Central America
IFRC warns of growing health barriers for migrants in the Americas
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) issued a warning on Tuesday about the urgent health needs faced by migrants in the Americas, who “must overcome increasing barriers” and suffer from a “lack of comprehensive healthcare” in both transit and destination countries.
“The insufficiency of healthcare services and the barriers to access are putting lives at risk, exacerbating health inequalities, and putting immense pressure on already fragile national health systems,” the IFRC stated in a release marking the publication of the report Migration and Health in the Americas: Needs and Services Assessment.
The report, which compiles data from 2021 to 2023, indicates that in the case of migrants in transit, “between 60% and 70% require healthcare, with general medical services being the most needed,” while in destination countries, “up to 74% require healthcare services, such as maternal and pediatric care, treatment for chronic diseases, mental health services, and specialized care.”
Pedro Porriño, IFRC’s Emergency Health Coordinator for the Americas, emphasized that “access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and the barriers migrants face—whether due to their irregular status, lack of documentation, or fear of deportation—must be dismantled.”
“It is essential to provide comprehensive healthcare that addresses their needs, from basic medical care to specialized treatments for chronic conditions, mental health support, and services for people with disabilities,” Porriño added.
The IFRC highlighted that in Panama, a country that experiences a steady flow of migrants crossing the dangerous Darién jungle, the Red Cross has provided nearly 750,000 services over the past six years, mostly to migrants needing first aid, general medicine, mental health support, access to clean water, vaccinations, and sexual and reproductive health care.
“Addressing the health needs of migrants should be a priority, and recognizing the role of local Red Cross teams in providing assistance, protection, and dignity is an opportunity for governments and donors to ensure migrants’ right to health,” said Martha Keays, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas.
Central America
U.S. extradites Iranian man over alleged sanctions evasion scheme
The United States has extradited from Panama an Iranian national accused of evading economic sanctions against Iran by illegally exporting U.S. technology. He is scheduled to appear this Monday before a court in Seattle.
Reza Dindar, 44, was extradited on April 17 after being detained in Panama since July 2025 on charges related to export control violations between 2011 and 2012, allegedly carried out through companies based in China.
The defendant appeared before a U.S. district court in Seattle, where he faces charges of violating sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran in 1995 during the administration of Bill Clinton. These sanctions prohibit the unauthorized export, re-export, or supply—directly or indirectly—of U.S. goods, technology, or services to Iran or its government.
According to the indictment, between 2010 and 2014, Dindar led the company New Port Sourcing Solutions in Xi’an, China, which allegedly concealed the procurement of U.S. products for shipment to clients in Iran.
Central America
Bukele administration surpasses 1,100 homicide-free days amid ongoing crackdown
On Saturday, April 18, the Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) reported that no homicides were recorded in El Salvador, bringing the total to 17 days without murders.
With this update, the country has accumulated 91 homicide-free days so far in 2026. January closed with 27 such days, followed by 24 in February and 23 in March, according to police data.
During the administration of President Nayib Bukele, a total of 1,193 days without homicides have been registered. Of those, 1,079 have occurred since the implementation of the state of exception.
This extraordinary security measure has been extended 49 times by the Asamblea Legislativa de El Salvador, with the latest extension in effect from April 1 to April 30, 2026. Under the measure, more than 91,700 gang members and collaborators have been detained and prosecuted for illicit association.
Central America
Panama and OECD sign deal to boost investment climate and global integration
The Government of Panama and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) signed an agreement this Friday in Paris aimed at improving the country’s investment climate through data exchange, expert missions, and policy benchmarking.
“This is not a symbolic act. It is a strategic decision. A statement of intent. A commitment to transformation,” said Panama’s Foreign Minister, Javier Martínez-Acha, following the signing, according to an official statement.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Martínez-Acha and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann at the organization’s headquarters in the French capital.
According to Panama’s Foreign Ministry, the agreement establishes “a solid and forward-looking framework for cooperation,” enabling high-level technical collaboration through data sharing, comparative policy analysis, expert missions, and evidence-based recommendations.
Authorities stated that the initiative is expected to enhance the investment environment, boost competitiveness, and improve predictability, while also strengthening governance, fostering innovation, increasing human capital, and aligning the education system with global economic demands.
The agreement also opens the door for Panama to deepen its participation within OECD bodies, allowing the country to take part in discussions where global standards are defined.
Since taking office in July 2024, President José Raúl Mulino has prioritized efforts to remove Panama from international lists that label it as a tax haven, which his administration considers discriminatory.
As part of this strategy, the government restricted the participation of most European companies—except those from Spain, Italy, and Greece—in public tenders for major infrastructure projects, including a planned railway to the border with Costa Rica and a gas pipeline near the Panama Canal. This move came after the European Union kept Panama on its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
Over the past year, Panama has made progress in this area, including its removal from the European Parliament’s money laundering list and Ecuador’s tax haven list.
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