Central America
U.S. residents ask Arevalo for consular improvements
November 12 |
President-elect, Bernardo Arévalo, held a two-day tour of Washington, United States, where he met with different sectors and U.S. officials and migrant organizations.
Improving consular services, maximizing remittances through banks and promoting electoral civic participation were some of the topics discussed of interest to the Guatemalan community in the United States. Between 25 and 30 leaders and representatives of migrant associations from Washington, Texas, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, among others, participated.
The president-elect was accompanied on the tour by Francisco Villagrán, Guatemala’s former ambassador to various international organizations. The three issues were put on the table, but there was no in-depth discussion on how they will be addressed by the Executive Branch during the next four years.
With respect to consular attention, according to Ben Monterroso, migrant leader, it was stated that the processing of passports at the consulates should be improved. He expressed that there is difficulty in scheduling appointments, there are no passport booklets or it takes several weeks to process them. This document is necessary to carry out procedures in the North American country, even to obtain a driver’s license in some states.
“We talked about the consulates, we are clear that we have to improve both the service and the documents, because we continue with the same pending as always, that there are no passport books, no passports or no appointments”, he indicated.
As a second point, the representatives expressed to Arevalo the interest in a way that remittances can be collected in Guatemala in a proper way. In that sense, it was said that these will be maximized through two banks, however at the moment it is not known which ones they will be.
Although there is no clarity on specific actions to comply with the request, Monterroso explained that this is necessary so that Guatemalan families can take advantage of them in a better way.
“To make sure that there is transparency in collections, all those kinds of things and to see how remittances can be maximized, not many details were discussed,” he said.
The third topic was to support the civic participation of Guatemalans abroad. Monterroso pointed out that they are aware that this function does not correspond to the Presidency, but he can lead an improvement in this sense.
“It is not entirely up to him, but he can be a leader and make sure that what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for is done in an appropriate manner,” Monterroso said.
In addition, he pointed out that it was made clear that they want to have more recognition, not only as Guatemalans abroad but as the different indigenous communities to which they belong,
“That it be recognized that Guatemala is no longer only in the 22 departments, we have a department called the United States,” he emphasized.
In the opinion of the migrants, they should receive special treatment like other groups that are benefited in the country.
The communication team of the elected government was asked for an opinion on the meeting, but did not respond.
Central America
Guatemala Declares Highest Alert in Areas Affected by Fuego Volcano Eruption
Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert, the highest level of danger, on Tuesday in areas affected by the eruption of the Fuego Volcano, located about 35 kilometers from the country’s capital.
The most active volcano in Central America entered an eruptive phase on Monday morning, and its activity intensified overnight with lava emissions and large columns of gas and ash.
No fatalities have been reported, but the volcanic activity forced the evacuation of around 500 people as a precautionary measure.
The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (Conred) declared a state of emergency in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango and Escuintla, the agency announced through its official X account.
The affected regions are home to approximately 1.6 million people. However, ashfall has so far impacted only about five municipalities.
Despite the increase in the alert level, authorities reopened a road leading to the city of Antigua, the country’s main tourist destination, after evaluating safety conditions in the area.
The Fuego Volcano is one of Guatemala’s most active geological formations and has a history of frequent eruptions, requiring continuous monitoring by national emergency agencies.
Central America
U.S. Defense Secretary to Close Multinational Military Exercises in Panama to Protect Canal
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to Panama next week to close multinational military exercises involving more than 20 countries aimed at strengthening security measures for the Panama Canal against potential threats, a Panamanian government official announced Monday.
This will mark Hegseth’s second visit to Panama. The U.S. defense chief is expected to arrive on August 13 for the closing ceremony of the military drills, which began this week and have been conducted in the Central American country for more than two decades to support the protection of the interoceanic waterway, according to Panama’s Security Minister Frank Ábrego.
The exercises include participation from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru and the United Kingdom, among other nations.
“The canal is a strategic infrastructure that connects markets and supports global supply chains. Its security and uninterrupted operation are of fundamental importance for Panama, the United States and the international community,” said U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera.
The drills include maritime training operations, exercises in jungle areas surrounding the canal, as well as virtual simulations focused on cybersecurity and strategic planning.
The Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important trade routes, handles approximately 5% of global maritime commerce, making its security a priority for international trade and logistics networks.
Ábrego emphasized that preparedness and international coordination are essential to maintaining stability.
“The best way to preserve peace and guarantee the continuity of global trade is to be prepared to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to any threat,” the Panamanian official said.
Central America
Prosecutors Accuse Ex-Defense Minister of Undermining Press Freedom in Honduras
Honduras’ Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday filed criminal charges against retired General Roosevelt Hernández, the country’s former defense minister and former chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, over his alleged role in actions that prosecutors say undermined press freedom and freedom of expression.
Prosecutors said the case was brought by the Special Prosecutor’s Office for the Protection of Journalists, Social Communicators, Human Rights Defenders and Justice Officials following an investigation into content published between 2025 and 2026 on a digital media platform operated by the Honduran Armed Forces.
According to the investigation, the publications were reported by journalists and the Honduran Journalists Association (CPH), which described them as part of an alleged campaign to discredit members of the press and media organizations.
The case dates back to May 2025, when the CPH filed complaints with national and international organizations after the Armed Forces referred to three journalists as “hitmen” in an article published by FF.AA. Digital. The association argued that the publication endangered the journalists’ safety and constituted an attack on press freedom.
The journalists identified in the publication as “hitmen of the truth” were Rodrigo Wong Arévalo, director of the television news program Abriendo Brecha; Dagoberto Rodríguez, director of Radio Cadena Voces; and Juan Carlos Sierra, president of the Honduran Journalists Association. The article also included photographs of the three journalists and the CPH’s logo.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said the case file includes formal complaints, pretrial investigative proceedings, a specialized forensic analysis of audiovisual and digital material, and witness testimony gathered during the investigation to determine whether the publications violated freedom of expression and the exercise of journalism.
Authorities emphasized that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are protected under the Honduran Constitution as well as international treaties ratified by the country.
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