International
China, Israel and Burma, the countries in the world with the most journalists imprisoned in 2024
China, Israel and Burma were the countries that imprisoned the most journalists in 2024, a year that, according to the annual census prepared by the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) published this Thursday, left at least 361 communication professionals under bars worldwide.
The figure for last year, for which it was counted until December 1, is the second highest since the CPJ has records, and is close to the record of 370 journalists imprisoned in 2022.
Last year, China (50 people), Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (43) and Burma (35) were the places where more journalists were imprisoned for their work, followed by Belarus (31), Russia (30), Egypt (17), Eritrea (16), Iran (16), Vietnam (16) and Azerbaijan (13), according to the CPJ.
“The main causes of imprisonment of journalists in 2024 – the year in which more than a hundred new imprisonments occurred – were continued authoritarian repression (China, Burma, Vietnam, Belarus, Russia), war (Israel, Russia) and political or economic instability (Egypt, Nicaragua, Bangladesh),” explains this organization, based in New York, in its annual report.
Throughout this document, the CPJ recalled that countries such as China, Belarus or Burma usually appear in its classification, and criticized Israel’s role as a jailer of journalists, especially since the beginning of the war in Gaza, on October 7, 2023, more than 15 months ago.
“Israel, a multi-party parliamentary democracy that rarely appeared in the CPJ’s annual prison census (…) catapulted to second place last year by trying to silence the coverage of the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” the organization said.
Politics, human rights and corruption are the thematic areas covered by most of the journalists imprisoned last year, according to the CPJ. A record where sports journalism and crimes/events appear with the least number of professionals under bars.
As for the alleged crimes committed by the communicators, the vast majority was accused of working to attack the Government (228 cases), others were accused of working driven by some kind of ‘reprisals’ (57), of spreading false news (41) or defamation (16), mainly.
In almost half of the cases of the 361 imprisoned journalists, the sentence is still to be resolved; while in 17% of them they were sentenced to sentences between 1-5 years; 15% between 5-10 years; and another 15% have sentences of more than 10 years.
The 2024 CPJ census also shows that 94% of the imprisoned journalists are part of the local press and that they are usually (in 61% of cases) on staff with some of these media.
In addition, 84% of journalists taken to prison last year were men.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
International Project Tackles Gender Violence in Indigenous Communities in Panama
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
-
International3 days agoIranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
-
International5 days agoKing Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
-
Central America4 days agoU.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
-
Central America4 days agoInternational Project Tackles Gender Violence in Indigenous Communities in Panama
-
International5 days agoTrump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views