International
Leo XIV, an American pope who challenges Trump’s immigration policy?
The election of Pope Leon XIV has been received with hope by the defenders of immigrants on the border between the United States and Mexico, who see him as a follower of Francis’ legacy and a possible moral counterweight to Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies.
This is the widespread feeling in the border town of El Paso (Texas), one of the most Catholic municipalities in the United States and where the church has been leading the defense of migrants for decades.
“He is a pope with a heart for migrants, workers, the poor and the disadvantaged,” Rubén García, director of the Annunciation House hostel network, told EFE.
García, whose organization has received a legal onslaught from the Texas authorities to close it, stressed the importance of the years in which the new pope lived in Peru and assured confidently that he will be a “continuist” of the defense of migrants exercised by the late Francis during his pontificate.
Although Robert Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, is the first American pope in history, there is no special harmony with the Trump Administration, as happened with his predecessor.
Francis was critical of the Republican president: he said that building walls is not Christian, declared that not welcoming migrants is a sin and, shortly before his death, he openly opposed Trump’s plan of mass deportations.
The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, a Catholic and the last high-ranking foreign official to meet with Francis, admitted that the late pope had “some disagreements” with the US Executive.
Leo XIV seems to follow the same line. This is indicated by the activity of Cardinal Prevost on social networks until now, because in his last message in X he shared a publication of another account that criticized the agreement of the United States with El Salvador to deport migrants to the maximum security prison of the Central American country.
The publications shared by the new pope also reflect criticism of Vance and a commitment to the poor and migrants, especially Venezuelan refugees in Peru, where he spent much of his life.
After making a mass dedicated to the new Holy Father official this Friday, the rector of the Cathedral of St. Patrick in El Paso, James Marcus McFadin, explained to EFE that Leo XIV has been “very clear” when speaking “in favor of migrants, workers, the poor and the most disadvantaged by society.”
“What I have heard since his election is that immigration is an important issue for him and that he will continue with the message and mission of Francis with immigrants,” emphasized McFadin, who declared himself surprised that an American pope has been elected, something he never imagined he would see.
“It is a unique opportunity and a very intelligent decision on the part of the cardinals to connect the Latin world with the United States,” Antonio Fernández, director of Catholic Charities in San Antonio (Texas), told EFE, who hopes that the American nationality of the new pope can serve as an interlocutor with the White House.
“He will have the ability to work to find good solutions for humanity and for migrants,” he said.
For the time being, Trump, a regular of the confrontation and who caused controversy before the conclave for publishing a recreation of himself dressed as a pope, has been restrained and institutional when celebrating the election of the new pontiff and his American roots.
“It is a great honor to know that he is the first American pope. What a thrill and what a great honor for our country! I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very significant moment!” he said.
International
Looting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
Not even the wires were left behind at a small grocery store. Before the ground had even stopped shaking, looting and theft began in the areas hardest hit by the double earthquake that struck Venezuela.
Reports of robberies have multiplied in the coastal state of La Guaira, located near Caracas and now transformed into a landscape of collapsed buildings and debris.
Videos circulating on social media show groups of people removing boxes of household appliances from a damaged store. Other images show similar boxes being carried on top of vehicles and motorcycles.
Social media platforms have also been filled with accusations against police officers and military personnel who allegedly stole from homes and even from victims who died during the disaster.
A branch of a major pharmacy chain was looted, along with supermarkets and other businesses. Some residents have described the situation as “disaster tourism,” while others say the looting reflects hunger and desperation among people who lost everything in a country already facing a prolonged economic crisis.
“Is it fair that our own people turn against our own people?” said María Esther Bernal, 71, who rented commercial spaces to Chinese merchants, all of which were looted. “They left nothing behind, not even the wallpaper. They even took the cables,” she said.
“Next door, a man died. He was Chinese. People walked over his body while they looted the place. It was a supermarket,” she added.
An AFP journalist witnessed looting in La Guaira since Thursday, following the earthquakes.
Jenifer Mayora, 34, defended some of the actions, saying that “the things people took were because the owners of the stores allowed us to take them.”
However, she criticized the limited response from authorities. “I have been waiting for a mattress so my children can sleep,” she said.
Residents have expressed anger over what they describe as a slow and insufficient response from authorities after the double earthquake, which has left around 1,450 people dead and tens of thousands missing.
Communities are demanding not only faster rescue operations in La Guaira, but also stronger security measures and urgent assistance with food, water, and medicine.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
Looting Spreads in Venezuela’s Hardest-Hit Areas After Deadly Earthquakes
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
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