International

The unstoppable crisis in Haiti breaks the traditions of Holy Week

The unstoppable crisis in Haiti, exacerbated just a month ago, prevented this Good Friday that Haitians from complying with many of the Easter traditions, mainly in the capital, Port-au-au-Prince, where 90% of the territory is under the control of armed gangs.

This year, the crowded and colorful processions or Way of the Cross that, traditionally on the occasion of Holy Week, are carried out by parishioners of the Catholic Church of the impoverished Caribbean country were left behind.

Thus, in a context marked by a crisis in all orders, the religious lived this day in recollection, although many defied the current climate of insecurity and went to mass.

In churches such as Saint Pierre, in Petion-ville, and Our Lady of Altagrace, in Delmas, both in the capital, EFE observed dozens of people praying for peace in the country.

Young people, adults and the elderly, but mostly children, many of them with images of Jesus, crowded these churches, to remember the ordeal of Christ and the suffering of the Haitian people.

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Priests and parishioners cried out for the end of the crisis, aggravated since February 29 when armed gangs united and sowed terror to ask for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, currently in the United States and who has agreed to resign as soon as a transitional presidential council is formalized.

Many of them dared to take to the streets thanks to a police increase on some of the public roads, where EFE was able to see several patrols this Friday.

And it is that, the head of the National Police himself, Frantz Elbé, promised this week that the entity “will not stop fighting” for the safety of the population, to which he promised “better results.”

In a message addressed to the agents and the citizens, the official congratulated his subordinates for their daily dedication “to the fight against banditry” and for their presence on the ground “to continue protecting the life and well-being of the population.”

However, in the face of the cataclysm that Haiti is experiencing, as described on Thursday by the UN, organizations such as Human Rights Watch, cry out for urgent actions to help mitigate the situation.

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In a statement, Human Rights Watch recommended measures to enable democratic governance, the protection of human rights and access to essential goods and services.

“It is essential that Haitian, regional and international leaders act to prevent the situation from getting even more out of control and truly support Haitians on the path to democratic governance, basic security, the rule of law and access to basic needs,” said Nathalye Cotrino, the organization’s crisis and conflict researcher.

Likewise, Human Rights Watch considered urgent the installation of a transitional government composed of “high-line Haitians who are not tarnished by credible accusations of corruption, support for criminal groups, human rights violations or other serious crimes.”

The Presidential Council in charge of carrying out the transition is finalizing its official inauguration, which will be followed by the appointment of a prime minister, with whom it will form a Government of National Unity.

Once this institution is implemented, the current Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, will leave power, as he himself announced in a message to the nation from Puerto Rico, where he was stared earlier this month after a trip to Kenya to discuss the sending of the multinational security support mission that Haiti expects.

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International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

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International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

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Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.