Central America
President Bukele’s government has transformed El Salvador’s integrated national health system
May 31 |
The National Integrated Health System (SIS) has been transformed during the administration of the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, through different actions that include modernization of infrastructure, equipment and digitalization of processes.
For decades, Salvadorans suffered from lack of care, hospitals and health units in poor condition and lack of suitable equipment for diagnosis and medical procedures, digitized care and modern technology.
Currently, modern, state-of-the-art equipment has been provided for X-rays, MRIs and cardiac interventions with a biplanar arc that is unique in the country and in the region.
“Assured connectivity. The Integrated Health System is changing the care we provide in hospitals, health units and in the territory, since it allows us to keep better control of the patient and give him/her the appropriate follow-up regardless of the facility where he/she goes to consult,” said the Minister of Health, Francisco Alabi, recently.
The issue of connectivity was raised by the Vice-Minister of Health Management and Development, Carlos Alvarenga, during his participation in the 76th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland.
“We have interconnected all health facilities, generated the electronic health record and other important elements of digital transformation that are the basis for transforming the country with a leap in quality,” said Alvarenga.
Similarly, in terms of infrastructure, the government of President Bukele built a walkway with all the conditions for the transfer of patients between the tower of the Benjamin Bloom National Children’s Hospital and the outpatient building of this medical center.
This has also been equipped with a biplanar arc angiograph for cardiac catheterization.
Likewise, after 30 years, the Zacamil National Hospital was intervened and equipped with technology and new areas, as well as artificial intelligence through Temi, a robot assistant.
On the other hand, another of the debts settled has been the inauguration of the Specialized Outpatient Care Center La Ceiba, of the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS), which has a capacity to care for more than 1,100 patients per day.
Due to the security measures implemented by President Bukele, health services have also been brought closer to communities that for decades were dominated by gangs.
Similarly, the teaching sector will benefit from the construction of the first Magisterial Hospital of the Instituto Salvadoreño de Bienestar Magisterial (ISBM), for which more than $2.2 million was approved by the Legislative Assembly for the purchase of the land.
Central America
U.S. finds no evidence of fraud in Honduras election despite delays
The United States government said on Tuesday that it has found no evidence of electoral fraud in Honduras’ presidential election, despite several days of delays in the vote count caused by technical issues.
“We are not aware of any credible evidence supporting a call for annulment,” a State Department spokesperson told EFE in response to complaints over the slow release of official results. Washington emphasized that the elections were monitored by international observers, including representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union (EU), and national entities, which it said strengthens the legitimacy of the process.
In the current tally, conservative candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura—backed by U.S. President Donald Trump—remains in the lead with 1,298,835 votes (40.52%), while his rival, Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party, has 1,256,428 votes (39.48%). The difference of 42,407 ballots is based on the latest report from the National Electoral Council (CNE), with 99.40% of the tally completed.
According to the Trump administration, the vote reflects a clear rejection of the governing leftist Libre party, led by outgoing President Xiomara Castro.
“The CNE should certify the election results promptly,” the spokesperson said, urging all political actors to respect the independence of electoral institutions and comply with Honduras’ legal framework.
The vote count—now stretching past four days—has fueled tension and uncertainty among the population. CNE president Ana Paola Hall attributed the delays to unspecified “technical problems.”
Central America
U.S. accuses Ortega regime of systematic human rights abuses in Nicaragua
The United States stated on Tuesday that the Nicaraguan regime led by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo has carried out systematic violations of human and labor rights, including arbitrary property seizures and denying Nicaraguan citizens entry into their own country.
In a statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Washington warned of “concerning patterns” in Nicaragua that are impacting the population, particularly in areas such as the rule of law, labor rights, and fundamental freedoms. According to the diplomatic mission, a U.S. investigation gathered direct testimony and evidence of abuses, including the use of the judicial system as a tool for repression.
The embassy shared several accounts on its social media platforms, highlighting allegations that the regime has dismantled democratic institutions and undermined legal security for individuals and businesses.
The White House is currently evaluating a proposal to double tariffs on Nicaragua by 100% and is also considering removing the country from the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), arguing that the regime’s policies create “unreasonable” obstacles to trade due to its human and labor rights practices.
One of the testimonies collected stated that in Nicaragua “investors face confiscations because the courts are used as weapons of oppression,” and that the tax system operates as a form of “extortion.” Another account claimed that “it is entirely at the discretion — at the will of the Ortega regime — who can operate and who cannot.”
A third testimony illustrated the extent of repression: “Imagine leaving your home one day — your children, your husband, your wife, your mother or father — for a five-day trip, and then you’re not allowed to return because the government has decided so.”
Central America
Honduras’ electoral chief reports ongoing technical issues but says results remain intact
The president of Honduras’ National Electoral Council (CNE), Ana Paola Hall, reported on Tuesday that technical issues continue to affect the vote-counting process from the November 30 general elections. However, she insisted that the results—unchanged since midnight with 99.40% of tally sheets processed—were not compromised.
Hall told reporters that on Monday night the contingency system “experienced two moments of difficulty,” both of which were quickly resolved without affecting the publication of results. The incidents occurred while officials were processing congressional tally sheets from two departments.
According to Hall, CNE technicians attributed the glitches to the “considerable size” of the ballots, which caused the system’s focus parameters to become misaligned during the processing of those documents.
Despite the setbacks, she maintained that the release of preliminary results “was not compromised,” noting that adjustments were made within minutes in both cases.
The latest official tally, unchanged since midnight, shows presidential candidate Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura of the conservative National Party—who is backed by U.S. President Donald Trump—leading the race with 1,298,835 votes (40.52%). He is followed by Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party with 1,256,428 votes (39.48%), and Rixi Moncada, the candidate of the ruling Liberty and Refoundation (Libre) party, who on Sunday said she does not recognize the results, with 618,448 votes (19.29%).
The CNE has not yet announced when it will begin the special review of more than 2,600 tally sheets that contain inconsistencies and could represent over 500,000 votes.
U.S. finds no evidence of fraud in Honduras election despite delays
U.S. accuses Ortega regime of systematic human rights abuses in Nicaragua
Honduras’ electoral chief reports ongoing technical issues but says results remain intact
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