Central America

The Federal Aviation Administration and Pentagon announced on Friday that they had signed an agreement to allow the government to use a high-energy laser counter-drone along the southern border of the United States with Mexico. After the FAA tested the laser system in New Mexico used by the Pentagon, Homeland Security Department, and verified that the proper safety controls were in place and did not pose any undue risk to passenger aircraft. Two previous incidents raised serious concerns. The U.S. Military accidentally shot down a drone using the laser-based systems on?February 25. This led the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to...

The top Democrat of the U.S. Senate 'Commerce Aviation Subcommittee called on Friday for a federal investigation into a recent incident of a government use of a laser based 'anti-drone - system in Texas. Senator Tammy Duckworth, who sent the letter to, requested that the inspectors generals of the Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security and Defense jointly investigate the use by the government for high-energy lasers against drones. She stated that the Texas incidents near the Mexican border raise serious questions about interagency coordination, notification procedures and aviation safety protocols. On February 25, the U.S. Military accidentally shot down a...

The top Democrat of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee stated on Thursday that recent incidents involving a 'laser-based system to combat drones in Texas, put 'the flying public at risk. Government agencies must address these serious issues. In a letter to the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Maria Cantwell said that "These incidents exposed serious process failures which expose the flying public in unacceptable safety risks". She added, "It is unacceptable that this system has been deployed without adequate coordination between FAA and the law." U.S. Military accidentally shot down a government-owned drone on?February 25 with a...

The Senate's top Democrat said that the recent occurrences involving the government's use of a laser anti-drone system put flying public in danger and the government must take serious measures. Senator Maria Cantwell sent a letter to the Pentagon, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies, saying that these incidents revealed "serious failures in the process" which exposed the flying public to unacceptable safety risk. It is unacceptable that the system was installed without proper coordination with FAA. This 'likely' violated law. Cantwell said that the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles...

The Pentagon announced on Friday that it would 'conduct tests with the Federal Aviation Administration in New Mexico this weekend of high-energy lasers used to combat threatening drones. The Pentagon stated that "this upcoming event will address FAA safety concerns, while gathering data on the material effects of lasers on aircraft surrogates. It will also validate the functionality and safety shutoff systems for automated safety, as well as inform analyses to ensure the safety of aircrews' eyes." On February 25, the U.S. Military erroneously shot down a government-owned drone using a laser-based system. The 'FAA expanded the area around Fort...

Ryanair's CEO stated on Tuesday that Easter bookings have increased to European destinations, as people avoid the Middle East because of the regional conflict. He added that he did not expect a "big" impact in the long-term. The conflict between Israel, the U.S. and Iran has disrupted flights worldwide, shut down key Middle Eastern hubs, and sent oil prices soaring. Analysts warned of weeks of disruption. Michael O'Leary said at a press conference that there has been a huge drop in bookings for the Middle East and an increase in short-haul flights within Europe. "But I do not think that...

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned flights in an area around Fort Hancock on Thursday after lawmakers claimed that a military laser anti-drone system was used by the Pentagon to accidentally shoot down a U.S. Government drone. The FAA did not comment immediately, nor did the Pentagon. However, the FAA's notice regarding the restrictions of the airspace near Mexico border cited "special reasons for security". U.S. U.S. According to Congressional aides, the Pentagon is believed to have accidentally shot down the CBP drone near the Mexican border. This area is prone to incursions from Mexican drones that are used by...

After violence erupted near Guadalajara following a military operation in which cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera was killed, FIFA monitored the situation in the city that will host the World Cup in 2026. According to the Defense Ministry, Oseguera was injured during a special force operation in Jalisco, Mexico, on the Pacific coast. He died in custody. A FIFA Mexico spokesperson said: "We are constantly in communication with the authorities and closely monitor the situation in Jalisco." We will continue to follow actions and directions of the various government agencies aimed at maintaining the public safety and restoring the normalcy. And...

Violence flared up near Guadalajara - one of Mexico's host cities for the 2026 World Cup - after a military operation that killed cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera on Sunday. Oseguera (60), the mastermind behind the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died in custody following an injury sustained in a special force operation in Jalisco, a state on Mexico's Pacific Coast. Mexican league announced on social media that two games scheduled for Sunday, Queretaro against FC Juarez (men's?) and Chivas against America (women's) league, have been postponed. Local media also reported that two second division matches scheduled to be...

These are the top stories from the Wall Street Journal. The?Wall Street Journal has not?verified? these stories, and does not vouch? for their accuracy. Ed Garden, an investor, has acquired a stake in Fortune Brands Innovations, a building products supplier. He is now looking to replace the incoming CEO. Winter storms in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic have caused more than 8,000 flights to be canceled on Sunday and Monday. Most of these were routes into or out from Boston and New York. A military raid in Mexico on Sunday resulted in the death of a notorious drug lord, "El Mencho"...

Mexican officials announced on Sunday that Mexican drug lord Nemesio seguera (commonly known as "El Mencho") was killed in a raid by the military. The?government of Mexico has increased pressure on cartels following?U.S. ?intervention threats. Mexico's Defense Ministry said Oseguera was seriously injured in a shooting incident that occurred in Jalisco, a western state. He died on the flight to Mexico City. The ministry stated that U.S. officials had provided "complementary" information. The operation sparked a wave violence with cars torched and gunmen blocking roads in more than a half dozen states. Oseguera, an ex-policeman, was the mysterious leader of...

Next week, the U.S. Department of Transportation will brief Congress about the?the?. Sudden shutdown Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, said on Friday that the decision to close Texas' El Paso Airport earlier this month was not a mistake. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted all traffic at the airport in February. Initially, the shutdown was to last for 10 days. However, the FAA reversed course and lifted the order within eight hours. Last week,?and others outlets reported that the FAA had closed the airspace due to?concerns about a military anti-drone laser system being tested nearby at Fort?Bliss. Duffy, the FAA's...

MercadoLibre, an e-commerce company, said that it would invest?57 billion reais (about $10.9 billion) in?its main market Brazil this coming year. This is a 50% increase from 2025. MercadoLibre stated that the money, which includes operating costs and expenses will primarily be used to expand its logistics, strengthen its ecommerce marketplace platform, and?increase its credit portfolio for its fintech Mercado Pago. The company, based in Uruguay, but relying on Brazil for more than half of its revenues, plans to expand 14 fulfillment centers in Brazil this year. This will bring the total number up to 42. MercadoLibre said it would...

Mexico's government announced on Thursday that it had taken legal action to force Millon, a French auction house, to stop the planned sale this week of 40 precolombian artifacts Mexico considers to be its cultural heritage. Mexico has launched "appropriate legal procedures before?the?relevant?authorities", and reached out via diplomatic channels to repatriate the artifacts, Culture Secretary Claudia Curiel stated in a social media post. She said, "The protection of cultural heritage is the responsibility of the State and an act historical justice." Millon will hold an in-person sale of a precolombian collection entitled "Les Empires of Light" (The Empires of Light),...

Argentina, a global food supplier, is planning to boost its grain and mineral exports through privatization, and a modernization program of its railway network. Industry leaders claim that this will reduce freight costs in regions located far from ports by half. The first tender will be for the Belgrano Cargas, which runs the three biggest freight train lines in the country. The initiative, which will be launched in early 2019, could increase production of global commodities like soybeans and corn. It also includes copper and lithium. The project could also help transport sand from Vaca Muerta in Argentina's Southwest. The...

The State Department announced on Monday that the United States will impose visa restrictions on those in Nicaragua who are responsible for facilitating illegal immigration into the country. This includes the owners of travel agencies, tour operators, and transportation companies. According to a non-specific statement, the State Department has taken action to revoke some visas. The Department of Homeland Security said that "investigations show the entities represented by these individuals facilitated travel to Nicaragua. This was enabled by the Nicaraguan dictatorship’s migration policies, which are permissive and designed this way. These policies destabilize the area and encourage illegal immigration into...

Mexico's automotive industry has warned of "complexity" in the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Executives cited concerns about tighter rules for origin and the scrutiny of Asian components. Heavy-vehicle makers expressed their concerns at the CIAN Automotive Conference about adapting to current rules while meeting USMCA requirements. To qualify for tariff-free entry, the agreement requires that a percentage of vehicle components originate in North America. Rogelio Garca, president of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Truck Manufacturers, (ANPACT), said that the current rule is not feasible, given the fact that components are often imported multiple times prior...

These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and we cannot vouch their accuracy. Mexico is planning to increase import tariffs on almost 1,500 products including cars, steel, textiles and appliances to protect the domestic industry and job opportunities, particularly from cheap Chinese goods. This comes amid wider trade talks with both the U.S. Oracle has signed an unprecedented $300 billion cloud computing contract with OpenAI to support massive AI expansion starting in 2027. This is one of the biggest tech contracts ever, and signals a high-stakes wager on ChatGPT’s continued...

A freight train crashed into a double decker passenger bus in central Mexico, killing 10 people and injuring at least 61 others. The train operator claimed that the double decker bus was trying to pass the moving train. Canadian Pacific Kansas City de Mexico, the railroad, sent condolences and urged drivers to obey road signs and stop at railroad crossings. Herradura de Plata, the bus operator in question, did not respond immediately to a comment request. First responders had cordoned off and photographed the scene. The bus's metal frame was badly dented as well as the front of its top...

Mexican truck drivers from the border city Ciudad Juarez are studying English to comply with a President Donald Trump executive order that requires commercial drivers to be proficient in English. To meet U.S. standards, 50 truck drivers hauling goods between Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso in Texas attend four to eight hours a week of English classes organized by their employers, Fletes Sotelo. Manuel Sotelo said that classes began six weeks ago and the goal was to have all drivers of the company know basic English. Sotelo also serves as the president of Ciudad Juarez's transport association. Jose Murguia...

In recent days, protests by indigenous peoples and poor roads disrupted the shipping of Brazil's bumper soya crop via the river port Miritituba within the Amazon rainforest. This has caused concern for global companies such as Cargill and Bunge who have important operations. Abiove, the association of grain handlers in Nigeria, reported on Friday that road access to Miritituba had been partially or totally blocked for two weeks. This has prevented the shipment of almost 70,000 tons per day of grain, equivalent to almost $30 millions of product value. In a statement issued jointly with the farm group Aprosoja Brasil,...

Presidentelect Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on the top trade partners China, Mexico and Canada would deal a blow to the $1.7 trillion U.S. transportation industry and worsen a nearly threeyear trucking recession, sector experts stated. The market that moves whatever Americans make and buy is considered a financial bellwether, and will be amongst the first to signify any unexpected consequences of trade policies that Trump says will assist, not hurt, U.S. organizations. Tariffs like those proposed will raise costs, and higher rates suggest less need. Less demand equates to less freight, stated Jason Miller, interim chair of the department of...

Berkshire Hathawayowned BNSF Train will resume providing licenses for grain shuttle bus heading to Mexico beginning Tuesday, the company informed Reuters on Monday, in a relocation that could assist alleviate some delays impacting agricultural exports. The news comes as U.S. East and Gulf Coast port employees are set to go on strike on Tuesday, without any talks presently set up to avoid an interruption. Rail stockpiles have actually been interrupting export trade between the United States and Mexico and snarling farming supply chains as the fall harvest is under method. In late August, BNSF stopped issuing licenses for grain shuttle...

Brazilian cargo business Modern Logistics expects to get in the U.S. and Mexican markets in the next few months as it puts in location an expansion technique that will include looking at merger and acquisition opportunities in the brief to midterm. WHY IT is necessary Modern is a big player in the fast-growing cargo market in Latin America's largest economy, which has actually been increased in recent years by e-commerce and facilities financial investments. RESTRUCTURING Established in the 2010s by former Azul executives, Modern underwent a restructuring last year that saw previous FedEx executive Cristiano Koga selected as CEO. The...