International
Anti-chavista candidate promises a Venezuela with a president who “does not insult” if he wins the elections
The presidential candidate of the main anti-Chavista bloc, Edmundo González Urrutia, promised this Saturday that, in case of winning the elections of July 28, a president who will not insult his political adversaries will govern in Venezuela.
“Let’s imagine for a moment the coming country: a country in which the president does not insult or see his adversaries as enemies,” the former ambassador said in front of hundreds of supporters in the state of Aragua, where he held his first mass act since he assumed the candidacy, representing the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD).
He also pointed out that in that Venezuela governed by him “there will be electricity” and “there will be water,” in reference to the constant electrical and drinking water supply failures that are recorded almost daily throughout the country.
“A country in which health is not sick and education educates, a country without political prisoners (…), in which our airports and borders will be filled with our children returning home,” he said.
He also assured, “to those who still believe in the Government,” that he guarantees “an alternation in peace in which all political forces will be able to exercise their rights within the framework of the Constitution.”
“To the National Armed Forces, you play a fundamental role in the safety of all, I will be the guarantor of your institutionality,” the anti-Chavista continued in his brief speech, which he read pausing among the applause of his followers.
The PUD candidate, during his speech, remarked that Chavismo will not take away the “hope” of political change from Venezuelans, something that – he considered – “today lives thanks to the primaries of October 22 that recognized the brave struggle of María Corina Machado.”
“I never thought of looking for a popularly elected position, but, at this crossroads (…), we made the family decision to take a step forward for Venezuela and that step must all be taken to conquer and take care of our votes on July 28,” he stressed.
González Urrutia asked the international community to accompany “closely” the elections of next July 28, since he believes that they will be decisive in terms of the behavior of the migratory flow.
“To the international community, (I ask) to accompany us closely in this process because it will be decisive to reduce migration and make Venezuela a reliable partner,” said the former ambassador in front of hundreds of supporters in the state of Aragua, in the first mass act he has led since he assumed the candidacy.
Nearly 7.8 million Venezuelans have left their country in the last decade, mainly to Latin American countries, due to the economic and socio-political crisis, according to data from several governments and United Nations (UN) agencies.
González Urrutia was chosen as a candidate of the PUD in view of the disqualification that prevents former liberal deputy María Corina Machado from competing for public positions, despite having been elected in primaries as the contender of the largest opposition bloc.
At this Saturday’s event, Machado presented the former ambassador as “the next president of Venezuela” and asked his supporters to support this option with votes on July 28, when Nicolás Maduro, in power since 2013, will seek his second consecutive re-election.
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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