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Organizations will protest in Guatemala against Attorney General

Organizations will protest in Guatemala against Attorney General
Photo: @PrensaComunitar

October 2 |

Social and political organizations and the board of community mayors of the 48 cantons of Totonicapán, called a national strike for Monday in Guatemala to demand the resignation of the Attorney General and other officials of the Public Ministry after the actions of the judiciary against the electoral authorities and the electoral process.

“We declare ourselves in an indefinite national strike from Monday, October 2, 2023, calling on all citizens and organizations in the country” to join the protest, the indigenous leaders said.

Those calling for the mobilizations and peaceful protests demand the immediate resignation of the Attorney General, María Consuelo Porras, the prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche and the judge Fredy Orellana for their actions against the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Seed Movement of the elected president Bernardo Arévalo.

During the mobilizations they will also express their rejection to the actions of the Congress, considering that they are promoting laws that represent a threat to the health and welfare of Guatemalans.

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More than 10 departments will join the strike called by the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán, to demand the resignation of the Attorney General, Consuelo Porras and other officials of the Public Ministry.

According to the communiqué published last Friday, the indigenous communities detailed that the mobilizations and street actions will begin at 05H30 hours on October 2nd and will extend indefinitely in various sectors of Totonicapán.

The leaders of the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán indicated that they called the strike and mobilizations after the Public Ministry raided the TSE headquarters to remove several documents related to the elections that gave the victory to Bernardo Arévalo.

Last Saturday the vice-president elected by the Seed Movement, Karin Herrera, called for mobilizations in defense of democracy and the president elect, Bernardo Arévalo, warned that the coup against the will of the people was still in progress.

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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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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.

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Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice has ruled unconstitutional the concession contract granted in 1997 to Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate CK Hutchison, which operates two strategic ports along the interoceanic canal. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, following two lawsuits filed by the Comptroller General’s Office.

The ruling directly affects the management of the ports of Balboa, on the Pacific coast, and Cristóbal, on the Atlantic side, both of which have been operated by the company for nearly three decades. According to Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, an audit uncovered irregularities in the contract that resulted in more than $1.3 billion failing to enter state coffers.

“It is a predatory contract, abusive to the interests of the country,” Flores stated.

The Supreme Court determined that Law 5 of 1997, its subsequent amendments, and the automatic extension granted in 2021 are unconstitutional. The ruling noted that the contract renewal took place without adequate oversight and amid allegations of corruption, despite the Panamanian state holding only a 10% stake in the company.

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