Extrajudicial executions have persisted in El Salvador despite the state of emergency imposed in March 2022, which aimed to dismantle gang operations. The Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos in El Salvador reported 25 cases of extrajudicial killings between May 2022 and April 2023. These acts of violence are not new, having gained notoriety five years ago when state agents were found to be killing gang members. The police have been the main institution behind these illegal executions, with a report revealing 48 cases with 116 victims between 2014 and 2018. Despite a significant reduction in the homicide rate to 2.4 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023, these figures do not account for violent deaths involving police or military confrontations, prison violence, or discovered remains. President Nayib Bukele has authorized the police to use lethal force in self-defense since 2020, and the state has taken a repressive stance against gangs.

On January 31, 2024, Hilda González Klusmann made history by becoming the first woman to command a significant detachment of the Guatemalan Armed Forces, specifically the Regional Command for Peacekeeping Operations Training (Creompaz). This appointment, ordered by President Bernardo Arévalo, breaks with the military tradition of only naming men to key positions. Klusmann, a 53-year-old colonel, has a distinguished military career, including international experience as a United Nations military observer. Her leadership is expected to pave the way for greater gender equity in the Guatemalan military. Klusmann emphasizes that military leadership should be based on capability rather than gender and believes that women bring diverse perspectives and skills to the army.

Nayib Bukele's decision to seek reelection has stirred the electoral scene in El Salvador, with his party leading in polls. Traditional parties ARENA and FMLN trail significantly, while new parties like Nuestro Tiempo and Fuerza Solidaria have minimal support. Bukele's popularity is attributed to his avoidance of ideological labels and his regime of exception, which has jailed over 70,000 alleged gang members. The 2024 elections will feature changes such as the inclusion of candidate photos on ballots, a reduced number of municipalities and legislators, and the elimination of the 'residual system' for legislative elections. The main controversy is whether the Supreme Electoral Tribunal will approve Bukele's candidacy, given constitutional restrictions on immediate reelection.

Nayib Bukele's decision to seek reelection as President of El Salvador has stirred the electoral scene, with his party leading voter intention polls at 68.4%. Traditional parties ARENA and FMLN trail significantly, with new parties like Nuestro Tiempo and Fuerza Solidaria also in the race. Bukele's popularity is attributed to his avoidance of religious or ideological self-definition and his regime of exception, which has jailed over 70,000 alleged gang members. The 2024 elections will feature changes, including the inclusion of candidate photos and names on ballots, a reduction in municipalities and legislative seats, and the elimination of the

Antuán, a 4-year-old Venezuelan boy, expresses his emotions through coloring monsters at the Centro de Atención para Personas Migrantes y Refugiadas (CAPMIR) near the Honduras-Guatemala border. Having crossed the perilous Darién Jungle, Antuán is one of over 40,000 children and adolescents who have migrated through the jungle in the first half of 2023, according to UNICEF. The article discusses the complex and changing migrant flows in the region, now including a wide range of profiles such as women, pregnant women, the elderly, and unaccompanied minors. It highlights the vulnerabilities and dangers faced by migrant children and women, including infectious diseases, insecurity, sexual and gender violence, xenophobia, and discrimination. The story of Mayeisy, a Venezuelan woman traveling to the United States with her children, is also shared, illustrating the violence and discrimination that push migrants to leave their countries and the additional dangers they face on their journey.

The Guatemalan Institute of Migration, in collaboration with the police, conducted operations in the border town of Esquipulas to regulate the immigration status of thousands who entered Guatemala without entry permits. The operations aim to prevent irregular migration, combat human trafficking, and protect citizens' lives and property. As of September 17, 2023, 15,170 migrants have been located, with the majority being Venezuelan. The operations have resulted in 314 migrants being returned to the Agua Caliente border with Honduras.

Esquipulas, a town near the border with Honduras, has become a major route for Latin American migrants. Many see it as an oasis after crossing the perilous Darién jungle or as the starting point of a new country to traverse. On September 16, as Guatemala celebrated its 202nd independence anniversary, migrants like Julimán, a 29-year-old Venezuelan, plan brief stays before continuing towards the United States. The article details the arduous journey migrants face, including extortion fees and the lack of official documents, which leads to fear of deportation. Esquipulas, a significant religious center, provides temporary respite for migrants, some of whom find temporary work or rely on remittances. Organizations like the International Organization for Migration, UNHCR, Red Cross, and Médicos del Mundo offer assistance. The changing migrant profiles now include more women, children, and the elderly, each with their vulnerabilities. As of September 17, 2023, Guatemalan Migration has located 15,170 migrants, the majority being Venezuelan.

Guatemala's President-elect Bernardo Arévalo announced the suspension of transition talks with the outgoing government of Alejandro Giammattei, citing the actions of the Special Prosecutor's Office against Impunity (FECI) during an electoral document inspection. FECI opened 160 electoral boxes containing votes from the June 25 elections, which Arévalo deemed a blatant abuse of authority with electoral purposes. The FECI's actions, including the third raid on the electoral headquarters and the unprecedented opening of electoral boxes, have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) expressed deep concern, stating that the custody of the votes was compromised. The TSE clarified that the election results have been officially finalized and cannot be invalidated despite the investigations. FECI is also seeking to cancel the legal status of Arévalo's political movement, Semilla, alleging it was established with false signatures.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of El Salvador has made available a section on its website where Salvadorans can check the voting center they should visit for the 2024 elections. By entering their Unique Identity Document (DUI) details on the provided link, citizens can find out the location of their assigned voting center. The deadline to request a change of voting center, which must be located in the same municipality as indicated on the DUI, is October 6.

President-elect of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, has accused a group of politicians and officials, including the Attorney General Consuelo Porras, prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, and judge Fredy Orellana, of orchestrating a coup to prevent him from taking office on January 14, 2024. Despite the Supreme Electoral Tribunal confirming his victory with 60% of the votes, the Citizens' Registry canceled the legal status of his party, Semilla, after an investigation into alleged false signatures used to establish the party. The Congress, led by the ruling party, has since unrecognized Semilla and declared its seven deputies as independents. Arévalo has called on civil society, business leaders, popular movements, churches, indigenous authorities, and academics to defend democracy and respect for the popular will. This comes as the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States meets in Washington to assess the situation in Guatemala.

Carlos Núñez, executive director of Fosalud, claimed that El Salvador's health system has been transformed over the past four years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this statement is deemed misleading by Gato Encerrado, citing vaccination coverage data, budget allocations for preventive care, and medical professionals' opinions. Access to public health information is restricted, and there are documented shortages of medicines in the national health network and the ISSS. The government's budget priorities have been criticized, with more funds allocated to debt payment than to health or education. Promised hospital constructions have not been completed, and there is a reported crisis between doctors and the government, with medical staff facing threats of dismissal and a lack of dialogue.

Guatemala prepares for a tense second round of elections on August 20, with Sandra Torres of the National Unity of Hope party and Bernardo Arévalo of the Semilla Movement, the latter leading in recent polls. The first round saw a significant number of null votes, and there were attempts by the FECI to cancel Semilla's legal status, which were halted by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Constitutional Court. The elections are seen as crucial for the fight against corruption and the future of democracy in Guatemala. The U.S., EU, and OAS have expressed concerns about the political situation. Torres focuses on security, economy, and social protection, while Arévalo aims to tackle state corruption, development deficits, and economic renewal.

The Salvadoran government's stance against gangs like Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 is seen as a relief by citizens who lived under gang rule. Under President Nayib Bukele, the homicide rate has dropped significantly, from 38 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2019 to 7.8 in 2022, and around 2.2 in 2023. The government's Plan Control Territorial and a state of emergency have been key strategies, leading to the arrest of over 71,976 people. Despite the reduction in homicides, human rights organizations have criticized the arbitrary arrests and conditions that have led to the deaths of detainees. The majority of Salvadorans support the continuation of the state of emergency, but concerns about human rights violations persist.

El Niño, a climate phenomenon causing droughts and wildfires, is expected to last until 2024 and has begun to show its effects in Central America. The United Nations Meteorological Agency has alerted governments to prepare for its consequences. In El Salvador, rainfall has been significantly lower than expected, affecting staple crops like maize, rice, and beans, which threatens food security. Some farmers have already reported losses, and the Salvadoran Chamber of Small and Medium Agricultural Producers (CAMPO) estimates an 18% loss in maize and 15% in beans. Honduras is experiencing prolonged drought, with 140 municipalities on red alert, and Guatemala's Ministry of Public Health has issued a red alert for possible droughts and floods. The Central American Integration System (SICA) reports that 133,000 people in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will face food insecurity from June to September. The impact of El Niño could mirror the severe agricultural losses seen in 2009.

The Asociación de Periodistas de El Salvador (APES) has denounced the Salvadoran prosecutor's office's attempt to re-imprison journalist Víctor Barahona, who was previously detained for 11 months under the country's state of emergency. Despite presenting press credentials at the time of his arrest, Barahona was charged with illicit associations. He was imprisoned in Mariona and Izalco but was released after 11 months, although his case remains open. The prosecutor's office believes circumstances have changed, justifying a review of his conditional freedom. Erika Guevara Rosas of Amnesty International expressed alarm at the request for Barahona's re-arrest and urged authorities to respect human rights. Human rights organizations have reported at least 5,490 arbitrary detentions in El Salvador, with 5,000 individuals released.

Salvadoran journalist Víctor Barahona, who was previously imprisoned for 11 months under El Salvador's exception regime, remains free after a court review requested by the prosecution. The Tribunal against Organized Crime confirmed his freedom, but he is now prohibited from making statements due to the judge's emphasis on confidentiality in his case. Barahona had spoken out about prison conditions and torture. The Association of Journalists of El Salvador (APES) and the Human Rights Institute of the Central American University José Simeón Cañas (IDHUCA) have sought protective measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH). Presidential Commissioner for Human Rights and Freedom of Expression, Andrés Guzmán, and Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado have denied any persecution of journalists or occurrences of torture in El Salvador.

Nayib Bukele, the current president of El Salvador, has officially announced his candidacy for the February 2024 elections, seeking continuous reelection which has not been attempted for 84 years. His legal team interprets the constitution to allow his candidacy, while critics argue it is unconstitutional. The controversy intensified after Bukele's party, Nuevas Ideas, won legislative elections and replaced constitutional court judges and the attorney general, leading to a ruling that enabled Bukele's reelection bid. Bukele's popularity is high, particularly for his efforts to combat gang violence, but his actions have raised concerns domestically and internationally about the erosion of democratic norms and a potential drift towards authoritarianism.

Nayib Bukele, the current president of El Salvador, has officially announced his candidacy for the February 2024 elections, marking an unprecedented move in the country's democratic history. This has sparked controversy due to a constitutional interpretation that traditionally prohibits immediate reelection. Bukele's legal team argues that the prohibition does not apply to him, while critics argue that the constitution clearly forbids consecutive reelection. The controversy intensified after Bukele's party, Nuevas Ideas, won the legislative elections in 2021 and subsequently replaced the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber and the attorney general. The new magistrates issued a ruling allowing Bukele's continuous reelection. Bukele enjoys high popularity, particularly for his efforts to combat gang violence, but his actions have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic governance and a potential drift towards authoritarianism.

Human rights organizations presented allegations of extrajudicial executions and other violations during the state of exception in El Salvador to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Since March 2022, El Salvador has detained over 71,000 people, with at least 142 deaths in custody. Organizations claim 174 deaths under state custody and report abuses including arbitrary detentions and lack of medical care. The Salvadoran government defended its actions, emphasizing the victimization of citizens by gangs and denying formal complaints of torture or freedom of expression violations. The IACHR was urged to continue monitoring the situation and to investigate those responsible for the alleged abuses.

Former First Lady Sandra Torres and career diplomat Bernardo Arévalo, both center-leftists, lead the vote count in Guatemala's elections after 90% of ballots were tallied. Torres has 15.2% and Arévalo 12.2%, followed by Manuel Conde with 7.8%. A second round on August 20 will decide the presidency between Torres and Arévalo. The elections were controversial, with criticism from the US and EU over the exclusion of candidates, including front-runner Carlos Pineda. Voter turnout was 54%, with 17% null votes and 7% blank votes. The next president will face challenges such as corruption, high living costs, and freedom of press issues. The US remains Guatemala's main trade partner, and the leading candidates have expressed support for Taiwan over China.

In the recent Guatemalan elections, the null vote emerged as a significant factor, surpassing the two most-voted candidates and breaking a record not seen since 1984. Sandra Torres and Bernardo Arévalo de León advanced to the second round, but the null votes totaled 965,462 (17.38%), indicating a possible protest against the system that disqualified presidential candidates Thelma Cabrera, Roberto Arzú, and Carlos Pineda. The null vote was historically around 4%, with the highest previous record at 15% in 1984. The null vote was actively promoted by the disqualified candidates as a form of protest against alleged administrative and legal infractions. The second round of elections will see candidates attempting to appeal to the population that cast null votes, which are seen as a message of rejection of the political system.

Guatemala is not only a recipient of drugs but also cultivates and produces them, affecting El Salvador as drugs enter through land borders and maritime ports. The Salvadoran Anti-Narcotics Police and Naval Force work to intercept drugs destined for the United States. Drug trafficking methods vary by border, with different drugs favored by different routes. Marijuana is the most trafficked drug from Guatemala and Honduras, distributed mainly by the Mara Salvatrucha gang, which controls the national drug market more than the 18 Street Gang. Drug seizures in El Salvador have decreased on land but increased at sea, with the most significant land seizures in 2015 and maritime in 2016. The Defense Minister, David Munguía Payés, acknowledges that while gangs like Mara Salvatrucha and 18 seek connections with international cartels, they are not trusted with large shipments and remain at the narco-retail level.

An investigation by El Diario de Hoy's Data Unit revealed over 421 suspicious COVID-19 deaths not included in the official figures published on covid19.gob.sv, which only count deaths confirmed by testing. The investigation, which covered seven municipalities with the highest case numbers, found that 47% of the 448 deaths occurred at home and 53% in hospitals. The most common cause of death at home was cardiorespiratory arrest, while hospital deaths were mainly due to pneumonia, septic shock, and COVID-19. The discrepancy highlights issues with the official death count and suggests a need for better epidemiological monitoring.

In El Salvador, children aged 0 to 9 years have emerged as a group with a high COVID-19 fatality rate, contrary to global trends where older adults are more likely to die from the virus. Official data up to May 9 shows a 7.7% fatality rate among those over 80, 5.5% among those over 60, and 4.3% among children 0 to 9 years old. Experts, including a pediatric infectious disease specialist and an intensive care doctor, confirm that the fatality rate for infected children in El Salvador is unusually high. A four-year-old child who died on April 16 had no chronic conditions, complicating the case. The World Health Organization's Maria Van Kerkhove has stated that children tend to have milder disease, but the situation in El Salvador challenges this assertion.

In La Libertad, El Salvador, a shop owner named Juan was harassed and falsely accused by three police officers of having ties to the Mara Salvatrucha gang. Despite being a legitimate business owner, Juan faced threats and extortion from the officers, who were later charged with aggravated threats and theft. However, the officers were released after Juan was killed in a shooting, preventing him from testifying. The case highlights issues of police misconduct and the lack of protection for victims, with the National Civil Police being the most complained about institution to the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office. The article underscores the deep mistrust between the police and communities, exacerbated by prejudices against residents of marginalized areas.