Panama Secures Crucial 1-0 Victory Over El Salvador in World Cup Qualifier Amidst VAR Controversy
Panama defeated El Salvador 1-0 at the Estadio Cuscatlán on October 10, 2025, in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier. José Fajardo scored the decisive goal in the 55th minute. The match was marked by significant VAR interventions, including the disallowance of a potential El Salvador goal by Brayan Gil and an overturned penalty for Panama, adding a controversial layer to Panama's historic first World Cup qualifying win in El Salvador.
El Salvador's Economy Expands by 4.1% in Second Quarter of 2025, Driven by Construction Boom
El Salvador's economy registered a robust 4.1% growth in the second quarter of 2025, as reported by the Central Reserve Bank (BCR). This marks the highest quarterly increase since late 2023, primarily fueled by a significant surge in the construction sector and increased investment. The positive performance surpasses the 2.3% growth recorded in the first quarter of the year.
United States Designates Barrio 18 as Foreign Terrorist Organization
The U.S. Department of State has officially designated the transnational gang Barrio 18 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This move targets the gang's violent activities and financial networks across El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, aiming to disrupt its operations and prevent material support.
