International
The Supreme Court of Brazil decriminalizes the carrying of marijuana for personal use
The Supreme Court of Brazil decriminalized on Tuesday the carrying, cultivation and consumption of marijuana for personal use, so that this is considered just as an illicit act of an administrative nature.
A majority of magistrates interpreted that drug use is not a crime because the current law, passed in 2006, has already decriminalized it and those convicted of it only face minor punishments such as the provision of community services.
“Consumption is not punishable by detention or imprisonment, therefore, it is not a crime. The user should not be criminalized, it must be treated with public health and socio-educational policies,” said Judge José Antonio Dias Toffoli during the discussion.
In addition, Toffoli pointed to the “stigma” associated with criminalization, which can keep users away from asking for the help they need.
However, and in the face of the criticisms made in recent months by legislators of the conservative majority in Congress, the magistrates insisted that consumption is not being legalized, a measure that is the responsibility of the Legislative Branch.
“The use of illicit drugs is a bad thing and the role of the State is to combat trafficking and treat dependents,” said the president of the court, Luís Roberto Barroso.
Most of the magistrates agreed on the need to set an amount of marijuana to distinguish the user from the trafficker, who does face prison sentences, because the current law does not establish it.
The absence of a limit opens the doors to arbitrary behavior by the police and judges, which according to the magistrates can lead to cases of discrimination that mainly affect poor blacks.
According to data cited during the debate in the Supreme Court, 20 grams of marijuana are enough for a young black and illiterate to consider himself a trafficker, while in the case of a white man with studies the amount is 58 grams on average.
“We want to avoid that discrimination between rich and poor, we want a rule that is the same for everyone,” Barroso said during a session last week.
The magistrates have proposed amounts ranging from 10 to 60 grams, although a minority within the court has pointed out that Congress should be the one who established it.
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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