Tag: Central America

Central America
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Guatemala’s special anti-corruption Court for High Risk Crimes sentenced former vice president Roxana Baldetti to prison for 15 years and six months for her role in the so-called "Magic Water" scandal. The case concerned the awarding of an $18 million dollar contract to decontaminate Lake Amatitlán, an important water source for peasant communities. The contract went to Israeli firm M. Tarcic Engineering Ltd, which claimed it had a "special formula" that could clean the lake within months. An investigation revealed that the "formula" consisted of water, salt and chlorine. The Authority for the Sustainable Management of Lake Amatitlán (AMSA), establsihed to oversee the clean-up, documented illegal dumping of agricultural and municipal waste into the Río Villalobos, which empties into the lake. The UN-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) supported Guatemalan prosecutors in the conspiracy case against Baldetti. (Photo via EmisorasUnidas)

Central America

Honduras: countdown to confrontation?

Honduran officials ordered the arrest of ousted President Manuel Zelaya if he returns to the country. Zelaya pledges to return in two days. Street clashes continue in Tegucigalpa.

Central America

Honduras: will coup d’etat stand?

Honduras’ de facto President Roberto Micheletti said he is ready to “go to war” if Venezuela interferes—while security forces continue to battle protesters at the presidential palace.

Central America

Honduras: resistance and repression follow coup

Soldiers used teargas to disperse thousands who gathered at the presidential palace in Tegucigalpa to protest the military coup. Arrest orders have been issued for popular leaders.