Central America
Nicaragua jails 7 opposition activists for ‘undermining national integrity’
AFP
Seven opposition activists convicted of “undermining national integrity” in Nicaragua have received prison sentences of up to 13 years, a human rights group said Thursday.
They include student leader Lesther Aleman, 24, who rose to fame after publicly calling for President Daniel Ortega’s resignation during a dialogue between the government and activists involved in 2018 protests, the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights said.
Aleman got 13 years after a trial that was held behind closed doors in the prison where he and others were being held and concluded last week, it said. The court did not announce the sentences publicly.
Another activist handed 13 years is journalist and former presidential candidate Miguel Mora, the rights center said.
They were among 46 opposition members, including seven presidential hopefuls, who were arrested in the run-up to presidential elections in November last year, thus assuring a fourth term in power for Ortega.
A firebrand Marxist in his youth, Ortega ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, after leading a guerrilla army that ousted US-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza.
Returning to power in 2007, he has won re-election three times, becoming increasingly dictatorial and quashing presidential term limits.
The United States and the European Union have imposed sanctions against Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America, over election-related and human rights abuses under Ortega.
Central America
Bodies found in black plastic bags in a clandestine cemetery in Honduras
A clandestine cemetery was discovered this Friday in the 28 de Marzo neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, according to local media reports. Police authorities have arrived at the scene to begin the corresponding investigations.
The discovery was made after residents in the area spotted a body wrapped in black plastic bags and notified authorities. Shortly afterward, another set of remains was found just a few meters away. Specialized teams also reported the presence of animal bones, prompting investigations to determine whether the remains belong to a single individual or multiple bodies, along with the animal remains found.
Honduran media also reported that security forces have launched an operation in nearby areas to determine if more human remains are present.
Central America
Two U.S. military planes deport dozens of Guatemalans amid Trump’s massive migration crackdown
Two U.S. military planes carrying dozens of deported Guatemalans arrived in Guatemala on Friday, following the announcement by Donald Trump’s administration of the beginning of a massive migrant deportation operation, according to official authorities.
A total of 79 Guatemalans (31 women and 48 men) were onboard the first flight, which landed at midnight, the Guatemalan Migration Institute reported. A second plane arrived Friday morning, though the exact number of passengers on that flight has not yet been confirmed. Authorities are also expecting an additional flight.
“We can confirm that, overnight, two Department of Defense planes conducted repatriation flights from the United States to Guatemala,” the Pentagon stated.
Central America
El Salvador extends condolences to Turkey following deadly hotel fire
The Government of El Salvador extends its condolences and expresses solidarity with the Government of Turkey following the death of at least 76 people and more than 50 injuries in the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Province on January 21.
“El Salvador offers its hopes for the swift recovery of those affected and expresses its deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased due to this tragic event,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Our country reaffirms the strong bonds of friendship shared with the Republic of Turkey, especially during this time of profound sorrow.”
The Turkish government began burying the victims on Wednesday, amid accusations of negligence.
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