AGP Executive Report

Earthquake Watch: A 5.6-magnitude quake struck off Costa Rica’s coast (10 km deep), according to GFZ, reminding locals to review preparedness plans. Nearshoring & Manufacturing: Costa Rica is being positioned as a strategic nearshoring gateway for global manufacturing and innovation, with its stability and tech-ready workforce drawing more multinational interest. AI & Policy: Costa Rica Tech Group unveiled a sweeping AI and blockchain law proposal, signaling a push to shape how emerging tech is governed locally. Stablecoin Payments Expansion: Jeeves raised $110M to scale stablecoin-native banking and expanded stablecoin cards into Costa Rica and other LATAM markets. Space & Science: A study using advanced mass spectrometry reported tens of thousands of molecular formulas in the Murchison meteorite, deepening research into organic chemistry from space. Ocean Tech for Enforcement: OceanMind launched Syndra for Southeast Asia to help governments tackle illegal fishing using integrated monitoring. Climate Risk for the Region: El Niño is expected to worsen economic strain across Latin America and the Caribbean, hitting agriculture and food prices. Connectivity: Starlink Mobile launched in Ecuador via state carrier CNT, extending the direct-to-device model that Costa Rica also adopted.

Earth & Climate: A 5.6-magnitude quake struck off Costa Rica’s coast (10 km deep), while El Niño is expected to worsen drought and flooding across Latin America—UNICEF warns about 1 in 7 children facing severe risks. Nearshoring & Industry: Costa Rica is highlighted as a strategic nearshoring gateway, building an ecosystem for advanced manufacturing, engineering, life sciences, and digital exports. Fintech & Payments: Jeeves raised $110M to expand its stablecoin-native banking platform, adding a wallet with payouts across 190 countries and expanding stablecoin cards into Costa Rica and other LATAM markets. Space & Connectivity: Starlink Mobile launched in Ecuador via state carrier CNT, and notes Costa Rica’s earlier rollout using the same direct-to-device model. Biodiversity & Research: Harvard’s natural history museum is showcasing rare specimens from its 26M collection, and Costa Rica coffee-pulp experiments point to low-cost ways to kickstart forest regrowth. UN Tech & Diplomacy: Costa Rican UN trade chief Rebeca Grynspan continues to lead Security Council straw polls for the next secretary-general.

Sea Turtle Conservation: Olive ridley sea turtles have been recorded nesting on America’s West Coast for the first time, with scientists linking the surprise to El Niño–driven ocean conditions. Ocean Monitoring & Enforcement: OceanMind launched Syndra in Southeast Asia to help governments crack down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing using multi-source surveillance. Costa Rica AI Adoption: A Microsoft report says Costa Rica leads Latin America in generative AI use, with about 29.7% of working-age people using AI tools. Local Climate & Agriculture Risk: A Chilean climatologist warns this year’s El Niño could worsen Latin America’s economic woes by disrupting rainfall, driving heatwaves, and hitting agriculture and jobs. Fintech & Payments: Jeeves raised $110M to expand stablecoin-native banking cards, adding Costa Rica among new markets. Connectivity: Starlink Mobile launched in Ecuador via state carrier CNT, and Costa Rica is noted as a recent rollout stop. Biodiversity Research: A Costa Rica-led study estimates the country could host over 40,000 fungal species, far above what’s been formally documented. Coffee Waste to Forests: Costa Rica research highlights how spreading coffee pulp on degraded land can accelerate early tropical forest regrowth. UN Leadership Watch: Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan gained support in a UN Security Council straw poll as the secretary-general race stays wide open.

Stablecoin finance in Central America: Jeeves raised $110M to expand its stablecoin-native banking platform, pushing stablecoin cards from 25 to 35 countries, including Costa Rica and Panama. Cybersecurity: Researchers disclosed the Carbonato botnet, which targets exposed Docker daemons on port 2375 to deploy an AI-agent framework (Hermes) and steal credentials via Telegram-controlled commands. Costa Rica AI adoption: Microsoft’s Global AI Diffusion report says 29.7% of Costa Ricans (ages 15–64) use generative AI tools—about three in ten—placing the country among the top adopters in Latin America. Biodiversity research: A new study estimates Costa Rica could host over 40,000 fungal species, far above the fewer than 7,000 formally documented. Medical manufacturing exports: Medical devices made up 46% of Costa Rica’s goods exports (Jan–Aug), totaling about $7.29B, underscoring the country’s life-sciences push. Yellow fever rules: Starting Oct. 1, Costa Rica requires a digital vaccination certificate for travel to eight additional at-risk destinations, with proof needed at least 10 days before departure. Climate & agriculture pressure: Coverage highlights El Niño-linked drought and disaster risk across the region, while banana producers face weather, disease, and cost challenges.

AI & Cybersecurity: Researchers say the Carbonato botnet targets exposed Docker daemons on port 2375, then deploys the open-source Hermes Agent via Telegram commands to steal credentials and maintain persistence—an example of how “AI agents” are being weaponized through insecure server setups. Costa Rica AI Adoption: A Microsoft report finds Costa Rica leads Latin America in generative AI use, with 29.7% of working-age people using AI tools (about 3 in 10). Health Tech & Policy: Costa Rica will require a yellow fever vaccination certificate starting Oct. 1 for travelers to eight higher-risk destinations, with exemptions and a 10-day pre-travel vaccination rule. Biodiversity & Research: A UCR-led study estimates Costa Rica could host more than 40,000 fungal species, far above the roughly 6,789 currently documented. Medtech Exports: Medical devices made up 46% of Costa Rica’s goods exports (US$7.29B) through August, underscoring the country’s shift toward advanced manufacturing. Digital Sovereignty: A new private coalition unveiled an 808-provision framework law proposal for AI, blockchain, digital assets, and personal data control in Costa Rica. Local Tech Innovation: The Flow platform, built by Costa Rican developers, summarizes new medical research for doctors by specialty to cut information overload. Business & Industry: Cartago’s La Lima Free Zone Park highlights US$1.186B in investment and a life-sciences/advanced manufacturing push.

Cybersecurity: Researchers say the Carbonato botnet is compromising Docker hosts exposed on port 2375, then deploying a Telegram-controlled Hermes AI agent to steal credentials and maintain persistent remote access. AI in Costa Rica: Microsoft reports Costa Rica leads Latin America in AI use, with about 29.7% of people (ages 15–64) using generative AI tools. Digital policy: A new Costa Rican private group unveiled an 808-provision Framework Law on Digital Sovereignty and Emerging Technologies covering AI, blockchain, digital assets, and personal data control. Health tech & exports: Medical devices made up 46% of Costa Rica’s goods exports (Jan–Aug), while a local AI platform called Flow helps doctors digest new research faster. Biodiversity: A study estimates Costa Rica could host over 40,000 fungal species, far above the ~7,000 formally documented. Public health travel: Starting Oct. 1, Costa Rica will require a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers to eight higher-risk destinations. Packaging innovation: Pineapple exporter Fertinyc switched to ventilating pallet wrap, improving stability and reducing damage.

AI & Digital Sovereignty: Costa Rica Tech Group’s Chamber of Blockchain, AI and Emerging Tech unveiled an 808-provision Framework Law on Digital Sovereignty and Emerging Technologies, aiming to set rules for AI, blockchain, digital assets and personal data control, with plans to split it into eight sector bills. Cybersecurity: Researchers detailed CARBONATO, a Docker-focused botnet that hijacks exposed, unauthenticated Docker daemons and uses an open-source Hermes Agent layer plus Telegram-driven control. Local Tech & Business: RIMAN expanded to 22 markets, adding France, Germany, Romania and Ecuador, while Luckin Coffee hit its 100th Singapore store and 1.9M app members. Public Safety: A fire forced Nova Cinemas Curridabat in San José to close indefinitely, including one of Costa Rica’s two IMAX auditoriums. Science & Nature: Costa Rica-linked wildlife clips and research spotlight sea turtles and crocodilian behavior, while a separate report notes Costa Rica’s role in global ocean monitoring funding via OceanEye. Policy & Global Tech: UNGA81 events pushed AI governance discussions in the global public interest as the next UN secretary-general race heats up.

Fire Safety & Local Tech: A fire at Nova Cinemas Curridabat in San José has forced the multiplex—home to one of Costa Rica’s two IMAX auditoriums—to close indefinitely, with firefighters containing flames to about 1,000 sq. meters and engineering teams investigating the cause. Public Health & Food Systems: Costa Rica’s mandatory food fortification is highlighted as a hidden-hunger fix, with reported drops in child and women’s anemia after staple foods were fortified. AI Governance at UNGA81: Club de Madrid and RegulatingAI hosted a high-level round table on who builds, oversees, and governs AI for the public interest during UNGA81, with former Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla opening. Cybersecurity: Researchers describe CARBONATO, a Docker-based botnet that installs an AI agent, steals credentials, and spreads via exposed Docker services—reportedly linked to Costa Rica infrastructure. Ocean Monitoring & Climate Tech: Canada, the EU, and partners launched the OceanEye alliance, securing C$339M+ for ocean observation to support weather, climate, and maritime safety. Wildlife Science: Costa Rica-linked coverage notes sea turtle nesting surprises and egg relocations elsewhere, underscoring how storms can disrupt conservation efforts.

AI Governance at UNGA81: Club de Madrid and RegulatingAI convened a high-level round table in New York on who builds, oversees, and governs AI for the public interest, pointing to UN-backed work like an independent AI scientific panel and a global dialogue on AI governance. Costa Rica Tourism Push: Costa Rica’s tourism board (ICT) marked World Tourism Day with free, guided walks across all seven provinces, using local guides and “Tourism for All” access efforts to boost community tourism value chains. Cybersecurity: Researchers detailed CARBONATO, a Docker-based botnet that uses an AI agent to steal credentials and run tasks via Telegram after finding exposed, unauthenticated Docker services. Ocean Monitoring Funding: Canada and the EU helped launch the OceanEye International Alliance, securing C$339M+ in pledges to expand global ocean observation for weather, climate, safety, and coastal protection. Wildlife & Climate Signals: Costa Rica-linked footage highlighted crocodilian predation, while separate reports noted rare olive ridley sea turtle nesting on the U.S. West Coast and the urgent relocation of eggs ahead of storm hazards. Local Tech Economy: A report says Costa Rica is quietly positioning itself as Latin America’s next smart manufacturing hub, building automation and digital integration for higher-value production.

Wildlife & Climate: Costa Rica-linked footage shows a massive American crocodile clamping a smaller croc in its jaws while warding off a rival, highlighting predation and cannibalism in the wild. Science & Education: Yucatecan researcher Santiago Martín Pech Pool will represent Mexico in Solo de Ciencia’s Ibero-American final in San José, Costa Rica, after winning a national jury prize with a three-minute stem-cell monologue. Local Tech & Industry: A new report says Costa Rica is quietly positioning itself as Latin America’s next smart manufacturing hub, leaning on automation, precision engineering, digital integration, and advanced compliance. Cybersecurity: Researchers describe CARBONATO, a Docker-based botnet that uses an AI agent to steal credentials and run commands via Telegram, with infrastructure reportedly linked to Costa Rica. Environment & Research: OVSICORI reports Rincón de la Vieja remains at Activity Level 3 after small eruptions and gas releases, with recent activity including a plume up to 2,000 meters. Regional Tech: El Salvador’s FOVIAL Engineering Fair 2026 brings Costa Rica, Colombia, and Paraguay together to share road-network conservation techniques and materials.

UN Diplomacy & AI: At the UN General Assembly, leaders left without breakthroughs on Iran and Ukraine, but shuttle talks between US and Iranian officials inched forward, while global powers used the week to debate AI risks with industry. Ocean Monitoring Funding: Canada, the EU and dozens of partners launched the OceanEye International Alliance, securing about C$339M (€211M) in pledges to expand global ocean observing for weather, climate and coastal safety. Costa Rica Conservation Court Ruling: Costa Rica’s court temporarily halted visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland until MINAE and SINAC complete a scientific carrying-capacity study. Cybersecurity: Researchers detailed CARBONATO, a Docker-based botnet that installs an AI agent, steals credentials, and spreads via exposed Docker services—reportedly linked to Costa Rica infrastructure. Local Science & Nature: Scientists studying yellow-bellied sea snakes off Costa Rica found tiny crab larvae hitching rides, adding a new twist to marine life interactions. Regional Tech Adoption (El Salvador): Microsoft data shows El Salvador reached 20.1% generative AI use among working-age people in Q2 2026, ranking third in Central America behind Costa Rica and Panama.

Ocean Science & Climate: Canada, the EU and 29 partners launched the OceanEye International Alliance to keep global ocean monitoring running, with pledges topping C$339 million (€211M) and Canada adding C$82M over five years—supporting weather, climate, safety and coastal protection. Marine Biology: Two olive ridley sea turtles nested naturally on California’s West Coast for the first time on record, with more than 200 eggs later moved from Orange County beaches to the Aquarium of the Pacific due to hazardous surf from Hurricane Polo. Costa Rica Conservation: Costa Rican courts temporarily froze visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland until MINAE and SINAC complete a carrying-capacity study. Local Tech & Industry: A new report highlights Costa Rica’s quiet push toward smart manufacturing/Industry 4.0, building automation, precision engineering and digital integration around its medtech and export base. Cybersecurity (Costa Rica-linked): Researchers say the CARBONATO botnet uses exposed Docker services to install an AI agent, steal credentials and spread—reportedly linked to Costa Rica infrastructure. Infectious Disease: Gavi-backed coverage points to World Cup travel and mass gatherings as factors behind measles spread across the Americas amid declining vaccination coverage. Volcano Watch: OVSICORI reports Rincón de la Vieja remains at Activity Level 3 after small eruptions and gas releases.

Smart Manufacturing: Costa Rica is positioning itself as Latin America’s next smart manufacturing hub, moving beyond labor-cost competition toward automation, precision engineering, digital integration, and Industry 4.0-style compliance. MedTech Infrastructure: MCI’s testing and quality engineering platform is now a key part of Costa Rica’s medical device supply chain, supporting sterility testing, validation, and regulatory documentation for much of the sector. Payments & Mobile Tech: EBANX is running its global payments summit in Costa Rica and expanding tech offerings, including native Apple Pay decryption across Latin America and new Pakistan operations. Retail Payments: Apple has rolled out Tap to Pay on iPhone in Costa Rica, letting merchants accept contactless payments via participating payment platforms. Conservation & Courts: A Costa Rican court temporarily froze access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland, ordering a scientific carrying-capacity study before visitation continues. Marine Science: Panama hosted COLACMAR 2026, spotlighting satellite, remote sensing, and genetic tools for ocean research. Wildlife Research: Scientists studying sea snakes off Costa Rica documented tiny crab larvae hitching rides. Public Health: A new episode looks at the current state of measles as cases rise. Weather Watch: Central America faces continued heavy rain risks, with flooding and landslides possible.

MedTech & Health Infrastructure: MCI, a Costa Rican testing and quality engineering platform, is described as a behind-the-scenes backbone for the country’s medtech boom, serving most of the sector with sterility testing, validation, and regulatory documentation. Digital Payments: EBANX is running its global Payments Summit in Costa Rica and says it’s expanding into Pakistan for early 2027 while rolling out native Apple Pay decryption across Latin America and the Caribbean. Ocean Science Funding: The EU and Canada launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System, with pledges totaling nearly €220 million to support sensors, vessels, data hubs, and closing ocean data gaps. Wildlife Discovery: A new cat species, the Bolivian tilcayo (Leopardus tilcayo), was formally named after genetic work, with conservation stakes tied to how many small-cat species are recognized. Local Tech Payments: Apple rolled out Tap to Pay on iPhone in Costa Rica via participating payment platforms, letting merchants accept contactless payments without extra hardware. Public Health & Ethics: A Costa Rican man with type 1 diabetes died in U.S. ICE custody in Louisiana; his family alleges missed insulin, meals, and water while ICE says he received proper care.

Payments & Fintech: EBANX is expanding in Pakistan and rolling out native Apple Pay decryption across Latin America and the Caribbean, with its global payments summit running in Costa Rica through Sept. 25. Mobile Commerce: Apple launched Tap to Pay on iPhone in Costa Rica, letting merchants accept contactless payments using an iPhone XS+ and compatible payment apps via local platforms like Geopagos, Symbiotic and Visa Acceptance Solutions. Life Sciences Finance: BAC says it’s deepening its strategic role in Costa Rica’s life sciences ecosystem, backing MedTech and specialized tech firms with connectivity, automation support and regional advisory services. AI Governance: Costa Rica’s science ministry head urged countries to agree on AI governance at the UN, criticizing the U.S. stance and warning global talks can’t exclude top AI players. Biodiversity & Health Tech: A new survey in Mexico’s Celestún mangrove reserve found 17 mosquito species, including one never before recorded in Yucatán, with implications for arbovirus risk. Conservation: NOAA reports an olive ridley sea turtle laid eggs near Seal Beach—the first recorded natural nesting on the U.S. West Coast—followed by another nesting sighting near Huntington Beach. Wildlife Discovery: Researchers named a new wild cat species in Bolivia, Leopardus tilcayo, the first living cat species formally described in over a century. Public Health & Safety: A Costa Rican man died in ICE custody in Louisiana after family says he repeatedly raised concerns about missed insulin, meals and diabetes care. Ocean Monitoring Funding: Canada and the EU helped launch the OceanEye International Alliance for GOOS, securing $339M+ for global ocean observing. Tech & Society: A Costa Rica TEDx Pura Vida talk highlights how AI can help older adults turn memories into original songs.

Ocean Tech Funding: Canada and the EU launched the OceanEye International Alliance to back the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), securing about $339M in pledges for better ocean monitoring, from weather forecasting to climate and coastal protection. Biodiversity Finance: A new report warns the world is not on track for 2030 nature goals unless protected areas get “mapped, costed, and financed” plans—Costa Rica is cited among countries expanding conservation coverage. Local Environment Research: Costa Rica’s long-term forest restoration study finds fully planted sites can build about 6.5x more aboveground biomass than natural regrowth after ~18–20 years. Public Health Access: PAHO says lenacapavir for long-acting HIV prevention will be accessible in 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Costa Rica, via regional revolving funds. AI for Seniors (Local): TEDx Pura Vida highlights how AI-assisted songwriting workshops can help older adults turn memories and emotions into original songs. Digital Business Tips: A Costa Rica-focused guide argues automation should handle routine messages, while people step in for complaints and context-heavy requests.