International
Dominican Republic gives Haiti 48 hours to resolve border river conflict
September 12 |
The Government of the Dominican Republic gave this Tuesday a 48-hour ultimatum to Haiti to resolve the conflict that has arisen around the border river, called Masacre, otherwise it will order the total closure of the land, sea and air borders.
Luis Abinader’s government made the decision in the midst of what they call the threat posed by the plan of Haitian groups to divert the waters of the Masacre River and is a new measure, part of those adopted Monday morning by the Dominican National Security Council.
The package of measures also includes the definitive suspension of the issuance of visas to Haitians, “until further notice”, and the prohibition of entry into the country of all those involved in the conflict.
Although Luis Abinader’s ultimatum enters its first day on Tuesday, the total closure of the border with Dajabón continues without variation.
Despite the escalation, Abinader, said he was confident that “good sense” would prevail and that there would be a solution to the Haitian construction of a canal to divert water from the bordering Masacre River.
“I do not want to be optimistic and naive (…) I hope that good sense will prevail between now and Thursday”, otherwise “we would have no other alternative”, said the president.
The President insisted that the Haitian government does not agree with the construction of the canal either, “it does not have the authorization nor the official support and resources”, since it is “a private canal of Haitian businessmen” to take the water to a reservoir and, from there, to distribute it to lands and farms owned by the group.
However, he reiterated, given the “situation of ungovernability” in the neighboring country, the Dominican Republic does not have “a valid interlocutor” on this matter and the Haitian government is not in a position to stop the “unacceptable” problem of the canal.
The Haitian government has remained silent on the decision of the National Security Council of the Dominican Republic.
Central America
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, representing the state of Maryland, held a meeting in El Salvador with deported MS-13 gang member Kilmar Ábrego García, a member of the criminal group classified by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.
“Kilmar Ábrego García, miraculously resurrected from the ‘extermination camps’ and ‘torture chambers,’ now sipping margaritas with Senator Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” wrote President Nayib Bukeleon X (formerly Twitter), sharing photos of Van Hollen, Ábrego García, and a lawyer sitting together at a Salvadoran hotel.
The deported gang member is seen wearing a plaid shirt and a flat-brimmed cap, seated at a table with glasses and coffee cups. The senator also shared images of the meeting on his own social media accounts.
Bukele reaffirmed that Ábrego will remain in El Salvador and will not be returned to the United States.
“Now that his health has been confirmed, he has earned the honor of remaining under the custody of El Salvador,” Bukele added.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the senator’s meeting with Ábrego on Truth Social, calling Van Hollen “a fool” for advocating for Ábrego’s return to the U.S.
International
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom
Pope Francis, still recovering from pneumonia, appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Easter Sunday and, with a faint voice, wished a “Happy Easter” to the thousands of faithful gathered to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ.
A month after being discharged from a lengthy hospital stay, the presence of the 88-year-old pontiff had remained uncertain, with the Vatican not confirming his attendance ahead of time.
Eventually, the pope made a brief appearance in a wheelchair shortly after 12:00 p.m. (10:00 GMT) to deliver his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (“to the city and to the world”).
Although no longer wearing an oxygen cannula, the Argentine Jesuit relied on a close aide to read his Easter message, which touched on major global conflicts.
Francis condemned the “dramatic and unworthy humanitarian crisis” in Gaza and called for a ceasefire, while also expressing concern over the “growing climate of antisemitism spreading across the globe.”
He further emphasized the importance of religious freedom and freedom of thought, stating that without mutual respect, “peace is not possible.”
International
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
Thousands of protesters gathered on Saturday (April 19, 2025) in major cities like New York and Washington, as well as in small communities across the United States, in a second wave of demonstrations against President Donald Trump. The crowds denounced what they view as growing threats to the country’s democratic ideals.
In New York City, demonstrators of all ages rallied in front of the Public Library near Trump Tower, holding signs accusing the president of undermining democratic institutions and judicial independence.
Many protesters also criticized Trump’s hardline immigration policies, including mass deportations and raids targeting undocumented migrants.
“Democracy is in grave danger,” said Kathy Valyi, 73, the daughter of Holocaust survivors. She told AFP that the stories her parents shared about Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in 1930s Germany “are happening here now.”
In Washington, demonstrators voiced concern over what they see as Trump’s disregard for long-standing constitutional norms, such as the right to due process.
Senator Van Hollen Meets with Deported MS-13 Member in El Salvador; Trump and Bukele React
Pope Francis Appears for Easter Blessing, Calls for Peace and Religious Freedom
Thousands rally nationwide against Trump’s threat to U.S. democracy
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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