Central America
Panama has surpassed 133,000 cases of Coronavirus

The Panamanian Ministry of Health informed that last Saturday the country surpassed 133,000 cases of COVID-19. On that day, they registered 731 new cases of Coronavirus. And 12 deaths. Panama has reached 133,598 confirmed infections and 2,700 deaths due to the virus.
According to the authorities, Panama reports 674 hospitalized patients, 562 in the general ward and 112 in Intensive-Care Units (ICU). Since the first case of the virus was detected on March 9, the country has carried out 669,813 COVID-19 detection tests.
The Ministry of Health once again urged the population to comply with all the biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Also, Luis Francisco Sucre, Panama’s Minister of Health, encouraged those who travel through the country to wash their hands constantly, wear a mask, keep their distance, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and stay in their family bubble.
Central America
Panama’s former president Martinelli claims political enemies tried to kill him

Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli claimed on Friday that his political enemies intended to kill him once he departed for Nicaragua. Martinelli has been sheltering in Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City for over a year to evade a money laundering conviction.
“They wanted to kill me,” Martinelli stated in a social media post, without specifying who he was referring to. His remarks came after the safe-conduct pass granted by the Panamanian government for his travel to Managua expired at midnight on Thursday.
In a statement, Panama’s Foreign Ministry announced that the permit had expired without Nicaragua officially agreeing to receive the former president. According to Martinelli, Nicaraguan authorities reconsidered the transfer, suspecting it was an “ambush” or a “trap.”
“It was a vile trap they were trying to set up. On one hand, they pretended to offer me a way out, but on the other, they wanted to ruin me by inventing all sorts of accusations,” Martinelli added, thanking Nicaragua and confirming that he will remain in asylum.
Central America
Guatemalan police officer killed in mob riots over baby kidnapping

A police officer was killed during riots provoked by an enraged mob in a Guatemalan town following the kidnapping of a baby, the government reported on Wednesday.
The incidents began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday in the town of San Vicente Pacaya, about 25 km south of the capital, according to Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez.
“There was an incident in San Vicente Pacaya where, unfortunately, a police officer died after being struck in the head with a stone. He passed away this morning,” Jiménez said in a press conference.
He explained that the unrest erupted following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of “a baby just a few months old,” including a woman with a criminal record.
Sports
Venezuela investigates 18 baseball players seeking asylum in Spain

The Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday that it is investigating the case of 18 baseball players who are “under the supervision of Spanish authorities” after seeking protection.
In a statement, Venezuelan authorities said they are working to determine whether this case involves “a possible human trafficking scheme,” though they have not provided any evidence of such a crime.
The Venezuelan government emphasized its commitment to protecting the country’s athletes while also denouncing the use of international legal frameworks by certain governments allegedly seeking to discredit the administration.
CNN reached out to Spain’s National Police for a response to Venezuela’s claims. According to Spanish authorities, the 18 young athletes—including two minors—arrived in Spain to participate in a series of matches but had already planned to apply for asylum. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that they had begun interviewing the players to process their international protection requests.
The team’s coach addressed the situation in a TikTok video, refuting local media reports that he had abandoned the athletes. He asserted that the players chose to remain in Barcelona to secure the necessary permits to sign with other teams and that their decision was unrelated to any political motivations.
-
Central America4 days ago
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary urges Mexico to strengthen Guatemala border
-
Central America4 days ago
Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua
-
International3 days ago
Paraguay summons Brazilian ambassador over Itaipú espionage scandal
-
International4 days ago
Trump urges Putin to reach peace deal
-
Sports3 days ago
Filipe Luis debuts as coach in Copa Libertadores with Flamengo
-
Central America3 days ago
Guatemalan police officer killed in mob riots over baby kidnapping
-
International3 days ago
Elon Musk to step down as government advisor, per Trump insiders
-
Sports3 days ago
Venezuela investigates 18 baseball players seeking asylum in Spain
-
International3 days ago
Óscar Arias: Trump’s trade policies are a step backward
-
Central America16 hours ago
Panama’s former president Martinelli claims political enemies tried to kill him
-
International3 days ago
Milei vows to make Argentina so strong that Falkland Islanders “choose” to join
-
International3 days ago
ICE agent’s arrest of suspect sparks controversy in Boston
-
International16 hours ago
Javier Milei vows to work ‘side by side’ with the U.S. on trade rules