The worsening coronavirus outbreak in Central America means border closures are still being enforced.
Nicaragua
![A prison guard stands at the entrance of La Modelo, after 2,500 prisoners were released due to coronavirus concerns in Nicaragua [Reuters/Oswaldo Rivas]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/13888db95fbc489cbfec9bf877eb4afe_18.jpeg?resize=570%2C380)
The Nicaraguan government is using the pandemic as a weapon against dissidents.
![A supporter watches a telecast of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega whose government the Trump administration has accused of human rights abuses, unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, political persecution and widespread corruption [File: Oswaldo Rivas/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/49bcdcfe384c497d8782f0fb08d3371e_18.jpeg?resize=570%2C380)
The US on Friday said it blacklisted Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo, accusing him of corruption and...
![US court strikes down Trump ban on asylum seekers at the US southern border. Here, an eight-year-old unaccompanied minor from Guatemala, who was travelling without guardians, is registered by a border patrol agent [Adrees Latif/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/e9b48ed1e343486d81ff741654ed7475_18.jpeg?resize=570%2C380)
Ruling ends restrictive policy that had halted most asylum claims by migrants seeking entry at the US...
Schools and businesses remained open as Daniel Ortega encouraged residents to attend concerts, parades and sporting events but doctors say crisis is now out of control.
![The coffin with the body of a patient who died with symptoms of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, is carried by relatives to be buried at the Oriental Cemetery, in Managua [AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/f83cc3bac9244323b3deb893a57c7efb_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Nicaragua has confirmed 25 cases and eight deaths, but rights groups and experts believe the numbers are far higher.
![Many of those political prisoners were arrested during the 2018 protests against President Ortega [Oswaldo Rivas/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/9546952750fb4b52a734dc1a5161bc48_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
None of at least 86 opposition figures in jail among those released, advocates say.
Nicaragua records few coronavirus infections as international health officials worry about transparency in reporting.
As elections loom and protests rattle the region, here are the stories to look out for this year.
![Demonstrators block the entrance of the Central American University (UCA) during a protest against the government of Daniel Ortega [Oswaldo Rivas/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/f4a9f6e725ad4130a57a937002ea3e0c_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Protesters in Managua able to leave a day after government supporters break into building in a bid to dislodge them.
![US request to have the suspect extradited was rejected by Nicaragua [AFP]](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/9b6aac68ae4a472a8e916f7ea8834665_18.jpeg?resize=270%2C180)
Trial of Orlando Tercero in the killing of a student in New York is taking place in a court in Nicaragua.
Police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at anti-government protesters in Nicaragua, injuring two people.
Honduras and Nicaragua experienced significant power cuts, while El Salvador and Guatemala experienced partial outages.
Plan fails as Chinese financier lost most of his billions before the work could start.