Dear Clients and Colleagues,

We are monitoring fast-moving security developments in Guatemala following a surge in gang-related violence, including coordinated unrest at multiple prisons and armed attacks targeting police in and around Guatemala City.

Guatemalan authorities have announced a 30-day emergency measure expanding security-force authorities, and the U.S. Embassy has issued a Security Alert advising U.S. citizens to take heightened precautions.

Key points (as of January 18–19):

• Reports of violence and armed attacks on police throughout Guatemala City and the surrounding areas.  
• Temporary emergency measures announced by the Guatemalan government to support law-enforcement operations against gangs and organized crime.
• U.S. Embassy personnel were instructed to shelter in place, and U.S. citizens are advised to monitor local developments closely.

Continue reading “Travel Preparedness Advisory: Guatemala”

By Mike Rodriguez, Senior Policy Advisor

Recently, we shared new travel rules for non-US citizens, including enhanced documentation requirements and additional health screenings at entry points.  We will have more on that in the near future.  

Today, we’re kicking off a short Poblete Tamargo travel preparedness and hygiene series with a topic that’s frequently misunderstood (and often sensationalized): INTERPOL.

Travel AWARE and travel SAFE!

What INTERPOL is

INTERPOL is a coordination and information-sharing organization composed of member states (e.g., the United States) that helps police agencies in those countries share alerts and requests for information related to criminal matters and public safety threats. Its General Secretariat (headquarters) is based in Paris, and it provides secure channels and standardized tools that enable information to move quickly across borders.

What INTERPOL is NOT

• INTERPOL is not a “global police force.” It does not investigate crimes on its own or “send agents” to arrest people.
• INTERPOL is not a court. It does not decide guilt/innocence or adjudicate disputes.
• A Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. It is best understood as a request to locate a person and, depending on local law, to provisionally arrest pending extradition or related legal processes. Each country decides what (if anything) to do with a notice under its own laws.

Continue reading “Travel Preparedness Series #1: What INTERPOL Is (and Isn’t)”

On December 18, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order that elevates U.S. space superiority as a national priority—pairing ambitious exploration timelines with aggressive national security objectives and explicit moves to accelerate commercial space growth.  Here are a few highlights and initial impressions.

Key takeaways (high level):

• Artemis + lunar buildout: Return Americans to the Moon by 2028 and establish initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030.
• Commercial expansion: Target $50B in additional investment by 2028, increase launch/reentry cadence, and push a commercial pathway to replace the ISS by 2030.
• Acquisition reform: Strong preference for commercial solutionsand streamlined contracting tools (including Other Transactions and Space Act Agreements), plus mandated agency acquisition reforms.
• Space security: Expanded focus from very low-Earth orbit through cislunar space, including detecting/countering threats and strengthening ally/partner participation.
• Space nuclear power: A new “National Initiative” is directed, including a goal of a lunar surface reactor ready for launch by 2030.

Continue reading “Client Update: White House Outer Space EO Signal Market Expansion”

By Mike Rodriguez, Senior Policy Advisor

Shortly before the New Year, the United States implemented stricter new travel rules for non-citizens. These regulations include enhanced documentation requirements and additional health screenings at entry points.  Travelers are now advised to review the updated guidelines before planning their trips to ensure compliance with the latest protocols. These new protocols include:

Mandatory Biometric Screening

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a new nationwide mandate requiring all non-citizens to provide biometric data upon entry or exit. 

• Universal Coverage: The rule applies to all non-U.S. citizens, including Green Card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents), visa holders, and previously exempt Canadian visitors.
• No Age Exemptions: Children under 14 and adults over 79, who were previously exempt from biometric capture, must now participate.
• Entry and Exit Points: Screening occurs at all airports, seaports, and land crossings.
• Data Collected: While facial photographs are the primary requirement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may also collect fingerprints and iris scans. 

Continue reading “New Travel rules for Non-U.S. Citizens”

By Mike Rodriguez, Senior Policy Advisor

Even before the Trump Administration announced a ban on immigration from 19 “countries of concern,” and this week’s announcement that as many as 30 additional countries may be added to this list, I have noticed that security-based visa delays have been increasing across multiple regions.

We are seeing more 221(g) holds (in which the consular officer needs more time or information before making a final decision), extended Security Advisory Opinions (SAOs), or robust U.S. government background checks for national security reasons, and cases routed through other screening processes.  These tools have existed for years, but they are being applied more frequently and with less visibility.  Applicants often realize something is wrong only when the consulate’s communication shifts from specific to generic and the timeline suddenly stops moving.

Continue reading “US Port Entry & Security Flagging Is Rising Again: What Frequent Travelers, Companies and Institutions Should Know”