Central America
Guild rejects Panamanian president’s threats about protests
November 19 |
Panama’s Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares (Suntracs) rejected Thursday the threats made the day before by President Laurentino Cortizo regarding the protests and demonstrations promoted by the union against the mining contract.
In this regard, they announced that they filed a precautionary measure before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to order the Panamanian government to guarantee the right to association and demonstration, especially to the 14 members of the board of directors.
In the complaint before the IACHR, the union points out that both President Laurentino Cortizo, as well as the Minister of Security, Juan Manuel Pino, have stated that the union has “hidden agendas and that they seek to destabilize the country.”
Consequently, Suntracs requests the Commission that the Panamanian State adopt measures to guarantee the free exercise of the right to demonstrate in the country.
The threats of Cortizo and his government come after the previous day the Alianza Pueblo Unido por la Vida, the Alianza Nacional del Pueblo Organizado (Anadepo) and leaders of some of the other bastions of struggle of the native groups carried out a 24-hour nationwide shutdown on Thursday, November 16, an action they announced they would repeat on Monday, November 20.
Since October 23, social organizations, unions, teachers and inhabitants in general have been demonstrating against the contract, ratified by President Laurentino Cortizo and Minera Panamá, a subsidiary of the Canadian company First Quantum Minerals (FQM), which grants the concession, for 20 years renewable, to exploit almost 13,000 hectares in Coclé del Norte, province of Colón, where it would devastate tropical forests which are part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor.
Local media report that, as of last weekend, more than 1,000 people have been arrested in the protests. Among them, it is noted, are 134 minors. According to official reports, the detainees are accused of vandalism, damage to property and other administrative offenses.
The protests continue in expectation that the Supreme Court of Justice will rule on the claim of unconstitutionality of said law. By November, mobilizations have been increasing to demand that the president call for extraordinary sessions of the Assembly of Deputies and present the repeal of Law 406.
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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