International
Argentine society defends its sensitive fiber before the Government: public education
Argentine society defended one of those axes that trebrate it, a sensitive fiber such as public education, before the adjustment policies of the Government of libertarian Javier Milei, who, in addition to applying his well-known ‘chainsaw’, considers it a “nest of indoctrination.”
Several hundred thousand citizens – students, teachers, university staff, in addition to unions, politicians and social organizations – demonstrated in the Federal University March through the streets throughout the country in defense of public higher education and against the policies of the Executive in that area.
Although the Ministry of Human Capital announced late on Monday what, days ago, it presented as an agreement reached with the National Interuniversity Council (CIN), the deposit of 10,075 million pesos (about 11 million dollars at the current official exchange rate) for 100% of the operating expenses of the national universities, the march went on.
According to the Ministry of Security, only in the Plaza de Mayo, where the march of Buenos Aires concluded, which took place between Congress and the Casa Rosada (seat of the Government), between 100,000 and 150,000 people gathered.
But the number of people between Avenida de Mayo, 9 de Julio and the surrounding streets could raise that number to about half a million protesters.
Argentina promulgated in 1884, under the Presidency of Julio Argentino Roca, Law 1420 on common, free and compulsory education, the basis of the current national education system, which includes free education up to higher (university) education and reaches foreigners.
“We are proud children of the Argentine public university,” proclaimed the president of the Argentine University Federation (FUA), Piera Fernández de Piccoli, in her speech at the end of the Buenos Aires march.
The university leader affirmed that “education is a fundamental human right, because it prevails over the ungrateful chance of inequality” and considered the current one as “a critical period as a result of the policies of the national government.”
In his speech, he demanded the updating of salaries and operating expenses because, he said, the public university is “in March 2024 with values of September 2022”; also the improvement of retirees and the restitution of the National Teaching Incentive Fund (FONID).
Although the call was made from civil society, several political leaders did not want to miss the call.
Among those attending the demonstration in Buenos Aires were the Peronist governor of the homonymous province, Axel Kicillof; the former Minister of Economy and Milei’s adversary in the last presidential elections, Sergio Massa; and the president of radicalism, Senator Martín Lousteau.
Before the march, the former mayor of Buenos Aires and co-founder of the Republican Proposal (center-right) party Horacio Rodríguez Larreta expressed his support; and from a balcony near Congress, former Argentine president Cristina Fernández greeted the demonstrators, who waved a university garment in her hand.
But, without a doubt, it was an event of Argentine society, which was mobilized in peace and without altercations, as the Security authorities themselves acknowledged to the television channel Todo Noticias (TN).
The events in Buenos Aires were attended by representatives of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), one of the most important in Latin America, and of other educational centers in the capital, including some private ones.
In Córdoba (center), a student center par excellence and home of the National University of Córdoba (UNC) – the oldest in the country and one of the first in Latin America, founded in 1613 – about 30,000 people were mobilized.
With a long history of student claims, the city nicknamed ‘la Docta’ was the scene of the ‘Cordobazo’ in 1969, one of the largest Latin American university mobilizations within the framework of the global protests of the late sixties, which was harshly repressed by the dictatorship that then held power (1966-1973).
During the day, there were also mobilizations in the provinces of Santa Fe, Mendoza, Entre Ríos, Río Negro, Neuquén, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Misiones, San Juan, San Luis, Santiago del Estero, Catamarca and Chubut.
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
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