Central America
El Salvador and Qatar enhance friendship and cooperation
September 14 |
The governments of El Salvador and Qatar signed yesterday important agreements on security, health and agriculture, which further strengthen bilateral relations and the strategic alliance and cooperation between the two nations.
These mutual cooperation agreements were signed after a working meeting held at the Presidential House between the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in the framework of an official visit of the Qatari Sheikh to the country.
“We discussed relations with El Salvador and mainly talked about different projects and ideas in common,” said Al Thani after the bilateral meeting.
The agreements and arrangements reached will strengthen cooperation in the fields of security, health and agriculture.
The Qatari sheikh also congratulated Bukele for the achievements he has had during his administration that have led El Salvador to position itself in the concert of nations.
“I want to thank and congratulate everything he has done in his country, especially on the issue of security. I think the whole world recognizes this,” he said.
Al Thani arrived in El Salvador on Tuesday afternoon in response to Bukele’s invitation to him in 2019, when he went to the State of Qatar on an official mission.
The emir sent a message upon his return: “We aspire to more bilateral cooperation and we both have compatible visions about ways to take advantage of the opportunities and the great potential that our countries have. I thank you for the hospitality with which you received me and the delegation that accompanied me”.
Prior to the bilateral meeting, the Salvadoran government formulated proposals for investment projects through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government institutions. The agreements were signed by Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Al-Khulaifi.
The visit of His Royal Highness to El Salvador “will allow to deepen the proposals for joint work in sectors such as passenger and cargo transportation, ports and airports, and mass passenger transportation, among others”, informed the Salvadoran Government.
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira visited Qatar a few months ago to begin exploring the possibilities of mutual support and also to strengthen ties of friendship.
With the visit of the Qatari sheikh, the economic and commercial ties between the Arab nation and El Salvador are also strengthened – within the framework of the agreements signed – by means of approaches between the private sectors of both countries.
Since his arrival to the Executive, President Bukele began to work for a new foreign policy that would allow El Salvador to have new strategic partners for the development and welfare of its inhabitants.
El Salvador established diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2003, and the State visit of Emir Al Thani addressed “issues of cooperation and common interest to further strengthen bilateral relations”.
The Embassy of the State of Qatar in El Salvador praised the visit of His Royal Highness: “The relations between the two countries are deep and developed. The visit of His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar will contribute to expand relations towards broader horizons”.
Food trade and investment have been explored with Qatari partners. The Pacific Train and Pacific Airport have been of interest to the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). Qatar Airways has also expressed interest in establishing a cargo and passenger route.
The Emir of the State of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, left the country yesterday afternoon, after finishing his official visit that began last Tuesday. He was seen off at the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport of El Salvador by Vice President Felix Ulloa.
Central America
Guatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed on Tuesday that a Starlink terminal was discovered inside a prison in the country, highlighting corruption and the illegal introduction of advanced communication technology into the penitentiary system.
Arévalo did not specify which prison the device was found in but stressed that Starlink’s ability to connect directly to low-orbit satellites makes it particularly difficult to disrupt, posing a serious security risk.
The disclosure was made during a press conference attended by Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda and Defense Minister Henry Sáenz.
On January 6, specialized units of Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC), members of the Army and prison security personnel carried out Operation Sentinel at the Renovación 1 Maximum Security Prison for Men, located in Escuintla. According to the Interior Ministry, the operation aimed to reduce criminal activity, prevent illicit acts and stop the trafficking of prohibited items inside the prison.
During the operation, authorities also dismantled businesses operating near several prisons after detecting routers that were allegedly used to redirect internet signals into penitentiary facilities, according to local outlet Emisoras Unidas.
Tensions escalated further over the weekend of January 17 and 18, when inmates affiliated with gangs staged riots in three prisons. During the unrest, they took prison guards and a psychologist hostage, demanding extra-large beds, air conditioning, transfers to other facilities and access to the internet.
Central America
Guatemala Police Arrest Prison Guard Caught in the Act of Extortion
Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC) arrested a suspected extortionist in the act during an operation carried out in the department of Quiché, authorities reported.
According to the police report, the arrest took place in Zone 1 of Santa Cruz del Quiché after officers responded to a citizen complaint. Agents from Precinct 71 identified the suspect as Encarnación “N”, 41, who was serving as a guard in the Guatemalan Penitentiary System.
The suspect was caught while attempting to collect a package simulating an extortion payment totaling 25,000 quetzales. Police intervened at the precise moment the money was being handed over, allowing authorities to document the crime in flagrante delicto.
Following the operation, the detainee was placed at the disposal of the competent courts to face criminal proceedings.
The PNC emphasized that such operations aim to dismantle criminal structures involved in extortion, regardless of whether those implicated are linked to state institutions, and urged the public to continue reporting these crimes through confidential channels.
Central America
Honduras swears in conservative president Asfura after disputed election
Conservative politician Nasry Asfura assumed the presidency of Honduras on Tuesday with an agenda closely aligned with the United States, a shift that could strain the country’s relationship with China as he seeks to confront the economic and security challenges facing the poorest and most violent nation in Central America.
Asfura’s rise to power, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, marks the end of four years of left-wing rule and secures Trump another regional ally amid the advance of conservative governments in Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina.
The 67-year-old former mayor and construction businessman was sworn in during an austere ceremony at the National Congress, following a tightly contested election marred by opposition allegations of fraud and Trump’s threat to cut U.S. aid if his preferred candidate did not prevail.
Grateful for Washington’s support, Asfura—who is of Palestinian descent—traveled to the United States to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, before visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We need to strengthen relations with our most important trading partner,” Asfura said after being declared the winner of the November 30 election by a narrow margin, following a tense vote count that lasted just over three weeks.
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