Central America
Panama reports 20,686 infections and 437 deaths from COVID-19
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in Panama. In the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health confirmed 627 new cases, increasing the number of infections to 20,686.
The Ministry of Health’s Director of Epidemiology, Lourdes Moreno, also announced that eight more people have died, bringing the official death toll to 437.
The Central American country, which has been fighting the pandemic for 96 days, has carried out 91,637 tests and has shown an increase in the number of cases, while on the other hand, the economy has recovered in recent weeks.
Central America
OAS and EU urge honduran political actors to respect vote results and avoid unrest
The Electoral Observation Missions of the Organization of American States (OAS/EOM) and the European Union (EU EOM) issued an urgent call on Wednesday urging political actors in Honduras to respect the will expressed at the polls on November 30 and to refrain from inciting public disorder while the vote count is being finalized.
Both missions called on candidates, political parties, and authorities to act responsibly and maintain “active vigilance” over the vote-counting process.
So far, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has processed 99.4% of the tally sheets, but 2,773 still show inconsistencies, representing more than 500,000 unverified votes. The electoral body has not set a date for the special review, though it could begin later this week.
“The OAS/EOM reminds that electoral authorities are the only ones empowered to validate the results and reiterates its rejection of any call to disrupt public order,” the mission said in an official statement.
Central America
U.S. finds no evidence of fraud in Honduras election despite delays
The United States government said on Tuesday that it has found no evidence of electoral fraud in Honduras’ presidential election, despite several days of delays in the vote count caused by technical issues.
“We are not aware of any credible evidence supporting a call for annulment,” a State Department spokesperson told EFE in response to complaints over the slow release of official results. Washington emphasized that the elections were monitored by international observers, including representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union (EU), and national entities, which it said strengthens the legitimacy of the process.
In the current tally, conservative candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura—backed by U.S. President Donald Trump—remains in the lead with 1,298,835 votes (40.52%), while his rival, Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party, has 1,256,428 votes (39.48%). The difference of 42,407 ballots is based on the latest report from the National Electoral Council (CNE), with 99.40% of the tally completed.
According to the Trump administration, the vote reflects a clear rejection of the governing leftist Libre party, led by outgoing President Xiomara Castro.
“The CNE should certify the election results promptly,” the spokesperson said, urging all political actors to respect the independence of electoral institutions and comply with Honduras’ legal framework.
The vote count—now stretching past four days—has fueled tension and uncertainty among the population. CNE president Ana Paola Hall attributed the delays to unspecified “technical problems.”
Central America
U.S. accuses Ortega regime of systematic human rights abuses in Nicaragua
The United States stated on Tuesday that the Nicaraguan regime led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo has carried out systematic violations of human and labor rights, including arbitrary property seizures and denying Nicaraguan citizens entry into their own country.
In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Washington warned of “concerning patterns” in Nicaragua that are impacting the population, particularly in areas such as the rule of law, labor rights, and fundamental freedoms. According to the diplomatic mission, a U.S. investigation gathered direct testimony and evidence of abuses, including the use of the judicial system as a tool for repression.
The embassy shared several accounts on its social media platforms, highlighting allegations that the regime has dismantled democratic institutions and undermined legal security for individuals and businesses.
The White House is currently evaluating a proposal to double tariffs on Nicaragua by 100% and is also considering removing the country from the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), arguing that the regime’s policies create “unreasonable” obstacles to trade due to its human and labor rights practices.
One of the testimonies collected stated that in Nicaragua “investors face confiscations because the courts are used as weapons of oppression,” and that the tax system operates as a form of “extortion.” Another account claimed that “it is entirely at the discretion — at the will of the Ortega regime — who can operate and who cannot.”
A third testimony illustrated the extent of repression: “Imagine leaving your home one day — your children, your husband, your wife, your mother or father — for a five-day trip, and then you’re not allowed to return because the government has decided so.”
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