Central America

Nicargua’s Ortega urges parliament to welcome US, Russian troops

AFP

Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega urged parliament to ratify a decree allowing foreign troops, including from Russia and the United States, to carry out joint humanitarian assistance and anti-drug trafficking exercises in the country.

The presidential decree was sent to parliament “as a matter of urgency” and is to be discussed on Tuesday, according to the legislative agenda published on Saturday by the official newspaper.

The decree authorizes the entry “on a rotating basis” of Russian troops to take part alongside the Nicaraguan military “in an exchange of experience, training exercises, and humanitarian aid operations”.

Allowing for the entry of foreign military personnel as well as ships and aircraft, the decree lists naval and airforce exercises to fight drug traffickers and international organized crime.

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According to the decree, the exercises will be carried out with military personnel from the United States, Mexico, Central American countries, Venezuela, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Ortega has also asked parliament to allow Nicaraguan military personnel to travel to the listed countries.

A firebrand Marxist in his youth, Ortega led Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, after heading a guerrilla army that ousted US-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza.

Returning to power in 2007, he has won re-election three consecutive times, including most recently last year in a vote that US President Joe Biden called a “sham”.

The Biden administration, which does not recognize Ortega’s government, has imposed sanctions aimed at bringing about political change and securing the release of 182 opposition members, including seven former presidential candidates.

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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.