AGP Executive Report

Submarine Connectivity: El Salvador is moving ahead with its first submarine fiber-optic cable, with CAF opening bidding for feasibility and design studies backed by $145M in sovereign financing—aiming to triple international bandwidth soon and quadruple data capacity within five years, with an 1,800 km route and early construction funding already in the 2026 budget. AI Skills & Training: El Salvador and Platzi are expanding their partnership to add new courses on AI, English, leadership, soft skills, and entrepreneurship, building on free virtual access for Salvadorans and linking digital education to the country’s tech-hub push. Science Diplomacy Framework: El Salvador launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation to connect research, universities, the private sector, and international funding, with ANIA set to support an AI-powered agent for the new roundtable’s management. Workforce Programs: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed initiative reaching 13,500 independent workers, boosting training, financial inclusion, and road-safety support for delivery and care workers, digital entrepreneurs, and older independent workers. Service Exports Boost: El Salvador’s service exports surged in Q1 2026 to $1.53B, led by tourism ($884.4M) plus technology services ($131.8M), signaling growing international demand for local capabilities.

Submarine Connectivity: CAF opened bidding for feasibility and design of El Salvador’s first submarine fiber-optic cable, backed by $145M in sovereign financing, targeting a near-term tripling of international bandwidth and quadrupling capacity over five years, with early construction funding already in the 2026 budget. AI Skills Push: El Salvador and Platzi are expanding free digital education and adding new Certifícate courses focused on AI, English, leadership, soft skills, and entrepreneurship to grow the local tech workforce. Science Diplomacy Framework: El Salvador launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation, linking research, universities, the private sector, and international funding, with ANIA set to support an AI-powered agent for coordination. Workforce Development: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed program that reached 13,500 independent workers with training, digital tools, and support for better working conditions. Service Exports Surge: El Salvador’s Q1 2026 service exports hit $1.53B (+12.4% YoY), led by tourism ($884.4M) and growing technology services. Digital Inclusion for Workers: The WorkTech effort also emphasized financial inclusion and access to social protection, including road-safety training for delivery and app-based work.

AI & Skills Push: El Salvador is deepening its tech workforce with a renewed partnership with Platzi, adding new AI, English, leadership, soft-skills, and entrepreneurship courses to its Certifícate platform. National Science Diplomacy: The government also launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation to link research, universities, the private sector, and international funding—backed by an ANIA role that includes an AI-powered agent for coordination. ANÍA Leadership: Dr. Manuel Cardona was appointed Strategic Advisor to ANIA, bringing robotics and automation experience and support for sovereign AI infrastructure and a proposed “Free Robot Zone.” AI Infrastructure Upgrade: ANIA continues expanding El Salvador’s AI capacity with an NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster as part of its national AI push. Workforce Inclusion: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed effort reaching 13,500 independent workers, improving training, financial inclusion, and road-safety for delivery and care workers, digital entrepreneurs, and people over 50. Trade Momentum: Service exports hit $1.52B in Q1 2026, led by tourism ($884.4M), with technology services also contributing as El Salvador broadens its international business footprint.

AI & Skills Push: El Salvador is expanding its tech workforce via a renewed partnership with Platzi, adding new courses on AI, English, leadership, and entrepreneurship to its Certifícate platform. Science Diplomacy: The country also launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation, with a new roundtable to link research, universities, the private sector, and international funding—plus ANIA support for an AI-powered agent to help manage the effort. Robotics Leadership: ANIA appointed Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor, aiming to build sovereign AI infrastructure and grow programs like CUBO_ai, with ideas such as a Free Robot Zone. Workforce Inclusion: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed initiative reaching 13,500 independent workers, boosting training, financial inclusion, and road-safety for delivery and care workers. Blockchain for Development: Cardano Foundation partnered with UNDP’s Alternative Finance Lab for the SDG Blockchain Accelerator, matching blockchain-based solutions to UN development needs, including pilots already in El Salvador. Economy Signals: Service exports hit $1.52B in Q1 2026, led by tourism, with technology services also contributing.

AI & Skills Push: El Salvador is deepening its tech workforce with a renewed partnership with Platzi, adding new courses on AI, English, leadership, and entrepreneurship for Salvadorans via free virtual access. National AI Leadership: ANIA appointed robotics and AI expert Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor, with plans for sovereign AI infrastructure and expanding CUBO_ai, including a proposed Free Robot Zone. Science Diplomacy: The country launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation to link research, universities, the private sector, and international funding, with ANIA supporting an AI-powered agent for coordination. Workforce & Inclusion: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed program reaching 13,500 independent workers, boosting training, financial inclusion, and road-safety support. Trade Momentum: Service exports hit $1.52B in Q1 2026, led by tourism ($884.4M), with technology services also rising. Community Needs: A San Salvador-based home for women with intellectual disabilities says it may have to relocate or close after its property is slated for sale.

AI & Digital Skills: El Salvador is expanding its tech workforce with a renewed partnership with Platzi, adding new courses on AI, English, leadership, soft skills, and entrepreneurship to its Certifícate platform. Science Diplomacy: The government also launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation to link research, universities, the private sector, and international funding, with ANIA set to support via an AI-powered agent for coordination. National AI Push: ANIA appointed robotics and automation expert Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor, aiming to build sovereign AI infrastructure and expand CUBO_ai, including plans for a “Free Robot Zone.” Workforce & Inclusion: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed program reaching 13,500 independent workers, boosting training, financial inclusion, and road-safety for delivery and care workers. Exports Watch: El Salvador’s service exports hit $1.526B in Q1 2026, led by tourism ($884.4M) plus transport and technology services. Education Investment: ATC and Confecciones del Valle renewed a 32-year partnership with new funding for ¡Supérate! students.

Service Exports Surge: El Salvador’s service exports hit $1.5265B in Q1 2026, up 12.4% year-over-year, led by tourism at $884.4M (58%), with transport and tech services also climbing. Workforce Upskilling: WorkTech El Salvador wrapped a four-year EU/IDB Lab-backed push reaching 13,500 independent workers, boosting productivity, financial inclusion, social protection access, and road-safety training. AI & Digital Skills Push: El Salvador and Platzi are expanding free online learning with new AI, English, leadership, soft skills, and entrepreneurship courses, while ANIA adds robotics/AI expert Dr. Manuel Cardona as a strategic advisor. Science Diplomacy Framework: The country launched a National Strategy on Science, Diplomacy, and Academic Cooperation to grow research links, researcher mobility, tech transfer, and international funding—supported by ANIA. Bitcoin Ecosystem Growth: The National Bitcoin Office highlights ongoing education and daily Bitcoin purchases (~1 BTC/day) as part of a broader adoption-and-innovation strategy. Customs Tech Cooperation: El Salvador signed a deal to improve information sharing between Customs and the Attorney General’s Office to better fight tax evasion, smuggling, and money laundering.

AI Leadership in El Salvador: ANIA appointed robotics and AI expert Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor, aiming to build sovereign AI infrastructure, expand robotics/industrial automation, and grow talent through CUBO_ai (with ideas like a “Free Robot Zone”). AI Infrastructure Upgrade: ANIA also advanced a new 4x NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster, focusing on scaling and optimizing distributed multi-node training to support more demanding AI workloads. Bitcoin Ecosystem Push: El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office highlighted daily education and innovation efforts alongside continued BTC purchases of about 1 BTC per day, reinforcing its “learn, build, adopt” approach. Customs Tech for Security: El Salvador signed a cooperation agreement to improve information sharing between Customs and the Attorney General’s Office, using digitalization to speed coordination against tax evasion, smuggling, and money laundering. Ag-Biotech Partnership: El Salvador opened talks with Singapore’s GRAIN International on climate-resilient farming, crop improvement, and scientific capacity building using biotech tools like speed breeding and tissue culture. Education Investment: American Textile Company (ATC) and Confecciones del Valle renewed a 32-year partnership with new funding for ¡Supérate! graduates to pursue higher education. UN Blockchain for SDGs: Cardano Foundation partnered with UNDP’s Alternative Finance Lab to run the 2026 SDG Blockchain Accelerator, matching blockchain/AI teams with UN development challenges.

AI Strategy Boost: El Salvador’s ANIA named robotics and applied AI expert Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor, with plans for sovereign AI infrastructure, robotics/industrial automation, and expanding CUBO_ai—possibly including a “Free Robot Zone.” AI Infrastructure Upgrade: ANIA also advanced its high-performance computing push with a 4x DGX Spark cluster, aiming to scale multi-node training and optimize AI workloads. Customs Tech for Security: A new cooperation agreement links Customs and the Attorney General’s Office to speed up information sharing and strengthen action against smuggling, tax evasion, and money laundering, with digitalization at the core. Bitcoin Ecosystem Growth: The National Bitcoin Office highlighted ongoing daily Bitcoin purchases (~1 BTC/day) plus education and ecosystem-building efforts. November Tech Showcase: San Salvador will host Bitcoin Histórico (Nov 11–12) and EmTech AI LatAm (Nov 18–19), ending with the Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit (Nov 19–20) in El Zonte. Ag-Biotech Partnership: El Salvador opened talks with Singapore’s GRAIN International on climate-resilient farming, crop improvement, and research capacity.

AI Strategy Boost: El Salvador’s National Artificial Intelligence Agency (ANIA) is adding robotics and applied AI expertise by appointing Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor, with plans for sovereign AI infrastructure, robotics/industrial automation, and expanding CUBO_ai—possibly including a “Free Robot Zone” for experimentation. AI Infrastructure Upgrade: ANIA is also moving forward on high-performance computing, collaborating with AI specialist Marc Seal to scale a 4x DGX Spark cluster for distributed multi-node training and workload optimization. Customs Tech for Security: El Salvador signed a cooperation agreement to improve information sharing between Customs and the Attorney General’s Office, using digitalization to speed coordination against smuggling, tax evasion, and money laundering. Bitcoin Ecosystem Push: The National Bitcoin Office says El Salvador is continuing daily Bitcoin purchases (about 1 BTC/day) alongside education and ecosystem-building, while also lining up major November events. November Tech Showcase: San Salvador will host Bitcoin Histórico (Nov 11–12), EmTech AI LatAm (Nov 18–19), and the Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit (Nov 19–20) in El Zonte, tying Bitcoin, AI, and circular economy themes to public programming.

El Salvador–Singapore Ag-Tech Deal: El Salvador is lining up long-term agricultural biotech collaboration with Singapore’s GRAIN International, aiming at climate-resilient farming, crop improvement, and local research capacity through partners like MAG, CENTA, and ENA. Local AI Infrastructure Boost: The National AI Agency (ANIA) is expanding sovereign AI computing with a four-unit NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster, giving Salvadoran researchers more local power for prototyping and experimentation. Bitcoin Innovation Month: San Salvador is set to host a November run of global events—Bitcoin Histórico (Nov 11–12), EmTech AI LatAm (Nov 18–19), and the Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit (Nov 19–20)—positioning El Salvador as a tech and digital-assets investment hub. Cyber Resilience Snapshot: A regional ranking puts El Salvador at 41% cyber resilience, below Costa Rica (53%), highlighting the need for continued security investment as AI spreads. Regional Tech & Policy Ripples: UN warns children are being treated like “guinea pigs” by unregulated AI and ad-driven platforms, while broader Latin America coverage flags how criminal groups are diversifying into legal and digital payment channels.

El Salvador’s AI push: The National AI Agency (ANIA) is deploying a four-unit NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster to give local researchers and developers high-performance computing for AI prototyping and inference, part of a broader push for “sovereign AI” skills and infrastructure. Bitcoin & innovation calendar: San Salvador will host Bitcoin Histórico on Nov. 11–12, with Bitcoin Capital Summit on Nov. 10 and EmTech AI LatAm (Nov. 18–19), then the Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit (Nov. 19–20). Local Bitcoin community event: El Zonte (Bitcoin Beach) will run the Global Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit Nov. 19–20, turning its community model into a public, international conference with workshops and panels. Digital assets policy context: A U.S. stablecoin enforcement proposal under the GENIUS Act would define who can issue payment stablecoins in the U.S., shaping how global networks are treated. Cyber resilience note: El Salvador ranks at 41% in a regional cyber resilience index, below neighbors like Costa Rica (53%). Global AI safety warning: The UN says children shouldn’t be “guinea pigs” for unregulated AI, urging platforms and advertisers to reduce online harms.

Bitcoin & AI Showcase: San Salvador will host “Bitcoin Histórico” (Nov 11–12) plus a pre-event “Bitcoin Capital Summit” (Nov 10), then wrap with EmTech AI LatAm (Nov 18–19) and the Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit (Nov 19–20), positioning El Salvador as a tech-and-digital-assets investment magnet. Community Bitcoin Roots: El Zonte—home of Bitcoin Beach—will run the public-facing Global Bitcoin Circular Economies Summit (Nov 19–20) with workshops and panels on building Bitcoin-based local circular economies. Sovereign AI Buildout: El Salvador’s National AI Agency (ANIA) is deploying a four-unit NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster to expand local AI development capacity for researchers and developers. Stablecoin Regulation Watch: A U.S. GENIUS Act enforcement proposal would define who can issue payment stablecoins in the U.S., with major implications for cross-border crypto networks. Cyber Resilience Snapshot: A regional ranking puts El Salvador at 41% cyber resilience, below Costa Rica (53%), highlighting the need for ongoing security investment as AI adoption grows. Renewables Push: El Salvador is enabling home solar system approvals as part of its renewable energy drive.

El Salvador AI Push: El Salvador’s National AI Agency (ANIA) is deploying a four-unit NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster to expand local high-performance computing for AI development, aiming to reduce reliance on external infrastructure. Stablecoin Regulation Watch: The U.S. Treasury advanced the GENIUS Act with a proposed rule that spells out who can legally issue or sell payment stablecoins in the U.S., including criminal penalties for unauthorized activity—an important signal for global crypto services. Crypto Market Signals: Galaxy Digital cut its odds for the CLARITY Act to just 10%, while regulators and lawmakers race against a tight Senate calendar. Regional Tech & Finance: Bitget Wallet promoted stablecoins for cross-border payments across Latin America, arguing they can complement instant-payment systems like Brazil’s Pix. Energy & Infrastructure: Turkey’s Yilport secured a major deal to modernize and operate El Salvador’s Acajutla and La Union ports, targeting big capacity gains over a 50-year concession. Climate Risk for Food: NOAA raised the odds that El Niño will reach “very strong” levels, with knock-on effects for agriculture across multiple regions including Central America.

AI Infrastructure Boost: El Salvador’s National AI Agency (ANIA) is rolling out a four-unit NVIDIA DGX Spark cluster to give local researchers and developers high-performance computing for AI prototyping and training, part of a push for “sovereign” AI capacity. Green Tech for Planning: The government unveiled SIMACC, a new centralized environment and climate data system that links real-time databases, mapping, and climate analytics, plus an upgraded AI-assisted assessment tool (SEA+IA) to speed early intake and categorization for environmental reviews. Stablecoin Payments Spotlight: Bitget Wallet says blockchain and stablecoins can help unify cross-border payments across different payment systems, positioning stablecoins as a practical alternative for remittances and dollar-denominated savings. Climate Risk Watch: NOAA raises the odds that El Niño will reach “very strong” levels by late 2026, with impacts expected across parts of Central America and other regions tied to agriculture. Crypto Data Leak: A report flags leaked data tied to 54,000 wallet users, adding fresh pressure on security practices in the crypto ecosystem. Ecosocialism Debate: Brazilian economist Sabrina Fernandes argues ecosocialism treats nature as central to class, gender, race, and capitalist exploitation—an idea gaining traction ahead of Ecosocialism 2026.

Education & Inclusion: A new report spotlights how newcomer students in El Salvador struggle with belonging when language support and attendance don’t match real-life pressures like work and rent. Stablecoins & Payments: Bitget Wallet’s COO says stablecoins and blockchain can speed cross-border payments across Latin America, where instant rails like Brazil’s Pix are already normal. Climate & Food Security: El Niño odds are rising to “very strong,” with potential crop impacts across regions including Central America. Port Tech & Investment: Turkey’s Yilport secured a $1.62B deal to modernize and run El Salvador’s Acajutla and La Unión ports, aiming to boost capacity and revive La Unión. AI for Environment: El Salvador launched SIMACC, an AI-enabled system to unify environmental monitoring and speed up land-use assessments. Healthcare Expansion: Mexico’s 50 Doctors plans to expand into El Salvador with tech-enabled specialized care. Regional Disruption: Colombia’s 7.4 quake death toll climbs to 294 as recovery and logistics strain deepen.