Central America
President of Iran visits the National Assembly of Nicaragua
June 14 |
The President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, met Wednesday with the deputies of the National Assembly of Nicaragua, during the second day of his official visit to that Central American country, and said that the resistance of the people contributes to the current change in the world order and the decline of the United States (US).
During a speech before the Legislative, the head of state said that US imperialism has always been against popular governments in Latin America. The main characteristic of world imperialism is that with its illegitimate demands it seeks to exploit the peoples and oppose their will.
He pointed out that the imperialists are afraid of justice, conscience and the peoples, since these pillars are contrary to their interests. He assured that the conscience of the peoples, the governments and the legislative assemblies of the sovereign countries are necessary to guide the struggle for freedom and justice.
He valued that the media empire seeks to change the image of the independent countries and sow doubts in their citizens, especially in the youth, to align their desires with the interests of imperialism.
He affirmed that constant communication and links between independent countries are vital for them to be better protected against imperialist conspiracies and plans.
He said that Iran and Nicaragua share a common history of struggle, resistance, revolutions and combat against a common enemy, as well as defense and respect for the will and vote of the people. He affirmed that if the Legislative Assemblies are based on the popular vote, then they will be an expression of their will and true democracy.
He recalled that the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Komeini, stressed that the main criterion of legitimacy of a government is the vote of the people and that all the powers of the people are concentrated in the Assembly.
He further quoted the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khamenei, who has stressed that every Palestinian citizen has the right to vote and that a government and democracy must be established in Palestine by the vote of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, which the imperialists have prevented for 70 years.
He considered that imperialism used to send its armies or use its internal agents to impose its will, but now it also appeals to economic sanctions to achieve its purposes. Regarding them, he stressed that they will not be the last mechanism of imperialism to impose its will, but the Iranian people have demonstrated their ineffectiveness by turning them into an opportunity to strengthen themselves.
Central America
Panama and Costa Rica strengthen border alliance to combat organized crime
Panama and Costa Rica strengthened a strategic alliance on Saturday aimed at enhancing border security and jointly tackling transnational organized crime, following a high-level bilateral meeting held in Paso Canoas, in Panama’s Chiriquí province, according to Panama’s Ministry of Public Security.
“The effort strengthens digital border control and enables a more effective response to organized crime,” said Frank Abrego, Panama’s Minister of Public Security. He added that “operational integration between both countries increases anticipation and response capacity to threats.”
During the meeting, Abrego and his Costa Rican counterpart, Mario Zamora Cordero, reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in territorial protection and citizen security.
Paso Canoas is a key customs hub in the region, handling goods arriving in Panama through the Panama Canal and the Colón Free Zone, which are then distributed across Central America, as well as regional exports.
Zamora described the meeting as “effective and productive,” emphasizing the importance of sustained police cooperation to confront criminal structures operating in the region.
As part of the agenda, authorities inaugurated a new operations center for the National Border Service in the Progreso sector. The facility is designed to strengthen monitoring and control through surveillance technologies such as cameras and drones, as well as real-time information sharing between both countries.
Authorities also announced the delivery of eight vehicles to reinforce patrol operations, along with intensified joint operations at key border points.
Officials stated that these measures will increase operational presence, improve response capabilities, and enhance security for border communities.
Both ministers agreed that coordination between Panama and Costa Rica has helped maintain a “calm, stable, and developing” border, and announced further meetings, including one in San José, to advance new security agreements.
In this context, in February 2024, both countries inaugurated the Paso Canoas Integrated Control Center on the Costa Rican side, a 14,000-square-meter facility designed to streamline procedures and manage the daily flow of around 200 cargo trucks and 800 people crossing from Panama.
The meeting brought together senior officials from both nations’ security forces, who advanced joint strategies to combat threats such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and smuggling, through coordinated action and intelligence sharing.
This bilateral effort underscores both countries’ commitment to ensuring citizen security and sends a clear message of joint action against organized crime.
Sports
Ancelotti leaves door open for Neymar’s return to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad
Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, current manager of the Brazil national football team, has opened the door to the possibility of Neymar being included in the final squad for the 2026 World Cup, according to an interview published Saturday by L’Equipe.
“At the moment, he is being evaluated by the Brazilian Football Confederation and by me. He still has two months to prove he has the conditions to play in the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said.
Neymar, 34, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was left out of the most recent national team call-up for friendlies against France and Croatia. He is also still working to regain full fitness with Santos FC.
Since returning to his club, Neymar has played only a handful of matches in the Brasileirão and the Copa Sudamericana, including an upcoming match against San Lorenzo on April 28. These games could be key for him to convince Ancelotti ahead of the final squad announcement on May 19.
“Neymar has made and continues to make history in Brazilian football. He is a great talent, and it is normal for people to believe he can help us win the next World Cup,” the Italian coach added.
When asked whether the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player must be at full fitness to earn a call-up, Ancelotti admitted he does not have a definitive answer but believes Neymar “is capable of returning to 100%.”
Central America
Seven arrested in Guatemala over disappearance of six near Mexico border
Authorities in Guatemala arrested seven individuals allegedly linked to the disappearance of six Guatemalans, including a 16-year-old minor, according to a police statement.
The arrests took place in the border city of Malacatán, near the nearly 1,000-kilometer frontier shared with Mexico, a region increasingly affected by criminal activity.
Police reported that ten firearms were seized from the suspects, who are believed to be connected to the disappearance of the six victims. According to witness accounts, the missing individuals worked on a farm in Malacatán and were taken away in a vehicle whose license plate matches that of the one used by those detained.
The border area has seen escalating violence involving organized crime groups. In August 2024, following the unprecedented displacement of Mexican farmers into Guatemala to escape clashes between rival drug cartels, both countries agreed to carry out joint security operations along the shared border.
Despite this cooperation, tensions have arisen. On June 8, security forces from the Mexican state of Chiapas crossed into Guatemalan territory during an anti-crime operation that left four suspected criminals dead. The incident prompted a formal protest from Guatemala, after which Mexico issued an apology.
-
International5 days agoTrump pauses strikes on Iran, extends ultimatum by two weeks
-
International5 days agoFormer Trump allies call for removal, cite 25th Amendment amid Iran threats
-
International2 days agoEurope Faces Jet Fuel Shortage Risk Amid Hormuz Disruption
-
Central America4 days agoGunfire and protests mark controversial rector reelection at Guatemala’s USAC
-
International3 days agoFlooding in Dominican Republic leaves child dead and thousands affected
-
International3 days agoArtemis II crew prepares for Earth return and splashdown recovery
-
International2 days agoChild Found Malnourished in Van in France; Father Admits Confinement
-
International4 days agoBill Gates to testify before Congress over Epstein connections
-
Sports1 day agoAncelotti leaves door open for Neymar’s return to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad
-
Central America1 day agoPanama and Costa Rica strengthen border alliance to combat organized crime
-
Central America4 days agoSeven arrested in Guatemala over disappearance of six near Mexico border
-
International2 hours agoTrump orders U.S. control of Strait of Hormuz after failed Iran talks























