Central America

Public Prosecutor’s Office requests that former Salvadoran official and his family return $498,374 to the State

Photo: DES

August 22|

The Specialized Unit for Corruption Crimes of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) requested the Third Civil Chamber to condemn the former Minister of National Defense, David Munguía Payés and his family for having enriched themselves in an illicit manner and to return $498,374.31 to the State.

The prosecution also requested the Chamber to disqualify the former official from holding any public office for 10 years.

The civil proceeding began on December 21, 2021, and the former public official, his wife, Sandra Dinora Molina de Munguía and his daughters, Sandra Beatriz and Blanca Patricia, both Munguía Molina, were sued.

The ruling against the defendants will be announced next Thursday, July 24.

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The lawsuit is based on a report of 14 irregularities pointed out by the Probity Section of the Supreme Court of Justice, which could not be removed administratively. Of these, 11 are attributed to the former Minister of Defense, and three are attributed to his wife and daughters. The anomalies occurred when Munguía Payés served as Minister of Defense, between June 1, 2009 and November 22, 2011.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office demands that justice be done and that the retired military officer must return $491,297.77 to the State, while his wife $3,614.07, one of his daughters $2,362.50, and the other a total of $1,100.

In her closing arguments, one of the prosecutors in the case stated that according to the expert report it was not possible to identify the origin of the funds with respect to an income generating source, and she did not find an origin in the deposits claimed to Munguía Payés.

Among the irregularities are deposits to bank accounts, purchase of real estate, credit card payments.

“Not having the defendant proved the origin of a lawful source of each one of the irregularities claimed to him, due to the evidence limited by the tax representation in which it was established that the legitimate income has not been sufficient. We request to declare the existence of enrichment without just cause or lawful on the part of Mr. David Victoriano Munguía Payés”, said one of the prosecutors.

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Munguia Payes was minister of security under Mauricio Funes, and both negotiated a truce with the gangs, and then the retired general was minister of defense towards the end of Funes’ term and then under Sanchez Ceren.

Central America

Laura Fernández Says She Will ‘Never’ Allow Authoritarianism in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s president-elect, right-wing leader Laura Fernández, said she will “never” allow authoritarianism under her government, in her first speech after winning Sunday’s presidential election.

Fernández, the political heir of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, has been accused by her opponents of seeking to steer the country toward authoritarian rule through her hardline proposals against drug trafficking and plans to reform state institutions.

“I, as the new president of the Republic, will never allow authoritarianism or arbitrariness—things that no one wants in Costa Rica,” Fernández said to cheers from her supporters gathered at a hotel in the capital.

The 39-year-old political scientist criticized her rivals for centering their campaign on what she described as a narrative of “authoritarianism and dictatorship.”

“They tried to scare voters, but the electorate did not fall into the trap,” she said.

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Without offering details, Fernández acknowledged that her administration will seek to change the country’s “political rules of the game,” in what she described as a necessary step for Costa Rica, one of Latin America’s most stable democracies.

Central America

Costa Rica Goes to the Polls as Voters Choose Continuity or Change

Costa Ricans head to the polls today to elect the president of the republic and 57 members of the Legislative Assembly for the 2026–2030 term. Voters must choose between continuing the political project of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves by supporting the ruling right-wing candidate Laura Fernández, or opting for a change in direction proposed by the opposition.

Fernández, representing the Pueblo Soberano Party (PPS), leads opinion polls with close to 40% of voting intention, bolstered by the outgoing president’s approval rating, which exceeds 50%. Chaves is barred from seeking immediate re-election under Costa Rican law.

Trailing far behind is Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party (PLN), with less than 10% support. He is followed by Claudia Dobles of the Citizen Agenda Coalition (CAC), Fabricio Alvarado of New Republic (NR), and Ariel Robles of the Broad Front (FA), each polling between 3% and 5%. Undecided voters, who account for more than 30% of the electorate, could determine the outcome of the presidential race or force a runoff.

In a statement, Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and secure elections. “As has been the case for more than 76 years of democratic life in our country, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal guarantees all Costa Ricans that the national elections to be held this Sunday, February 1, will meet the highest standards of security and absolute transparency, allowing us to continue enjoying electoral processes in peace and freedom,” the institution said.

Authorities reported that 53,251 party observers will take part in the electoral process. Of these, 12,472 belong to the Social Christian Unity Party, 11,524 to Pueblo Soberano, 10,451 to the PLN, and 4,141 to the Citizen Agenda Coalition, among others. In addition, six political parties have sworn in 7,520 members of polling station boardsdeployed nationwide.

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Central America

U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports

The United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala on Friday, under which 70.4% of Guatemalan exports will enter the U.S. market tariff-free.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it creates a framework of cooperation, certainty, and new opportunities for producers, workers, and entrepreneurs in the country. His remarks were shared in a video published on his official social media channels.

In 2025, 30.3% of Guatemala’s total exports were destined for the United States, amounting to approximately $4.3 billion. As a result, the agreement is expected to directly benefit key sectors of the Guatemalan economy, including agribusiness, manufacturing, and the textile industry.

“Today we have taken another step toward consolidating a country that, when it moves forward united, generates confidence, attracts investment, and creates real development opportunities for all its people,” Arévalo added.

The agreement with Guatemala follows a similar trade deal signed by the United States with El Salvador on Thursday, which includes the elimination of a 10% tariff on Salvadoran imports.