2024 was a key year for the democracies of Central America, which faced both political and economic challenges. At the Voice of America we offer a summary of the most important things that have happened in these twelve months that are almost over.
Guatemala
At the beginning of this 2024, Bernardo Arévalo managed to assume the presidency of Guatemala despite several attempts to delegitimize his electoral victory.
His administration, however, has faced challenges due to strong opposition from traditional sectors in Congress and institutions such as the Public Ministry and the Supreme Court of Justice.
Another event that occurred in Guatemala and that was in the international focus this 2024 was the release of journalist José Rubén Zamora, who remained in prison for 800 days accused of money laundering, blackmail and influence peddling and conspiracy.
Zamora has denied these accusations, ensuring that his trial is an attempt to silence him due to his critical role against corruption and Guatemala’s political elites.
Although he was released under house arrest, his case remains open.
Read also: Guatemala: Why does a court force journalist José Rubén Zamora to return to prison?
In Photos | Central American countries celebrated their cry of Independence
Some Central American countries commemorated their 203rd anniversary of Independence on September 15, a movement that began on September 15, 1821 when Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala signed the Central American Independence Act.
El Salvador
In February 2024, El Salvador re-elected Nayib Bukele for a second termwhose figure continues to be dominant in Salvadoran politics.
The citizens of that country not only gave him the presidency again, amid strong criticism for a possible unconstitutional re-election, but also gave Bukele’s party control of 90% of Congress.
In security, the government of El Salvador continued with its main tough policy against gangs: the regime of exception, reducing, as a consequence, homicide rates, although with questions about human rights violations due to illegal detentions and deaths in the penalties.
Also, Bukele achieved the long-awaited agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that, in exchange for financing of 1.4 billion dollars, El Salvador must eliminate the obligation of bitcoin in the private sphere.
Read also: How has the Salvadoran beach El Zonte changed five years after becoming the Bitcoin Beach?
In Photos | Thousands of victims leave the passage of Storm Sara through Honduras and Belize
Authorities report the death of at least one person. Coffee plantations in Honduras would also have been affected by the heavy rains.
Honduras
In 2024, Xiomara Castro’s government faced a corruption scandal linked to drug trafficking. The president’s brother-in-law, Carlos Zelaya, was filmed in a meeting with alleged drug traffickers who offered him money in 2013 to finance a political campaign. Zelaya resigned from his position in Congress. While Castro said that the leak sought to destabilize his government.
Faced with international accusations, Castro ended the extradition treaty with the United States, an agreement that had brought important cartel leaders in Honduras to American justice, and recently to former president Juan Orlando Hernández.
Honduras was also in the news for the expansion project of the Dry Canal, also known as the Logistics Corridor, which according to the government will seek to compete with the Panama Canal. Although there is no completion date for the work, experts predict that it will be completed in about five years.
Read also: What impact will the end of the extradition treaty between Honduras and the US have?
Nicaragua
In 2024, Daniel Ortega continued to expand his power in Nicaraguathis after a constitutional reform that introduced the figure of co-president, the extension of the presidential term, control over the three powers of State and the media.
The progressive control of the Ortega family in Nicaragua is the result of several reforms to the Constitution implemented in recent years, aimed at eliminating checks and balances.
This year, in addition to appointing Rosario Murillo, Ortega’s wife, as co-president, the presidential term was also extended from five to six years, extending the next elections to 2027.
Likewise, in September, Ortega released 135 political prisoners for humanitarian reasons, after months of negotiations facilitated by the United States. Among those released were human rights defenders, religious leaders and civil organizations. Those released were transferred to Guatemala.
Costa Rica’s “Chinatown” attracts locals and tourists
The Chinatown located in San José, Costa Rica, was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, after almost ten months of work. It is a reference site for Ticos and foreigners.
Costa Rica
In 2024, the Costa Rican government proposed regularizing open pit gold mining, this to combat illegal exploitation on the border with Nicaragua.
Also, a decrease in poverty was recorded, reaching its lowest level since 2009. However, challenges persist in rural areas where poverty remains high.
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