Central America

Detained Nicaraguan opposition figures’ health suffering, say families

AFP

Opposition figures jailed in the run-up to November’s presidential election in Nicaragua are suffering from serious health issues including blackouts and loss of teeth, family members said on Monday.

The more than 40 people detained since June last year are suffering from “physical and psychological deterioration … due to imbalanced nutrition, lack of regular access to sunlight and most of all isolation and solitary confinement,” said the family members in a statement.

They published the statement after being allowed to visit their loved ones at a police cell in Managua on January 21 and 23.

Prisoners are also suffering from depression, anxiety, weight loss and fainting.

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The government launched a clampdown on opposition figures in June and jailed seven potential presidential candidates amongst the more than 40 detained on charges of unspecified attacks on Nicaragua’s “sovereignty.”

It led to President Daniel Ortega, alongside his Vice President wife Rosario Murillo, winning a fourth consecutive term in office in a vote branded a “farce” and “pantomime” by many in the international community.

It came just over three years after an even more brutal clampdown against protesters that claimed more than 300 lives.

Amongst the worst affected prisoners are lawyer Roger Reyes, who is suffering from “depression, anxiety and memory loss,” and former deputy foreign minister Jose Pallais, 68, who has lost almost 40 kilograms (88 pounds), rendering him weak and prone to fainting.

Sociologist and opposition activist Violeta Granera, 70, “is losing her teeth, has difficulty eating and has red marks on her face due to a lack of sun.”

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Former diplomat Mauricio Diaz, 70, fainted twice and has had blackouts, while former ambassador Edgar Parrales, 79, has suffered nightmares.

Authorities have not commented on the accusations.

The detainees are amongst around 170 opposition figures arrested in the last three years.

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.