International
Guatemala transfers 225 prisoners to regain prison control in the south of the country
Guatemalan security forces transferred 225 people who were imprisoned in the prison called “El Infiernito”, located about 60 kilometers south of the capital of the Central American country, as part of the plans to convert it into a “high security” prison and thus regain control.
The Guatemalan Minister of the Interior (Interior), Francisco Jiménez, indicated that the eviction was carried out with the aim of “recovering and converting the prison into a high-security prison” and stressed that in the operation they found a pool of crocodiles.
According to the same source, the prison, which is known as “The Hell” but whose official name is Maximum Security Center Canada, will be remodeled soon.
More than 400 agents of the National Civil Police participated in the operation to transfer 225 inmates, mostly gang members, as confirmed by the authorities.
Jiménez explained in a message on his official channels that the transfer lasted four hours and that several illegal objects have initially been found in the place, including a “pool” of “crocodiles.”
The official said that the “main objectives” of the operatives were “the recovery” of the penitentiary center, which “had been constituted into a prison that had nothing to do with maximum security.” In addition, they also transfer inmates from the “Mara 18” gang to other prison centers to have better control over the criminal organization.
According to Jimenez, the findings inside the prison showed “that there was total freedom inside this prison.”
“We found a farm of farm animals, which were probably used by the same inmates to feed themselves. But the most serious thing is that we find in a crocodile pool, a very serious issue because it shows the lack of control of this prison,” he concluded.
The operatives arrive a week after the murder of 18-year-old Guatemalan singer and influencer Jorge Pop, a crime that dismayed the Central American country and that is initially attributed by the authorities to the “Mara 18” gang.
According to various studies, thousands of businesses in Guatemala suffer monthly extortion by gang members, mostly from the different prisons that are under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior.
That is why Jiménez indicated that they are looking for “mechanisms” so that prisoners cannot “charge phones” or have access to illegal objects.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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