Central America
Nicaraguan ex-diplomat becomes 32nd critic arrested by Ortega
AFP
A former Nicaraguan diplomat was arrested on Monday, police said, the latest critic of President Daniel Ortega detained ahead of the country’s presidential election later this year.
Mauricio Diaz, a former ambassador to Costa Rica and to the Organization of American States (OAS), was a member of the Citizens Alliance for Liberty (CXL) bloc, which lost its legal status on Friday and was excluded from the November 7 elections.
Diaz is being investigated for “acts that threaten the country’s sovereignty and self-determination and for inciting foreign involvement in internal affairs,” police said in a statement.
The spate of arrests, of which Diaz is the 32nd, include seven potential presidential candidates.
They have come amid accusations that Ortega is wiping out his competitors just months before the vote.
In power since 2007, Ortega is standing for a fourth consecutive term with his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, once again as his running mate.
Ortega, a former left-wing guerrilla, governed Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990 when the United States backed armed opposition to his Sandinista movement.
He was re-elected president in 2007, and in 2014 pushed through a constitutional amendment that scrapped presidential term limits, opening the way for him to remain president for life.
The detained opposition figures are accused of treason and threatening the country’s sovereignty under a law approved in December that has been denounced as a means of freezing out challengers to Ortega.
The crackdown began on June 2 with the arrest of Cristiana Chamorro, daughter of former president Violeta Barrios de Chamorro (1990-1997) and a likely presidential candidate. Chamorro is being held in house arrest.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday said Nicaragua’s November election had “lost all credibility,” and accused Ortega of an autocratic campaign to crush opponents.
Central America
Sheinbaum and Petro reaffirm solidarity with Panama after Trump’s remarks on Canal
Latin American leaders expressed their support for Panama and emphasized the nation’s sovereignty over the canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, following statements by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who suggested he might attempt to regain control of the waterway built across the Panamanian isthmus.
“The Panama Canal belongs to the Panamanians. Our solidarity and support go to the President of Panama and the people of Panama,” said Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, during her regular morning press conference.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also weighed in on the controversy, writing on social media X, “I will stand with Panama and defend its sovereignty to the last consequences.”
Sheinbaum and Petro reaffirmed their support for Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who strongly rejected Trump’s threats. The president-elect, who will take office on January 20, stated during a rally that the United States “foolishly” handed over the Panama Canal to its Central American ally.
The United States built much of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century in an effort to facilitate the movement of commercial and military ships across the transoceanic route, which it then administered for nearly 100 years.
Central America
El Salvador’s MARN monitors ongoing seismic activity in La Unión department
Seismic activity in the Conchagua area and its surroundings, located in the department of La Unión, continues to accumulate events, surpassing 1,350 aftershocks as of Wednesday morning, according to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).
As of 6:00 AM on December 18th, a total of 1,351 earthquakes have been recorded, of which 176 were felt, according to the data published by the Ministry of Environment. The seismic activity in this area of the eastern part of the country began on December 8th after a magnitude 5.8 earthquake was recorded at 9:50 PM. The magnitudes of the aftershocks have ranged between 2.5 and 5.0.
The Ministry of Environment continues to monitor seismic activity in this region and throughout El Salvador to take appropriate measures and ensure the safety of the Salvadoran population.
Sports
Real Madrid clinches fourth Intercontinental Cup with 3-0 victory over Pachuca
Real Madrid crowned themselves champions of their fourth Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday, defeating Mexican club Pachuca 3-0 in Doha, thanks to goals from Frenchman Kylian Mbappé and Brazilians Rodrygo and Vinicius.
The ‘Merengues’ thus capped off a spectacular 2024 year, winning five titles. Before this success in Qatar, they had already claimed the Spanish League, the UEFA Champions League, and the Super Cups of Spain and Europe.
Mbappé, who made his return after a minor muscle injury, capitalized on a pass from Brazilian Vinicius in the 37th minute, who dribbled past goalkeeper Carlos Moreno, to finish from close range. It was the first shot on target for Real Madrid.
The team doubled their lead with another brilliant goal from Rodrygo, who feigned a shot to beat his defenders and created enough space to take a strike from the edge of the area, beating Moreno in the 53rd minute.
For a few moments, the goal was under review after Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela was called to check a potential offside by Jude Bellingham.
However, the referee concluded that the Englishman did not interfere with the play and the goal was allowed.
Five minutes later, Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to use his hand to stop a dangerous ball, which Salomón Rondón almost put into the net.
Mbappé, who had scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final that was lost to Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the same Lusail stadium, left the pitch in the 62nd minute on the decision of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who lifted his 15th title with the club—one more than the legendary Miguel Muñoz.
When it seemed like the players of Uruguayan Guillermo Almada had gained some initiative, Oussama Idrissi fouled Lucas Vázquez inside the area, and the penalty was reviewed via VAR.
Vinicius converted the spot-kick in the 84th minute with a low, powerful shot that Moreno touched but could not save.
The newly named FIFA Player of the Year had another chance to score, while Ángel Mena managed to head the ball into the net before the 90-minute mark, but his goal was ruled offside.
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