Central America
CIDH grants precautionary measures to Guatemala’s presidential binomial-elect
August 25|
Following a petition from the presidential couple elected in Guatemala, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issued a resolution requesting Guatemala to adopt the necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of César Bernardo Arévalo de León and Karin Herrera Aguilar.
“The Commission considers that the information presented shows that Bernardo Arévalo de León and Karin Herrera Aguilar are in a serious and urgent situation, since their rights to life and personal integrity are at risk of irreparable harm,” the statement said.
The IACHR requested the State of Guatemala to agree with both elected candidates on the measures to be adopted and to report on the actions taken, in order to investigate the facts and avoid their repetition.
According to the document, on August 15, the president-elect’s security team received worrying information about a plan to assassinate him “with the participation of state agents and private individuals”.
The information came from at least three sources within state institutions, with a high degree of reliability, which would have warned about the existence of a plan called “Colosio”, which would be implemented to end Arevalo’s life.
However, this would not be the only threat.
On the night of the day of the second electoral round, after knowing the result of the vote, prosecutors from the Public Prosecutor’s Office met privately with the president-elect to inform him that the Prosecutor’s Office against the Crime of Extortion obtained privileged information, related to criminal gang structures, which could put Arévalo’s life and physical integrity at risk, so they proceeded to make the corresponding notification, in order to take the appropriate security measures.
The IACHR report adds that the requesting party, that is, the president-elect’s team, indicated that, despite the significant increase in danger, “the State had not deactivated the risks through an adequate investigation to determine those responsible for the plan, but, on the contrary, had limited itself to indicating that it had not received any complaints”.
In addition, it states that the presidential couple has a limited contingent granted by the Secretariat of Administrative and Security Affairs -SAAS, which is obliged to provide security to the presidential couple, for which reason they have resorted to private security, given the existing distrust with the State entities under the current context.
It is known that the security scheme consists of 20 agents distributed in shifts and not permanently. In addition, it explains that the president-elect uses a borrowed vehicle with a level 3 armor, below what is recommended by security experts for a person in his risky position, which would require a vehicle with level 7 armor.
And in the case of Karin Herrera, her borrowed vehicle also does not meet the necessary security conditions, while the other members of the Seed Movement do not have any security measures in their favor.
In this regard, in an interview to a television media, the president-elect confirmed that they requested the protection of the IACHR due to the “different forms of harassment, illegal tracking, suspicions of assassination and clear indications that there is some intention to attempt against their lives”.
“We have done so because we believe it is necessary to alert and we for our part are taking the necessary measures to increase security levels”, assured Arevalo.
He also confirmed that the government responded immediately to the IACHR’s request and has already met with the Minister of the Interior and the technical teams are developing the security measures that are necessary in this situation.
Meanwhile, he also indicated that, despite the threats, they are continuing with their agenda: “Karin and I are moving forward with our normal, daily work agenda, already in preparation for the government exercise that will be our turn after January 14.”
The government of Guatemala also issued a statement in which it confirms that, after the meeting with the president-elect, security arrangements will be strengthened and the number of elements will be increased according to the IACHR recommendation.
However, it also calls on the international entity to express itself objectively in order to guarantee impartiality, due to the consequences that its statements may generate.
Central America
Guatemala prison uprisings leave 46 guards held by gangs
Gang members staged riots, took prison guards hostage and set fires on Saturday at several prisons in Guatemala, in protest over the transfer of their leaders to a maximum-security facility and the implementation of new confinement measures, authorities said.
The Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs — both designated as terrorist organizations by the United States and Guatemala — are accused of contract killings, extortion and drug trafficking. Guatemala’s Minister of the Interior, Marco Antonio Villeda, confirmed that the unrest affected three prison facilities.
Villeda said the riots did not result in any fatalities or injuries, but 46 prison guards are currently being held hostage by gang members.
The minister stated that the government is willing to engage in dialogue to secure the release of the detained personnel, regain control of the prison facilities and ensure that inmates submit to internal regulations and the rule of law.
“Dialogue, not negotiation. We are dealing with terrorist structures that are financed and well organized. These are terrorist groups with whom we will not negotiate. The State is acting with legitimacy and in accordance with the law,” Villeda said.
According to official figures, 18 guards are being held at the Renovación 1 prison and the Preventive Detention Center for Men in Zone 18 — nine at each facility — while another 28 guards are hostages at the Fraijanes 2 prison.
Villeda acknowledged that all three prisons remain under gang control, but stressed that authorities are prioritizing the safety of those being held. “We will guarantee their lives and respect for them. We will take whatever time is necessary to retake control of the prisons,” he said.
The minister also warned that the prison riots are part of what he described as an “orchestrated plan,” which has included road blockades in other parts of the country and the destruction of penitentiary infrastructure and records.
Central America
Bukele warns crime can become a ‘parallel government’ during visit to Costa Rica
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, accompanied by his official delegation, arrived at the site where the new facilities of the Center for the High Containment of Organized Crime (CACCO) are being built. Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves welcomed Bukele, marking the start of the cornerstone-laying ceremony.
“Thank you very much to President Rodrigo Chaves and his cabinet for this invitation,” Bukele said, noting that this was his fourth meeting with the Costa Rican leader in the past two years.
In his address, Bukele stressed that insecurity is a problem that undermines all aspects of society. “When insecurity advances, jobs collapse, education becomes more difficult, and the economy slows down. People stop going out, businesses close early, investment leaves, and tourism disappears,” he said.
The Salvadoran president warned that if crime continues to grow, it can turn into a parallel government—“the dictatorship of gangs, criminals, and drug traffickers.” He added that this situation has not yet occurred in Costa Rica and that the country is still in time to prevent it.
Central America
U.S. and El Salvador maintain close partnership, embassy says
The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in El Salvador, Naomi Fellows, said on Monday that relations between the two countries remain “very close” and that both governments continue to work together in several areas of shared interest.
Speaking at a press conference, Fellows highlighted the longstanding friendship between the United States and El Salvador, as well as the achievements reached through bilateral agreements.
“In terms of our relationship with El Salvador, it continues to be very strong, very close. We are partners on security issues, on economic development; partners on migration, and on many other matters,” she said.
Fellows added that the relationship remains solid and is expected to continue strengthening through joint actions and cooperation initiatives.
On security, she noted that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has underscored the results of the measures implemented by the government of President Nayib Bukele to improve public safety in the country.
Senior U.S. officials have visited El Salvador to observe firsthand the impact of the Territorial Control Plan, including tours of the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
Fellows also emphasized the strong personal ties between the two nations, pointing to family and friendship connections that link Salvadorans and Americans.
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