International
Sunday of apparent tranquility in Haiti allows you to go to the market or to the church
Port-au-Prince seems to live a truce of the struggle between the armed gangs and the National Police that has allowed the population to carry out some daily activities, in the context of the state of emergency decreed for the West department, which houses the capital of Haiti.
EFE was able to verify the movement in certain streets of the capital, even more than other Sundays, with people taking advantage of this relative tranquility to shop and stock up on basic products. There are also those who go to the church and others simply seek to leave the city.
Since last Thursday, the recurring armed clashes and the siege of public institutions recorded in recent weeks have not been recorded, a calm that has been maintained after the announcement, on Friday night, that the Presidential Transitional Council of Haiti finally reached a political agreement that outlines the road map to follow to return the country to the path of stability.
That does not mean that the police forces do not continue their fight against the gangs, which in recent days has found their stage at sea, allowing the recovery of the freight transport ship Magalie, the National Police of Haiti (PHN) reported on Sunday.
The Magalie cargo aircraft carrier, which was kidnapped by armed bandits of the Izo and Jeff gangs shortly after leaving the port of Varreux last Thursday with a shipment of rice, was recovered on Saturday with the logistical support of the National Port Authority.
After more than five hours of maneuvers and intense fighting by the intervention units of the Haitian National Guard, the operation resulted in the neutralization of several bandits, although two policemen were injured in the operation.
Another success of the security forces was the seizure of weapons and ammunition carried out on Friday in the Port of Cape Haitiano, a shipment that, as reported this Sunday by the PHN, came from the United States specifically from the company Alliance Int’l Shipping, from Miami.
The arsenal was intended for Jean Wilmane, Customs Commissioner, against whom the PNH has issued a search warrant, as well as against an individual identified as Barthol, who was listed as the recipient of the shipment, both known for their alleged participation in the trafficking of weapons and ammunition, the institution of order said.
During the operation, 26 firearms were seized, including 12 rifles and 14 pistols; 999 cartridges and 34 magazines discovered in two cardboard boxes.
However, despite the apparent calm, no one is safe from looting by the bandits, not even religious temples, such as the First Baptist Church of Port-au-Prince, which this Sunday expressed its sadness and shock for the acts of looting it has been suffering.
“La Pastoral informs you that the direct attacks of armed gangs against the Church since Sunday, March 24, continued and resulted this week in the looting of the temple. The sanctuary is stripped of all the equipment related to sound, projection, computers, ventilation, music, electronics, etc.,” the congregation said in a statement.
In the face of these acts, which they described as “sad, disgusting and shocking,” from the church called “a union of prayers, inviting the faithful to attend, if possible, the Evangelical Church closest to their place of refuge and to follow the services broadcast on radio and online.”
Praying is what is left for Haitians in the current situation that the failed nation is experiencing, where not even health care is guaranteed, since almost half of the health professionals left the country and those who stay have great difficulties to go to work.
The Ministry of Health highlighted the health crisis in Haiti coinciding with World Health Day on April 7.
In a statement, the institution highlighted that the stress resulting from violence and uncertainty “makes those who were not sick sick or at risk” of doing so and aggravates the state of those who already suffer from a pathology, prevents the progress of those who are in the process of recovery and leads to the death of seriously ill people.
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.
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.
Kristi Noem credits Trump for mass migrant deportations by mexican president
Vatican releases special “Sede Vacante” stamps ahead of papal transition
Conclave to choose pope Francis’ successor could begin in early may
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