Central America
Nicaragua and China upgrade relations to strategic partnership
December 20 |
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega held a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday where they agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, on the second anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Recognizing that the strategic nature of bilateral relations has been highlighted on a daily basis, both parties agreed to elevate binational relations to the level of Strategic Partnership.
For Daniel Ortega and Xi Jinping, the decision to elevate relations corresponds to the common interests of both countries and their peoples and favors the development and prosperity of Nicaragua and China.
According to a joint communiqué, Daniel Ortega and Xi Jinping appreciated the rapid development of Sino-Nicaraguan ties since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.
Both heads of state recognized the progress achieved in areas such as mutual political trust, practical and supportive cooperation in various areas and collaboration in multilateral forums over the past two years.
Elsewhere in the text, the Nicaraguan government expressed its support for the one China principle and reiterated that Beijing is the only legitimate government representing all of China.
The Nicaraguan side resolutely opposes Taiwan independence in all its manifestations, and reaffirmed its commitment not to maintain any kind of official contact with Taiwan, and also affirmed its support for all efforts of the Chinese Government to materialize the reunification of the country.
For its part, China affirmed its support for the Nicaraguan people to sovereignly choose the path of development in accordance with their own conditions, also supports the independence, sovereignty, self-determination, security and development interests of Nicaragua.
The Chinese side communicated its rejection of foreign interference in Nicaragua’s internal affairs.
In this regard, Xi Jinping’s government recognized that under the presidency of Daniel Ortega, the Central American country has achieved notable successes in defending independence, maintaining stability, developing the economy and improving the welfare of the people.
Beijing is confident that the current Nicaraguan government will achieve new successes in nation building and the Nicaraguan people will have a better life. The Chinese side will continue to provide support and assistance within its reach for Nicaragua’s economic and social development.
In another point of the communiqué, Nicaragua and China valued the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and will promote its early entry into force.
The parties will take full advantage of mechanisms such as the Joint Economic-Commercial Commission and platforms such as the China-Nicaragua FTA, to expand the volume and raise the level of binational trade.
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.
Central America
Nicaragua revokes legal status of 10 more NGOs, bringing total to over 5,600
The Nicaraguan government canceled the legal status of 10 more non-profit organizations on Friday (March 28, 2025), including the Swiss Foundation for Development Cooperation, bringing the total number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) shut down since December 2018 to over 5,600.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the Swiss Foundation for Development Cooperation, which had been registered since March 9, 2002, was found to be in non-compliance for failing to report its financial status for 2024 and for having an expired board of directors.
Among the 10 NGOs whose legal status was revoked were religious organizations, educational groups, consumer associations, and aquaculture organizations, all dissolved “voluntarily” or closed under similar reasons.
As of today, more than 5,600 NGOs have been dismantled following the popular protests that erupted in April 2018 in Nicaragua. In most cases, the assets of these organizations have been ordered to be transferred to the state.
Central America
Panama’s president declares Darién gap ‘closed’ amid sharp drop in migrant flow
After years of receiving thousands of migrants daily traveling from the south towards the United States, the dangerous Darien jungle crossing at the Panama-Colombia border can now be considered closed, said Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday.
“For all practical purposes, the Darien border is closed… We no longer have a migration problem coming from Colombia,” Mulino stated during his weekly conference, announcing that the migrant flow through this crossing had dropped by 97% in March compared to the same period in 2024.
Only 194 migrants have crossed the Darien from south to north this month, according to official data.
The more restrictive migration policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, since taking office on January 20, have impacted the situation, along with Panama’s increased control over the migration flow, according to experts and authorities.
Several weeks ago, the Panamanian government announced the closure of two of the three shelters located in the Bajo Chiquito and Lajas Blancas areas in the Darien, which had been set up to accommodate migrants due to the low number of people they were receiving.
Panama has been heavily criticized by human rights groups for detaining migrants without their passports or cell phones, and under harsh conditions in these camps.
Regarding the flow of migrants traveling from north to south, many of whom are returning due to the impossibility of reaching the United States, “it has grown a little, but it has grown,” said Mulino. Most migrants continue their journey back to their countries of origin.
The majority of migrants in both cases are Venezuelan, according to the president.
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