The charge is linked to provisions in Cuba’s penal code that criminalise actions deemed to undermine the state’s constitutional system. Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific content or actions that led to the decision, but both individuals are known online for sharing commentary critical of official policies and the country’s political direction.

Human rights organisations have described the move as part of an escalating pattern of legal action against activists, journalists and digital content creators in recent years. Cuban officials, however, have consistently defended the application of such laws as necessary to protect national sovereignty and public order.

The case comes at a time of heightened economic strain and social tension on the island, with dissent increasingly expressed through social media platforms. The decision to impose provisional detention means both influencers will remain in custody while investigations continue and the legal process moves forward.

Ecuador’s Olympic Committee (COE) warned that the country is close to facing a possible Olympic suspension due to alleged state interference in sports governance . The alert follows a conflict between the COE and Fedeguayas, after government pressure linked to leadership disputes within the federation. COE officials argue that state involvement violates the principle of autonomy required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They cautioned that continued interference could lead to sanctions, including exclusion from international competitions. Authorities have not ruled out dialogue, but tensions remain unresolved.

Ecuador reviews Colombia’s account of foreign ministers’ meeting

Ecuador’s government said it is analysing Colombia’s version of a recent bilateral meeting between foreign ministers, which outlined commitments on security cooperation, energy integration and tariff issues. Quito stressed the importance of coordination on cross-border security, particularly in the fight against organised crime. Officials highlighted energy collaboration and trade as shared priorities, while underscoring Ecuador’s interest in concrete follow-up mechanisms. The statement reflects cautious diplomacy as both countries seek to balance cooperation with national interests.

Messi sparks excitement as Inter Miami arrives in Guayaquil

Argentine football star Lionel Messi was enthusiastically welcomed by fans in Guayaquil ahead of a friendly match between Inter Miami and Barcelona SC, dubbed the “Match of History ”. Supporters gathered outside the Oro Verde Hotel, praising Messi’s legacy and expressing excitement at seeing him play in Ecuador. Authorities deployed a special security operation due to the scale of public interest. The match, part of Inter Miami’s South American tour, is expected to feature players such as Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, drawing significant attention nationwide.

Prison authority cites improvements at Penitenciaría del Litoral amid health concerns

Ecuador’s prison authority SNAI said it is implementing improvements in food provision and infrastructure at the Penitenciaría del Litoral following reports of sanitary problems. Officials claimed measures are underway to address hygiene, overcrowding and basic services at the facility. The prison has been at the centre of repeated crises, highlighting structural weaknesses in the penitentiary system. SNAI insisted that reforms are ongoing, though concerns from inmates’ relatives and human rights groups persist.

Scientist documents Ecuador’s butterflies after three decades of research

Entomologist Keith Willmott has spent more than 30 years studying Ecuador’s butterflies, documenting species with transparent wings and others affected by forest fires . His work combines field research and conservation science, contributing to global understanding of biodiversity in Ecuador’s ecosystems. Willmott has highlighted how habitat loss and climate change threaten butterfly populations. His research underscores Ecuador’s role as a biodiversity hotspot and the importance of long-term scientific study for conservation efforts.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Bukele said El Salvador was willing to share its experience in confronting criminal gangs, allowing Chile to draw lessons suited to its own context. He framed his government’s security strategy as a practical response to escalating violence , arguing that decisive action had been central to restoring public order in his country.

Bukele also warned against what he described as the risks of inaction in the face of organised crime, questioning how human rights are interpreted in countries experiencing high levels of criminality. He suggested that allowing criminal groups to expand unchecked could have long-term consequences for state authority and public safety.

Kast, for his part, praised El Salvador’s prison system and described Bukele’s security policies as a source of inspiration, while stressing the need to adapt any measures to Chile’s legal and social framework. Earlier in the day, Kast visited the CECOT high-security prison to observe its operations, infrastructure and inmate supervision methods, reflecting security and crime control as central themes of his political agenda.

“They really tried to break me but it built me,” he wrote. “They wanted me gone but I’m here, all glory to GOD!!!”

Vitaly, 33, was deported to Russia on January 17 following a detention that began in April 2025, after his livestreamed pranks in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) — a major business and leisure district in Taguig — triggered public backlash and legal action. 

His videos showed him grabbing a security guard’s cap, attempting to seize another guard’s firearm and threatening to rob a woman, incidents prosecutors said amounted to criminal harassment.

Philippine immigration authorities said the Bureau of Immigration’s Board of Commissioners ordered his deportation after three counts of unjust vexation filed against him in Taguig courts were settled. 

Another foreign vlogger deported

Vitaly’s case has become a reference point for a broader crackdown on foreign vloggers accused of harassing Filipinos for online content. 

This month, authorities arrested 34-year-old Estonian national Siim Roosipuu, who ran a YouTube channel called Pro Life Traveler. 

Roosipuu was detained on January 15 in a joint operation involving immigration intelligence officers, police and local officials, and now faces deportation.

Authorities said Roosipuu gained notoriety for harassing locals, with social media users alleging that his videos included chasing people and posing highly inappropriate questions to underage women. 

Local officials in Negros Oriental formally declared him persona non grata (unwanted person), citing complaints of unauthorised filming, harassment and offensive remarks.

“This is another Vitaly case — different person, same behavior,” Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said. “A foreign vlogger comes here, disrespects Filipinos, violates our laws and thinks he can hide behind a camera and a social media following. That ends here.”

“The Philippines is not a content playground,” he added. “We welcome tourists and legitimate creators, but anyone who exploits our people for views, clicks, or profit will face arrest, deportation and blacklisting.”

Under prison regulations, inmates serving one-year sentences become eligible for parole after completing eight months, provided they meet basic conduct requirements.

The source said Thaksin is expected to qualify during the May review cycle, despite his inmate classification not yet being upgraded due to timing constraints in earlier assessments.

Classification reviews are conducted four times a year and consider behaviour, participation in activities, sentence length and time already served.

Thaksin, 76, was taken into custody on September 9 last year after the Supreme Court ordered him to serve a one-year term for abuse of authority and conflicts of interest while in office.

During the prison visit, Thaksin’s son-in-law Pidok Sooksawas told reporters the former premier was in good spirits and following political developments closely from inside prison.

Thaksin also conveyed support for Pheu Thai Party candidates ahead of the February general election and expressed condolences over a deadly crane accident in northeastern Thailand.

Supporters from the red-shirt movement gathered outside the prison.

Jailed after years in exile

Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023 after more than 15 years in self-imposed exile and was immediately sentenced to eight years in prison, later reduced to one year by royal clemency.

Although he spent much of that period in a police hospital, the Supreme Court later ruled the hospital stay did not count as prison time, forcing him to serve his sentence at Klongprem.

If granted parole in May, Thaksin’s release would mark another pivotal moment in Thailand’s long-running political saga , which has seen him jailed and his daughter, Paetongtarn, win and lose the premiership. 

The visit places Chaves among a limited group of international officials who have previously entered CECOT, including US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and former Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich. The prison, widely associated with El Salvador’s crackdown on organised crime, has become a focal point for regional security discussions.

Chaves’ tour concluded a visit that began on Thursday and included meetings with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. During the trip, both leaders signed the Shield of the Americas Alliance , an agreement designed to strengthen cooperation against organised crime and enhance national security efforts between the two countries.

CECOT is the largest prison in Latin America , built to house up to 40,000 inmates and currently holding around 15,000 people accused of links to the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs. In August, Chaves announced plans to construct a 5,000-inmate prison in Costa Rica inspired by El Salvador’s model, a project scheduled for completion in 2026 but which has yet to begin construction.

According to official reports, 27 inmates were found hanged in their cells, apparently asphyxiated in one of the most chilling episodes of prison violence in the country. The prison oversight body (SNAI) stated that the deaths are being thoroughly investigated. Earlier that day, four prisoners died and more than 40 were injured during a riot, in an incident attributed to the reorganisation of inmates.

Analysts point to a broader pattern of instability in Ecuador’s detention system. Since 2021, more than 500 inmates have died in comparable clashes, often linked to gang rivalries and systemic overcrowding in prisons. The El Oro facility is reported to be overfilled, and internal power struggles among criminal organisations such as Los Lobos and Sao Box continue to drive violence.

The social organisations demanding accountability are calling for an immediate declaration of a national prison emergency, warning that without urgent intervention, such episodes will continue to put inmates’ fundamental rights at risk.

The massacre has not only fuelled domestic criticism but also attracted international attention. Observers warn that the crisis highlights serious governance failures and underscores the need for Ecuador to cooperate with global partners to reform its penal system.

According to court documents, McKechnie argued that he has a right to eat Vegemite because it constitutes “his culture as an Australian.” 

His complaint specifically points to Victoria’s human rights charter, which affirms that no person should be denied the opportunity to “enjoy their culture.”

The Vegemite ban inside Victoria’s jails is not new and has been in place since 2006. 

The restriction was put in place over concerns that the yeast-laden spread could be used to ferment and brew makeshift alcoholic drinks, often referred to as “pruno” or “hooch.”

Additionally, the sticky paste of Vegemite is listed as a banned item because inmates could allegedly smear it across contraband to mask its smell from prison sniffer dogs.

The spread holds a significant cultural place in Australia. It was first created in Melbourne in the early 1920s as a substitute for British Marmite during wartime shortages. 

In 2022, a Melbourne council even declared that the distinctive smell emanating from a local Vegemite factory held “significant” heritage value.

The lawsuit brings international attention to the highly polarizing spread.

In 2018, Vegemite was featured at Sweden’s “Disgusting Food Museum,” ranking alongside items like fermented herrings and maggot-infested cheese.

These developments carry implications beyond Ecuador’s borders. With transnational criminal organisations increasingly exploiting regional prison systems, the transfer signals a tougher posture toward organised crime. The move also echoes a broader trend in Latin America of governments adopting stricter security measures in response to systemic incarceration crises.

At the same time, human rights observers warn of the risks of ultra-secure prisons becoming instruments of repression rather than rehabilitation. The shift raises questions about oversight, the rights of detainees, and the balance between security and State accountability—issues that resonate globally amid debates on mass imprisonment, prison conditions and criminal justice reform.

Who’s behind bars?

In recent years, Barbadillo has housed four former presidents in all. Alberto Fujimori (president 1990–2000) was its first occupant. Extradited from Chile, Fujimori was convicted in 2009 of authorising death-squad killings and other abuses and sentenced to 25 years. He then spent 16 years at Barbadillo. As he aged and fell ill, critics fought his 2017 pardon, but a 2023 court ultimately ordered his release on humanitarian grounds. On December 7, 2023, Barbadillo’s gates opened for Fujimori – now 85 – when Peru’s highest court restored his pardon.

Ollanta Humala (2011–2016) was also jailed at Barbadillo, but only briefly. In 2017, Peru built the facility for Fujimori, then transferred Humala there under guard when he faced a money-laundering probe tied to Odebrecht. Humala’s cell was kept separate from Fujimori’s, but both had similar quarters – a bedroom, office and a courtyard for gardening. (Humala and his wife were later freed on appeal.) Martín Vizcarra (2018–2020) spent just 22 days in Barbadillo in 2022 under pre-trial detention on graft allegations as a regional governor before a court ordered his release.

Pedro Castillo was whisked to Barbadillo immediately after his dramatic ouster and arrest in December 2022. Castillo, a former schoolteacher, had declared a self-coup attempt by announcing the dissolution of Congress, triggering his impeachment on charges of “rebellion and conspiracy”. He has been held on a preventive detention order – initially seven days, later extended to 36 months – while facing a trial for these charges. (He also faces separate graft investigations from his time in office.)

Alejandro Toledo arrived at Barbadillo in April 2023 after a lengthy extradition from the U.S. Reuters reports note he was ordered to serve 18 months of pre-trial detention in the Lima police base. Toledo is accused of taking up to $35 million in bribes from Brazil’s Odebrecht for public works (Interoceanica Sur highway). He has denied wrongdoing, but in October 2024, a court convicted him of accepting bribes and sentenced him to 20.5 years, and in September 2025, a second conviction (money laundering) added 13 years. He is now formally serving those terms concurrently in Barbadillo’s Lima police-base prison .

What life inside looks like

Compared to overcrowded Peruvian prisons, Barbadillo offers relatively privileged conditions: a small number of cells, personal bathrooms, study areas, and even garden access. While these amenities have raised debates about whether ex-presidents are being treated too leniently, the facility remains far from luxurious.

Built originally for former President Alberto Fujimori upon his 2007 extradition, Barbadillo sits inside a fenced special-operations police base, and its official capacity is only two (later expanded to three) inmates

In practice , it has become Peru’s “presidential prison,” quietly holding a parade of ex-leaders. Despite its upgraded quarters, Barbadillo is not gilded: authorities stress it has no secret luxuries, only slightly roomier cells than the country’s overcrowded jails.

Each bedroom in Barbadillo is roughly 4×4 meters and comes with basic furniture, including a bed, a couch, and a table, but no bars on the windows.

Wilfredo Pedraza, former head of Peru’s National Penitentiary Institute and now Ollanta Humala’s lawyer, described Barbadillo as “a prison without the usual barred windows.”

For many Peruvians, Barbadillo is both a symbol of justice catching up with corrupt leaders and a reminder of the country’s ongoing governance crisis.

Since September 9, the former leader has been serving a one-year sentence — a term commuted by the king in 2023 from an original eight-year conviction for conflicts of interest and abuse of power.

"I humbly accept and am ready to enter the (judicial) process after today's verdict," Thaksin said in a statement after the ruling. "Even as I lose my freedom today, I still have the freedom of thought to benefit the country and the people."

Thaksin, 76, returned to Thailand in 2023 after 15 years of self-imposed exile in Dubai. Upon arrival by private jet, he was taken directly to prison but spent only a few hours there before complaining of chest pains and heart problems.

The billionaire former telecoms tycoon — one of Thailand’s richest men — was quickly transferred to the Police General Hospital in Bangkok, where he remained under detention for six months, until February 2024.

In May, photos and videos posted by Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, chairman of the Thai Pakdee Party, revealed that Thaksin’s hospital suite was anything but austere. The room featured couches, cooking facilities and other amenities befitting a VIP.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled that his prolonged hospital stay was a tactic to avoid imprisonment, noting that minor surgeries had been carried out to extend his time there.

Now, Thaksin faces a harsher reality.

Less than 20 kilometres from the Police General Hospital, Klong Prem Central Prison is where Thaksin will serve his one-year sentence, alongside roughly 6,500 inmates across 11 zones.

Inside the maximum-security facility, prisoners sleep with three blankets, share communal bathing areas and eat bland food, according to accounts from people familiar with the prison who spoke to Reuters .

Reuters photographs of the general cells show peeling walls, grime, and a single ceiling fan for a cell that houses as many as 25. It remains unclear which section of the prison Thaksin has been assigned to, given the size of the complex.

What is clear is that the conditions of Klong Prem stand are a stark contrast to the hospital suite where he spent the past year. And when Thaksin eventually leaves prison, he will step back into a Thai political landscape markedly different from the one he once dominated.

She had initially been given 87 years, with three years imposed for each of the 29 clips shared, but the sentence was halved after she confessed.

Anchan was among 85 inmates granted clemency from the Central Women's Correctional Institution in Bangkok.

"It's been more than eight years, which feels like my whole life. It's a bitter feeling for me because it's not my place. It’s torture," Anchan said after her release. "I feel very happy. I didn't think it would be so warm and welcoming like this."

Thailand’s lese-majeste law , also known as Section 112, has been criticised by rights groups for its broad application, with warnings that it has been used to silence legitimate criticism and dissent.

In 2021, Anchan’s case marked the longest sentence ever imposed for royal insult until 2024, when a 32-year-old online seller, Mongkol Thirakot, was sentenced to at least 50 years over Facebook posts deemed insulting to the monarchy.

Earlier this month, former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted of royal insult charges over a 2015 interview in which he was accused of making remarks critical of the monarchy.

Several rights organisations, including Amnesty International , welcomed Anchan’s release as a rare reprieve for political prisoners in Thailand.

Last month, Thai lawmakers rejected an amnesty bill for lese-majeste offenders, a decision rights groups described as a setback.

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 280 people have been prosecuted under Section 112 in the past five years, with cases rising sharply following the student-led protests of 2020, during which some demonstrators made unprecedented public criticism of the king.

"I wish the amnesty would be enforced on ordinary people too,” Anchan said.

Speaking during a visit to a prison in North Sumatra, the minister said President Prabowo Subianto had given direct instructions for the project.

“The preparations are underway,” he told reporters after touring the Medan Class I Prison.

The move comes as the government steps up efforts to tighten security and reduce the influence of powerful inmates inside existing prisons. Officials say the new facility will make it harder for prisoners to run criminal operations while in custody.

The country has already transferred close to 1,000 high-risk prisoners to Nusakambangan, a high-security prison complex on the southern coast of Java.

Minister Andrianto said that kind of transfer helps protect other inmates and limit the spread of drugs and gang activity.

“This is about safeguarding the integrity of our correctional system, which upholds a noble purpose,” he said .

The remote prison plan is being described as part of a broader shift towards stricter control measures and modern rehabilitation, although full details on its location and timeline have not been made public.

During his visit, the minister also sat down for a meal with inmates and spoke to them about rehabilitation and equality.

“In the eyes of God, we are all equals,” he said. “The only difference is that you are undergoing a period of reflection within this facility to become better.”

When officers stopped the animal, they found two small packages strapped to its body with tape. The packages contained marijuana, heroin, and rolling papers.

According to Costa Rica’s Ministry of Justice , the cat was carrying over 235 grams of marijuana and nearly 68 grams of heroin.

The drugs were seized immediately, and the cat was handed over to the National Animal Health Service to check its condition.

An investigation is now underway to find out who was behind the smuggling attempt.

Authorities believe the use of an animal indicates an organised plan to get drugs inside the prison.

Similar methods have been reported in other countries, including Panama and Sri Lanka, where animals like cats and birds were used to avoid detection.

The cat, now nicknamed “Narcomichi” by social media users, has become a viral sensation.

While many joked about the incident online, others expressed concern for the animal’s safety and called for stronger controls to stop such crimes.

The attempted smuggling happened just days after Costa Rica’s president, Rodrigo Chaves, announced plans for a new high-security prison to deal with rising violence linked to organised crime and drug trafficking .

The country has recorded its highest number of homicides in recent years, much of it blamed on drug gangs.

Officials say jails like Pococí have long struggled with contraband.

In recent months, the government has taken tougher steps, including limiting phone calls and visits, but these measures have also led to protests and hunger strikes by inmates.

According to him, the plan will be carried out by the Tanzania Prisons Service from the 2025/26 to 2029/30 financial years.

Sillo explained that the strategy is centred on expanding irrigation farming to boost food production inside prison facilities.

By June 2030, the government expects to produce over 46,000 tonnes of maize, more than 6,000 tonnes of rice, around 7,700 tonnes of beans, and 1,750 tonnes of cooking oil.

The move is part of wider efforts to cut costs , improve the well-being of prisoners, and reduce pressure on government food budgets.

He also said inmates will learn useful farming skills that could help them earn a living upon completion of their sentences.

The new strategy comes after concerns raised by MP Issa Mchungahela, who questioned why prisoners still depended heavily on government food support and what was being done to prepare them for life after prison.

Sillo further said the government’s goal is not only to feed inmates but also to turn prisons into centres of rehabilitation that can support the country’s economy.

The plan is expected to make prisons more sustainable and support reintegration by giving prisoners practical experience in farming and food production.

The official number of prisoners receiving amnesty is 8,055. One more person, whose sentence was already delayed until 2025, is also included in the decision.

The announcement was made on April 29 during a press conference by the Presidential Office, Vietnam Express reports.

Vietnam’s government says this move is part of its tradition of showing kindness to people who are ready to change.

Officials say those being freed were carefully selected, and the process was done fairly and clearly.

There are about 190,000 people in prison across the country.

Only those who followed prison rules and made efforts to improve themselves were chosen.

This year’s list includes 25 foreigners from nine countries.

Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen from the Ministry of Public Security said the decision was made after serious checks.

The annual pardon allows prisoners to reunite with their families and reintegrate into society. Dubai’s Attorney General, Chancellor Essam Issa Al-Humaidan, confirmed that authorities have begun processing the releases.

In addition to granting freedom, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has pledged to settle the financial obligations of those released. This move is intended to ease their transition and reduce financial strain on their families.

The Ramadan amnesty serves to strengthen diplomatic ties between the UAE and India while helping to reduce prison overcrowding.

The facility houses 1,755 members of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), one of the largest gangs in the country, all overseen by a security force of 200 soldiers and guards.

“We want to make a request directly to the State, to private companies and public entities: we as prisoners want an opportunity for employment and social reintegration,” Ramiro Oliva, a representative of the inmates who prefers to use a pseudonym, told AFP.

This change in attitude follows the relocation of inmates from the rival Barrio 18 gang to El Pozo prison, which helped reduce violence in La Tolva. Before this move, the prison had witnessed serious clashes, resulting in 24 deaths since its opening in 2017, according to the National Human Rights Commissioner.

Honduras has long struggled with gang violence, prompting a state of emergency in December 2022 that allows for arrests without court orders. The country's homicide rate was reported at 34.5 per 100,000 residents last year, a decrease from 44.7 in 2019, but still significantly high compared to a record 86.5 in 2011.

Lieutenant Colonel Karllthers Medina, the prison director, outlined a rehabilitation program called The Three Rs: rehabilitation, re-education, and reintegration. Launched after President Xiomara Castro ordered increased discipline within the country’s prisons, the program aims to equip inmates with skills to support themselves upon release.

This initiative came in response to a violent incident in which Barrio 18 members killed and burned 46 MS-13 inmates in a women’s prison.

As part of The Three Rs, a group of nine inmates recently delivered 16 chairs to a local school, dressed in orange pants and cream T-shirts.

Inside the prison, around twenty inmates are engaged in making concrete blocks, which are donated to nearby schools. Additionally, about fifty inmates participated in a session on "morals and ethics."

The Moscow City Court handed down a sentence of six years and 10 months in a general-security prison, just shy of the seven years requested by prosecutors for a maximum-security facility.

"[The court ruled] to sentence Hubbard to six years and 10 months imprisonment in a general regime colony," the verdict read .

“Yes, I agree with the charges,” Hubbard said during his September plea hearing at the Moscow City Court.

Hubbard was also detained by Russian Forces in April 2022.

According to Russian State Media TASS , the court also ordered the confiscation of 142,000 hryvnias (about $3,400) from Hubbard to be paid to the Russian state.

Hubbard, originally from Michigan, moved to Ukraine in 2014 with his wife. He later joined the Ukrainian armed forces, influenced by Ukrainian media , but claimed he didn’t fully grasp the situation.

Investigators said Hubbard received $1,000 a month for his service in a Ukrainian territorial defence unit in Izyum, where he had been residing since 2014.

His sister, Trisha Hubbard Fox, cast doubt on his confession, asserting he was never a mercenary and had never owned a firearm.

"He is so non-military," she told Reuters . "He never had a gun, owned a gun, done any of that...He's more of a pacifist."

Many Salvadorans have backed the government’s tough measures, hoping for an end to the violence that has plagued the country for years. Gangs in El Salvador have long controlled territories, engaged in extortion, and committed violent crimes, leaving entire communities under their influence.

However, reports from human rights organisations indicate that the crackdown has resulted in overcrowded and unsanitary prison conditions, with many detainees denied basic amenities. Critics argue that the campaign has led to arbitrary arrests, with innocent individuals swept up in the government's "war" against gangsters.

One such case is that of Yessica Mercedes, a 43-year-old seamstress whose family has been deeply affected by both gang violence and the government’s response.

Mercedes shared her story, revealing that one of her brothers was killed by gang members, while another was jailed during the government’s crackdown.

“I have a brother who died. I have funeral receipts that say he died because of the same criminal groups that lived there. He lost his life after being beaten until he was in a coma,” Mercedes told AFP.

She stressed that neither of her brothers was involved with gangs, saying her family had been caught between gang violence and the government’s aggressive anti-gang campaign. “I am not defending, or against, the government. What I want is for them to hand over my innocent brother. That's what I want: to be able to take care of him, give him his medication, have him in my home, take care of him myself. I don't want to take him out of prison in a coffin,” she added.

Antonio Zavala, a businessman who served a 13-month prison sentence for "aggravated fraud," echoed concerns about prison conditions. He disclosed to AFP, “Extortion no longer comes from the gangs (‘pandillas’), but from the government."

The government has detained over 85,000 adults and more than 3,000 minors aged 12 to 17 in its effort to combat gang violence. However, human rights groups estimate that a significant portion of those detained may be innocent. “Based on the numbers, we estimate that at least 30% of those on trial are innocent,” said Ingrid Escobar, director of Salvadoran NGO Socorro Juridico Humanitario.

In a 2023 BBC report , El Salvador's vice-president Felix Ulloa acknowledged that thousands of those arrested were likely not involved in gang-related crimes. Despite this, he defended the security measures, arguing that the crackdown has brought a level of peace that the country has not seen in years. "It's not perfect, but it's good. We've done something really good here," Ulloa told BBC.

Bugay was among 49 Ukrainians, including 23 women, who were freed in a recent prisoner swap. This marked the first time in over a year that Azov fighters, who defended the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, were included in such exchanges. The Azov Brigade has often been used as a bargaining chip by Russia due to its controversial reputation.

After their release, the group held up banners and sang Ukraine's national anthem, tears and laughter mingling as they were transported by bus to a hospital in northern Ukraine for checkups.

The Kremlin has frequently accused the Azov Brigade of neo-Nazism, which the brigade denies, complicating negotiations. Andriy Yusov, a representative for the Ukrainian government body coordinating exchanges, confirmed that efforts to secure the return of all soldiers continue, with work already underway on the next exchange.

Reber Kalo from the Asayish security forces confirmed to AFP that this is the second batch of releases out of an expected total of 1,000 to 1,500.

The amnesty follows recommendations from a May 25 meeting of Syrian tribal leaders and is part of broader efforts to address regional security concerns. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) currently detain around 56,000 people, including IS fighters and their families, in various facilities across northeastern Syria.

The IS group, which once controlled significant parts of Syria, was defeated in 2019. The amnesty is part of ongoing efforts to manage and rehabilitate those detained since then.

Georges, currently an Assistant Superintendent of Police, will take on the role of Commissioner of Prisons, succeeding Raymond St. Ange. St. Ange has stated he will be available to assist Georges in her new role as needed, Seychelles News Agency reports.

In his address, President Ramkalawan also revealed plans to appoint a new board for the Islands Development Company (IDC) next week.

This board will oversee the transition to a new CEO before the end of the year, as the current CEO, Glenny Savy, is set to retire.

Ramkalawan emphasised that the address was an opportunity to discuss various national issues and reflect on the country's future direction.

Among these methods is the Magbasa Tungo sa Paglaya (Read Your Way Out) programme, an initiative launched by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to alleviate heavily congested jails in the country.

Through the programme, prisoners can access education through the use of prison library services and prove themselves worthy of release through good behaviour.

Older prisoners who are aged 70 and above are also being prioritised and pre-trial detention is being reduced.

Efforts are also being made only to incarcerate persons involved in serious offences.

“Of all those people detained in our jails, around 70 per cent have not yet finished their trial. So, they are there on preventive imprisonment even if their offences are not serious,” Justice Maria Filomena Singh, Supreme Court Judge in the Philippines was quoted .

“These people have not yet been proven guilty, and yet we treat them no differently from those who have already been convicted,” she added.

Justice Singh also noted that the cost of bail has also been reduced and prisoners can also attend court appearances online from specific jails.

The approach to dealing with drug-related crimes has also been changed to ensure such cases are seen through the lens of prevention and rehabilitation rather than as crimes.

According to Justice Singh, the new methods appear to be working so far with the release of some 8,000 prisoners in the last year alone.

The Philippines has one of the most congested prison systems in the world with a similar ranking to other countries including DR Congo, Haiti, and Uganda. The country has an overall occupation rate for pre-trail jails of a reported 322 per cent (down from 365 per cent in 2023). Philippine’s prison population has also risen from around 95,000 to over 160,000 between 2015 and 2021.

Let's look at the top five countries with the lowest number of prisoners with an explanation of their approach to law enforcement and correctional policies, according to the 2023 report of the World Prison Brief .

Vatican

The Vatican City has no prisoners. This country is possibly the sole nation worldwide without a prison. It maintains several detention cells for holding individuals awaiting trial. Convicted individuals who are sentenced to incarceration fulfill their sentences in Italian prisons, by the Lateran Treaty. However, the Vatican government bears the expenses of imprisonment.

Liechtenstein

Another tiny European nation, Liechtenstein, boasts remarkably low incarceration rates. With a population of about 39,000, the country typically had 12 prisoners as of July 2023. Liechtenstein’s approach to criminal justice focuses heavily on rehabilitation and community service rather than incarceration, which has contributed to its low prison numbers.

Monaco

Monaco, known for its wealth and luxury, also has one of the lowest prison populations in the world. With a population of around 38,000, the Principality usually has a prison population of under 30 individuals. As of July 2023, the country had 14 prisoners. Monaco's high standard of living, rigorous law enforcement, and a strong focus on economic stability and social welfare contribute to its low crime and incarceration rates.

Seychelles

Seychelles' detention facilities, designed to accommodate 757 individuals, housed 285 detainees as of June 2021, according to the World Prison Brief, a nongovernmental organisation. This reflects a decrease in the prison population, which stood at 340 in 2020. Additionally, a distinct detention centre for male pretrial detainees is located in Victoria. However, as of July 2023, the country had 362 prisoners.

Luxembourg

In 2022, Luxembourg's prisoner count stood at 98.1 per 100,000 people, a slight rise from 87.8 per 100,000 in the preceding year. Over 12 years, the nation's incarceration rate has generally trended downward from a peak of 137.4 per 100,000 in 2010, with increases occurring only three times: from 2012 to 2013, from 2015 to 2016, and from 2021 to 2022. The year 2021 marked the lowest rate within this period, with 87.8 prisoners per 100,000 population. In July 2023, the country recorded 685 prisoners.

The Tonga Geological Services has reported a decline in the Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) of the Home Reef volcano, based on observations from the MODIS-MIROVA satellite system, as of today, June 24. The volcanic activity currently presents a minimal threat to the communities of Vava’u and Ha’apai, reports MTO . However, mariners are advised to heed the ongoing hazard warning in the vicinity. "The Home Reef Volcano monitoring continues due to ongoing volcanic activities being detected. In the past sixteen (16) hours since the last Public Notice, VOLCAT has detected a total of five (5) thermal anomalies with the most recent thermal anomaly observed at 8:06 AM this morning (Figure 1)," TGS stated. “The latest satellite image from MODIS-MIROVA shows a decrease in the Volcanic Radiative Power (VRP) value with a non-numeric reading displayed (Figure 2) compared to the values recorded on the previous public notice.”

Budget discussions

The parliamentary budget discussions are ongoing, with the Legislative House of Tonga working diligently to approve the Government's financial projections for 2024-25 before the June 30 deadline. The Whole House Committee has approved preliminary budget figures for seven government ministries, including the Legislative Assembly's Office, after a week-long intensive review of the budget statement. MTO reports that the ministries that have cleared their budget drafts include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Auditor General’s Office, the Ombudsman Office, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner’s Office, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Palace Office, and the Office of the Legislative Assembly. Deliberations continue on June 24 as Parliament tackles the budget for the Ministry of Finance, marked as Vote number 8. A special session was held on June 21 to expedite the budgetary process.

Lack of staff in Tonga's prisons

There are growing worries over the insufficient staffing levels at Tonga's correctional facilities, which have come under scrutiny after a violent assault on a psychiatric nurse on June 8th. Tragically, the nurse succumbed to his injuries and passed away in the hospital on June 16th. This information was provided by RNZ Pacific's Tonga correspondent, Kalafi Moala, in a conversation with Koroi Hawkins of RNZ Pacific.

$32m undersea cable project

The "Tonga Hawaiki Branch System," a new international submarine communication cable for Tonga, will benefit from a joint investment of USD$32 million by Australia and New Zealand. The implementation of this project is anticipated by the end of 2025. The collaborative funding initiative was revealed in Nuku'alofa on Friday, June 21, by the Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku alongside the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand, reports MTO .

First national standardisation roadmap

The Minister for Trade & Economic Development, Hon. Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu, unveiled the inaugural National Standardisation Roadmap for Tonga and his ministry on Wednesday, June 19, at the Liku’alofa Centre in Tofoa. According to MTO , this strategic plan is set to establish quality benchmarks for Tonga's development, in collaboration with Pacer Plus and Standards Australia.

Qatar and Nicaragua recently held political consultations in the Latin nation's capital Managua, resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding to launch political consultations between their foreign ministries. The meeting, chaired by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Nicaragua's Minister of Foreign Affairs, focused on bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance relations. Additionally, an agreement was made to exempt nationals from visa requirements, Qatar News Agency reports.

Confiscated assets of bankers

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has accused bankers of being "accomplices" to individuals, media outlets, and organisations whose assets were confiscated by his regime. President Ortega justifies the confiscations as seizures for the benefit of the poor and claims that the confiscated wealth was involved in money laundering, according to local media Confidencial . The Attorney General's Office also justifies the confiscations, claiming that the properties were unduly used and recovered for the people of Nicaragua. The report estimates the value of confiscated assets to be at least $250 million, and the regime has confiscated companies, homes, properties, media outlets, NGOs, universities, chambers of commerce, and churches.

Over 140 political prisoners

Nicaragua currently has over 140 political prisoners, including a teacher, a journalist, and their siblings who were kidnapped by the National Police. This is part of a systematic policy of repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime to silence critical voices. According to the Havana Times , the prisoners are subjected to mistreatment and violations of their rights, including beatings, threats, and humiliation. The list of political prisoners includes activists, students, and deputies, Havana Times reports.

Rejection of blockade and aggressions against Cuba

Nicaragua has rejected the U.S. blockade against Cuba and condemns the inclusion of countries in unilateral lists, according to TeleSur . The Latin nation defended Cuba's sovereignty and demanded the exclusion of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. "These lists and the inclusion of the sister Republic of Cuba in them are a more widely used instrument by the United States to justify the adoption of illegal, coercive measures in order to exert economic and political pressure, in a clear violation of the sovereignty of the Cuban State," a statement released by the Nicaraguan government said. They also support UN resolutions to end the aggression against Cuba, TeleSur reports.

Russian training Centre, gold mining companies sanctioned by U.S.

The US has sanctioned a Russian training centre and two gold mining companies in Nicaragua, along with restricting visas for 250 government officials. The sanctions are aimed at targeting the Ortega-Murillo regime's repression of the Nicaraguan people and its ability to manipulate the gold sector, according to Confidencial . All U.S. citizens are prohibited from transacting with these entities, and any assets they hold in the United States will be blocked. Additionally, visa restrictions were imposed on government officials and non-governmental actors for their roles in supporting the regime's attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms, Confidencial reports.

What they said:

On Tuesday, President Daniel Noboa acknowledged the existence of an internal armed conflict and, through a revised decree, designated 22 gangs as terrorist groups to be pursued by the military. “I have signed the executive decree declaring an Internal Armed Conflict and identified the following transnational organised crime groups as terrorist organisations and belligerent non-state actors: Águilas, ÁguilasKiller, Ak47, Caballeros Oscuros, ChoneKiller, Choneros, Covicheros, Cuartel de las Feas, Cubanos, Fatales, Gánster, Kater Piler, Lagartos, Latin Kings, Lobos, Los p.27, Los Tiburones, Mafia 18, Mafia Trébol, Patrones, R7, Tiguerones. I have ordered the armed forces to carry out military operations to neutralise these groups,” he said on X.  

Admiral Jaime Vela, head of the joint command of the armed forces, responded to Noboa's decree through an official statement, also published on X . "Mr. President of the Republic, Daniel Noboa, through the executive decree number 111, has given us a very clear mission. From this moment on, every terrorist group identified in the mentioned decree has become a military target. The present and future of our country are at stake. No act of terror will make us give in. We will not back down or negotiate [...] Ecuadorian people, this struggle will succeed with the support of each and every one of you [...] Rest assured that the armed forces and the national police will fulfill our oath to defend you with our lives if necessary."