Central America

Indigenous leaders in Guatemala announce increased protests

Photo: EFE

October 18 |

Indigenous leaders of Guatemala gave Tuesday a deadline to the government of President Alejandro Giammattei to seek a solution to the political crisis or they will increase the protests that have been held consecutively for 16 days.

The indigenous mayor of the municipality Los Encuentros, Alberto Tuy, affirmed that the authorities of the native peoples are analyzing the last resources so that in case there is no response they can bring to the capital “the whole nation from which we have support”.

In this sense, he pointed out that neither the Constitutional Court (CC), the Supreme Court of Justice, the Congress of the Republic and the President have given a solution to the demands, especially the dismissal of the Attorney General and head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP), Consuelo Porras.

“We are giving 48 hours to analyze and raise awareness, but if at this moment there is an answer from the government or any other instance, with pleasure, all roads will be freed”, he affirmed.

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Meanwhile, Guatemala’s Minister of the Interior, Napoleón Barrientos, presented his resignation to President Giammattei on Monday after the MP requested the Constitutional Court to dismiss him for not complying with orders to evict participants in the protests.

The protesters accuse Porras and prosecutors Cinthia Monterroso and Rafael Curruchiche, as well as Judge Fredy Orellana, of attempting to modify the results of the elections held last June and August, in which the Semilla Movement candidate, Bernardo Arévalo de León, won.

At the end of September, the Public Prosecutor’s Office seized, in an unprecedented procedure, voting records after having carried out raids to the headquarters of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and to the Seed Movement.

Related Topics:Central America Guatemala

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Central America

Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua

On Monday (March 31, 2025), Panama extended the safe-conduct pass for former President Ricardo Martinelli by three more days to allow him to travel to Nicaragua, after the Central American country refused to receive him due to concerns over an alleged Interpol arrest warrant.

“The National Government has decided to extend the validity of the safe-conduct pass for an additional seventy-two (72) hours, until the end of Thursday, April 3, 2025,” the Panamanian Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué. The original permit was set to expire Monday at midnight (05:00 GMT on Tuesday).

The Foreign Ministry explained that regarding the ‘humanitarian asylum’ granted to Martinelli last Thursday, which was set to expire Monday at midnight, the Nicaraguan government requested clarifications about an apparent Interpol alert, which had already been dismissed as inadmissible.

Additionally, the Panamanian Supreme Court of Justice, as the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, stated on Monday that it had “no objections” to granting asylum and a safe-conduct to Martinelli, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.

Central America

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary urges Mexico to strengthen Guatemala border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on Monday that during last week’s meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, she urged Mexico to reinforce its border with Guatemala and share biometric datawith U.S. authorities.

“I gave her a list of things that President Trump would love to see. And it was exceptional. It was supposed to be a half-hour meeting, but we talked for nearly two hours. It was very productive,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News.

The Homeland Security Secretary requested that Sheinbaum, who has already deployed 10,000 National Guard troopsalong Mexico’s northern border with the U.S., also secure Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.

Noem added that she also asked the Mexican president to share biometric data with the U.S., to which Sheinbaum responded that she was “willing to discuss it,” although she acknowledged that it could be a controversial issue in her country.

Central America

Panama police clarifies that Interpol alert for Martinelli is still pending

Panama’s National Police clarified on Sunday that an Interpol alert request for former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) is still under review and has yet to be confirmed. Martinelli was granted a safe-conduct pass last Thursday to leave the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been seeking asylum since February 2024 after being convicted of corruption.

“The National Police clarifies that there is currently an active process for an Interpol alert, requested by Judge Baloisa Marquínez, against former President Ricardo Martinelli. This request must be analyzed by Interpol’s General Secretariat (headquartered in France) for approval or rejection. If approved, it will be notified to member countries,” the police stated in a press release sent to EFE.

According to the statement, “at the moment, it remains an ongoing procedure, and former President Martinelli does not have a confirmed alert.”

The announcement came hours after National Police Director Jaime Fernández had told the press that an “Interpol alert” for Martinelli had been received on Friday.