Monday’s Regional News Round-Up: Argentina Mourns Pope Francis, Dominica Tracks Leptospirosis Spike, El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela
By Dacia Richards | HGP Nightly News
Argentina in Mourning as Pope Francis Passes Away
A wave of grief swept across Argentina on Monday as the nation held a solemn mass and candlelight vigil for Pope Francis, who has passed away after months of battling serious illness.
The emotional ceremony took place at the Buenos Aires Cathedral, where Francis once served as Archbishop. The cathedral was adorned with the blue and white flag of Argentina, a photo of the late pontiff, and white flowers in tribute.
The Argentine government has declared seven days of mourning, acknowledging Pope Francis’s lasting legacy in promoting interfaith dialogue, empowering youth, and practicing humility within the Vatican. Though President Javier Milei and the pontiff previously clashed—Milei even referred to him as the “devil’s representative”—the two reconciled after Milei took office in late 2023.
Leptospirosis Cases Climb in Dominica
Health authorities in Dominica are on high alert following a spike in leptospirosis cases. According to Dr. Shalauddin Ahmed, the island’s national epidemiologist, seven new cases have been reported since March, bringing the total to nine confirmed this year.
The zoonotic disease, commonly spread through contact with urine from infected rodents, claimed the life of one man earlier this month. He had reportedly sought medical attention at a late stage and succumbed to multi-organ failure.
Communities from Salybia to Stock Farm have recorded cases, prompting calls for increased public awareness and vigilance, especially during the Easter holidays when outdoor exposure is high.
El Salvador Proposes Prisoner Swap with Venezuela
In a bold diplomatic move, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, offering to return 252 Venezuelan migrants recently deported from the U.S. and held in El Salvador in exchange for the release of political prisoners detained by the Maduro government.
The proposed list includes human rights lawyers, journalists, and the mother of opposition leader María Corina Machado. Bukele’s administration also mentioned nearly 50 detainees of U.S., German, and French origin as part of the exchange.
Bukele plans to submit the request through official diplomatic channels. The Venezuelan government, however, maintains it has no political prisoners, despite claims by NGOs that more than 800 individuals are currently jailed for political reasons.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the deportation of another group of Venezuelans accused of gang affiliations, following an emergency request by the ACLU.
