Central America

Why are Asia’s affluent obsessed with Cuban cigars?

Cuban cigars are in high demand among Asia’s wealthy elite with tobacco firm Habanos SA reporting record sales of $827 million in 2024. China leads the surge and India’s luxury cigar market is also rapidly expanding. Despite challenges like hurricanes and tobacco regulations, the country’s cigar industry remains a crucial economic lifeline

Can Trump jail Americans in El Salvador jails? He says 'in a heartbeat if... '

It is illegal to send US prisoners to another country and would likely be in violation of the Constitution and the protection against cruel and unusual treatment

Trump’s threat to retake control of Panama Canal: What’s the history behind the controversy?

US President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that the United States might reclaim the Panama Canal, citing rising tariffs and potential Chinese influence. This provocative statement revives discussions about the canal’s tumultuous history — from its American-led construction to its transfer to Panama in 1999 — and the geopolitics of one of the world’s most vital trade arteries

Trump threatens to take back Panama Canal as he complains about 'ridiculous fees'

While complaining about the 'ridiculous fees' US incurs when shipping goods through the Panama Canal, President-elect Donald Trump threatened to take back the water passageway from the authorities in Panama

A tale of two constitutions: Fears of democratic erosion as Nicaragua, Congo leaders seek more power

In both cases, the leaders frame their proposals as necessary to modernise governance or stabilise their nations. Opponents see them as attempts to dismantle democratic safeguards and prolong their rule

Is Hurricane Milton man-made? The many conspiracy theories doing the rounds

Hurricane Milton is wreaking havoc across Florida, leaving nearly two million without power and destroying hundreds of homes. Amid the devastation, conspiracy theories have flooded social media, claiming that the storm was engineered through weather manipulation or government interference

Nicaragua now orders churches to pay taxes in President Ortega's ongoing crackdown

Nicaragua has imposed a 30 per cent income tax on churches and religious entities and shut down over 150 NGOs. This crackdown has drawn widespread condemnation from international bodies, including the UN and the IACHR

Why Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega is cracking down on civil society

Sometimes even major developments in smaller countries don’t get the global attention that they deserve. Nicaragua is one such case, where President Robert Ortega has been cracking down on civil society for six years.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen thanks Belize for support amid 'constant threats' from China

President Tsai met Belize's prime minister on the final stop of a visit to Central America, where allies have been dwindling, and barely a week after Honduras became the latest to switch ties to Beijing

WATCH: China threatens reprisal as Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen arrives in the US

Tsai is stopping over in the United States en route to Central America, where she will meet with the leaders of Guatemala and Belize to shore up ties with those diplomatic allies. On her way back to Taiwan she will stop in California