International
The Congress of Peru approves a law that limits crimes against humanity, in defiance of the Court of Justice
The Permanent Commission of the Congress of Peru approved on Thursday, in a second vote, the law that proposes to limit the application and scope of crimes against humanity and war crimes, in open challenge to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (CorteIDH), which asked the Peruvian State to annul it for the prescription it meant for those cases.
The rule was approved with 15 votes in favor, 12 against and no abstentions in a session of the Permanent Commission, which put it as one of the first topics of debate.
The Court of Justice had requested on Tuesday “the State of Peru, through its three Powers, to take the necessary actions so that they are not adopted, revoked or not given effect to Bill No. 6951/2023-CR that provides for the statute of limitations for crimes against humanity perpetrated in Peru.”
He also ordered Peru to submit a complete and detailed report on the fulfillment of his mandate no later than August 9.
The initial proposal was approved on June 7 by the plenary of Congress with 60 votes in favor, but it required this second vote for ratification and, precisely, this court ordered Peru on June 13 to stop its procedure until it issued a resolution on the subject.
The project was proposed by the Fujimori party Fuerza Popular and the ultra-conservative Renovación Popular, a bench made up in part of former heads of the Armed Forces, and aims to prevent anyone from being prosecuted for crimes against humanity or war crimes that occurred before 2002 and, therefore, excludes the period of internal conflict (1980-2000) that left more than 69,000 victims in the country.
The Prime Minister of Peru, Gustavo Adrianzén, said on Wednesday that he is “indignant” by the order of the Court of Justice on the bill, until today.
“Indignant, absolutely indignant, by what was resolved by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that decides in the most unusual way, and without any precedent, on a bill that has not even become a law,” Adrianzén said when consulted on the subject.
The prime minister added that “it is intolerable” for the supranational court to call on the three powers (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) “of a sovereign member state,” such as Peru, not to approve or apply a law.
He pointed out that he is promoting a joint pronouncement of the three powers to express “the rejection of this type of provision from supranational justice.”
Human Rights organizations affirm that this initiative will affect access to justice and truth for victims of human rights violations, specifically in the cases of La Cantuta and Barrios Altos, for which former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison.
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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