Latest news with #Arévalo
Epoch Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Here Are the Countries That Have Reached, or Are Considering, Deportation Deals With US
President Donald Trump's illegal immigrant deportation push has officials looking for new places to put illegal immigrants if their home nations won't accept their citizens back. However, if that fails, the section also allows for the agency to remove aliens to any country that will accept them. Talks between the United States and countries such as Honduras, Panama, and Venezuela have resulted in the nations accepting illegal immigrants that the United States needs to remove. Here is a list of some of the countries either in talks with Washington about assisting with deportation or that have already begun the process of accepting other nations' citizens being deported by the United States. Mexico Mexico is accepting non-Mexican illegal immigrants deported from the United States, even though there is no formal agreement between the nations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Related Stories 5/19/2025 5/19/2025 Early this year, Mexico began constructing temporary tent shelters near Ciudad Juarez to prepare for deportees from the United States. Guatemala U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio came to an agreement with both El Salvador and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo confirmed the agreement on Feb. 5, saying that they would accept not only Guatemalan deportees but those from other nations as well. 'We have agreed to increase by 40 percent the number of flights of deportees, both of our nationality as well as deportees from other nationalities,' Arévalo said during a news conference with Rubio. Guatemala cooperates with the United States in receiving both military and civilian deportation flights. El Salvador Just prior to Arévalo's declaration, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced that his country would accept imprisoned illegal immigrants of any nationality into the country's prison system. Those accepted will enter El Salvador's new Terrorism Confinement Center, or 'mega-prison,' which can house 40,000 inmates. However, the United States will be charged a fee. Honduras In February of this year, Honduras moved to act as a 'humanitarian bridge' for deportation flights of Venezuelans going from the United States and Venezuela, and the country has said that while the movement was not routine, the nation is open to facilitating transfers between the two nations. Venezuela Venezuela Panama Panama was the first country to accept deportees from other nations, placing 299 of them in police-controlled hotel rooms. The United States and Panama The U.S. Embassy in Panama announced on May 6 that Panama has 'significantly contributed' to the U.S. government's efforts to put an end to illegal immigration by sending a flight with 81 illegal immigrants from Cameroon, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka to their countries of origin. The U.S. government provided Panama with approximately $14 million to deport illegal migrants found in their country. Costa Rica Costa Rica began accepting non-citizen deportees from the United States in February of this year, with the first flight containing a group from Uzbekistan, China, Afghanistan, and Russia, among other countries. The country is holding primarily deportees of Asian origin and plans to fly them back to their nations after a maximum of six weeks. India Also in February of this year, India received its first group of deportees from the United States just before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House a few weeks after Trump's inauguration. India has cooperated with the United States and said it is willing to accept deported Indians after a verification process. New Delhi has been clear that it stands against illegal immigration, due in part to the link to organized crime. Rwanda As of earlier this month, Rwanda Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe made the announcement on May 4, saying that the talks were in early stages. Additional Efforts On May 5, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) The package includes financial and travel assistance back to their home countries, organized through the CBP Home App. 'If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States to avoid arrest. DHS is now offering illegal aliens financial travel assistance and a stipend to return to their home country through the CBP Home App,' said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. 'This is the safest option for our law enforcement, aliens, and is a 70 [percent] savings for U.S. taxpayers.' DHS has reported that even with the stipend, the cost of the removal of an illegal alien via self-deportation is around 70 percent cheaper than through Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The 'This was a voluntary charter flight, not an [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] operation,' DHS said in its announcement While 'We are working with other countries to say, 'We want to send you some of the most despicable human beings to your countries. Will you do that as a favor to us?'' the secretary of state said. 'And the further away from America, the better, so they can't come back across the border.' The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of State about possible negotiations with other nations.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Which meal is best to substitute with a meal replacement shake?
A meal replacement shake can be a real lifesaver when you're pressed for time or trying to cut back on calories. Not the milkshake kind (we wish), but the nutrient-packed grab-n-go kind that can fill you up until it's time to eat again. These enriched beverages have been a popular substitute for breakfast, lunch or dinner for decades. Registered dietitian and nutritionist Sandra J. Arévalo, a spokesperson from the Academy of Nutrition, says that if you find yourself needing to skip a meal, they can be a good option to help you get the nutrients you need. "They provide you with many nutrients that you might not get from fast food meals, such as vitamins and minerals, and have less calories and fat," she says. Sometimes we can second-guess ourselves and wonder which meal is the best to replace with these shakes. We've got some insight to help you decide which option makes the most sense, depending on your goals and eating habits. A note on supplements Some of the products included in this story are dietary supplements. Statements about these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with other supplements or medications, so talk to your healthcare provider before adding a dietary supplement to your routine. No matter which meal you end up replacing with one of these nutritional drinks, Arévalo says she "prefers shakes that are high in dietary fiber" to aid digestion and promote satiety. This will help you curb between-meal snacking. She advises that you read the labels closely to make sure your selection is low in sugar, carbohydrates and fat, particularly if you're looking to manage, maintain or lose weight. Our experts tested the Koia nutrition shake and found it to be a strong option for anyone who is looking to lower their body fat. It's high in both protein and fiber, which can help you feel full longer without a high calorie load, making it a solid pick for anyone looking for a balanced, grab-and-go meal. Our tester liked that it's high in nutrients and low in calories — but the real win was the flavor. It's a solid pick when you're craving something to nibble on and trying to avoid the drive-thru. That said, shakes are not a shortcut. For those pursuing weight loss, it's important to pair them with consistent physical activity — ideally at least 150 minutes per week, as recommended by public health guidelines. There's no one-size-fits-all answer for every person. But you can make a smart choice when you take your own personal habits, schedule and health goals into account. If there's one meal you tend to skip regularly or stuff with fast food, Arévalo suggests using a meal replacement shake to fill that gap. This approach helps regulate blood sugar, keeps appetite in check and can reduce the likelihood of overeating later — all beneficial if weight management is the goal. Let's break it down to help you best decide which meal you can replace. Breakfast If you're one of the nearly 25% of people in the US who skip breakfast daily, swapping your hangry morning blood sugar dip with a shake could be beneficial. "Since eating breakfast helps us regulate our appetite for the rest of the day, I'd suggest that you start your day with a meal replacement shake," says Arévalo. If you're already set with a healthy breakfast, focus on the meal that's the least balanced and more likely to be a quick, unhealthy option. This Soylent complete meal shake is our favorite for breakfast since it's nutritionally complete with a solid blend of macro- and micronutrients. Lunch The average American spends between 11 and 20 minutes eating lunch, according to a recent YouGov poll. So if you tend to have work meetings during lunch hours, drinking a shake might be more acceptable than munching on a messy sandwich for 15 minutes. Plus, after a heavy lunch, it's easy to feel tired and unfocused, which can throw off the rest of your day. A meal replacement shake offers a quick, balanced option to keep your energy up and help you stay satisfied without the crash, leaving the heartier meals for dinner when you have time to unwind. A good midday option is the OWYN shake. Our experts like it because it contains a blend of 23 vitamins and minerals and a whopping 26 grams of protein per serving. This complete nutritional profile can help you sustain energy and productivity throughout the workday. And since it has so much protein, it'll help you feel fuller for longer. Dinner Too tired to cook at night? Instead of defaulting to takeout, consider reaching for one of these shakes. According to Arévalo, dinner is often a smart meal to replace, since calorie needs are typically lower and activity tends to wind down. "If you eat three meals per day, I'd say to replace dinner. This is because you need the least calories at the end of the day, mainly if you will be relaxing and the amount of activity you do is minimal." It can also help prevent that overly full feeling before bed, especially if you're eating late. Just be sure to avoid consuming anything past 7 p.m. if you're looking to lose weight. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, eating meals at the wrong time can lead to weight gain because eating at inconsistent times and skipping meals can impact your circadian clock and metabolism. Post-workout snack Skipping meals isn't the only time you can drink these shakes, however. They're also great options for refueling your body after a workout since the protein and carbs can help your muscles recover. You might find that they're actually easier on your stomach than a solid meal, especially after an intense workout, which can suppress your appetite because blood flow is diverted away from your stomach. From our list of tested and reviewed options, the Pure Protein shakes are our favorite pick for post-workout. They're made with whey protein, which is absorbed quickly by the body — a key benefit for muscle recovery after exercise. They're also high in calcium, supporting bone health. No, you shouldn't drink the shakes for every meal because you still need whole foods to get the complete nutrition your body needs. "Even though meal replacement shakes have the nutrients needed to replace a regular meal, replacing all meals can jeopardize some of your systems," Arévalo says. Arévalo explains that when you rely solely on shakes, your digestive system misses out on the mechanical process of breaking down solid food. This, combined with a potentially lower fiber intake, can lead to slower intestinal movement and digestive discomfort. "Make sure that it has more than 5 grams of protein, less than 10% fat and sodium, and many different vitamins and minerals," Arévalo says, so your shake will work as a balanced meal. Also, steer clear of drinks that are chock-full of sugar. That's not doing your body any favors. "It should have less than 8 grams [of sugar] per serving," Arévalo says. Need a dairy-free or vegan option? These Raw Generations drinks are our favorite plant-based shakes because they only have five ingredients and contain no added sugars or sweeteners. "Replacement shakes should be used per tolerance," Arévalo cautions. "If you are used to having large meals and move to a replacement shake, that might not be enough for you and you might feel hungry faster, get lightheaded, feel shaky or irritable." In other words, classic hangry symptoms. To avoid feeling any of these symptoms, Arévalo recommends starting out drinking the replacement shakes with smaller meals. For instance, instead of eating a sandwich and a salad for lunch, replace the carb- and calorie-heavy sandwich with a shake and just have the salad. Once you've adapted, you can fully replace the meal of your choice, even if it's just a few times a week. Before getting started, talk to your physician or a registered dietitian to help you determine the amount of calories you need for the day and to find shakes that are best for your diet. In addition to adding meal replacement shakes to your diet to make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need, you should also be eating healthy, whole foods. Here are the best options for meal delivery services, which are also pretty convenient. Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
30-04-2025
- Business
Guatemala gearing up to export avocados to US despite tariffs and delays
SAN MIGUEL DUEÑAS, Guatemala -- Standing outside a massive new avocado packing plant recently and with the U.S. ambassador in attendance, Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo connected the high-demand fruit with rural development and said the facility signaled a new chapter in the trajectory of the cash crop. But six months after the United States gave a green light to import avocados from Guatemala, the Central American country has yet to send any of the fruit north. Still, expectations are running high. For decades, Mexico has been the main source of imported avocados to the U.S. along with small amounts from a few South American nations. Guatemala expects to similarly begin small, but hopes to seize on its proximity and experience exporting to Europe to rapidly expand and meet the increasing U.S. demand. 'Right now there are 17,300 acres (7,000 hectares) planted with the fruit, but in the next 10 years it could reach nearly 75,000 acres (30,000 hectares),' said Francis Bruderer, president of the Guatemala Avocado Producers Association. When the U.S. announced the import permission last November, Guatemala's agricultural ministry estimated that the country could initially send 1,700 tons to the U.S., but reach 15,000 tons by 2030. It's unclear how those expectations could be affected by a 10% tariff that U.S President Donald Trump announced this month on dozens of trade partners, including Guatemala. Standing in his own avocado orchard with the fruit individually bagged on the trees to protect from pests, Bruderer said that more and more avocado trees are being planted each year and now trail only rubber and African palm trees in land coverage. The new avocado packing facility, complete with its own heliport, sits at the end of a dirt road. When it opens in August it is expected to employ hundreds in Barberena about an 1 ½-hour drive south of the capital and surrounding areas. It was built by California-based Mission Produce, one of the world's largest avocado suppliers. 'Guatemala is an emerging power in the international avocado industry, and Mission Produce leads the region's development for worldwide avocado production,' said Juan Rodolfo Wiesner, Mission Produce's president for South and Central America. The company's executive director, Steve Barnard, said it was a 'strategic investment' to reinforce the company's position as a world leader in avocados. At the dedication of the facility last week, Arévalo applauded the quality of Guatemala's avocados and said their production already employed some 6,000 people. 'For us it is a concrete opportunity, it means promoting rural development and sustainable economic growth,' Arévalo said, noting the presence of the United States ambassador. Still standing in the way is U.S. government approval for Guatemala's avocado export protocols, Guatemala's agriculture ministry said. Inspectors will have to ensure the avocados shipped to the U.S. are pest-free. The other challenge could be the U.S. tariffs on imports. As Guatemala tries to break into a U.S. market dominated by Mexico – 1.4 million tons exported annually — Mexico's avocados do not currently face a tariff, putting Guatemala at a disadvantage. 'There's a lot of caution and fear among economic actors, because things aren't well-defined, they're waiting for the government's negotiation (with the U.S.),' said economist Ricardo Barrientos. But Guatemala could have other advantages. In recent years, the U.S. has temporarily suspended avocado imports from Mexico and inspections of the fruit in Michoacan state after inspectors received threats or were assaulted. The profitable fruit long ago attracted the attention of Mexico's powerful organized crime groups that extort avocado growers and packers. In September, the U.S. announced it would be passing inspection duties to the Mexican government. Those security threats could happen in Guatemala too as the industry grows. The country will also have to monitor closely deforestation as forests are chopped down to plant avocado orchards and the water the trees require, both of which have become sensitive issues in Mexico. Currently there are no regulations governing water use for avocado orchards, but the agriculture ministry says that 'big companies use drip irrigation to optimize water resources.' 'To produce and export avocado good agricultural practices that contribute to good management of the fruit and the environment have to be implemented,' the ministry said.
San Francisco Chronicle
30-04-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Guatemala gearing up to export avocados to US despite tariffs and delays
SAN MIGUEL DUEÑAS, Guatemala (AP) — Standing outside a massive new avocado packing plant recently and with the U.S. ambassador in attendance, Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo connected the high-demand fruit with rural development and said the facility signaled a new chapter in the trajectory of the cash crop. But six months after the United States gave a green light to import avocados from Guatemala, the Central American country has yet to send any of the fruit north. Still, expectations are running high. For decades, Mexico has been the main source of imported avocados to the U.S. along with small amounts from a few South American nations. Guatemala expects to similarly begin small, but hopes to seize on its proximity and experience exporting to Europe to rapidly expand and meet the increasing U.S. demand. 'Right now there are 17,300 acres (7,000 hectares) planted with the fruit, but in the next 10 years it could reach nearly 75,000 acres (30,000 hectares),' said Francis Bruderer, president of the Guatemala Avocado Producers Association. When the U.S. announced the import permission last November, Guatemala's agricultural ministry estimated that the country could initially send 1,700 tons to the U.S., but reach 15,000 tons by 2030. It's unclear how those expectations could be affected by a 10% tariff that U.S President Donald Trump announced this month on dozens of trade partners, including Guatemala. Standing in his own avocado orchard with the fruit individually bagged on the trees to protect from pests, Bruderer said that more and more avocado trees are being planted each year and now trail only rubber and African palm trees in land coverage. The new avocado packing facility, complete with its own heliport, sits at the end of a dirt road. When it opens in August it is expected to employ hundreds in Barberena about an 1 ½-hour drive south of the capital and surrounding areas. It was built by California-based Mission Produce, one of the world's largest avocado suppliers. 'Guatemala is an emerging power in the international avocado industry, and Mission Produce leads the region's development for worldwide avocado production,' said Juan Rodolfo Wiesner, Mission Produce's president for South and Central America. The company's executive director, Steve Barnard, said it was a 'strategic investment' to reinforce the company's position as a world leader in avocados. At the dedication of the facility last week, Arévalo applauded the quality of Guatemala's avocados and said their production already employed some 6,000 people. 'For us it is a concrete opportunity, it means promoting rural development and sustainable economic growth,' Arévalo said, noting the presence of the United States ambassador. Still standing in the way is U.S. government approval for Guatemala's avocado export protocols, Guatemala's agriculture ministry said. Inspectors will have to ensure the avocados shipped to the U.S. are pest-free. The other challenge could be the U.S. tariffs on imports. As Guatemala tries to break into a U.S. market dominated by Mexico – 1.4 million tons exported annually — Mexico's avocados do not currently face a tariff, putting Guatemala at a disadvantage. 'There's a lot of caution and fear among economic actors, because things aren't well-defined, they're waiting for the government's negotiation (with the U.S.),' said economist Ricardo Barrientos. But Guatemala could have other advantages. In recent years, the U.S. has temporarily suspended avocado imports from Mexico and inspections of the fruit in Michoacan state after inspectors received threats or were assaulted. The profitable fruit long ago attracted the attention of Mexico's powerful organized crime groups that extort avocado growers and packers. In September, the U.S. announced it would be passing inspection duties to the Mexican government. Those security threats could happen in Guatemala too as the industry grows. The country will also have to monitor closely deforestation as forests are chopped down to plant avocado orchards and the water the trees require, both of which have become sensitive issues in Mexico. Currently there are no regulations governing water use for avocado orchards, but the agriculture ministry says that 'big companies use drip irrigation to optimize water resources.' 'To produce and export avocado good agricultural practices that contribute to good management of the fruit and the environment have to be implemented,' the ministry said. ____
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Guatemala gearing up to export avocados to US despite tariffs and delays
SAN MIGUEL DUEÑAS, Guatemala (AP) — Standing outside a massive new avocado packing plant recently and with the U.S. ambassador in attendance, Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo connected the high-demand fruit with rural development and said the facility signaled a new chapter in the trajectory of the cash crop. But six months after the United States gave a green light to import avocados from Guatemala, the Central American country has yet to send any of the fruit north. Still, expectations are running high. For decades, Mexico has been the main source of imported avocados to the U.S. along with small amounts from a few South American nations. Guatemala expects to similarly begin small, but hopes to seize on its proximity and experience exporting to Europe to rapidly expand and meet the increasing U.S. demand. 'Right now there are 17,300 acres (7,000 hectares) planted with the fruit, but in the next 10 years it could reach nearly 75,000 acres (30,000 hectares),' said Francis Bruderer, president of the Guatemala Avocado Producers Association. When the U.S. announced the import permission last November, Guatemala's agricultural ministry estimated that the country could initially send 1,700 tons to the U.S., but reach 15,000 tons by 2030. It's unclear how those expectations could be affected by a 10% tariff that U.S President Donald Trump announced this month on dozens of trade partners, including Guatemala. Standing in his own avocado orchard with the fruit individually bagged on the trees to protect from pests, Bruderer said that more and more avocado trees are being planted each year and now trail only rubber and African palm trees in land coverage. The new avocado packing facility, complete with its own heliport, sits at the end of a dirt road. When it opens in August it is expected to employ hundreds in Barberena about an 1 ½-hour drive south of the capital and surrounding areas. It was built by California-based Mission Produce, one of the world's largest avocado suppliers. 'Guatemala is an emerging power in the international avocado industry, and Mission Produce leads the region's development for worldwide avocado production,' said Juan Rodolfo Wiesner, Mission Produce's president for South and Central America. The company's executive director, Steve Barnard, said it was a 'strategic investment' to reinforce the company's position as a world leader in avocados. At the dedication of the facility last week, Arévalo applauded the quality of Guatemala's avocados and said their production already employed some 6,000 people. 'For us it is a concrete opportunity, it means promoting rural development and sustainable economic growth,' Arévalo said, noting the presence of the United States ambassador. Still standing in the way is U.S. government approval for Guatemala's avocado export protocols, Guatemala's agriculture ministry said. Inspectors will have to ensure the avocados shipped to the U.S. are pest-free. The other challenge could be the U.S. tariffs on imports. As Guatemala tries to break into a U.S. market dominated by Mexico – 1.4 million tons exported annually — Mexico's avocados do not currently face a tariff, putting Guatemala at a disadvantage. 'There's a lot of caution and fear among economic actors, because things aren't well-defined, they're waiting for the government's negotiation (with the U.S.),' said economist Ricardo Barrientos. But Guatemala could have other advantages. In recent years, the U.S. has temporarily suspended avocado imports from Mexico and inspections of the fruit in Michoacan state after inspectors received threats or were assaulted. The profitable fruit long ago attracted the attention of Mexico's powerful organized crime groups that extort avocado growers and packers. In September, the U.S. announced it would be passing inspection duties to the Mexican government. Those security threats could happen in Guatemala too as the industry grows. The country will also have to monitor closely deforestation as forests are chopped down to plant avocado orchards and the water the trees require, both of which have become sensitive issues in Mexico. Currently there are no regulations governing water use for avocado orchards, but the agriculture ministry says that 'big companies use drip irrigation to optimize water resources.' 'To produce and export avocado good agricultural practices that contribute to good management of the fruit and the environment have to be implemented,' the ministry said. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
