AGP Executive Report

Food Safety Recall: De Todito mixed chip snacks with pork cracklings made in Colombia are being recalled again in the U.S. because Colombia isn’t eligible to export meat products to the country; no illnesses reported. Tourism Awards: Visit College Station (Texas) won two Destination Excellence Awards for its “Learn Why You’ll Love It Here” leisure campaign and Best Sports Tourism promotion. Cruise Watch: Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class fourth ship, Hero of the Seas, has floated out in Finland, with a 2027 debut and a Caribbean route that includes Roatán (Honduras). Trade & Tourism Links: Honduras and the Dominican Republic met at CABEI to expand trade, investment, and tourism infrastructure cooperation. Community & Rights: U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres urged the Honduran government to protect Garífuna families and uphold their rights. Immigration Pressure on Travel Flows: TPS for Salvadorans is in limbo/ending soon, with major impacts on work authorization—an issue that can ripple into hospitality staffing and regional travel economies.

Cruise & Tourism: Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class ship Hero of the Seas has officially “floated out” in Finland, with a debut planned for August 2027 from PortMiami. The ship is set for a 7-night Eastern/Western Caribbean run that includes a call at Roatán, Honduras, plus stops in Cozumel and Perfect Day CocoCay. Trade & Travel Infrastructure: Honduras and the Dominican Republic are pushing closer ties at a CABEI business forum, with tourism infrastructure investment and logistics improvements on the agenda. Regional Travel Context: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a Latin America tour (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) focused on deeper commercial relationships and security cooperation—an indirect signal for how regional stability and connectivity may shape travel planning. Immigration Pressure (US-based travelers & diaspora): TPS for about 200,000 Salvadorans is in limbo as deadlines near, with knock-on effects for work authorization and community stability.

Immigration & Work Permits: USCIS says Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador will not be renewed, meaning about 170,000 Salvadorans in the U.S. lose work authorization and face possible deportation starting Sept. 9—an issue that also hits travel-adjacent industries like hospitality. Regional Trade & Tourism: Honduras and the Dominican Republic used a CABEI business forum to push expanded trade, investment, and tourism infrastructure partnerships. Cruise Tourism: Royal Caribbean floated its fourth Icon-class ship, “Hero of the Seas,” with a 2027 Caribbean itinerary that includes Roatán, Honduras. Border Enforcement Impact: A report says the U.S. is hiring contractors to pursue unpaid deportation-related fines from people removed to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala—raising concerns for travelers and families connected to the region. Tourism Safety Context: Separate coverage highlights how TPS changes ripple through communities across the Americas, underscoring how policy shifts can affect who can work, travel, and plan long-term.

TPS Deadline for El Salvadorans: Temporary Protected Status for about 200,000 Salvadorans in the U.S. is in limbo as a key deadline nears, with protections set to expire unless Homeland Security acts—an issue that also echoes past TPS endings that included Honduras. US Deportation Collections Abroad: The U.S. is hiring contractors to pursue unpaid deportation-related fines from people removed from the U.S., including cases tied to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala—raising big questions for travelers and families trying to plan ahead. Honduras Land Rights Under Pressure: UN experts urged Honduras to halt evictions of peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities under a new agro-industrial and energy law, warning it could block legal challenges and threaten food security—an important watch for rural tourism and community-based travel. Caribbean Cruise Demand (Roatan, Honduras): Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class ship “Hero of the Seas” is set to sail from PortMiami on Caribbean routes that include Roatán, keeping Honduras on the cruise map. Latin America Travel Politics: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio begins a Colombia-Ecuador-Peru tour aimed at boosting pro-U.S. governments, with Honduras repeatedly cited as part of the region’s shifting political landscape.

U.S.-Honduras Migration & Travel Impact: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is hiring contractors to chase unpaid deportee fines totaling about $423 million, including targets in Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala—raising fresh uncertainty for travelers and families tied to migration cases. Latin America Diplomacy (Tourism Angle): U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicks off a three-country tour (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) to deepen cooperation with Trump-aligned governments, with Colombia’s earthquake recovery and regional security on the agenda. Cruise & Honduras Port News: Royal Caribbean’s new Icon-class ship Hero of the Seas is set to debut in 2027 and will include a stop in Roatán, Honduras on a 7-night Eastern/Western Caribbean itinerary. Honduras Land Rights Under Scrutiny: UN experts urge Honduras to halt evictions of peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities under a decree tied to energy, tourism, and agro-industrial projects—an issue that could affect local access and development. Green Card Lottery Update: Honduras is listed as excluded from the DV-2026 U.S. Green Card Diversity Visa program. Local Culture Spotlight: A travel memoir and food story highlights Garífuna soup roots across the region, including Honduras—good inspiration for heritage-minded visitors.

Cruise & Caribbean Travel: Royal Caribbean floated out its fourth Icon-class ship, Hero of the Seas, in Finland, with a 2027 debut and a seven-night Eastern/Western Caribbean route that includes Roatán, Honduras (PortMiami to Perfect Day CocoCay, plus Cozumel and other Caribbean stops). Honduras Tourism & Community Rights: UN experts urged Honduras to halt evictions of peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities under Decree 107-2026, warning the law could enable land grabs tied to agro-industrial, energy, and tourism projects without proper consultation. Travel Safety & Entry Issues: A Panamanian merchant marine officer says Honduran immigration detained her in inhumane conditions at San Pedro Sula, delaying her boarding for a Roatán cruise; she was later released after diplomatic intervention. Regional Travel Context: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a Latin America tour starting in Colombia, signaling deeper cooperation on security and commerce across the region.

Human Rights & Land: UN experts urged Honduras to immediately halt evictions of peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities under Decree No. 107-2026, warning the law could enable dispossession without proper agrarian review or free, prior, and informed consultation—highlighting impacts on food security and citing an eviction affecting the Garífuna community in San Juan, Tela. Tourism & Nature: Honduras’ “Green Island” is being promoted for secluded beaches, lush forest scenery, and world-class fishing and snorkeling—another reminder of the Bay Islands’ pull for travelers seeking quieter coastal time. Travel Logistics (Cruises): A Panamanian merchant marine officer says Honduran immigration denied her entry at San Pedro Sula, leaving her confined for days and causing her cruise ship boarding to be missed; Panama’s foreign affairs and maritime authorities intervened and secured her release. Regional Context for Travelers: The U.S. updated its “Do Not Travel” advisory for Ukraine ahead of Rosh Hashanah travel surges, and flight disruptions are reported—useful for anyone planning international connections.

Human Rights & Land: UN experts are urging Honduras to immediately halt evictions of peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities under Decree 107-2026, warning the law could enable dispossession tied to agro-industrial, energy, and tourism projects without proper agrarian review or free, prior, and informed consultation. Garifuna Spotlight: The experts also condemned a July 6 eviction affecting the Garífuna community of San Juan in Tela, saying it threatens communities’ right to food and access to productive land. Cruise Travel Disruption (Regional): A Panamanian merchant marine officer says Honduran immigration detained her inhumane conditions at San Pedro Sula after denying entry over a missing stamp; Panama says she was released after diplomatic intervention, and the cruise ship sailed without her. Tourism Watch (Bay Islands): A travel feature highlights Guanaja in Honduras’ Bay Islands as a lesser-known reef-and-jungle getaway, with access via Roatán and water taxis.

UN Human Rights Pressure on Honduras: UN experts urged Honduras to immediately halt more than 1,000 eviction orders tied to Decree 107-2026, saying the law could enable land grabs for agro-industry, energy, livestock, and tourism without proper agrarian review or free, prior, and informed consultation—while warning it threatens communities’ right to food, including a July 6 eviction affecting the Garífuna community in San Juan, Tela. Cruise Travel Watch: A Panamanian merchant marine officer says Honduran immigration detained her for days at San Pedro Sula after denying entry over an alleged missing stamp, delaying her boarding of the Carnival Paradise cruise to Roatán; Panama’s foreign affairs and maritime authorities intervened and she was released. Honduras Travel Spotlight: Guanaja in the Bay Islands is being pitched as a quieter alternative near Roatán, with beaches, jungles, and reef snorkeling tied to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Tourism Safety Context: The U.S. State Department renewed a “Do Not Travel” Level 4 advisory for Ukraine ahead of major September 11 gatherings, with flight disruptions also reported.

UN Human Rights Pressure on Honduras: UN experts urged Honduras to immediately halt evictions of peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities under Decree No. 107-2026, warning the law could enable dispossession without proper agrarian review or free, prior, and informed consultation, and citing evictions including a July 6 operation affecting the Garífuna community of San Juan in Tela. Cruise Travel Disruption at Roatán: Panama’s merchant marine officer Alisson Castañeda Aguilar says Honduran immigration detained her incommunicado at San Pedro Sula, denied entry over an alleged missing stamp, and left her unable to board the Carnival Paradise cruise—prompting diplomatic intervention and her release. Tourism Spotlight—Guanaja: A travel feature highlights Guanaja in Honduras’ Bay Islands as a less-crowded alternative near Roatán, pitching secluded beaches, mangroves, jungle hikes, and world-class fishing and snorkeling tied to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Local Community & Culture: A Honduras Garífuna land-rights story describes protests and an encampment at the Supreme Court demanding release of human rights defenders and compliance with international rulings on ancestral territories.

Human Rights & Land Access: UN experts say Honduras must immediately halt mass evictions tied to Decree No. 107-2026, warning over 1,000 eviction orders could displace peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities— including the Garifuna community of San Juan in Tela, where an eviction was carried out July 6. Cruise Travel Disruption: A Panamanian merchant marine officer, Alisson Castañeda Aguilar, says Honduran immigration detained her inhumane and incommunicado at San Pedro Sula, blocking her entry before a Roatán cruise departure; Panama’s authorities intervened and confirmed her release. Beach & Nature Tourism Spotlight: “Green Island” (Guanaja, Bay Islands) is being pitched as a secluded escape for beaches, lush forest scenery, and top-tier fishing and snorkeling—typically reached via Roatán plus ferry or water taxi. Community Tourism & Service: Nursing students from Oklahoma Christian University completed a week-long mission trip in Honduras, working alongside local healthcare professionals in multiple cities and towns. Travel Safety Context: The U.S. State Department renewed a “Do Not Travel” Level 4 warning for Ukraine ahead of large September 11 pilgrimages, underscoring how security advisories can quickly affect travel plans.

Bay Islands Travel Spotlight: Guanaja is being pitched as a “Green Island” escape just a short hop from Miami, with secluded beaches, dense jungle, mangroves, and top-tier fishing and snorkeling tied to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—access typically starts via Roatán’s Juan Manuel Gálvez airport plus ferry or water taxi around the cays. Land Rights & Tourism Risk: UN experts say Honduras must halt mass evictions tied to Decree 107-2026, which they warn could displace peasant, Indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities and shift land toward agro-business, livestock, energy, and tourism—citing more than 1,000 eviction orders and concerns for food security. Cruise Industry Watch: Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled its largest ship yet, Norwegian Aura, with a major thermal spa and new dining concepts, plus a 2027 Europe-to-Miami itinerary that may shape regional cruise demand. Cruise Passenger Incident: Panama says a merchant marine officer was detained in Honduras inhumane conditions and missed a Carnival cruise boarding after entry was denied, with diplomatic steps leading to her release. Health & Missions: Nursing students from Oklahoma Christian University completed a week-long Honduras mission trip supporting local healthcare professionals in multiple towns.

Land Rights & Tourism Impact: UN experts say Honduras must immediately halt mass evictions of peasant, Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities under Decree 107-2026, which they warn is being used to clear land for large-scale agri-business, livestock, energy and tourism—citing more than 1,000 eviction orders by July and warning they’re “easy to execute, and almost impossible to reverse.” Cruise Travel Disruption: A Panamanian merchant marine officer, Alisson Castañeda, says Honduran immigration detained her in inhumane conditions and denied entry at San Pedro Sula, causing her to miss a Carnival Paradise sailing to Roatán; Panama says it intervened and secured her release. Honduras in the Spotlight: Garifuna groups protest land seizures and criminalization, including an eviction operation in San Juan, Tela that led to arrests—calling for compliance with Inter-American Court territorial rulings. Community & Care: A Catholic safe home in Honduras (Asociación Hogar Nazareth) is highlighted through New York-area outreach by bilingual singer-songwriter Marisel Rodriguez, supporting children and adults with disabilities. Travel-Adjacent Culture: A Honduras-themed nursing mission trip is reported, with students serving alongside Honduran healthcare professionals in multiple towns.

Immigration & Travel Disruption: A Panamanian merchant marine officer, Alisson Castañeda Aguilar, says Honduran immigration detained her inhumane and incommunicado at San Pedro Sula, then denied entry over an alleged missing stamp—leaving her unable to board the Carnival Paradise in Roatán. Cruise & Connectivity: Spanish carrier Iberojet is quietly expanding its transatlantic network, with new El Salvador service planned from September 2026 (Barcelona and Madrid), a sign of more options for regional travelers. Tourism-Adjacent Culture: A Catholic safe home in Comayagua, Hogar Nazareth, is highlighted through outreach by bilingual singer-songwriter Marisel Rodriguez, spotlighting mission work that brings visitors and donors into Honduras’ community story. Health & Community Service: Oklahoma Christian University nursing students completed a week-long mission trip in Honduras, working alongside local healthcare professionals in multiple cities. Indigenous Rights & Travel Safety Lens: Garifuna groups protest land seizures and criminalization at Honduras’ Supreme Court, underscoring how legal and security tensions can affect travel plans and community access.

Immigration Detention at San Pedro Sula: A Panamanian merchant marine officer, Alisson Castañeda Aguilar, was released after Honduras immigration authorities allegedly held her incommunicado and denied basic needs while she was trying to travel to Roatán for a Carnival cruise. Panama’s foreign affairs and maritime authorities say diplomatic protocols were activated and the case will be monitored. Cruise Travel Watch: Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled Norwegian Aura, its newest and largest ship, built around relaxation and a major thermal spa lineup, with early itineraries including a Mediterranean run and a transatlantic sailing to Miami. Honduras in the News Abroad: A Honduran man extradited from Honduras to Philadelphia faces charges tied to the 2000 rape and murder of 5-year-old Iriana DeJesus—another reminder that travel can intersect with international legal cases. Tourism Safety Angle: A separate report flags how cruise stops can disappoint or pose risks, urging travelers to plan excursions carefully rather than defaulting to port time. Community & Service: Nursing students from Oklahoma Christian University completed a week-long mission trip in Honduras, working alongside local healthcare professionals in multiple towns.

Honduras–Dominican Republic Diplomacy: President Nasry Asfura and President Luis Abinader agreed to deepen cooperation after Asfura’s official visit, with talks covering trade, investment, connectivity, tourism, culture, agriculture, and regional issues like security and migration—plus tourism know-how as Honduras prepares for the 2029 Central American and Caribbean Games. Honduras Culture & Care: A bilingual singer-songwriter is helping raise awareness and support for Asociación Hogar Nazareth in Comayagua, a Catholic safe home for children and adults with disabilities facing abandonment, neglect, or abuse. Garifuna Land Rights: Garifuna groups say Honduras is pushing land seizures and criminalization, with an encampment at the Supreme Court demanding the release of five human rights defenders and compliance with Inter-American rulings on ancestral territories. Travel Reality Check: A roundup flags nine cruise ports travelers may want to skip, using U.S. travel advisories and traveler feedback—useful for anyone planning Caribbean stops near Honduras. Honduras in the Spotlight: A Honduran footballer, Keyrol Figueroa, linked to the national team, is sent on loan to Port Vale, a reminder of how Honduras talent keeps showing up abroad.