Central America

Nicargua’s Ortega urges parliament to welcome US, Russian troops

AFP

Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega urged parliament to ratify a decree allowing foreign troops, including from Russia and the United States, to carry out joint humanitarian assistance and anti-drug trafficking exercises in the country.

The presidential decree was sent to parliament “as a matter of urgency” and is to be discussed on Tuesday, according to the legislative agenda published on Saturday by the official newspaper.

The decree authorizes the entry “on a rotating basis” of Russian troops to take part alongside the Nicaraguan military “in an exchange of experience, training exercises, and humanitarian aid operations”.

Allowing for the entry of foreign military personnel as well as ships and aircraft, the decree lists naval and airforce exercises to fight drug traffickers and international organized crime.

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According to the decree, the exercises will be carried out with military personnel from the United States, Mexico, Central American countries, Venezuela, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Ortega has also asked parliament to allow Nicaraguan military personnel to travel to the listed countries.

A firebrand Marxist in his youth, Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, after heading a guerrilla army that ousted US-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza.

Returning to power in 2007, he has won re-election three consecutive times, including most recently last year in a vote that US President Joe Biden called a “sham”.

The Biden administration, which does not recognize Ortega’s government, has imposed sanctions aimed at bringing about political change and securing the release of 182 opposition members, including seven former presidential candidates.

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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.