Central America

El Salvador gets the Safe Travels stamp

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) awarded El Salvador with the Safe Travels stamp. This endorsement places the country as one of the first in the region to be awarded such recognition after complying with the global health and hygiene protocols to revitalize tourism.

The WTTC awarded the stamp to El Salvador after assessing the eight biosecurity protocols implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, together with other institutions of President Nayib Bukele’s government.

These protocols exceeded all the required standards, such as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) current guidelines. And it is also supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

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The WTTC also allows the Ministry of Tourism to award the stamp to cultural and tourist sites that comply with all the approved biosecurity measures. Considering this, those sites managed by the Ministry of Culture, and recreational parks managed by the Salvadoran Institute of Tourism (ISTU) were the first ones to receive the stamp as part of the re-opening process of cultural and tourist activities.

“The Safe Travels stamp helps travelers identify those countries that have adopted protocols that comply with international biosecurity standards, adjusting tourism operations to meet international health and hygiene standards required in the new normal,” said Morena Valdez, Minister of Tourism.

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The Minister emphasized how El Salvador has been an example worldwide in the management of the pandemic and that this stamp recognizes the work by the President Nayib Bukele’s government “and gives a message of confidence to all travelers who decide to visit our country.”

Most importantly, El Salvador was awarded the Safe Travels stamp as a country. While other countries have only gotten the stamp for certain tourist destinations.

Central America

Guatemalan police officer killed in mob riots over baby kidnapping

A police officer was killed during riots provoked by an enraged mob in a Guatemalan town following the kidnapping of a baby, the government reported on Wednesday.

The incidents began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday in the town of San Vicente Pacaya, about 25 km south of the capital, according to Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez.

“There was an incident in San Vicente Pacaya where, unfortunately, a police officer died after being struck in the head with a stone. He passed away this morning,” Jiménez said in a press conference.

He explained that the unrest erupted following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of “a baby just a few months old,” including a woman with a criminal record.

Sports

Venezuela investigates 18 baseball players seeking asylum in Spain

Maduro calls on military to be alert to alleged plan by "fascist groups"

The Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday that it is investigating the case of 18 baseball players who are “under the supervision of Spanish authorities” after seeking protection.

In a statement, Venezuelan authorities said they are working to determine whether this case involves “a possible human trafficking scheme,” though they have not provided any evidence of such a crime.

The Venezuelan government emphasized its commitment to protecting the country’s athletes while also denouncing the use of international legal frameworks by certain governments allegedly seeking to discredit the administration.

CNN reached out to Spain’s National Police for a response to Venezuela’s claims. According to Spanish authorities, the 18 young athletes—including two minors—arrived in Spain to participate in a series of matches but had already planned to apply for asylum. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that they had begun interviewing the players to process their international protection requests.

The team’s coach addressed the situation in a TikTok video, refuting local media reports that he had abandoned the athletes. He asserted that the players chose to remain in Barcelona to secure the necessary permits to sign with other teams and that their decision was unrelated to any political motivations.

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Sports

Filipe Luis debuts as coach in Copa Libertadores with Flamengo

A two-time Copa Libertadores champion with Flamengo during his playing days, Filipe Luis will make his managerial debut in the tournament this Thursday when the popular Rio de Janeiro club faces Venezuela’s Deportivo Táchira.

Placed in Group C alongside Táchira, Liga de Quito, and Argentina’s Central Córdoba, Flamengo starts as one of the favorites—a major challenge for the 39-year-old former player.

His early coaching career has been off to a strong start.

After retiring in 2023, Filipe Luis took over as Flamengo’s head coach on September 30. Just 41 days later, he won his first title, the Copa do Brasil. The year 2025 has already brought two more trophies: the Supercopa do Brasil, where Flamengo defeated Botafogo—current Libertadores and Brasileirão champions—3-1, and the Campeonato Carioca.

At 8:30 PM local time (00:30 GMT Friday), Flamengo under Filipe Luis will make its international debut at Estadio Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristóbal. Although Gerson, Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata are unavailable, the squad still boasts attacking firepower with Bruno Henrique and Everton.