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Nicaragua grants asylum to former panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli

The government led by Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua granted asylum on Wednesday to the former President of Panama (2009-2014) and re-election candidate Ricardo Martinelli, who was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison and fined over 19 million dollars for money laundering.

“In accordance with the 1928 Convention on Asylum and the 1933 Convention on Political Asylum, ratified by our country, and recognizing that asylum is an institution of humanitarian nature and that all persons may be under its protection, without distinction of nationality,” Nicaragua decided “to grant asylum to Mr. Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal, former President of the Republic of Panama,” stated the Nicaraguan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a declaration.

In the letter sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Nicaragua explained that Martinelli requested asylum at the Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in Panama, led by journalist Consuelo Sandoval, “considering himself persecuted for political reasons and being in imminent risk his life, physical integrity, and security.”

In this regard, the Government of Nicaragua requested the Government of Panama to provide assurances for the “prompt departure and humanitarian transfer of the asylum seeker Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal to the territory of the Republic of Nicaragua.”

A source close to the former president told EFE that Martinelli requested asylum from the Nicaraguan Government because in Panama there are no “constitutional guarantees” nor “is there law,” after being sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering. The same source confirmed to EFE that the Nicaraguan Ministry of Foreign Affairs admitted the asylum request.

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Martinelli considers himself a political persecuted.

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Central America

Guatemalan police officer killed in mob riots over baby kidnapping

A police officer was killed during riots provoked by an enraged mob in a Guatemalan town following the kidnapping of a baby, the government reported on Wednesday.

The incidents began on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday in the town of San Vicente Pacaya, about 25 km south of the capital, according to Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez.

“There was an incident in San Vicente Pacaya where, unfortunately, a police officer died after being struck in the head with a stone. He passed away this morning,” Jiménez said in a press conference.

He explained that the unrest erupted following the arrest of two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of “a baby just a few months old,” including a woman with a criminal record.

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Sports

Venezuela investigates 18 baseball players seeking asylum in Spain

Maduro calls on military to be alert to alleged plan by "fascist groups"

The Venezuelan government announced on Wednesday that it is investigating the case of 18 baseball players who are “under the supervision of Spanish authorities” after seeking protection.

In a statement, Venezuelan authorities said they are working to determine whether this case involves “a possible human trafficking scheme,” though they have not provided any evidence of such a crime.

The Venezuelan government emphasized its commitment to protecting the country’s athletes while also denouncing the use of international legal frameworks by certain governments allegedly seeking to discredit the administration.

CNN reached out to Spain’s National Police for a response to Venezuela’s claims. According to Spanish authorities, the 18 young athletes—including two minors—arrived in Spain to participate in a series of matches but had already planned to apply for asylum. Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that they had begun interviewing the players to process their international protection requests.

The team’s coach addressed the situation in a TikTok video, refuting local media reports that he had abandoned the athletes. He asserted that the players chose to remain in Barcelona to secure the necessary permits to sign with other teams and that their decision was unrelated to any political motivations.

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Filipe Luis debuts as coach in Copa Libertadores with Flamengo

A two-time Copa Libertadores champion with Flamengo during his playing days, Filipe Luis will make his managerial debut in the tournament this Thursday when the popular Rio de Janeiro club faces Venezuela’s Deportivo Táchira.

Placed in Group C alongside Táchira, Liga de Quito, and Argentina’s Central Córdoba, Flamengo starts as one of the favorites—a major challenge for the 39-year-old former player.

His early coaching career has been off to a strong start.

After retiring in 2023, Filipe Luis took over as Flamengo’s head coach on September 30. Just 41 days later, he won his first title, the Copa do Brasil. The year 2025 has already brought two more trophies: the Supercopa do Brasil, where Flamengo defeated Botafogo—current Libertadores and Brasileirão champions—3-1, and the Campeonato Carioca.

At 8:30 PM local time (00:30 GMT Friday), Flamengo under Filipe Luis will make its international debut at Estadio Pueblo Nuevo in San Cristóbal. Although Gerson, Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, and Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata are unavailable, the squad still boasts attacking firepower with Bruno Henrique and Everton.

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