A mass trial of 486 suspected MS-13 gang members has begun in El Salvador, the country's attorney general's office has said. Footage released by the attorney general's office shows large groups of men in prison attending the trial via video link. The group are collectively accused of committing more than 47,000 crimes – including murder, extortion, drug and arms trafficking – between 2012 and 2022.

United Nations experts say mass trials "undermine the exercise of the right to defence and the presumption of innocence of detainees". But the attorney general's office said it had "compelling" evidence that would allow "maximum penalties" to be imposed on those found guilty. The BBC's Mimi Swaby explains why El Salvador are taking this approach and why its led to widespread criticism from rights groups.

Around 80 firefighters and 20 fire trucks tackled the blaze, the state's military fire department said, adding that no one was hurt. The BBC's Will Grant spoke to several Cubans as the country grapples with severe electricity shortages, which is attributed in part to US sanctions. BBC international correspondent Quentin Sommerville travelled to Culiacán in northern Sinaloa state following an explosion in violence.

BBC's Will Grant visits Puerto Vallarta, a popular coastal resort town, to see the damage. The BBC's Will Grant describes how locals are feeling in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, Mexico, after a wave of violence hit the streets. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho", was killed during a security operation to arrest him, Mexico's defence ministry has said.

One hundred and fifty eight captive-bred juvenile tortoises were released on the Galápagos island of Floreana. Rio de Janeiro's iconic Carnival parades began with a tribute to Brazil's President Lula, illustrating his rise from poverty to power. About 8.2 million people participated in the first drill of the year, achieving an average evacuation time of 1 minute and 52 seconds.

A rare phantom jellyfish has been spotted by scientists exploring the deep sea in the South Atlantic. BBC Senior international correspondent Orla Guerin joined a special operation over Colombia's cocaine heartland, tasked with destroying crude cocaine labs hidden deep in the jungle. The BBC's Will Grant is in Cuba's capital, Havana, where people lined the streets to pay tribute.

BBC reporter Norberto Paredes is in Caracas as the Venezuelan government begins to release its political prisoners. The BBC's Cuba Correspondent, Will Grant, looks at the close ties between the two nations. BBC Mundo has spoken to Venezuelans in the country's capital about the latest US military operation.

Analysis Editor Ros Atkins looks at the key questions following US strikes on Venezuela and seizure of its president. President Donald Trump has said the US will "run" Venezuela after it launched strikes on the country and captured President Nicolas Maduro. The BBC’s Analysis Editor Ros Atkins looks at what we know about the "active pursuit" of an oil tanker by the US Coast Guard off the coast of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan opposition leader talked about she escaped Venezuela after months in hiding. The Venezuelan opposition leader made her first public appearance in 11 months moments before the interview.