Central America
Guatemala government repeals mandatory car insurance amid mass rejection
The massive rejection of mandatory vehicle insurance left the Guatemalan government with no choice but to backtrack on its decree. However, the government and the organizations involved in the protests will work on two additional points to strengthen road safety and provide financial protection to victims of traffic accidents, as reported by the central administration.
President Bernardo Arévalo announced, through a video posted on his social media, the repeal of agreements 46, 47, 48, and 49 of 2025 to end the blockades and restore normal mobility throughout the country. These agreements outlined the acquisition of insurance and penalties for motorcyclists, private vehicles, public transportation, and freight transport that failed to comply with the regulations. The measure was scheduled to take effect in May. “The necessary implementation of mandatory insurance for transportation has raised understandable doubts in many households, and these doubts add to the legitimate discontent that is causing frustration today. I understand these doubts, I understand this frustration,” the president stated.
In response to the protests, the Ministry of the Interior and the organizations committed to setting up a technical working group to discuss the regulations for implementing Article 29 of the 1996 Traffic Law, within a year. Additionally, “they will work on drafting a proposal for a general transportation law,” because the current legal framework is outdated for the different transportation modalities, both current and future, the president added.
“Let us remember that traffic accidents and fatalities are among the most tragic events for the people of Guatemala. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death in the country, and we must work to change this reality,” he concluded.
Central America
Mexican authorities arrest salvadoran gang member wanted for terrorism charges
Elements of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the National Guard (GN), the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) arrested Francisco Javier Román Bardales in Veracruz, one of the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives in the United States.
The capture took place in the town of Baxtla as a result of intelligence efforts and binational cooperation between Mexico and the United States. According to authorities, the FBI has charged him with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, narcoterrorism conspiracy, organized crime, and human trafficking.
After identifying Francisco Javier’s movement patterns, “with the gathered intelligence, surveillance teams were deployed for fixed, mobile, and discreet monitoring. On the Teocelo-Baxtla highway, they identified Francisco Javier ‘N,’ confirmed his identity, and proceeded with his arrest.”
During his capture, he was informed of the charges against him and his rights were read. He was then transported to Mexico City, where he will remain in custody before his extradition to the United States.
According to intelligence reports, the detainee, a Salvadoran national, is allegedly linked to the criminal organization known as Mara Salvatrucha, a gang with international reach.
Central America
U.S. sends alleged Tren de Aragua members to El Salvador without solid evidence
This Sunday, Donald Trump’s administration deported more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador under the protection of a century-old law known as the Enemy Alien Act.
Trump also mentioned the name of an organization that has been in the spotlight in recent months: Tren de Aragua.
According to the White House, most of the deported Venezuelans, who were sent to the Cecot mega-prison in El Salvador, were members of this criminal organization, which originated in Venezuelan prisons and has since expanded internationally.
However, despite multiple requests, Washington never provided solid evidence confirming the deportees’ connection to the criminal group. The controversial law behind these deportations can be invoked if the country is at war with another nation or if a foreign government has invaded or threatened to invade U.S. territory.
Trump used the latter premise to justify his decision, arguing that the Tren de Aragua organization was “perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion against the United States.”
In January of this year, the U.S. government declared Tren de Aragua a “terrorist organization.”
Central America
Guatemalan authorities arrest salvadoran gang member for mayor’s murder
Guatemalan authorities announced on Sunday the arrest of a suspected Salvadoran gang member accused of involvement in the murder of a mayor from a predominantly Indigenous town. This marks the second arrest related to the killing, which took place in February.
“Investigators” from the National Civil Police (PNC) “captured the second suspect involved in the armed attack that resulted in the death of the mayor of Chuarrancho,” the PNC stated on its X account.
The arrested individual has been identified as Óscar Alfredo Martínez, a 31-year-old Salvadoran allegedly affiliated with the Barrio 18 gang and known by the alias “El Guanaco”, according to the PNC.
Authorities believe Martínez was involved in the February 26 killing of Gerson Saul Ajcúc Xot, mayor of Chuarrancho, a farming municipality located approximately 30 km from Guatemala City.
The 49-year-old mayor was shot dead while driving on one of the main roads leading to the capital.
Justice Department: Third deportation flight followed legal orders
Canada sanctions venezuelan officials accused of undermining democracy
German citizen discovered dead in Uruguay under unusual circumstances
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
Ecuador prison riot leaves at least 43 dead
-
Central America5 days agoMexican authorities arrest salvadoran gang member wanted for terrorism charges
-
Central America5 days agoU.S. sends alleged Tren de Aragua members to El Salvador without solid evidence
-
International5 days agoFamily of missing U.S. student in Punta Cana requests official death declaration
-
International5 days agoAt least 12 dead as plane crashes into sea after taking off from Roatán, Honduras
-
International5 days agoVenezuela warns citizens about arbitrary arrests and violent incidents in the U.S.
-
International5 days agoTrump and Putin to hold talks on Ukraine war resolution
-
International5 days agoOECD lowers global GDP growth forecast to 3.1% for 2025 amid trade uncertainty
-
International5 days agoPeruvian fisherman survives 95 days adrift, guided by his mother’s memory
-
International5 days agoLula to receive Japan’s highest honor during state visit to strengthen bilateral ties
-
International3 days agoNetanyahu: “We are aware that a larger front could open in the West Bank”
-
International5 days agoMaduro condemns U.S. for labeling venezuelan migrants as criminals
-
International3 days agoTrump warns Iran and threatens the Houthis with being “annihilated” if the attacks do not cease
-
International3 days agoAt least nine injured, including two children, in new US bombings in Yemen
-
International5 days agoEcuador faces worst oil spill in a decade, affecting 15,000 people and five rivers
-
International5 days agoNASA astronauts stranded for nine months finally begin journey back to Earth
-
International2 days agoMolotov attacks on Tesla assets lead to indictments in the U.S.
-
International5 days agoUN rapporteur warns Trump is reshaping the U.S. justice system on his own terms
-
International5 days agoMan who last saw missing U.S. student in Punta Cana fights for his freedom
-
International3 days agoNicaragua accuses Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and the Dominican Republic of interference
-
International3 days agoThe 55th General Assembly of the OAS will seek to “build resilient and inclusive economies”
-
International3 days agoWhy do retirees protest in Argentina?
-
International5 days agoIsraeli airstrikes on Gaza kill at least 404, breaking ceasefire
-
International3 days agoGreenpeace will have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to the Energy Transfer company
-
International3 days agoThe majority of the Supreme Court rejects Bolsonaro’s appeals in the case of the coup d’état
-
International11 hours agoTrump administration sanctions Argentina’s former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
-
International2 days agoTamil Nadu court defends women’s sexuality in divorce ruling
-
International2 days agoFamilies search for clues at mexican ranch where burnt bones were found
-
International3 days agoThe White House defends deportations and discredits the judge who tries to stop them
-
International11 hours agoCanada sanctions venezuelan officials accused of undermining democracy
-
International3 days agoThe doctors who attended Maradona and verified his death testify at the trial
-
International3 days agoPope Francis’ health continues to improve and he no longer needs mechanical ventilation at night
-
International3 days agoThousands of people join the retirees’ march in the capital of Argentina
-
International11 hours agoGerman citizen discovered dead in Uruguay under unusual circumstances
-
International11 hours agoJustice Department: Third deportation flight followed legal orders