Central America

Kristi Noem discusses border security, migration, and TPS in Honduras

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, met with Honduran President Xiomara Castro on Wednesday to discuss issues of migration and security, following her visit to Costa Rica where she offered support to enhance traveler and cargo screening systems.

During the meeting in Tegucigalpa, President Castro requested an extension of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS)for Honduran nationals living in the U.S., which is set to expire on July 5, according to Honduran Foreign Minister Javier Bu.

“The President advocated for an extension of TPS for our nationals in the U.S., who have been victims of natural disasters in Honduras,” Bu told reporters.

Currently, around 50,000 Hondurans benefit from TPS, a program that has provided legal temporary residence since 1999.

The leaders also signed a letter of intent for a new biometric data-sharing agreement to strengthen border and national security cooperation.

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Noem did not speak to the press in Honduras. Her visit followed a stop in Costa Rica, where she met with President Rodrigo Chaves and pledged U.S. support to help fully screen all travelers and goods entering the country.

“We’re going to help with that. Costa Rica may become the first country in the world to scan every person and product entering its territory,” Noem said during her remarks in San José.

Central America

Guatemalan police regain control of prisons after gang riots leave one guard dead

The Guatemalan police regained control on Saturday over several prisons where criminal gangs had staged riots for several days, resulting in the death of a prison guard, the country’s Interior Minister reported.

Since Thursday, members of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs had been holding separate uprisings in the El Boquerón prison in the Santa Rosa department and Pavoncito prison, near Guatemala City, in protest against the transfer of gang leaders to other facilities.

Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez confirmed on Saturday that police have retaken control of both penitentiaries, according to the state news agency AGN.

Jiménez also stated that during the hostage situation gunfire occurred, resulting in the death of one prison officer.

In addition, six guards were released at El Boquerón and three at Pavoncito, according to the minister.

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Central America

Honduran prosecutors charge three with terrorism and assassination plot against Manuel Zelaya

The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, in coordination with the National Police and the Technical Agency for Criminal Investigation (ATIC) of Honduras, announced the arrest of three individuals accused of planning an attack against former president Manuel “Mel” Zelaya Rosales.

According to investigators, the suspects’ goal was to destabilize the current government and undermine the upcoming electoral process scheduled for November 30.

The operation was carried out simultaneously in Tegucigalpa, Comayagua, and San Pedro Sula. In Comayagua, authorities arrested Perfecto Jesús Enamorado Paz, 71, a former COPECO commissioner, while he was asleep at his home. His family claims the case is politically motivated.

In Tegucigalpa, ATIC agents and Special Forces detained Arcadio Corrales Estrada, 64, an electromechanic resident in the capital; Perfecto Jesús Enamorado Paz, 69, a merchant from Comayagua; and Antonio David Kattán, 53, a businessman from San Pedro Sula.

Authorities said they have collected audio recordings, forensic reports, and technical analyses that reveal a conspiracy. In the recordings, the suspects allegedly discussed assassinating Zelaya as a way to trigger political unrest and “put an end to the rage.”

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The detainees will face charges of criminal conspiracy, terrorism, and attempted murder.

The Public Ministry stressed that investigations will continue to determine whether more individuals are involved and to ensure that the elections are held without violent interference.

Central America

International tourism brings over $2.2 billion to El Salvador in 2025

El Salvador is the first country in the Americas in terms of tourism growth

International tourism has generated more than $2.2 billion in foreign exchange for the Salvadoran economy during the first seven months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur).

Tourism Minister Morena Valdez stated on Thursday that this figure reflects a favorable development of the tourism sector so far this year.

“Over $2.2 billion by July, and we estimate more than $3 billion in foreign exchange by December 2025. I believe we will perform quite well,” Valdez said in an interview with Frente a Frente.

These figures do not include the 91,000 international tourists received during the August holidays, who contributed $60 million to the local economy, according to the government.

The accumulated results by July represent 73.3% of Mitur’s estimates for foreign exchange generated by international tourism in 2025.

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During the same period, tourism authorities recorded 2.3 million international visitors, which is 57.5% of the more than 4 million visitors projected by the government by the end of 2025.

Authorities have recently adjusted the tourism target: at the beginning of the year, Mitur anticipated 4.2 million visitorsafter receiving 3.9 million in the previous year.