Central America
Maribel Gordón, the leftist economist who aspires to the Executive of Panama with a feminist plan
The leftist Maribel Gordón, a professor and economist by profession, aspires to the Presidency of Panama in the elections of next May 5 with a government plan based on social proposals for a “dignified life”, being the only candidate with a plan focused on equality policies.
“That is our approach, which incorporates women in decision-making and my main proposal is a national budget with a gender perspective,” he said in an interview with EFE Gordón, an independent candidate and who is among the last places in all the polls, which he does not recognize and in which he borders on 2% of voting intention.
In the opinion of the candidate, the State approves “dead (and) empty laws” with a gender focus, because they do not have sufficient resources to put them into practice, they only serve to wash the international image, “without any responsibility or will to be executed.”
Gordón, 62 years old and popularly known as ‘La Profe’, is the only candidate with openly socialist ideas and supported by the feminist movement of the Central American country by having a public discourse against sexist violence and equality gaps.
She considered herself part of the feminist revolution from a very early age, when it was still officially chosen who represented the movement. “I joined a group of 14 women who carry out these flags because the gender inequality gaps in Panama are deep.”
He explained that in the country there are “low wages” for women because they are “placed in economic activities where the minimum wage predominates” because “the system does not generate decent employment for women.”
“We are also proposing an institutional policy that guarantees the elimination of violence against women (because) violence begins from the institutional with a State that does not protect and that thinks that if a woman or a teenager is raped is something common or private life,” he said.
The presidential candidate has a long history within the social movements in Panama. He jumped to the public spotlight in the protests against the increase in the price of life in 2021. The prices of gasoline and other commodities skyrocketed due to global inflation.
His interventions – as if he were teaching a university class – during a frustrated dialogue table between the Government and the demonstrations to seek a solution were popularly applauded, thus forging his candidacy with the participation in last year’s anti-mining protests, before which he maintains his resounding “no” to mining in the country.
This is the third time that Gordon tries to reach the spheres of the Executive Power. The previous two times –2014 and 2019 – she was a running mate with the leftist Frente Amplio por la Democracia (FAD). The political arm of the most powerful union in the country and the one that its spectacular failure in the last elections dissolved the party.
Gordón is related to the socio-political movements of the Latin American left. A reflection of this is his Government project baptized as the ‘plan for a dignified life’, which is based on “human well-being”, “real democracy”, the “rescue of identity” and a constitutional reform through the constituent route, one of the two options that the current Magna Carta allows.
“If the left is a failure, why are there economic sanctions against those left-wing countries? (…) (For) the fear of a system that effectively works without blockades (…), at least, on issues of national and social development,” says Gordón.
Thus, he proposes to create in Panama, a country “with its specific characteristics,” a project of “national and social development, that is of the Panamanians and Panamanians for the Panamanians” to which some “examples of other latitudes” can be incorporated.
He also defends that socialism, “that phase of transition between capitalism and communism” that adapts to every historical moment, has tried to “develop” in different ways, so the governments in China, Cuba and Venezuela as well as what “tried to do in Bolivia, Ecuador, Mexico, even today in Colombia and Uruguay” are not alike.
For the elections on May 5, just over 3 million Panamanians are called to the polls.
The main candidates are José Raúl Mulino, the running mate of the disabled former President Ricardo Martinelli, for the Realizing Goals (RM) and Alianza parties. Former President Martín Torrijos (2004-2009), for the Popular Party (PP) and Ricardo Lombana for the Otro Camino Movement.
Central America
U.S. revokes visas of top Costa Rican lawmakers and constitutional judge
The United States government has revoked the visas of Rodrigo Arias, president of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly, and Paul Rueda, a justice of the Constitutional Chamber, expanding the list of Costa Rican officials affected by such measures in 2025.
The Constitutional Chamber confirmed the cancellation of Justice Rueda’s visa but stated it would not issue further comments. Meanwhile, local media reported the case of Rodrigo Arias, who has led the Assembly for the past three years and maintained a critical stance toward President Rodrigo Chaves’s administration.
Visa revocations against Costa Rican political figures began following a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to San José in February. During the trip, Rubio warned of potential sanctions against those collaborating with foreign actors that could pose a risk to U.S. cybersecurity.
While in Costa Rica, Rubio praised President Chaves for halting Chinese companies’ involvement in major tech infrastructure projects, including the development of 5G networks.
Since then, the U.S. has also revoked visas of lawmakers Francisco Nicolás (National Liberation Party), Johana Obando and Cynthia Córdoba (Progressive Liberal Party), as well as Ana Sofía Machuca, general auditor of the Costa Rican Electricity Institute. All were accused of allegedly favoring Chinese firm Huawei in 5G-related tenders—criticism led by President Chaves and members of his cabinet.
In April, even former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Óscar Arias, brother of Rodrigo Arias, had his visa revoked. Arias has publicly criticized the U.S. over its military spending and, more recently, the immigration and trade policies of President Donald Trump.
As with previous cases, the U.S. government has not disclosed the specific reasons behind the visa revocations.
Central America
Guatemala hit by over 300 quakes; death toll rises to seven
At least seven people have died as a result of a series of earthquakes that have shaken three departments in central Guatemala since Tuesday, according to the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred).
In its latest update, Conred reported that 2,138 people have been affected, and 347 have been displaced and are receiving humanitarian assistance.
“Our deepest condolences to the families. There are no words at a time like this, but know that the pain you feel is the pain of the entire Guatemalan people,” said President Bernardo Arévalo, expressing solidarity with the families of the victims. Of the seven deceased, five have been identified, while two remain unidentified as the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif) continues its work.
To address the emergency, the government has opened nine shelters, currently housing 586 people affected by the tremors.
Since the start of seismic activity, the National Institute for Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) has recorded 340 earthquakes, including 32 in the last few hours, with magnitudes ranging between 1.2 and 5.6.
One of the most severely impacted areas is the Santa María bridge, located at kilometer 39+100 on the road to Palín, Escuintla. Authorities have begun coordinating its repair.
A total of 28 road segments have sustained damage: 11 in Sacatepéquez, 7 in Guatemala, 6 in Chimaltenango, and 4 in Escuintla.
Conred has urged the population to drive cautiously, avoid speeding, take extra care in mountainous areas or on roads with a history of structural issues, and report any emergencies to the 24-hour hotline 119.
Central America
Dengue crisis in Panama: co-circulating serotypes fuel rise in fatal cases
Health authorities in Panama reported on Wednesday that the country has recorded a total of 6,458 dengue cases and 10 related deaths through epidemiological week 25, which spanned from June 15 to 21, 2025.
Of the total reported cases, 576 patients required hospitalization, and 55 cases have been classified as severe, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health (Minsa).
The metropolitan area and San Miguelito, both in the capital, account for the majority of cases, with 2,753 infections. The reported deaths occurred in the western provinces of Chiriquí (4) and Bocas del Toro (2); the eastern province of Darién (2); and Panamá Este and Coclé, with one death each.
“The national dengue incidence rate during epidemiological week 25 of 2025 is 125.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Most cases have occurred in individuals aged 10 to 59 years,” the official report stated.
Panama is currently experiencing co-circulation of all four dengue serotypes, with DENV-3 and DENV-4 being the most prevalent. This, according to Minsa, “increases the likelihood of severe and fatal cases.”
The Ministry emphasized that dengue is a serious and potentially deadly disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and noted that it has ramped up nationwide operations through vector control teams to reduce infection rates.
However, officials stressed that citizen participation remains critical, urging the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites both inside and around their homes.
Trump administration begins downsizing ‘bloated’ state department workforce
Trump defends Bolsonaro, hints at talks with Brazil after tariff warning
Sheinbaum slams ICE raids after 355 mexicans detained and 67,000 repatriated
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International3 days agoCuba confirms 76 femicide cases in 2024, among highest rates in region
-
Central America3 days agoIllegal crossings at U.S.-Mexico border plunge 92% in historic shift
-
International3 days agoU.S. thanks Mexico for sending rescue teams after deadly Texas floods
-
Central America3 days agoCosta Rica extends humanitarian status and grants work permits to stranded migrants
-
International4 days agoDOJ and FBI officially deny Jeffrey Epstein ‘client list’ conspiracy theories
-
International4 days agoIranian president says Israel tried to assassinate him, warns U.S. against war
-
International4 days agoHonduras regrets U.S. decision to end TPS for 72,000 hondurans
-
Central America2 days agoDengue crisis in Panama: co-circulating serotypes fuel rise in fatal cases
-
International4 days agoBolsonaro thanks Trump for support amid Brazil coup trial
-
International4 days agoSheinbaum urges unity and respect after clashes over gentrification in Mexico City
-
International3 days agoMexico launches probe into alleged $25 million bribe to ex-president Peña Nieto
-
International2 days agoICE set to become America’s largest security force under Trump’s $75B immigration overhaul
-
International4 days agoGunman killed after shooting outside Texas Border Patrol Building
-
International4 days agoRussian ex-transport minister found dead after dismissal by Putin
-
International4 days agoTrump ends TPS for haitians as gang violence surges in homeland
-
International3 days agoTrump and Bondi slam Epstein inquiry amid Texas flood tragedy
-
International2 days agoHarvard faces Federal pressure over immigration docs, autonomy dispute intensifies
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala hit by over 300 quakes; death toll rises to seven
-
Central America2 days agoU.S. revokes visas of top Costa Rican lawmakers and constitutional judge
-
International2 days agoGerman parliament orders removal of LGBTQ+ flags amid growing controversy
-
International2 days agoFederal judge halts Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship
-
International2 days agoUK and France seal innovative migrant exchange deal to curb channel crossings
-
International15 hours agoSheinbaum slams ICE raids after 355 mexicans detained and 67,000 repatriated
-
International2 days agoCDC reports record measles outbreaks in 39 U.S. jurisdictions this year
-
International2 days agoUkraine gains $10 billion in commitments during Rome Recovery Forum
-
International2 days agoSix agents penalized for conduct failures in July 2024 attack on Donald Trump
-
International15 hours ago
Trump defends Bolsonaro, hints at talks with Brazil after tariff warning
-
International15 hours agoTrump administration begins downsizing ‘bloated’ state department workforce