International
The Government of Brazil suspends its advertising campaigns in X after Musk’s criticism
The Government of Brazil decided not to hire advertising campaigns in X again after the controversial criticism of the tycoon Elon Musk, owner of the social network, to the Supreme Court of the country and the president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Sources from the Secretariat of Communication confirmed this Saturday that Lula’s administration will no longer invest more resources in promoting the actions of the Executive on the platform, in the middle of the dispute with the businessman, also owner of Tesla and Space X.
According to the Transparency portal, the Government of the progressive leader spent about 650,000 reais (127,000 dollars or 120,000 euros) on institutional communication in X between 2023, the year in which he took power, and the first months of 2024.
The measure, which applies to new advertising contracts, is based on a guideline promulgated last February to avoid advertising actions in “portals, applications and content producers” that may “damage the image of the institutions of the Executive Branch.”
In addition, the Brazilian press publishes this Saturday that X’s representative in Brazil, lawyer Diego de Lima Gualda, left office this week, according to a document in the São Paulo Commercial Board.
The controversy has its origin in a series of messages from Musk in which he accused the Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre De Moraes of imposing censorship by, in his opinion, determining the blocking of X profiles without an apparent reason.
The businessman also anticipated that, in defense of freedom of expression, he would disobey decisions in that regard, even if this would result in economic fines or the closure of the platform in the South American country.
De Moraes responded by including it in the investigations that are advancing in the high court on the dissemination of fake news and attacks on democratic institutions.
Obleious to the ruling, Musk continued with his criticism this week, described the magistrate as a “dictator” and questioned the appointment of Cristiano Zanin, Lula’s former personal lawyer, to occupy a seat in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Lula condemned on Wednesday that “a businessman who never produced anything,” in allusion to Musk, criticizes the rulings of Justice and even said he is willing to violate them, and insinuated that he should use his fortune to “help preserve” the environment.
Musk’s criticism of Brazil’s justice has been interpreted in sectors of national politics as a kind of support for the far right led by former President Jair Bolsonaro, especially in the face of next October’s municipal elections.
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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