AGP Executive Report

Guatemalan Culture in the Spotlight: Los Angeles’ 10th annual Festival Chapín drew thousands to Lafayette Park with Guatemalan food, music, and community energy over the weekend. Sports & Fitness (Guatemala ties): Barbados’ bodybuilding team returned from Guatemala with three gold medals and a pro card after strong performances at the Central American and Caribbean Championships. Maya Language & Identity: Belize’s University of Belize joined the 15th Regional Maya Encounter on Language and Culture in Mexico, highlighting Yucatec Maya identity and preservation efforts across Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala. Music Buzz: KEXP shared fresh new releases, including Alabama Shakes’ “I Must Be Dreaming” and Dahi’s “Black Boy (Alternative),” as part of its weekly rotation picks. Faith & Community Moments: A hospital ICU in Alabama saw nurses help a dying patient fulfill a baptism request—turning a clinical room into a deeply personal ceremony.

Guatemala Culture Abroad: Festival Chapin returned to Los Angeles’ Lafayette Park, drawing thousands with Guatemalan food, music, and community celebrations over the weekend. Guatemala Arts & Heritage: Antigua’s Museo de Arte Colonial is set to reopen after a court-ordered raid shut it down in December 2025, though a reopening date hasn’t been announced yet. Guatemala Sports Spotlight: Bikini fitness athlete Tiffany Gordon (Antigua and Barbuda) earned an IFBB Elite Pro card after winning at the Central American and Caribbean Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships held in Guatemala. Guatemala Music/Community: A Guatemala-linked World Archery partnership is sending Korean coaches overseas, including Guatemala, as part of a 2026–2029 global development plan. Guatemala Food & Lifestyle: Roasters are preparing three new Guatemalan coffee releases this autumn, including a washed Pacamara from La Colina. Boxing (Guatemala Connection): Lester Martinez is preparing for his title defense with Terence Crawford in camp, with Martinez emphasizing the pride of representing Guatemala.

Guatemalan Culture in LA: Festival Chapin returned to Lafayette Park, with thousands expected for two days of Guatemalan food, music, and community. Guatemala Arts & Heritage: The Museo de Arte Colonial in Antigua is set to reopen after a court-ordered shutdown and months of work to restore access to its colonial collection. Sports (Guatemala on the map): Boxer Lester Martinez is preparing for his title defense in Los Angeles, with the spotlight on representing Guatemala in a big crowd. Regional Energy Push: IRENA is inviting renewable project proposals across Central America and the Caribbean, including Guatemala, to speed up financing and de-risk clean energy rollouts. Guatemala-linked Human Stories: A Guatemalan man killed in Stockton is being mourned as his family raises funds to return his body home. Media Spotlight: José Zamora, who started his career at elPeriódico in Guatemala, received the 2026 Rich Jaroslovsky Founder Award from the Online News Association.

Festival Chapin in LA: Thousands packed Lafayette Park for the 10th annual Festival Chapín, a free weekend celebrating Guatemalan culture with food, music, and community. Guatemala in sports spotlight: Jamaica’s squash team celebrated Pan Am Games qualification, with Guatemala’s Josue Enriquez mentioned in the qualifier run. Boxing—Guatemala on the card: Lester Martinez is in training for his title defense against Luka Plantic, with Terence Crawford stepping in as a mentor/sparring partner. Guatemala arts update: The Museo de Arte Colonial in Antigua is set to reopen after a court-ordered raid shut it down in late 2025, though a reopening date is still pending. Regional culture & community: A Lower Mainland soccer club is creating community for immigrant and refugee youth—an uplifting reminder of how sports can bring people together.

Guatemala Culture in LA: The 10th annual Festival Chapín returned to Lafayette Park in Los Angeles, celebrating Guatemalan cuisine, heritage, and music through Sunday (free, all ages, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.). Guatemala Arts & Heritage: Antigua’s Museo de Arte Colonial is set to reopen after a court-ordered raid shut it down in December 2025; the museum’s 287 colonial-era works were relocated, and a reopening date is still pending. Sports Spotlight (Guatemala connection): WBC interim super middleweight champion Lester Martinez is preparing for his title defense against Luka Plantic, with Terence Crawford stepping in as mentor and sparring partner. Regional Culture & Community: A Guatemala-linked Christian women’s event, “The Bible and Us,” drew thousands to Arena Ciudad de México, featuring speakers including Sonia Luna (Casa de Dios Church, Guatemala). Guatemala in the News (sports/region): Belize and regional partners, including Guatemala, agreed to strengthen agricultural disease surveillance to protect production and trade.

Guatemala Arts & Culture: The Museo de Arte Colonial in Antigua is set to reopen after a court-ordered raid shut it down in December 2025, with 287 colonial-era works relocated; the Ministry of Culture and Sports regained control on Aug. 11, but a reopening date and restoration work for the 18th-century site are still pending. Guatemala Sports Spotlight: WBC interim super middleweight champion Lester Martinez is preparing for his Aug. 29 title defense against Luka Plantic, with Terence Crawford stepping in as a mentor and sparring partner as Martinez looks to turn the fight into a bigger commercial moment for Guatemala. Regional Arts & Events: Festival Chapin returns this weekend in Los Angeles with music, food, culture, and community—an easy way to catch Guatemala vibes without leaving California. Guatemala Media & Journalism: José Zamora will receive the 2026 Rich Jaroslovsky Founder Award from the Online News Association, recognizing his career building space for Latino voices and his work starting Ilumina Communications and a Central American independent media archive. Guatemala Community & Faith: A women’s Bible-centered event, “The Bible and Us,” drew thousands to Arena Ciudad de México, featuring Guatemala’s Sonia Luna among guest speakers.

Movies in Theaters: This weekend’s lineup includes Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars (R), Buddy (R), Coyote vs. ACME (PG), The Legend of the White Dragon (R), Finding Emily (PG-13), plus the documentary American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story (NR). Antigua Art Update: Guatemala’s Museo de Arte Colonial in Antigua is set to reopen after a court-ordered raid shut it down in Dec. 2025, though a reopening date is still pending. Boxing Spotlight: Saturday’s big card pairs Mikaela Mayer vs. Chantelle Cameron in Birmingham and Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight title in London. Lunar Eclipse Moment: A near-total lunar eclipse turned the Moon deep red, with 96% coverage at peak. Guatemala Media Honor: José Zamora will receive the 2026 Rich Jaroslovsky Founder Award from the Online News Association. Festival Chapin (LA): The 10th annual “Festival Chapin” brings Guatemalan music, food, culture, and community to Los Angeles this weekend. Sports (Guatemala ties): Terence Crawford is training with Guatemalan WBC interim champ Lester Martinez ahead of his Aug. 29 title defense in Los Angeles.

Wildlife Photography: The Natural History Museum in London released a sneak peek from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026, drawn from a record 65,000+ entries across 121 countries, with an exhibition running Oct. 16, 2026 to July 11, 2027. Guatemala Sports Spotlight: Terence Crawford is training with Guatemalan WBC interim super middleweight champion Lester Martinez ahead of Martinez’s Aug. 29 title defense vs. Luka Plantic in Los Angeles. Guatemala Community & Culture: Ecolectivos is helping rural Xinca communities in Santa María Xalapán cut plastic waste through local cleanups and workshops on the health impacts of plastic burning. Guatemala Faith & Film: The documentary “American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story” continues to reach audiences after its Aug. 25–27 theater run, tying Rother’s witness in Guatemala to wider faith conversations. Arts & Fashion (Global): Frieze Abu Dhabi unveiled its inaugural exhibitor lineup: 84 galleries from 63 cities in 36 countries for Nov. 19–22.

Guatemala Sports Spotlight: Terence Crawford is back in the gym, but this time he’s training with Guatemala’s WBC interim super middleweight champion Lester Martinez ahead of Martinez’s Aug. 29 title defense vs. Luka Plantic in Los Angeles. Local Sports & Community: A Guatemala-bound jujitsu team is forming momentum—American Family Karate & Jujitsu athletes are set to compete Oct. 9–11 in Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Guatemala, and are seeking sponsors to cover travel. Arts & Culture (International with Guatemala ties): Frieze Abu Dhabi just revealed its inaugural 84-gallery lineup for Nov. 19–22, including Guatemala City’s Projectos Ultravioleta. Faith & Film (Guatemala connection): The nationwide theater run for “American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story” (Aug. 25–27) continues to draw attention, with Guatemala-linked devotion highlighted by viewers abroad. Food Culture: Ibai Llanos’ Food World Cup matchup puts Cuban ropa vieja against Ecuadorian encebollado in the round of 16, with fans voting online. Immigration Human Impact (Guatemala-related): Reports highlight ICE-related deaths and deportation fallout affecting Guatemalans, including families searching for loved ones after arrests.

Guatemala Temple Tours: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened its fourth Guatemala temple, Miraflores Guatemala City, for media tours, with free public open house tours running Aug. 27–Sept. 12 (excluding Sundays) and a dedication set for Oct. 11. Guatemala Sports & Fitness: Antigua and Barbuda named a five-member team—including national champion Franklin Carbon—to represent the country at the 53rd Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Fitness & Bodybuilding Championship in Guatemala (Aug. 27–31). Guatemala Martial Arts: A team from American Family Karate & Jujitsu (Elmira) is headed to Guatemala for the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships (Oct. 9–11), seeking sponsors to cover travel and competition costs. Local Faith News: A possible Eucharistic miracle was reported in Guatemala after a priest noticed a teenage student allegedly trying to remove a consecrated Host during Communion; the host reportedly failed to dissolve in water and later showed reddish stains, with further investigation pending.

Martial Arts Spotlight: “Team AFK Jujitsu” from Elmira, New York is heading to Guatemala for the 2026 World Sport Jujitsu Championships (Oct. 9–11), and local sponsors are being sought to cover travel and competition costs. Guatemala Faith & Culture: Guatemala’s fourth Latter-day Saints temple, Miraflores Guatemala City, opens for public tours starting Aug. 27 through Sept. 12 (media already toured). Sports & Fitness: Antigua and Barbuda named a five-member squad for the 53rd Central American and Caribbean CAC Fitness & Bodybuilding Championship in Guatemala (Aug. 27–31). Entertainment Streaming: Prime Video says it will invest $2bn+ in Latin America from 2027–2030, including local originals and live sports across Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile. Local Arts/Community: A new Eucharistic miracle report is being investigated in Guatemala after a priest noticed a consecrated Host reportedly didn’t dissolve and later showed reddish stains.

Guatemala Church & Culture: Guatemala’s fourth Latter-day Saints temple, the Miraflores Guatemala City Temple, opened for media tours this week, with free public open-house tours running Aug. 27–Sept. 12 (excluding Sundays) ahead of an Oct. 11 dedication. Local Faith News: A new reported Eucharistic miracle in Guatemala’s Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima says a consecrated Host allegedly failed to dissolve in water and later showed reddish stains; church officials stress it’s not yet declared a miracle and will undergo further review. Sports & Representation: Antigua and Barbuda named a five-member bodybuilding team to represent the country at the CAC Fitness & Bodybuilding Championship in Guatemala (Aug. 27–31), including national champion Franklin Carbon. Entertainment & Streaming: Prime Video announced it will invest more than $2 billion in Latin America between 2027 and 2030, expanding local originals and live sports across Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile. Fashion Industry Watch: Indian apparel supplier Pearl Global is exploring manufacturing opportunities in North Africa as brands like Zara’s supply chain look to move production closer to European customers.

Fashion & Trade: Zara, Levi’s and Gap supplier Pearl Global is weighing a North Africa manufacturing push, potentially via partnerships, as Indian garment makers shift closer to Europe to cut shipping risk. Faith & Community: A possible Eucharistic miracle is reported in Guatemala after a priest says a consecrated Host didn’t dissolve and later showed reddish stains; the diocese says it’s not yet declared a miracle. Local Religion Tourism: Guatemala’s fourth Latter-day Saint temple, Miraflores Guatemala City, opens for public tours starting Aug. 27 through Sept. 12 (excluding Sundays), with a dedication set for Oct. 11. Streaming & Sports: Prime Video plans to invest $2bn in Latin America from 2027-2030, including more local originals and live sports rights across Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. Film Spotlight: “American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story” continues to roll out as faith-based films hit theaters, tying Guatemala’s history to a wider audience. Global Culture: Max Mara names Florence Pugh as ambassador for its first fragrance, Le Parfum.

Arts & Culture: A new documentary, “American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story,” is set for limited-theater runs Aug. 25–27, spotlighting Blessed Stanley Rother, the Oklahoma priest killed in Guatemala during the civil war. Faith & Community: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened public tours for Guatemala City’s Miraflores Guatemala Temple (fourth in the country), with open-house dates Aug. 27–Sept. 12. Fashion & Film Buzz: Florence Pugh becomes the face of Max Mara’s first fragrance, Le Parfum, tying Hollywood star power to the brand’s “quiet luxury” vibe. Local Heritage Spotlight: A major Maya stela carving from Petén—depicting Lady K’abel—gets attention as a reconstructed, 1,300-year-old Cleveland Museum of Art piece. Entertainment Tech: Ritchie Bros. launched a redesigned mobile app for easier bidding and transactions on the go. International (Guatemala angle): US Southern Command again struck a drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific, while reports say Guatemala was among countries discussed for expanded joint operations.

Faith on the big screen: “American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story” is rolling into theaters Aug. 25–27, with Martin Sheen narrating in English and a Spanish-dubbed version also set for audiences—another spotlight on the Guatemalan Civil War-era priest whose life is now being retold for modern viewers. Fashion & fragrance: Florence Pugh becomes the new face of Max Mara’s first fragrance, Le Parfum, as the brand leans into its “quiet luxury” identity with a refillable scent concept. Streaming true-crime buzz: Netflix’s “Facing El Chapo” lands as a crime drama based on true events, focusing on the 2016 recapture of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Latin entertainment spotlight: The Imagen Awards crowned Apple TV’s “Acapulco” as a top winner, while “Brownsville Bred,” “Will Trent,” and “Scrubs” also took major honors. Sports culture: Corey Kispert’s new coffee venture, The Bitter Truth, ties his basketball journey to a brand built around “bitter truths” and self-reflection. Guatemala connection in the news: U.S. military strikes in the eastern Pacific continue, and Guatemala is named in broader regional cooperation claims—keeping the country in the wider headlines beyond entertainment.

Latin Music & TV Spotlight: The 41st Annual Imagen Awards in Beverly Hills made Apple TV’s “Acapulco” the big winner, hauling in multiple prizes including Best Director (Oscar Almengor) and acting honors for Eugenio Derbez and Vanesa Bauche, while “Will Trent” and “Scrubs” took top drama and comedy series awards. Guatemala in the Arts: Guatemalan-born singer Liza Daniela was accepted as a voting member of the Recording Academy and released her debut single “Extraño Tanto,” a win for Latina immigrant voices in the music industry. Cultural Tourism & Faith: An expert argues the Church should better promote religious tourism, pointing to the huge global pull of pilgrimages and how destinations can welcome visitors without losing their religious identity. Photography With a Purpose: The Down’s Syndrome Association named finalists for its international “My Perspective” photography competition, with entries from countries including Guatemala. Guatemala on Screen: A new documentary, “American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story,” recounts the life of Blessed Stanley Rother, martyred in Guatemala, and is set for U.S. cinema release Aug. 25–27. Local Food Culture: Cocina de Mary opened in Portland to bring Guatemalan classics like pepián de pollo to the diaspora and curious newcomers.