Central America
Territorial Control Plan of the Salvadoran Government is four years old
June 20 |
President Nayib Bukele’s successful security strategy, through the Territorial Control Plan (PCT), has been implemented for four years with irrefutable results and benefits for the honest population that for many years was under the stalking of terrorist structures.
The sustained drop in homicides, the drastic reduction of extortions, disappearances, forced displacements, robberies and other high impact crimes are proof of the results of the security plan implemented by the Salvadoran president since June 20 when he launched Phase I of the PCT called Preparation, in which police presence in the communities was increased with patrols in areas of high crime incidence.
On the occasion of the four-year anniversary, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Gustavo Villatoro, stated that what seemed impossible has become a reality in El Salvador. “As President Nayib Bukele has already said, we regained control of Salvadoran territory, our country left the list of the most dangerous countries in the world, we have returned true freedom, hope, peace and joy to millions of Salvadorans”.
He added that in four years of implementation of the PCT they have achieved unprecedented results and that is why they continue to work for the honest population.
With the implementation of the first stage of the plan, the decrease in high incidence crimes was evident and by July 2, 2019 the authorities implemented Phase 2 known as Opportunities with which 12 CUBOs have been built in which opportunities are generated for young women and the social fabric is rebuilt.
On July 30 of the same year, Phase 3, known as Modernization, was launched, which consists of dignifying the police career, improving the equipment of the PNC and providing the Armed Forces with new equipment. On July 19, 2021, Phase 4, known as Incursion, was implemented, in which police and military teams entered the territories to eradicate criminal groups; there was also the incorporation of new members in the PNC and FAES.
To reinforce the PCT and to eradicate the different terrorist organizations, the Head of State and his Security Cabinet implemented the Exception Regime, which further reduced the homicide rate and other illegal activities. Between March 27, 2022 and June 20 of this year, more than 70,000 gang members were arrested and 380 days without homicides were recorded.
Phase 5 called Extraction was launched on November 23, 2022 and military and police fences were established for a total recovery of the territories, order was restored and vulnerable communities were reactivated.
Central America
Arévalo accuses Porras and judge of undermining democracy in Guatemala
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo denounced a new attempt at a “coup” orchestrated by the Attorney General’s Office. He also requested an extraordinary session at the Organization of American States (OAS) to address the country’s ongoing political crisis.
The president has been at odds with Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for being “corrupt” and “anti-democratic.” Since 2023, Arévalo has accused Porras of launching investigations against his party, Semilla, and the 2023 elections as part of a scheme to prevent his inauguration in January 2024.
From the presidential office, Arévalo has said he continues to “resist” the “coup plotters,” but tensions escalated last Friday when Judge Fredy Orellana, at the request of the Attorney General’s Office, ordered the electoral court to annul the Semilla party’s promoter group. Arévalo interpreted this as an attempt to revoke the positions won by the party.
“Orellana, a hitman who distorts the law in service of Consuelo Porras, is attempting to force […] the unconstitutional removal of a mayor, 23 elected deputies […], the vice president, and the president of the country,” Arévalo said in a televised address on Sunday.
“We call on the international community not to turn a blind eye to the coup being attempted in Guatemala,” he added, speaking alongside his cabinet and congressional members at the National Palace in Guatemala City.
Arévalo requested that the Organization of American States hold an extraordinary session to present “the serious threats” to the Guatemalan Constitution and democracy perpetrated by Porras and Orellana.
Yesterday, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martínez reaffirmed the president’s statements, emphasizing the need “to go and expose the situation” Guatemala has been facing since last week due to the actions of the Attorney General’s Office.
Central America
New dismembered bodies found in San Juan river days after mass killing in Palencia
On the morning of Monday, October 27, Guatemala’s Volunteer Firefighters confirmed the discovery of two bodies and two human heads inside plastic bags in the San Juan River, located in the Zacualpía village at kilometer 21 of the Atlantic Highway, in the jurisdiction of Palencia.
The remains were found by personnel from Companies 85, 50, and Central, who responded after receiving a report about suspicious bags floating in the water. The gruesome discovery was made just a few meters from the site where eight tortured bodies were found under the San Juan Bridge on Friday, October 24.
Local authorities do not rule out a connection between both incidents and suspect they may be tied to the same criminal organization. Investigators from the Public Ministry and the National Civil Police arrived at the scene to gather evidence and transfer the remains to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif).
According to data from the National Economic Research Center (CIEN), Guatemala recorded 2,154 homicides between January and August 2025, an increase compared to the 1,816 reported during the same period in 2024.
Central America
Four guatemalan soldiers arrested for stealing weapons from Northern Air Command
Four soldiers were arrested in connection with the theft of weapons from the Northern Air Command of the Ministry of Defense in Petén, Guatemala, following operations conducted by the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office).
“During the operations, criminal scenes were processed, analyzed, and documented photographically, possible escape routes were identified, surveillance cameras were located, and potential witnesses were interviewed,” the Prosecutor’s Office explained in a social media post.
The detained soldiers were identified as Ludwin Jónathan Cardona Baltazar, charged with illicit association, dereliction of duty, and aggravated theft; and Josué Israel Pérez Jerónimo, Alain Omar Marroquín Soch, and Carlos Ernesto Ibarra Corrales, charged with dereliction of duty, according to Guatemala’s Prensa Libre.
The military personnel reportedly stole 55 rifles, 14,420 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, 92 magazines of 35 rounds each, 19 magazines of 20 rounds each, and three grenade launchers, “which were allegedly moved from the arms warehouse to the outside for illicit sale.”
The Ministry of Defense stated that it will keep its internal control mechanisms active to prevent similar incidents.
Floods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
FBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens
U.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
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
-
International4 days agoJamaica faces widespread destruction as hurricane Melissa hits the island
-
International5 days agoColombian president Gustavo Petro denies alleged ties to criminal networks
-
International3 days agoMelissa leaves path of destruction in Caribbean, 735,000 evacuated in Cuba
-
International24 hours agoHurricane Melissa kills over 30, leaves thousands displaced in the Caribbean
-
International5 days agoMexican journalist reporting on drug cartels killed in Durango
-
Central America4 days agoNew dismembered bodies found in San Juan river days after mass killing in Palencia
-
Central America4 days agoFour guatemalan soldiers arrested for stealing weapons from Northern Air Command
-
International2 days agoHurricane Melissa leaves Jamaican residents homeless as recovery efforts begin
-
Central America5 days agoEl Salvador cracks down on narcotics: 24 tons confiscated in major anti-drug operation
-
Central America4 days agoArévalo accuses Porras and judge of undermining democracy in Guatemala
-
International3 days agoArgentina’s Milei opens dialogue with parties to push “Second-Generation Reforms”
-
International2 days agoUS Deputy Secretary criticizes Mexico’s call to end Cuba trade embargo at UN
-
Central America5 days agoEl Salvador’s FGR prosecutes 89,875 gang members under state of exception
-
International2 days agoVenezuela warns citizens who call for invasion risk losing nationality
-
International2 days agoBrazilian president defends coordinated anti-drug operations after deadly Rio raid
-
International2 days agoTrump orders immediate U.S. nuclear testing, ending 30-year moratorium
-
International24 hours agoTrump sets historic low refugee cap at 7,500, prioritizes white South Africans
-
International20 hours agoU.S. considering airstrikes on military sites in Venezuela, reports say
-
International2 days agoMexico advances continental shelf claims at UN Commission in New York
-
International2 days agoSimeón Pérez Marroquín, ‘El Viejo,’ detained for role in Miguel Uribe Turbay assassination plot
-
International24 hours ago
UNICEF: Over 700,000 children affected by Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean
-
International19 hours agoU.S. warns China over Taiwan during high-level defense talks in Kuala Lumpur
-
International20 hours agoPope Leo XIV revives Global Compact on Education to confront cultural crisis
-
International17 minutes agoFloods in Central Vietnam leave 28 dead, thousands displaced
-
International22 minutes agoFBI foils ISIS-Inspired attack in Michigan, arrests five teens