Central America

El Salvador remains the only malaria-free country in Central America

Foto: Minsal

June 5 |

The eradication of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, gave El Salvador the recognition and certification by the World Health Organization as a “Malaria-free country”, becoming the only Central American nation to obtain this title.

The work developed by the Government through the Ministry of Health (Minsal) has generated the conditions for the country to remain free of cases of the disease and to prevent its reappearance.

“El Salvador is the first country in Central America with the Malaria Free Certification. With satisfaction, we can say that all this effort has allowed us to save lives”, highlighted the Minsal as one of the health achievements of the four years of President Nayib Bukele’s government.

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Symptoms of the disease can include fever, vomiting and/or headache.

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“El Salvador is the third country to achieve malaria-free certification in the Region of the Americas in recent years, after Argentina in 2019 and Paraguay in 2018. Seven countries in the Region obtained the certification between the years 1962 and 1973. Globally, a total of 38 countries and territories have achieved this goal. Eighteen countries, including one territory, in the Region of the Americas are currently at risk of malaria. Paraguay, Argentina and El Salvador were certified malaria-free by WHO in 2018, 2019 and 2021, respectively,” says the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as key data against the disease.

Similarly, the Minsal continues with different antivectorial actions to prevent other arboviruses such as dengue, zika and chikungunya through the intervention of homes with fumigation and abatization.

The search for and elimination of breeding sites, and health promotion are part of the actions that have allowed dengue to remain in the success zone of the endemic corridor, according to the epidemiological bulletin of the Minsal.

“We continue to carry out spraying campaigns, for the elimination of the mosquito that transmits dengue, zika and chikungunya. Let’s take care of ourselves, let’s avoid dengue!”, stated the Health portfolio.

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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.

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Central America

El Salvador sees 45% surge in international tourists during holiday period

Tourism in El Salvador continues to grow during the holiday period, with a 45% increase in international arrivals compared to 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism Minister Morena Valdez reported that the country received around 48,000 foreign visitors between Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, surpassing the 33,000 recorded during the same period last year.

International visitor behavior remains consistent, with most travelers arriving at the El Salvador International Airport and heading directly to coastal destinations, particularly Surf City and the beaches of La Libertad.

“Sun and beach tourism accounts for 80% of global travel demand. Surf City, with all the positioning work that has been done, is where visitors go, especially because it is close to the airport,” Valdez said in an interview.

However, tourism activity is not limited to La Libertad. Other destinations such as Costa del Sol, Surf City 2, as well as beaches in the western and eastern regions of the country, are also experiencing high visitor traffic.

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Central America

Panama seizes over 1,200 drug packages in container bound for Lithuania

Authorities in Panama reported the seizure of 1,251 packages of suspected drugs hidden inside a shipping container bound for Lithuania, just days after intercepting another shipment of similar size headed to the same destination.

The Panama Public Prosecutor’s Office stated on social media that, through its Colón Drug Prosecutor’s Office and in coordination with the National Anti-Drug Directorate, authorities carried out the operation. The illicit substance was discovered inside a container scheduled for export.

Last Friday, officials also seized 1,506 packages of drugs in another container destined for Lithuania.

While authorities have not specified the type or exact weight of the seized substance, drug packages in Panama typically weigh around one kilogram each, and cocaine remains the most commonly confiscated narcotic in the country.

So far this year, Panamanian authorities have reported multiple drug seizures. Among them was a shipment of 5,356 packages intercepted on January 17, when agents of the National Aeronaval Service (SENAN) stopped a vessel near the Pearl Islands archipelago in the Pacific.

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According to official figures, in 2025 Panama seized 129 tons of drugs and 47.8 tons of chemical precursors, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat international drug trafficking.