Central America
El Salvador cracks down on narcotics: 24 tons confiscated in major anti-drug operation
During the presentation of the 2026 budget for the Ministries of Security and Defense before the Legislative Assembly, Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro and Defense Minister René Francis Merino Monroy highlighted key achievements from the 2025 budget, including the seizure of 24.35 tons of drugs, with an estimated street value of $604,552,232.50.
“Just as we have achieved historic results in reducing homicide rates, addressing impunity, and removing serial killers from the streets, 2025 has also been a successful year in terms of drug seizures. We confiscated more than 24 tons of drugs, causing these criminal organizations economic losses exceeding $604 million,” said Minister Villatoro.
Of the seized drugs, between January 1 and October 16, 2025:
-
24 tons of cocaine, valued at over $603 million
-
348 kilograms of marijuana, valued at more than $1 million
-
1.89 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth over $65,000
-
424 grams of crack, valued at $10,683
-
230 grams of hashish, worth over $8,000
“As you know, we have maintained a strong and consistent approach against drug trafficking. Previously, a terrorist organization controlled almost 85% of the territory, basing much of its criminal activity on monopolizing the world’s cheapest drugs, causing death and mourning for thousands of Salvadoran families,” Villatoro added.
The minister emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking would not be possible without the efforts of the National Navy.
Central America
Guatemala Declares Highest Alert in Areas Affected by Fuego Volcano Eruption
Guatemalan authorities declared a red alert, the highest level of danger, on Tuesday in areas affected by the eruption of the Fuego Volcano, located about 35 kilometers from the country’s capital.
The most active volcano in Central America entered an eruptive phase on Monday morning, and its activity intensified overnight with lava emissions and large columns of gas and ash.
No fatalities have been reported, but the volcanic activity forced the evacuation of around 500 people as a precautionary measure.
The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (Conred) declared a state of emergency in the departments of Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango and Escuintla, the agency announced through its official X account.
The affected regions are home to approximately 1.6 million people. However, ashfall has so far impacted only about five municipalities.
Despite the increase in the alert level, authorities reopened a road leading to the city of Antigua, the country’s main tourist destination, after evaluating safety conditions in the area.
The Fuego Volcano is one of Guatemala’s most active geological formations and has a history of frequent eruptions, requiring continuous monitoring by national emergency agencies.
Central America
U.S. Defense Secretary to Close Multinational Military Exercises in Panama to Protect Canal
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel to Panama next week to close multinational military exercises involving more than 20 countries aimed at strengthening security measures for the Panama Canal against potential threats, a Panamanian government official announced Monday.
This will mark Hegseth’s second visit to Panama. The U.S. defense chief is expected to arrive on August 13 for the closing ceremony of the military drills, which began this week and have been conducted in the Central American country for more than two decades to support the protection of the interoceanic waterway, according to Panama’s Security Minister Frank Ábrego.
The exercises include participation from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru and the United Kingdom, among other nations.
“The canal is a strategic infrastructure that connects markets and supports global supply chains. Its security and uninterrupted operation are of fundamental importance for Panama, the United States and the international community,” said U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera.
The drills include maritime training operations, exercises in jungle areas surrounding the canal, as well as virtual simulations focused on cybersecurity and strategic planning.
The Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important trade routes, handles approximately 5% of global maritime commerce, making its security a priority for international trade and logistics networks.
Ábrego emphasized that preparedness and international coordination are essential to maintaining stability.
“The best way to preserve peace and guarantee the continuity of global trade is to be prepared to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to any threat,” the Panamanian official said.
Central America
Prosecutors Accuse Ex-Defense Minister of Undermining Press Freedom in Honduras
Honduras’ Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday filed criminal charges against retired General Roosevelt Hernández, the country’s former defense minister and former chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, over his alleged role in actions that prosecutors say undermined press freedom and freedom of expression.
Prosecutors said the case was brought by the Special Prosecutor’s Office for the Protection of Journalists, Social Communicators, Human Rights Defenders and Justice Officials following an investigation into content published between 2025 and 2026 on a digital media platform operated by the Honduran Armed Forces.
According to the investigation, the publications were reported by journalists and the Honduran Journalists Association (CPH), which described them as part of an alleged campaign to discredit members of the press and media organizations.
The case dates back to May 2025, when the CPH filed complaints with national and international organizations after the Armed Forces referred to three journalists as “hitmen” in an article published by FF.AA. Digital. The association argued that the publication endangered the journalists’ safety and constituted an attack on press freedom.
The journalists identified in the publication as “hitmen of the truth” were Rodrigo Wong Arévalo, director of the television news program Abriendo Brecha; Dagoberto Rodríguez, director of Radio Cadena Voces; and Juan Carlos Sierra, president of the Honduran Journalists Association. The article also included photographs of the three journalists and the CPH’s logo.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said the case file includes formal complaints, pretrial investigative proceedings, a specialized forensic analysis of audiovisual and digital material, and witness testimony gathered during the investigation to determine whether the publications violated freedom of expression and the exercise of journalism.
Authorities emphasized that freedom of the press and freedom of expression are protected under the Honduran Constitution as well as international treaties ratified by the country.
Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
ICE Plan to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves Raises Abuse Concerns
Three U.S. Executions Set for Same Day as Trump Pushes to Expand Death Penalty
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
-
International4 days agoColombia Earthquake Leaves at Least 22 Dead as Rescue Efforts Continue
-
International3 days agoVenezuela Raises Earthquake Death Toll to 6,301
-
International4 days agoRecord 230 Migrants Cross English Channel to UK in Single Boat
-
International3 days agoCEAPI Backs Colombia’s New Government and Calls for Greater Public-Private Cooperation
-
International3 days agoGerman Authorities Investigate More Than 100 New Cases Against Convicted Nurse
-
International1 day agoThree U.S. Executions Set for Same Day as Trump Pushes to Expand Death Penalty
-
International1 day ago
Colombia Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 265 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time
-
International2 hours agoICE Plan to Equip Agents With Electric Shock Gloves Raises Abuse Concerns
-
International2 hours agoLuigi Mangione Pleads Guilty to Killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson