Central America
Guatemalan journalist critical of president arrested
AFP
Guatemalan police on Friday arrested journalist Jose Ruben Zamora and raided the offices of El Periodico, a newspaper he founded which has accused key political figures in the country of corruption.
The publication’s staff denounced the actions as retaliation for its previous reporting on President Alejandro Giammattei, as well as Attorney General Consuelo Porras, whom the United States designated earlier this year for “significant corruption.”
Zamora was arrested at his home in the south of Guatemala City on charges of “possible money laundering,” Juan Luis Pantaleon, a spokesman for the Public Prosecutor’s Office, told AFP.
“It is not for his journalistic work, but as a businessman,” Pantaleon said.
As he was transferred to court, Zamora told reporters he was putting himself “at the disposal of justice to see what happens.”
“I imagine there must be a conspiracy, a persecution… and if that is the case, love for Guatemala must be paid with jail,” he added.
The headquarters of El Periodico, which has received international recognition for its work, were raided by police.
In social media posts, the newspaper said the attorney general was “following through on her threats against the president of El Periodico. They will not silence us.”
The Guatemalan Ombudsman Jordan Rodas said Zamora’s arrest was regrettable.
“We are in a very difficult moment. I would not like to think that we are becoming Nicaragua 2.0,” Rodas said, referring to the prosecution and conviction of journalists critical of President Daniel Ortega in recent years.
In June, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights added Guatemala to its list of countries where it has noted serious human rights violations, a charge Giammattei rejects. Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua are also on the list.
The public prosecutor’s office, under the leadership of Porras, has been criticized for arresting and prosecuting several anti-mafia judges and prosecutors.
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.
Bodies found in black plastic bags in a clandestine cemetery in Honduras
Two U.S. military planes deport dozens of Guatemalans amid Trump’s massive migration crackdown
Southport killer, who killed three girls, sentenced to 52 years in prison
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
-
International4 days agoDeaths in a hotel fire in a ski resort in Turkey rise to 69
-
International4 days agoHamas calls for counterattack on Israeli soldiers during their incursion in the West Bank
-
International4 days agoIndigenous candidate Leonidas Iza predicts a new social explosion if there is no change in Ecuador
-
International4 days agoSheinbaum says that “it will remain the Gulf of Mexico for the whole world” despite Trump
-
International4 days agoThe Israeli Chief of Staff submits his resignation for October 7
-
Central America3 days agoANDA to replace 49 km of pipelines in San Salvador by 2025
-
Central America3 days agoEl Salvador extends condolences to Turkey following deadly hotel fire
-
International4 days agoTrump begins his first day in power with a mass in Washington Cathedral
-
International2 days agoHezbulah says an extension of the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon “will not be acceptable”
-
International2 days agoPetro says he is dealing with Maduro with a plan to “eradicate” armed groups from the border
-
International2 days agoSouthport killer, who killed three girls, sentenced to 52 years in prison
-
International2 days agoChile will resort to the ICC if Diosdado Cabello’s participation in a crime is confirmed
-
International2 days agoThe Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court asks for arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders for gender persecution in Afghanistan
-
International4 days agoRubio promises to work for “a safer world” after swearing in as US Secretary of State
-
International2 days agoThe Colombian Government will go on the offensive against the ELN for the violence in the Catatumbo
-
International2 days agoAt least one dead and more than 20 injured in a Russian attack against a residential area of Zaporiyia
-
International4 days agoMexico will return migrants affected by Trump’s restrictions to its countries
-
International2 days agoArnold Schwarzenegger donates one million dollars to fight the fires in Los Angeles
-
International3 days agoStudent killed, two injured in shooting at Nashville High School
-
International4 days agoTerrorism, prisoners and the Vatican: autopsy of the agreement between the US and Cuba that was born dead
-
International2 days agoThe United States begins the deployment of 1,500 soldiers on the border with Mexico
-
International3 days agoTrump’s decree to halt electric vehicle subsidies and support combustion engines
-
International4 days agoWhat are the first measures approved by Trump after taking office as US president?
-
International2 days agoFear and anguish for the future reign among the displaced of the Catatumbo in Ocaña
-
International2 days agoMilei assures that the battle for freedom “is not won” and asks not to “go down”
-
International2 days agoEqual marriage comes into force in Thailand
-
International4 days agoAt least 409 minors were recruited in Colombia in 2024, according to the Ombudsman’s Office
-
Central America12 hours agoTwo U.S. military planes deport dozens of Guatemalans amid Trump’s massive migration crackdown
-
International2 days agoTrump suggests that Biden should face judicial investigations similar to his own
-
International2 days agoThe first deportees in the Mexican Tijuana are not from Trump’s raids, but from Biden’s
-
International2 days agoThe drama of displacement due to the conflict in the Catatumbo returns to the streets of Tibú
-
International2 days agoMilei says that Sánchez tries to “silence” those who think differently with his proposals on social networks
-
International4 days agoIsrael shifts the spotlight to the West Bank with a large-scale raid and kills 9 Palestinians
-
Central America12 hours agoBodies found in black plastic bags in a clandestine cemetery in Honduras