Central America

Thousands affected in Honduras and Guatemala after heavy rains

Photo: regionmas

November 7 |

More than 42,000 people are affected in Honduras and around 26,000 in Guatemala after heavy rains hit those territories.

Seven Honduran departments are still under yellow alert and, according to the Secretariat of State in the Offices of Risk Management and National Contingencies (Copeco), the rains will continue in several regions of the country due to a wedge of high pressure and the entry of moisture from the Caribbean.

In this sense, thunderstorms with electrical activity are expected in central, southern, northern, western and southwestern regions, due to the convergence of wind and humidity from the Pacific.

As a result of this situation, rescue teams had to evacuate a group of families the day before in the city of Puerto Cortés (north) due to flooding.

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On the other hand, in Guatemala, the extensive rains reported throughout the week have caused road blockages, landslides, sinkholes and overflowing of large rivers, such as the Chixoy, in Alta Verapaz and Quiché (center).

According to the latest report of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred), the rainy season in this country has already left 58 dead and almost four million people affected from the end of April until last Friday.

Due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which causes heavy rainfall, floods and droughts, this nation warned mainly the eastern departments, such as El Progreso, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Jutiapa and Chimaltenango and part of this capital.

Related Topics:Central America El Salvador Honduras Rains

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Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it creates a framework of cooperation, certainty, and new opportunities for producers, workers, and entrepreneurs in the country. His remarks were shared in a video published on his official social media channels.

In 2025, 30.3% of Guatemala’s total exports were destined for the United States, amounting to approximately $4.3 billion. As a result, the agreement is expected to directly benefit key sectors of the Guatemalan economy, including agribusiness, manufacturing, and the textile industry.

“Today we have taken another step toward consolidating a country that, when it moves forward united, generates confidence, attracts investment, and creates real development opportunities for all its people,” Arévalo added.

The agreement with Guatemala follows a similar trade deal signed by the United States with El Salvador on Thursday, which includes the elimination of a 10% tariff on Salvadoran imports.

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The ruling directly affects the management of the ports of Balboa, on the Pacific coast, and Cristóbal, on the Atlantic side, both of which have been operated by the company for nearly three decades. According to Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, an audit uncovered irregularities in the contract that resulted in more than $1.3 billion failing to enter state coffers.

“It is a predatory contract, abusive to the interests of the country,” Flores stated.

The Supreme Court determined that Law 5 of 1997, its subsequent amendments, and the automatic extension granted in 2021 are unconstitutional. The ruling noted that the contract renewal took place without adequate oversight and amid allegations of corruption, despite the Panamanian state holding only a 10% stake in the company.

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Arévalo did not specify which prison the device was found in but stressed that Starlink’s ability to connect directly to low-orbit satellites makes it particularly difficult to disrupt, posing a serious security risk.

The disclosure was made during a press conference attended by Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda and Defense Minister Henry Sáenz.

On January 6, specialized units of Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC), members of the Army and prison security personnel carried out Operation Sentinel at the Renovación 1 Maximum Security Prison for Men, located in Escuintla. According to the Interior Ministry, the operation aimed to reduce criminal activity, prevent illicit acts and stop the trafficking of prohibited items inside the prison.

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Tensions escalated further over the weekend of January 17 and 18, when inmates affiliated with gangs staged riots in three prisons. During the unrest, they took prison guards and a psychologist hostage, demanding extra-large beds, air conditioning, transfers to other facilities and access to the internet.