Central America
Alert on swollen rivers due to rains from storm Pilar in Guatemala

October 31 |
The National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology of Guatemala (Insivumeh) warned Monday that the proximity of tropical storm Pilar in the Pacific Ocean, will increase cloudiness and the risk of rainfall in different areas of the Central American country, so that several rivers could increase their flow.
Among the rivers most likely to overflow are Cahabón, Matanzas and Polochic, located in the department of Alta Verapaz; and in La Pasión (Sayaxché), La Pasión (Las Cruces) and Usumacinta, in Petén, so the agency urged residents to take precautions.
According to bulletin number seven of this day, Insivumeh continues monitoring the storm Pilar, which is south of the Guatemalan Pacific coast with gusts of 100 kilometers per hour and moves towards the northwest at nine kilometers per hour.
“This storm has entered the orange alert zone (orange area) of the tropical cyclone operational plan and continues with slow movement towards the northeast, in its center maintains winds with speeds of up to 85 kilometers per hour so it is expected to approach our country during the following hours, however its effects will be indirect,” said the Insivumeh bulletin.
For Monday night, partial clouds and intermittent rains or drizzle are forecast, especially in regions from the south to the center of the country.
“In Bocacosta and Pacific there could be heavy rains accompanied by electrical activity in the late afternoon. A light to moderate northeast wind will prevail in the Central Highlands and Eastern Valleys”, the meteorological entity indicates.
Pilar is the sixteenth named cyclone of the season, and is also located near the coasts of Mexico and El Salvador, so it is also being monitored by both nations.
Central America
Guatemalan police officer killed in mob riots over baby kidnapping

A police officer was killed during riots provoked by an enraged mob in a Guatemalan town following the kidnapping of a baby, the government reported on Wednesday.
The incidents began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday in the town of San Vicente Pacaya, about 25 km south of the capital, according to Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez.
“There was an incident in San Vicente Pacaya where, unfortunately, a police officer died after being struck in the head with a stone. He passed away this morning,” Jiménez said in a press conference.
He explained that the unrest erupted following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of “a baby just a few months old,” including a woman with a criminal record.
Sports
Venezuela investigates 18 baseball players seeking asylum in Spain

The Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday that it is investigating the case of 18 baseball players who are “under the supervision of Spanish authorities” after seeking protection.
In a statement, Venezuelan authorities said they are working to determine whether this case involves “a possible human trafficking scheme,” though they have not provided any evidence of such a crime.
The Venezuelan government emphasized its commitment to protecting the country’s athletes while also denouncing the use of international legal frameworks by certain governments allegedly seeking to discredit the administration.
CNN reached out to Spain’s National Police for a response to Venezuela’s claims. According to Spanish authorities, the 18 young athletes—including two minors—arrived in Spain to participate in a series of matches but had already planned to apply for asylum. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that they had begun interviewing the players to process their international protection requests.
The team’s coach addressed the situation in a TikTok video, refuting local media reports that he had abandoned the athletes. He asserted that the players chose to remain in Barcelona to secure the necessary permits to sign with other teams and that their decision was unrelated to any political motivations.
Sports
Filipe Luis debuts as coach in Copa Libertadores with Flamengo

A two-time Copa Libertadores champion with Flamengo during his playing days, Filipe Luis will make his managerial debut in the tournament this Thursday when the popular Rio de Janeiro club faces Venezuela’s Deportivo Táchira.
Placed in Group C alongside Táchira, Liga de Quito, and Argentina’s Central Córdoba, Flamengo starts as one of the favorites—a major challenge for the 39-year-old former player.
His early coaching career has been off to a strong start.
After retiring in 2023, Filipe Luis took over as Flamengo’s head coach on September 30. Just 41 days later, he won his first title, the Copa do Brasil. The year 2025 has already brought two more trophies: the Supercopa do Brasil, where Flamengo defeated Botafogo—current Libertadores and Brasileirão champions—3-1, and the Campeonato Carioca.
At 8:30 PM local time (00:30 GMT Friday), Flamengo under Filipe Luis will make its international debut at Estadio Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristóbal. Although Gerson, Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata are unavailable, the squad still boasts attacking firepower with Bruno Henrique and Everton.
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