AGP Executive Report

Trinidad and Tobago Employment: Economists warn that slowing growth, rising unemployment and declining energy output are making it harder to create sustainable jobs and diversify the economy. Yucatán Investment: A planned 900-million-peso cyclotron project is expected to create more than 100 specialized jobs and support local production of medical isotopes. Mexico Healthcare Hiring: Some 73,000 doctors have applied for roles in a primary-care clinics initiative, signaling strong interest in the health-sector opportunity. Cuban Labor Market: One in four Cuban workers has an informal job, underscoring the scale of employment outside formal protections. Caribbean Worker Rights: A warning over hotel outsourcing highlights the risk that workers could lose access to severance.

Women in AI: Shakira’s foundation is backing free technology and AI training for Latin American women, aiming to widen access to careers in fields expected to add millions of jobs worldwide. Startup Talent: Ten Latin American startups have moved to Tulsa in 18 months, with support for relocating founders and a goal of creating local jobs—an opportunity for the firms, but a talent loss for their home markets. Workplace Rights: Complaints of electoral coercion at work are rising in Brazil, putting pressure on employers to protect workers’ political freedom. Job Security: Mexican Volkswagen workers are weighing strike action amid global job cuts, with union talks focused on employment and the future of local operations. Worker Protections: A Caribbean tourism official warns that hotel outsourcing can leave workers without severance. Access to Work: More than half a million Yucatecans face limited job opportunities linked to education gaps, while Portugal’s suspension of job-seeking visas narrows one route for Brazilian workers seeking employment abroad.

Trinidad & Tobago Layoffs: About 187 Massy Cat employees face retrenchment as the company transfers its Caterpillar business to MACORP. Massy says the final number is still being determined and at least a quarter of affected staff will be retained within the group. Regional Outlook: The World Bank forecasts 2.2% growth for Latin America and the Caribbean in 2026, saying stronger productivity and investment are needed to create better jobs and raise incomes. Hiring & Cuts: Brazil reported 165,800 jobs created in August, while major company cutbacks are adding to job losses in Costa Rica. Worker Protections: Caribbean hotel outsourcing could leave workers without severance, a warning for employees in the region’s tourism sector.

Workplace Safety Tech: Bentonville’s Kwema won a national award for a smart workplace safety badge aimed at reducing violence in high-risk settings like healthcare. Workplace Comms & IT Modernization: New market forecasts highlight continued growth for intranets/extranets and legacy integration—signals companies are still investing in internal systems and smoother tech transitions. Latin America Trade & Jobs: Illinois hosted a 2026 Latin American grain tour bringing buyers from Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and Honduras to strengthen export relationships—good news for agribusiness hiring pipelines. Hospitality & Brand Hiring: Noctría launched in Los Angeles with a mezcal-based RTD built for nightlife, hospitality and late dinners, adding to the region’s hospitality-focused consumer jobs. Immigration & Rights Watch: A whistleblower alleges Trump ordered FBI probes into L.A.-area immigration protesters; officials deny it. Policy & Global South: Ghana’s Cabinet approved a formal BRICS application, aiming to diversify partnerships and create jobs.

Hospitality & Jobs: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico earned a MICHELIN Key, spotlighting its 300+ workforce and the island’s luxury tourism momentum. Career Credentials: Spain’s traders can now pursue Global Trader Certification Institute (GTCI) exams in Spanish, aiming to professionalize hiring for investment and trading roles. Workforce & Growth: Emera, ATCO and Canadian Utilities announced a merger of equals to build a Canadian utility and energy infrastructure powerhouse, targeting scale for major electrification and transmission projects. Anti-crime & Compliance: A new push argues banks should adopt an “offensively defensive” anti-financial crime posture as sanctions and geopolitical shifts accelerate. Labor Mobility: Israel will halt private recruitment of Sri Lankan and Indian workers for construction from Jan. 1, 2027, reshaping cross-border hiring pipelines. Talent & Recognition: Jamaica’s S Hotel Montego Bay was ranked #2 in Condé Nast Traveler’s Atlantic, Caribbean & Central America Readers’ Choice Awards. Education & Global South: UKZN doctoral student Melissa Sibanda will represent South Africa at BRICS debate finals in Moscow, focusing research on energy access and gender inequality in informal settlements. Business Travel Impact: GBTA says business travel generated $283B in economic activity across 25 major destinations, supporting 1.4M jobs.

Startup Ecosystems & Jobs: Miami is pitching itself as a Latin America gateway for tech talent and hiring, citing $5.7B raised by startups in 2025 and near-$2B in VC in early 2026, even as it still lags Silicon Valley on funding depth. Cross-Border Payments: Stripe and Zerohash alumni are backing faster international transfers via stablecoin rails, aiming to expand into 200 countries—an HR-relevant signal for fintech hiring across regions. Critical Minerals & Skills: The US and Nigeria signed a minerals framework at the UN, pushing shared data, processing capacity, and job creation—likely to shape future recruitment in mining and engineering. Colombia Business Leadership: Colombia’s top business association ANDI saw its president resign amid rising friction with the government, raising uncertainty for corporate HR and labor-market coordination. Brazil Politics & Workplace Risk: Indigenous and environmental groups warn far-right gains in Brazil’s Congress could weaken protections tied to land and ecosystems—an issue that can affect compliance jobs and community-facing roles. Talent & Culture: Serena Williams’ campaign spotlights Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi, a reminder that creative industries remain a hiring engine across LATAM.

Brazil Election Runoff: Flávio Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face off in a runoff on Oct. 25 after neither won a majority in the first round, setting up a high-stakes jobs-and-policy moment for Latin America’s biggest economy. Caribbean Tourism Jobs: The Dominican Republic’s new Port Samaná opens Nov. 24, with MSC Opera and a projected 10,000 passengers in late 2026, aiming to create about 1,000 direct and 3,000+ indirect jobs. Telecom M&A in Brazil: Alares completed its BRL 189 million acquisition of Oquei Group, adding roughly 350 employees and expanding its footprint across 30 cities in São Paulo. Energy Partnerships in Venezuela: Baker Hughes signed agreements with PDVSA and partners to revive Venezuela’s natural gas infrastructure and support future oil and gas development. Workforce & Training Model: US homeworking travel firm Fora Travel launches in the UK, saying it will recruit thousands of agents across North America and Latin America while keeping training and standards central. Housing Pressure Survey (Canada): New research finds 56% of Canadian non-homeowners expect they’ll never own a home, with affordability driving major trade-offs.

Brazil Election: Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro will face a runoff on Oct. 25 after neither won a first-round majority, setting up a high-stakes contest that could reshape policy and jobs across Latin America’s largest economy. Workforce & Hiring Events (Dutch Caribbean): FRED Job Fair & Conference 2026 returns Oct. 24 in Rotterdam, bringing 35+ employers from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and more for sector talks and free workshops—an easy on-ramp for talent looking to relocate or switch careers. Education & Skills Pipeline: Academy in the Dutch Caribbean celebrated standout CSEC 2026 results, with 100% matriculation for Form 5 students and strong passes in math, English, and IT—signals for future employability. Labor Market Signals (Brazil): Reports highlight Brazil’s job creation momentum and formal employment gains, even as election uncertainty keeps many employers cautious. Oil & Recovery Watch (Venezuela): Venezuela’s upstream reopening is accelerating, but analysts stress execution speed will determine how quickly production reaches the market. Corporate Restructuring (Nike): Nike plans more job cuts tied to a major operating model overhaul, a reminder that cost pressure is still driving HR decisions globally. AI & Work Concerns: A survey finds employees fear blame over AI mistakes, pointing to rising HR and policy needs around accountability and training.

Brazil Election Watch: Brazil’s first-round presidential vote kicks off with Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro in a tight race, with voters also choosing governors, senators and deputies—more than 1,650 seats at stake. Cross-Border Fraud & Jobs: Mexico’s trade officials warn identity thieves are targeting customs payments in time-sensitive freight, pressuring logistics teams and treasury staff. Immigration at the Polls: In the U.S., Latino communities—especially Cuban Americans—are bracing for possible ICE presence near polling places despite DHS saying ICE isn’t planning polling-site operations. Workforce & Labor Risk: A report highlights anxiety among college students about internships and job prospects as they approach adulthood. HR-Adjacent Security: The U.S. Supreme Court term is set to weigh major disputes, including climate accountability lawsuits and challenges tied to immigration and gun rights. Sports Talent (LatAm): U.S. teen Cavan Sullivan, of Philadelphia Union, becomes the youngest USMNT scorer in a 3-0 win over Mexico.

Job Market Shock (Ohio/Midwest): Navistar’s Springfield, Ohio truck plant laid off nearly 1,400 workers just days before a Trump rally, underlining how fast industrial downturns can hit household stability and local politics. Workplace Fraud (US/Colombia): A New Jersey woman and her Colombian partner were convicted in a $13M payroll fraud scheme that abused a taxpayer-funded program for elderly, disabled, and homeless Americans. Immigration & Screening (US): The U.S. expanded social media checks for visa seekers, adding another compliance hurdle for applicants. Regional Connectivity (Colombia): Colombia confirmed a new nonstop Barranquilla–New York flight, expected to launch in late 2026 or early 2027, boosting travel for tourism and business. Aviation Growth (Guyana/French Guiana): Trans Guyana Airways began preparations for at least two weekly Georgetown–Cayenne flights after a modernized air services agreement. Leadership & Talent (Mexico/USMNT): Rafa Márquez was named Mexico head coach ahead of the USMNT friendly, spotlighting a new era for El Tri. AI Safety Careers (US): A former OpenAI safety employee resigned, criticizing a fast development culture and arguing for stronger safeguards before deploying advanced systems.

Maritime Enforcement & Jobs: The U.S. Coast Guard seized the M/V Grace and another fuel shipment tied to “dark fleet” tactics, with fuel found in ballast tanks after a Mexico Navy inspection—another reminder that compliance and skilled maritime work are central to regional labor and security. Labor & Pay: In shipbuilding, new union contract wins in California and Maine are pushing higher wages, better benefits, and clearer tech adoption in Navy-related yards—aimed at attracting and retaining skilled workers. Brazil Election Rules: Brazil’s presidential race hinges on winning 50%+ of valid votes in the first round, a detail that can reshape campaign strategy and hiring needs around election-week uncertainty. EV Policy Pressure: Canada’s EV/battery investments face delays and cancellations as weaker demand forces automakers and suppliers to recalibrate, raising questions for HR planning in auto supply chains. Workforce Flexibility (Bahrain): Bahrain MPs backed a worker-sharing framework to reduce recruitment costs and manage fluctuating demand while keeping responsibility for worker rights. Talent & Mobility: DoorDash’s India hub plans to hire 3,000 in Telangana, signaling continued tech hiring momentum in LATAM-adjacent global services.

Workforce & Education in Brazil: OECD data shows Brazil’s share of young people (18–24) who are neither studying nor working fell from 26.8% (2016) to 22.4% (2024), but still leaves more than a quarter without basic education—highlighting the need for coordinated education, social protection, and labor policies. Corporate Restructuring: Nike announced a new “Pace” operating-model overhaul that consolidates regions, modernizes its supply chain, and plans further layoffs, with decisions starting in 2027. Talent & Hiring Tech: Workable launched Native WhatsApp integration to help recruiters reach candidates where they respond. Labor & Compliance: Mexico now requires a labor certificate for avocado exports, adding a new compliance step for cross-border hiring and documentation. Regional Business Moves: Warner Music Mexico named Yusim Aladro as general manager, signaling leadership changes in the music industry’s LATAM talent pipeline. Policy & Jobs Context: Brazil’s unemployment hit a record-low 5.3% ahead of the election, adding pressure on employers to retain workers as political uncertainty grows.

HR & Hiring Tech: Workable adds native WhatsApp integration, letting recruiters message candidates inside the platform and keep every chat in the candidate record—aimed at markets where WhatsApp is the main channel, including Latin America. M&A & Jobs: Volaris Group is acquiring Teknisa, a Brazil corporate foodservice/retail software provider with 450+ employees, expanding Volaris’ Latin America tech footprint. Labor & Compliance: Aura Minerals plans to insource mining fleet operations in Brazil (Apoena, Almas, Borborema), targeting January 2027—expected to shift maintenance and staffing decisions. Workforce Risk: Massy Holdings flags a US$9.8M accounting loss tied to selling its Caterpillar-related business in Trinidad and Tobago, with employee severance and redeployment processes outlined. Regional Economic Outlook: El Niño is expected to deepen economic risks across Latin America, with knock-on effects for employment and labor markets. Cross-border Opportunities: Taiwan and Guatemala announce deeper trade/investment cooperation, including tech and health collaboration and more employment opportunities.

AI & Work: Enterprise AI is finally moving from pilots to production, but “agentic” AI still lags—only 7% of enterprises report reaching the outcomes stage, raising new HR and training pressure. HR & Migration Tech Backlash: NHS England faces protests over a £330M Palantir data contract, with critics also linking Palantir tools to ICE surveillance. Argentina Labor-First Economics: The IMF says Argentina should extend growth benefits to workers as it reviews the program, with a possible next disbursement of about $900M. Latin America Payments: Exodus Checkout lets customers pay with dollar stablecoins via DIRECTV’s DGO in Argentina, with expansion planned across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Uruguay and Ecuador. Hiring & Mobility: DoorDash is opening a Hyderabad hub targeting 3,000 jobs, adding to its broader global hiring push. Workforce Visas: USCIS reports H-2B approvals in North Dakota (manufacturing) and South Carolina (arts/entertainment), both at 100% approval rates for the listed decided workers.

Workforce & Hiring: DoorDash opened a global Customer Experience and Integrity talent hub in Hyderabad, starting with ~500 staff and targeting 3,000+ over two years, adding integrity and fraud-review capabilities for international markets. Corporate Restructuring: In Trinidad and Tobago, Massy sold its Caterpillar business to Guyana’s MACORP; Massy says the deal won’t affect 200 workers and that employees can apply for roles with the buyer. Distribution & Jobs: Nestlé T&T will shift its local distribution model in Jan. 2027, with Massy Distribution Division becoming the main distributor; the company is consulting the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union about employment impacts. Energy Jobs & Investment: Brazil’s power sector is moving toward renewables, with reforms expected to raise renewable capacity share from 48% to nearly 62% and push solar and offshore wind growth. Labor Costs: Argentina construction workers’ October 2026 pay rises 1.8% under UOCRA agreements, with further increases planned for November. Talent Pipeline: The NBA closed NBA Academy Africa in Senegal, moving development to a new global academy in Abu Dhabi. Sports Leadership: Ghana and coach Carlos Queiroz mutually ended his contract after AFCON qualifying defeats, underscoring instability in football management.

Immigration & HR risk: A federal case in Michigan alleges an Ann Arbor nurse helped an ICE detainee escape from Trinity Health, raising alarms for hospital compliance and staff training around custody protocols. Labor & jobs: Panama’s government commission recommended reopening the Cobra Panama open-pit copper mine, a major employer tied to thousands of indirect jobs, even as legal and environmental disputes remain open. Workforce & corporate moves: Volkswagen and Gotion broke ground on a 60GWh LFP battery gigafactory in Spain, expected to create about 3,000 direct jobs—another signal for hiring in EV supply chains. Talent & development: Jamaica’s WorldSkills gold winner Brandon Brown credits persistence through setbacks, a reminder that skills pathways can unlock new careers. Governance & inclusion: Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples minister Sonia Guajajara argues representation must become permanent policy, not temporary politics—relevant for HR leaders tracking inclusion mandates. Market & training demand: A global report projects strong growth in sales training services through 2030, reflecting continued investment in workforce capability.