Central America

New march called in Guatemala to measure forces against coup officials

Photo: La Hora

December 4 |

Over the weekend, indigenous authorities announced at a press conference that they will hold a “massive” march this day as a result of recent events in Guatemala.

The pressure to achieve the resignation of the Attorney General continues, and once again they have called on citizens to unite to raise the voice of the people. This march will serve to reaffirm the message that they are standing up for democracy and to reject the approval of the general budget of the nation by the government.

The promoters of the massive protests carried out in October in this country, expressed that the mobilization will be carried out to denounce again the corruption that has been faced against the elected president, Bernardo Arévalo, and the authorities of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), whose magistrates are now object of judicial persecution.

The march will begin at 8:00 a.m. in Zone 1 and will head towards the Judicial Body, passing by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Gerona, then to the Constitutional Court and the Congress of the Republic.

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Consuelo Porras, Attorney General in Guatemala, is seen as an enemy to be defeated, being accused by Guatemalans of being the spearhead in a turbulent process of persecution that aims to be a political revenge and not the fulfillment of duties.

Through a video published in social networks, the authorities of Iximulew indicated that the walk will begin on 9th street and 7th avenue in zone 1 of the capital.

A little more than a month after the inauguration of the new president, the crisis in Guatemala continues, while the United States presses for the respect of the country’s institutions.

The march is to demand the resignation of the Attorney General, Consuelo Porras and other officials, but also as a sign of rejection to the approval of the Budget 2024.

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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.