Central America

Guatemala extends state of prevention and expands it to new regions

The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, announced on Monday that his government will extend the state of prevention for 15 more days in six departments and expand the measure to two additional regions as part of efforts to combat organized crime.

Speaking at a press conference, Arévalo said the decision was approved by the Cabinet and formalized through a decree. The measure will remain in place in the departments of Guatemala, Escuintla, Izabal, Petén, San Marcos, and Huehuetenango, and will now also apply to Sacatepéquez and Quetzaltenango.

The president emphasized that the strategy has contributed to reducing homicide rates in the country and will remain a key component of his administration’s security policy.

Defense Minister Henry Sáenz said the measures are “essential to strengthen the government’s presence in areas where security gaps existed” and to weaken organized criminal groups.

Under the state of prevention, the Policía Nacional Civil, supported by the military, is granted broader powers to confront criminal organizations, particularly gangs and drug trafficking networks. The measure also restricts public demonstrations, which can be dispersed by security forces.

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Guatemala has been under heightened security measures since January 18, following a coordinated attack by gangs that left 11 police officers dead, prompting the government to reinforce its response to organized crime.

Central America

Honduras coffee exports jump nearly 30% in March despite price drop

Coffee exports from Honduras rose by 29.6% year-on-year in March, according to data released Monday by the Instituto Hondureño del Café.

During the third month of the 2025–2026 harvest season, Honduras exported 1,373,817 46-kilogram bags of coffee, up from 1,059,744 bags shipped in March of the previous cycle.

Despite the increase in volume, the average price per bag fell to $307.55, compared to $364.70 recorded in the prior harvest.

Between October and March, total export revenues reached $1.36 billion, representing a 32% increase from the $1.032 billion reported during the same period of the 2024–2025 season.

The United States remained the main destination for Honduran coffee, accounting for 36.5% of total shipments. It was followed by Germany with 16.1% and Belgium with 12.4%.

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In regional terms, Europe absorbed 52% of exports, while North America accounted for 42%, according to the institute’s report.

Honduras remains the largest coffee producer in Central America and ranks among the top six producers worldwide.

Central America

Costa Rica urges China to halt actions against Panama-flagged vessels

The government of Costa Rica on Saturday called on China to halt retaliatory actions against vessels flying the Panamaflag, amid escalating tensions over control of two strategic ports linked to the Panama Canal.

In a statement shared on social media, Costa Rica’s Foreign Ministry warned that the situation “puts global trade at risk” and expressed its “deep concern and strongest condemnation” over what it described as “arbitrary and unjustified delays and inspections in Chinese ports.”

The Costa Rican government urged “full respect for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” while reaffirming its “unconditional support and solidarity” with Panama.

San José’s position aligns with growing international criticism from countries including Honduras, Peru, Paraguay, Israeland Ukraine.

Paraguayan authorities described the detentions as “unacceptable” and pointed to what they called “undue pressure” on the Panamanian government.

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Central America

El Salvador sees 45% surge in international tourists during holiday period

Tourism in El Salvador continues to grow during the holiday period, with a 45% increase in international arrivals compared to 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism Minister Morena Valdez reported that the country received around 48,000 foreign visitors between Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, surpassing the 33,000 recorded during the same period last year.

International visitor behavior remains consistent, with most travelers arriving at the El Salvador International Airport and heading directly to coastal destinations, particularly Surf City and the beaches of La Libertad.

“Sun and beach tourism accounts for 80% of global travel demand. Surf City, with all the positioning work that has been done, is where visitors go, especially because it is close to the airport,” Valdez said in an interview.

However, tourism activity is not limited to La Libertad. Other destinations such as Costa del Sol, Surf City 2, as well as beaches in the western and eastern regions of the country, are also experiencing high visitor traffic.