Central America

The Acajutla-San Salvador stretch is the most relevant for the Pacific Railway

Dante Mossi, president of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), said that according to a strategic study developed by the institution, they identified the stretch between San Salvador and the Acajutla port as the most relevant for the Pacific Railway project.

The Pacific Railway is one of President Bukele’s administration’s main bets on infrastructure. According to the Pacific Plan, this project seeks to link the Acajutla port and La Union port by train.

On this matter, Federico Anliker, president of CEPA, recently said in an interview that the project is on hold, but that it has not been ruled out. He also stressed that it would bring economic growth to the country.

CABEI’s president added that they were discussing with President Bukele’s government the design of the Pacific Railway’s feasibility study. The pandemic has forced the experts to work remotely, but Mossi hopes that when the airport opens, these studies will advance.

Central America

Honduras arrests former military leaders over 2009 killings

Former Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Honduras, General Romeo Vásquez, was arrested on Sunday as the alleged person responsible for the 2009 killings of two individuals by military personnel, just days after leading the coup against former President Manuel Zelaya.

Along with him, the Deputy Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Venancio Cervantes, and the former commander of the Joint Operations Command were also detained, according to the Secretary of State for Security (Interior), Gustavo Sánchez, on his social media account X.

“The three arrests were made moments ago by the Honduran Police in coordination with the Public Ministry in Tegucigalpa and La Paz (west),” Sánchez said.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office had issued an arrest warrant for the three ex-military officials “on charges of homicide and aggravated assault” against Obed Murillo and Alex Zavala, who were attacked by “members of the Armed Forces,” according to the Public Ministry.

Sports

AC Milan defeats Juventus to secure Supercoppa Italiana final spot

AC Milan will take on Inter Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana final on Monday following a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Juventus in the second semifinal held in Riyadh on Friday.

Turkish sensation Kenan Yildiz, a late addition to Juventus’ starting lineup, opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a powerful strike that caught French goalkeeper Mike Maignan off guard.

However, AC Milan, under new Portuguese coach Sérgio Conceição—who replaced his compatriot Paulo Fonseca earlier this week—delivered a much-improved second-half performance.

The ‘Rossoneri’ leveled the game in the 71st minute through a penalty converted by American star Christian Pulisic. Just four minutes later, their winning goal came via an own goal by Juventus defender Federico Gatti, who accidentally sent the ball past his goalkeeper, who was caught out of position.

Central America

Honduras to send delegation in place of president Castro for Maduro ceremony

Honduran President Xiomara Castro will not attend Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration on January 10, an official source confirmed Friday in Tegucigalpa.

In brief statements to journalists, Honduran Deputy Foreign Minister Gerardo Torres said that Castro “will not go to Venezuela” and that a delegation will likely be sent to represent Honduras at Maduro’s swearing-in ceremony.

Regarding the $100,000 reward announced by Venezuelan police for information on the whereabouts of opposition presidential candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, Torres remarked that it is an internal matter for Venezuela. However, he noted that the situation “reflects a tense political climate ahead of Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration.”