The case strained relations between the United States and many Latin American nations including Brazil, which were disappointed that Washington did not consistently demand exiled elected leader Manuel Zelaya’s return to office.
On May 9, a Guatemalan court acquitted Alfonso Portillo and his co-defendants of all charges regarding the embezzlement of $15 million in government funds.
In 2010, hurricanes particularly wreaked havoc in Central America and the Caribbean. The worst, Hurricane Tomas, caused landslides in Costa Rica and hit the Caribbean islands of St. Lucia and Haiti. Approximately 57 people were killed by the storm.
