Central America

Cardinal Rodríguez criticizes political ambitions and warns against faith driven by ideologies

Honduran Cardinal Óscar Andrés Rodríguez strongly criticized on Sunday those who seek power “at any cost” for personal gain and denounced the hypocrisy of individuals who claim to be Christians but act out of selfish interests. His remarks came during the Mass held at the Minor Basilica of Suyapa in Tegucigalpa.

“Those who want to gain power at any cost, knowing it is not to do good but to serve themselves — I don’t know them — the Lord says to them: you are not Christians, no matter how many labels or titles you give yourselves,” the prelate declared.

Rodríguez also condemned those who use social media to attack others in the name of faith. “There are people giving theology lessons while insulting others — and what do they really know? Nothing but selfishness and the obsession with holding on to power at any cost. That is worthless; they do not see how those who commit evil end up, they do not see where the dictators who have oppressed the world are today,” he stated.

The cardinal warned that faith weakens when it becomes entangled with ideologies or personal interests, pointing to the ongoing crisis in Gaza as an example. “How many men and women can truly sustain their faith if they follow ideologies, economic interests, and political agendas, while thousands die of hunger every day? Just look at those painful pages of children dying of starvation in Gaza,” he stressed.

Rodríguez also criticized those who believe they can hide moral and family failings. “So many people think they are clever because they forget that stealing is forbidden by God’s commandments. They steal, thinking no one will notice; they commit adultery or betray their families, believing it will remain hidden — but everything eventually comes to light,” he warned.

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During his homily, Rodríguez urged the faithful to place their hope and salvation in Christ, not in power or money. “Salvation cannot be bought. Salvation is God’s gift to us through the cross of Christ, but this gift is also a task: we must preserve it and make it a way of life,” he emphasized.

Finally, the cardinal called on Hondurans to embrace inner transformation by overcoming “laziness, hatred, lies, resentment, and selfishness.” He highlighted that true conversion is reflected in humility, mercy, justice, truth, and a genuine commitment to peace and reconciliation.

Central America

U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports

The United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala on Friday, under which 70.4% of Guatemalan exports will enter the U.S. market tariff-free.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it creates a framework of cooperation, certainty, and new opportunities for producers, workers, and entrepreneurs in the country. His remarks were shared in a video published on his official social media channels.

In 2025, 30.3% of Guatemala’s total exports were destined for the United States, amounting to approximately $4.3 billion. As a result, the agreement is expected to directly benefit key sectors of the Guatemalan economy, including agribusiness, manufacturing, and the textile industry.

“Today we have taken another step toward consolidating a country that, when it moves forward united, generates confidence, attracts investment, and creates real development opportunities for all its people,” Arévalo added.

The agreement with Guatemala follows a similar trade deal signed by the United States with El Salvador on Thursday, which includes the elimination of a 10% tariff on Salvadoran imports.

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Central America

Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice has ruled unconstitutional the concession contract granted in 1997 to Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate CK Hutchison, which operates two strategic ports along the interoceanic canal. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, following two lawsuits filed by the Comptroller General’s Office.

The ruling directly affects the management of the ports of Balboa, on the Pacific coast, and Cristóbal, on the Atlantic side, both of which have been operated by the company for nearly three decades. According to Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, an audit uncovered irregularities in the contract that resulted in more than $1.3 billion failing to enter state coffers.

“It is a predatory contract, abusive to the interests of the country,” Flores stated.

The Supreme Court determined that Law 5 of 1997, its subsequent amendments, and the automatic extension granted in 2021 are unconstitutional. The ruling noted that the contract renewal took place without adequate oversight and amid allegations of corruption, despite the Panamanian state holding only a 10% stake in the company.

Central America

Guatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed on Tuesday that a Starlink terminal was discovered inside a prison in the country, highlighting corruption and the illegal introduction of advanced communication technology into the penitentiary system.

Arévalo did not specify which prison the device was found in but stressed that Starlink’s ability to connect directly to low-orbit satellites makes it particularly difficult to disrupt, posing a serious security risk.

The disclosure was made during a press conference attended by Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda and Defense Minister Henry Sáenz.

On January 6, specialized units of Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC), members of the Army and prison security personnel carried out Operation Sentinel at the Renovación 1 Maximum Security Prison for Men, located in Escuintla. According to the Interior Ministry, the operation aimed to reduce criminal activity, prevent illicit acts and stop the trafficking of prohibited items inside the prison.

During the operation, authorities also dismantled businesses operating near several prisons after detecting routers that were allegedly used to redirect internet signals into penitentiary facilities, according to local outlet Emisoras Unidas.

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Tensions escalated further over the weekend of January 17 and 18, when inmates affiliated with gangs staged riots in three prisons. During the unrest, they took prison guards and a psychologist hostage, demanding extra-large beds, air conditioning, transfers to other facilities and access to the internet.