Central America
Guatemala’s Private Sector donates supplies to fight the COVID-19 emergency
The Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (FUNDESA) has donated a bit more than 1.5 million dollars since April, when the first case of the virus was confirmed in Guatemala.
This donation is for Doctors who are treating Coronavirus patients, in different hospitals such as the ones from the Guatemalan Social Security Institute and the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.
FUNDESA’s executive director, Juan Carlos Zapata, said that the donation aims to support the heroes who are at the front line fighting the battle against the pandemic.
Central America
Violent Killings of Women in Honduras Remain High During First Half of 2026
Violent deaths of women remain a major concern in Honduras, according to preliminary data released by the Violence Observatory of the National Autonomous University of Honduras.
Between January and June 2026, the country recorded 139 violent deaths of women, one more than the 138 reported during the same period in 2025.
The Observatory’s director, Migdonia Ayestas, said that although the increase is minimal, the figures confirm that violence against women remains a persistent problem.
“Violence against women is a serious issue. The ways in which they are being killed have become increasingly brutal and inhumane,” Ayestas said.
She explained that documented cases include dismemberment, beheadings, sexual assaults, and bodies abandoned in public places, acts that she said reflect the violence carried out by criminal organizations.
Ayestas stressed that the analysis should go beyond the number of victims and focus on the effectiveness of the justice system.
“We should not only count how many women are killed, but also how many cases are investigated, how many arrests are made, and how many reach the courts,” she said.
According to the Observatory, more than 8,000 women have died violent deaths in Honduras since 2005, leaving thousands of children orphaned.
Ayestas also called for stronger prevention efforts, improved education, and more effective criminal investigations to address the crisis. She argued that the current state of emergency alone has not been sufficient to dismantle criminal organizations or significantly reduce violence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to prevent these crimes and combat impunity.
The first-half figures for 2026 underscore that violence against women remains one of Honduras’ most pressing security and human rights challenges.
Sports
France edge Paraguay 1–0 as Mbappé penalty sends Les Bleus into World Cup quarterfinals
France secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Paraguay to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, thanks to a second-half penalty converted by Kylian Mbappé.
The match, played at the Lincoln Financial Field, was heavily affected by extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 37°C and a heat index of 40°C, forcing players and fans to remain constantly hydrated and contributing to a slower-paced encounter.
France dominated possession throughout the first half, holding 76% of the ball and registering six shots on target without managing to convert. Paraguay, meanwhile, maintained a compact defensive structure, often dropping as many as eight players behind the ball and relying on counterattacks.
Despite their control, the French side struggled to create clear chances, a situation that visibly frustrated coach Didier Deschamps. His team returned from halftime with the same approach, eventually forcing a save from Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill after a shot from Manu Koné in the 55th minute.
The breakthrough arrived in the 70th minute when the referee, after a VAR review, awarded a penalty following a foul by Diego Gómez on Désiré Doué inside the box. Mbappé converted from the spot to give France the lead.
After the goal, France managed the game more calmly, while Paraguay pushed forward in search of an equalizer, opening up their defensive shape.
With his goal, Mbappé reached seven goals in the tournament, level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the scoring charts, and moved within one goal of the all-time World Cup scoring record.
Central America
El Salvador and Chile Mark 150 Years of Relations With Expanded Bilateral Cooperation
El Salvador and Chile are strengthening their diplomatic and cooperation ties through the official visit of Salvadoran Deputy Foreign Minister Adriana Mira to the South American country.
The purpose of the visit is to expand economic exchanges, promote new cooperation opportunities, and strengthen the bonds of friendship between both nations, according to El Salvador’s Foreign Ministry.
During her visit, Mira held a meeting with her Chilean counterpart, Patricio Torres, where they discussed issues of common interest and actions aimed at further advancing bilateral relations.
The agenda included initiatives to promote trade, encourage investment in strategic sectors, and strengthen joint efforts in different areas of cooperation.
As part of this process, both countries are preparing the 5th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Technical and Scientific Cooperation, where they are expected to establish a new framework for bilateral collaboration aimed at creating mutual benefits.
The meeting also carried a historic significance, as El Salvador and Chile are commemorating 150 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
Representatives from both governments highlighted the importance of continuing to deepen their ties of friendship and cooperation to support shared development goals.
El Salvador’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the relationship between both countries seeks to advance greater economic, commercial, and technical integration while taking advantage of new opportunities for collaboration.
Violent Killings of Women in Honduras Remain High During First Half of 2026
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 3,535 as Search for Victims Continues
France edge Paraguay 1–0 as Mbappé penalty sends Les Bleus into World Cup quarterfinals
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Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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