AGP Executive Report

Press Freedom & Safety: Court rulings let journalists targeted in the José Rubén Zamora case return from exile, but they say the pressures that pushed them out may still be operating. Public Health: WHO warns measles is surging globally in 2026 as vaccination rates fall; experts stress prevention and the higher risks for undernourished people. Vector-Borne Disease: Florida confirms a locally acquired dengue case in Orange County and reports 40+ statewide locally acquired cases so far in 2026, with many travel-linked exposures including Guatemala. Community Health & Access: A Guatemalan-Maya Center-backed event in Florida highlights health initiatives for Maya refugees and immigrant families. Healthcare & Caregiving: A Guatemala City hospital visit for a child’s eye surgery brought faith-based comfort and support materials to help families cope. Health Systems & Equity: Dole’s Harvesting Dreams program selected projects for implementation including healthcare and education efforts in Guatemala. Health & Justice: A Florida operation recovered 163 missing minors over five days, underscoring the need for rapid care and protection for vulnerable children.

Immigration Detention Health & Safety: A Chinese man in the U.S. Northern Mariana Islands was found dead hours after being booked into immigration detention; ICE says he was taken to an emergency room and life-sustaining care began, but the cause of death is still under investigation, and DHS declined to confirm whether a required health screening happened. Community Health Through Care Access: Dole’s employee-led “Harvesting Dreams” program selected seven projects for 2025–26, including initiatives in Guatemala aimed at improving education, healthcare, and resource protection. Regional Pediatric Care Loss: World Pediatrics Belize country director Milagro Garel died after a brain aneurysm and weeks of intensive care in Guatemala, highlighting how cross-border medical access can be lifesaving. Public Health Capacity Building: PAHO/WHO and partners trained labs across Central America, including Guatemala, on bioinformatics for genomic surveillance to better interpret pathogen data and guide outbreak response. Health-Adjacent Human Impact: A Florida operation recovered 163 missing minors, underscoring the need for child protection and rapid medical/social support when trafficking and abuse are suspected.

Child Safety & Immigration Enforcement: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing minors across a five-day sting, with the youngest just 2 months old, as authorities vowed to pursue predators and prosecute abusers. Public Health Capacity Building: PAHO/WHO and partners ran a regional bioinformatics course in Panama to strengthen genomic surveillance skills for labs across human and animal health, including Guatemala. Regional Health Leadership Loss: World Pediatrics Belize Country Director Milagro Garel died after a ruptured brain aneurysm and weeks of ICU care in Guatemala, highlighting cross-border pediatric care gaps. Guatemala-linked Tragedy & Legal Fallout: A Guatemalan woman in New Jersey faces charges after an alleged crash killed a 9-month-old boy; ICE detainers were filed as the case moves through the justice system. Community Health Outreach: Liberty University public health faculty and students conducted clinics and screenings in Guatemala and El Salvador, working with local church partners to identify priority needs in underserved areas. Health & Wellness in Practice: A Guatemala-to-the-world prosthetics effort (sparked by a visit to Guatemala) earned international finalist status for a health-and-healing award, reflecting ongoing rehabilitation support needs.

Immigration & Health Access: The U.S. ended a January pause on immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries after a court order, with the Department of State saying visa interviews and processing can resume under existing rules. Public Health & Care in Guatemala: A Liberty University public health team returned from community health assessments and preventive screenings in Jutiapa, Guatemala, working with local church partners and aiming to cover all Guatemala departments over time. Community Health Partnerships: Maryknoll Affiliates in Guatemala continue “Caminando Por La Paz,” supporting health promoters and an HIV/AIDS project in Pajapita, while relying on local fundraising and volunteer work. Regional Health Cooperation: Belize strengthened agricultural disease surveillance and hosted a fruit fly meeting, including progress tied to its long-running Medfly control program. Medical Outreach Leadership: Dr. Omair Ali was named director of global and community outreach at UAMS Jones Eye Institute, expanding mobile eye screening and cataract access efforts that include international trips. Safety & Injury Risk: A loose tire crash on New Jersey’s Route 1 sent a driver to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center with serious injuries, underscoring road safety risks.

Community Health in Guatemala: Liberty University public health professors and students joined local partners for clinics and screenings in Jutiapa, Guatemala, aiming to map priority needs across underserved areas. Maternal Health & Access: A Guatemalan-born mother detained by ICE in Nashville was released after nearly three months and reunited with her daughters, with attorneys citing health complications and nursing status. Public Health Outreach: Another report highlights a public health trip bringing physical and spiritual care to communities in Guatemala and El Salvador through on-the-ground clinics. Healthcare Leadership: Dr. Omair Ali was named director of global and community outreach at UAMS Jones Eye Institute, expanding mobile eye screenings and cataract access, including work in Guatemala and beyond. Health & Wellness Abroad (Guatemala link): Barbados athletes returned to Guatemala after winning multiple golds at the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, underscoring the region’s growing wellness sports scene. Travel & Wellness: A travel guide spotlights Guatemala as a budget-friendly destination for intentional, low-cost itineraries.

Global Health Access: Dr. Omair Ali was named director of global and community outreach at UAMS Jones Eye Institute, with plans to expand free eye exams for children and cataract support for underserved communities. Immigration & Health Impacts: A Guatemalan-born mother detained by ICE in Nashville was released after nearly three months and reunited with her daughters, raising concerns about detention of nursing parents and missed medical care. Public Health & Safety Messaging: A fact-check says there’s no evidence linking illegal immigration to measles outbreaks, despite claims by a Florida politician—while vaccination coverage remains a key concern. Regional Health Cooperation: Belize and Honduras moved to deepen collaboration, including medical education and training pathways for healthcare workers. Health in Guatemala (Radiation Safety): U.S. officials report removal of a high-risk cobalt-60 source from a Guatemala facility to reduce “dirty bomb” risk, noting the material’s medical use in cancer treatment. Community Care in Guatemala: A mission team in rural Guatemala distributed food kits, water filters, and installed a stove to improve household health, alongside a vacation Bible school for children. Disease Surveillance for Food Security: Guatemala and regional partners agreed to strengthen agricultural disease monitoring and response at borders and ports, including threats like avian influenza and African swine fever.

Radiation Safety: U.S. officials say they removed a high-risk cobalt-60 source from a medical radiation device in Guatemala, reducing “dirty bomb” risk and citing support from Guatemala’s energy and radioactive-waste authorities. Public Health & Access: A Guatemala-linked mission report describes distributing food kits, water filters, and installing stoves in a rural community, aiming to improve nutrition and reduce indoor smoke exposure while running a children’s health-focused vacation Bible school. Regional Health Cooperation: Belize and Honduras discussed health workforce collaboration, including medical education and training exchanges, as part of broader regional cooperation. Agricultural Health (Food Security): Guatemala hosted talks with Belize and other neighbors to strengthen cross-border surveillance for threats like African Swine Fever and avian influenza, with added focus on border, port, and airport prevention.

Radiation Safety: U.S. officials removed a cobalt-60 cancer-treatment source from a disused medical device in Guatemala, moving it to secure storage in the U.S. to reduce “dirty bomb” risk. Public Health & Environment: A Guatemala-based project with U.S. researchers is training rural communities to cut plastic burning and improve waste handling, linking plastic reduction to better health for women and children. Regional Disease Control: Guatemala and partners including Belize, Mexico, and Honduras agreed to strengthen agricultural disease surveillance and standardized prevention at borders, ports, and airports. Food Security Pest Watch: Belize hosted a regional fruit fly meeting marking 25 years Medfly-free and 50 years of the wider Medfly program involving Guatemala and the U.S., with plans for 2027 work to protect export access. Community Health Support: A church mission team delivered food kits, water filters, and a stove to a rural Guatemala community, aiming to improve nutrition and reduce indoor smoke exposure. Healthcare Workforce Links: Belize and Honduras discussed medical education and training cooperation to help address regional shortages and expand internship opportunities for healthcare workers.

Radiation Safety: U.S. and Guatemalan teams removed a cobalt-60 source from a disused medical teletherapy device in Guatemala, moving it to secure storage in the U.S. to reduce “dirty bomb” risk. Maternal & Child Health: A nursing mother detained by ICE in Nashville was released after nearly three months, after advocates said she was breastfeeding and detained while taking her child to a doctor’s appointment. Public Health & Misinformation: Fact-checkers say there’s no evidence linking illegal immigration to measles outbreaks, despite claims by a Florida politician. Community Health Access: A mission team served rural Guatemala with food kits, water filters, and a stove to reduce indoor smoke exposure, alongside a vacation Bible school for children. Health System Cooperation: Belize and Honduras discussed medical education and training partnerships to help address regional healthcare workforce shortages. Environmental Health: A Guatemala project is training rural communities to cut plastic burning and improve waste practices, aiming to protect women and children’s health.

Radiation Safety in Guatemala: U.S. and Guatemalan teams removed a cobalt-60 source from a disused teletherapy device in Guatemala, moving it to secure U.S. storage to reduce “dirty bomb” risk. Maternal Health & Detention Scrutiny: A Guatemalan-born woman’s stillbirth case in ICE custody is back in the spotlight as U.S. documents reportedly suggest lack of prenatal care, contradicting DHS claims. Public Health Messaging Fact-Check: Florida politician Byron Donalds tied measles outbreaks to illegal immigration, but fact-checkers say there’s no evidence for that link. Community Health Access: A mission team in rural Guatemala delivered food kits, water filters, and a stove to reduce indoor smoke exposure, while running Vacation Bible School for children. Environmental Health & Plastic: An Ecolectivos project in Guatemala’s Santa María Xalapán trains rural communities to cut plastic burning and improve local cleanup, aiming to protect women and children’s health. Regional Agricultural Health: Guatemala City hosted OIRSA/CIRSA talks where countries agreed to strengthen surveillance for threats like avian influenza and African swine fever. Water & Food Security: Belize and Honduras discussed health workforce cooperation, including medical education and training exchanges.

Radiation Safety: The U.S. removed a cobalt-60 cancer-treatment source from a disused teletherapy device in Guatemala, moving it to secure storage to reduce “dirty bomb” risk. Maternal Health & Rights: A Guatemalan-born woman’s stillbirth in ICE custody is back in the spotlight as new documents raise questions about whether she received adequate prenatal care. Clean Water & Safer Cooking: A Guatemala community project delivered food kits, water filters, and stoves to reduce indoor smoke and improve household health. Plastic Pollution & Health: In Jalapa’s mountains, local women joined Ecolectivos workshops to cut plastic burning and waste, linking pollution to health risks for women and children. Primary Care Cooperation: Honduras joined PAHO’s Alliance for Primary Health Care, aiming to strengthen integrated primary health networks and workforce training. Health System Security: ICE-related reporting continues to fuel scrutiny after a nursing mother detained in Nashville was released after nearly three months. Food Safety Research: A Costa Rican silver-based fungicide showed promise against a strawberry pathogen, offering growers a potential new tool against crop-damaging disease.

Radioactive Cancer Care Security: The U.S. removed a cobalt-60 source from Guatemala after security concerns about a possible “dirty bomb” use, with Guatemalan teams helping transport it to secure storage. Maternal Health Accountability: A Guatemalan stillbirth case tied to U.S. ICE detention is back in focus as newly obtained U.S. documents reportedly point to gaps in prenatal care, challenging the administration’s earlier denial. Plastic Pollution & Health: In Jalapa’s El Duraznal, rural Xinca communities are using Ecolectivos workshops to cut plastic burning and waste, aiming to reduce health risks for women and children. Local Care Access: Docs for Hope continues running a hospital and clinic in one of Guatemala’s poorest areas, supported by long-running volunteer doctors. Primary Health Systems: Honduras joined PAHO’s Alliance for Primary Health Care, a regional move that could shape how neighboring countries strengthen primary care networks. Medical Supply Safety: Medtronic recalled absorbable surgical sutures due to possible sterile packaging damage, urging monitoring of patients already stitched.

Radioactive cancer-care security: U.S. officials removed a highly radioactive cobalt-60 source from a disused radiation device in Guatemala, moving it to secure storage in the U.S. after concerns it could be stolen and used in a “dirty bomb.” Maternal health dispute: New documents obtained in a stillbirth case involving an ICE detainee from Guatemala challenge the Trump administration’s claim that she received full prenatal care, pointing to “lack of PNC.” Primary care push: Honduras joined PAHO-led efforts to strengthen primary health care across the Americas, setting up a consultative roundtable to coordinate investments and integrated health networks. Medical mission spotlight: A Kamloops charity, Medicos en Accion, marked 25 years of surgical and hearing-care missions that include work in Guatemala. Hospital safety recall: Medtronic recalled 135,875 barbed surgical sutures after sterile packaging could be torn or perforated, with hospitals told to monitor patients already stitched. Immigration policy and health access: A U.S. court struck down a blanket immigrant visa suspension affecting 75 countries, including Guatemala, restoring case-by-case processing.

Medical Recall Watch: Medtronic/Covidien recalled 135,875 V-Loc 90 absorbable surgical sutures after reports of torn or perforated sterile packaging, urging hospitals to monitor patients already stitched for possible infection or vision issues. Cross-Border Health Access: Medicos en Accion marked 25 years of overseas medical missions, including ongoing surgical and hearing-care work in Guatemala. Public Health & Care in Detention: Lawmakers renewed pressure after reports tied to deaths and medical-care failures in ICE custody, highlighting concerns about staffing, medication delays, and facility-by-facility accountability. Community Health Support: A Guatemalan housing nonprofit, Home For A Home, announced a partnership with Westward360 to help fund new homes—supporting stability that can improve health outcomes. Health-Linked Humanitarian Resilience: Ukraine’s First Ladies and Gentlemen summit focused on resilience and mental health, sharing approaches countries use to protect families during crisis.

Medical Recall: Medtronic/Covidien recalled 135,875 V-Loc 90 absorbable surgical sutures because sterile packaging may be torn or perforated, and hospitals are told to monitor patients already stitched for infection or vision risks. Child Health & Safety: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing children (ages 2 months to 17) over five days, including cases involving abuse, neglect, exploitation and trafficking—raising urgent questions about care and protection for vulnerable kids. Guatemala in the Spotlight: A Trenton shooting victim identified as a man originally from Guatemala; the mayor says he’s coordinating with the Guatemalan consul to return remains. Health Workforce in Guatemala: PAHO backed strengthening nursing personnel and health workforce governance in Guatemala. Community Support: Westward360 partnered with Home For A Home to fund safe housing for families in Guatemala. Access to Care Abroad: A Kamloops charity, Medicos en Accion, marked 25 years of surgical and hearing-care missions that include Guatemala.

ICE Medical Accountability: Lawmakers and advocates are pressing ICE after reports that the agency stopped reporting immigrant deaths within 30 days of release, following cases tied to Delaney Hall in Newark and a Georgia detention where released patients died soon after hospitalization. Child Health & Safety: Florida’s “Operation Statewide Shield” recovered 163 missing children (ages 2 months to 17) across multiple regions and countries, with officials citing abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking risks. Guatemala Health Workforce: PAHO highlighted efforts to strengthen nursing personnel and health workforce governance in Guatemala, as the Americas also face rising measles cases. Global Medical Missions: Medicos en Accion marked 25 years of surgical and hearing-care missions, including ongoing hearing tests and aid support for children and adults in Guatemala. Mental Health & Resilience: Ukraine’s summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen focused on resilience and mental health, including a “shared language” approach to coping during crises. Drug Abuse as a Security Issue: Zimbabwe officials framed drug and substance abuse as a social and national security threat, calling for coordinated responses beyond health services. Community Support in Guatemala: Westward360 partnered with Home For A Home to fund safe housing for families in Guatemala.