On Thursday of this week, Nayib Bukele registered to run for a second presidential term. According to the CID Gallup, Bukele has an approval rating of 88%, the highest in all of Latin America. The legality of Bukele’s registration to participate in the upcoming February 2024 election is still being questioned. Constitutional lawyers in EL Salvador argue that Bukele’s reelection is against the law.

Protests are erupting across Panama following the decision to extend the mining contract with First Quantum Minerals. Protestors are primarily concerned with the environmental impact of the mining operations.

This year, Central America has had a 500% increase in migration compared to the first half of 2022. A significant number of migrants have embarked on a journey that has forced them to cross the dangers of the Darien jungle in Colombia. Migrants take this risk so they can make their way through Central America and Mexico and get to the Southern border of the United States.

Honduras broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March and then established diplomatic relations with the Republic of China the same month.  Dr. Moncada was appointed back in June, but he wasn't sworn in until this week. Honduras is the latest country to shift its foreign policy away from Taiwan, growing its diplomatic and economic ties with Beijing.

Bernardo Arévalo won with 58% of the votes against the former first lady Sandra Torres, who got 37% of the vote. Despite winning the elections, the Semilla (seed) party was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in Guatemala on dubious allegations. The suspension of the party will affect fundraising efforts, and their members elected to Congress will not be able to hold committee assignments.

Ciudad Juárez in northern Mexico “has long prided itself on absorbing waves of newcomers” and has served as a pitstop for migrants aiming to enter the United States. However, it has turned into a permanent hub for those who have been sent back by U.S. authorities or who are waiting to apply to enter the U.S. legally. Part of the reasoning for this influx of migrants to the city is due to a deal that the U.S. Biden administration has made with Mexico – the U.S. can expel Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans to Mexico in exchange for creating legal pathways for them to pass into the United States.

Honduras is the fifth Central American ally to shift away from Taiwan since 2017 – El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have all rejected Taiwan. Taiwan will be left with only 13 diplomatic allies if this change is officialized. By not engaging China in diplomatic ties, Honduras was missing out on more economic opportunities like the$300 million hydroelectric dam built in the middle of the country.

Mexico’s Congress voted to give control of the National Guard to the Army. Mexico’s National Guard is a civilian led organization. The decision has caused concern throughout the country due to the militarization of public security. The National Guard was created in 2019, and the security force was designed to help bolster national security. Mexico has struggled to create a law enforcement force that can combat the drug cartel while also being a civilian law enforcement.