INTERNACIONAL
Guatemala evalúa el estado de excepción en Zacapa: un diputado asesinado, tres policías caídos y una masacre bajo reserva judicial
El Gobierno de Guatemala analizará si decreta un estado de excepción en Zacapa tras una sucesión de ataques armados que dejaron al menos 12 muertos de alto impacto en las últimas semanas, entre ellos el diputado Julio César Portillo Paz y tres agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC) y ocho civiles durante un presunta incursión militar que aún no se ha esclarecido.
El ministro de Gobernación, Marco Antonio Villeda, indicó este miércoles 11 de noviembre que la decisión será evaluada en la mesa de seguridad, donde las autoridades revisan medidas para contener la violencia en el departamento del oriente del país.
“Estamos analizando todos esos temas y creo que en pocos días tomaremos una decisión”, afirmó el funcionario al ser consultado sobre la posibilidad de adoptar una disposición extraordinaria para Zacapa, luego de participar en una citación en el Congreso.
Villeda no precisó qué modalidad contemplan las autoridades ni cuáles serían las restricciones que podrían aplicarse. La Ley de Orden Público faculta al presidente de la República, en Consejo de Ministros, a declarar estados de excepción frente a una perturbación grave de la paz, calamidad pública, invasión o actividades contra la seguridad del Estado.
La discusión surge después de la masacre ocurrida a finales de septiembre en Huité, donde ocho personas murieron en un hecho que permanece bajo reserva judicial. El caso incluye investigaciones sobre la presencia de integrantes del Ejército de Guatemala en el municipio durante los hechos.
La situación se agravó el 6 de noviembre, cuando Julio Portillo, diputado por Zacapa de la Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE), murió luego de un ataque armado en el kilómetro 137 de la ruta al Atlántico, en Río Hondo. Tres policías asignados a su custodia también fallecieron.
Zacapa figura entre los departamentos con mayores tasas de homicidios del país. El Observatorio de la Violencia de Diálogos situó al departamento en el cuarto lugar nacional, con una tasa interanual de 31,5 homicidios por cada 100 mil habitantes en los 12 meses cerrados en septiembre de 2026.
Villeda esperará la investigación para establecer si el ataque contra Portillo tuvo un móvil político
El ministro de Gobernación sostuvo que todavía no existen elementos para determinar si el asesinato de Julio Portillo estuvo vinculado con su actividad política. Señaló que esa conclusión deberá surgir de la investigación del Ministerio Público (MP).
“Aventurarme o anticiparme a decir si esto es producto de una violencia motivada por las actividades políticas del exdiputado Portillo, creo que es un poco aventurado”, declaró Villeda tras una citación en el Congreso.
El legislador había recibido protección policial después de que una evaluación de riesgo realizada en 2024 identificó amenazas de muerte en su contra. Los agentes fallecidos fueron Fernando Antonio Reyes Aldana, Erick Armides Ramos Osorio y Jorge Paau Xicol.
Las pesquisas deberán establecer las circunstancias del ataque, identificar a los responsables y determinar si existió una relación entre el crimen y el ejercicio político de Portillo.
Gobernación afirma que existen avances por el asesinato de Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa
Villeda también se refirió al asesinato del exfiscal anticorrupción Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, ocurrido el 17 de octubre en las canchas deportivas del Campo Marte, en la zona 5 de Ciudad de Guatemala.
El ministro aseguró que la investigación ha registrado avances, aunque descartó revelar información adicional debido a que el expediente se encuentra bajo reserva judicial.
“Sí ha habido avances, pero no puedo dar más detalles porque esto está, primero, bajo investigación y, segundo, bajo reserva por decisión judicial”, dijo.
En el ataque también murió el deportista Gustavo Aguilar Gamarro. Las autoridades investigan posibles irregularidades en la captura de dos personas tras el crimen, mientras siete agentes policiales enfrentan pesquisas vinculadas con ese procedimiento.
Villeda descarta renunciar y deja su continuidad en manos de Arévalo
Las peticiones de renuncia contra Villeda surgieron en medio de los cuestionamientos por los recientes hechos de violencia y las actuaciones policiales bajo investigación.
El ministro afirmó que respeta las críticas, aunque sostuvo que no ha considerado abandonar la titularidad de Gobernación. Añadió que será el presidente Bernardo Arévalo quien evalúe su desempeño y resuelva si continúa en el cargo.
“Yo respeto todas las opiniones, pero en este momento no lo he considerado”, respondió. “Al final es el Presidente el que tendrá esa decisión”, sentenció.
investigación pericial,indicios,balística,camioneta
INTERNACIONAL
El Salvador-backed air assault destroys Haiti gang headquarters amid search for missing troops
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El Salvador’s president on Tuesday said the country’s military helped deliver a devastating air assault against the headquarters of one of Haiti’s most powerful criminal gangs, which has been linked to mass kidnappings, weapons trafficking and extortion.
Airstrikes targeted strongholds belonging to 400 Mawozo and the home of its leader, Lanmò San Jou, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said.
The attack took place Sunday near Port-au-Prince and was carried out by a Haitian police task force backed by Salvadoran troops, The Miami Herald reported.
BUKELE WARNS HAITIAN GANG LEADERS THAT HIS FORCES WILL ‘FINISH’ THEM AS HE DID IN EL SALVADOR
El Salvador’s president said the operation destroyed a major Haiti gang’s headquarters used for kidnappings, weapons trafficking and extortion. (@nayibbukele/X)
The operation appears to be part of an ongoing military effort in response to the disappearance of four Salvadoran members of a U.N.-backed security mission abducted in a gang ambush near Port-au-Prince Oct. 18.
«We kept our promise,» Bukele said in a post on X.
Videos showed several helicopters launching airstrikes against multiple compounds inside sprawling complexes. Dozens of people were also seen fleeing the properties on foot and motorbikes after the strikes.
«Most of them ran away without even trying to fight. What cowards!» Bukele said.
As many as 20 people are believed to have been killed in the operation, according to The Miami Herald, citing anonymous sources.
SUSPECTS IN HAITIAN PRESIDENT’S ASSASSINATION TRANSFERRED TO MIAMI, ACCUSED OF FUNDING PLOT WITH COVID FRAUD
Dozens of people run through the area after a helicopter strike targeting a gang headquarters in Haiti. (@nayibbukele/X)
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé on Tuesday thanked Bukele for his commitment to tackling the country’s long-running gang crisis and restoring state control, while praising the efforts of the U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the Haitian National Police, the Haitian Armed Forces and their international partners.
«I salute the commitment of the Salvadoran forces in the fight against gangs,» he said.
«Hats off to President Nayib Bukele @nayibbukele for your support and commitment to the national fight against gangs. Haiti, El Salvador, GSF: same fight, same determination! The collaboration will continue. THE GANGS WILL GET NO SLEEP!»
Black smoke rises across a field after a helicopter strike targeting a major gang’s headquarters in Haiti. (@nayibbukele/X)
After an Oct. 18 ambush, authorities recovered a burned armored vehicle with no trace of the four missing Salvadoran personnel, prompting El Salvador to deploy thousands of additional troops to assist in the search.
While Salvadoran officials believe the men were abducted and survived, one gang leader claimed they were dead.
The disappearance has become a national priority for Bukele, who has warned Haitian gang leaders that El Salvador is prepared to use overwhelming force if the men are not returned alive.
central america, crime world, united nations
INTERNACIONAL
Hakeem Jeffries faces progressive holdouts but no rival as House speaker race takes shape
Familiar faces populate the 110-plus new members of Congress.
A few «freshmen» are returning to the House. Even if they’ve been gone for a while.
There’s Rep.-elect Hilda Solis, D-Calif., who last served in Congress in 2009. She departed to become President Obama’s labor secretary.
Rep.-elect Jerry Carl, R-Ala., just left Capitol Hill early last year after losing a primary to Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., who is now moving to the Senate.
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY COULD EXPOSE THE LIMITS OF THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA
And then there’s Rep.-elect Melissa Bean, D-Ill. She first won a seat in the House in 2004 and lost in 2010. Now, Bean is back.
Her advice to the rookies?
«Make sure you get a really good scheduler and that they schedule eating because your staff will run you all day long,» Bean said. «You’re kind of like the football that they pass from one staff member to the other. The whole day goes by, and you’re starving.»
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., is on track to become House speaker in January. But some progressives are holding out. Bean was a moderate when she served before. Yours truly asked about the natural unease between left-wing Democrats and centrists.
«It’s a pretty united majority,» replied Bean.
«Do you think that’s overstated tension?» I followed up.
«I think it always is,» Bean answered. «But that’s a media thing, right?»
So to recap for new members: Get a good scheduler? Check. Make sure you have time to eat? Check. And, blame the press.
Ha.
MEET THE FAR-LEFT INSURGENTS WAGING WAR ON THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT IN 2026 MIDTERMS
But, seriously, there are some progressives who aren’t willing to publicly commit to supporting Jeffries as speaker. Most of these incoming members comprise what’s now known as «The Bloc.» It’s kind of like «The Squad» some years ago.
And they’re not tipping their hand about Jeffries.
They’re trying to squeeze the New York Democrat and others for legislative guarantees.
«We’re not withholding votes. What we’re doing is saying we’re undecided. We’re not going to rubber-stamp anything,» said Rep.-elect Adam Hamawy, D-N.J.
«I don’t think it’s about the individual. It’s about the agenda and the agenda that actually reflects the priorities of the American people,» said Rep.-elect Melat Kiros, D-Colo. «It’s about what kind of priorities, what kind of floor votes, what kind of plan do we have to actually fight for the bold change the American people sent us here to do.»
«I think we need to be talking about improving the lives of working people and helping them join unions,» said Rep.-elect Claire Valdez, D-N.Y.
There’s nothing groundbreaking going on here. Progressive Democrats won. Democrats won big. The Bloc wants to flex its muscles and execute its agenda.
Otherwise, those members have explaining to do with their base. Thus, it’s not that extraordinary to have a group of members not automatically supporting someone for a leadership post.
They’re playing the political game to get the best deal for the people they represent. They can’t just back Jeffries out of the gate. They must first extract a concession.
Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., witnessed these machinations before when former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., tried to manage dissent about her leadership after elections.
«I actually think it’s a weaker version [of protest] this time,» said Courtney. «I think [Jeffries] did a great job of keeping the caucus really marching in the same direction in the last two years. Which was not easy.»
«There’s no question that as a management matter, having a bigger majority is a lot easier than having a tiny majority. That’s just basic math,» said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn.
«As a new speaker, he’s going to need to do a lot of work to make sure he is listening to everybody and managing. So, it’s going to be a lot easier than if it had been a four-vote majority. But managing Democrats is always a challenge.»
So, for all of the talk about «issues» progressives may have with Jeffries, they’re not offering up an alternative name for speaker. And, frankly, no one could beat Jeffries in this environment.
PROGRESSIVES FUME AT HAKEEM JEFFRIES FOR SAYING DEMOCRATS WON’T ‘GET EVEN’ WITH TRUMP
«You can’t beat somebody with nobody. And that’s kind of where I think this ‘race’ stands,» said Courtney, putting «race» in air quotes. «The worst thing that could happen is to start this Congress off like it happened in 2023, where we went through 15 ballots (before electing a speaker).»
That’s a reference to House Republicans stymieing the election of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., appeared mystified at progressive machinations over Jeffries.
«It is kind of odd. You get a coach who takes his team to the Super Bowl. They win by 30 points, and then they got folks who want to fire him the next day. It’s a little hard to figure out,» said Ivey.
Progressives may express concerns about Jeffries. But remember that Democrats have the majority because they flipped deeply red districts. The Democrats who will represent those districts know that voters could note if they supported Jeffries — or broke with him.
Rep.-elect Don Leonard, D-Ohio, appears to be one of the most outspoken incoming members. Leonard emerged from nowhere to defeat Rep. Mike Carey, R-Ohio. On Instagram, Leonard said Democratic leaders informed him in «no uncertain terms» that if he didn’t support Jeffries, the party brass would make his «life a living hell» and assure he would lose re-election.
So, there are questions from the left and questions from centrists.
Yours truly pressed Jeffries about whether the skepticism from progressives was real or just politics as they try to extract legislative promises out of him.
«I’m going to work hard to talk to every single member about what we’ve been able to do together over the last two years and what the opportunities are for us to do together in the next two years, to deliver upon the dramatic change that the American people so decisively voted for this past Tuesday,» Jeffries replied, not directly answering.
«That sounds like you don’t have it nailed down. Is that right?» I followed up.
Jeffries chuckled.
«You think I don’t have the vote nailed down?» he countered.
«I’m asking you. You’re the vote counter. Do you have them? Yes or no?» I queried.
«I guess we’ll find out next Wednesday,» Jeffries said.
I have reported on the air that it would take a lot to sidetrack a prospective Jeffries speakership.
House Democrats will likely have north of 260 seats in the new Congress.
The magic number to claim the gavel on the House floor is 218. It’s hard to see Jeffries losing 42 votes. Especially when no one is competing against him. Moreover, he only needs to marshal 131 votes in the Democratic Caucus (just better than half of 260) to become the official nominee.
But that said, there is tension in the Democratic ranks.
Some of that is natural inside such a massive coalition. It’s not construed by the press corps.
The question is how will Jeffries manage those disparate factions when he clasps the gavel as speaker Jan. 3.
The dispute now is a symptom of what problems could lie ahead.
politics, meet the new congress, congress, house of representatives
INTERNACIONAL
Iran escalates in Hormuz, claims strike on Omani island it says ‘enemy’ uses for US military ops
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Iran claims it struck a small Omani island in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting oil tanker navigation infrastructure as CENTCOM maintains its blockade of Iranian ports and protects commercial shipping from Iranian attacks along the southern route.
Three sources also confirmed to Reuters Wednesday that navigation systems and communications equipment on Didamar Island, also known as Little Quoin Island, had been attacked, raising concerns about the vulnerability of maritime infrastructure used to maintain oil shipments through the Gulf.
Iran’s semiofficial Fars News Agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy targeted the island, alleging the systems were being used to help vessels transit the strait without Tehran’s authorization.
WHITE HOUSE SILENT ON IRAN-OMAN HORMUZ PLAN TEHRAN SAYS WOULD BAN US WARSHIPS
A satellite image shows Didamar Island, Oman (Google/Airbus/Handout via Reuters)
Iranian state television also claimed that personnel and equipment on the island «were helping the flow of oil smuggling by the enemy,» with the IRGC maintaining it had carried out the strikes, Reuters reported.
Video published by Reuters showed smoke rising near the rocky outcrop.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said it identified the attack as occurring Nov. 8, before Iranian state media claimed responsibility on Nov. 10.
ISW also questioned the extent of the reported damage, noting that commercial vessels continued using the southern route after the attack.
«The extent of the damage to these systems and the systems struck remains unclear at the time of this writing,» ISW said in its assessment.
Satellite imagery from the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 program, cited by Reuters and dated Nov. 8, also showed apparent scorch marks near radar and radio equipment on the island.
TRADE VESSEL STRUCK BY PROJECTILE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID US-IRAN TALKS
A ship passes through the Strait of Hormuz during a two-week temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran April 8, 2026. (Shady Alassar/Anadolu/Getty Images)
The strike comes as U.S. forces carry out missions to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
The U.S. Navy imposed its blockade of Iranian ports in April after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in February amid escalating tensions. The U.S. lifted the blockade in June following a temporary ceasefire agreement, but then reinstated it in July.
Commercial and allied shipping through the waterway is advised to use a southern route through Omani territorial waters, located outside of Tehran’s direct military control and overseen by CENTCOM.
The latest incident on Didamar Island comes as Gulf oil exporters work to restore shipments disrupted by the conflict.
TRUMP MEETS KEY IRAN WAR MEDIATOR AS UAE REVEALS MAJOR OIL EXPORT SURGE DESPITE CONFLICT
An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboat sails in the Persian Gulf during an IRGC marine parade marking Persian Gulf National Day near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran, April 29, 2024. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
According to Reuters, regional oil exports recovered to more than 80% of prewar levels in September and October, aided by CENTCOM and increased Saudi exports through the Red Sea.
Shipping companies have also relied on offshore tanker-to-tanker transfers near Oman and the United Arab Emirates to maintain flows.
Didamar, meanwhile, belongs to Oman, making the reported attack particularly sensitive as Tehran seeks to disrupt maritime operations in the region. It is a small, uninhabited rocky island roughly 10 nautical miles north of the tip of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, near one of the principal commercial shipping routes through the strait.
The island has long served as a navigational landmark for vessels traveling along the waterway, including through a lighthouse established in 1914.
Its maritime infrastructure reportedly includes a radar system mounted on a roughly 25-meter tower and radio communications equipment used to assist vessels navigating the narrow passage.
The island has also been associated with the Hormuz Control Centre, which coordinates maritime traffic in the area.
OIL SQUEEZE TIGHTENS AS IRAN-BACKED ATTACKS CRIPPLE HORMUZ ESCAPE ROUTES
A satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, vital for global energy supply. (Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)
Arabian Maritime and Navigation Aids Services (AMMAS) has been identified as a provider of navigational support infrastructure in the region, including maritime lights, buoys and other equipment.
The reported Didamar attack also follows U.S. military operations against Iranian targets elsewhere in the waterway.
U.S. forces struck targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island Nov. 2, and officials described the strikes as «defensive» actions targeting Iranian surface-to-air missile threats.
Qeshm Island, located near the Strait of Hormuz, is home to Iranian naval facilities and military infrastructure associated with the Revolutionary Guard.
President Donald Trump also acknowledged Nov. 6 that American forces continue to conduct limited strikes against Iranian targets.
Asked by a reporter about the strikes near Qeshm Island, Trump said, «I don’t want to talk about it. We do minor strikes. They built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five.»
world, iran, war with iran, navy, national security, foreign affairs, middle east
El Salvador-backed air assault destroys Haiti gang headquarters amid search for missing troops
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