Connect with us

Central America

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

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.

Advertisement
20250407_mh_renta_728x90
20250301_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL
previous arrow
next arrow

“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.

Advertisement
20250407_mh_renta_728x90
20250301_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL
previous arrow
next arrow
Continue Reading
Advertisement
20250407_mh_renta_300x250
20250301_vacunacion_vph-300x250
20231124_etesal_300x250_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_300X250
MARN1

Central America

Nicaragua’s Ortega and Murillo Mourn Pope Francis, Acknowledge ‘Difficult’ Relationship

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo, who also serve as co-leaders of the country, expressed their condolences on Monday following the death of Pope Francis, acknowledging that their relationship with the late pontiff had been “difficult” and “troubled.” Nicaragua officially suspended diplomatic ties with the Vatican during his papacy.

“Our relationship, as Nicaraguans who are believers, devoted and faithful to the doctrine of Christ Jesus, was difficult and troubled—unfortunately shaped by adverse and painful circumstances that were not always understood,” Ortega and Murillo wrote in a message of condolence.

“Despite the complexity and hardships, despite the manipulation we all know occurred, despite everything, we kept our hope alive through Christian faith,” they continued. “We understood the distance, and above all, the complicated and strained communication that prevented better relations. We also recognized the confusion caused by strident voices that disrupted any attempt at genuine interaction.”

Pope Francis had previously compared the Ortega regime to communist dictatorships and even to Hitler, a remark that further strained relations between Managua and the Holy See.

Continue Reading

Central America

Cardinal Rodríguez to Attend Funeral of Pope Francis: “He Was Very Dear to Me”

Honduran Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez announced on Monday that he will attend the funeral services of Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 at his residence in Casa Santa Marta due to a stroke.

“We will be there throughout the novena and then, God willing, at the burial,” Rodríguez said in a phone interview with HRN Radio in Tegucigalpa, apparently calling from Spain.

He added that the last time he saw Pope Francis was in October 2024, during and at the end of that year’s synod, and that they remained in contact through email. “Sometimes, the Pope would even call me,” said Rodríguez, who was born on December 29, 1942, and was made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II on February 21, 2001.

Rodríguez expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, saying: “He was a very dear person to me.”
However, he also shared a message of hope, pointing out that the Holy Father passed away during Easter: “This is a sign. He gave his life completely like the Lord Jesus, and though he died, we believe in faith that he has risen, now with Christ in eternal life.”

Rodríguez, who for ten years coordinated the Vatican’s Council of Cardinals, was one of the eight cardinals selected by Pope Francis to help govern the Catholic Church and reform the Roman Curia.

Advertisement

20250407_mh_renta_728x90
20250301_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL

previous arrow
next arrow

In January 2023, upon turning 80, Rodríguez stepped down as Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, and Pope Francis appointed Spanish priest José Vicente Nácher Tatay as his successor.

Continue Reading

Central America

Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React

U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing the state of Maryland, held a meeting in El Salvador with deported MS-13 gang member Kilmar Ábrego García, a member of the criminal group classified by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.

“Kilmar Ábrego García, miraculously resurrected from the ‘extermination camps’ and ‘torture chambers,’ now sipping margaritas with Senator Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” wrote President Nayib Bukeleon X (formerly Twitter), sharing photos of Van Hollen, Ábrego García, and a lawyer sitting together at a Salvadoran hotel.

The deported gang member is seen wearing a plaid shirt and a flat-brimmed cap, seated at a table with glasses and coffee cups. The senator also shared images of the meeting on his own social media accounts.

Bukele reaffirmed that Ábrego will remain in El Salvador and will not be returned to the United States.

“Now that his health has been confirmed, he has earned the honor of remaining under the custody of El Salvador,” Bukele added.

Advertisement

20250407_mh_renta_728x90
20250301_vacunacion_vph-728x90
20231124_etesal_728x90_1
20230601_agenda_primera_infancia_728X90
domfuturo_netview-728x90
20240604_dom_728x90
CEL

previous arrow
next arrow

Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the senator’s meeting with Ábrego on Truth Social, calling Van Hollen “a fool” for advocating for Ábrego’s return to the U.S.

Continue Reading

Trending

Central News