San Salvador Times
The Pulse of El Salvador’s Transformation
Friday, Sep 25, 2026
San Salvador Times
Shakira’s Five-Show El Salvador Residency Adds Momentum to Tourism Push
Shakira staged five concerts in El Salvador, drawing regional and international visitors as the government seeks to raise the country’s profile as a destination for major entertainment and tourism.
El Salvador Enforces Stricter Uniform and Discipline Rules in Public Schools
Public schools across El Salvador are enforcing tighter rules on uniforms, hairstyles and student conduct as education authorities pursue a broader drive to strengthen discipline.
Salvadoran Court Upholds Convictions Over 1982 Killings of Four Dutch Journalists
Three former Salvadoran military officers were convicted over the killings of four Dutch journalists during the country’s civil war, bringing a decades-long effort to secure accountability closer to a conclusion.
El Salvador and Chile Move to Deepen Ties Under President José Antonio Kast
Salvadoran Vice President Félix Ulloa said President Nayib Bukele planned an official visit to Chile for talks with President José Antonio Kast as the two governments sought closer political and economic cooperation.
Bukele Rejects Claims El Salvador Transferred Bitcoin Reserves to Private Entities
President Nayib Bukele denied reports that El Salvador had transferred its sovereign Bitcoin reserves to private entities as the government continued negotiations with the International Monetary Fund over digital-asset policy.
El Salvador Expands AI-Based Healthcare Through National Digital Platform
El Salvador is expanding the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, including AI-supported screening and monitoring designed to improve access to diagnosis and treatment through digital services.
Tropical Storm Cristina Threatens Central America With Flooding and Landslides
Tropical Storm Cristina brought heavy-rain warnings across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with forecasters warning of potentially dangerous flooding and landslides.
Costa Rica Investigates Alleged Plot to Assassinate President
Costa Rican security authorities said they uncovered an alleged plot to kill the country’s president, adding to concerns over security and organised crime in a country facing rising violence.
Guatemala Ends Gang Emergency as New Security Measures Take Effect
Guatemala ended a month-long state of emergency imposed after deadly gang violence, replacing the temporary powers with less restrictive security measures as authorities continue operations against criminal groups.
Salvadoran Labor Rights Group Challenges Foreign Agents Law in Supreme Court
A labor rights group asked El Salvador’s Supreme Court to strike down the country’s Foreign Agents Law, arguing that restrictions on foreign funding violate constitutional protections and constrain civil society.
El Salvador Extends Pretrial Detention Period for Suspected Gang Members
Changes to El Salvador’s organised-crime law allow suspected gang members detained under the state of exception to remain in pretrial detention for up to two additional years while prosecutors prepare cases.
Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador Allege Abuse in Maximum-Security Prison
Venezuelan migrants transferred from the United States to El Salvador and later released in a prisoner exchange reported beatings, harsh conditions and other serious abuses while held at the CECOT maximum-security prison.
ProPublica Report Says Bukele Allies Blocked Extraditions of MS-13 Leaders to United States
A ProPublica investigation cited U.S. and Salvadoran officials and records alleging that senior figures linked to President Nayib Bukele impeded the extradition of MS-13 leaders sought by U.S. authorities.
Trump Floats Sending U.S. Criminals to El Salvador’s Maximum-Security Prisons
U.S. President Donald Trump proposed sending some convicted U.S. citizens to prisons in El Salvador, building on Washington’s use of Salvadoran detention facilities for deported migrants.
Bukele Rejects Calls to Return Wrongfully Deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele rejected calls for Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return after he was improperly deported from the United States, deepening tensions over a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
El Salvador Concludes Mass MS-13 Trial as Prosecutors Seek Severe Prison Terms
Salvadoran prosecutors concluded mass proceedings against hundreds of alleged MS-13 members, seeking lengthy sentences as the government continues its sweeping crackdown on gangs.
El Salvador Allows Life Sentences for Gang Membership and Serious Violent Crimes
El Salvador has approved constitutional reforms allowing life imprisonment for crimes including homicide and gang involvement, with the new penalties also applying to some minors.
Bukele Seeks Third Consecutive Term in El Salvador’s 2027 Presidential Election
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has registered to seek another term in 2027 after constitutional changes cleared the way for indefinite presidential re-election, extending a political debate over presidential term limits.
Central American Broadcasters Secure Long-Term Football Media Rights
International sports broadcasters finalized distribution agreements covering regional football tournaments and World Cup qualifying matches across Central America, reflecting expectations of continued growth in the region’s sports media ...
Costa Rican Business Leaders Propose Presidential Unit to Address Investment Slowdown
Costa Rican economic and industry leaders have proposed a specialized presidential team to reduce regulatory barriers, improve infrastructure and lift productivity as foreign investment growth in free trade zones slows.
El Salvador Expands Regulation to Attract Institutional Bitcoin and Fintech Investment
El Salvador is developing licensing frameworks aimed at bringing international investment banks, institutional digital-finance platforms and technology startups into the country’s regulated digital asset market.
El Salvador and Dominican Republic Push for Deeper Trade and Investment Ties
Officials and business representatives meeting in San Salvador discussed ways to streamline trade logistics and expand joint investment between El Salvador and the Dominican Republic.
El Salvador Sentences 43 Gang Members to Prison Terms of Up to 254 Years
Salvadoran courts handed 43 convicted gang members sentences of up to 254 years for multiple homicides and organized crime offenses as authorities continue prosecutions under the country’s emergency security framework.
El Salvador Deploys GPS and Security Cameras Across San Salvador Public Transport
El Salvador is installing GPS systems and integrated security cameras across the San Salvador metropolitan public transport network to improve real-time transit management, deter crime and support wider urban modernization.
Honduras Launches Cloud-Seeding Flights as Drought Threatens Agriculture
Honduras began artificial rain-generation flights over drought-affected farming areas as rainfall shortages threaten food production and livestock, underscoring growing pressure from extreme weather across Central America.
El Salvador’s Surf City Projects Drive Tourism and Coastal Real Estate Expansion
Government infrastructure spending and international investment along El Salvador’s Pacific coast are supporting growth in hotels, aviation links and luxury real estate as the country expands its tourism industry.
Central American Droughts Intensify Calls for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Funding
Low Panama Canal water levels and agricultural stress in Honduras and Guatemala are increasing pressure on Central American governments to secure financing for water management, energy systems and more resilient public infrastructure.
El Salvador Targets More North American Nearshoring Investment
El Salvador is promoting its dollarized economy and preferential access under regional trade agreements to attract manufacturers and service companies seeking to move supply chains closer to North American markets.
El Salvador Food Costs Near Record Highs Despite Stronger Economic Growth
El Salvador’s urban basic food basket exceeded $264 in August, highlighting persistent pressure on household costs even as the country records stronger investment, tourism revenue and broader economic growth.
Costa Rica Draws Billions in Medical Technology Manufacturing Investment
Costa Rica’s medical device and life sciences sector is attracting major multinational investment and now accounts for nearly one-third of national exports, supported by new production facilities and a skilled technical workforce.
Honduras Adopts El Salvador-Style Maximum-Security Prison Measures
Honduras authorized stricter prison security measures modeled on policies used in neighboring El Salvador as the government seeks greater control over gang violence, drug trafficking organizations and extortion networks.
El Salvador Rejects Reports of Bitcoin Reserve Transfer During IMF Negotiations
President Nayib Bukele denied reports that El Salvador would hand management of its sovereign Bitcoin reserves to private operators as part of negotiations for a multibillion-dollar International Monetary Fund loan.
El Salvador Raises Economic Growth Forecast to 5% as Investment and Tourism Expand
El Salvador’s central bank and the International Monetary Fund issued stronger growth projections for the current year, citing more than $500 million in new corporate investment alongside tourism development, remittances and improved sec...
El Salvador Extends State of Exception for a 55th Time
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved another 30-day extension of emergency security measures under President Nayib Bukele, continuing a crackdown credited with sharply reducing homicides while drawing sustained international criti...
US and Guatemala Agree to Expand Cooperation Against Drug Cartels and Corrupt Officials
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and senior US federal prosecutors finalized a security agreement in Guatemala City to strengthen judicial cooperation, pursue political figures accused of protecting organized crime and disrupt narco...
End of US Protected Status for 170,000 Salvadorans Raises Remittance and Deportation Concerns
The expiration of US Temporary Protected Status for about 170,000 Salvadoran nationals has prompted scrutiny of possible effects on deportation proceedings, labor markets and remittance flows to El Salvador.
Panama Canal Cuts Daily Ship Transits as Drought Pressure Returns
The Panama Canal Authority reduced daily vessel transits to 32 ships as rainfall deficits linked to El Niño lowered water availability, raising concerns over shipping delays, freight costs and energy cargo movements ahead of the dry season.
US Export-Import Bank Backs $7 Billion Andes-Atlantic Critical Minerals Initiative
The United States Export-Import Bank authorized $7 billion in financing for critical minerals and energy infrastructure across Latin America, aiming to strengthen regional supply chains and support nearshoring as Washington seeks to redu...
Santa Ana and San Miguel Market Projects Expand Formal Retail Infrastructure
Reconstruction of major municipal markets in Santa Ana and San Miguel is expected to create more than 3,700 commercial spaces, modernising urban retail infrastructure and providing new formal premises for small businesses.
Panama’s Tocumen Airport Reports 15% Passenger Growth Through August
Tocumen International Airport handled about 15.9 million passengers during the first eight months of 2026, a 15% increase from a year earlier that reinforces Panama’s role as Central America’s main aviation transit hub. ([Aviacionline][11])
Costa Rica Becomes Fifth Member of Digital Economy Partnership Agreement
Costa Rica has formally joined the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement with Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea, expanding Central America’s participation in an international framework covering digital trade, data flows and e...
El Salvador Opens Recruitment for 2027 Election Voting Boards
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal has invited eligible citizens to register voluntarily for voting reception boards ahead of the February 2027 elections, with applicants subject to verification, training and accreditation before selection. ...
El Salvador’s New National Stadium Reaches Major Construction Milestone
Builders removed temporary columns supporting the stadium roof as work advanced towards completion, with seating and roofing installation continuing at the flagship sports and entertainment project. ([El Salvador News][8])
Digicel Agrees to Sell El Salvador Business as Group Refocuses on Caribbean Markets
Digicel signed a definitive agreement to sell its Salvadoran operations to General International Telecom El Salvador, with completion expected in the first half of 2027 as the telecommunications group concentrates investment on its core ...
End of US Temporary Protected Status Creates New Uncertainty for Salvadoran Diaspora
Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans in the United States ended on September 9, 2026, affecting employment authorisation and immigration security for beneficiaries while raising wider concerns over household finances and future rem...
Bukele Says El Salvador Retains Control of Sovereign Bitcoin Reserves
President Nayib Bukele rejected reports that the government had transferred its sovereign Bitcoin holdings to a private operator, distinguishing the country’s reserves from the separate transfer of majority ownership and operational cont...
IMF Confirms Recent Salvadoran Bitcoin Accumulation Used No Public Funds
The International Monetary Fund said documentation provided by El Salvador showed that Bitcoin added since the previous programme review came from private donations rather than public resources, as the country continues implementing refo...
Lawmakers Allow Annual Bonus Payments From October and Expand Tax Exemption
El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved reforms allowing annual bonuses to be paid from October 1, while bonuses of up to $1,500 will be exempt from income-tax withholding, giving workers earlier access to year-end income. ([Asamblea...
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Nazca Lines Flight Crash Kills Thirteen as Peru Suspends Aerodiana
World Cup Visitors Turn American Big-Box Stores Into Souvenir Stops
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Myanmar Military Government and China Sign Major Agreement to Upgrade Media and Cultural Cooperation
Knife Attack at Swiss Train Station Leaves Three Injured in Suspected Act of Domestic Terrorism
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China and Canada Foreign Ministers Meet in Ottawa in Effort to Stabilize Strained Diplomatic Ties
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Indian State of Karnataka Faces Political Upheaval as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Abruptly Resigns
Philippines and Japan Reaffirm Defense Ties as Crucial for Indo-Pacific Regional Stability
Norway Joins French Nuclear Deterrence Initiative in Major Shift for European Security Architecture
Global Critical Mineral Alliances Expand as Western Nations Move to Counter Chinese Supply Dominance
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European Union and China Head Toward Major Trade Conflict Over Clean Technology Exports
United States Economic Growth Severely Downgraded to One Point Six Percent as Stagflation Fears Mount
World Health Organization Warns Central African Ebola Epidemic is Outpacing Containment Efforts
United States Treasury Department Conditions Sanctions Relief on Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Air Defenses Intercept and Destroy United States Military Drone Over Bushehr Province
Iranian Armed Forces Launch Ballistic Missiles Toward Unspecified Targets Prompting Regional Condemnation
United Nations Secretary-General Warns Global Order Facing Highest Level of Conflict Since 1945
Israel Issues Sweeping Evacuation Orders in Southern Lebanon Amid Intensified Hezbollah Conflict
Russia Announces Systemic Military Strikes Targeting Ukrainian Defense and Energy Infrastructure
United States and Iranian Negotiators Reach Draft Agreement to Extend Ceasefire and Resume Nuclear Talks
United Nations Security Council Deeply Divided Over United States Capture of Venezuelan President
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World Health Organization Warns of Catastrophic Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo
Russia Threatens New Wave of Strikes on Ukrainian Infrastructure and Embassies
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Canada and Germany Finalize Historic Long-Term LNG Export Agreement
China Expands International Travel Restrictions on Domestic AI Researchers
Japan Approves Sweeping Overhaul of National Intelligence Apparatus
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