, and fan-experience push. Music Release: Queer Salvadoran singer-songwriter Jandrou drops “Crying At The Dairy Queen,” a breakup anthem with a new cinematic video. Economy Watch: The IMF says El Salvador’s growth is gaining momentum as security improves and investor confidence rises.

IMF Update: El Salvador’s economic momentum is picking up, with the IMF pointing to improved security, stronger investor confidence, and fiscal reforms that are translating into growth—especially via construction and progress on deficit reduction. Surf City Spotlight: The Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2026 kicked off with 428 athletes (ages 8–18) across 56 delegations, running through Sept. 13 at La Libertad’s El Sunzaland and La Bocana. Football Business Moves: FESFUT and Ogilvy El Salvador announced a strategic partnership to modernize the sport’s creative, commercial, digital, and media push—aiming to reconnect fans with football beyond matchday. Music Release: Salvadoran queer singer-songwriter Jandrou dropped the English single “Crying At The Dairy Queen,” a breakup anthem with a cinematic video and a tease of his next era. Pop Culture Cinema: Fathom expands the 4K theatrical return of The Transformers: The Movie (Sept. 17–21 in North America/UK) and adds international screenings, plus the new short Optimus Prime: Awakening featuring Peter Cullen’s final original performance. Community Sports: PedaleadaSV returns for its 9th family-friendly cycling day in San Salvador’s Historic Center on Sept. 20, with raffles and entertainment.

Transformers in Theaters (El Salvador): Fathom is expanding the 4K return of The Transformers: The Movie to Sept. 17–21 in North America/UK, and adding international dates Sept. 22–Oct. 1 that include El Salvador—with a new 12-minute animated short, “Optimus Prime: Awakening,” featuring Peter Cullen’s final Optimus Prime performance. Music (Iron Maiden): Iron Maiden marks the 40th anniversary of Somewhere in Time with a limited-edition oxblood vinyl release, plus a bigger 10LP colored box set spanning their first nine studio albums. Local Sports & Surf (El Salvador): Surf City El Salvador is set for the 2026 ISA World Junior Championships, with Bahamas sailor Eliza Denning debuting in surfing and Team USA teen Marlynn Glaub heading to compete. Football Business (El Salvador): FESFUT and Ogilvy El Salvador team up to boost football’s commercial growth, digital strategy, and sponsor engagement. Community Cycling (San Salvador): PedaleadaSV returns for its 9th edition on Sept. 20 in the Historic Center, with family activities and raffles. LGBTQ+ Pop (Salvadoran): Jandrou drops the sexy breakup anthem “Crying At The Dairy Queen,” teasing a new era ahead of a 2027 debut album.

AI in Schools: El Salvador’s nationwide tutoring push with xAI’s Grok is part of a wider global rush to bring generative AI into classrooms, but critics warn about deepfakes, voice cloning, and the impact on kids’ cognitive and emotional development. Cycling & Community: San Salvador’s Historic Center hosts the ninth PedaleadaSV on Sunday, Sept. 20, with family-friendly routes plus raffles and activities. Transformers on the Big Screen: Hasbro and Fathom will screen “Optimus Prime: Awakening,” a 12-minute short featuring Peter Cullen’s final Optimus Prime performance, alongside select 40th-anniversary showings of “The Transformers: The Movie,” including in El Salvador. Local Sports Culture: A Doha Debates town hall in Toronto tackled whether football is becoming a commodity as wealthy investors and states reshape ownership—and what that means for fans and access. Salvadoran Heritage in the Spotlight: A “Gran Festival Salvadoreño” roundup highlights music and family events across the Bay Area, including salsa dura and community celebrations. Public Space Update: Alioto’s Plaza opens at Fisherman’s Wharf with new seating, benches, landscaping, and a beer concession.

Transformers Spotlight: Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment unveiled Optimus Prime: Awakening, a 12-minute animated short featuring Peter Cullen’s final Optimus Prime performance, screening after select 40th-anniversary showings of The Transformers: The Movie in 4K starting Sept. 17, with El Salvador listed among new screening regions. Local Culture & Community: El Salvador’s Surf City is set to host the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, with free activities tied to the event. Regional Business News: Cemento Panam (Grupo Estrella) expanded its Central American footprint by acquiring Cementos Fortaleza’s Acajutla plant in El Salvador, adding a 350,000-metric-ton annual capacity hub. Arts & Entertainment (Global): The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction won’t include Iron Maiden, while Bruce Dickinson continues solo scheduling during the band’s ongoing tour.

Transformers Spotlight (El Salvador screenings): Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment unveiled “Optimus Prime: Awakening,” a 12-minute animated short featuring Peter Cullen’s final Optimus Prime performance, set to play after select 40th-anniversary showings of The Transformers: The Movie—with El Salvador listed among the screening regions starting Sept. 17. Local Education Investment: El Salvador will invest $12.67 million (with World Bank support) to improve public early childhood learning centers for about 246,000 children, including distribution of 375,000 books and 195,000 musical instruments. Regional Business/Industry: Cemento Panam (Grupo Estrella) expanded in Central America by acquiring Cementos Fortaleza’s Acajutla plant in El Salvador, adding 350,000 metric tons of annual capacity. Sports (Surfing): A 15-year-old Palm Beach County surfer, Marlynn Glaub, is headed to El Salvador to compete at the World Junior Surf Championship as part of Team USA.

El Salvador Education Boost: El Salvador will invest $12.67 million to upgrade public early childhood centers, distributing 375,000 books, 195,000 musical instruments, and play-based learning materials for about 246,000 children. Regional Business & Construction: Grupo Estrella’s Cemento Panam is expanding across Central America by acquiring Cementos Fortaleza in El Salvador, adding an Acajutla plant with 350,000 tons of annual cement capacity. Surf Culture Spotlight: A 15-year-old Palm Beach County surfer, Marlynn Glaub, has been selected to represent Team USA at the World Junior Surf Championship in El Salvador. Arts & Storytelling: D.C.’s Mosaic Theater Company opens its season with “Somewhere Over the Border,” a musical inspired by an El Salvador-to-America mother’s journey. Global Pop Culture: Hasbro and Fathom announced “Optimus Prime: Awakening,” a 12-minute animated short featuring Peter Cullen’s final Optimus Prime performance, shown with select 40th-anniversary screenings of “The Transformers: The Movie.”

US-Latin America Politics: A new commentary revisits Simon Bolívar’s warning that the U.S. “plagues America with misery in the name of liberty,” tying it to today’s Trump-era push for dominance in the hemisphere. Early Childhood Education: El Salvador will invest $12.67M (with World Bank support) to upgrade public early childhood centers, distributing 375,000 books, 195,000 musical instruments, and play-based learning materials for about 246,000 kids. Tech & Robotics for Youth: El Salvador also secured a $9M South Korea grant for a UES Technological Innovation Center, and the National Robotics Olympiad crowned teams that will represent the country at WRO’s international final. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Vogue Latin America highlights El Salvador’s El Zonte in a “soft portrait” feature, while a separate arts piece spotlights Salvadoran-born painter Elmer Guevara and his immigration-themed works. Sports (Local Interest): Rugby coverage keeps El Salvador in the conversation via the Wallabies’ San Salvador de Jujuy win over Argentina, plus broader regional sports updates.

Tech & Education: El Salvador just secured a $9M South Korea grant to build and equip a Technological Innovation Center at the University of El Salvador (UES), aiming to link research with manufacturing needs through labs, training, and incubators. Robotics Spotlight: More than 260 students took part in El Salvador’s National Robotics Olympiad, with top teams earning the chance to represent the country at the WRO International Final in Puerto Rico. Sports (Local Connection): Korea Archery’s four-year World Archery partnership includes sending coaches to El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, and Ecuador—boosting grassroots development. Culture & Community: San Pedro crowned Elizabeth Grace Sánchez as Miss San Pedro 2026 in a carnival-themed pageant. Arts & Travel: Vogue Latin America visited El Salvador’s El Zonte for a “soft portrait,” highlighting the country’s growing travel pull. Music: Iron Maiden kicked off its North American “Run For Your Lives” leg in Toronto, with setlists spanning early classics.

Music & Pop Culture: Iron Maiden kicked off its 2026 North American “Run For Your Lives” leg in Toronto, with Bruce Dickinson joking about Lake Ontario after Trump’s “Lake America” order—plus the full 17-song set list. Beauty & Community: Elizabeth Grace Sánchez was crowned Miss San Pedro 2026 in a “¡Que Viva el Carnaval!” pageant, earning the title and becoming the island’s newest beauty ambassador. Tech & Education (El Salvador): KOICA is funding a $9M Technological Innovation Center at the University of El Salvador (2026–2031), linking labs in automation and digital fabrication to industry needs. Youth Innovation (El Salvador): El Salvador’s National Robotics Olympiad selected national robotics champions for the WRO International Final in Puerto Rico, with projects tying robots to local culture and heritage. Tourism & Lifestyle (El Salvador): Vogue Latin America spotlighted El Zonte in a travel feature, giving the Surf City area fresh international visibility. Sports (El Salvador connection): Rugby coverage highlights Australia’s Les Kiss era after a tense win over Argentina in San Salvador de Jujuy, with multiple match takeaways and streaming guides.

Local Arts & Culture: Vogue Latin America spotlights El Zonte in “Paseo por El Salvador,” giving the Surf City a fresh lifestyle-travel spotlight through international photography and editorial storytelling. Tech & Education: El Salvador secured a $9M South Korea grant to build a KOICA-backed Technological Innovation Center at UES (2026–2031), aiming to connect labs in automation, prototyping, and digital fabrication to real manufacturing needs. Youth Innovation: The National Robotics Olympiad crowned El Salvador’s WRO International Final representatives, including “Heritage Guardians,” an AI-and-sensors system to help protect monuments and archaeological sites. Film & Storytelling: Cuban-Salvadoran filmmaker Jorge Dalton shared stark photos of Havana’s Malecón deterioration, calling it “another portrait of horror.” Sports (International, with El Salvador tie-ins): Rugby coverage keeps attention on the Wallabies’ Argentina Tests in San Salvador de Jujuy, while the week also includes major global entertainment and sports updates beyond El Salvador.

Tech & Education: El Salvador just secured a $9 million South Korea grant to build and equip a Technological Innovation Center at the University of El Salvador (UES), with KOICA and ESCO running the 2026–2031 push to link labs, training, and industry-ready manufacturing. Youth Robotics: Hundreds of students took part in El Salvador’s National Robotics Olympiad, and top teams earned spots to represent the country at the WRO International Final in Puerto Rico. Tourism & Lifestyle: Vogue Latin America spotlighted El Zonte in a travel feature, giving the Surf City destination fresh international visibility. Sports (Rugby): Australia kept its momentum with a gritty 27-21 win over Argentina in San Salvador de Jujuy, while the Wallabies’ coach Les Kiss rested captain Harry Wilson for the opener. Culture & Media: Prime Video confirmed Helluva Boss Season 3 (Part 1) will premiere Oct. 14, 2026.

Sports & Culture in El Salvador: Surf City is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13 at La Bocana and El Sunzal) with free public activities like yoga, music, chess, fencing, surf lessons, and more. Local Football (Regional Reach): INDES and FESFUT have partnered with FOX Central America to broadcast El Salvador’s Liga de Ascenso across Central America for 2026–27 and 2027–28, aiming to boost second-tier club growth and youth development. International Spotlight: Vogue Latin America’s travel feature “Paseo por El Salvador” spotlights El Zonte, bringing fresh lifestyle and coastal tourism attention to the country. EV Tech (El Salvador in the mix): Anari Energy says its Vulco DC chargers are now operational in El Salvador and that its Castor DC wallbox has entered the Salvadoran market for the first time. Rugby (San Salvador de Jujuy match coverage): Argentina vs Australia kicks off in San Salvador de Jujuy with streaming/TV options highlighted as the Wallabies face a major test under Les Kiss.

Surf City Spotlight: El Salvador’s La Bocana and El Sunzal will host the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13), with free public activities like yoga, music, chess, fencing, surf lessons, and more. Fashion & Travel Media: Vogue Latin America spotlights El Zonte in “Paseo por El Salvador,” giving the coast a fresh international lifestyle spotlight. Sports Broadcasting Deal: INDES and FESFUT partner with FOX Central America to broadcast El Salvador’s Liga de Ascenso across the region for 2026–27 and 2027–28, aiming to boost exposure and professionalize second-tier clubs. Education Push: In San Salvador’s “El Salvador Renace,” Bukele announced 50,000 scholarships for public high-school graduates, covering degrees, technical and vocational training, and some study abroad options. Local Music Scene: East Vandals’ debut LP, The Damage Done, brings old-school punk energy with Motörhead-style swagger. International Arts Note: Latin America in Focus highlights regional architecture trends, from resilience after Colombia’s earthquake to eco-design projects in Ecuador and Medellín.

Surf City Spotlight: El Salvador is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13) at La Bocana and El Sunzal, with free public activities like yoga, Pilates, music, chess, fencing, surfing lessons, and more—turning the event into a full-on entertainment and sports weekend for locals and visitors. Sports Media Deal: INDES and FESFUT have partnered with FOX Central America to broadcast El Salvador’s Liga de Ascenso across the region for 2026–27 and 2027–28, aiming to boost second-division visibility, club sustainability, and youth development. Education Push: President Nayib Bukele’s “El Salvador Renace” event at Jorge “El Mágico” González Stadium highlighted a major scholarship push for public high-school graduates, with 50,000 scholarships announced to expand university, technical, vocational, and even study-abroad options. Entertainment Streaming: Prime Video confirmed Helluva Boss Season 3 (Part 1) premieres Oct. 14, 2026, with 15 episodes total and a hybrid release plan that lands episodes on YouTube about a month after streaming. Local Tech & Business: Ortus Solutions brought BoxLang and BoxLang AI to Salvadoran business and tech leaders via a masterclass in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.