Central America
Ortega and Murillo consolidate power with dual police leadership
Nicaragua will now have two police chiefs following a constitutional reform approved by Congress, mirroring the country’s unusual situation of having two presidents since February, the government announced Thursday.
The National Assembly, controlled by co-presidents and spouses Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, approved a constitutional amendment allowing the ruling couple to appoint two heads of the police.
Opposition figures in exile believe the reform could be used to increase persecution of government critics. The measure will take effect once ratified by Congress in 2026.
Police Director Francisco Díaz stated that the reform will make the institution “more efficient” in tackling organized crime, terrorism, drug and arms trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering. Díaz, who is Ortega’s and Murillo’s relative by marriage and sanctioned by the United States, said the move will also “strengthen and protect peace.”
Murillo added that the two police chiefs will divide responsibilities for public security coverage. Exiled Nicaraguan media suggested that the reform could reduce Díaz’s authority, potentially making him a ceremonial chief, according to the newspaper La Prensa.
A UN Expert Group on Nicaragua previously identified 54 Nicaraguan officials, including Ortega, Murillo, and Díaz, as responsible for serious human rights violations and systematic repression. Díaz has led the police since 2018, during nationwide protests against the government, which Ortega characterized as a US-backed coup attempt. The repression reportedly left over 300 dead, according to UN reports.
Ortega, a 79-year-old former guerrilla who first ruled Nicaragua after the Sandinista revolution in the 1980s, has been in power since 2007, and critics accuse him and 73-year-old Murillo of running a “family dictatorship.”
Central America
El Salvador featured in El País: A rising star in Central American tourism
El Salvador’s tourism industry continues to gain international recognition, this time featured in a comprehensive article by the Spanish newspaper El País. In its travel section, El Viajero, the outlet published an extensive report titled “Everything Hidden in El Salvador: From Hosting the Pompeii of the Americas to Becoming the New Surf Paradise”, highlighting the country’s top attractions and its growing reputation as an emerging destination in Central America.
According to the report, El Salvador offers “three undeniable reasons to attract travelers: its volcanoes, Mayan archaeological sites, and exceptional beaches — not to mention its cuisine and wildlife.” The Spanish publication emphasizes that, despite being the smallest country in the region, El Salvador has stood out in recent years as an alternative to overcrowded destinations, attracting celebrities and international tourists seeking a quieter, more exclusive escape with perfect waves.
El País also notes that, after “a period of instability, the country is now safe, its roads are in excellent condition (even better than in neighboring countries), and visitors can enjoy its natural landscapes, wild beaches, volcanic scenery, hot springs, Mayan ruins, and even one of the best coffees in the Americas.” One of the country’s biggest advantages, the article adds, is its compact size, allowing travelers to explore mountains, beaches, and the capital all in a single day.
The report dedicates significant space to San Salvador, describing the capital as “a showcase of Salvadoran culture, identity, and diversity.” It highlights the National Museum of Anthropology (MUNA), the Museum of Modern Art (MARTE), and the National Library (BINAES), calling the latter “a cultural landmark and symbol of technological innovation” thanks to its virtual reality spaces, robotics labs, and 5G connectivity.
Gastronomy also plays a central role in the feature. El País praises the country’s iconic pupusas, while also mentioning yuca with chicharrón, elote tamales, and horchata. It recommends visiting the famous “Pupusódromo of Olocuilta”and several high-end restaurants in San Salvador, such as Nau and Faisca do Brazil, as well as the diverse dining options along El Hipódromo Avenue.
Finally, the article showcases some of El Salvador’s natural and cultural gems, including San Salvador Volcano, Lake Coatepeque, and the archaeological sites of Joya de Cerén — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — along with Tazumaland San Andrés. It also highlights Ruta de las Flores and Suchitoto, praised for their colonial charm and vibrant cultural offerings.
Central America
Brother of former honduran president arrested in $1.7 million COMIXMUL corruption case
Officials from the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office) of Honduras, in coordination with the Military Police of Public Order and other institutions, arrested at least nine people on Friday, including a brother of former President Juan Orlando Hernández, for alleged corruption.
According to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office, seven raids were carried out in the departments of Francisco Morazán and Comayagua in central Honduras, targeting a network composed of executives, employees, and private law firms that allegedly misappropriated large sums of money from the Cooperativa Mixta de Mujeres Unidas Limitada (COMIXMUL) several years ago.
The Prosecutor’s Office added that sources had “presented a third line of investigation showing the misappropriation of cooperative funds through the signing of fake professional service contracts, supposedly on behalf of the cooperative, amounting to over 47 million lempiras ($1.7 million).”
The arrested include Amílcar Hernández, the brother of former President Hernández, along with eight others, out of 22 individuals implicated in the case, including executives of the cooperative. The former president is currently serving a 45-year prison sentence in the United States for drug trafficking.
According to the complaint, Amílcar Hernández, a lawyer, along with other legal professionals, provided professional services that resulted in fraudulent actions, in collusion with cooperative executives and employees.
The Prosecutor’s Office stated that it had identified a serious misappropriation of more than 37 million lempiras ($1.4 million) by private law firms, and that this irregular scheme has caused millions in losses for COMIXMUL since 2015.
Friday’s operation also included the seizure of three condominiums, two companies, and two vehicles, following charges for money laundering and aggravated continued embezzlement, among other offenses, against the twenty people linked to the case.
Previously, in March 2017, the Prosecutor’s Office arrested six former cooperative executives, who were later convicted of money laundering and financial crimes, and seized 51 properties, movable assets, and four companiesacross Tegucigalpa, Siguatepeque, Choluteca, and Valle.
Amílcar Hernández and the other detainees were presented before a judge in Tegucigalpa, with the hearing continuing on Saturday, according to a Prosecutor’s Office source.
Central America
Rare orange nurse shark caught off Costa Rica’s coast
A nurse shark with a striking orange hue caused by a rare skin disorder was caught off the coast of Costa Rica.
The nurse shark, measuring over 2 meters long, lacked the species’ typical brown coloration. It was captured during a sport fishing trip near Tortuguero National Park at a depth of 37 meters.
Researchers believe its unusual appearance is due to xanthism or xanthochromism, a pigmentation disorder that produces excessive yellow or golden tones in an animal’s skin due to a lack of red pigmentation. According to a study from the Federal University of Rio Grande (Brazil), this condition had never before been observed in cartilaginous fish in the Caribbean—a group that includes sharks, rays, and manta rays.
The shark also displayed albinism traits, including a pair of striking white eyes.
Normally, nurse sharks have brown skin that helps them blend with the sea floor. Bright orange skin or white eyes, in the case of albinism, makes them more visible and therefore more vulnerable to predators. Unlike most sharks, which must swim continuously to breathe, nurse sharks have a special buccal pump that allows them to breathe without swimming.
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