Central America

Nayib Bukele’s leadership highlighted in historic result of 365 days without murders

Photo: DES

May 12 |

The vice president of the republic, Félix Ulloa, yesterday highlighted the leadership of President Nayib Bukele in the area of public security, which has led to El Salvador having 365 days without registering homicides throughout the territory.

The government of President Bukele is jointly developing the Territorial Control Plan (PCT) and the emergency regime, achieving a drastic reduction in murders, as well as the recovery of territories that were under gang control and the frontal combat of common and organized crime.

Ulloa also highlighted in this achievement “the effective coordination” of the Public Security Cabinet and “the accompaniment” of the Attorney General’s Office, the Legislative Assembly and the judicial system.

After reaching 365 days without deaths caused by gangs, Ernesto Castro, president of the Legislative Assembly, recalled that during almost 30 years of ARENA and FMLN governments the country was subjected under the clutches of terrorist groups.

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The former three-color and red presidents failed to implement effective security strategies; instead, they opted to make pacts with gang members and even negotiated the lives of Salvadorans in exchange for votes to stay in power, as recently confirmed by Mauricio Funes, a fugitive from justice and former president of the FMLN.

In this sense, Ernesto Castro, president of the Assembly, highlighted the transformation that President Bukele has achieved in the country in terms of public security, being the first president capable of successfully leading a war against terrorists and freeing the country from anxiety and massive violent deaths.

He reaffirmed that, from the Legislative Assembly, the bench of Nuevas Ideas will maintain the commitment with Salvadorans to “guarantee the governability” that the Executive needs to continue implementing strategies in diverse areas, with the objective of promoting national development.

Central America

Costa Rica closes embassy in Cuba, citing human rights concerns

The government of Costa Rica announced on Wednesday the closure of its embassy in Cuba, a move that signals a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed that Costa Rica has also requested the withdrawal of Cuban diplomatic personnel from San José, leaving only consular representation in place.

According to André, the decision is driven by concerns over the worsening human rights situation on the island, including increased repression against citizens and opposition figures.

He also noted that Cuba’s ongoing economic and social crisis—marked by shortages of food, medicine, and basic services—has made the operation of the embassy increasingly difficult.

President Rodrigo Chaves backed the measure, stating that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of Cuba’s political system.

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In response, the Cuban government rejected the decision, calling it a “unilateral” move taken under pressure from United States.

“Under pressure from the United States, Costa Rica has limited its relations with Cuba to consular matters,” Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said, describing the action as “arbitrary.”

Despite the diplomatic setback, Cuban authorities stated that historical ties between the two nations would endure.

Central America

Costa Rica closes Cuba embassy as president escalates rhetoric

The president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, escalated political rhetoric on Wednesday, stating that “the hemisphere must be cleansed of communists,” following his government’s decision to close its embassy in Cuba.

The remarks come as Costa Rica moves to downgrade diplomatic relations with the island, citing a sustained deterioration in human rights. Chaves reiterated that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of the Cuban government, accusing it of repression and of maintaining poor living conditions for its population.

“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that government. We will not maintain a consulate there; services will be handled from Panama,” Chaves said during a press conference.

The president also argued that the communist model has “failed” not only in Cuba but in every country where it has been implemented, emphasizing that freedom is essential for development.

The decision was made in coordination with president-elect Laura Fernández, who is set to take office on May 8 and is expected to maintain the same foreign policy stance.

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Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed the closure of the embassy in Havana and requested that Cuba withdraw its diplomatic personnel from San José, while maintaining limited consular functions.

Costa Rican authorities justified the move by pointing to increased repression against citizens, activists, and opposition figures, as well as restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

The closure marks a new point of tension in bilateral relations and comes amid growing international pressure on Cuba.

Central America

Analyst questions IACHR role over report on El Salvador emergency measures

Political analyst Óscar Martínez Peñate on Tuesday called for a review of the role currently played by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), arguing that it has undermined its credibility by hosting the presentation of a report critical of El Salvador.

Speaking during the interview program Panorama, Martínez questioned the commission’s decision to accept a report prepared by the Grupo Internacional de Expertas y Expertos para la Investigación de Violaciones de Derechos Humanos en El Salvador, which examines alleged human rights violations under the country’s state of emergency.

“We should examine what the current role of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is. How is it possible that they agree to host the presentation of a report whose premise is against a State, a government, a political system, and Salvadoran society?” Martínez said.

He added that by allowing the presentation of the report, the commission “automatically disqualifies itself.”

Martínez also questioned whether it is appropriate for the IACHR to serve as a “platform” for what he described as the defense of criminals, by treating the GIPES report as credible.

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According to the analyst, the commission is acting in a way that contradicts its mandate by enabling narratives that, in his view, go against Salvadoran society.