Central America
Nicaragua Arrests 6 More Opposition Figures; EU Weighs Move
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaraguan police arrested a half dozen more opposition figures, including the sixth presidential hopeful to have been arrested in a crackdown that started last month.
The Dark Art of Vaccine Diplomacy
Sixteen months into the pandemic and five months since pharmaceutical giants began pumping out vaccines, Central America remains vastly undervaccinated.
International Criticism of Nicaragua Crackdown Grows
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — International criticism of Nicaragua’s government grew on Tuesday after another night of arrests in Managua. Fifty-nine countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council signed onto a statement expressing concern over arbitrary arrests and the restriction of fundamental rights.
Ambassadors Recalled After Latest Nicaragua Arrest
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Mexico and Argentina recalled their ambassadors to Nicaragua for consultations Monday, a day after President Daniel Ortega’s government arrested yet another presidential contender ahead of the November 7 elections.
How El Salvador Adopted Bitcoin in Five Hours
El Salvador adopted the dollar in November of 2000, just eight days from the time of announcement. ‘Bitcoinization,’ meanwhile, took two and a half days, and just five hours from the time the bill reached the legislature. The most in-depth explanations of the two-page law weren’t given to the legislative committee in charge of analyzing it, nor to the Assembly itself. Rather, Bukele and two of his brothers fielded questions on the bill in a Twitter livestream, in English, with foreign investors.
OPINION: Our Father Is a Prisoner of Conscience in Guatemala
For the last five years of our lives, we’ve not been able to hug him and say: “Have a good day, Dad.”
From El Faro English: Harris’ Rough Landing in Guatemala
In her first visit to the region this week, Vice President Kamala Harris’ blunt message to Central American migrants (“Do not come”) triggered a backlash among human rights defenders and Central America experts for contradicting international asylum laws and appearing insensitive to the reality driving migration.
El Salvador Makes Bitcoin Legal Tender
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has approved legislation making the cryptocurrency Bitcoin legal tender in the country, the first country to do so, just days after President Nayib Bukele made the proposal at a Bitcoin conference.
‘Do Not Come’: Harris Seeks ‘Hope at Home’ for Guatemalans
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris offered an optimistic outlook for improved cooperation with Guatemala on addressing the spike in migration to the U.S. after her meeting with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei on Monday. She also delivered a direct warning to migrants considering making the trek: “Do not come. Do not come.”
From EL FARO ENGLISH: Bukele Wants Us to Talk About Bitcoin
The reason remains unclear against an increasingly complex political and economic backdrop in El Salvador.
Bukele: Opposition Will Never Return to Power
El Faro confirmed that both the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the High Command of the National Civil Police also stood for the oath and pledged their loyalty to the president.
OPINION: Will VP Harris Continue to Overlook Guatemalan History?
The question to ask is simple: Will the message finally change or will we continue to see a tone-deaf administration ignore history?
From EL FARO ENGLISH: Will Costa Rica Be the Solution?
Secretary Blinken’s first trip to the isthmus will test whether Costa Rica can and wants to emerge as a regional power broker.
Harris to Announce Business Investments in Central America
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday will announce commitments from a dozen companies and organizations to invest in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to address the root causes of migration from the region.
The Disinformation Dilemma of El Salvador
The El Salvadoran journalism community has expressed deep concerns over Nayib Bukele using his newfound authoritarian power to suppress the free press and disparage news sources that criticize him.
Political Arrests in Nicaragua and Guatemala
“Throw them in jail, take their cell phones!” yelled Nicaraguan riot police in a Managua office building complex last Thursday morning as they chased down reporters from international and local outlets.
Who Killed Berta Cáceres?
Latino Rebels Radio: May 21, 2021
Bukele’s Inner Circle Hit in State Department Corruption List
This list has no legal implications for those named, but the fact that the section on El Salvador was declassified sends a clear political message at a time of tense relations between the Bukele and Biden administrations.
The Nicaraguan Opposition, a House Divided
A divided opposition at the ballot box, independent analysts widely believe, will pave the way for Ortega to secure his fourth consecutive five-year term.
US Envoy Expresses Concern to El Salvador President
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Hours after a “cordial” meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, White House Special Envoy Ricardo Zúñiga told Salvadorans that he conveyed a message of concern over the country’s direction.
Bukele’s Coup Marches On
“Nayib Bukele is no longer bound by law. And to the extent there are laws, they will be disregarded, eliminated or rewritten. He is the law. Perhaps millions of Salvadorans haven’t yet realized it, but this is how a republic dies and a dictatorial regime is born.”