International

Demand justice after massacre in Canaan, Haiti

Photo: AlterPress

August 30|

The National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (Rnddh) of Haiti called on the authorities of the Caribbean country to arrest and convict the perpetrators of the massacre perpetrated last Saturday in Canaan (north of Port-au-Prince), as well as all those involved.

According to Rnddh, the government commissioner before the civil court of Croix-des-Bouquets (northeast), Roosevelt Zamor, should initiate proceedings not only against pastor Marcorel Zidor, alias Marco, of the “Bethesda Evangelical Church”, but also against the leaders of the Haitian National Police (HNP).

They point out that as a public force, the HNP is responsible for the massacre, since it could have prevented what happened, they argue, while condemning the irresponsible behavior of the pastor.

In that direction, the executive director of Rnddh, Pierre Espérance wondered “Why did the pastor not go with the faithful to the stronghold of the Kraze baryè gang, led by Vitelhomme Innocent, not far from his church located in Caradeux, instead of heading towards another gang’s stronghold in Canaan?”

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According to Espérance, the pastor knew very well that this tragedy could happen, because it is impossible for the civilian population to succeed in dismantling armed gangs in the country without an agreement with the police, says Rnddh.

“Unfortunately, the Pnh stopped tracking armed gangs as of May 2023. This is what has allowed the gangs to return to power,” the text indicated.

They claim, in that sense, that the public force could prevent Pastor Marco’s followers from going to Canaan, because the latter have publicly announced their intention, the Rnddh maintains.

In a press release on Monday, the Armed Forces of Haiti (Fad’H) reported that they had not participated in any operation in Canaan during the past weekend: “If there are people wearing uniforms reminiscent of those of the army, we regret it”.

At least 10 people who participated in the march to evict the Canaan gang were killed and others were shot and wounded in the area by the gang, which also kidnapped several others.

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International

Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem claimed that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deported “more than half a million” migrants due to pressure from former President Donald Trump.

During a cabinet meeting highlighting the “achievements” of Trump’s administration in its first 100 days, Noem asserted that under the Republican leader’s influence, “Mexico has finally come to the table” to negotiate on migration and fentanyl trafficking.

“The president of Mexico told me she has returned just over half a million people before they reached our border,” Noem stated, criticizing media reports that suggest the Biden administration deported more migrants than Trump’s.

“I wish those deportations were counted,” Noem added, “because those people never made it to our border—she sent them back because you made her.” She went on to thank Trump: “They never made it here because they got the message—because you were so aggressive.”

Noem has made controversial claims about Sheinbaum in the past, prompting the Mexican leader to refute them.

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On April 1, Sheinbaum responded to one such statement by declaring, “The president answers to only one authority, and that is the people of Mexico,” after Noem said on Fox News that she gave Sheinbaum “a list of things Trump would like to see” and that Mexico’s actions would determine whether Trump granted tariff relief.

International

Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition

he Vatican’s post offices and select collector shops began selling special edition stamps this week to mark the period between the death of Pope Francis and the election of his successor.

Known as “Sede Vacante” stamps, they feature an image used on official Vatican documents during the interregnum between popes — two crossed keys without the papal tiara. These stamps went on sale Monday and will remain valid for postal use only until the new pontiff appears at the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Until then, they can be used to send letters, postcards, and parcels. “Once the new pope is elected, the stamps lose their postal validity, but their collectible value rises,” said Francesco Santarossa, who runs a collectors’ shop across from St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican has issued the stamps in four denominations: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. Each is inscribed with “Città del Vaticano” and “Sede Vacante MMXXV” — Latin for “Vacant See 2025.”

International

Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may

The conclave, which in the coming weeks must choose the successor to Pope Francis, will strictly follow a precise protocol refined over centuries.

The 135 cardinal electors, all under the age of 80, will cast their votes four times a day — except on the first day — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. The result will be announced to the world through the burning of the ballots with a chemical that produces the eagerly awaited white smoke, accompanied by the traditional cry of “Habemus Papam.”

The start date for the conclave could be announced today, as the cardinals are set to hold their fifth meeting since the pope’s passing. Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich suggested it could begin on May 5 or 6, following the traditional nine days of mourning. According to German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, the conclave could last only “a few days.”

Although the late Argentine pontiff appointed the majority of the cardinal electors, this does not necessarily ensure the selection of a like-minded successor. Francis’ leadership style differed significantly from that of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, a German theologian who was less fond of large public gatherings. It also marked a contrast with the popular Polish pope, John Paul II.

The Argentine Jesuit’s reformist papacy drew strong criticism from more conservative sectors of the Church, who are hoping for a doctrinally focused shift. His tenure was marked by efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse, elevate the role of women and laypeople, and advocate for the poor and migrants, among other causes.