Latest news with #CentralAmerica
CTV News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Guatemala's president denies new asylum deal with U.S.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo walk inside the National Culture Palace to their meeting in Guatemala City, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Pool photo via AP) GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo said Friday he has not signed an agreement with the United States to take asylum seekers from other countries, pushing back against comments from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem and Arévalo met Thursday in Guatemala and the two governments publicly signed a joint security agreement that would allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to work in the capital's airport, training local agents how to screen for terrorism suspects. But Noem said she had also been given a signed document she called a safe third country agreement. She said she reached a similar deal in Honduras and said they were important outcomes of her trip. Asked about Noem's comments Friday during a news conference, Arévalo said that nothing new was signed related to immigration and that Guatemala was still operating under an agreement reached with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in February. That agreement stipulated that Guatemala would continue accepting the deportation of its own citizens, but also citizens of other Central American nations as a transit point on their way home. Arévalo said that when Rubio visited, safe third country was discussed because Guatemala had signed such an agreement during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term in office. But 'we made it clear that our path was different,' Arévalo said. He did add that Guatemala was willing to provide asylum to Nicaraguans who have been unable to return to their country because of the political situation there out of 'solidarity.' The president's communications office said Noem had been given the ratification of the agreement reached through diplomatic notes weeks earlier. During Trump's first term, the U.S. signed such safe third-country agreements with Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. They effectively allowed the U.S. to declare some asylum seekers ineligible to apply for U.S. protection and permitted the U.S. government to send them to those countries deemed 'safe.' By Sonia Pérez D.
Times
13 hours ago
- Times
Amor Arenal hotel review: sleep in the shadows of a Costa Rican volcano
Just 5 per cent of Amor's 250-acre undulating land was used to create this adult-friendly boutique hotel, which edges a rainforested canyon in full view of Arenal volcano. Each of the immaculate shiny-wood casitas (cottages) stands alone, lusciously enveloped by tropical foliage, and with the restaurant, bar, open-air spa, pools and gym all hidden amid this intense greenery, the resort feels deceptively small and looks empty, even when full. Guests either cocoon themselves in their casitas — taking full advantage of their rainforest-view spa pools — wander local trails or explore Arenal's zip lines, aerial walkways and thermal springs. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 9/10Amor's 31 casitas are essentially chocolate-box cottages, crafted from at least six varieties of precious hardwood, with private terraces for peering up at Arenal's famous volcano. It's heaven for honeymooners — think cloud-soft beds heaped with cushions, heated whirlpools and strong, rainforest-view double-head showers — and also suits friends travelling together (some rooms have twin queen beds). Yoga mats, kettle bells, plates of sweet treats and even hair straighteners are welcome touches. Light sleepers might find the lack of curtains unnerving, but even if the dawn light doesn't wake you up the howler monkeys will certainly sound the alarm. Just be aware that while all casitas are volcano-facing, the encroaching rainforest conceals the view from some. Buggies can be called upon to whisk those staying in the furthest flung accommodation to the restaurant sweat-free. Score 9/10The chefs are very selective with their produce, favouring organic, seasonal and regional ingredients. El Rancho, the main restaurant with a volcano-view terrace, infuses Latin American flavour into its dishes, though Mexico, Italy and Peru are well represented too. Breakfasts are hearty (think burritos bursting with fillings) but there are also lighter options: homemade pastries, fresh fruit and creamy oats. For something different, amble down the boardwalk from the restaurant (look out for resident red-eyed tree frogs) to La Jaranita Bar and Tico Grill where in-table barbecues are poised for socially grilling gallitos (soft corn tortillas). The hotel has a considered wine menu and a cocktail cart championing sugar cane-based guaro cacique concoctions. Foodies can also sign up for cookery demos, wine tasting and a chef's table dinner. • Read our full guide to Costa Rica• Best places to visit in Costa Rica Score 9/10It's hard to resist the allure of the gorgeously designed spa. Peeping between curtains of vines are sensual open-sided massage rooms, a thatched yoga shala and a meditation pavilion. It's rightfully popular, so worth booking a treatment before you come, though anyone can join the daily morning wellness classes focussing on yoga, meditation or sound therapy. Two trails explore Amor's canyon, past waterfalls, bubbling streams and pristine rainforest, though you'll need a guide if you are tackling the more challenging route. The hotel also has a couple of spring-fed pools backed by trickling waterfalls, lipstick palms and ginger, and a very well equipped gym furnished with functional training and cardio equipment as well as free weights. Score 9/10Arenal is Costa Rica's most photographed volcano and nothing but rainforest stands between Amor and this pointed peak (but don't worry, the volcano is currently 'resting'). This region is the country's undisputed adventure capital with treks, trails and aerial walkways leading through wildlife-dense rainforest, lakes for paddleboarding and meandering rivers for gentle floats or white-knuckle rafting — the accommodating hotel team can help craft you an itinerary. For a change of (culinary) scene, there are plenty of places to eat and drink in La Fortuna, a ten-minute drive away, along with shops selling souvenirs and supplies. Price B&B doubles from £470Restaurant mains from £20Family-friendly over-13s onlyAccessible Y Emma Boyle was a guest of Amor Arenal ( • Best places to see wildlife in Costa Rica• More great hotels in Costa Rica
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Noem's unexpected travel solution showcases key Trump policy in action
EXCLUSIVE: When Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's plane ride home encountered issues back from Guatemala on Thursday, she hitched a ride from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE had just conducted a deportation flight from the United States to the Central American country, as the administration ramps up its efforts to remove those in the country illegally. "Had some plane issues on the ride back from Guatemala. Fortunately, an ICE deportation flight carrying criminal illegal aliens had just touched down on the same tarmac in Guatemala," Noem said in a statement. The secretary used the opportunity to encourage individuals to self-deport before facing potential detention or further legal repercussions. For illegal immigrants who do not have criminal backgrounds, they are being offered free travel outside of the United States and $1,000. In addition, those who opt to self-deport will have their "failure to depart" fines, if applicable, scrapped. "Hitched a ride back to the USA on ICE Air—great flight. Use the [CBP Home] app to self deport now!" Noem continued. According to DHS, the arriving flight included people with drug trafficking, arson, assault and battery convictions. The flight left Alexandria, Louisiana, and arrived in Guatemala at 1:30 p.m., just two hours before they were about to take off. The secretary just wrapped up a multi-country visit to Central America, including Panama, Honduras and Costa Rica. Noem announced that Honduras and Guatemala could now potentially take in asylum seekers as part of a deal. "Honduras and now Guatemala, after today, will be countries that will take those individuals and give them refugee status as well," Noem said, according to the Associated Press. "We've never believed that the United States should be the only option, that the guarantee for a refugee is that they go somewhere to be safe and to be protected from whatever threat they face in their country. It doesn't necessarily have to be the United States," she added. The U.S. and Honduras also agreed to a "statement of intent" for "biometric cooperation." "We strengthened our partnership to combat illegal migration by signing a statement of intent for biometric cooperation—a critical tool to help both Honduras and the United States detect criminals and terrorists attempting to cross our borders," Noem posted to X on Thursday.
Washington Post
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Guatemala's president denies new asylum deal with US
GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo said Friday he has not signed an agreement with the United States to take asylum seekers from other countries, pushing back against comments from U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem . Noem and Arévalo met Thursday in Guatemala and the two governments publicly signed a joint security agreement that would allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to work in the capital's airport, training local agents how to screen for terrorism suspects. But Noem said she had also been given a signed document she called a safe third country agreement. She said she reached a similar deal in Honduras and said they were important outcomes of her trip. Asked about Noem's comments Friday during a news conference, Arévalo said that nothing new was signed related to immigration and that Guatemala was still operating under an agreement reached with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in February. That agreement stipulated that Guatemala would continue accepting the deportation of its own citizens, but also citizens of other Central American nations as a transit point on their way home. Arévalo said that when Rubio visited, safe third country was discussed because Guatemala had signed such an agreement during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term in office. But 'we made it clear that our path was different,' Arévalo said. He did add that Guatemala was willing to provide asylum to Nicaraguans who have been unable to return to their country because of the political situation there out of 'solidarity.' The president's communications office said Noem had been given the ratification of the agreement reached through diplomatic notes weeks earlier. During Trump's first term, the U.S. signed such safe third-country agreements with Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala . They effectively allowed the U.S. to declare some asylum seekers ineligible to apply for U.S. protection and permitted the U.S. government to send them to those countries deemed 'safe.'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
As Christian missionary, I oppose increasing deficit to deport peaceful migrants
Few leaders today are willing to stand up against policies that saddle our children and grandchildren with massive debt. As the "big beautiful bill" comes before the U.S. Senate for consideration, Wisconsin's senior U.S. Senator, Ron Johnson, is right to oppose the current version. I spent most of my career as an evangelical missionary in Central America, and now in my retirement I teach English to immigrants through my church. There are some provisions of this bill that I appreciate. As a pro-life Christian, for example, I would be happy to see Planned Parenthood defunded. Yet, there are several problems with the bill overall, which would add $3 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade, in part as an effect of the bill's dramatic spending on immigration enforcement. There's no question that Sen. Johnson is committed to secure borders, as am I. But the reality is that the border is relatively quiet right now, with so few individuals arriving unlawfully that most Border Patrol agents along the U.S.-Mexico border do not interact with a single unlawful crosser in a typical month. While some new resources may be needed, $60 billion for border security is a ton. At a certain point, more walls and Border Patrol staffing start to look more like a government-subsidized jobs program than a real national security strategy. Similarly, Immigration & Customs Enforcement needs enough funding to detain and deport violent criminals, as President Trump has said is the priority. But with $3.4 billion currently allocated for detention, most currently-detained individuals have not been convicted of any crime, and the greatest increase in detainees has been among those never accused of any crime. This suggests that the funding is not targeting violent criminals but rather sweeping up peaceful individuals who pose no threat. Yet this bill proposes $45 billion in new funding for detention alone. Letters: House budget provision exempts executive branch from following court orders That spending doesn't just increase the deficit. It also means detaining hardworking members of our community, including the dairy workers our state depends upon. Many of these individuals entered lawfully. They were sponsored by churches or family members, came through airports and lived and worked legally in our state until the administration terminated their temporary legal protections, making them vulnerable to detention and deportation. Johnson has rightly affirmed that legal immigrants contribute in important ways to our state's economy, and Trump has also acknowledged the indispensable role of many immigrants in agriculture and other sectors of our economy. But the budget bill would almost certainly lead to many being detained and deported at taxpayers' expense. When I lived abroad as an American in Costa Rica, I had to navigate that country's rules governing foreigners' presence, and I understand that our country must have such processes as well. But I was never made to feel hunted or harassed, as many immigrants do here today, even those who entered lawfully and have been working lawfully. Now, as I help hardworking farmworkers and other immigrants learn English here in rural Sheboygan County, I've noticed how our current political climate has instilled fear among the honest, hardworking immigrants I serve. It concerns me deeply. So, while I'm concerned about this bill for fiscal reasons, I'm especially concerned as a Christian. Four out of five of those vulnerable to detention with all this extra money are fellow Christians, as a report from the National Association of Evangelicals and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops documents. Opinion: Wisconsin voters don't want to lose health coverage. Yet 96,000 will under Trump Some of them — such as Afghan Christians who have recently been threatened with deportation — would be returned to likely martyrdom. This has drawn the concern of leaders at conservative Christian organizations like Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council and the Wisconsin Family Council. I'm thankful for Johnson's independence in speaking out against the fiscal excesses of this bill, and I hope and pray he'll hold his ground. There are existing bipartisan frameworks for immigration reform, such as Republican Representative Maria Salazar's Dignity Act, which would present a much better option, ensuring secure borders without terrorizing law-abiding individuals and indebting out grandchildren. I pray that Congress will consider these potential solutions. Rev. Thomas Soerens served for three decades with the mission agency of the Christian Reformed Church in North America and now is retired in Oostburg. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Political climate instills fear in honest immigrants | Opinion
