by the El Reportero’s news services
The Panamanian government has ordered troops to step up their presence in the Darien zone, after an attack by a Colombian criminal gang on a National Border Service (Senafront) check-point.
The director of the National Border Service, Cristian Hayer, confirmed the fact that members of the Úsuga gang, who rammed into the border post, had been pursued by police agents and the Colombian army.
According to official sources, the Úsuga gang is considered the largest and best organized criminal gang in Colombia, and an important drug cartel on the continent.
Panamanian police data has revealed that Colombia has increased its drug production by 80 percent.
Mexico liberalizes fuel imports
Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) does not have the monopoly of the gas and diesel imports to the country, opening the market to private enterprises, national and international.
The decision is part of the energy reform pushed by president Enrique Peña Nieto, who promised that prices of those fuels will not rise for the population.
Last year, imports by Pemex amounted to 16.5 billion dollars.
Enterprises will be allowed to freely import gasoline and diesel without the need to have special waivers or pay tariffs.
Some foreign enterprises, such as Gulf, are interested in buying, managing or franchising service stations.
José Ángel García Elizondo, president of the National Organization of Oil Vendors, indicated there are transnational oil companies doing business with Mexican gasoline vendors looking to widen their presence in the industry.
More Honduran schools under police protection
The number of Honduran schools under protection by military police due to the threat of gangs rose to five, the provincial director of Education, Miguel Gomez, said.
“Five schools are facing this problems and insecurity and we already asked for support to the authorities of the Ministry of Security and the Army to help us to improve the situation”, said Miguel Gomez to the newspaper La Tribuna.
He said that the violence is closely related to drug trafficking and gangs, as well as territorial fights among different criminal organizations operating in the country.
According to El Heraldo, about 25 troops are guarding and patrolling the premises of one of the institutes of the capital, while in other institute, classes were suspended after several days of police presence.
“The number of agents was increased, we cover all access points, we have agents in the hallways and motorized patrols in the perimeters”, said the spokesman of the military police, Mario Rivera.
Mario Rivera also noted that the entry to schools is restricted and everyone is verified before accessing the facilities.
Mexican adolescents suffer from some disorder
About 90 percent of adolescents in Mexico City suffer from some kind of disorder, according to results of the first diagnosis Young People Emotional Health carried out by the Youth Institute of Mexico (INJUVE).
In order to counteract this situation, the city government will soon open the first center Emotional Health “Cuidate”, the only one of its kind in the country, where counseling and individual and group therapy will be provided to people between 14 to 29 years of age.
According to the study of 2015, depression, psychological distress or anxiety are some of the symptoms perceived among the young people in Mexico city, and aid will focus on issues such as pregnancy prevention, addictions, eating habits and violence.
To make this diagnosis, INJUVE surveyed 1,675 adolescents, and the results indicate that 28.23 percent of then suffer from depression, 18.28 percent from psychological distress, 19.82 percent from anxiety and 20.80 percent feel apprehension and tension.
According to the estimates, more than 500,000 young people should be treated every year in that center, once launched.
