Central America

Guatemala acknowledges state responsibility in 1980 spanish embassy massacre

The Guatemalan government acknowledged on Friday its responsibility for the 1980 assault and fire at the Spanish Embassy, carried out by security forces during the country’s civil war (1960-1996), which left 37 people dead.

“In memory of the victims and their dignity, the Government of Guatemala recognizes state responsibility for this crime against humanity,” reads a golden inscription on a green marble plaque, unveiled by the Presidential Commission for Peace at the former site of the diplomatic mission in the capital.

On January 31, 1980, military and police forces stormed the embassy, which had been occupied hours earlier by Maya leaders and students protesting against human rights abuses committed in the fight against leftist guerrillas. During the raid, a devastating fire broke out inside the building.

At the site where the embassy once stood, a group of Indigenous Maya leaders held an ancestral ceremony to honor the victims. Additionally, peasant and human rights organizations issued a statement lamenting that the root causes of the armed conflict—racism, exploitation, inequality, and land dispossession—remain unresolved.

Among the 37 people killed were Spanish consul Jaime Ruiz del Árbol, former Guatemalan Vice President Eduardo Cáceres, former Foreign Minister Adolfo Molina, and Vicente Menchú, father of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú and a prominent Maya leader.

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In 2015, a Guatemalan court sentenced Pedro García Arredondo, the former head of a special command unit of the now-defunct National Police, to 90 years in prison for his role in the attack. His unit was responsible for carrying out repressive actions and forced disappearances of political opponents.

Guatemala’s 36-year civil war resulted in approximately 200,000 deaths and disappearances, according to official reports.

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.

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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Sports

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.