Central America
President of Iran visits the National Assembly of Nicaragua
June 14 |
The President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, met Wednesday with the deputies of the National Assembly of Nicaragua, during the second day of his official visit to that Central American country, and said that the resistance of the people contributes to the current change in the world order and the decline of the United States (US).
During a speech before the Legislative, the head of state said that US imperialism has always been against popular governments in Latin America. The main characteristic of world imperialism is that with its illegitimate demands it seeks to exploit the peoples and oppose their will.
He pointed out that the imperialists are afraid of justice, conscience and the peoples, since these pillars are contrary to their interests. He assured that the conscience of the peoples, the governments and the legislative assemblies of the sovereign countries are necessary to guide the struggle for freedom and justice.
He valued that the media empire seeks to change the image of the independent countries and sow doubts in their citizens, especially in the youth, to align their desires with the interests of imperialism.
He affirmed that constant communication and links between independent countries are vital for them to be better protected against imperialist conspiracies and plans.
He said that Iran and Nicaragua share a common history of struggle, resistance, revolutions and combat against a common enemy, as well as defense and respect for the will and vote of the people. He affirmed that if the Legislative Assemblies are based on the popular vote, then they will be an expression of their will and true democracy.
He recalled that the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Komeini, stressed that the main criterion of legitimacy of a government is the vote of the people and that all the powers of the people are concentrated in the Assembly.
He further quoted the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khamenei, who has stressed that every Palestinian citizen has the right to vote and that a government and democracy must be established in Palestine by the vote of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, which the imperialists have prevented for 70 years.
He considered that imperialism used to send its armies or use its internal agents to impose its will, but now it also appeals to economic sanctions to achieve its purposes. Regarding them, he stressed that they will not be the last mechanism of imperialism to impose its will, but the Iranian people have demonstrated their ineffectiveness by turning them into an opportunity to strengthen themselves.
Central America
Guatemala narrows emergency measures to hardest-hit gang violence areas
The government of Guatemala has narrowed the scope of its state of emergency to the areas most affected by gang violence, Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda announced on Thursday.
The measure comes two months after coordinated attacks attributed to the Barrio 18 left 11 police officers dead.
President Bernardo Arévalo initially imposed a state of siege in mid-January following the violence, which was reportedly in retaliation for government intervention in three prisons where gang leaders had staged uprisings.
That measure, which allowed arrests without a warrant, expired after one month. It was then replaced by a less restrictive “state of prevention,” alongside an increased security deployment in Guatemala City and surrounding areas.
According to Villeda, the state of prevention has been extended for two additional weeks but will now apply primarily to the central department of Guatemala — home to the capital — and Escuintla, which have recorded the highest levels of homicides and criminal activity.
“We need to continue these joint operations between the police and the military to maintain control,” the minister said.
The measure will also remain in effect in border departments including Petén, San Marcos and Huehuetenango, which border Mexico, as well as Izabal, which borders Honduras and Belize, in an effort to prevent the entry of criminal groups linked to drug trafficking.
Villeda added that in the past two weeks, homicides have dropped by 25% and extortion cases by 33% compared to the same period in 2025.
Central America
Costa Rica closes embassy in Cuba, citing human rights concerns
The government of Costa Rica announced on Wednesday the closure of its embassy in Cuba, a move that signals a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed that Costa Rica has also requested the withdrawal of Cuban diplomatic personnel from San José, leaving only consular representation in place.
According to André, the decision is driven by concerns over the worsening human rights situation on the island, including increased repression against citizens and opposition figures.
He also noted that Cuba’s ongoing economic and social crisis—marked by shortages of food, medicine, and basic services—has made the operation of the embassy increasingly difficult.
President Rodrigo Chaves backed the measure, stating that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of Cuba’s political system.
In response, the Cuban government rejected the decision, calling it a “unilateral” move taken under pressure from United States.
“Under pressure from the United States, Costa Rica has limited its relations with Cuba to consular matters,” Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said, describing the action as “arbitrary.”
Despite the diplomatic setback, Cuban authorities stated that historical ties between the two nations would endure.
Central America
Costa Rica closes Cuba embassy as president escalates rhetoric
The president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, escalated political rhetoric on Wednesday, stating that “the hemisphere must be cleansed of communists,” following his government’s decision to close its embassy in Cuba.
The remarks come as Costa Rica moves to downgrade diplomatic relations with the island, citing a sustained deterioration in human rights. Chaves reiterated that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of the Cuban government, accusing it of repression and of maintaining poor living conditions for its population.
“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that government. We will not maintain a consulate there; services will be handled from Panama,” Chaves said during a press conference.
The president also argued that the communist model has “failed” not only in Cuba but in every country where it has been implemented, emphasizing that freedom is essential for development.
The decision was made in coordination with president-elect Laura Fernández, who is set to take office on May 8 and is expected to maintain the same foreign policy stance.
Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed the closure of the embassy in Havana and requested that Cuba withdraw its diplomatic personnel from San José, while maintaining limited consular functions.
Costa Rican authorities justified the move by pointing to increased repression against citizens, activists, and opposition figures, as well as restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
The closure marks a new point of tension in bilateral relations and comes amid growing international pressure on Cuba.
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Central America4 days agoCosta Rica closes embassy in Cuba, citing human rights concerns
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