El Salvador: In a cruel display of political theatre, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Noem visited El Salvador’s mega-prison, CECOT, where Venezuelans, alleged members of Tren de Aragua (disputed by human rights organisations), are detained under the Trump administration. The deportations were carried out under a rarely invoked 1798 war law, but a U.S. appeals court recently blocked its broader application. Critics raised concerns about CECOTs harsh conditions, and $6 million in U.S. funding supports the detention of deportees.

Honduras: In a case reactivated in 2024 under Attorney General Johel Zelaya, Honduran General Romeo Vásquez, a fugitive since leading the 2009 coup against former President Manuel Zelaya, is now facing murder charges linked to a protester's death during the coup's aftermath. Authorities are offering a $40,000 reward for his capture, while two other involved generals have already been imprisoned. 

Guatemala: Guatemala’s Supreme Court rejected journalist José Rubén Zamora’s appeal to reverse the decision that revoked his house arrest, returning him to jail after more than 800 days of imprisonment. Accused of charges widely seen as politically motivated, he previously exposed corruption linked to former President Giammattei, which led to the closure of his newspaper in 2023. International organisations have condemned the proceedings as an assault on press freedom. 

Panama: Around 200 activists protested President Mulino’s decision to reopen the Cobre Panamá copper mine, citing environmental concerns. The mine, owned by Canada’s First Quantum Minerals and having priorly employed  37,000, was shut down in 2023 after being declared unconstitutional, following massive protests. Recent government actions, including authorising copper exports, have sparked renewed tensions.