Central America

Elections in Guatemala: head of OAS Electoral Observation Mission asks candidates to avoid personal attacks in campaigning

Photo: Prensa Libre

May 11 |

The head of the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Guatemala, Eladio Loizaga, concluded his first visit to the country, in view of the General Elections Guatemala 2023 and called for candidates to avoid personal attacks during the campaign.

In a communiqué published by the OAS on May 10, it is mentioned that during his stay in Guatemala, Loizaga held meetings with the President of the Republic Alejandro Giammattei; the Chancellor, Mario Búcaro; members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Constitutional Court, as well as with representatives of political parties, civil society and the diplomatic community.

The document also states that the head of the EOM called for candidates to base their electoral campaigns on government programs and to avoid personal attacks.

It adds that he also called for the promotion of a climate of citizen enthusiasm free of violence.

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“It invites the TSE to continue working to guarantee the proper development of the different phases of this electoral process and the citizens to actively participate by informing themselves about the campaign proposals,” reads the document.

According to the OAS, the head of the EOM has already installed the technical team that will work during the next days to compile information on the development of the process, both at national and departmental level.

“This team will observe the simulation of the transmission of preliminary results and will tour TSE facilities in the different departments, among other activities,” it states.

It is mentioned that the OAS Electoral Observation Mission, which will be integrated by approximately 90 people, and that the head of this mission will return to the country in mid June and will remain until after the general elections are held. This is the 21st Mission that the OAS deploys in Guatemala.

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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.