Central America
Salvadoran authorities have seized more than 28.6 tons of drugs since 2019
March 3rd |
Security forces in El Salvador have managed to strike hard blows against drug trafficking throughout the national territory, since June 2019 to date, 28.6 tons of different drugs have been seized from various structures, which exceeds the amount of narcotics confiscated in the five years of the last FMLN administration that totaled 23.1 tons.
The Minister of Defense, Rene Merino Monroy has highlighted that the drugs are valued at $629.47 million, among the types of drugs are: cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamines seized in different procedures throughout the country. “We will continue working in support of the National Civil Police in the effort to remove the financing of these structures and rid the country of gangs,” reiterated the official.
According to Security data, in 2021, El Salvador stood out due to its historic seizure when 11.7 tons of narcotics were seized, the market value of which exceeded $274 million, while in 2020, the year of the pandemic, Security authorities seized 2.93 tons of different types of drugs, valued at more than $48 million.
Last year, authorities surpassed the amount of drugs seized in 2021, seizing 13,020 kilograms of different drugs valued at more than $350 million. In addition, the articulated work between the institutions allowed the arrests of more than 40 people, between nationals and foreigners, linked to international drug trafficking, who were captured while transporting heavy loads of cocaine at sea.
The Security Cabinet assures that the hard blows against drug trafficking are the result of the actions carried out within the framework of the Territorial Control Plan and the exception regime, measures with which the country has “broken records”. The authorities assure that, through drug seizures, the structures are deprived of financing and their actions are weakened.
“The Government of El Salvador continues this frontal fight against drug trafficking not only on the high seas, but also in our territory, something very important to note, is that during the previous administration seizures on land were almost nil and now we have added a strong work of the National Civil Police doing their work on land,” said Minister Merino Monroy.
One of the biggest blows to international drug trafficking operations was executed on November 14, 2022, when security forces intercepted a narco-boat carrying 3.1 tons of drugs valued at $77 million. The shipment was located 470 nautical miles – some 870 kilometers – southwest of the Port of Acajutla, Sonsonate department.
“The drug traffickers sank the boat, but our troops managed to recover the drugs, so that they could not be rescued later by the drug traffickers. This is the largest seizure of the year and means that 2022 will surpass the amount of drugs seized in 2021 and 2020”, said the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, on that occasion.
During the operation, three Ecuadorian citizens were arrested and identified as: Gluber David Alay Reyes, Julio César Delgado Molina and Jorge Luis Mero, who are in prison awaiting trial for international drug trafficking.
Sports
MLS Awaits Blockbuster Debuts as Griezmann and Lewandowski Join the Spotlight
While Major League Soccer awaits Lionel Messi’s return, the league will experience a major spotlight moment on Wednesday with the highly anticipated debuts of two new global stars: Robert Lewandowski and Antoine Griezmann.
French forward Antoine Griezmann, 35, could make his first official appearance for Orlando City when the team visits the San Jose Earthquakes, one of the surprise performers of the current MLS season.
The attacker recently ended his long spell with Atlético Madrid and has already made an early impression with his new club, scoring one of the goals in Orlando’s 6-0 friendly victory over Tampa Bay Rowdies of the United States’ second division.
Orlando is counting on its new star to help turn around a difficult season that began with the dismissal of Colombian coach Oscar Pareja after the team lost its first three matches.
Under Argentine manager Martín Perelman, Orlando City currently sits 13th in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from 15 games, outside the playoff qualification positions.
The team entered the break for the North American World Cup after suffering a heavy 6-2 defeat against FC Cincinnati on May 23.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski was originally expected to make his Chicago Fire debut last Thursday when MLS resumed play after the international break.
The Polish striker, who will turn 38 in August, was scheduled to step onto the Soldier Field pitch against the Vancouver Whitecaps, coached by Thomas Müller, his former teammate at Bayern Munich.
However, the match was postponed due to poor air quality in Chicago caused by smoke from wildfires in southern Canada.
Lewandowski has continued preparing for his first professional experience outside European football.
“One thing I can say about Robert is that he has an incredible work ethic,” Chicago Fire head coach Gregg Berhalter said on Tuesday.
“He joined us after dealing with jet lag throughout last week, and he was still demanding from his teammates during training. He does extra work afterward. You can see why he has scored more goals than anyone else in Europe over the last 15 years, because he is an absolute professional,” added the former United States national team coach.
The arrival of Griezmann and Lewandowski adds even more star power to an MLS season already boosted by international figures, as clubs continue attracting some of the biggest names in world football.
Central America
Nicaragua Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Italy Over Red Brigades Dispute
The Nicaraguan government announced on Thursday that it is severing diplomatic relations with Italy following criticism from the Italian government over Nicaragua’s long-standing decision to shelter Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades convicted in Italy for the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani criticized the administration of co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo on Wednesday for continuing to provide refuge to Casimirri, who was sentenced in Italy to six life terms for his role in Moro’s abduction and killing.
In a statement issued Thursday, Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry said it was ending all diplomatic relations with Italy, describing Tajani’s remarks as “unjustified, aggressive, and irresponsible.”
Tajani made the comments during a gathering of conservative leaders from Europe and Latin America held in Madrid.
“We have absolutely nothing in common with the positions of extremist governments such as Nicaragua, a country that continues to harbor dangerous Red Brigades terrorists like Alessio Casimirri,” Tajani said, according to Italian media.
The diplomatic break marks a new escalation in tensions between the two countries over the decades-old case involving Casimirri, who has lived in Nicaragua for many years despite repeated calls from Italy for his extradition.
Central America
Panama launches anti-drone measures as prison security crisis deepens
Panama will restrict airspace around its prisons to prevent drones from delivering drugs and weapons to inmates, President José Raúl Mulino announced Thursday as his administration moves to address a growing prison security crisis.
The measure is part of a broader strategy that includes the construction of a new penitentiary designed to isolate gang leaders, according to the president.
“We are implementing an airspace blocking system so that drones can no longer fly over the prisons,” Mulino told reporters during a visit to the province of Bocas del Toro.
The system was tested last week with the aim of preventing drones from nearby areas from being used to transport or drop drugs inside correctional facilities, the president added.
Panama’s prison system has faced increasing pressure following the escape of nearly 200 inmates from La Joyita prison, located near Panama City, on January 1. Most of the prisoners have since been recaptured.
The security situation gained further attention after the escape and the June 17 killing of a 10-year-old girl in the capital, who was caught in a hit attack targeting her stepfather.
Following the La Joyita prison break, Mulino said the country’s penitentiary system had “collapsed” and announced last week, during his annual government report, plans to build a facility aimed at separating high-ranking gang members from the general prison population.
“The system collapsed, not only because of organization but because of corruption. All the drugs and weapons that enter prisons pass through a door, and there is someone — whether a prison guard or a member of the national police — who allows them to enter,” Mulino said Thursday.
Panama recorded a homicide rate of 14.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025. However, the Caribbean province of Colón registered a rate three times higher than the national average.
Meanwhile, the country’s prisons currently hold around 24,000 inmates, despite having capacity for only 14,700, according to official figures.
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