Central America
More than 215 gang members deported from Guatemala and Mexico in war on gangs
November 20 |
More than 215 gang members from different terrorist structures have been deported from Guatemala and Mexico to El Salvador as part of the frontal combat against gangs between the end of March 2022 and November 7 of this year, according to data from the General Sub-Directorate of Criminal Investigation (SGIC) of the National Civil Police (PNC) of Guatemala and the National Institute of Migration of Mexico (INM).
On several occasions, the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Gustavo Villatoro, has emphasized that the arrests of the gang members trying to flee from justice are thanks to the good investigative and intelligence work of the Salvadoran police in coordination with Guatemalan and Mexican authorities.
The Security Minister reiterated that the war against gangs, conceived by President Nayib Bukele, will end until the last terrorist is captured and that none of them will escape justice, even if they flee to other countries.
On November 9, the SGIC of the Guatemalan police reported that from January 1 to November 7, 2023, 76 gang members were arrested and handed over to the authorities in El Salvador.
The total number of those apprehended were sent to the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM) to be handed over to the Salvadoran Police. Guatemalan authorities indicated that among those captured were 38 members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS) and 38 of the Barrio 18 gang, from whom 13 pistols, a shotgun, 12 magazines, a motorcycle, two rifles, 192 rounds of ammunition of different calibers, 51 cell phones and a vehicle were seized.
The official report states that the terrorists were wanted by the Salvadoran PNC for committing crimes in the country.
In 2022, 94 Salvadorans were apprehended, of whom 75 were handed over to the security forces and 19 are serving sentences in Guatemala. Of the total number of those captured, 46 were from gang 18, 36 were from the MS and 12 were from other criminal groups. During the operations, 19 firearms, 226 rounds of ammunition of different calibers, 32 cell phones, 14 pistols, nine hoppers and two motorcycles were seized.
The deportees belonged to Las Cachorras, Teclas Locos Salvatruchas and Programas San Marcos MS-13.
The head of the Transnational Anti-Gang Center (CAT), Randall García, commented that the personnel under his charge have carried out 63 deportations and eight captures of members of the cliques, and that the work is carried out by human talent specialized in the search, location and arrest of Salvadoran, Honduran and Mexican criminals operating in Guatemalan territory.
He added that they currently maintain continuous communication with the countries that make up the Northern Triangle of Central America, Mexico and Belize.
“Specific plans are being carried out in border areas where police presence has been maintained with operational control devices, investigation and police intelligence units to reduce the incursion of gang members due to the regime applied by the Government of El Salvador,” said Najarro.
Meanwhile, reports from Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) show that in 2021 they arrested seven gang members, while in 2022 they closed with 22 arrests; the figure represents an increase of 214% over the previous year.
According to Mexican authorities, this increase is a result of the security policies implemented by President Bukele’s government against the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs, which for many years generated terror among Salvadorans.
The latest captures were announced by Minister Gustavo Villatoro. Those arrested were Reyes de Jesús Flores Menjívar, alias Vilma, of the 18 Sureños gang, arrested in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, and José Steven Tablas López, alias Chele, of the MS-13 structure, apprehended in Tijuana, Mexico.
The terrorists will be prosecuted for the crime of illicit groupings and will serve years in prison. “We are no longer the State that served the interests of criminals. Those times are over,” added the official.
Central America
Panama begins reverse migration by sea for 109 stranded migrants
Panamanian authorities have transported a group of 109 migrants of various nationalities by sea to La Miel, a Caribbean town on the country’s border with Colombia, to continue their return journey to South America. The move comes after the migrants failed to settle in the United States, following stricter immigration policies implemented under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
The National Migration Service (SNM) of Panama announced in a statement on Tuesday that the transfer was carried out from the Caribbean port of Colón using a vessel from Panama’s National Aeronaval Service (Senan). The operation was part of the country’s so-called “reverse flow” initiative, aimed at facilitating the safe return of migrants.
The official report noted that the group included migrants from nine different nationalities, with 75 adults and 34 minors on board. Authorities emphasized the “inter-institutional commitment to safe and humanitarian reverse migration.”
A source familiar with the process, speaking anonymously to EFE, confirmed that the vessel departed on Monday. Many of the migrants had opted into the reverse flow program after arriving at the Temporary Attention Center for Migrants (CATEM) in Costa Rica, where coordination was made with Panamanian authorities for their return.
Central America
Ombudsman: Tear gas overused in Arimae protest crackdown
Panama’s Ombudsman Office stated on Tuesday that the National Police (PN) used excessive tear gas to disperse a protest in the indigenous community of Arimae, which escalated into a violent clash lasting several hours and leaving multiple people injured on both sides.
After a two-day visit to Arimae, a town in the Darién province about 200 kilometers from Panama City, Ombudsman Eduardo Leblanc reported that “there was clear evidence of the excessive use of tear gas in the community, which has caused various health issues among the population.”
The confrontation occurred on June 5, when police forces arrived to clear a section of the Pan-American Highway — which spans the entire country — that had been blocked by residents using tree trunks. The blockade was part of a protest against a newly enacted social security reform.
According to EFE, police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, while demonstrators hurled rocks, sticks, arrows, and even Molotov cocktails.
Central America
Honduras sees 7.8% rise in external public debt year-on-year
Honduras’ public sector external debt reached $9.96 billion by the end of April 2025, marking a 7.8% increasecompared to the same period in 2024, according to a report released Tuesday by the country’s Central Bank (BCH).
The figure represents a rise of $725.8 million compared to the $9.24 billion recorded between January and April 2024.
However, the debt balance decreased by $243.2 million compared to December 2024, when it stood at $10.2 billion. This reduction was primarily due to higher principal payments totaling $410.8 million, while new disbursements reached only $87.4 million, resulting in a net amortization of $323.4 million. This effect was partially offset by unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations, which increased the debt balance by $80.2 million.
By institution, the general government holds 90.8% of the debt (approximately $9.05 billion), followed by the monetary authority with 7.7% ($770 million), non-financial public enterprises with 1.3% ($126.6 million), and public financial institutions with 0.2% ($16.5 million), the BCH detailed.
China shows at the UN its “condemnation” of Israel for the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty”
Donald Trump’s government pauses its program of indiscriminate raides against migrants
Trump says he knew “everything” about the attack on Iran and assures that the dialogue remains open
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 agoDefense Secretary: National Guard deployment aims to preempt unrest nationwide
-
Central America4 days agoPanama begins reverse migration by sea for 109 stranded migrants
-
International3 days agoOne survivor confirmed after Air India flight crashes with 242 on board
-
International4 days agoMexico apologizes to Guatemala for police incursion after armed clash
-
International3 days agoShark attacks child in Florida
-
International4 days agoMiguel Uribe remains critical but shows progress following assassination attempt
-
International3 days agoOver 200 dead after London-Bound plane crashes in India
-
International3 days agoUncle Sam used in DHS poster calling for public to report immigrants
-
International4 days agoProposed U.S. tax threatens Mexico’s record remittance inflows
-
International3 days agoHegseth dodges lawmakers’ questions on potential U.S. invasion plans for Greenland, Panama
-
International2 days agoICE under fire for detaining undocumented teen from Florida foster care
-
International3 days agoAt least five others involved in attack on Miguel Uribe Turbay
-
International4 days agoMexico sees 13.5% increase in international tourists in April 2025
-
International3 days agoArgentine government says Cristina Fernández sentence was fair and free of political influence
-
International4 days agoNoboa extends emergency rule—but prisons and mining hub excluded by court
-
International2 days agoIsrael warns of retaliation after iranian missiles hit civilian areas
-
International1 day agoChina shows at the UN its “condemnation” of Israel for the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty”
-
International1 day agoRight and far right leaders aspire to win the next elections in Latin America
-
International3 days agoEight Killed in Gaza as Hamas allegedly attacks Israel-Backed aid group
-
International2 days agoCalifornia sues Trump over deployment of military forces in immigration arrests
-
International4 days agoCuban and chinese officials agree to expand cooperation amid official visit
-
International1 day agoTrump says he knew “everything” about the attack on Iran and assures that the dialogue remains open
-
International1 day agoDonald Trump’s government pauses its program of indiscriminate raides against migrants
-
International1 day agoCriticism of ICE in Florida for arresting a minor from Honduras and taking him away from a foster family
-
International1 day agoMore than 2,000 protests in the US will condemn Donald Trump’s “authoritarianism” this Saturday