AGP Executive Report

Faith & Society: Pope Leo XIV drew nearly 100,000 people to a vigil in Montevideo, urging young Uruguayans to embrace family life and Catholics to keep sharing their faith. LGBTQ+ Rights: Thousands marched in Buenos Aires for Pride, with trans people leading a celebration that also protested rising violence against the community. Caribbean Culture: Reggae star Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies for his contribution to culture. Indigenous Leadership: Guyanese Indigenous delegates at a biodiversity summit pressed for communities to lead decisions on conservation funding, not just be consulted. Books & Memory: A new book traces how violence against Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people across the Americas was documented, remembered—or erased.

Pope’s Uruguay Visit: Before a crowd of 70,000 in Montevideo, Pope Leo XIV urged young Catholics to live their faith openly. He also condemned violence that keeps children from school and puts their lives at risk. Cuban Music: Havana artist Wampi’s new album celebrates his working-class roots, with the conga track “Conga Arroyo” carrying the message that great things can come from the neighborhood. Latin Grammy Spotlight: Eleven rising acts are vying for Best New Artist on Nov. 12. Colombia’s Aria Vega says her nomination brings the Caribbean coast’s sound to a wider audience. Indigenous Stories: A new book traces cases of violence against Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, examining how records and investigations shape which lives are remembered. Maya Heritage: New research suggests heavy use of mercury-based red paint may have contaminated Maya water supplies.

Papal Visit: Around 40,000 people gathered in Paysandú for Pope Leo XIV’s first South American Mass. His tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru has also sparked debate after he challenged Uruguay’s laws on abortion and euthanasia. Havana’s Music Scene: The Mozart festival runs through Nov. 12, bringing Cuban and Venezuelan musicians together and featuring the premiere of a reconstructed 1845 symphony by Cuban composer Antonio Raffelin. Peruvian Literature: Peru is showcasing more than 100 titles, including works by Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, at the Sharjah International Book Fair, while publishers seek translation and international partnerships. Indigenous Women’s Stories: A new book traces how violence against Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been recorded, remembered or erased across more than a century.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV began his 12-day South American tour in Uruguay, calling for unity, respect and care for vulnerable people. He is due in Argentina and Peru next. Indigenous History: A new book traces how killings of Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people across the Americas were investigated, remembered or erased over more than a century. Afro-Venezuelan Culture: Caracas’s Ruta Social Afro on Nov. 28 will celebrate Afro-descendant roots and raise funds for communities hit by June’s earthquakes. Music & Film: Venezuelan singer Lasso released his new album, Objetos Frágiles en Ambientes Hostiles, while Cuban film Baracoa arrives in theaters after festival success. Art & Festivals: Carsten Höller’s giant slides have become a permanent Mexico City installation, and 2027 lineups are bringing fresh attention to Vive Latino and Colombia’s Estéreo Picnic.

Pope’s Latin America Tour: Pope Leo XIV has begun a 12-day visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, where he spent much of his career as a priest and bishop. His packed itinerary blends public Masses, meetings and stops at church charities. Indigenous Representation: Brazil has sworn in its first Indigenous diplomats, Marcelo Kariri Menezes and Idjahure Terena, marking a milestone for a diplomatic corps that is also welcoming its largest share of women trainees. Venezuela: Opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned from exile and made her first public appearance at a popular shrine in Barquisimeto. Film: Venezuela’s Yaracuy Film Festival is taking entries through Nov. 25 for its second edition, set for Dec. 3–5 in Chivacoa and San Felipe. Latin Music: Colombian star Feid will take his Ferxxo – The Green Star Tour across North America and Mexico in 2027, with dates running from Orlando on Feb. 5 to Mexico City on May 27. Indigenous History: A new book by Cherokee scholar Liza Black examines how the killings of Indigenous women and Two-Spirit people across the Americas were investigated, documented and remembered—or erased.

Latin Music: Karol G and Bizarrap are among the performers announced for the Nov. 12 Latin Grammys, alongside Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh. Karol G also made history by taking the top three spots on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart. Hardcore Culture: A new roundup spotlights Latine musicians in hardcore bands whose famously intense mosh pits turn concerts into communal release. Art & Memory: Miami galleries are gearing up for Art Week with exhibitions exploring migration, identity and ecology, while Día de los Muertos celebrations across Mexico and beyond honored loved ones with music, food and colorful altars. Faith & Accountability: Pope Leo is preparing for a 12-day South American visit, including Argentina and Peru; ahead of the trip, advocates urged action on abuse allegations against 77 members of Peru’s clergy. Indigenous Education: Brazil is moving ahead with plans for its first federal Indigenous university, with initial courses focused on teacher training, public health and territorial management.

Papal Homecoming: Pope Leo XIV begins a 12-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, returning to the country where he spent two decades as a missionary. He is expected to address economic injustice and Indigenous rights. Indigenous Rights: Residents of Brazil’s remote Tumucumaque Indigenous Park say they could not vote because there were no polling stations or transport, despite a court ruling calling for access. Books & Culture: Miami Book Fair returns Nov. 15–22 with nearly 500 writers, programs in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, and a free opening-day celebration of Miami music. Art: Pinta Miami marks 20 years showcasing Latin American art during Miami Art Week. Living Traditions: Mexico City’s Day of the Dead festivities featured a record-breaking 110-foot Catrina, while celebrations across the region honored family, memory and Mexican heritage. Belize Getaway: Historic Fort George hotel in Belize City joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection, with an expansion that will bring local history, art and food into its guest experience.

Día de los Muertos: San Antonio’s MujerArtes cooperative turns memories of loved ones into handmade ceramics, with more than 100 works celebrating Mexican traditions. Live Music: Brownsville’s Nov. 6–7 Latin Music Festival features Afro-Caribbean salsa, cumbia, Latin jazz and Latin rock. Women’s Voices: A Brazilian writer challenges the sexualization of Brazilian women, tracing the stereotype to colonialism and slavery. Caribbean Arts: The Caribbean Culture Fund has reached 100 grants, supporting artists and cultural projects across the region. Music: BTS drew 853,000 fans across five sold-out South American dates, closing the Brazil leg of its Arirang tour; the album also became the first K-pop LP certified platinum in Italy.

Caribbean History: Researchers propose a Dutch Caribbean education network to help six islands improve lessons on slavery, resistance and colonial legacies. Literary Spotlight: New academic studies are drawing attention to St. Maarten writer Lasana M. Sekou’s work on Caribbean identity, ecology and decolonial thought. Latin Music: Colombian star Juanes marks 25 years as a solo artist with a 25-track collection, out Nov. 6, featuring hits including “La Camisa Negra.” Amazon Livelihoods: In Brazil’s Urucureá, a cooperative helps residents market traditional crafts and community tourism, supporting livelihoods rooted in forest stewardship and local knowledge. Day of the Dead: More than a million people joined Mexico City’s traditional parade, as celebrations honored loved ones and kept a centuries-old tradition vibrant.

Cafés & Identity: Latino-owned cafés in downtown Phoenix are turning Mexican and Cuban flavors, décor and coffee into welcoming cultural spaces. Books & Culture: UNESCO has named a Colombian city the 2027 World Book Capital, putting the country’s literary scene in the global spotlight. Caribbean History: King Charles called slavery a shameful chapter, but his remarks renewed demands for a formal apology and reparations. Music & Community: J Balvin helped open a free recording studio in a low-income Medellín neighborhood, giving young artists access to music-making equipment. Global Fans: BTS drew 853,000 concertgoers across 14 sold-out Latin American shows, closing the tour leg in São Paulo. Brazil’s Next Chapter: Lula’s unprecedented fourth-term victory signals a major moment for Brazilian democracy, though a right-leaning Congress could shape what comes next.

Art Across Borders: Three Mexican artists created large-scale works live at Singapore Art Museum for an exhibition exploring memory, home and cultural exchange. Day of the Dead: More than a million people joined Mexico City’s traditional parade, as communities across Mexico honored loved ones through art, music and family rituals. Music for All: J Balvin helped open a free recording studio in a low-income Medellín neighborhood, giving young artists access to production equipment. Living Heritage: UNESCO recognized three Brazilian sites linked to the history of slavery, while Colombian activists push to restore LGBT and left-wing stories to the National Museum. Latin Sounds: Argentine singer Milo J is charting a new course for the country’s music, and BTS drew 853,000 fans across 14 sold-out Latin American shows.

Music Access: J Balvin-backed public recording studios in Medellín are giving young artists in underserved neighborhoods professional equipment and space to develop their sound. Latin Pop: BTS wrapped its South American tour with 14 sold-out shows and 853,000 fans across five cities. Día de Muertos: Celebrations brought families together around ofrendas, music and remembrance, while Mexico City unveiled a record 33-metre Catrina. Craft & Heritage: A Doha exhibition spotlights 106 works by Mexican makers, showing how inherited techniques are being reimagined for contemporary life. Stories Across Borders: The documentary Okinawa Saudade follows Brazilian descendants of Okinawan immigrants as dancers Yumi and Everton reconnect with the island’s culture and history. Ancient Rituals: New analysis of eight Inca mummies found coca in all of them and signs of alcohol in half, offering fresh insight into preparations for sacrifice.

Heritage and Remembrance: UNESCO has added three Brazilian sites — including Rio’s Valongo Wharf and Salvador’s Sociedade Protetora dos Desvalidos — to its network honoring the history and resistance of enslaved Africans. In Mexico City, Día de Muertos celebrations drew crowds to a record-setting giant Catrina display. Latin Music: BTS wrapped its Latin American tour with 14 sold-out shows and 853,000 fans, underscoring the region’s pull as a major live-music destination. Travel and Lifestyle: Uruguay is gaining attention among expats seeking a quieter coastal life, with artsy La Barra near the beach hubs of Punta del Este and Montevideo.

Día de los Muertos: Mexico’s traditions are bringing communities together, from Mérida’s Catrina parade to celebrations in Chicago’s Little Village, Jersey City and Columbia, where students shared ofrendas, music and stories of loved ones. Music: Detroit techno pioneer Juan Atkins has died at 64 after being found unresponsive in a Mexico City hotel, where he was due to perform. Caribbean Heritage: King Charles is expected to address Britain’s history of slavery at a Commonwealth summit in Antigua, as regional calls for reparations continue. Colombian Flavors: A Magdalena River cruise puts local food at the heart of the journey, serving dishes such as costeño cheese, arepas and mote de queso.

Caribbean Heritage: Antigua’s independence parade brings together national traditions, community leaders and West Indies cricket legends as King Charles’s Caribbean visit continues. Day of the Dead: Mexico City’s 007-inspired parade and towering Catrina draw crowds, while celebrations in California pair public altars with traditional dance and music. Colombian Tradition: On Nov. 1, children across the Caribbean region mark Día de los Angelitos with songs and, in some communities, a shared sancocho — a custom rooted in faith and neighborhood solidarity. Latin Music: Shakira has postponed her Egypt concert for a second time, moving it to April 2027; the show remains part of her first major tour in seven years. Jamaican Jazz: Pianist Monty Alexander continues to fuse reggae, calypso and folk with American swing, bringing his signature sound to New Jersey later this month.

Pope’s South America Visit: Pope Leo XIV begins an 11-day tour of Uruguay, Argentina and Peru on Nov. 6, with more than 50 events planned. In Uruguay’s marginalized Casavalle neighborhood, residents hope his visit will draw attention to local hardship. Día de Muertos: Families in Guadalajara are preparing altars with marigolds, candles and offerings, while Mexico City’s 10th annual parade brought giant skeletons and floats downtown. Venezuela’s Holiday Season: President Delcy Rodríguez marked the start of Christmas festivities on Nov. 1, highlighting family traditions and community gatherings. Art Meets Formula 1: Qatari artist Hissa Al-Khuzaei designed a helmet for Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s Mexico City Grand Prix, blending motifs from Mexican dance and textiles with Qatar’s dunes and Al Sadu weaving.