Central America
Colombia hardens tone against Ortega, rejects his “dictatorial actions”.
February 24 |
Despite having used a conservative tone in its most recent pronouncements on the banishment and stripping of the nationality of Nicaraguan political opponents by the government of Daniel Ortega, a statement from the Colombian Foreign Ministry was more forceful on Thursday and rejected the “dictatorial actions” of the Nicaraguan head of state.
According to the text of the Colombian Foreign Ministry, the South American country “has registered with revulsion the measures taken arbitrarily” by Ortega against political prisoners, “whose only crime has been to defend democracy, the right to criticism and universal human rights”.
Last Friday, a communiqué from the Foreign Ministry expressed “concern” over the withdrawal of the nationality of 94 citizens, and regretted the stripping of the nationality of more than 200 former political prisoners sent to the United States, but said that their release and transfer was “an important step for the national dialogue”. And he called for “confidence-building measures that contribute to national reconciliation, respect for the rule of law and the well-being of the Nicaraguan people”.
But in less than a week, the government of President Gustavo Petro hardened his words by pointing out that Ortega’s actions evoke “the worst moments of the dictatorship of Atanasio Somoza that Sandinismo managed to overcome”.
He also condemned the “surprising and inhuman” exile of Nicaraguans who have fought “for the international community” and the use of “vulgar police measures”, and highlighted the struggle of those who have decided to stay in Nicaragua, taking as an example the case of the Bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Alvarez, sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Colombia also urged the world “to react” and asked the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, to request authorization to visit the Nicaraguans still imprisoned, since they are “victims” and “international humanitarian law covers them”.
“The authoritarianism that has been imposed in the sister republic has violated jus cogens norms”, adds the communiqué.
The Foreign Ministry also confirmed that it seeks to contact the exiles who wish to obtain Colombian nationality: “They would honor us very much”. Precisely, on Wednesday, Colombia offered nationality to writer Sergio Ramirez, who met with the Colombian Foreign Minister, Alvaro Leyva Duran, on Tuesday, in Madrid.
Argentina was the first country in the continent to offer nationality to “stateless” Nicaraguans. Subsequently, Chile, Spain and Mexico followed suit.
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
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.
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.
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