International
A Mexican-American artist denounces the deportations with a mural on the border
The Mexican-American artist Lizbeth de la Cruz Santana painted a mural on the border between the Mexican Ciudad Juárez and the American El Paso with images of 13 mothers, veterans and ‘dreamers’ who already had a life in the United States but were deported from that country.
His work, installed on pillars and foundations of the Santa Fe international bridge, on the Mexican side of the border, shows the human side of deportation, asylum and what happens with American families disarmed by the immigration system of the United States.
“There are 13 people, different profiles, different nationalities, it is very important to take into account that people from different parts of the world arrive at this point of the border,” the muralist said on Monday in an interview with EFE.
He said that the project in Juárez includes the documentation of the stories of these 13 people, so the mural has QR codes so that people who visit this point know the stories on the artist’s website.
De la Cruz Santana commented that Mexico must have more humane policies to receive the deportees so that they can integrate more easily into society because they suffer a lot of discrimination.
He said that the main audience of the work are the deportees themselves, whose photos have been captured, so that they do not feel that their stories have been forgotten, in addition to being a message for governments, so that they are more human.
“For me, it is very important not to forget the people who have suffered deportation. People or relatives who are left behind or who have to take their children born in the United States to another country like Mexico, remind people that this issue has not been solved,” he remarked.
An example is Any García, who was born in Jalisco, a state in western Mexico, from where her family took her to the United States when she was 4 years old, but the authorities deported her 30 years later.
“My whole family is in the United States, my mom, my sisters, the father of the children, even if we are together, because we are missing those on the other side. In a perfect world, we want the way to return, even if it is not to live, but to be able to be with our loved ones,” Any said.
The woman commented that the border separates thousands of families, so the idea of participating in this project is to make visible what migrants deported by a “very inhuman” system are experiencing.
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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