Central America
Dengue outbreak in Central America claims 100 Lives, Guatemala hardest hit
In April, the WHO warned that dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases are now spreading much farther and wider from their usual areas due to the effects of climate change.
A hundred deaths have been attributed to a dengue outbreak in Central America this year, with Guatemala being the hardest hit country, responsible for half of the fatalities, health officials reported on Friday.
In Guatemala, 50 people have died from dengue and over 43,000 cases have been reported, nearly six times more than the same period last year, according to a Ministry of Health report.
In Honduras, there have been 29 deaths and around 60,000 cases, while Panama has recorded 12 deaths and over 5,700 cases, with 40 classified as severe, according to official figures.
In El Salvador, three children have died from dengue and there are approximately 3,700 suspected cases.
Costa Rica has reported no deaths but more than 11,000 confirmed cases of the disease. Nicaragua reported only 196 cases with no deaths.
Central America
Honduran President Xiomara Castro: Honduras should no longer be used as a drug trafficking bridge
Honduran President Xiomara Castro stated this Saturday that her country must no longer be used as a “bridge for drug trafficking,” and she pledged that the 2025 elections would be “clean, free, and transparent,” guaranteeing a peaceful transfer of power.
“Honduras should not continue to be used as a bridge for drug trafficking that feeds the addiction of developed countries,” Castro emphasized during a speech at a military ceremony, where she also highlighted the “example of struggle” set by national hero Francisco Morazán.
Castro called on Hondurans to “make their best efforts to combat organized crime and the drug cartels inherited from the previous regime,” stressing that “remaining silent constitutes treason to the homeland.”
According to official figures, over 21,400 kilos of cocaine and 500,000 coca plants have been seized so far in 2024 in various operations, mainly in Honduras’ Caribbean region.
Due to its geographical location, particularly its 700-kilometer Caribbean coastline, Honduras is used by international drug traffickers to ship cocaine to the United States.
Authorities have reported that much of the drugs arriving in Honduras by air and sea are transported overland through western Honduras, near the Guatemalan border, on their way to the United States.
Central America
Salvadoran ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms death of migrants in Chiapas incident
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the death of two Salvadoran migrants, aged 57 and 17, in Villa Comaltitlán, Chiapas, on October 1st, at the hands of the Mexican Army. Authorities have requested a “thorough investigation of the case and a prompt clarification” from the Mexican government.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the victims were residents of San Vicente and La Libertad, respectively. The incident occurred last Tuesday on the Villa Comaltitlán-Huixtla highway when two members of the Army opened fire on migrants in Chiapas who were aboard a cargo truck, mistaking them for members of criminal groups. As a result, six migrants from El Salvador, Peru, and Egypt lost their lives, and 12 others were injured.
“In light of the events, the Ministry extends its deepest condolences to the families, who are receiving consular assistance, support, and accompaniment, according to our protocols in these cases,” the statement explains.
The Salvadoran government has been following the case closely since the tragedy occurred to identify the victims. The Ministry maintains contact with the Salvadoran consulate in Tapachula.
Central America
Legislative Assembly initiates process to elect new attorney general for 2025-2028 term
With 57 favorable votes, the Legislative Assembly began the process for selecting the new Attorney General of the Republic for the 2025-2028 term during this afternoon’s plenary session.
The legislative initiative, presented by the head of the Nuevas Ideas party, Christian Guevara, specifies that the term of the current Attorney General will end on January 5 of the coming year.
As a result, legislators decided to open the election process based on the Legislative Assembly’s internal regulations, which state that the process must begin at least 60 days before the end of the official’s term.
The bill stipulates that candidates must present their credentials and clearances from the Public Ministry institutions (GR, PGR, and PDDH), the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (confirming no political party affiliation), the Court of Accounts of the Republic (CCR), as well as a clearance from the Professional and Judicial Section of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ).
Caleb Navarro, deputy head of the Cian caucus and a member of the political commission, invited lawyers to participate in the election process and mentioned that, as in previous cases, the candidates will be publicly interviewed by the deputies.
-
International4 days ago
Ecuador seizes over 500 kilos of cocaine hidden in bananas bound for Russia
-
International4 days ago
Venezuela’s attorney general accuses Lula and Boric of ties to CIA
-
International2 days ago
Hezbula attributes the launch of 50 rockets from Lebanon to northern Israel
-
International2 days ago
Venezuela rejects “pamphlet” of the UN Mission that denounces crimes against humanity
-
International1 day ago
Donald Trump pledges strong borders and legal immigration at Univision Forum witv latino Voters
-
International2 days ago
The Pentagon confirms that a fleet of drones flew over one of its bases for days
-
International1 day ago
“Banda El Carbonero” brings El Salvador’s spirit to New York in Hispanic Day Parade
-
International1 day ago
Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies after tragic fall in Argentina
-
International5 hours ago
Israel says that the attack of one of its tanks on the UNFIL tower is “being studied”
-
International2 days ago
Nicolás Maduro reaffirms his intention to be sworn in as re-elected president of Venezuela in 2025
-
International1 day ago
Experts highlight role of public sector in advancing technology in Central America at EFE Forum
-
International5 hours ago
Since July, Elon Musk has donated $75 million to Super-PAC in support of Donald Trump
-
International5 hours ago
The vice president of Venezuela calls María Corina Machado a “scaser” and “dead mosquito”
-
International1 day ago
Venezuelan opposition leader urges oil companies to cut ties with “Corrupt and Criminal Regime”
-
International5 hours ago
María Corina Machado denies Maduro and denies that he has fled to Spain: “I’m here in Venezuela”
-
International5 hours ago
Relatives of the Menéndez brothers press for their release
-
International4 hours ago
North Korea amends its constitution and defines the South as a “hostile state”