International
López Obrador recognizes drug production in Mexico and blames the United States for the consumption
The president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, acknowledged on Tuesday that there are “crime groups” that produce drugs in the country, although he blamed the United States because its consumption is “increasingly” higher.
“The causes have to be addressed (in the United States) and this will also help us a lot because here there are crime groups that are dedicated to the production of drugs,” he said in the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the National Guard (GN), a body that he conceived in 2019.
However, he warned that “as long as there is consumption as happens, and more and more, in the United States, more problems” occur in Mexico to “confront organized crime” that traffics in drugs.
This is one of the first times that the president, who will replace the presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum on October 1, recognizes the production of narcotics by Mexican cartels.
In fact, at the end of March he stated that there is “very little fentanyl” made in Mexico, after he denied for years the information of the United States Anti-Drug Agency (DEA), which maintains that this narcotic is produced in the country with chemical precursors from Asia.
“We must convince, because we are brothers and good neighbors, Americans so that they address the causes that cause the high consumption of drugs they have,” he recommended to the agents of the GN and a good part of his presidential Cabinet.
He stressed that this situation leads to “very unfortunate” circumstances in the United States, such as the death of young people from overdose, especially due to the consumption of the “terrible drug of fentanyl.”
“What we have to try is that young people do not come out of the families so young, that this custom is revised,” López Obrador suggested.
So he was committed to “helping in any way possible” from Mexico.
On the other hand, the current president described how his administration is “confronting the scourge of violence” with measures such as the daily celebration of the Security Cabinet or the creation of the GN, which López Obrador wants to integrate into the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena).
One of its controversial constitutional reforms announced in February was already attempted in September 2022 with a legal change to include the GN in the Sedena and that, subsequently, was invalidated by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN).
During the creation of the Guard, it was established that the body of 130,000 agents should be in charge of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC).
“It is progressing, not as we would like, but we must take into account that it is a very aggravated evil because they left it for a long time without attention,” he acknowledged.
He opined that, since his entry into the National Palace, the causes that originate violence are being “advered” through different policies, such as “guaranteeing” universal access to health and “that there is social security.”
Also, López Obrador demanded to “take care” that drug use does not grow within Mexico, now “very focused” in some areas, and appealed to the original cultures, the “protective shield” of society, to carry it out.
“Mexicans, I say this with all respect, are not vicious or prone to drugs,” he said.
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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