International
The Government accuses the opposition of an alleged plan to tear down a bridge in Venezuela
The Government of Venezuela accused the opposition of an alleged plan to tear down a bridge in the south of the country, with the aim of “causing anxiety” in the population in the face of the presidential elections on July 28.
“We have detected and unveiled a serious plan to demolish (…) the first bridge over the Orinoco River, the Angostura Bridge,” said the executive vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, who also reiterated the denunciation of plans to attack facilities of the national electricity system.
According to the official, members of the opposition elaborate these “perverse plans” because “they do not want an election, because they already know they are defeated” and, therefore, “they want to sabotage” the July elections.
“Efremism, which seeks to cause suffering to the people of Venezuela, who have attacked the national electricity system, which has promoted the terrible economic blockade against our homeland, (…) now has these perverse plans against the vital infrastructure of the nation,” he said.
According to Rodríguez, between 10% and 20% of the “guayas (thick and resistant wire) that support the bridge” have been cut, so the Executive decided to divert the circulation of cargo transport over the Orinoquia bridge – the second on the Orinoco River – and set, at 40 kilometers per hour, the maximum speed limit for private vehicles.
For his part, the Minister of Transport, Ramón Velásquez, reported plans to rehabilitate the bridge, which include the restitution of the wires, general maintenance, lighting and the installation of a surveillance system through cameras.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) activated a plan ordered by President Nicolás Maduro to protect the electrical system from alleged sabotage that, according to the head of state and candidate for re-election, prepares the majority opposition against this sector.
According to the president, the opposition is preparing an “electric war” by seeing himself, he assured, “lost” in the presidential elections, and claimed to have “six, eight, nine, ten proofs” – which he did not show – of these facts.
The Government also accuses the opposition of wanting to carry out a coup d’état and of looking for guarimbas (protests) in the country.
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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