AGP Executive Report

Costa Rica in the spotlight: Jason Lewis, the “Sex and the City” actor, says he moved to Costa Rica and is writing a nine-book fantasy saga—surfing, learning Spanish, and working daily from his new life there. Local arts & culture: Costa Rica’s presence at Cannes continues to land—Sandra Wollner’s “Everytime” won the Un Certain Regard prize, adding another Costa Rican win to the festival’s awards season. Music & identity: Manuel Carrasco released “Pueblo Salvaje I,” framing it as the “roots” chapter of his album universe, with flamenco-forward tracks and collaborations including Juanes and Kany García. Wellness with a Costa Rican link: A writer tries forest bathing for stress relief, referencing earlier experiences in a Costa Rican rainforest. Sports, but with Costa Rica ties: England’s World Cup warm-up plans include a friendly vs Costa Rica, while Costa Rica’s national team camp faces off-field disruptions ahead of upcoming friendlies.

Costa Rica Football: La Sele faces fresh turmoil ahead of its June friendlies after the federation dropped Alejandro Bran, Kenneth Vargas, and Warren Madrigal following a shooting incident tied to Bran’s car—an OIJ investigation is underway as coach Fernando “Bocha” Batista tries to reset after missing the 2026 World Cup. World Cup Build-Up (Costa Rica vs England): England’s pre-tournament Florida matches look set for empty seats, with reports of low ticket sales for the New Zealand warm-up and a similar concern for the Costa Rica friendly in Orlando—raising questions about fan turnout for the “Three Lions” camp. Sports & Culture (Global): KCUR is going all-in on World Cup coverage with guides and culture-focused programming, while England’s training camp in Palm Beach Gardens brings major teams to South Florida. Arts & Entertainment (Costa Rica spotlight): Chayanne’s Estadio Nacional concert turned into a viral moment when President Laura Fernández joined the crowd, proving “Chayannemania” can outshine protocol. Business/Travel (Arts-adjacent): A Mexico City preview for EXPO PACK México 2026 highlighted automation, robotics, AI, and sustainable production—signals of how Latin America’s creative industries keep evolving.

Music & Pop Culture: Chayanne’s return lit up Costa Rica’s Estadio Nacional as President Laura Fernández joined the crowd, turning the concert into a viral “Chayannemania” moment. Local Sports & National Pride: Costa Rica’s pre-World Cup friendly vs England is thrown into chaos after three players (Alejandro Bran, Kenneth Vargas, Warren Madrigal) were dropped following a shooting incident outside a bar. Global Arts & Film: Cannes Un Certain Regard kept delivering—“Everytime” and “Elephants in the Fog” both won major honors, with Sandra Wollner and the Nepali team credited for standout wins. Sports Culture (Costa Rica in the spotlight): England’s Florida warm-ups are reportedly struggling with low ticket sales, while Costa Rica’s own match in Orlando is already drawing attention from the local fanbase. Arts & Heritage: A deep dive on ancient Mesoamerican jade explains how “chalchihuitl” carried sacred, political, and trade power—life, ritual, and status all in one stone. Community & Inclusion: Macau’s inclusive golf tournament highlights Costa Rica’s presence via Challenge Golf Costa Rica winning a league title.

Mesoamerican Heritage: A new deep-dive spotlights how jade (chalchihuitl) carried sacred, political, and social power in ancient Mesoamerica—used for elite ritual objects, healing symbolism, and high-stakes trade. Scholarships & Community Impact: Denny’s awarded $85,000 in Hungry for Education scholarships to students driving change in their schools and neighborhoods. Music & Debate Culture: The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas is confirmed to speak at the Oxford Union Debate Society, continuing the venue’s tradition of big-name crossovers between entertainment and public debate. Tourism Trend Watch: A travel roundup ranks the world’s best destinations for multigenerational luxury trips in 2026, led by Bali for its family-friendly resorts and all-in-one convenience. Costa Rica Sports Spotlight: Costa Rica’s national team faces disruption after three players were dropped for disciplinary reasons tied to a shooting incident ahead of a pre-World Cup friendly vs. England.

World Cup Momentum in South Florida: England is set to train next week in Palm Beach Gardens at North County District Park, joining Portugal and other qualified teams as the region leans hard into the tournament’s arrival. USMNT Roster Shock: Mauricio Pochettino named the U.S. 26-man World Cup squad—Gio Reyna is in, Diego Luna is out—while the selection leans heavily on defenders and a limited midfield mix. Colombia’s Comeback Core: Colombia also unveiled its 26, with James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz leading the return after missing Qatar 2022. Costa Rica Public Health: Health officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak tied to a Ciudad Colón de Mora food outlet, with dozens sickened and one death possibly linked. Prison Reform Watch: Costa Rica announced it will adopt El Salvador’s “Zero Leisure” work-and-training model for people deprived of liberty. Arts & Culture: Costa Rican cinema continues to travel—recent Cannes attention highlights the country’s growing film footprint.

Streaming tax clouds USMCA review: Canada’s new streaming content rules are now being framed as a trade issue, adding pressure to the six-year USMCA review that starts July 1. Costa Rica health alert: Costa Rica is investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to a Ciudad Colón de Mora food business; 47 people have an epidemiological link, a dozen tested positive, and one death is possibly connected. Prison reform shift: Costa Rica says it will adopt El Salvador’s “Zero Leisure Plan” to push work and training inside prisons, aiming to cut costs and expand production. Arts & culture: Costa Rican-French filmmaker Valentina Maurel’s “Forever Your Maternal Animal” is drawing attention for its boundary-blurring family drama. Sports spotlight: Keylor Navas’ Pumas are one match from the Liga MX title after a 0-0 first-leg draw with Cruz Azul.

Prison Reform Push: Costa Rica’s government says it will adopt El Salvador’s “Zero Leisure” model to overhaul prison management—aiming to cut costs, expand supervised production, and use work and trades to support reintegration. World Cup Spotlight: Colombia named its 26-player 2026 World Cup squad with James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz leading, and the team will play friendlies vs Costa Rica on June 2. Football Heartbreak in Mexico: Keylor Navas’ Pumas fell short in the Liga MX Clausura final as Cruz Azul won 2-1, with Navas again the standout for Costa Rican fans. Arts & Culture: Costa Rican cinema keeps climbing—Valentina Maurel’s Siempre soy tu animal materno won Best Actress at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, while her film’s Cannes breakthrough puts Costa Rican feature work in the global spotlight. Tourism Signal: Costa Rica promoted itself at Formula 1 Montreal to boost Canadian arrivals, leaning on a high-profile, international audience.

Arts & Film: Costa Rican cinema keeps climbing at Cannes—Valentina Maurel’s Siempre soy tu animal materno (“Forever Your Maternal Animal”) earned shared Best Actress in Un Certain Regard, putting San José stories on one of the world’s biggest stages. Music & Culture: In the same festival orbit, Sandra Wollner’s Everytime won Un Certain Regard, while Nepal’s Elephants in the Fog took the Jury Prize—proof that smaller industries are breaking through. Sports & Spotlight: Keylor Navas again steals the show for Pumas as they push for the Liga MX title after a tense 0-0 first leg. Regional Watch: A U.S.-led “Shield of the Americas” anti-cartel push is pressuring Mexico to tighten security—an issue that will keep shaping the wider Central America mood. Travel (thin on Costa Rica specifics): Summer guides are trending, from Cancun hotel roundups to Nicoya Peninsula surf tips.

Liga MX Spotlight: Keylor Navas kept Pumas UNAM alive in the Clausura final, delivering a calm, pressure-proof 0-0 draw at Cruz Azul to set up a decisive second leg at home. Cannes Momentum: Costa Rican cinema hit a new high at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, with Daniela Marín Navarro and Mariángel Villegas sharing Best Actress for Valentina Maurel’s Siempre soy tu animal materno—a landmark for Costa Rica in the festival’s official selection. World Cup Build-Up: In the U.S. camp, reports say Tanner Tessmann is left off the 2026 roster, while England adds young training players to its Florida preparations, including Ethan Nwaneri. Wellness & Travel: A new TTW list spotlights Costa Rica as a top wellness tourism hub for 2026, reinforcing the country’s pull for nature-led, slower getaways. Local Culture: Chayanne electrified Estadio Nacional in San José, turning a major concert night into a multi-generational singalong.

Mental Health & Publishing: Dr. Elayna Fernandez and 31 co-authors behind The Gifts of Pain are launching the Spanish edition Los Dones del Dolor, Volumen 2 for Mental Health Awareness Month, aiming to cut stigma with daily stories and strategies. Wellness Tourism: Travel and Tour World released a 2026 ranking of the Americas’ top wellness destinations, spotlighting Costa Rica among the region’s fastest-growing hubs. Costa Rican Film at Cannes: Costa Rican director Valentina Maurel’s Siempre soy tu animal materno won Best Actress at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, with Daniela Marín Navarro and Mariángel Villegas sharing the honor. Home-schooling Trend: A new report says home-schooling is surging globally, with some families moving to Costa Rica to avoid stricter oversight. Arts & Microfilm: Costa Rican wildlife photographer Felipe Vega became the first Costa Rican winner at Santiago Wild with a one-minute bat film, Lo Esencial. Sports Culture: England’s World Cup squad buzz continues as training-camp call-ups include Ethan Nwaneri and others, while USMNT roster talk centers on Tanner Tessmann’s absence.

Cannes Film Buzz: Sandra Wollner’s grief drama “Everytime” won the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes 2026, with Nepal’s “Elephants in the Fog” taking the Jury Prize and animated “Iron Boy” earning a special nod—another reminder that bold, personal stories are still cutting through. England World Cup Prep: Thomas Tuchel’s England squad talk is still in motion as Ethan Nwaneri joins a Florida training camp with Rio Ngumoha, Josh King, and Alex Scott, ahead of friendlies vs New Zealand and Costa Rica. USMNT Roster Shock: Reports say Tanner Tessmann is left off the US World Cup roster, while Gio Reyna is reportedly in—an injury-and-form debate that keeps widening. Costa Rica Arts & Culture: A Costa Rican wildlife filmmaker, Felipe Vega, won at Santiago Wild with a one-minute bat short, while local arts coverage also spotlights music traditions and community storytelling. Sports Nightlife: Chayanne brought a full stadium singalong to Estadio Nacional in San José, turning pop stardom into a shared cultural moment.

England World Cup buzz (and a Costa Rica warm-up): Thomas Tuchel has added Arsenal teen Ethan Nwaneri to England’s Florida training camp, joining Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, Fulham’s Josh King, and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as “training players” ahead of friendlies vs New Zealand and Costa Rica. The wider squad drama still hangs over the story—Tuchel’s controversial call-ups and omissions keep sparking headlines. Cannes 2026 breakthrough: Nepal’s “Elephants in the Fog” made history by winning the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize, while Austria’s “Everytime” took top honors in the same section—both spotlighting grief and marginalized lives. Costa Rica politics: President Laura Fernández escalated her public clash with top judicial figures, calling the attorney general a “national disgrace.” Local arts & culture: Costa Rican wildlife photographer Felipe Vega won at Santiago Wild with a one-minute bat film, “Lo Esencial.” Sports beyond football: Tennis fans are upset after Jamaica’s Under-17 World Cup group draw and other Davis Cup fallout.

Cannes Spotlight: Sandra Wollner’s grief drama “Everytime” won Cannes’ Un Certain Regard top prize, with “Elephants in the Fog” taking the jury award—plus a reminder that Costa Rican creatives are showing up on the global screen map. Costa Rican Film & Nature: Felipe Vega became the first Costa Rican to win at Santiago Wild with a one-minute bat film shot in Sarapiquí, proving micro-films can carry big impact. Costa Rica Politics & Trade: President Laura Fernández escalated her public clash with top judicial figures and also hardened the government’s stance against Panama’s agricultural trade blocks. Legal Shockwave (U.S.-El Salvador): A judge dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Ábrego García, calling the prosecution vindictive—an ongoing story with real cross-border consequences. Arts Beyond Film: Costa Rica’s music scene keeps moving, while community media in the region pushes for digital self-defense. Sports Culture: England’s World Cup squad drama dominated headlines, and Costa Rica’s own football moment echoed through Keylor Navas’ standout performance in Mexico.

Wildlife & Community Conservation: In Cahuita National Park, local guide Yazmin Varela Mora spotlights sloths, capuchins, and the Caribbean Sea—plus a shared-management model where residents help run and benefit from the protected land. Cultural Arts & Performance: Costa Rica is set to host WGI Latin America 2026 this weekend at Heredia’s Palacio de los Deportes, bringing 15 elite color guard, percussion, and winds groups from across the region. Sports Spotlight (Costa Rica-linked): Keylor Navas again steals the show for Pumas in the Liga MX final opener vs Cruz Azul, keeping the match scoreless with a string of big saves. Human Stories & Safety: Nicaraguan exiles in Costa Rica warn that Ortega-era repression is reaching across the border, describing monitoring and attacks. Local Impact (Business/Industry): Rhythmlink inaugurates a new state-of-the-art medical device production facility in Costa Rica’s El Coyol, Alajuela, aimed at scaling neurological monitoring components.

World Cup Shockwaves: England manager Thomas Tuchel is set to name his 26-man World Cup squad after a flurry of calls—then the big omissions hit: Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are out, Harry Maguire confirms he won’t be going, and Ivan Toney gets a surprise recall. NHI Debate Spillover: Belize’s opposition is warning its National Health Insurance bill could eventually mean new deductions, while PM Briceño insists there are no immediate taxes—an argument that echoes the region’s ongoing fight over who pays for healthcare. Costa Rica Justice Watch: Costa Rica’s OIJ carried out major raids in the “Lusso” money-laundering case, tied to drug trafficking, detaining eight and targeting luxury assets. Arts & Culture Spotlight: RTÉ’s Uncharted with Ray Goggins brings Ciara Mageean’s cancer story to viewers, with Costa Rica featured in her coast-to-coast challenge. Music Loss: German house icon Philipp Jung of M.A.N.D.Y. and Get Physical has died at 55.

Medical Access Expansion: Medical Tourism Packages (MTP) says it’s building new Caribbean-to-Latin America coordination routes into JCI-accredited hospitals across Panama, Colombia, Mexico, and Costa Rica—aimed at elective and non-emergency care where US out-of-pocket costs can run far higher. Local Justice & Wealth Scrutiny: Costa Rica’s OIJ carried out the “Lusso” operation, detaining eight people and seizing luxury assets tied to an alleged money-laundering network linked to narcotics. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Cannes buzz continues for Costa Rica-linked filmmaker Valentina Maurel’s “Forever Your Maternal Animal,” while Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean’s cancer story is drawing strong attention via RTÉ’s “Uncharted with Ray Goggins,” filmed in Costa Rica. Sports in the Spotlight: Former Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla is pushing the idea that sport should be built into urban planning, as the World Urban Forum focuses on safe, resilient cities. Travel & Star Power: Costa Rica is also in the celebrity orbit again, with a Canadian actor reportedly entering the country this week.