Central America
El Salvador on track towards a record harvest that guarantees food security

Following President Nayib Bukele’s guidelines, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) has made sustainability and the sustainable development of agricultural production a priority. Besides protecting crops, livestock and minor species. The aim is to guarantee food security and sovereignty for Salvadoran families.
Pablo Anliker, Minister of Agriculture, stressed that local producers are having a record harvest. “Our projections suggest that the production of basic grains will be over 25 million quintals, exceeding the 2019-2020 production by 12 %,” he said.
Data from the National Multipurpose Agricultural Survey ENAPM 2019-2020 and the Expected Sowing of Basic Grains Agricultural Survey 2020-2021, carried out by the General Directorate of Agricultural Economics (DGEA) of MAG, the production of basic grains for the 2020-2021 agricultural year is approximately 25.2 million quintals of grains. This is about 2.7 million quintals higher.
Central America
Guatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes

At least 16 points are blocked in Guatemala on Monday by the Committee for the Development of Rural Communities (Codeca), which is protesting the salary increase for members of Congress. The lawmakers are set to receive their third paycheck since the salary adjustment was approved in November 2024.
Although the Congressional Board of Directors announced the suspension of the salary increase at the end of March through an official document, it was later stated that the measure must be ratified by the full legislative body, requiring the approval of at least 81 of the 160 members. No reversal of this decision has been made so far. The salary of lawmakers has risen from GTQ 29,150 ($3,784) to GTQ 66,300 ($8,607). Their third elevated salary will be issued on Monday, according to local media.
The 23 deputies from the Semilla party, with which Bernardo Arévalo won the presidency, did not vote in favor of the proposal when it was presented. However, reports suggest that this may have been part of a negotiation with the opposition to approve a reform to the Law Against Organized Crime, aimed at ending legal persecution against them, as reported by the media outlet República. “The government must remember that the people defended it and it must serve the people,” stated Codeca’s official post on X (formerly Twitter).
Other grievances raised by the protesters include the rising cost of basic goods, demands to halt water privatization, an end to forced evictions, and the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras.
The Constitutional Court (CC) granted a provisional injunction on Sunday, ordering the government to allow free movement. While the court permitted the protest to proceed, it stated that the rights of the general public to mobility and access to commercial transport services should not be interrupted.
Central America
Nicaragua’s Ortega and Murillo Mourn Pope Francis, Acknowledge ‘Difficult’ Relationship

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, who also serve as co-leaders of the country, expressed their condolences on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, acknowledging that their relationship with the late pontiff had been “difficult” and “troubled.” Nicaragua officially suspended diplomatic ties with the Vatican during his papacy.
“Our relationship, as Nicaraguans who are believers, devoted and faithful to the doctrine of Christ Jesus, was difficult and troubled—unfortunately shaped by adverse and painful circumstances that were not always understood,” Ortega and Murillo wrote in a message of condolence.
“Despite the complexity and hardships, despite the manipulation we all know occurred, despite everything, we kept our hope alive through Christian faith,” they continued. “We understood the distance, and above all, the complicated and strained communication that prevented better relations. We also recognized the confusion caused by strident voices that disrupted any attempt at genuine interaction.”
Pope Francis had previously compared the Ortega regime to communist dictatorships and even to Hitler, a remark that further strained relations between Managua and the Holy See.
Central America
Cardinal Rodríguez to Attend Funeral of Pope Francis: “He Was Very Dear to Me”

Honduran Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez announced on Monday that he will attend the funeral services of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta due to a stroke.
“We will be there throughout the novena and then, God willing, at the burial,” Rodríguez said in a phone interview with HRN Radio in Tegucigalpa, apparently calling from Spain.
He added that the last time he saw Pope Francis was in October 2024, during and at the end of that year’s synod, and that they remained in contact through email. “Sometimes, the Pope would even call me,” said Rodríguez, who was born on December 29, 1942, and was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II on February 21, 2001.
Rodríguez expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, saying: “He was a very dear person to me.”
However, he also shared a message of hope, pointing out that the Holy Father passed away during Easter: “This is a sign. He gave his life completely like the Lord Jesus, and though he died, we believe in faith that he has risen, now with Christ in eternal life.”
Rodríguez, who for ten years coordinated the Vatican’s Council of Cardinals, was one of the eight cardinals selected by Pope Francis to help govern the Catholic Church and reform the Roman Curia.
In January 2023, upon turning 80, Rodríguez stepped down as Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, and Pope Francis appointed Spanish priest José Vicente Nácher Tatay as his successor.
-
International3 days ago
“A dignified life” for migrants, the plea in Panama in memory of Pope Francis
-
International4 days ago
The Arab League supports Hamas handing over control of Gaza and weapons to the Palestinian Authority
-
International3 days ago
A magnitude 6 earthquake shakes the province of Esmeraldas in Ecuador, bordering Colombia
-
International4 days ago
The Pope’s funeral procession through the center of Rome worries the Italian authorities
-
International3 days ago
A Russian general dies in the explosion of a car bomb near Moscow
-
International2 days ago
Cardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
-
International2 days ago
Trump and Zelensky hold “very productive” meeting in Rome during Pope’s funeral
-
International4 days ago
Migrants want to stay on Mexico’s southern border because of Sheinbaum’s industrial plan
-
International4 days ago
A group of the poor and a delegation of migrants will participate in the funeral and burial of the pope on Saturday
-
International4 days ago
From email to marriage: the day Pope Francis married a Uruguayan couple
-
International3 days ago
About 150,000 people say goodbye to the pope in St. Peter’s Basilica before the funeral
-
International3 days ago
Putin and Witkoff address possible direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
-
International4 days ago
The pope’s doctor reveals his last moments of life and that he wanted to “die at home”
-
International3 days ago
Pope Francis’ funeral procession will be a six-kilometer journey through the heart of Rome
-
International3 days ago
Preparations for Pope Francis’ funeral, in figures
-
International3 days ago
The protocol for the funeral of Pope Francis, a delicate diplomatic work
-
International1 day ago
Nine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
International1 day ago
King Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
-
International4 hours ago
Colombia sees deadliest surge in violence since FARC peace deal
-
International3 days ago
Social networks, protagonists in the farewell to Pope Francis for ‘selfies’ in front of his coffin
-
International3 days ago
India asks to identify Pakistani citizens in the country to ensure their departure before Sunday
-
International4 hours ago
Mexican activist who exposed pornography ring found dead in Veracruz
-
International3 days ago
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake shakes the coast of the Aegean Sea in Turkey without leaving injuries or damage
-
International3 days ago
India destroys the homes of the alleged attackers in Kashmir with excavators
-
International4 hours ago
Madrid carries out 286 elevator rescues amid massive blackout
-
International4 hours ago
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
-
International4 hours ago
Spain’s PM calls for calm and patience amid ongoing blackout
-
Central America4 hours ago
Guatemala sees road blockades amid protests against lawmaker pay hikes