China detaining Panama flagged ships in ongoing commercial conflict
2 April 2026 The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has reported an unprecedented surge in the detention of Panama-flagged vessels at Chinese ports, with nearly 70 ships held since early March 2026. This aggressive spike in inspections is viewed as a retaliatory move by Beijing following a Panamanian Supreme Court ruling that invalidated port concessions […]
IDB forecasts 2.1% growth for region
23 March 2026 In 2026, Central American economies will show moderate growth, according to the latest IDB forecast. Despite this resilience, the subregion faces fiscal challenges. Panama recently improved its fiscal position through strong income growth, while Guatemala experienced a deterioration driven by higher expenditures but still managed to increase tax revenue by 9.1%. A […]
BlackRock EQT to acquire AES for US$10.7bn
6 March 2026 AES has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired and taken private by a consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and EQT Infrastructure, in a transaction valued at US$10.7 billion in equity ($15 per share) and an enterprise value of approximately US$33.4 billion. The acquisition is designed to provide […]
IDB agrees US $1.3 bn El Salvador deal
24 February 2026 IDB President Idan Goldfajn and President Nayib Bukele agreed on a US $1.3 billion dealfor El Salvador. This will allow the country to invest in housing, tourism, health, andeducation. In 2025, the IDB authorized over $1,264.7 million in funding for 30 projects inEl Salvador, making the IDB one of El Salvador’s strongest […]
Laura Fernández Wins Costa Rica Presidency in First-Round Victory
6 February 2026 Laura Fernández, the 39-year-old conservative candidate of the ruling Partido Pueblo Soberano, won Costa Rica’s presidential election on 1 February 2026 with approximately 49.6 per cent of the vote, clearing threshold required to avoid a second round and marking a decisive endorsement of the outgoing administration. Fernández also secured a historic legislative […]
State of Siege Announced in Guatemala
23 January 2026 Following disturbances in three prisons linked to changes in privileges, gangs attacked police officers in and around the capital Guatemala City. This resulted in 10 police deaths and caused President Bernardo Arévalo to ask for a State of Siege which restricts some constitutional guarantees for a month. This was passed by Congress […]
Honduran Transition Stalled, Nasry Picking Cabinet
9 January 2026 With two weeks to go before the handover of power in Honduras, following a disputed and close election, Nasry Asfura continued to pick his cabinet. This was before the president-elect departed for his first official trip to the US and Israel. One name being touted for the foreign ministry is Mireya Agüero […]
Gonsalves out after St Vincent election, PM Pierre re-elected in St Lucia
24 December 2025 The Eastern Caribbean political map shifted dramatically as one of the world’s longest-serving democratic leaders was voted out in St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Prime Minister Phillip Pierre tightened its grip on power in neighbouring St Lucia. In Kingstown, Godwin Friday of the New Democratic Party (NDP) was sworn in as […]
CAF to Allocate US$40bn to LatAm Sustainable Projects
21 November 2025 Over the next five years, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has announced a US$40bn investment in sustainable growth and promotion of climate action. This includes energy transition, water security, sustainable mobility, agricultural prosperity and conserving key ecosystems on the planet from the Amazon to mangroves. To achieve […]
BAC Plan to Buy Panama’s Multibank
7 November 2025 BAC International Corp. (BIC) has revealed plans to purchase Multibank in Panama, a move that would make it the largest bank in Central America by market share. The purchase is subject to approval by the respective banks’ directors, shareholders and regulatory authorities. It would give BAC US$43bn in assets, US$30bn in loan […]
World Bank Predicts Guatemala and Panama to lead Regional Growth
10 October 2025 World Bank forecasts for 2025 predict that Guatemala and Panama will lead Central American growth in 2025 with 3.9% GDP each. Costa Rica will be third with 3.6%, Honduras 3.5%, Nicaragua 3.1% and El Salvador with 2.5%. Countries that are included in the report due to them being part of the Central […]
FIFCO Agrees US$3.25bn Regional Deal with Heineken
26 September 2025 Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) agreed a US$3.25bn deal with Heineken to sell the remaining 75% of its stake in Distribuidora La Florida SA. This will include food and beverage operations in Costa Rica and Guatemala, a beverage business in Mexico and stakes in beer companies in Nicaragua and Panama. FIFCO […]
“Not Best Time for Central American Integration” – El Salvador VP
12 September 2025 El Salvador Vice President Félix Ulloa believes it is not the best time to talk about regional integration given that a new Sistema para la Integración Centroamericana (SICA) general secretary has not been agreed upon. Nicaraguan lawyer Werner Vargas resigned in November 2023, having been elected for the 2022-2026 period. Since then, […]
Region Attracts US$3.12b in FDI in Q1 2025
01 August 2025 Central America attracted US$3.12b in Foreign Direct Investment in the first quarter of 2025, a 2.8% increase year-on-year. The biggest winner was El Salvador with US$322m in investment, 65% more than in 2024. Conversely, Panama suffered the greatest loss with US$526m, 51% less than the previous year. With US$921 in FDI, Costa […]
Remittance Tax to Impact Central America and Mexico most
18 July 2025 With the US Senate having agreed to a 1% remittance tax in the Big Beautiful Bill Act, regional countries are counting the cost of its implementation with questions on oversight and mechanics. The Guatemala Central Bank, Banguat, calculates an impact of US$200-225m, Honduras has estimated the tax will cost the country US$100m. […]
US Senate Approves 1% Remittance Tax
3 July 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed 51-50 in the US Senate with a 1% tax on remittances and substantial changes made to where it will apply. Originally starting at 5%, it was first reduced to 3.5% then 1% with countries like Honduras estimating the cost at US$500mn a year. The tax […]
Protests continue in Panama, Bocas del Toro Cut off
Panama’s two-month long strike continues with teachers voting to maintain industrial action and residents claiming police overreacted in altercations across the country. The province of Azuero has issued a state of emergency for lack of drinking water whereas Bocas del Toro sees at least 20 roads closed despite police operations to reopen them. President Jose […]
State of Emergency in Bocas del Toro as Panama Strike Continues
The Panama government has passed a State of Emergency in embattled province Bocas del Toro with road closures and protests continuing. This follows the sacking of thousands of banana workers at Chiquita after the company claimed losses amounting to more than US$75mn over the month-long industrial action. The company has now suspended all operations in […]
Think Tank Highlights Columbus Speed Cargo in Central America
Central American cargo moves at 16 km/h, equivalent to Christopher Columbus’s caravans, according to Think Huge president Juan José Daboub. The business think tank suggested that containers from Panama-Mexico need to move around 90 km/h which would require fundamental changes to road building and customs. Daboub highlighted that part of the US$7bn that has been […]
Panama Strike Threatening to Boil Over
Panama’s national strike that began 24th April, continues with more groups looking to join in the near future. Protesters are complaining about President José Raúl Mulino’s deals with the US, reform of the pension system and educational independence after police entered the University of Panama grounds. Beginning with construction and teacher unions, this has spread […]
Panama Port Sale Delayed after China Pressure, Criminal Complaint
Chinese antitrust regulators will review the deal between CK Hutchison and BlackRock over the US$19bn deal for two Panama ports. BlackRock has admitted that this could mean a delay of at least nine months on the sale of 43 ports in 23 countries. Further complicating the transaction is Panama’s Comptroller General Anel Flores filing a […]
Guatemala Begins Process to Join CAF
Guatemala has begun the process to join the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). The Finance Ministry revealed the news, describing the move as a ‘historic milestone for regional integration’. CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados stated that the agreement would expand their continental reach, promote economic recovery of the region and boost […]
BlackRock Seals US$22.8bn Panama Ports Sale from Hutchison
14 March 2025 CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd have agreed a deal in principle to sell 90% of Panama Port Company to BlackRock-TiL for US$22.8b. This will give BlackRock Inc through Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Ltd control over the concession to operate ports in Cristobal and Balboa in Panama. The consortium already has interest […]
Bukele and Trump Find Common Ground
25 April 2025 El Salvador President Nayib Bukele met with his US counterpart Donald Trump in the White House to discuss migration and security. Much of the focus has been on the case of Kilmar Ábrego Garcia, a Maryland resident deported to the notorious CECOT mega prison in Angulo. Critics have highlighted that there was […]
CABEI Debuts on Sterling Market
28 February 2025 The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) issued its first benchmark-size bond for £750 million in London. Bids reached over £3.1 billion with over 100 investors, a 10.3 oversubscription of the initial target amount and 4.1 times the issuance. The allocation was distributed among central banks, official institutions, investment funds, insurance […]
US Considering CAFTA Changes to Remove Nicaragua
14 February 2025 The new US government is considering a renegotiation of the CAFTA trade treaty that would remove countries from it. This could include Honduras and Nicaragua or any country that refuses to accept deportees. The US considers that Nicaragua is actively dealing in the trafficking of migrants and the special envoy for Latin […]
CABEI Issues US$1.5b Sustainable Bond after Record Year
31 January 2025 The Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) issued a US$1.5b sustainable bond. The bond will expire in 2028 with a rate of 4.75% and had US$4b of offers from 110 investors with the majority being central banks and institutions. The funds raised will go towards regional social, green and blue projects. […]
IMO says Panama will Maintain Canal Control
17 January 2025 The International Maritime Organization has poured cold water on US president-elect Donald Trump’s plans to take over. Marco Rubio, the potential Secretary of State, had suggested that Panama had broken treaty agreements. However, the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Domínguez stated that the route will remain in Panamanian hands. Trump has repeatedly stated […]
Guatemala’s Congress Passes Q148.8 billion Budget
06 December 2024 A busy session in Guatemala’s Congress saw members pass the 2025 budget of Q148.83bn (US$19.27bn), a 7% increase on the previous year’s. 148 of the 160 deputies voted in favour of the budget which saw increases to security, health and care for the elderly. However, critics pointed to poor budget execution and […]
Bukele and Chaves Propose “League of Nations”
22 November 2024 The Presidents of Costa Rica and El Salvador proposed a “League of Nations” for the world’s smaller countries to seek common goals in economy and security. Something between a BRICS-lite and the mediaeval Hanseatic League, it was proposed following a “spark” between the two leaders. President Rodrigo Chaves said that the objective […]
Record Revenues for Panama Canal
08 November 2024 The Panama canal presented financial results which included US$4.99bn in total revenue and a 5% decrease in operational costs. Net income increased by US$300mn compared to the previous fiscal year. The interoceanic route grew by 1% with an estimated increase of US$1.8bn over five years. A severe drought caused a slowdown on […]
Sold! El Salvador Agrees to US$1.03b Refinancing
25 October 2024 El Salvador agreed to US$1.03bn repurchasing of its external debt in an historic debt-for-nature swap. JPMorgan Chase provided the special purchase entity with US$1bn political insurance via the US international development bank (DFC) and the Development Bank of Latin America and Caribbean (CAF) adding US$200m as a standby letter of credit. According […]
For Sale: El Salvador’s Debt
11 October 2024 El Salvador placed all their almost US$7.2b debt for tender as part of a broader program to manage its external public finances. The state has reserved the right to accept or reject any offer it receives. All debt bought will be paid through a special purpose entity provided by JPMorgan Chase. Locked […]
Mixed Ratings News for Region; Costa Rica to Ba3, Honduras Negative
27 September 2024 Standard and Poor downgraded Honduras’s outlook to negative from stable but there was better news for Costa Rica that improved to Ba3. S & P made their decision based on “lesser monetary flexibility” blaming international reserve and credit declines and the continued losses of Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica (ENEE). One possible […]
Panama to Join Mercosur by December
13 September 2024 Panama is hoping to confirm its associate membership of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) by December. Brazil has paid particular attention to the removal of various tax lists (FATF and EU) and wants to build on the US$963mn in trade the two countries enjoy. Panama has sold itself to Mercosur as a […]
Panama may need to Borrow US$3BN to Pay Obligations
26 July 2024 According to Citibank experts, Panama may need to borrow up to US$3bn to pay off obligations from previous administrations. However, the appointment of Felipe Chapman as Minister of Economy and Finance has been viewed positively in financial markets. This, despite a deficit of US$521mn compared to the budget. Hence, Citi believes that […]
Panama Canal Pushing Ahead with $1.6bn Reservoir
12 July 2024 The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has accelerated plans to construct a new reservoir to guarantee water supply at a cost of US$1.6bn. With the aim of ensuring the canal’s operation going forward, a dam on the Indio River will be put to tender. This follows a difficult 2023, when daily passages were […]
Castro Looking to Reactivate SICA
28th June 2024 Attempts to reactivate the Central American Integration System (SICA) will be made with a presidential summit. Led by Honduran leader Xiomara Castro, Costa Rica and Guatemala have lent their support. Castro highlighted the common challenges the countries faced including climate change, drug trafficking, organised crime, security issues and migration. Nicaragua will take […]
Bukele inauguration likens El Salvador to “Sick Person”
14th May 2024 El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has pledged to improve the country’s economy and asked the population “not to complain”. Comparing the nation to a sick person, Bukele said there was a long list of issues including health, education, infrastructure, employment, housing and the economy. National critics complained about the illegality of Bukele’s […]
Walmart Promises Billions of Central American Investment
31st May 2024 Walmart has announced investment worth at least US$1.3bn over the next five years in Central America. Of this, US$700mn has been promised to Guatemala, another US$600mn has been earmarked for Costa Rica. Cristina Ronski, Senior Vice President and General Director for Walmart Central America announced the news in which she promised to […]
Mulino wins Panama Presidency; Faces Significant Challenges
5th May 2024 José Raúl Mulino is the new President-elect of Panama with 34.23% of the popular vote. With 78% turnout, the highest since the end of military rule in 1989, Mulino triumphed over nearest rival Ricardo Lombana who polled 24.6%. Mulino, who needed a majority decision by Panama’s Supreme Court the day before the […]
Panama Election Favourite Facing Judicial Decision
3rd May 2024 The favourite for Panama’s election, José Raúl Mulino, faces a Supreme Court decision on the validity of his candidacy. Mulino’s running mate, former President Ricardo Martinelli was found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to over 10 years in jail and fined more than US$17mn for the New Business case. Martinelli claimed […]
Amid IMF Impasse, El Salvador Returns to Bond Market
19th April 2024 El Salvador returned to the bond market after four years with a US$1bn issuance at 12% that will mature in 2030. This is the largest debt in the country’s history and only four nations have issued sovereign debt above 10% since 2019. The rate could increase to 16% if El Salvador fails […]
US Commits Further US$1bn to Central America
5th April 2024 During a regional visit focusing on the Northern Triangle, US Vice President Kamala Harris earmarked a further US$1bn to the region. The funds will be used for projects that slow irregular migration northwards. This includes US$170mn to Guatemala for development, economic, health and security assistance to Guatemala. US$135mn of this will be […]
IDB to Increase Regional Finance to US$112BN
22nd March 2024 IADB is going to ramp up LatAm finance to US$112bn over the next decade following a capital increase of US$3.9bn and internal reforms. These changes will see IADB and its venture capitalist arm IDB Labs focus on fewer but larger loans. This comes after member nations expressed interest in financing specific projects […]
US$200mn Bayer Investment to open in Costa Rica by 2025
8th March 2024 German pharmaceutical company Bayer announced that it will invest US$200mn in a new plant in El Coyol, Alajuela, Costa Rica. The site is currently installing equipment and acquiring certification to begin production of contraceptives by the beginning of 2025. The aim is to provide access to long-acting, reversible contraception to 100 million […]
Bukele Confirmed President with Super Majority in Congress
23rd February 2024 El Salvador’s Tribunal Supremo Electoral has confirmed Nayib Bukele as President for the next five years. Félix Ulloa will return as Vice President. Bukele received over 84% of the valid votes cast with over 2.7 million. Manuel Flores of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) was second with 6.4% of votes. […]
Confusion over El Salvador Election, Bukele Claims Victory
9th February 2024 Despite incumbent President Nayib Bukele declaring himself the winner of El Salvador’s election, days after polling the final results have not been verified. Problems with electronic voting, voting abroad suffering early closures and local issues have contributed to a chaotic ending. On election night, Bukele stated he had over 80% of the […]
President Arévalo takes office in Guatemala
26th January 2024 Guatemala has a new President in Bernardo Arévalo despite last minute efforts to scupper the change over. Congress met for over 14 hours in an effort to declare Semilla politicians independent and check documentation of incoming diputados. At five minutes to midnight, Arévalo took office with former President Alejandro Giammattei dropping off […]
Guatemala set for transition following tense battle
12th January 2024 President-elect Bernardo Arévalo looks likely to take over as the new Guatemala leader on 14 January. This follows months of protests, criminal investigations and high level diplomacy that culminated in blocking attempts to change the August electoral results. Last minute efforts to thwart the peaceful transition of power included the arrest of […]
Panama Faces Consequences of Closing Mine
8th December 2023 After Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that Minera Panamá’s contract (Law 406) was unconstitutional, the country faces up to the fallout. At least 7,000 workers have had their contracts suspended, the mine’s owners Canadian firm First Quantum have announced a voluntary withdrawal that could take over 10 years to finish. The Minister of […]
Nicaragua Withdraws From OAS
Nicaragua exited the Organisation of American States (OAS) on November 19, although are obligated to maintain conventions such as on human rights. Some observers lament this will be a blow to regional democracy, others point out that the OAS will continue to report on Nicaragua despite not maintaining a permanent presence in the country. In […]
Panama Protests remain, President Proposes Mining Moratorium
10th November 2023 With four deaths, including an alleged double shooting on a motorway, Panama’s protests enter a third week. Although there are signs of splits in the various factions, the teachers’ union has stated that protests will remain. Schools have begun to reopen but only an estimated 20% nationwide are receiving students. Prosecutors have […]
Panama Strikes Intensify following Second Mine Agreement
27th October 2023 A revised contract between the Panama state and Minera Panamá has resulted in a wave of civil unrest across the country. Schools and universities have suspended classes, MiBus has cancelled some bus services and medical staff followed through with a threat to join the strike. Adolfo Fábrega, president of the Chamber of […]
Guatemalan Protests enter Second Week, Paralyse Country
18th October 2023 Nationwide protests entered their second week in Guatemala, with groups demanding the resignation of attorney general Consuelo Porras. President Giammattei has offered dialogue, mediated by the OAS with one major group – the 48 Cantones of Totonicapan. An average of over 110 road blockages in the past week have caused an estimated […]
Guatemala Prosecutors Open Voting Boxes as Investigations Continue
15th September 2023 The special anti-corruption unit FECI opened an estimated 60 electoral boxes from Guatemala’s first round elections held in June. According to FECI boss Rafael Curruchiche, the raids were not in conjunction with cases against the incoming governmental party Semilla. The raids were signed off by Freddy Orellana, a district judge. Some critics […]
EU announce €45bn investment in LatAm and Caribbean
28 July 2023 The EU will invest €45bn in Latin America and the Caribbean for projects involving renewable energies, mobility and digital services. The financing will be made available through the European Global Gateway which will involve the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and other multilaterals. It will include the fight […]
Constitutional Court Saves Guatemala’s Election, for now
14th July 2023 The second round of Guatemala’s election appears to be between Sandra Torres (UNE) and Bernardo Arevalo (Semilla). It took the intervention of the Constitutional Court to guarantee the process after the Ministerio Publico tried to have Semilla eliminated as an entity following allegations of fraud when setting the party up in 2019. […]
Costa Rica best in Central America for Investors – KPMG Survey
30th June 2023 Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica are the three top destinations for investors in Latin America according to a KPMG survey. According to an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) analysis, Costa Rica has the potential to increase exports to the US by US$1.5bn per year. 17% of respondents thought Costa Rica was very attractive […]
Panama Canal could seek Emergency Measures due to Drought
16th June 2023 Officials have warned that under extreme conditions, the Panama Canal will have to implement traffic restrictions due to water shortages in the area. May was the driest month recorded at the Canal since 1950. Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez stated if the current conditions continued then weight restrictions on ships could be implemented or […]
Mexico to offer visas for Central American workers
2nd June 2023 President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has announced a proposal to allow temporary work visas for Central Americans in Mexico. The visas will enable regional workers to be employed on such projects as the Maya Train. Trades such as welders, blacksmiths and other manual work as well as engineers will be required. […]
Regional Transport Ministers Discuss US$52.49bn Integration
19th May 2023 The Council of Central American Transport Ministers (Comitran) discussed the integration of transport networks during a meeting in El Salvador. Having received the master plan for mobility and logistics 2035, officials started the task of investing up to US$52.49bn. The plan, presented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Central […]
India Looks to Gain Foothold in Latin America
5th May 2023 Talks between India and Central American representatives in Panama agreed to continue development of solutions to food security, connectivity and renewable energy. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met with counterparts from the Central American Integration System (SICA). An Action Plan will be drawn up to include other areas such as agriculture, IT […]
Northern Triangle Banks Promise 2 million Job Creation
21st April 2023 Banco Cuscatlán, Banco Industrial and Ficohsa signed an agreement with the HUGE (Honduras, USA, Guatemala, El Salvador) Business and Investment Council to promote the generation of two million new jobs. Employment opportunities are viewed as key to halting migration from the Northern Triangle of Central America to the US. The deal was […]
Dollar Diplomacy is Over says Taiwanese President
7th April 2023 Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen concluded a three-day official visit to Guatemala stating the days of dollar diplomacy are over. In March, Honduras became the latest country to switch allegiances to China, leaving 13 countries officially recognising Taiwan. Guatemala will receive US$150mn in aid from Taiwan during the 2013-2025 period. Taiwan remains the […]
Honduras officially recognises China
24 March 2023 Honduras have announced that they will recognise only one China, breaking diplomatic ties with Taiwan that have existed for 82 years. In return, finance and expert assistance will be provided in the construction and operation of dams in Honduras. Diplomatic relations will begin between the two countries before the end of 2023. […]
Nicaragua Formally joins Regional Stock Market
10th March 2023 Nicaragua has formally joined the EL Salvador-Panama Integrated Stock Market and will now have access to a US$54bn market. The overall plan is for a regional stock market but will require legislative fine tuning in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras. A CABEI-backed regional debt market is hoping to begin operations this year. […]
Burkhan World Investment begin US$1bn Costa Rican investment
24th February 2023 Burkhan World Investment has announced an alliance with Costa Rican real estate company Stone Alliance worth up to US$1bn. A range of projects will be considered with Burkhan World Investment beginning with sustainable investments in Marina Tambor and Cobano Preserve on the Southern Nicoya Peninsula. The portfolio consists of mixed eco-development including […]
Panama to open two new Tax Free Zones
10th February 2023 Panama President Laurentino Cortizo has authorised the establishment of two new tax free economic zones. The Tech Valley Free Zone and Panama Digital Gateway will be able to house up to 740 companies. Hyundai has already been confirmed as one of the new arrivals. The total investment is believed to be around […]
World Bank warns Worldwide Recession would have effect on region
27 January 2023 The World Bank has warned that the Northern Triangle of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras face economic difficulties. According to analysts, El Salvador and Honduras faced 2022 with negative growth rates of 8-9%, with Guatemala’s around 2%. Should a worldwide recession become a reality, investment would be more complicated and the cost […]
Central America sees 7.15% fall in homicides
13th January 2023 According to official sources from each country, the total amount of violent deaths in 2022 fell 7.15% from 10,487 in 2021 to 9,737. El Salvador, which has embarked on a social crackdown that has seen over 2% of its adult population jailed, saw its homicide rate of 7.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. The […]
Japan recommends US$8.5bn investment in El Salvador infrastructure by 2035
9th December 2022 A regional study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) suggested that El Salvador spend up to US$8.5bn in mobility by 2035. Of this, US$3bn would go towards the country’s road system. This would include the expansion of the Pan-American highway and Coastal highway. The rest would be spent on ports, airports […]
Trio agree to open stock market access
25th November 2022 El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama have agreed to an integration of their security markets. The Superintendency of the Financial System of El Salvador (SSF), Superintendency of Banks of Nicaragua (Siboif) and the Superintendency of the Panama Stock Market (SMV) agreed to let investors acquire and negotiate securities registered in any of the […]
El Salvador and China discuss free trade agreement confusion over debt
11th November 2022 El Salvador and China discuss Free Trade Agreement; confusion over debt Discussions have already started on a free trade agreement between El Salvador and China. President Nayib Bukele stated that the FTA would help end international isolation and the agreement would be fast tracked to be signed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, […]
Regional judges warn about political interference
28th October 2022 Central American judges have issued a plea for independence to carry out their functions. Supreme court elections are currently ongoing in Costa Rica and Panama against a backdrop of interference in El Salvador and Guatemala. Of the 25 members of Guatemala’s judicial service that have fled the country in the past 18 […]
Julia leaves dozens dead in region, repair bill in billions
14th October 2022 Hurricane Julia’s path through Central America caused an expected level of havoc, leaving dozens dead, millions affected, and repair bills estimated in the billions of dollars. The Honduran government alone reported needing at least US$ 2bn for its recovery efforts. With hundreds of roads and bridges affected, infrastructure repairs will be of […]
Heavy rains cause chaos in Northern Triangle, dozens dead
30th September 2022 Prior to the effects of Hurricane Ian, Honduras had already implemented a state of emergency as heavy rains battered Central America. Guatemala was considering issuing a similar decree with El Salvador also suffering loss of life and structural issues. Sinkholes have appeared across Guatemala causing the deaths of at least two people. […]
Odebrecht corruption case starts in Panama, a test for the country’s judiciary
16th September 2022 Panama’s judicial system is under the spotlight with the opening of the Odebrecht case.Considered the largest corruption scheme in the country’s history, the preliminary hearinghas opened and will spend days being read out. A total of 48 people are accused of moneylaundering and corruption including former presidents Ricardo Martinelli and Juan CarlosVarela. […]
Costa Rica becomes first Central American country to apply to trans-Pacific trade bloc
Photo by Alexander Aguero 12th August 2022 Yesterday, President Rodrigo Chaves announced that Costa Rica had officially applied to jointhe Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP),becoming the first Central American country to do so. The CPTPP currently consists of elevencountries across Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. “The CPTTP will allow Costa Rica to sharecommercial […]
Central America at the forfront of global aviation sector rebound
Photo by Luka Slapnicar 29th July 2022 According to a study released this week by ForwardKeys (a Spanish firm that monitors travel industry trends), Central America (along with the Caribbean) are the “recovery pacemakers” of the aviation sector, seeing as flights to Central American destinations have risen across the board year-on-year and are projected to keep […]
Panama Canal experiences growth amid Ukraine crisis, China lockdowns, & inflation
Photo by Rikin Katyal 6 May 2022 This week, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), which governs the waterway, announced the continuation of its record growth. The Canal witnessed its “highest-ever shipping flows in fiscal year 2021.” During the first half of this new fiscal year, ACP reported that “new tonnage rose 0.8%, container ship tonnage rose […]
Biden Administration releases positive update on Central America investment plan
Photo by Joshua Sukoff 22 April 2022 On Tuesday, April 19, the White House released a fact sheet and progress report to update the public on its Root Causes Strategy that was launched in July 2021 to “align US Government efforts to address the economic, governance, and security drivers of irregular migration from Central America,” namely […]
Rodrigo Chaves elected President of Costa Rica by slim margin in run-off
Photo by Element5 Digital 8th April 2022 Last Sunday, 3 April, Costa Ricans took to the polls to elect their new President. The candidates, who came out on top in the first round of voting in February, were José María Figueres, the former President of Costa Rica (1994-1998) and Director of the World Economic Forum (2000-2004) […]
Central America could cave $20bn & cut emissions 70% via “faster energy transition”
Photo by Nicholas Doherty 25th March 2022 According to a study released this week by the International Renewable Energy Agency, Central American countries could cut systemic costs by $20bn between 2018 and 2050 “by pursuing a more ambitious energy transition.” The study estimates Central America’s collective “renewable energy potential” to be 180GW, which is ten times […]
SICA & CARICOM release declaration to “strengthen” relations following summit
Photo by Meritt Thomas 11th March 2022 On 3 March, the leaders of CARICOM and SICA convened in Belize for the first summit between the two regional blocs in eleven years. “Clearly much has happened in the world since 2011. The global and regional landscape has changed significantly. Our partnership, therefore, must be strategic,” John Briceno, […]
Central American leaders respond to Russia invasion of Ukraine with differing views
Photo by Karollyne Hubert 25th February 2022 Although the situation unfolding now in Ukraine may appear far removed from Central America, rising prices of commodities ranging from fuel to food, volatile foreign exchange rates, and looming travel restrictions affecting tourism are already being felt across the region. Accordingly, the leaders of Central America have been […]
Millicom investing $3bn to expand mobile & broadband offerings in Central America
Photo by Manuel 11th February 2022 Millicom, a publicly traded multinational telecommunications conglomerate, has announced that it will invest $3bn across Central America over the next three years. It is already the “leading mobile company” in the region, having made $5bn worth of acquisitions over the last three years. As reported in our 19 November issue, […]
Xiomara Castro inaugurated as first female President of Honduras
Photo by eldiario.es 28th January 2022 Yesterday, Xiomara Castro was sworn in as the first female President of Honduras at a “packed” inauguration ceremony at the National Stadium in the capital of Tegucigalpa. Exactly two months prior, Castro — the leader of the left-wing Libre Party and wife of former President Manuel Zelaya (2006-2009) — […]
Paramount+ wins 3-year deal to broadcast Premier League games in Central America
Photo by Nathan Rogers 14th January 2022 Today, it was announced that Paramount+, the streaming platform of the US mass media conglomerate, Viacom CBS, had won the rights to broadcast Premier League games and all related coverage in several Latin American countries for three years, beginning this season. The deal encompasses Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, […]
Castro elected first female President of Honduras, ending 12 years of Nacional rule
3rd December 2021 Xiomara Castro, the leader of the left-wing Libre Party and wife of former President Manuel Zelaya (2006-2009), is set to become the first female President of Honduras following a general election on 28 November that external observers described as “largely peaceful” despite the violence that preceded it (as reported in our previous […]
North America leaders meet at White House, Central America migration tops agenda
Photo by Edoardo Cuoghi Yesterday, US President Joe Biden hosted Canadian President Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at the White House in the first in-person summit between the three powers since 2016. In addition to supply chain integration, COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and climate change, the North American leaders discussed how to mitigate […]
Central American countries join COP26 pledge to end deforestation, among others
Photo by gryffyn m From 31 October to 12 November, world leaders and their delegations, among other key stakeholders, are gathering in Glasgow, Scotland, for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (more commonly known as COP26). One of the first achievements of the Conference is a commitment, announced on 2 November, “to work collectively to […]
Costa Rica awarded £1mn via Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Earthshot Prize
Photo by Louis Maniquet Costa Rica is one of the first five winners of the Earthshot Prize, which awards £1mn to nominees “developing solutions” pertaining to nature conservation, waste management, ocean revival, air quality, and/or climate change. Funded by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earthshot Prize, whose name pays homage […]
Global Facebook outrage lays bare Central America’s dependence on the platforms
Photo by Brett Jordan For over seven hours on Monday, beginning at around 15:30 GMT, Facebook and its subsidiaries (namely, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram) became completely inaccessible worldwide. The outage—which Facebook confirmed to be the result of an accidental internal server error, rather than a hack as some observers had initially suspected—wiped 5% off Facebook’s stock price and $6 billion from its founder, Mark Zuckerberg’s, personal wealth. In Central America (and Latin America more broadly), this episode […]
UN regional commission announces $45bn investment in Central America
On 17 September, in Mexico City, the day before the VI Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) took place in the same locale, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, announced its Comprehensive Development Plan for Central […]
El Salvador’s Bitcoin debut serves as cautionary tale
Photo by André François McKenzie Ever since 9 June, when the legislature of El Salvador passed a law that would allow, facilitate, and encourage the use of Bitcoin in “all transactions” beginning on 7 September (with the US dollar remaining the country’s official tender), observers worldwide had awaited this day to see how the controversial cryptocurrency’s […]
US broadcasts 30,000 radio ads per month to dissuade Central American migrants
Photo by Barbara Zandoval On 15 July, a spokesperson for the US Department of State told CNN that it is disseminating “more than 30,000 radio ads a month” throughout the Northern Triangle. The ad buys cost the US government nearly $600,000 per month, and the content is broadcast in Spanish and five indigenous languages. According to this spokesperson, […]
Panama Canal transits on the rise as global trade rebounds
Image: Panama Canal Authority The reopening of economies worldwide, often coinciding with increased vaccination rates, has had a knock-on effect on global trade and the vessels that transport it. On 15 July, the Panama Canal Authority released its ship transit estimates for the 2021 fiscal year (ending 30 September): 13,000, compared to 12,245 during the […]
UK mining firm strikes gold at new site in Nicaragua
Photo by Peter Olexa On 28 June, Condor Gold announced that it had discovered a gold intercept at its Cacao site in Nicaragua. The firms said this find indicates that the site “has the potential to host a significant gold deposit.” Cacao is located four kilometres away from the principal mine of Condor’s concession in the country, known as “La […]
FDI in Latin America down by 45% due to pandemic
Photo by Donald Giannatti According to UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2021, FDI in Latin America has dropped by 45% in 2020 to US$88bn. According to UNCTAD’s Director of Investment and Enterprise, “Latin American economies faced a collapse in export demand, falling commodity prices, and the disappearance of tourism, leading to one of the worst contractions in […]