AGP Executive Report

Constitutional Court Action (Costa Rica): Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court accepted an appeal against logging permits for 748 trees in Playa Panamá, ordering an immediate stop to chopping and earthmoving while the case moves forward—an environmental win for coastal biodiversity. Sea Turtle Conservation (Panama): On World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), the Sea Turtle Conservancy launched “Tour de Turtles,” tracking ten endangered leatherbacks from Panama across the Caribbean using satellite telemetry, turning conservation into a real-time marathon. Blue Economy & Oceans (Regional): CDL and partners launched the Saving Glaciers and Oceans Alliance at the World Cities Summit 2026, with Panama among the represented countries, pushing cross-sector action on climate-driven sea-level risk. Marine Policy Cooperation (Caribbean): Curaçao’s delegation met in Panama at Parlatino to discuss sustainable energy, electric mobility, and battery recycling rules—highlighting how the clean-tech shift needs waste plans. Wildlife Health Threat (U.S., impacts for the region): New World screwworm detections keep rising in Texas, with quarantine zones and livestock movement limits expanding; officials stress rapid treatment and vigilance as warming weather helps the pest spread.

Wildlife Tracking From Panama: The Sea Turtle Conservancy launched its “Tour de Turtles” on World Sea Turtle Day, using satellite telemetry to track 10 endangered leatherbacks as they swim from Panama into the Caribbean—turning conservation into a real-time race fans can follow. Marine Protection & Governance: A Coiba-AIP Scientific Station update warns that Coiba’s UNESCO status is being tested as high-security inmates are reportedly transferred back to the island, raising alarms about impacts on the Coiba National Park ecosystem. Regional Energy & Waste: Curaçao joined Parlatino discussions in Panama on sustainable energy, electric mobility, and—crucially—how to manage and recycle electric-vehicle battery waste as adoption grows. Mining Pressure in Panama: Civil society groups urged Panama to permanently close the Canadian-owned Cobre Panamá mine, pointing to Supreme Court rulings and a mining moratorium while warning against reopening amid major investor-state disputes. Biosecurity Threat: New World screwworm continues spreading in North America, with U.S. officials rolling out sterile-fly releases and quarantines—an escalating risk for livestock and wildlife that also matters for Panama’s own regional biosecurity vigilance.

New World screwworm alert: The flesh-eating parasite is back in the U.S., with confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico, including livestock and a dog, prompting quarantines, movement controls, expanded surveillance, and sterile-fly releases—while officials warn that warming conditions could help it spread and that early reporting is key to protecting animals and livelihoods. Panama mine fight: Civil society groups are urging Panama to permanently close the Canadian-owned Cobre Panamá mine, pointing to a 2023 Supreme Court ruling and a moratorium, as President Mulino weighs next steps and critics warn reopening could trigger major legal and environmental fallout. Coiba prison controversy: Panama’s transfer of 29 high-risk gang leaders to Coiba Island has reignited debate over legal, penal, and environmental impacts on the UNESCO-protected site. Shipping and chokepoints: With Strait of Hormuz traffic near zero and Iran signaling “fees” rather than “tolls,” analysts warn that disruptions at key waterways ripple into global shipping capacity—an issue that also intersects with Panama Canal constraints and broader trade pressures. Panama Canal update: The canal has named Ilya Espino de Marotta as Administrator and set a reduced Neopanamax draft limit starting July 3.

Mine Closure Fight: Civil society groups are urging Panama to permanently close the Canadian-owned Cobre Panamá mine, warning that reopening would ignore a 2023 Supreme Court ruling and a national moratorium while facing major investor-state lawsuits. Digital Disinformation: A separate report describes a “digital offensive” aimed at pro-reopening activists, including coordinated fake accounts and paid social media ads targeting opponents of the mine. Coiba Prison Debate: Panama transferred 29 high-risk inmates to Coiba Island, reigniting arguments over security needs versus environmental risks to the UNESCO World Heritage site and concerns about legal and human-rights oversight. Wildlife Health Threat: The New World screwworm is spreading in the U.S. (Texas and New Mexico), raising alarms for livestock, pets, and wildlife—an issue that matters to Panama too given the parasite’s history in the region. Climate & Shipping Pressure: New reporting links global warming and geopolitical disruptions to worsening chokepoint congestion, including impacts on the Panama Canal’s capacity.

New World Screwworm Threat: U.S. officials say the flesh-eating parasite is spreading beyond Texas, with new detections in cattle, a goat, and a dog in New Mexico—prompting quarantine zones and sterile-fly releases as ranchers brace for major livestock and pet impacts. Panama Conservation & Security: Panama transferred 29 high-risk inmates to the Coiba Island detention center, a UNESCO World Heritage site and biodiversity hotspot, citing efforts to cut off gang coordination. Coral Bleaching Research: Scientists highlight how record marine heat waves are driving severe coral bleaching across the tropics, with new field work using unmanned tools to track reef survival and recovery. El Niño Pressure on Renewables (Region Watch): Costa Rica’s hydro-heavy power model is under strain as El Niño threatens rainfall drops, raising the stakes for climate resilience and energy planning. Wildlife in Focus (Panama): A spotlight on Panama’s coral snakes explains their secretive ecology and why they’re often misunderstood. Local Nature Curiosity: A feature on glass frogs’ transparent skin points to camouflage benefits in tropical forests.

Invasive Species & Livestock Risk: The New World screwworm is back in the U.S., with Texas detections expanding and a dog case reclassified to New Mexico—prompting quarantines and faster training for inspectors, while officials warn the parasite could drive up costs and threaten cattle and wildlife. Panama Security & Coiba: Panama transferred 29 high-risk inmates to the Coiba Island detention center, citing alleged criminal coordination from a more vulnerable facility—an effort to disrupt organized crime in a UNESCO World Heritage setting. Coral Heat Stress: Scientists highlight how El Niño-driven warming is worsening reef bleaching worldwide, with researchers searching for “super reefs” that might better withstand heat. Local Nature Spotlight: A new look at Panama’s coral snakes emphasizes their ecological role and why they’re often misunderstood. Energy Policy Watch (Regional): Costa Rica’s El Niño-linked rainfall drop is straining its hydro-heavy power system, while lawmakers debate breaking up the electricity monopoly—an issue with lessons for Panama’s own grid planning.

Marine Protection Milestone: Panama says it now protects over 54% of its marine territory, placing it among the world’s top performers and strengthening safeguards for turtles, mangroves, reefs, and seagrass. Climate Stress on Reefs: Scientists are searching for “super reefs” as global warming drives mass coral bleaching, with heat waves pushing reefs toward long-term decline. Wildlife Rescue Pressure: Fewer sea lion and seal rescues this season has experts worried it may be a lull before tougher conditions. El Niño Watch: Forecasters say El Niño is underway and could be “very strong,” raising risks of disruptive weather and major economic impacts. Invasive Pest Alert (Regional): The New World screwworm is spreading in the U.S., prompting sterile fly releases and new training/quarantine steps—an issue that also matters for animal health planning across the region. Local Governance/Power Market: Panama’s competition authority proposes separating electricity distribution and marketing to open the market and potentially reshape consumer costs.

Marine Conservation Milestone: Panama says it now protects over 54% of its marine territory, placing it among the world’s top performers for ocean protection and strengthening efforts for sea turtles, mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses. Wildlife Rescue Concern: Fewer sea lion and seal rescues this season has experts warning it may be the calm before a tougher period for marine wildlife. Invasive Pest & Livestock Risk: New World screwworm detections keep rising in Texas, with officials expanding quarantine zones and launching faster inspector training, while the FDA authorized emergency treatment for dogs and cats. Climate Pressure: Forecasters say El Niño is officially underway, with warnings it could be very strong and costly—raising flood and storm risks in some regions and broader economic disruption. Local Governance & Land Use: In Panama’s Herrera province, residents protested a new $177.2 million prison complex, arguing the area needs water, roads, education, and jobs first. Panama in the Spotlight: Team Panama has set up a World Cup base camp in Canada, with players noting the heat and humidity as part of their preparation.

New World screwworm response: U.S. officials say the New World screwworm could become a “billion-dollar” threat to cattle, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas to highlight the sterile-fly program while urging ranchers to watch herds and treat wounds fast; scientists also warn warming weather may help the pest spread. Emergency pet protections: Florida moved to block rescue dogs and cats from Texas and New Mexico after screwworm detections, adding strict intrastate import rules to protect livestock, pets, wildlife, and the agricultural economy. Panama’s conservation-relevant context: The outbreak’s history traces back to Central America, where cases have been reported beyond the traditional containment zone, underscoring how regional wildlife and livestock health can connect across borders. Local governance pressure: In Herrera, residents protested a new $177.2 million prison complex, arguing the area needs water, education, roads, and jobs first—an issue that can shape land use and environmental impacts. Biodiversity note: A new spotlight on bats and agave mutualism highlights how pollinators support desert ecosystems and even agriculture tied to tequila and mezcal.

Invasive Pest Alert: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited a Texas ranch and watched sterile flies released as the New World screwworm—flies whose larvae eat living tissue—spreads beyond the old containment zone, with officials warning it could become a billion-dollar international problem; the warming planet is making it easier for the pest to move into more places, and ranchers are urged to stay vigilant, monitor herds and wildlife, and treat infestations fast. Regional Biosecurity: Florida moved to block rescue dogs and cats from Texas and New Mexico to protect livestock, pets, wildlife, and the agricultural economy, adding strict intrastate import rules after detections. Land & Biodiversity Focus: Ahead of UNCCD COP17, Latin American governments and partners will meet in Quito to spotlight grasslands and savannahs—often overlooked but vital for biodiversity, water regulation, carbon storage, and climate resilience—pushing for stronger policy and investment. Panama Conservation Angle: Panama’s role in the wider Central American ecosystem picture is underscored by the screwworm’s recent northward spread that began in the region, while Panama’s wildlife-rich waters also remain a draw for researchers, including reports of elusive beaked whales off the Pacific coast.

Invasive Species Alert: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas ranches and released sterile flies as the New World screwworm—flies that lay eggs in wounds and can kill livestock—has been confirmed in seven animals (five cattle and a goat in Texas, plus a dog in New Mexico). Rollins warned the warming planet can help the pest spread and said ranchers must stay vigilant, treat infestations fast, and watch wildlife. Biosecurity in Action: Florida moved to block shelter and rescue dogs and cats from Texas and New Mexico to reduce the risk of the parasite reaching the state, adding strict intrastate import rules and a temporary moratorium on warm-blooded animal imports from affected areas. Climate Watch: NOAA declared El Niño conditions are now in place and likely to strengthen, with potential knock-on effects for Central America’s rainfall and the Panama Canal watershed—already prompting draft limits and tighter transit planning. Local Conservation Angle: Panama Conservation News readers also got a reminder of the region’s wildlife stakes via a Galápagos expedition story highlighting how protected marine habitats support rare species.

Invasive Species Alert: The New World screwworm fly has reached the U.S., with USDA reporting cases rising to seven across Texas and New Mexico, including cattle and a dog—prompting sterile-fly releases and calls for ranchers to watch wounds and treat fast. Public Health & Wildlife Risk: Officials warn the parasite can infect people and pets through body openings and non-healing wounds, while experts link its return to illegal livestock movement and smuggling routes. Border Controls: Florida has blocked shelter pet imports from Texas and New Mexico to slow spread, adding to the growing patchwork of state protections. Climate Pressure on Panama: NOAA says El Niño conditions have arrived and could become very strong, a shift that historically brings drier weather to Central America and can affect the Panama Canal watershed and transit planning. Regional Integration: Costa Rica’s Lina Ajoy was elected the first Costa Rican (and second woman) to lead SICA, with environment and sustainable development on the agenda. Panama in the Spotlight: A new Reuters-backed look at the World Cup notes only Panama qualified from Central America, but the region won’t host matches—highlighting how infrastructure and funding gaps shape who gets a seat at the table.

Panama Canal Water Management: The Panama Canal Authority will cut the maximum authorized Neopanamax draft to 49.5 feet starting July 3, citing reservoir levels and possible El Niño impacts; the change is meant to keep transits steady while water is managed, and it follows earlier water-saving steps. Biodiversity Discovery: A new longhorn beetle species, Sternacutus crucolon, was reported by Panama’s Colón Regional University Center, with collaborators including Colombia and STRI, adding to knowledge of Panama’s neotropical forest diversity. Wildlife & Livestock Health (Panama-linked): The New World screwworm fly is back in the U.S., with cases in Texas and beyond; reporting notes the outbreak’s northward spread has been linked to Panama’s region in recent years, raising alarms for animal health and surveillance. Weather Disruption (regional spillover): A thunderstorm delayed England’s World Cup warm-up vs Costa Rica in Orlando, a reminder that extreme weather is already affecting major events across the Americas.

Invasive Species Alert (New World screwworm): The USDA confirmed a second New World screwworm case in Zavala County, Texas, in a one-month-old calf found just miles from the first detection, as Gov. Greg Abbott expanded the state disaster response to speed sterile-fly shipments and build a sterile fly facility. Wildlife & Livestock Risk: Texas health officials warn the flesh-eating larvae can infest open wounds in livestock, pets, and wildlife, with economic fallout for the cattle industry. Regional Spread & Response: Louisiana also tightened animal movement rules and increased surveillance after Texas and New Mexico detections, while federal and state teams ramp up sterile fly releases to stop reproduction. Panama Canal Water Management: The Panama Canal Authority is reducing the maximum authorized Neopanamax draft to 49.5 feet starting July 3, citing El Niño-linked water uncertainty and lessons from the 2023/24 drought crisis. Conservation in Action (Panama-linked spotlight): A Netflix “Outlast: The Jungle” season is set in Panama’s rainforest, bringing mainstream attention to tropical ecosystems—though it’s entertainment, not protection.

New World Screwworm Update: U.S. officials say the flesh-eating parasite is spreading beyond the original Texas cluster, with confirmed cases in Texas calves and a goat plus a dog in New Mexico, raising alarms for livestock, pets, and wildlife and pushing emergency quarantines and surveillance. Panama Canal & El Niño: Panama’s canal authority is tightening vessel draft limits for Neopanamax locks as El Niño concerns grow, citing Gatun Lake water management and renewing worries about how climate-driven water stress can ripple through global shipping. Wildlife/Health Research: A new space-weather mission (SMILE) is set to study how solar storms hit Earth’s magnetic shield, a reminder that environmental risks aren’t only on land and sea. Conservation Science: A study using ancient plankton shells finds oxygen-poor conditions in the Atlantic were driven more by geography than past warmth—useful context for how warming may reshape marine oxygen levels. Local Conservation Note: A Panama-related prison tender and other non-environment items dominated the week’s feed, but the canal and screwworm stories are the clearest Panama-linked conservation/environment signals.

Invasive Species Alert (Panama-linked): The New World screwworm is back in the U.S., with USDA confirming five cases so far (three Texas calves, a Texas goat, and a dog in New Mexico). Officials warn the flesh-eating larvae can spread quickly through warm, humid conditions, threatening livestock, wildlife, and potentially pushing beef prices higher. Biosecurity & Response: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing to speed up sterile-fly breeding and expand emergency measures, while Canada has restricted Texas livestock imports to slow the risk. Maritime Climate Impact (Panama Canal): Panama Canal authorities are lowering maximum Neopanamax draft limits due to El Niño concerns, aiming to protect operations as water levels in Gatun Lake come under pressure. Local Conservation Note (Golden Frogs): Critically endangered Panamanian golden frogs have been born at ZooTampa, adding momentum to conservation breeding efforts. Mining & Nature Rights (Cobre Panamá): Panama set a mid-2026 deadline to resolve the Cobre Panamá mine dispute, with an environmental and economic audit and a pause in arbitration to allow dialogue.