Central America
President Bukele’s government has transformed El Salvador’s integrated national health system
May 31 |
The National Integrated Health System (SIS) has been transformed during the administration of the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, through different actions that include modernization of infrastructure, equipment and digitalization of processes.
For decades, Salvadorans suffered from lack of care, hospitals and health units in poor condition and lack of suitable equipment for diagnosis and medical procedures, digitized care and modern technology.
Currently, modern, state-of-the-art equipment has been provided for X-rays, MRIs and cardiac interventions with a biplanar arc that is unique in the country and in the region.
“Assured connectivity. The Integrated Health System is changing the care we provide in hospitals, health units and in the territory, since it allows us to keep better control of the patient and give him/her the appropriate follow-up regardless of the facility where he/she goes to consult,” said the Minister of Health, Francisco Alabi, recently.
The issue of connectivity was raised by the Vice-Minister of Health Management and Development, Carlos Alvarenga, during his participation in the 76th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland.
“We have interconnected all health facilities, generated the electronic health record and other important elements of digital transformation that are the basis for transforming the country with a leap in quality,” said Alvarenga.
Similarly, in terms of infrastructure, the government of President Bukele built a walkway with all the conditions for the transfer of patients between the tower of the Benjamin Bloom National Children’s Hospital and the outpatient building of this medical center.
This has also been equipped with a biplanar arc angiograph for cardiac catheterization.
Likewise, after 30 years, the Zacamil National Hospital was intervened and equipped with technology and new areas, as well as artificial intelligence through Temi, a robot assistant.
On the other hand, another of the debts settled has been the inauguration of the Specialized Outpatient Care Center La Ceiba, of the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS), which has a capacity to care for more than 1,100 patients per day.
Due to the security measures implemented by President Bukele, health services have also been brought closer to communities that for decades were dominated by gangs.
Similarly, the teaching sector will benefit from the construction of the first Magisterial Hospital of the Instituto Salvadoreño de Bienestar Magisterial (ISBM), for which more than $2.2 million was approved by the Legislative Assembly for the purchase of the land.
Central America
Honduras election crisis deepens as CNE president denounces intimidation attempts
Tegucigalpa remains engulfed in a deep post-electoral crisis, marked by the absence of final results from the general elections held on November 30. On Thursday, the presiding counselor of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Ana Paola Hall, publicly denounced acts of intimidation that she warned could jeopardize the final phase of the process.
Following a meeting with the G-16+ diplomatic corps, Hall expressed concern over two specific incidents: a call by former president Manuel Zelaya summoning supporters of the Libre Party to gather outside the INFOP facilities—where electoral records and materials are being safeguarded—and a statement issued by the Permanent Commission of Congress accusing her and counselor Cossette López of alleged electoral crimes, an action she described as “baseless and outside their jurisdiction.”
Hall reaffirmed her institutional commitment and warned that she will not allow interference in the announcement of the results. “Honduras comes first,” she emphasized, underscoring her intention to defend the electoral process as a cornerstone of democracy.
Meanwhile, the preliminary results place Nasry ‘Tito’ Asfura, candidate of the National Party, in the lead with 40.52%of the vote, followed closely by Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party, with 39.48%. The ruling party’s candidate, Rixi Moncada of Libre, is in third place with 19.29%. Around 0.6% of the tally sheets—many of them showing inconsistencies—have yet to be reviewed.
The Organization of American States (OAS) called an extraordinary session of its Permanent Council to analyze the situation, while civil organizations and governments such as Paraguay’s urged respect for the popular will.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro accused the United States, and specifically former president Donald Trump, of obstructing the process, while also denouncing threats from gangs against voters aligned with her party.
Central America
OAS and EU urge honduran political actors to respect vote results and avoid unrest
The Electoral Observation Missions of the Organization of American States (OAS/EOM) and the European Union (EU EOM) issued an urgent call on Wednesday urging political actors in Honduras to respect the will expressed at the polls on November 30 and to refrain from inciting public disorder while the vote count is being finalized.
Both missions called on candidates, political parties, and authorities to act responsibly and maintain “active vigilance” over the vote-counting process.
So far, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has processed 99.4% of the tally sheets, but 2,773 still show inconsistencies, representing more than 500,000 unverified votes. The electoral body has not set a date for the special review, though it could begin later this week.
“The OAS/EOM reminds that electoral authorities are the only ones empowered to validate the results and reiterates its rejection of any call to disrupt public order,” the mission said in an official statement.
Central America
U.S. finds no evidence of fraud in Honduras election despite delays
The United States government said on Tuesday that it has found no evidence of electoral fraud in Honduras’ presidential election, despite several days of delays in the vote count caused by technical issues.
“We are not aware of any credible evidence supporting a call for annulment,” a State Department spokesperson told EFE in response to complaints over the slow release of official results. Washington emphasized that the elections were monitored by international observers, including representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union (EU), and national entities, which it said strengthens the legitimacy of the process.
In the current tally, conservative candidate Nasry “Tito” Asfura—backed by U.S. President Donald Trump—remains in the lead with 1,298,835 votes (40.52%), while his rival, Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party, has 1,256,428 votes (39.48%). The difference of 42,407 ballots is based on the latest report from the National Electoral Council (CNE), with 99.40% of the tally completed.
According to the Trump administration, the vote reflects a clear rejection of the governing leftist Libre party, led by outgoing President Xiomara Castro.
“The CNE should certify the election results promptly,” the spokesperson said, urging all political actors to respect the independence of electoral institutions and comply with Honduras’ legal framework.
The vote count—now stretching past four days—has fueled tension and uncertainty among the population. CNE president Ana Paola Hall attributed the delays to unspecified “technical problems.”
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