Central America

Nayib Bukele’s leadership highlighted in historic result of 365 days without murders

Photo: DES

May 12 |

The vice president of the republic, Félix Ulloa, yesterday highlighted the leadership of President Nayib Bukele in the area of public security, which has led to El Salvador having 365 days without registering homicides throughout the territory.

The government of President Bukele is jointly developing the Territorial Control Plan (PCT) and the emergency regime, achieving a drastic reduction in murders, as well as the recovery of territories that were under gang control and the frontal combat of common and organized crime.

Ulloa also highlighted in this achievement “the effective coordination” of the Public Security Cabinet and “the accompaniment” of the Attorney General’s Office, the Legislative Assembly and the judicial system.

After reaching 365 days without deaths caused by gangs, Ernesto Castro, president of the Legislative Assembly, recalled that during almost 30 years of ARENA and FMLN governments the country was subjected under the clutches of terrorist groups.

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CEL

The former three-color and red presidents failed to implement effective security strategies; instead, they opted to make pacts with gang members and even negotiated the lives of Salvadorans in exchange for votes to stay in power, as recently confirmed by Mauricio Funes, a fugitive from justice and former president of the FMLN.

In this sense, Ernesto Castro, president of the Assembly, highlighted the transformation that President Bukele has achieved in the country in terms of public security, being the first president capable of successfully leading a war against terrorists and freeing the country from anxiety and massive violent deaths.

He reaffirmed that, from the Legislative Assembly, the bench of Nuevas Ideas will maintain the commitment with Salvadorans to “guarantee the governability” that the Executive needs to continue implementing strategies in diverse areas, with the objective of promoting national development.

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.