International
Xóchitl Gálvez assures that she will be the “braver” president in the face of crime
The opposition candidate for the presidency of Mexico, Xóchitl Gálvez, assured during her campaign closure in Nuevo León (north) that she will be the “bravest” president to face the wave of violence that the country is experiencing and has left 186,000 homicide victims, 50,000 missing and 12,000 minors murdered.
At the event, which was held at the facilities of the Monterrey Arena, the candidate managed to bring together about 17,000 people, supporters of the ‘Strength and Heart for Mexico’ coalition, which is made up of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the National Action Party (PAN) and the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD).
During his message, Gálvez, 61, asked those present if Mexico was better in security, medical care and education.
“I’m going to ask you a few questions, is security better now than ever? Of course not, 186,000 people murdered, 50,000 people missing, you are living it here in Nuevo León; 12,000 children murdered, 40,000 young people murdered, that is the result of a security strategy where hugs have been for criminals and bullets for citizens,” he said.
However, he mentioned that this strategy will be over because Mexicans “will have the bravest president.”
He also noted that under the administration of the Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the health system has been deficient.
“lack of medicines, hospitals are falling apart, 50,000,000 Mexicans do not have social security,” he said.
He also questioned education in Mexico and said that more than a million students left school with the current government.
In this sense, he affirmed that Mexico has retreated in educational matters because the Government of Morena, rather than betting on technology, has done so to ideology, and regretted the legacy of division left by López Obrador.
“No divided country is moving forward, that’s why we are all going to work hand in hand,” he said.
He added that Mexico needs to meet the needs of everyone: the countryside, teachers, seeking mothers.
During the event, the batons and cries of support were not long in coming for the candidate and most of those present wore pink that identifies the coalition.
Candidates for the various popularly elected positions of the ‘Fuerza y Corazón por México’ coalition were also present, such as the candidates for mayor’s offices in Nuevo León, local, federal and Senate councils.
The polls place Gálvez behind the ruling candidate, Claudia Sheinbaum, while in a distant third place is the also opposition Jorge Álvarez Máynez, of the Citizen Movement.
Mexico, whose Constitution does not allow presidential re-election, will have the largest elections in its history, since 98 million voters are called to renew more than 20,000 positions, including the Presidency, the 500 deputies, the 128 senators and nine state governments.
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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