Central America
Rains from tropical storm Pilar cause two deaths in Honduras
November 1 |
A man lost his life after rocks fell from a hill in the Miravalle sector, in the municipality of Valle de Ángeles, Francisco Morazán, Honduras. This is the second fatality reported by authorities to local media as a consequence of the rains caused by tropical storm Pilar in the Central American country.
The man was identified as Santos Ernesto García Núñez. The Fire Department reported that the Honduran man was sleeping when the incident occurred and destroyed his wooden house.
The Fire Rescue Unit of the Fire Department went to the Picachito sector, north of Tegucigalpa, due to the report of three people buried, the entity communicated during a radio interview on “HRN”.
Another man, 62 years old, died yesterday in the sector of Ojo de Agua, central department of Comayagua, after he was swept away by a current while trying to cross a pond.
The Permanent Contingency Commission (Copeco) raised the red alert in the departments of Valle and Choluteca. The yellow alert is maintained in La Paz, Comayagua, Francisco Morazán and El Paraíso. Another 12 departments remain on green alert: Intibucá, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Copán, Santa Bárbara, Cortés, Yoro, Atlántida, Colón, Olancho, Gracias a Dios and Islas de la Bahía.
In view of tropical storm Pilar and cold front number 8, Tabasco imposed a yellow alert, as “torrential rains” of up to 250 millimeters are forecast, which could cause flooding and landslides in at-risk areas.
In Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas, “heavy rains” of 75 to 150 millimeters are forecast. In Campeche and Quintana Roo “very heavy rains” of 50 to 75 millimeters are expected, according to the National Meteorological Service (SMN).
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) maintains monitoring in its territory and calls for caution to the population.
Authorities report damage to affected roads, schools and homes due to flooding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Petro accuses top guerrilla leader of bribing officers to evade military strikes
Costa Rica urges China to halt actions against Panama-flagged vessels
Mexico leads global cases of enforced disappearances, UN report finds
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoSpain rebukes U.S. over euthanasia case as minister defends legal framework
-
International4 days agoNew York City lifts TikTok ban on government devices under new security rules
-
International2 days agoLe pape Léon XIV appelle à relancer le dialogue pour une paix au Moyen-Orient
-
International2 days agoDevotees in Philippines mark Holy Week with extreme rituals despite rising costs
-
Internacionales2 days agoEcuador extends state of emergency amid escalating violence and crime crackdown
-
International2 days agoMexico leads global cases of enforced disappearances, UN report finds
-
Central America6 hours agoCosta Rica urges China to halt actions against Panama-flagged vessels
-
International5 hours agoPetro accuses top guerrilla leader of bribing officers to evade military strikes