AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rico Day in Delaware: Delaware officially recognized Puerto Rico Day with a new law and a flag-raising ceremony, reviving memories of past “gag law” restrictions on displaying the island’s flag. Maritime & trade: Water Spirit Freight Services resumed operations at San Juan’s Pier 14, restoring cargo links to St. Croix, St. Thomas and Tortola with updated sailing schedules. Education ties: The University of Louisiana Monroe signed an agreement with the University of Puerto Rico to expand academic cooperation, research, and student/faculty exchanges. Local business: Dunda Bakery opened in Bayamón after a $100,000 investment, creating several direct jobs and planning a grand opening June 20. Sports & culture: Puerto Rican heritage continues to ripple through U.S. celebrations, including Puerto Rican Day events in New York and a spotlight on Puerto Rican athletes and community pride.

Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC: The 69th National Puerto Rican Day Parade rolled down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue with pulsing music, vibrant colors, and big-name honorees, as tens of thousands packed the route for a full-on celebration of Boricua pride. Local Pride, Big Stage: Gov. Kathy Hochul marched in the parade, tying the day to New York’s shared sports energy after the Knicks’ title run. Public Safety Watch: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said officers worked through a “long and grueling night” after Knicks celebrations turned violent, with dozens of arrests and multiple stabbings reported. Puerto Rico Earthquakes: Three light earthquakes were recorded off the island’s northeast coast near Culebra, with minor shaking reported and no injuries or damage. Health Alert: A new study says Puerto Rico teen type 1 diabetes diagnoses more than doubled from 2009 to 2021 and stayed elevated through 2024.

Puerto Rico Tourism: The Puerto Rico Tourism Company says cruise passenger arrivals hit a new record, with 1,827,010 visitors in San Juan and Ponce by the end of May 2026—topping the prior high of 1,814,157. Immigration at Sea: CBP and the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a 30-foot boat near Desecheo Island carrying 40 migrants, with people from the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Uzbekistan apprehended. Flood Insurance Debate: A new analysis argues federal flood insurance creates “moral hazards” that protect wealthier homeowners while leaving low-income families underinsured and stuck in risky areas. Culture in Boston: La CASA, a $33 million arts and community hub in Boston’s South End run by Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, held its grand opening and opened a new performance space. Democracy Question: A report highlights how U.S. territories—including Puerto Rico—can vote in presidential primaries but not the general election, tied to the Insular Cases. Sports: Puerto Rico’s cruise boom and U.S. sports headlines also dominated the week, including a major Powerball update and World Cup coverage that referenced Puerto Rico’s national team.

Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC: The 69th Puerto Rican Day Parade rolls Sunday at 11 a.m. from Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, running 35 blocks to 79th Street, with Daddy Yankee as grand marshal and Dayanara Torres (queen) plus Anthony Ramos (king); Rep. Nydia Velázquez and Charlie Sepúlveda get lifetime achievement awards, and the theme is “Somos Más Que 100 x 35.” Humboldt Park Pride & history: Chicago’s Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade drew tens of thousands along West Division Street, honoring LGBTQ+ leaders and marking the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Division Street riots. Health watch: A new study presented in Chicago finds type 1 diabetes among Puerto Rican teens more than doubled from 2009 to 2021 and stayed elevated through 2024. Migration at sea: U.S. CBP and Coast Guard intercepted a disabled rustic vessel near Desecheo Island, Puerto Rico, and apprehended 40 migrants headed for the island. Disaster recovery push: U.S. Democratic lawmakers met with Puerto Rico mayors to press for faster hurricane and earthquake recovery, citing delays tied to DHS approval rules.

Water Crisis: Puerto Ricans are facing severe water shortages, with the governor activating the National Guard as residents in places like San Juan scramble for potable water, often relying on water trucks, laundromats, and hauling buckets—hitting the elderly and disabled hardest. Disaster Recovery Push: U.S. Democratic lawmakers say they’ll work to speed Puerto Rico’s hurricane and earthquake recovery, citing delays in reimbursements and project approvals that slow federal-funded rebuilding. Local Institutions: The University of Louisiana Monroe and the University of Puerto Rico signed an MOU to expand academic cooperation, research, and student/faculty exchanges. Community & Culture (NYC): Puerto Rican Heritage events are ramping up in New York ahead of Sunday’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade, with street closures on Fifth Avenue and Bronx festivities already underway. Sports (Puerto Rico ties): Puerto Rican volleyball standout Decelise Champion reclassified to join Wisconsin for the 2026 season, after competing with Puerto Rico’s senior national team.

Disaster Recovery Push: U.S. Democratic lawmakers met Puerto Rico mayors and promised to speed up hurricane and earthquake recovery, citing delays in reimbursements and project approvals that slow federal funding. AI Deepfake Protections: Broadcasters across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico backed the NO FAKES Act, urging Congress to create federal guardrails against unauthorized AI cloning of voices and on-air personalities. Local Infrastructure Funding: Puerto Rico’s Fiscal Control Board approved $7.29 million for permanent improvement projects in 17 municipalities, targeting infrastructure, economic development, health, and public safety. Public Safety & Courts: A child was found in Puerto Rico after a father allegedly took him from Pennsylvania and stopped communicating; the boy is in care while authorities work to reunite him with his mother. Sports Spotlight: Puerto Rican volleyball star Decelise Champion reclassified to join Wisconsin for the 2026 season, arriving after an Olympic qualifier. Culture & Community: Orlando marked 10 years since the Pulse nightclub attack with a community commemoration rooted in the Afro-Puerto Rican Baquiné tradition.

Water Crisis: Puerto Rico is facing severe water shortages, with the governor activating the National Guard as residents in major cities like San Juan report intermittent service and worsening outages; people are buying potable water, using laundromats, and hauling buckets, while officials say the cause hasn’t been publicly pinned down. Local Economy: San Juan is set to allocate $5 million to help create and expand businesses in priority sectors, using a “Business Concierge” to speed permits and incentives. Connectivity: Claro Puerto Rico won top marks from Opensignal, taking the best mobile coverage experience and first place for 5G video experience. Public Safety/Justice: Four defendants pleaded guilty in a Puerto Rico police sergeant murder case. Sports & Culture: Puerto Rico’s cruise tourism keeps climbing, and the island’s presence in international sports continues, including PR athletes competing in regional events.

Public Safety: The U.S. Coast Guard detained a stowaway and seized hundreds of kilos of cocaine aboard a barge off Puerto Rico’s north coast, transferring the suspect, drugs and a gun to Homeland Security. Local Culture: The Martinez Brothers will headline Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage in Central Park on June 13, right before the National Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend, with a Puerto Rican-descent lineup. Health & Infrastructure: Regional authorities inspected rehabilitation at Dr. José María Vargas Hospital and the Macuto Ana Teresa de Jesús Ponce Maternal and Child Hospital in La Guaira, with phased work aimed at speeding response and avoiding patient disruptions. Community & Service: Fort Buchanan marked the U.S. Army’s 251st Birthday on Noticentro al Amanecer, highlighting the installation’s long ties to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Tragedy: Influencer Michael Flores confirmed his 5-year-old niece died after a pool drowning in Salinas, and authorities are investigating. Travel & Business: Southwest announced new winter 2027 routes, including first-time service from Columbus to San Juan, adding more airlift into Puerto Rico.

Energy & Utilities: LUMA Energy asked Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau to pause two key determinations tied to PREPA’s bankruptcy—an hourly cap on external legal counsel and a blanket denial of FY2026 Title III cost recovery—arguing enforcement would disrupt ongoing legal and operational work. Local Governance & Water: San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo pushed back on PRASA executive Luis González Delgado after PRASA questioned an engineer’s role in the water crisis response, saying a technical committee agreement already addressed the issue. Economy & Cost of Living: Puerto Rico’s food and household spending fell as uncertainty weighed on budgets, with average monthly food spending down to $363 in 2026 and household product spending dropping 14%. Tourism: Puerto Rico set a new cruise passenger record in May, reaching 1,827,010 visitors across San Juan piers and the Port of Ponce. Sports: Puerto Rico opened the Davis Cup Americas Group III with a 3-0 win over Costa Rica, while Ponce’s Yahelis Muñoz tied the LPSF all-time home run record. Culture & Community: The Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV met Bad Bunny briefly in Madrid.

Puerto Rico Travel & Culture: A new list of standout Puerto Rico experiences spotlights classic beach time (Condado, Mar Chiquita, Survival Beach) plus island escapes like Culebra and Vieques. Public Safety & Health: The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 32 migrants to the Dominican Republic after intercepting an overloaded boat near Desecheo Island, west of Puerto Rico. Local Economy & Tourism: Southwest Airlines says it’s expanding service with new routes and more winter flights, including links to San Juan from Nashville and Liberia, Costa Rica. Science & Medicine: UTHealth Houston researchers report hidden systemic inflammation in primary ciliary dyskinesia patients and say an oral swab can detect it—pointing to more personalized care. Sports & Community: Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny’s Spain spotlight continues to ripple through major events, including a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Madrid. Disaster Watch: Two rare earthquakes near Cuba were felt in Southwest Florida, with USGS warning of possible aftershocks.

Pope Meets Bad Bunny (Madrid): The Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV held a brief private audience with Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny at the Bernabéu on June 8, with no public photos expected—sparking online political backlash and debate over faith, celebrity, and attention. Puerto Rico Health Alert: The Health Department confirmed an infant botulism case, saying treatment with BabyBIG was coordinated quickly after symptoms were reported. Local Water Fight: Coamo Mayor Juan Carlos García Padilla urged PRASA to reject connecting the Jacaranda housing development to the Toa Vaca system, warning it could strain water service for nearby communities. Senate Oversight: Puerto Rico’s Senate requested details on tax incentives and government communications tied to the Opus Miramar luxury project in San Juan’s Convention Center District. Consumer Pressure: A new MIDA study says Puerto Ricans are spending less and many are considering leaving the island, with some respondents reporting use of weight-loss (GLP-1) medications. Sports (Puerto Rico in the Mix): Venezuela beat the Dominican Republic in the U18 AmeriCup, and Puerto Rico is set to face Venezuela next.

Puerto Rico Economy & Taxes: The Puerto Rico Treasury reported a $15 million drop in corporate tax collections for fiscal year 2025, pointing to the end of COVID-era economic stimulus measures and timing shifts tied to new filing rules. Federal Aid & Recovery: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced more than $13 million in FEMA funds for reconstruction and recovery projects across Puerto Rico, including road, bridge, and PREPA emergency protection work. Energy Policy: A new Trump administration push announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and two new plants, a move critics call a subsidy while supporters say it strengthens grid reliability. Culture & Faith: Pope Leo XIV met Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny privately at Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium; the Vatican said no official photos are expected. Local Sports & Community: Puerto Rico’s 14U team advanced to the medal round after strong showings in the PONY Baseball Caribbean and Latin American Zone Championships in the Bahamas. Education & Tech: Puerto Rico was among the places represented in the inaugural Presidential AI Challenge, where students and educators were recognized for AI projects aimed at real community problems.

Lottery Watch: Powerball kept the jackpot rolling after no one matched all numbers in Monday’s drawing; the prize is now set to top $230M, with Wednesday’s next draw at 10:59 p.m. Caribbean Spotlight: A private Gulfstream G200 jet en route to pick up former MLB star Yadier Molina and his family crashed during an emergency landing in the Dominican Republic, killing two U.S. pilots; Molina said the flight was bound for Texas and linked to plans involving Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico Media Expansion: “La Tendencia de Molusco” is getting a U.S. syndication push through a strategic partnership between Sigma Audio Networks and WAPA Media, aiming to expand the show’s reach and advertising across the mainland. Sports & Culture: Ponce’s tourism momentum continues, with growth tied to expanded air access and cruise ship arrivals, including major stops like Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Local Entertainment: Bad Bunny’s Madrid crowd made headlines for a quiet, emotional gesture when he hugged a fan who brought flowers instead of filming.

Puerto Rico Culture & Identity: A Newington High School student won statewide recognition for a poem tying Puerto Rican heritage to environmental action, while another earned top honors for a comic strip warning about ocean pollution. TV & Entertainment: Telemundo set a July 7 premiere date for the final season of El Señor de los Cielos, ending Aurelio Casillas’ saga. Local Policy Watch: Puerto Rico approved a lameness exam for all imported racing-age horses, with advocates warning loopholes could weaken the rule. Sports & Community Ties: A private jet crash in the Dominican Republic killed two U.S. pilots while en route to pick up former MLB star Yadier Molina and his family for a trip that included Puerto Rico. Business & Tourism: Henderson Park completed its acquisition of the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve in Río Grande, Puerto Rico, in a deal pairing the resort with Pyramid Global Hospitality to run the property. Music: Álvaro Díaz announced his fall OMAKASE TOUR dates, including stops in Chicago, New York, Miami, and more.

Aviation Tragedy: A US-registered Gulfstream G200 crashed during an emergency landing attempt at La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic, killing two American pilots. The jet was reportedly headed to Austin, Texas to pick up Yadier Molina and his family before returning to Puerto Rico; Dominican aviation authorities say an investigation is underway. Puerto Rico in Sports: At the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in León, Mexico, Puerto Rico finished fourth after Brazil beat Puerto Rico 83–77 in the third-place game; Canada won gold over the U.S. 67–65, with Puerto Rican Felipe Quiñones named to the All-Star Five. Community & Culture: Milwaukee’s Fiesta Puerto Rico Parade & Festival drew thousands on Oklahoma Avenue and Humboldt Park, with Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day celebrations continuing across the city. Local Safety: Authorities are investigating the death of a minor after an incident at a swimming pool at Hacienda San Miguel in Salinas, where she was reportedly filming a music video. Health Watch: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week highlights steps for beneficiaries in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. to spot scams and report suspicious billing or calls.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight abroad: Pope Leo XIV’s Spain visit is drawing massive crowds, and he even joked that many young people would choose Puerto Rican pop star Bad Bunny over the papacy—while his own events still pull hundreds of thousands in Madrid. Sports & youth development: Puerto Rico’s U18 basketball team was eliminated by Canada in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup semifinals, setting up a Canada–USA final after both teams advanced undefeated. Weather and football: Saudi Arabia beat Puerto Rico 3-0 in a World Cup warm-up friendly that was paused nearly two hours due to thunderstorms and lightning. Community & culture: The Fiesta Puerto Rico Parade & Festival rolled through Milwaukee’s south side, celebrating Puerto Rican heritage and a 250-years-of-service theme. Local service and readiness: A Puerto Rico Air National Guard visit focused on mission conversions and operational challenges, with leaders saying firsthand observations guide funding decisions.