Central America
Nicaragua and China upgrade relations to strategic partnership
December 20 |
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega held a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday where they agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, on the second anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Recognizing that the strategic nature of bilateral relations has been highlighted on a daily basis, both parties agreed to elevate binational relations to the level of Strategic Partnership.
For Daniel Ortega and Xi Jinping, the decision to elevate relations corresponds to the common interests of both countries and their peoples and favors the development and prosperity of Nicaragua and China.
According to a joint communiqué, Daniel Ortega and Xi Jinping appreciated the rapid development of Sino-Nicaraguan ties since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.
Both heads of state recognized the progress achieved in areas such as mutual political trust, practical and supportive cooperation in various areas and collaboration in multilateral forums over the past two years.
Elsewhere in the text, the Nicaraguan government expressed its support for the one China principle and reiterated that Beijing is the only legitimate government representing all of China.
The Nicaraguan side resolutely opposes Taiwan independence in all its manifestations, and reaffirmed its commitment not to maintain any kind of official contact with Taiwan, and also affirmed its support for all efforts of the Chinese Government to materialize the reunification of the country.
For its part, China affirmed its support for the Nicaraguan people to sovereignly choose the path of development in accordance with their own conditions, also supports the independence, sovereignty, self-determination, security and development interests of Nicaragua.
The Chinese side communicated its rejection of foreign interference in Nicaragua’s internal affairs.
In this regard, Xi Jinping’s government recognized that under the presidency of Daniel Ortega, the Central American country has achieved notable successes in defending independence, maintaining stability, developing the economy and improving the welfare of the people.
Beijing is confident that the current Nicaraguan government will achieve new successes in nation building and the Nicaraguan people will have a better life. The Chinese side will continue to provide support and assistance within its reach for Nicaragua’s economic and social development.
In another point of the communiqué, Nicaragua and China valued the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and will promote its early entry into force.
The parties will take full advantage of mechanisms such as the Joint Economic-Commercial Commission and platforms such as the China-Nicaragua FTA, to expand the volume and raise the level of binational trade.
Central America
OAS urges swift recount in Honduras as election results remain uncertain
The Organization of American States (OAS) electoral observation mission in Honduras reported findings of a “lack of expertise” and “delays” in the vote-counting process, but stated that it found no indications that would cast doubt on the results of the November 30 general elections, according to a report presented to the organization’s Permanent Council.
The delay by electoral authorities in releasing the final results “is not justifiable,” said former Paraguayan foreign minister Eladio Loizaga while reading the report.
Honduras marked two weeks on Monday without knowing who its next president will be, following elections in which conservative candidate Nasry Asfura, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, holds a lead of less than two percentage points over fellow right-wing contender Salvador Nasralla.
Accusations of fraud have dominated Honduras’ political landscape since polls closed on the last Sunday of November.
In addition to Nasralla’s complaints, the current government led by leftist President Xiomara Castro has described Trump’s support for Asfura as an “electoral coup.”
The U.S. president has warned of “serious consequences” if the current results were to change and strip Asfura, a 67-year-old businessman, of his lead.
Although more than 99 percent of the votes have been counted, nearly 2,800 tally sheets contain “inconsistencies” and must be reviewed through a special recount, the National Electoral Council (CNE) said.
“The Mission urgently calls on the electoral authorities to immediately begin the special recount and to pursue all possible avenues to obtain official results as quickly as possible. The current delay in processing and publishing the results is not justifiable,” the head of the OAS mission told members of the organization.
Central America
Panama seizes over three tons of drugs hidden in Caribbean port container
Panama’s National Air and Naval Service (Senan) reported on Sunday the seizure of more than three metric tons of drugs that were concealed inside a shipping container at a port terminal on the country’s Caribbean coast.
According to a statement posted on X, Panamanian aeronaval authorities confirmed the confiscation of 3,205 packages of a suspected illicit substance hidden inside a container in transit through Panama, at a port facility in the Caribbean province of Colón. Each package typically weighs approximately one kilogram.
Earlier this week, Senan agents also seized an additional 2.2 metric tons of drugs and arrested five individuals, including a Colombian national, in separate operations linked to drug trafficking activities.
Panama serves as a major transit route for drugs produced in South America and destined mainly for the United States — the world’s largest consumer of cocaine — and Europe. According to official figures, Panamanian authorities seized approximately 80 metric tons of illicit substances in 2024.
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.
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