International
The soldier who commanded the uprising in Bolivia had a presidential speech and a list of ministers
The dismissed commander of the Bolivian Army Juan José Zuñiga, who led the military uprising a week ago in Bolivia, had his presidential “speech” and the names of his ministers ready, the Attorney General of the State, César Siles, said on Wednesday.
“He has found, in a raid on the office of General Zuñiga, his speech as already president of the State, de facto president (…) as (the names) of his ministerial cabinet. He was ready to take charge,” Siles told local media.
The prosecutor indicated that some of the military prosecuted for terrorism and armed uprising “are declaring that Mr. Zuñiga summoned them and suggested that they carry out this coup incursion.”
Siles said that the testimonies that the detained uniformed personnel offered to the Bolivian Prosecutor’s Office “are strengthening the hypothesis of the failed coup d’état.”
He also mentioned that so far there are 22 people prosecuted for these events, of which 21 appeared before a judge at a hearing of precautionary measures, and added that the first preliminary stage of the investigation is “concluded.”
Last Wednesday, a group of armed and tanked soldiers led by the ousted head of the Army Juan José Zuñiga rose up against the headquarters of the Government of Luis Arce. Hours later, the soldier withdreward and was imprisoned along with other uniformed personnel.
The Bolivian Prosecutor’s Office formed a special commission the day before to investigate more than 30 soldiers and civilians allegedly involved in the military uprising.
President Luis Arce reiterated on this day his gratitude to the international organizations “who did not hesitate to show solidarity and condemn the failed coup d’état in the most energetic way.”
While the “evista” faction of the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS), loyal to former President Evo Morales (2006-2019) and the opposition maintain that the events of last Wednesday were a “self-coup” organized by the Government.
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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