Central America

Honduras: assets seized and criminal structure linked to Sinaloa Cartel dismantled

November 21 |

The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime (Fesco) and the Directorate for the Fight against Drug Trafficking (DLCN) of Honduras have carried out an operation to dismantle a criminal organization with connections to the Sinaloa Cartel. The Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) has seized 73 assets belonging to this criminal structure while carrying out raids and arrests.

The action has been carried out in the departments of Cortés, Yoro and Colón. A total of 18 raids, one inspection and the seizure of two companies, 13 real estate assets and 58 vehicles are part of the measures taken in the operation. 92 DLCN detectives and 114 military police personnel collaborated with prosecutors in this initiative.

The investigation that led to the dismantling of the criminal gang was carried out over a year, and as a result, nine arrest warrants have been issued for the main members of the organization. The prosecution has highlighted the gang’s modus operandi and its confirmed links to Mexican drug traffickers, specifically the Sinaloa Cartel.

According to information provided by the Attorney General’s Office, the criminal organization had a team specialized in transporting drugs, as well as others dedicated to security and assassination activities in Honduras. Honduras, like others in Central America, serves as a bridge for cocaine trafficking from South America to the United States.

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It is worth noting that Honduras has faced significant problems related to drug trafficking, and the recent operation is a sign of the authorities’ ongoing effort to combat these illicit activities. The fight against organized crime in the region has become more prominent in recent years, with various efforts to dismantle criminal networks and reduce drug trafficking.

Central America

Panama grants Martinelli 72-hour extension to travel to Nicaragua

On Monday (March 31, 2025), Panama extended the safe-conduct pass for former President Ricardo Martinelli by three more days to allow him to travel to Nicaragua, after the Central American country refused to receive him due to concerns over an alleged Interpol arrest warrant.

“The National Government has decided to extend the validity of the safe-conduct pass for an additional seventy-two (72) hours, until the end of Thursday, April 3, 2025,” the Panamanian Foreign Ministry stated in a communiqué. The original permit was set to expire Monday at midnight (05:00 GMT on Tuesday).

The Foreign Ministry explained that regarding the ‘humanitarian asylum’ granted to Martinelli last Thursday, which was set to expire Monday at midnight, the Nicaraguan government requested clarifications about an apparent Interpol alert, which had already been dismissed as inadmissible.

Additionally, the Panamanian Supreme Court of Justice, as the highest authority of the Judicial Branch, stated on Monday that it had “no objections” to granting asylum and a safe-conduct to Martinelli, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.

Central America

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary urges Mexico to strengthen Guatemala border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on Monday that during last week’s meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, she urged Mexico to reinforce its border with Guatemala and share biometric datawith U.S. authorities.

“I gave her a list of things that President Trump would love to see. And it was exceptional. It was supposed to be a half-hour meeting, but we talked for nearly two hours. It was very productive,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News.

The Homeland Security Secretary requested that Sheinbaum, who has already deployed 10,000 National Guard troopsalong Mexico’s northern border with the U.S., also secure Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.

Noem added that she also asked the Mexican president to share biometric data with the U.S., to which Sheinbaum responded that she was “willing to discuss it,” although she acknowledged that it could be a controversial issue in her country.

Central America

Panama police clarifies that Interpol alert for Martinelli is still pending

Panama’s National Police clarified on Sunday that an Interpol alert request for former President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) is still under review and has yet to be confirmed. Martinelli was granted a safe-conduct pass last Thursday to leave the Nicaraguan embassy, where he has been seeking asylum since February 2024 after being convicted of corruption.

“The National Police clarifies that there is currently an active process for an Interpol alert, requested by Judge Baloisa Marquínez, against former President Ricardo Martinelli. This request must be analyzed by Interpol’s General Secretariat (headquartered in France) for approval or rejection. If approved, it will be notified to member countries,” the police stated in a press release sent to EFE.

According to the statement, “at the moment, it remains an ongoing procedure, and former President Martinelli does not have a confirmed alert.”

The announcement came hours after National Police Director Jaime Fernández had told the press that an “Interpol alert” for Martinelli had been received on Friday.