Central America
El Salvador and Qatar enhance friendship and cooperation
September 14 |
The governments of El Salvador and Qatar signed yesterday important agreements on security, health and agriculture, which further strengthen bilateral relations and the strategic alliance and cooperation between the two nations.
These mutual cooperation agreements were signed after a working meeting held at the Presidential House between the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in the framework of an official visit of the Qatari Sheikh to the country.
“We discussed relations with El Salvador and mainly talked about different projects and ideas in common,” said Al Thani after the bilateral meeting.
The agreements and arrangements reached will strengthen cooperation in the fields of security, health and agriculture.
The Qatari sheikh also congratulated Bukele for the achievements he has had during his administration that have led El Salvador to position itself in the concert of nations.
“I want to thank and congratulate everything he has done in his country, especially on the issue of security. I think the whole world recognizes this,” he said.
Al Thani arrived in El Salvador on Tuesday afternoon in response to Bukele’s invitation to him in 2019, when he went to the State of Qatar on an official mission.
The emir sent a message upon his return: “We aspire to more bilateral cooperation and we both have compatible visions about ways to take advantage of the opportunities and the great potential that our countries have. I thank you for the hospitality with which you received me and the delegation that accompanied me”.
Prior to the bilateral meeting, the Salvadoran government formulated proposals for investment projects through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions. The agreements were signed by Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Khulaifi.
The visit of His Royal Highness to El Salvador “will allow to deepen the proposals for joint work in sectors such as passenger and cargo transportation, ports and airports, and mass passenger transportation, among others”, informed the Salvadoran Government.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira visited Qatar a few months ago to begin exploring the possibilities of mutual support and also to strengthen ties of friendship.
With the visit of the Qatari sheikh, the economic and commercial ties between the Arab nation and El Salvador are also strengthened – within the framework of the agreements signed – by means of approaches between the private sectors of both countries.
Since his arrival to the Executive, President Bukele began to work for a new foreign policy that would allow El Salvador to have new strategic partners for the development and welfare of its inhabitants.
El Salvador established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2003, and the State visit of Emir Al Thani addressed “issues of cooperation and common interest to further strengthen bilateral relations”.
The Embassy of the State of Qatar in El Salvador praised the visit of His Royal Highness: “The relations between the two countries are deep and developed. The visit of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar will contribute to expand relations towards broader horizons”.
Food trade and investment have been explored with Qatari partners. The Pacific Train and Pacific Airport have been of interest to the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Qatar Airways has also expressed interest in establishing a cargo and passenger route.
The Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left the country yesterday afternoon, after finishing his official visit that began last Tuesday. He was seen off at the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport of El Salvador by Vice President Felix Ulloa.
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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