Central America

El Salvador has 20 days with zero homicides so far in February 2023

Photo: El Salvador Government

February 27 |

El Salvador has reached a total of 20 days with zero homicides so far this February, according to official data published by the National Civil Police (PNC) during the first hours of Monday.

Police records indicate that Sunday, February 26th ended with zero homicides in the whole Salvadoran territory, being the 20th day of this month with this positive record and the seventh in a row during the current week.

During the current month of February 2023 the days in which zero homicides have been registered in El Salvador, according to police data, are: 1, 3, 4, 5, 5, 6, 9, 9, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and this past Sunday 26.

With these records, El Salvador reaches the sum of 40 days without homicides between January 1 and February 24 of this year 2023. In addition, during the term of President Nayib Bukele, which began in June 2019, El Salvador adds a total of 312 days without counting deaths due to violence throughout the country.

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These achievements are attributed to the implementation of the Territorial Control Plan, a strategy to combat crime and criminality in El Salvador that began in 2019, and to the exception regime approved last March 27, 2022 and still in force throughout the Salvadoran territory.

In the framework of the exception regime, authorities have reported the capture of more than 64,000 active members and collaborators of gang groups throughout El Salvador, being a key strategy in the historic reduction of violence.

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.