Central America

Honduras keeps Taiwan ties but pivots on Venezuela

AFP

The government of new Honduras President Xiomara Castro said Thursday it would maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan but that it has already resumed contact with Venezuela’s socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

During her campaign, leftist Castro had vowed to “immediately open diplomatic and commercial relations with mainland China” if she won.

But Taiwan Vice President William Lai attended Castro’s inauguration in Tegucigalpa last week.

China considers democratic, self-ruled Taiwan a part of its territory, to be retaken by force if necessary, and has spent decades encouraging the island’s allies to switch sides, with much success.

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Castro’s right-wing predecessor Juan Orlando Hernandez had broken off diplomatic relations with populist socialist Maduro and instead recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido, whose claim to be Venezuela’s acting president is supported by almost 60 nations.

But Castro has pivoted back.

“Diplomatic relations with the Bolivarian government of Venezuela have been resumed,” Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina told AFP.

“And in the case of Taiwan we are maintaining a fluid relationship,” he added.

Relations with the Maduro regime — widely criticized for human rights abuses and authoritarianism — were restarted on the day of Castro’s inauguration, January 27, Reina said, and Venezuela’s new ambassador to Honduras “will soon enter the country.”

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A Maduro representative, deputy foreign minister Rander Pena, recovered control of the embassy in Tegucigalpa hours after Castro was sworn in.

It had been run by Guaido allies since 2019.

Castro’s husband Manuel Zelaya was overthrown as president of Honduras in a 2009 coup led by the military, the political right and business leaders after he sought to strengthen ties with Maduro’s predecessor, socialist strongman Hugo Chavez.

Castro’s opponents used that to try to paint her as a communist during the election campaign.

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Central America

Guatemala isolates Barrio 18 leader after attacks that killed 11 police

Guatemalan authorities have placed a leader of the Barrio 18 gang in an isolated cell without الكهرباء or “privileges” after he was accused of triggering a recent wave of violence that left 11 police officers dead, the government said on Sunday.

Members of Barrio 18, which is designated as a “terrorist” organization by both the United States and Guatemala, carried out the killings on January 18 in retaliation for the government’s takeover of three prisons that had been under the control of inmates linked to the group.

In response to the attacks, President Bernardo Arévalo declared a month-long state of siege, arguing that gang members were seeking better conditions in prison or transfers to lower-security facilities.

In a message posted on X alongside photographs, Arévalo announced the isolation of Aldo Dupie, also known as “El Lobo,” one of the gang leaders who allegedly directed the uprisings.

Images released by the government show Dupie inside a small cell with narrow windows, built from metal containers, in a secured area of the Renovación I prison in southern Guatemala — the same facility where the hostage-taking riot took place.

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With a shaved head and a stern expression, the gang leader appears alone and in handcuffs, according to the photographs.

Guatemala’s prison system said the “new area,” protected by metal fencing and barbed wire, will house high-risk inmates who will remain without privileges or electricity.

Sports

Shakira ignites El Salvador with near sold-out residency at Mágico González Stadium

The recently renovated Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium is rolling out the red carpet for Colombian superstar Shakira, whose string of concerts has sold out almost entirely, confirming the powerful bond between the artist and Salvadoran fans.

The scale of the experience begins as soon as attendees arrive at the venue. Outside the stadium, organizers have installed several photo spots so concertgoers can capture a souvenir from the major event.

Fans attending the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour will witness a top-tier visual production, where technology and robotic lighting effects will shape an atmosphere that shifts dramatically from one segment of the show to another — moving from the intensity of ’90s rock to the festive explosion of urban pop.

Security and crowd management have been top priorities, with a coordinated operation aimed at ensuring smooth entry and exit, allowing spectators to focus solely on enjoying hits that have defined generations.

Beyond the music, the event marks a milestone for the country’s live-entertainment industry, positioning El Salvador as a destination capable of hosting artist residencies once reserved for cities such as Las Vegas or London.

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The excitement is already visible across the capital: hotels are at full capacity and local businesses are riding the wave of enthusiasm sparked by the latest songs from the Colombian star.

Central America

Salvadoran fans plan birthday surprise for Shakira at historic show

The president of Shakira’s Fan Club in El Salvador was interviewed by Diario El Salvador on Saturday as she made her way to her entrance gate at Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium, ahead of the historic concert the Colombian superstar is set to perform in the country.

Before the first of the five shows that make up Shakira’s Salvadoran residency, the fan leader revealed that supporters had prepared a special surprise for the singer, who turned 49 on February 2.

“Today I’m here around the stadium with the props we made for her celebration, with postcards and her songs. We also have kits ready to sing ‘happy birthday’ to our She Wolf,” she said.

She explained that the group used social media to ask fans seated in the Ultra Platinum and Platinum sections to find them and pick up birthday pennants, party headbands, balloons and whistles. The idea is to sing “happy birthday” while Shakira introduces her band, offering what they describe as a special Central American welcome.

“For me, she has been a megastar since the first time I saw her in 1996. I saw her again in 2006, here at the stadium. Last year we traveled to Colombia three times to see her, and today I’m beyond excited that she chose El Salvador,” the fan said.

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She added that visitors from across Central America and other countries have traveled for the concerts and will also have the opportunity to discover the country. “I’m very excited about everything she makes us feel,” she said.