Central America
Two guatemalan police officers injured in ambush during Alta Verapaz operation
Two officers from Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC) were injured during an operation at the Chinacanguinic farm in Cobán, Alta Verapaz.
The police deployment took place in the area as part of an investigation into the crime of aggravated usurpation. Due to the geographical complexity, officers entered the site via river. However, while approximately 1,300 officers were carrying out their duties, they were ambushed with gunfire and homemade explosives. In response to the attack, the officers activated containment protocols and controlled use of tear gas, according to the prosecutor’s office. The injured were identified as Inspector Jonhy Orlando Pérez, who suffered a lung injury, and Officer Gerber Barrayo, who was wounded in the leg. Both were evacuated with the help of their colleagues and aerial support. They remain under treatment at the Cobán hospital, authorities said.
The operation was conducted by the Alta Verapaz District Prosecutor’s Office, in coordination with the regional prosecutor for Region III North and the PNC. It targeted constructions located within three farms legally registered under the companies Agropecuaria Cobán, S.A. and Agropecuaria Casa Blanca, S.A.
At least 12 properties were searched, but no arrests or illegal items were found. “The operation was authorized by the First Criminal and Narcotics Court, with the objective of inspection, search, and seizure of illegal objects such as firearms, drugs, and electronic devices,” authorities reported.
Central America
Intel to close Costa Rica plant, move chip operations to Asia for greater efficiency
Tech giant Intel announced on Thursday that it will close its microprocessor assembly and testing plant in Costa Rica and move the operations to Asia in a bid to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
“After a comprehensive review of our business, today we are announcing changes aimed at driving greater efficiency and utilization across our global manufacturing network. This includes the gradual reduction and closure of Intel’s Assembly and Test Manufacturing (ATM) plant in Costa Rica, as we consolidate these operations in Malaysia and Vietnam over the coming months,” the company stated.
Intel added that “these actions are necessary to remain competitive in a dynamic industry.”
Central America
El Salvador reaffirms housing as a human right at UN high-level dialogue
El Salvador’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Egriselda López, emphasized the country’s national housing approach during the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Dialogue on Adequate Housing.
“My country is firmly committed to ensuring the human right to adequate housing as a cornerstone of our social, economic, and urban development,” López stated.
“Under the leadership of our president, Nayib Bukele, we have made significant progress, including an investment of $1.1 billion, which has allowed thousands of families to access dignified housing, with a strong focus on social interest projects,” she added.
The ambassador noted that over 120,000 families have benefited from housing loans, land tenure legalization, resettlement programs, and urban improvement initiatives.
López also highlighted the launch of the Casa Mujer and Casa Joven programs, spearheaded by the Social Housing Fund (FSV), which aim to make it easier for Salvadorans to access credit and purchase a home anywhere in the country.
Central America
Panama posts higher economic growth amid strength in canal and banking sectors
Panama’s Monthly Index of Economic Activity (IMAE) recorded a 2.95% year-on-year increase as of May, driven by growth in the transportation, storage, communications, and financial intermediation sectors, among others, according to data released Tuesday by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
The INEC noted that this increase was higher than the 1.53% reported during the same period last year, underlining a stronger trajectory in economic growth.
From January to May 2025, the IMAE accumulated a 5.48% increase compared to the same period in 2024, the INEC added.
Explaining the year-on-year performance, the agency highlighted that the transportation, storage, and communications sector showed favorable behavior — especially in revenue from Panama Canal tolls, net tonnage, and air transport.
Financial intermediation also reported positive results, supported by growth in local deposits and loans. Additionally, the electricity and water sector showed strong performance, particularly in the generation of hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy.
However, several economic activities showed negative trends, including the value of re-exports from the Colón Free Zone, domestic fuel sales, registrations of new vehicles, container traffic, production of grey cement and ready-mix concrete, and thermal energy generation.
The agricultural sector also declined, with drops reported in the cultivation of bananas, watermelon, tomatoes, cattle farming, and the purchase of raw milk, according to INEC.
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