Argentine Patagonia is going through a tragic summer, with at least five large fires that have already burned more than 20,000 hectares, including in two important national parks and in recent days also in the tourist town of El Bolsón, where the first fatality was recorded.
The five main foci are distributed between the provinces of Neuquén, Río Negro and Chubut, in the south of the country.
The most serious fire is that of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, located between Neuquén and Río Negro and where the fire, which originated at the end of last December, has destroyed more than 10,000 hectares in the Los Manzanos area and more than 600 in the El Manso sector, according to the latest figures released by the park authorities.
Adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds and high temperatures, have hindered the work of the nearly 200 brigade members who are struggling to contain the flames.
In the Lanín National Park, in Neuquén, the fire in the Magdalena Valley, which began in early January, has already affected more than 4,000 hectares and remains active despite the work of more than a hundred brigade members and volunteers.
The province of Chubut, further south of the country, is home to two other important foci. The main one is located in the town of Epuyén, where the fire has so far burned more than 3,500 hectares of vegetation, including thickets, pastures, plantations, shrubs and native forest, in addition to at least 70 homes.
In parallel, the province has registered another focus since last January 19, when the rural area of Atilio Viglione caught fire, where the flames continue to be active and more than 3,000 hectares have already burned.
The most recent fire started last Thursday in El Bolsón, a town located in Río Negro and known for being one of the most tourist destinations in Argentine Patagonia.
According to the latest report of the provincial government, about 2,800 hectares have already been burned and the death of a man of about 80 years old has been recorded.
More than 300 people work in the area to try to contain the flames, some of which do it on the ground and others by air, using three hydrant aircraft and two helicopters of the National Fire Management Service.
Both the governor of Río Negro, Alberto Weretilneck, and the governor of Chubut, Ignacio Torres, reported that the fires in their provinces were caused intentionally.
In addition, together with the governors of adjacent provinces, including that of Neuquén, they prepared a joint document in which they expressed the “support and commitment in the fight against fires that affect the mountain range area.”
“Today, more than ever, we are working together to fight fires and protect our communities,” they said in the statement.
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.
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.”
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.
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