International

Venezuelan President holds dialogue with Palestinian counterpart

Photo: @NicolasMaduro

October 16 |

The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and the President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Mahmud Abbas, held a telephone conversation on Sunday to address the critical situation of Palestinian civilians after the Israeli aggression in Gaza.

From the official account of the Government of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro highlighted that they discussed “the terrible situation in the Gaza Strip, after the indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population by Israel, causing thousands of deaths and injuries”.

Recognizing that Israel’s attack has crossed the line of respect for International Humanitarian Law and violates the agreements governing the matter, the Venezuelan Head of State also pointed out that both he and Abbas agreed in demanding an immediate cease-fire.

“We agree in demanding an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian channel of assistance to the population, as well as the reestablishment of international legality, through compliance with the resolutions of the United Nations and respect for the commitments of the parties in each of the negotiations carried out,” said the Venezuelan dignitary.

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Likewise, Maduro Moros pointed out that Abbas informed in detail about the development of the events and the diplomatic deployment of the PNA, “as a leading body, committed to peace, dialogue and respect for the agreements signed between the parties, which have been systematically ignored by the Israeli side”.

The Bolivarian leader reaffirmed Venezuela’s unconditional support to the Palestinian cause and the PNA, in function of achieving peace and urging the international community and the UN authorities to assume, with strength and courage, a role of guarantors of such legality, as the only route to achieve peace and fulfill the mandate of the consolidation of the Palestinian State.

“We also reviewed the initiatives promoted by different countries, among them China and Egypt, in function of convening a great world conference in favor of peace and the reestablishment of international legality, which are aimed at immediately stopping the military aggression against civilians and advancing on the definitive path to the reestablishment of the rights of the Palestinian people,” insisted the Venezuelan president.

Likewise, Nicolás Maduro informed about the shipment of more than 30 tons of humanitarian aid, in the coming days, to the Gaza Strip, “as part of the beginning of a plan of direct and constant support to the Palestinian people, through the established humanitarian channels”.

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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.