Central America

CIDH grants precautionary measures to Guatemala’s presidential binomial-elect

Photo: VOA

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”.

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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.

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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.

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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 to Phase Out Longstanding Medical Cooperation Agreement with Cuba

Guatemala’s government announced on Tuesday that it will end this year a cooperation agreement with Cuba that has brought doctors from the Caribbean nation to work in the Central American country.

Guatemala’s Health Ministry told EFE that the program, which has been in place for nearly three decades, will be phased out progressively throughout 2026.

According to the same source, there are currently 412 Cubans in Guatemala under the agreement, including 333 physicians.

Cuban medical brigades assigned to Guatemala have traditionally been deployed to various regions of the country to provide primary health care to local communities.

“The decision follows a technical assessment aimed at strengthening the sustainability of the national workforce and consolidating the public health system’s own capacities,” the Guatemalan ministry said.

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Earlier this week, lawmaker Sonia Gutiérrez, from the left-wing Winaq party, warned that the move “could be an inhumane act that threatens the health and lives of the country’s most vulnerable populations,” given the historic importance of Cuban doctors in providing medical care.

For that reason, the legislator summoned Health Ministry authorities to Congress, as permitted by law, to provide further details about the decision.

Former human rights ombudsman Jordán Rodas Andrade also weighed in on social media, recalling that “for 27 years Cuban doctors have been the backbone of health care in Guatemala’s most neglected areas,” and stressing that “ending this agreement is an act of ingratitude that leaves the most vulnerable unprotected.”

President Bernardo Arévalo’s government told EFE that, in order to guarantee continued care, it will implement a gradual replacement plan that includes hiring national personnel.

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Central America

Guatemala isolates Barrio 18 leader after attacks that killed 11 police

Guatemalan authorities have placed a leader of the Barrio 18 gang in an isolated cell without الكهرباء or “privileges” after he was accused of triggering a recent wave of violence that left 11 police officers dead, the government said on Sunday.

Members of Barrio 18, which is designated as a “terrorist” organization by both the United States and Guatemala, carried out the killings on January 18 in retaliation for the government’s takeover of three prisons that had been under the control of inmates linked to the group.

In response to the attacks, President Bernardo Arévalo declared a month-long state of siege, arguing that gang members were seeking better conditions in prison or transfers to lower-security facilities.

In a message posted on X alongside photographs, Arévalo announced the isolation of Aldo Dupie, also known as “El Lobo,” one of the gang leaders who allegedly directed the uprisings.

Images released by the government show Dupie inside a small cell with narrow windows, built from metal containers, in a secured area of the Renovación I prison in southern Guatemala — the same facility where the hostage-taking riot took place.

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With a shaved head and a stern expression, the gang leader appears alone and in handcuffs, according to the photographs.

Guatemala’s prison system said the “new area,” protected by metal fencing and barbed wire, will house high-risk inmates who will remain without privileges or electricity.

Sports

Shakira ignites El Salvador with near sold-out residency at Mágico González Stadium

The recently renovated Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium is rolling out the red carpet for Colombian superstar Shakira, whose string of concerts has sold out almost entirely, confirming the powerful bond between the artist and Salvadoran fans.

The scale of the experience begins as soon as attendees arrive at the venue. Outside the stadium, organizers have installed several photo spots so concertgoers can capture a souvenir from the major event.

Fans attending the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour will witness a top-tier visual production, where technology and robotic lighting effects will shape an atmosphere that shifts dramatically from one segment of the show to another — moving from the intensity of ’90s rock to the festive explosion of urban pop.

Security and crowd management have been top priorities, with a coordinated operation aimed at ensuring smooth entry and exit, allowing spectators to focus solely on enjoying hits that have defined generations.

Beyond the music, the event marks a milestone for the country’s live-entertainment industry, positioning El Salvador as a destination capable of hosting artist residencies once reserved for cities such as Las Vegas or London.

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The excitement is already visible across the capital: hotels are at full capacity and local businesses are riding the wave of enthusiasm sparked by the latest songs from the Colombian star.