Central America

El Salvador, considered one of the countries with the fewest deaths from COVID-19

Photo: Presidency of the Republic

April 27 |

The Minister of Health, Francisco Alabi, informed during an interview in Noticiero El Salvador that the situation regarding COVID-19 is quite favorable, since during the first four months of the year only three lethalities have been registered due to this disease.

“We are one of the few countries worldwide that has demonstrated good management of the pandemic, especially with tangible results. Our hospitals are free of COVID-19 admissions,” the minister said.

According to the Health report, April continues with no deaths due to this virus, an achievement attributed to the actions taken by the Government of El Salvador for the prevention of this virus.

“On April 25, we did not record any deaths due to COVID-19. We are maintaining the trend in the reduction of cases and lethalities due to this disease”, highlighted Minsal.

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The minister pointed out that there are still countries that are reporting loss of lives due to this situation, but El Salvador, having had the entire health system available, such as vaccines against the virus, made the difference. The country, at this moment, does not have any patient admitted for COVID-19.

“This really is a great joy because it was a team effort, as a country, a work in which Salvadorans were the main participants, through compliance with the regulations given to us by the president, we were able to protect each other,” explained the minister.

Alabi also highlighted that due to the good management that the institution has in health issues, there are no serious cases of seismic smallpox reported either. “We have confirmed 104 cases of seismic smallpox in the country; all patients are already discharged and we did not record any lethality from this disease,” Alabi said.

The Minsal maintains the recommendation that in case of any symptoms of this disease, patients should go to a health center or call the Medical Emergency System at number 132.

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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.