Central America

Guatemala: Volcano of Fuego activity increases

Photo: Prensa Libre

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.

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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.

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Central America

Honduras coffee exports jump nearly 30% in March despite price drop

Coffee exports from Honduras rose by 29.6% year-on-year in March, according to data released Monday by the Instituto Hondureño del Café.

During the third month of the 2025–2026 harvest season, Honduras exported 1,373,817 46-kilogram bags of coffee, up from 1,059,744 bags shipped in March of the previous cycle.

Despite the increase in volume, the average price per bag fell to $307.55, compared to $364.70 recorded in the prior harvest.

Between October and March, total export revenues reached $1.36 billion, representing a 32% increase from the $1.032 billion reported during the same period of the 2024–2025 season.

The United States remained the main destination for Honduran coffee, accounting for 36.5% of total shipments. It was followed by Germany with 16.1% and Belgium with 12.4%.

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In regional terms, Europe absorbed 52% of exports, while North America accounted for 42%, according to the institute’s report.

Honduras remains the largest coffee producer in Central America and ranks among the top six producers worldwide.

Central America

Guatemala extends state of prevention and expands it to new regions

The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, announced on Monday that his government will extend the state of prevention for 15 more days in six departments and expand the measure to two additional regions as part of efforts to combat organized crime.

Speaking at a press conference, Arévalo said the decision was approved by the Cabinet and formalized through a decree. The measure will remain in place in the departments of Guatemala, Escuintla, Izabal, Petén, San Marcos, and Huehuetenango, and will now also apply to Sacatepéquez and Quetzaltenango.

The president emphasized that the strategy has contributed to reducing homicide rates in the country and will remain a key component of his administration’s security policy.

Defense Minister Henry Sáenz said the measures are “essential to strengthen the government’s presence in areas where security gaps existed” and to weaken organized criminal groups.

Under the state of prevention, the Policía Nacional Civil, supported by the military, is granted broader powers to confront criminal organizations, particularly gangs and drug trafficking networks. The measure also restricts public demonstrations, which can be dispersed by security forces.

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Guatemala has been under heightened security measures since January 18, following a coordinated attack by gangs that left 11 police officers dead, prompting the government to reinforce its response to organized crime.

Central America

Costa Rica urges China to halt actions against Panama-flagged vessels

The government of Costa Rica on Saturday called on China to halt retaliatory actions against vessels flying the Panamaflag, amid escalating tensions over control of two strategic ports linked to the Panama Canal.

In a statement shared on social media, Costa Rica’s Foreign Ministry warned that the situation “puts global trade at risk” and expressed its “deep concern and strongest condemnation” over what it described as “arbitrary and unjustified delays and inspections in Chinese ports.”

The Costa Rican government urged “full respect for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” while reaffirming its “unconditional support and solidarity” with Panama.

San José’s position aligns with growing international criticism from countries including Honduras, Peru, Paraguay, Israeland Ukraine.

Paraguayan authorities described the detentions as “unacceptable” and pointed to what they called “undue pressure” on the Panamanian government.