Central America

Colombia hardens tone against Ortega, rejects his “dictatorial actions”.

Foto: Reuters

February 24 |

Despite having used a conservative tone in its most recent pronouncements on the banishment and stripping of the nationality of Nicaraguan political opponents by the government of Daniel Ortega, a statement from the Colombian Foreign Ministry was more forceful on Thursday and rejected the “dictatorial actions” of the Nicaraguan head of state.

According to the text of the Colombian Foreign Ministry, the South American country “has registered with revulsion the measures taken arbitrarily” by Ortega against political prisoners, “whose only crime has been to defend democracy, the right to criticism and universal human rights”.

Last Friday, a communiqué from the Foreign Ministry expressed “concern” over the withdrawal of the nationality of 94 citizens, and regretted the stripping of the nationality of more than 200 former political prisoners sent to the United States, but said that their release and transfer was “an important step for the national dialogue”. And he called for “confidence-building measures that contribute to national reconciliation, respect for the rule of law and the well-being of the Nicaraguan people”.

But in less than a week, the government of President Gustavo Petro hardened his words by pointing out that Ortega’s actions evoke “the worst moments of the dictatorship of Atanasio Somoza that Sandinismo managed to overcome”.

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He also condemned the “surprising and inhuman” exile of Nicaraguans who have fought “for the international community” and the use of “vulgar police measures”, and highlighted the struggle of those who have decided to stay in Nicaragua, taking as an example the case of the Bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Alvarez, sentenced to 26 years in prison.

Colombia also urged the world “to react” and asked the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, to request authorization to visit the Nicaraguans still imprisoned, since they are “victims” and “international humanitarian law covers them”.

“The authoritarianism that has been imposed in the sister republic has violated jus cogens norms”, adds the communiqué.

The Foreign Ministry also confirmed that it seeks to contact the exiles who wish to obtain Colombian nationality: “They would honor us very much”. Precisely, on Wednesday, Colombia offered nationality to writer Sergio Ramirez, who met with the Colombian Foreign Minister, Alvaro Leyva Duran, on Tuesday, in Madrid.

Argentina was the first country in the continent to offer nationality to “stateless” Nicaraguans. Subsequently, Chile, Spain and Mexico followed suit.

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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.