Current Events
Ex-president Salvador Sanchez Ceren to Face Trial for Illicit Enrichment and Money Laundering
Things continue to get worse in 2024 for the left-wing political party FMLN. The political party had terrible results in the 2024 presidential and legislative elections. Now, their former president is about to face charges for the misappropriation of public … Read more
Venezuela Crime Profile: A Deep Dive into Criminal Networks, Security Forces, Prisons, and the Judicial System
Venezuela is a key transit country for drug shipments leaving Colombia for the United States and Europe. Foreign groups, particularly Colombians, have traditionally controlled Venezuela’s drug trade, attracted by poor rule of law and corruption. There is evidence, however, that beginning in the mid-2000s corrupt elements in the security … Read more
Nayib Bukele to Speak at the 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the United States
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) confirmed that newly elected President Nayib Bukele will be a guest speaker at the 2024 conference. The event is scheduled to take place from February 21 to 24 at Gaylord Resort and Conference Center … Read more
Panama Crime Profile: Criminal Groups, Security Forces, the Judicial System, and Prisons
Panama’s location connecting Central and South America has made it a key transit point for illicit trade, as well as a refuge and negotiating area for criminal organizations. Its favorable economy and the booming contraband market of the Colón Free Zone (CFZ) have long attracted international money launderers. The country’s weak judicial system and high … Read more
Costa Rica Crime Profile: Criminal Groups, Security Forces, the Judicial System, and Prisons
Costa Rica has traditionally been perceived as a bastion of security in crime-ravaged Central America. In recent years, however, the country has experienced record levels of violence, which authorities have blamed on its growing role as a drug transshipment point. Local crime groups are growing evermore sophisticated and resorting to lethal violence to secure … Read more
El Salvador Among the Top 5 Best Performing Tourist Destinations Worldwide in 2023
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released its list of the best-performing destinations for 2023; El Salvador ranked fifth behind Turks and Caicos, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Albania. International tourism recovered 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, supported by strong pent-up … Read more
Idhuca Launches Online Form to Report Human Rights Violations in El Salvador
The UCA Human Rights Institute (Idhuca) launched an online form to receive complaints of human rights violations from Salvadorans; the human rights organization will make legal and psychosocial services available to people who have been affected. Gabriela Santos, director of … Read more