Central America

El Salvador gets the Safe Travels stamp

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) awarded El Salvador with the Safe Travels stamp. This endorsement places the country as one of the first in the region to be awarded such recognition after complying with the global health and hygiene protocols to revitalize tourism.

The WTTC awarded the stamp to El Salvador after assessing the eight biosecurity protocols implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, together with other institutions of President Nayib Bukele’s government.

These protocols exceeded all the required standards, such as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) current guidelines. And it is also supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

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The WTTC also allows the Ministry of Tourism to award the stamp to cultural and tourist sites that comply with all the approved biosecurity measures. Considering this, those sites managed by the Ministry of Culture, and recreational parks managed by the Salvadoran Institute of Tourism (ISTU) were the first ones to receive the stamp as part of the re-opening process of cultural and tourist activities.

“The Safe Travels stamp helps travelers identify those countries that have adopted protocols that comply with international biosecurity standards, adjusting tourism operations to meet international health and hygiene standards required in the new normal,” said Morena Valdez, Minister of Tourism.

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The Minister emphasized how El Salvador has been an example worldwide in the management of the pandemic and that this stamp recognizes the work by the President Nayib Bukele’s government “and gives a message of confidence to all travelers who decide to visit our country.”

Most importantly, El Salvador was awarded the Safe Travels stamp as a country. While other countries have only gotten the stamp for certain tourist destinations.

Central America

Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua

On Monday (March 31, 2025), Panama extended the safe-conduct pass for former President Ricardo Martinelli by three more days to allow him to travel to Nicaragua, after the Central American country refused to receive him due to concerns over an alleged Interpol arrest warrant.

“The National Government has decided to extend the validity of the safe-conduct pass for an additional seventy-two (72) hours, until the end of Thursday, April 3, 2025,” the Panamanian Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué. The original permit was set to expire Monday at midnight (05:00 GMT on Tuesday).

The Foreign Ministry explained that regarding the ‘humanitarian asylum’ granted to Martinelli last Thursday, which was set to expire Monday at midnight, the Nicaraguan government requested clarifications about an apparent Interpol alert, which had already been dismissed as inadmissible.

Additionally, the Panamanian Supreme Court of Justice, as the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, stated on Monday that it had “no objections” to granting asylum and a safe-conduct to Martinelli, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.

Central America

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary urges Mexico to strengthen Guatemala border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on Monday that during last week’s meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, she urged Mexico to reinforce its border with Guatemala and share biometric datawith U.S. authorities.

“I gave her a list of things that President Trump would love to see. And it was exceptional. It was supposed to be a half-hour meeting, but we talked for nearly two hours. It was very productive,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News.

The Homeland Security Secretary requested that Sheinbaum, who has already deployed 10,000 National Guard troopsalong Mexico’s northern border with the U.S., also secure Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.

Noem added that she also asked the Mexican president to share biometric data with the U.S., to which Sheinbaum responded that she was “willing to discuss it,” although she acknowledged that it could be a controversial issue in her country.

Central America

Panama police clarifies that Interpol alert for Martinelli is still pending

Panama’s National Police clarified on Sunday that an Interpol alert request for former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) is still under review and has yet to be confirmed. Martinelli was granted a safe-conduct pass last Thursday to leave the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been seeking asylum since February 2024 after being convicted of corruption.

“The National Police clarifies that there is currently an active process for an Interpol alert, requested by Judge Baloisa Marquínez, against former President Ricardo Martinelli. This request must be analyzed by Interpol’s General Secretariat (headquartered in France) for approval or rejection. If approved, it will be notified to member countries,” the police stated in a press release sent to EFE.

According to the statement, “at the moment, it remains an ongoing procedure, and former President Martinelli does not have a confirmed alert.”

The announcement came hours after National Police Director Jaime Fernández had told the press that an “Interpol alert” for Martinelli had been received on Friday.