San Salvador Times

Costa Rica Plans More Than Four Trillion Colones in Government Financing for 2026

Costa Rica’s Finance Ministry and Central Bank have coordinated a financing plan worth more than four trillion colones to consolidate domestic debt, stabilize interest rates and maintain international investor confidence.

Central America Records More Than Three Billion Dollars in Current Account Surplus

Central American economies recorded a combined current account surplus of more than three billion United States dollars, supported by foreign capital inflows and continued remittance growth.

Honduras Growth Outlook Cut to Three Point Three Percent Amid Weak Private Investment

Multilateral agencies have lowered Honduras’s economic growth outlook to three point three percent as weaker consumer momentum, a contracting manufacturing sector and unresolved problems in the national energy grid weigh on the economy.

Panama Canal Restrictions Push International Container Shipping Rates Higher

Spot rates on major international container routes rose ten percent in August as strong Asian demand coincided with capacity management and draft restrictions at the Panama Canal, adding to pressure on transpacific logistics networks.

El Salvador Removes Mandatory Bitcoin Acceptance and Cuts State Digital Asset Fund by Half

President Nayib Bukele’s administration has eliminated the legal requirement for merchants to accept Bitcoin and reduced the state digital asset fund by fifty percent, shifting financial policy toward meeting international macroeconomic ...

El Salvador Economy Expands Nearly Five Percent as Tourism and Infrastructure Spending Surge

El Salvador’s Central Reserve Bank reported economic growth of nearly five percent, supported by a thirty-four percent increase in international visitor arrivals from the United States and continued public infrastructure investment.

Panama Canal Tightens Draft Limits as Water Concerns Disrupt Transpacific Shipping

The Panama Canal Authority is imposing further draft reductions at its Neopanamax locks to conserve water reserves, forcing heavily loaded container ships to carry less cargo and increasing pressure on global shipping costs and capacity.

Academic Panel Examines Authoritarian Trends in El Salvador and Nicaragua

An American Political Science Association panel has examined democratic backsliding in Latin America, focusing on the consolidation of power under Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and Nicaragua’s established authoritarian government.

San Salvador Hosts International Conference on Insolvency Risk and Corporate Governance

Financial researchers and industry practitioners have gathered in San Salvador for an international conference examining corporate governance and insolvency risk management, bringing together professionals for discussions on business and...

Bolivia Arrests Political Consultant Fernando Cerimedo on Domestic Charges

Bolivian authorities have detained political strategist Fernando Cerimedo, known for involvement in right-wing election campaigns in Honduras and Argentina, on domestic charges before he could board a flight to Buenos Aires.

United States Justice Department Appeals Dismissal of Human Smuggling Case Against Salvadoran National

United States federal prosecutors are seeking to revive human smuggling charges against Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia after a lower court dismissed the case, ruling that the prosecution was vindictively motivated following his...

Costa Rica Closes Turrialba Volcano and Guayabo National Monument Amid Heavy Rain and Flooding

Costa Rican authorities have indefinitely suspended public access to Turrialba Volcano and Guayabo National Monument as severe seasonal storms cause flooding and damage to infrastructure in conservation areas.

Costa Rica Audit Finds 157 Unfinished Public Works and Safety Problems Along Route 32

A government infrastructure audit in Costa Rica has identified 157 unfinished public works and persistent safety deficiencies along the Route 32 corridor, highlighting continuing challenges for transport infrastructure development.

United States Expands Premium Visa Appointment Program to Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras

The United States has added Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras to a pilot program allowing eligible business and tourism applicants to obtain accelerated consular appointments by paying a 750 United States dollar premium processing fee.

Costa Rica Proposes Ending Lifetime Pensions for Former Presidents

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández has submitted legislation to eliminate lifetime monthly payments to former presidents, arguing that the benefits are unjustified amid wider economic pressures facing the country.

Crowley Launches Weekly Houston Shipping Service to Guatemala and Honduras

Logistics company Crowley has introduced a weekly express container service linking Port Houston with Santo Tomás de Castilla in Guatemala and Puerto Cortés in Honduras, responding to growing North American demand for Central American ap...

Costa Rica Moves to Establish Medical Device Manufacturing Facility With Zeus Expansion

Medical technology company Zeus has agreed to establish a commercial-scale catheter manufacturing operation in Costa Rica’s La Lima Free Zone in Cartago, expanding the country’s role in specialized medical device production.

Mineros Advances 161 Million Dollar Porvenir Mining Project in Nicaragua

Gold producer Mineros has entered the detailed engineering phase for its 161 million United States dollar Porvenir project in Nicaragua, which is planned to extract gold, silver and zinc and could become an important development for the ...

Brazilian President Lula Defends Amazon Oil Exploration as Source of Revenue for Economic and Environmental Transition

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended plans to explore for oil near the mouth of the Amazon River, arguing that fossil fuel revenues are needed to support the country’s broader environmental and economic transition.

Colombia Begins Long-Term Recovery After Severe Earthquake Hits Cali

Colombian emergency authorities have shifted toward debris removal and longer-term urban recovery after a magnitude seven point four earthquake caused extensive infrastructure damage in Cali, with requests also made to suspend United Sta...

United States Extends Temporary Protected Status Work Authorization for Eligible Salvadorans Through September

United States authorities have extended employment authorization documents for eligible Salvadoran nationals covered by Temporary Protected Status through September 2026, preserving legal work access for Salvadoran communities while conc...

El Salvador’s Bitcoin Holdings Exceed 600 Million Dollars as Digital Finance Strategy Continues

El Salvador’s government continues to build its digital-asset strategy, with reported Bitcoin reserves exceeding 606 million United States dollars following sustained cryptocurrency purchases aimed at attracting foreign technology invest...

Guatemala Introduces Nationwide Ten Percent Ethanol Mandate for Gasoline

Guatemala has implemented a nationwide requirement for gasoline to contain ten percent ethanol, creating an estimated 160 million United States dollar annual export market for American ethanol and establishing a potential model for neigh...

United States Expands Immigration Enforcement by Sending Mexican Deportees to Guatemala and Honduras

The United States has begun flying Mexican migrants to Guatemala and Honduras instead of returning them directly across the Mexican border, a policy that is creating new diplomatic tensions with governments in Central America.

United States Refineries Process About Half of Venezuela’s Oil Output as Trade Ties Shift

Specialized United States refineries are processing about fifty percent of Venezuela’s total oil production, marking a significant easing of historic trade barriers despite continuing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Venezuela Releases 131 Political Detainees Amid Reconciliation Talks

Venezuelan authorities have released 131 political detainees under alternative custody arrangements, a move cautiously welcomed by the United States as a confidence-building measure during national dialogue following recent leadership di...

El Salvador Forecast to Grow Up to Three Point Five Percent in 2026 on Investment and Tourism

El Salvador’s central bank forecasts economic growth of three point zero percent to three point five percent in 2026, supported by an estimated nine billion United States dollars in private investment, major infrastructure projects and a...

El Salvador Promotes Heritage Restoration to Broaden Cultural Tourism

The Ministry of Culture is highlighting restoration work at historic buildings and museums as part of efforts to diversify tourism beyond the country’s coastal and adventure destinations.

San Salvador Prepares Bitcoin and Digital Asset Forums as Industry Events Return

Technology developers, investors and digital finance specialists are preparing industry gatherings in San Salvador focused on blockchain adoption, tokenised securities and the role of cryptocurrency in the Salvadoran economy.

San Salvador Startup Funds Expand Access to Seed Capital for Technology Companies

Startup incubators and regional venture funds are increasing seed financing for early-stage technology companies, software developers and digital service businesses in El Salvador.

El Salvador Expands Technical Training in Morazán to Meet Emerging Workforce Needs

The University of El Salvador is introducing specialized accounting and vocational training programs in eastern Morazán to align local workforce skills with changing commercial demands.

San Salvador Expands Smart Bus Stops and Digital Urban Mobility Infrastructure

Municipal authorities in the capital metropolitan area have begun installing technologically integrated bus stops and digital mobility signs as part of efforts to modernize public transport and traffic management.

Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador Monitors Global Interest Rate and Inflation Risks

The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador says domestic prices remain stable while officials continue monitoring changes in international monetary policy and global financial conditions.

El Salvador Strengthens Early Warning Systems for Earthquakes and Severe Weather

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is upgrading geological and weather monitoring systems to improve emergency response after recent moderate seismic activity off the Pacific coast.

Central American Security Agencies Expand Cooperation Against Transnational Gang Networks

Law enforcement agencies in El Salvador, Honduras and neighboring countries are increasing border patrols and intelligence sharing to disrupt trafficking routes and prevent the resurgence of transnational criminal networks.

US and Central American Officials Discuss Migration, Remittances and Economic Cooperation

Washington and Central American governments are holding high-level consultations on regional migration management, remittance stability and joint economic development initiatives.

El Salvador Upgrades Port Operations to Speed Cargo Handling and Strengthen Supply Chains

Authorities at the ports of Acajutla and La Unión are deploying improved container-handling equipment and digital customs procedures designed to reduce vessel turnaround times and improve logistics efficiency.

El Salvador Accelerates Geothermal Exploration to Expand Renewable Power Capacity

The country’s state energy enterprise has intensified exploratory drilling in volcanic areas as El Salvador seeks to expand geothermal generation and support its transition toward cleaner electricity.

El Salvador Faces Persistent Trade Deficit as Imports Outpace Export Growth

Economic analysts say El Salvador’s merchandise trade deficit remains substantial as imports continue to grow faster than exports, keeping attention on the country’s external accounts and dependence on remittances.

El Salvador Advances Institutional Reforms to Improve Business Conditions and Attract Investment

The Ministry of Economy is financing programs focused on reducing bureaucracy, facilitating trade and improving the investment climate through multilateral loan agreements.

Central American Countries Push Customs and Logistics Integration to Improve Regional Trade

Trade and diplomatic officials from Central American countries are discussing measures to modernize border crossings, streamline supply chains and improve the region’s competitiveness in global trade.

El Salvador Deepens Agricultural and Employment Cooperation With World Food Programme

Salvadoran authorities and the World Food Programme are rolling out new initiatives focused on agricultural development, food security and rural employment in vulnerable communities.

El Salvador Advances Mejicanos Aerial Cable Car With Installation of Sixth Support Tower

The Ministry of Public Works has installed the sixth support tower for the Mejicanos aerial cable car, advancing a twenty-three-tower urban transport project intended to improve mobility across metropolitan San Salvador.

El Salvador Reports Continued Security Gains Under Ongoing State of Exception

Salvadoran security authorities say public safety measures and continued territorial controls are sustaining historically low violence levels nationwide, supporting investor confidence and the expansion of tourism.

El Salvador Mural Festival Reclaims Former Gang-Controlled Areas Through Public Art

Artists from El Salvador and abroad have launched a major mural festival in Concepción de Ataco, transforming public spaces that were previously controlled by organized crime and highlighting the social changes associated with the countr...