Nicaraguan police seek to arrest Karen Celebertti, director of the Miss Nicaragua beauty pageant, for allegedly selecting anti-government contestants to undermine President Daniel Ortega's regime. This follows Sheynnis Palacios' Miss Universe win, which drew attention due to her participation in 2018 protests against Ortega's authoritarian government. Vice President Rosario Murillo criticized the opposition's use of Palacios' victory for political purposes. Celebertti, accused of conspiring with foreign agents, remains at large.

Numerous pharmacies in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum were shut down for selling counterfeit pills containing dangerous substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and xylazine to tourists without prescriptions. The operation, named 'Operation Albatross,' was a response to citizen complaints and involved the Mexican Navy and the Federal Commission for the Protection Against Sanitary Health Risk. The crackdown followed investigations that linked the pharmacies to major criminal organizations and revealed a range of irregularities. The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning ahead of spring break due to the prevalence of counterfeit medication in Mexico.

In Paraguay, 470 girls aged 10 to 14 gave birth last year, and 40 were hospitalized for abortion, with most pregnancies resulting from familial rape. The Casa Rosa María in Asunción shelters pregnant girls and adolescents, promoting motherhood regardless of age. The country's conservative politics, influenced by the Church and anti-abortion movements, have led to prohibitions on gender education in schools and near-total abortion bans. Public policies for sexual education and prevention are lacking, and the state's absence and cultural issues contribute to a crisis of child and adolescent pregnancy. The Colorado party, which self-identifies as pro-life, continues to govern, reinforcing these conservative stances.

A teddy bear in Mexico was found stuffed with 'lean', a highly addictive substance also known as 'purple drank' or 'sizzurp', which is a combination of cough syrup, candy, and soda. The substance first gained popularity in the Houston hip hop scene.

Daniela Carbone, 47, is charged with making a bomb threat to disrupt her ex-boyfriend's vacation to Miami with his new girlfriend. An audio message with a distorted voice claiming that three bombs were placed on a Miami flight was sent to an airline worker in Argentina on May 21.

Peruvian police seized over 57 kilograms of cocaine marked with Nazi swastikas destined for Europe. The drugs, some bricks labeled with 'HITLER', were discovered by the anti-drug unit of the National Police in the port city of Paita, near the border with Ecuador, hidden in a container's ventilation system filled with asparagus on a Liberia-flagged ship. The container was on its way to Belgium. The cocaine's local production is unclear, and authorities have not disclosed who is responsible for labeling or if any arrests have been made. The ship had previously docked in Guayaquil, Ecuador, a major transshipment point for drugs and the epicenter of a brutal drug cartel war. The use of Nazi iconography and far-right ideology remains prevalent in parts of South America.

In Guayaquil, Ecuador, a security guard was forcibly strapped with dynamite by unknown assailants, leading to a standoff as police worked to remove and deactivate the explosives. The guard, employed at a jewelry store, was involved in an incident possibly connected to extortion attempts by local criminals. The police successfully detached the bomb and executed a controlled explosion. Guayaquil has seen a rise in violence and use of explosives by criminal groups, with 40 attacks involving explosives reported in 2023, and this being the first case of explosives attached to a person.

Valentina Trespalacios, a 23-year-old Colombian DJ, was found dead in a suitcase in Bogota, leading to the arrest of John Poulos, a 35-year-old American citizen, in Panama as he tried to flee to Istanbul. Poulos, who had a relationship with Trespalacios, is the prime suspect in her murder, which Colombian authorities suggest was motivated by jealousy and obsession. Poulos is charged with femicide and tampering with evidence but has not accepted the charges. The case has drawn international attention, with Interpol issuing a red notice and Colombian authorities offering a reward for information leading to Poulos' capture.

Alejandro Tenescalco Mejía, an ex-cop implicated in the disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in Iguala, Mexico, was extradited from the U.S. to Mexico. The case, involving allegations of government cover-ups and police collusion with the Guerreros Unidos cartel, has been unresolved since 2014. A truth commission declared an organized cover-up by authorities in 2022. The arrest of Tenescalco Mejía, who may have coordinated police actions on the night of the disappearances, could provide new insights into the case.

In Paraguay, a country with strict anti-abortion laws and a high rate of child pregnancy, shelters like the Rosa Maria House provide a refuge for pregnant girls, some as young as 10, who are often victims of abuse. The shelter, which is supported by a local parish and donations, offers room, board, and classes to prepare the girls for motherhood. Critics argue that these shelters do not address the complexity of the girls' situations and that the government's failure to implement comprehensive care for abuse victims perpetuates the problem. The influence of religious and conservative groups on legislation is significant, with anti-abortion sentiment deeply rooted in society. Despite the challenges, grassroots movements are emerging to provide sexual education and support for the youth.

In the Mexican coastal cities of Madero and Tampico, a local legend claims that extraterrestrials from an underwater base called Amupac have protected the area from hurricanes for over 50 years. Despite skepticism from some, including meteorological experts, the belief in alien protectors persists, fueled by historical events and personal testimonies. The legend has become an economic driver, with alien-themed businesses and events like El Día OVNI Tamaulipas, which celebrates unidentified flying objects. The OVNI Scientific Investigation Association of Tamaulipas (AICOT) promotes the legend, and the state government is seeking to officially recognize the celebratory day. While some attribute the region's safety to natural factors or religious protection, the alien narrative has become a significant part of local culture.

The article discusses the pervasive violence in Acapulco, Mexico, where local taxi driver Marino* has become accustomed to the daily horrors of cartel-related violence, including extortion and murder. The piece reflects on the ten-year war the Mexican government has waged against drug cartels, which has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and 28,000 disappearances, drawing a grim comparison to civilian deaths in Iraq. Despite the government's strategy to dismantle cartels by targeting their leaders and deploying security forces, Acapulco remains the country's homicide leader. The article recounts the city's transformation from a glamorous tourist destination to a battleground for cartel wars, particularly following the fragmentation of the Beltrán Leyva cartel. The government's recent initiatives and the capture of key cartel figures have done little to curb the violence, with locals calling for solutions that address the root causes, such as education and employment opportunities.

The article discusses the severe impact of the drug cartel wars in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, particularly on the city's children. It tells the story of David, a nine-year-old boy who witnessed his father's murder and suffers from nightmares indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The city, once the world's most violent, is now facing the long-term consequences of its violent past. Experts like José Luis Flores and Dr. Kathleen O'Connor highlight the lack of attention to the mental health of children affected by the violence. The article also touches on the work of organizations like The Network for Children's Rights and OPI, which provide after-school programs to help children cope with the trauma. Despite a decrease in violence, the psychological scars remain, with children like David and Diana expressing constant fear and sadness due to their experiences.

The article is an interview with 'El Sangres', a commander of a cell of hitmen for the Zetas cartel in Veracruz, Mexico. El Sangres discusses the rise and fall of the Zetas' influence in Veracruz, attributing their decline to a turf war with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the current governor's betrayal. The Zetas, once dominant, are now losing ground due to the CJNG's growing power and the government's alleged collusion. The article also touches on the violence and kidnappings in Veracruz, including the case of Fernanda Rubí Salcedo, and the broader context of narcopolitics in Mexico. VICE News confirms El Sangres' identity and role within the Zetas. The article highlights the ongoing violence and the impact on families of victims, as well as the corruption and complicity of authorities in the drug war.

The article discusses the negative perception of Donald Trump in Mexico, highlighting the disdain expressed by former Mexican presidents and the current leader, who have compared him to dictators and criticized his derogatory comments about Mexicans. Former President Vicente Fox issued an apology to Trump after previously insulting him and invited him to visit Mexico. The article also mentions Nuevo Leon Governor Jaime Rodriguez's comments on Trump's political strategy and the Mexican government's response to Trump's proposed policies, particularly regarding the border wall and remittances. Former Foreign Minister Jorge Castañeda criticized the Mexican government's passive stance towards Trump and urged for a more active response. The article concludes with a mention of Trump's Cinco de Mayo tweet, which is unlikely to improve his image in Mexico.