AGP Executive Report

PFAS Cleanup Delays: The Pentagon quietly pushed back forever-chemical cleanup timelines for nearly 200 military sites, including locations in Puerto Rico, extending some preparations into the 2040s. National Security Shake-Up: A new report argues Bill Pulte should not be in charge of national intelligence, raising questions about qualifications and classified handling. Water Crisis in San Juan: Puerto Ricans are facing severe water shortages and outages, with the governor activating the National Guard and officials scrambling to respond. Local Business Push: San Juan will allocate $5 million to help create and expand businesses in priority sectors, with permits and incentives support through the Business Concierge. Claro Wins Connectivity Awards: Opensignal recognized Claro Puerto Rico for best mobile coverage experience and top 5G video performance. Maritime Drug Bust: The Coast Guard seized cocaine and detained a stowaway with a gun after intercepting a barge off Puerto Rico’s coast. Puerto Rico Export Plan: DDEC and the Chamber of Commerce launched a new Puerto Rico Export Manual to help local firms sell abroad. Cuba Sanctions: The U.S. announced sanctions against Cuba’s state oil and gas company, Cupet, escalating tensions.

Puerto Rico Energy & Infrastructure: LUMA asked PREB to pause a pair of determinations, citing legal and operational risks, as the island continues to wrestle with power-system decisions. Water Crisis & Accountability: San Juan mayor pushed back after PRASA chief questioned an engineer’s role in the water crisis response, keeping pressure on who’s responsible for fixes. Public Safety & Health: Health Dept. confirmed an infant botulism case, while Puerto Rico strengthened technical capacity for severe dengue management in intensive care units. Economy & Oversight: Comptroller’s office training targeted rising cyberthreats; meanwhile, economists warned of further price increases tied to oil-market tension and scrutiny continues over recovery taxes. Immigration & Enforcement: Coast Guard repatriated 32 migrants to the Dominican Republic after a vessel interdiction off Desecheo. Trade & Customs: CBP seized a shipment of counterfeit luxury goods headed to Puerto Rico—about $19.26M in fake watches, sunglasses and accessories. Local Politics: A status bill would negotiate improvements to commonwealth status and remove the fiscal board within two years. Travel & Tourism: Puerto Rico set a new cruise passenger record in May.

Energy & Regulation: LUMA Energy asked Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau to pause two PREB determinations, including a $750-per-hour cap on external legal counsel and blanket denial of FY2026 Title III cost recovery, warning enforcement could disrupt PREPA bankruptcy work. Water Crisis Politics: San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo pushed back after PRASA chief Luis González Delgado questioned an engineer’s role, saying the city already agreed to include Roberto Martínez in a technical water committee. Cyber Preparedness: The Comptroller’s Office trained 300+ auditors on rising cyber threats and fraud risks, focusing on digital security and forensic auditing. Tourism Boost: Puerto Rico set a new cruise passenger record in May with 1,827,010 visitors, and projections suggest about 100,000 more than the prior high. Economy Watch: A 2026 consumer survey found Puerto Ricans cut monthly food spending to $363 (down 5%) and household spending fell 14%, despite higher food prices. Sports & Culture: Puerto Rico opened Davis Cup Americas Group III with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica; sports betting keeps expanding at Distrito T-Mobile with BetMGM kiosks; and the NYC Puerto Rican Day Parade returns June 14 with Fifth Avenue street closures. Public Safety: U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 32 migrants after an interdiction near Desecheo, Puerto Rico, as part of anti-smuggling efforts.

Puerto Rico Tax Oversight: A new fight over Puerto Rico’s Act 215 is drawing scrutiny from the Financial Oversight and Management Board, with critics warning it could raise costs and slow federally funded disaster recovery and the long-delayed power grid rebuild. San Juan Security & Migration: The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 32 migrants to the Dominican Republic after intercepting an overloaded boat near Desecheo Island, west of Puerto Rico. Air Travel Boost: Southwest Airlines says it’s adding routes and bringing back seasonal winter service, including new links to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as tickets go on sale through February 2027. Local Military Tech Upgrade: Puerto Nuevo hosted training as the 166th Regional Support Group transitions from the legacy Command Post Computing Environment to the AI-enabled Maven Smart System. Sports—Puerto Rico on the Field: Puerto Rico shut out The Bahamas in the PONY Baseball 14U Caribbean and Latin American Championships, earning the region’s spot at the World Series. Business & Tourism: ORO Hotel & Residences in Hato Rey unveiled its first “Barrilito Bar” partnership with Ron del Barrilito, aiming to spotlight Puerto Rican rum culture.

Energy Policy: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and two new coal plants, citing Defense Production Act authority and “grid reliability,” while critics call it an unnecessary subsidy. Public Health: Puerto Rico’s Health Department confirmed an infant botulism case, saying treatment with BabyBIG began within days after rapid coordination and CDC lab findings. Local Water Fight: Coamo Mayor Juan Carlos García Padilla urged PRASA to reject connecting the Jacaranda housing project to the Toa Vaca system, warning it could strain water service for nearby communities. Government Oversight: The Senate requested details on the Opus Miramar luxury project in San Juan’s Convention Center District, including possible tax incentives and communications tied to the development. Economy & Consumer Mood: A MIDA consumer snapshot found Puerto Ricans are cutting spending and a third are considering leaving the island, with some reporting use of weight-loss (GLP-1) meds. Immigration Misunderstanding: A viral post suggesting calling ICE over a Puerto Rican restaurant worker sparked backlash over confusion about Puerto Rico citizenship. Sports (Puerto Rico in focus): Puerto Rico is set to face Venezuela in the U18 women’s AmeriCup after Venezuela beat the Dominican Republic.

FEMA Reconstruction: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced $13M in FEMA funds for Puerto Rico recovery, including road work in Barranquitas, bridge repairs in Lares, earthquake fixes in Guayanilla, and storm protection for PREPA. Flood Control Upgrade: Ferrovial won a $1.08B U.S. Army Corps contract to expand and reinforce the Río Piedras channel in San Juan under the Puerto Nuevo flood-control program. Courts & Health Care: A federal bankruptcy judge authorized the sale of Hospital del Maestro as part of its 2025 restructuring, approving a $15.6M plan led by González Group LLC. Local Safety & Justice: A Puerto Rico man received 16 months in prison for beating a cat to death, with a ban on owning animals. Aviation Tragedy: Two U.S. pilots died in a fiery crash in the Dominican Republic while attempting an emergency landing after a technical problem, involving a jet that was set to pick up Yadier Molina. Education & Tech: First Lady Melania Trump honored winners of the Presidential AI Challenge, with Puerto Rico among the participating entries.

Puerto Rico Tourism & Travel: Ponce is seeing a boost in visitors, driven by expanded air connections, more cruise ship calls, and strong walkable cultural stops like the Ponce Museum of Art and Serrallés Castle. Local Community & Culture: In Milwaukee, debate is heating up after Puerto Rican Day festivities spilled into a late-night street takeover, with police reporting an arrest, tickets, and towed vehicles, while neighbors say it was a celebration that turned dangerous. Sports & Puerto Rico Connections: A private Gulfstream jet crash in the Dominican Republic killed two U.S. pilots while the plane was reportedly en route to pick up former MLB star Yadier Molina in Texas to return to Puerto Rico. International Spotlight: Puerto Rico’s Angelis Sanchez earned first runner-up at the Top Model of the World contest, continuing Mutya ng Pilipinas’ strong post-pandemic streak. Earthquake Reminder: A magnitude 6.1 quake near Cuba was felt across Florida, underscoring how Caribbean seismic activity can reach Puerto Rico’s region.

Aviation Tragedy: St. Louis Cardinals legend Yadier Molina said a private Gulfstream G200 jet headed to Austin to pick him up and take him and family to Puerto Rico crashed in the Dominican Republic, killing the two U.S. pilots aboard; officials say the crew declared an emergency shortly after takeoff from La Romana and the plane burst into flames during an attempted emergency landing, with an investigation underway. Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.1 quake near Cuba sent tremors across Florida and the Gulf Coast; the U.S. tsunami center reported no significant tsunami threat, though a small possibility near the epicenter was noted. Local Economy/Travel: Henderson Park completed its acquisition of the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Puerto Rico via a joint venture with Pyramid Global Hospitality, with Pyramid set to operate the 579-room resort. Public Health Research: Institut Pasteur launched ACT-CHIK, a €15.3 million, four-year project to advance a chikungunya vaccine through large-scale trials in four African countries. Sports & Culture: Bad Bunny kicked off his European tour in Barcelona, with the Madrid residency continuing through mid-June and featuring surprise guests. Policy & Youth Protection: Multistate attorneys general, including Hawaiʻi’s Anne Lopez, urged Formula 1 to end tobacco and nicotine sponsorships, including nicotine pouches. Community & Heritage: Puerto Rico approved an import rule this month requiring a lameness exam for all imported racing-age horses, with advocates warning about possible loopholes.

Puerto Rico Basketball: Puerto Rico’s U18 run at the FIBA AmeriCup ended with a tough bronze-game loss. Brazil beat the Puerto Rico team 83–77 for third place, while Canada captured the gold by edging the United States 67–65. Sports Spotlight: Canada’s Javion Tyndale was named MVP after leading the title win, and Puerto Rico’s Felipe Quiñones made the All-Star Five. Aviation Tragedy: Two American pilots were killed after a US-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed during an emergency landing attempt at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic; the jet was reportedly bound for Texas to pick up Yadier Molina and his family, with the aircraft registered to a San Juan-based company. Health Watch: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is urging Puerto Rico residents with Medicare to watch for suspicious calls, review benefit notices for odd charges, and report suspected fraud to local Senior Medicare Patrol resources. Community & Culture: Puerto Rican heritage celebrations continued abroad, including the Fiesta Puerto Rico Parade & Festival in Milwaukee, where Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez was named grand marshal for 2026.

Puerto Rico in World Cup spotlight: Saudi Arabia beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in a weather-interrupted friendly at Q2 Stadium, with thunderstorms and lightning halting play for nearly two hours; the match was Saudi’s first win under new coach Georgios Donis ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Local sports growth: Puerto Rico will host the Borinquen Smoke Out, a major pro women’s softball showcase bringing the Puerto Rico National Team (ranked No. 3) against the Atlanta Smoke, with plans that include the first official Professional Softball League series on the island. Travel and access: Southwest Airlines launched nonstop service from Indianapolis to San Juan on June 6 and added another route from Columbus, Ohio, boosting seats and expected passenger arrivals. Community culture: The 2026 Fiesta Puerto Rico Parade & Festival drew crowds in Milwaukee’s south side, celebrating Puerto Rican heritage with bomba, floats and dancers. Health/industry note: Eli Lilly reported new findings on Foundayo (orforglipron) showing significant weight loss in women across menopause stages.

World Cup Prep in Austin: Saudi Arabia beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in a friendly at Q2 Stadium, but the match was delayed nearly two hours after thunderstorms and lightning forced players and fans to shelter, with play restarting after repeated safety pauses. Local Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rico is set to host the Borinquen Smoke Out, bringing the No. 3 Puerto Rico National Softball Team to face the Atlanta Smoke, with the event also paving the way for the first official Professional Softball League series on the island. Air Travel Boost: Southwest launched nonstop service from Indianapolis to San Juan and added Columbus, Ohio routes, with Puerto Rico Tourism Company projecting about $2.3 million in economic impact and roughly 3,130 more passenger arrivals. Congressional Funding: Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández says the U.S. House approved FY 2027 funding that includes support for PAN nutrition assistance and community projects across Puerto Rico. Business & Jobs: The CUD criticized the sudden departure of DDEC secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard, saying the private sector now needs continuity and stability.

World Cup Weather Disruption: Saudi Arabia beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in a friendly at Q2 Stadium in Austin, but the match was paused for nearly two hours after lightning and thunderstorms forced players and fans to shelter, with play resuming only after safety delays. Local Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rico is set to host the Borinquen Smoke Out, a major showcase for professional women’s softball featuring the No. 3 Puerto Rico National Softball Team against the Atlanta Smoke, with an upcoming first official Professional Softball League series on the island. Tourism & Travel: Southwest Airlines announced new Puerto Rico routes from Indianapolis and Columbus, boosting air connectivity and expected passenger arrivals. Congress & Community Funding: Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner said the U.S. House approved FY 2027 funding that includes PAN nutrition support and community projects, including landfill remediation in Hormigueros. Business & Jobs: Sobao opened its fifth Puerto Rico location in Guaynabo, investing over $300,000 and creating 25 jobs. Healthcare Expansion: Alivia Health launched a specialized home infusion nursing network to expand IV therapy access outside hospitals.

Puerto Rico Business & Inflation: Made in Puerto Rico named Pedro Rosaly as its new president and CEO, aiming to turn the group into a broader “movement” for local workers and entrepreneurs while expanding training, collaboration, and international market push. Sports—Saudi vs. Puerto Rico: Saudi Arabia beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in a friendly at Q2 Stadium in Austin after severe weather delayed play for nearly two hours; the Green Falcons’ new coach Georgios Donis earned his first win. Local Law—Noncompetes: The Puerto Rico Supreme Court clarified how non-compete and exclusivity clauses can stay enforceable in independent contractor deals after a valid contract assignment. Health Care at Home: Alivia Health launched a specialized nursing network to strengthen home infusion services, coordinating medication dispensing and monitoring to reduce repeat ER visits. Tourism & Safety: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company rolled out SwimSafe P.R. 2.0 with new tech and real-time water-safety info for beaches and waterways. Tech & Rewards: T-Mobile Puerto Rico marked 10 years of T-Mobile Tuesdays with expanded member benefits and major brand redemptions.

National Guard Surge in D.C.: The number of National Guard troops patrolling Washington, D.C. jumped to about 3,450, up from roughly 2,500 weeks ago, as the administration pushes its “DC Safe and Beautiful” mission and expands federal enforcement presence. Consumer Protection Watch: Puerto Rico’s consumer affairs agency says it’s been monitoring supermarket complaints about allegedly altered expiration dates and damaged goods, and so far found no irregularities. Water Safety Push: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company rolled out SwimSafe P.R. 2.0 with new tech and real-time info to help residents and visitors make safer choices in beaches and waterways. Hospital Upgrade in Mayagüez: The municipality of Mayagüez is investing $6.2M to renovate San Antonio Hospital, including patient rooms and operating areas, to strengthen specialized care in western Puerto Rico. Sports—Puerto Rico on the Pitch: Puerto Rico advanced in FIBA U19 World Cup qualification after beating Brazil in the U18 AmeriCup, setting up a quarterfinal vs Argentina. Business—Resort Deal: Henderson Park and Pyramid Global Hospitality acquired the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Río Grande for $190M, planning capital improvements.

Puerto Rico Reconstruction Watch: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera pressed FEMA over years-long delays, saying nearly $24B in Hurricane Maria reconstruction funds remain undisbursed and warning projects could drag until 2051 if pace doesn’t change. Energy & Power Politics: PREPA bondholders appealed a court order blocking their push to dismiss bankruptcy or appoint a receiver, arguing the fight is headed to the First Circuit. Local Business & Tech: Liberty Business says it’s expanding beyond connectivity with cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, and AI solutions for Puerto Rico companies. Sports (Puerto Rico in the spotlight): Canada set FIBA U18 AmeriCup records in a 101-48 win over Puerto Rico, including 77 rebounds and 33 offensive boards. Environment: The Detroit Zoo shipped 6,855 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Río Encantado in Manatí as part of a long-running reintroduction effort. Travel & Tourism: Southwest announced a new Columbus-to-San Juan nonstop starting Feb. 13, 2027.

Military Health Update: Fort Buchanan’s Rodriguez Army Health Clinic is rolling out “Sword Thrive,” a home-based rehab program using motion-tracking tech, AI guidance, and remote therapist monitoring to help Soldiers recover on their own schedules and return to duty faster. Puerto Rico Business & Tech: Liberty Business says it’s expanding beyond connectivity with tailored cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, and AI solutions for local industries. Tourism & Hospitality: Henderson Park completed its acquisition of Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Río Grande, Puerto Rico, with Pyramid Global Hospitality set to operate the resort. Aviation Disruption: A Frontier flight from San Juan to Chicago was diverted to Miami after a passenger allegedly tried to open an emergency door, choked an off-duty flight attendant, and forced crew intervention. Local Culture Spotlight: Aisling Seberry was appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, signaling continued investment in Caribbean hospitality. Sports/Entertainment: Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico connection keeps popping up in major coverage, including a story about fans and ticket chaos ahead of his shows.