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Central America

Electricity subsidy in Guatemala returns to pre-pandemic rates

Guatemala’s electricity subsidy returns to pre-pandemic amounts. Alberto Pimentel, Minister of Energy and Mines, made the announcement. The National Institute of Electrification (INDE) noted that the extraordinary resources used for this aid have been exhausted. They approved it to lessen the effect of the pandemic on family income.

Authorities said that INDE approved a subsidy to continue with the Social Tariff Contribution. The measure takes effect today in the consumption ranges between 1 and 60, and 61 to 88 kilowatt hours per month (kWh). It is estimated that about 8 million people will benefit from it this month. INDE will spend about Q73 millions of its own funds to achieve this.

An extraordinary contribution requested by the government and approved by Congress was provided from May to August. The amount of this contribution was Q630 millions. Those users who consumed between 1 and 300 kWh per month during those months were covered with that money.

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Central America

Nicaraguan Exiles to Mark 7th Anniversary of 2018 Protests with Global Commemorations

The Nicaraguan opposition in exile announced on Thursday that it will commemorate the seventh anniversary of the April 2018 protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, with events in Costa Rica, the United States, and several European countries.

The commemorative activities—which will call for justice for the victims, as well as freedom and democracy for Nicaragua—will include religious services, public forums, cultural fairs, and other public gatherings, according to official announcements.

In April 2018, thousands of Nicaraguans took to the streets to protest controversial reforms to the social security system. The government’s violent response quickly turned the demonstrations into a broader call for the resignation of President Ortega, who is now 79 and has been in power since 2007.

The protests resulted in at least 355 deaths, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), although Nicaraguan organizations claim the toll is as high as 684. Ortega has acknowledged “more than 300” deaths and maintains the unrest was an attempted coup d’état.

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International

Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals

Arsenal enjoyed a “historic night” on Wednesday after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, knocking them out of the Champions League quarterfinals, midfielder Declan Rice said.

“It’s such a special night for this club, a historic night for this club,” said Rice, who scored twice in the first leg in London, speaking to TNT Sports.

The English international was named Man of the Match in both legs — the 3-0 win in London and the second leg in Madrid.

“It’s amazing. I knew we were on an upward trajectory and we’ve done incredibly well in this competition. We deserve it and we have full confidence in our coach. Reaching the semifinals is unbelievable,” Rice added.

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Central America

Petro questions Ecuador’s vote, cites reports of military control and arrests

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Tuesday he had received “concerning” reports regarding Ecuador’s presidential runoff election held last Sunday, and called for greater transparency—drawing a parallel with Venezuela.

“Colombian observers were sent to Ecuador’s elections. The reports I’ve received are troubling,” Petro wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa secured reelection in the second round with 55.6% of the vote, defeating correísta candidate Luisa González, who received 44.4%. The election results were endorsed by international electoral observer missions from the European Union and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Petro pointed to alleged irregularities, stating: “Leonidas Iza, an Indigenous former candidate, was detained days before. Areas with a majority of opposition support were placed under a state of emergency and military control two days before the election.”

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