Central America
Guatemala: Volcano of Fuego activity increases
May 4 |
In the Special Volcanological Bulletin BEFGO #019-2023, issued at 5:10 a.m. Insivumeh details that the volcanic surveillance network and reports from Insivumeh field observers confirm a progressive increase in the volcanic activity of Volcán de Fuego as of 2:00 a.m. this Thursday.
“So far a new eruptive stage of predominantly effusive characteristics has been observed, which is expressed through the formation of a lava flow in the direction of the Ceniza ravine,” reads the bulletin.
It adds that the eruptions generate constant avalanches, incandescence over the crater and constant sounds are reported accompanying the gas and ash column that so far is dispersed in a southwest direction.
“This activity is expected to increase in the next minutes to hours, forming gas and ash columns of greater height, violent explosions loaded with ash, lava flows in other directions and pyroclastic flows towards the Ceniza and Las Lajas ravines, which may travel distances between 5 and 7 kilometers. It is not discarded that these flows also descend by any other ravine, so you should not stay near or within the ravines of the volcano,” it is mentioned.
According to Insivumeh, it maintains permanent visual and instrumental surveillance through seismic stations and OVFGO observers.
According to the SSG, during the early morning of May 4, an increase of activity in the Fuego volcano was observed through the Crelosa camera.
It points out that this activity has originated an accumulation of volcanic material in the direction of the Ceniza ravine, forming a lava flow in this area.
He adds that the activity persists “with moderate and strong explosions that generate ballistic fall, ash columns and rumblings that are sensitive to the population located in the surroundings of the volcano. Due to the constant activity, avalanches and pyroclastic flows may be generated in this and other directions”.
He points out that the ash dispersion, according to the wind direction record, shows ash displacement in a southwest direction. The maximum projected length according to wind speed is 8 km for deposits that can reach up to 10 mm in thickness and 30 km for those areas that can be affected by deposits of up to 1 mm.
Central America
Panama confirms drug contamination of El Salvador coffee shipment occurred on its territory
A container originating from El Salvador and carrying coffee for export was contaminated with more than 1,152 packages of drugs while in transit through Panama, according to official information confirmed by the Panamanian government this Tuesday.
The case, which had previously generated political controversy in April 2025 after opposition sectors attempted to link the Salvadoran government to drug trafficking, has now been clarified through renewed investigations.
Authorities confirmed that the container departed from the port of Acajutla after being properly inspected, with no illicit substances detected at the time of export.
According to statements previously provided by El Salvador’s Minister of Defense, René Merino Monroy, the shipment traveled first to the port of Balboa in Panama, where it remained stored for several days before being transferred to another vessel bound for Manzanillo in Colón.
It was at that terminal that Panamanian authorities discovered the drugs and identified tampering with the container seals, indicating that the illicit alteration occurred during its transit in Panama rather than in Salvadoran territory.
The findings align with earlier explanations provided by Salvadoran officials and confirm that the contamination of the cargo took place outside of El Salvador’s jurisdiction.
Central America
Uber Eats adds Puntarenas and Turrialba to growing Costa Rica network
Uber Eats announced that it is continuing to expand its presence in Costa Rica with the launch of operations in the cities of Puntarenas and Turrialba, further strengthening the company’s growth in the country.
With this expansion, the delivery platform is now available across all seven Costa Rican provinces and works with more than 6,000 partner businesses. Its offerings include prepared food, supermarkets, pharmacies, pet stores, and other specialty retailers.
As part of the announcement, Uber Eats also introduced Marco Nannipieri as its new Regional General Manager for the Andean Region, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Nannipieri will oversee the company’s operations in Costa Rica along with seven other countries in the region.
“Costa Rica is a key market for Uber Eats in the region, with growing adoption of technology among users and businesses. Over the past five years, more than 1,000 restaurants and merchants have joined the app, and today we are entering a new stage of expansion that will allow us to reach more cities outside the Greater Metropolitan Area, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country,” Nannipieri said.
Central America
Report questions direction of Nasry Asfura after 100 days in office
The Center for the Study of Democracy warned Tuesday that the government of Nasry Asfura, which marks its first 100 days in office on Wednesday, has failed to show a “significant change in direction” and continues to follow a model characterized by exclusion, inequality, and external dependence.
In its report titled “100 Days of the Nasry Asfura Government: Concerns and Demands,” Cespad stated that the administration has maintained an economic and political model that prioritizes debt payments, the promotion of extractive projects, and the strengthening of the security apparatus over social investment.
The organization argued that the current policies have not addressed structural problems affecting large sectors of the Honduran population and warned that inequality and economic dependence remain key challenges for the country.
Nasry Asfura won the general elections held on November 30, 2025, in a process marked by allegations of fraud and delays in the vote count that lasted nearly a month due to a series of technological failures.
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