Monday Feb 13, 2023

The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday edition, along with a Weekend Edition to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Psychiatric hospital forges partnerships amid shortage of mental health professionals, hike in patients

By THE STAR STAFF

The CEO of the San Juan Capestrano Hospital System called attention on Sunday to a shortage of qualified professionals to care for the increasing number of mental health patients following natural disasters that have plagued Puerto Rico along with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The remarks of Marta Rivera Plaza came amid news over the weekend that a 29-year-old woman allegedly suffering from postpartum depression has gone missing. Celivelys Rivera Santiago walked out of her residence in Canóvanas on Saturday after suffering an apparent episode of depression. Her whereabouts were unknown as of press time.

Rivera Plaza announced that the institution she directs has launched a series of workshops and conferences with the participation of her multidisciplinary team in search of partnerships with mental health professionals to care for people in need of clinical services, in particular given the lingering stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The institution developed the first Levels of Care in Mental Health Recovery Workshop in the southern region of Puerto Rico, which was led by Dr. Osvaldo Caro, a well-known expert in psychiatric medicine.

“In this first workshop, we discussed the central issue that concerns us at the moment, which is how can we attend to the largest number of patients, with the growing number of new cases and the decreasing number of mental health professionals that we no longer have available?” said Caro, a psychiatrist in the San Juan Capestrano Hospital System. “The health industry faces a great challenge, and mental health is not spared from that. The request for mental health services has increased dramatically after Hurricane Maria, the 2020 earthquake and the cruel COVID-19 pandemic. If we add to that the transfer of health professionals to other territories, then we are facing a challenge never before experienced in this country. To address all this, we have emphasized the coordination in continuity of treatment and community support systems. For this, it has been vital to strengthen the multidisciplinary teams in the partial clinics, which in many cases makes it possible to avoid hospitalizations, and offer specialized services, allowing the person to obtain first-class medical help while continuing their normal life.”

As part of the institution’s 35th anniversary celebration, the workshop included presentations on the benefits provided by structured programs designed for stress management, and how to overcome emotional

and behavioral situations such as anxiety, depression and addiction to controlled substances. In partial clinics, group, individual and family therapies can be included, which represents an alternative of proven effectiveness.

“The main theme of this workshop was to present health services when the patient needs it,” Rivera Plaza said. “We worked on identifying the different models of care within the recovery process for a mental health patient. As part of the workshop, the characteristics and criteria for each level of patient care were presented. Attendees discussed the comparisons between the costs of services versus frequency of use in these models, focusing on identifying how to maximize the potential of the new models available for the benefit of the patient who needs attention and services in the area of mental health.”

Caro noted that “the partial clinics alternative consists of frequent visits of three to five days a week, at an average of three to four hours per day for a set period of time of four to six weeks.”

“The period of improvement depends on the need of the person requesting services,” he said. “These partial clinics are designed so that the patient continues to work or perform their normal tasks while receiving treatment. The great advantage of this alternative is that people have the support of the program along with other patients working with similar situations, which creates a dynamic environment with good results.”

San Juan Capestrano Hospital System CEO Marta Rivera Plaza

Bondholders group insists PREPA POA, disclosure statement are unconfirmable. Fiscal board says that’s beside the point.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Ad Hoc Group of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) bondholders is insisting that an amended plan of adjustment for PREPA and disclosure statement filed last Thursday are unconfirmable, while the Financial Oversight and Management Board said the court should approve them because at issue is whether they contain adequate information, not whether they should be confirmed.

On Thursday, the oversight board filed a “First Amended Title III Plan of Adjustment” for PREPA, accompanied by the “Amended Disclosure Statement.” The new plan and amended disclosure statement reflect the terms of the oversight board’s settlement with National Public Finance Guarantee Corp., add two new classes of claims, and incorporate a number of new or revised exhibits regarding PREPA’s proposed “legacy charge” and other components of its plan.

The plan proposes to cut PREPA’s more than $10 billion of debt and other claims by

The Financial Oversight and Management Board said the court should approve an amended plan of adjustment and disclosure statement for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority filed last week because at issue is whether they contain adequate information, not whether they should be confirmed.

almost half, to some $5.68 billion. A legacy charge for certain customers not currently benefiting from subsidized electricity rates would be, on average, about $19 a month. The PREPA legacy charge, which will be used to pay bondholders, would exclude qualifying

low-income residential customers from a connection fee and kilowatt-hour (kWh) charge for up to 500 kWh per month. For non-subsidized residential customers, the proposed PREPA legacy charge would be: a flat $13 per month connection fee, 75 cents per kWh for up to 500 kWh per month of electricity provided by PREPA, and 3 cents per kWh for electricity above 500 kWh per month.

For commercial, industrial and government customers, the proposed legacy charge would entail: a connection fee of between $16.25 and $20 per month for small business customers and smaller industrial companies, and $1,800 per month for large businesses proportional to their current rate. They would pay between 3 cents and 97 cents per kWh per month for electricity provided by PREPA.

The Ad Hoc group said the oversight board proposes to settle National’s bond claims for more than 83 cents on the dollar, well above the 50-cent settlement offer the board is currently offering other bondholders.

“What is more, the Oversight Board appears to have accommodated its settle-

ment with National by adjusting the total distributable value that it asserts to be all PREPA can afford to pay creditors, but (once again) without any explanation of how and why PREPA can now afford a different sum than what the Oversight Board has previously asserted,” the Ad Hoc Group said.

The oversight board said the disclosure statement reflects the inclusion of a settlement reached between the board and National and many changes to accommodate the objections to the disclosure statement and disclosure statement motion.

“Instead of focusing on the issue before the Court -- whether the Disclosure Statement contains adequate information -- many groups, including Syncora and the Ad Hoc Group -- dedicate the vast majority of their Objections to opposing confirmation,” the oversight board said. “As the jurisprudence makes clear, confirmation objections are premature at the disclosure statement hearing except for objections showing a plan provision renders the plan patently unconfirmable under any set of facts.”

FEMA has provided $498 million in reconstruction aid for houses of worship

By THE STAR STAFF

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced Sunday that it was allocating $498 million to repair places of worship damaged by Hurricane Maria.

After the impact of Maria, hundreds of churches and houses of worship opened their doors to lend a hand in their communities. People went to them for food, basic supplies, and even assistance in picking up debris and replacing tin roofs that did not withstand the wind. Amid the large amount of fallen vegetation and the need for provisions, “the churches were a beacon to encourage people to keep going.” That is how Pastor Dalma Pérez of the Iglesia Cristiana Discípulos de Cristo Río Lajas in Toa Alta described her experience of the first days after the storm hit.

Today, more than 800 houses of worship like that one have funding allocations to repair their damage or have already completed their construction work with the help of the almost $500 million from FEMA, most of

it earmarked for permanent reconstruction work. The projects include not only spaces that were damaged by Maria, but also by the 2020 earthquakes. The reconstruction funds will help the emblematic entities in every community on the island to continue their social relief work.

“It’s important to recognize the significant number of facilities that will be rebuilt and preserved through these funds, some of which have a rich cultural history that dates back hundreds of years,” Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator José Baquero said. “These obligations will help ensure residents can continue to visit their faith-based venues and that they are safe for the congregations who visit them.”

Víctor Manuel Ramos, pastor of the Discípulos de Cristo church in Los Llanos sector, Barrio Ortiz in Toa Alta, said one of the great benefits of the FEMA funds is that the church can rest assured that it has a fund to repair what was damaged, so they can use more resources to help the community.

“That’s the way we have done it,” he said. “As we have finished the repair of the build-

ing, now the resources are used to help the community, such as for basketball tournaments for children and a social club for the elderly.” This church received an obligation of over $55,000 to repair the air conditioners, roof and acoustic ceiling tiles, and to replace spotlights, fences and lamps. Of those funds, nearly $3,000 went to mitigation measures to prevent damage in future disasters, such as an anchoring system for air conditioning units.

Other houses of worship received obligations to repair walls, windows and doors, administrative offices, kitchens and other components, such as the Movimiento de Iglesias Unión Cristiana Misionera located at Barrio Sabana Hoyos in Vega Alta, which received funding for nearly $91,200, and Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico, with an allocation of $96,000 for two of their churches located in San Juan and Caguas.

José Baquero, federal disaster recovery coordinator for Puerto Rico

Mayors call on governor to free up promised $1 million to each municipality

By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

Puerto Rico Mayors Association President Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz called on Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia on Sunday to comply with the promise to finally allocate $1 million to each municipality on the island to meet part of the expenses and commitments made after the passage of Hurricane Fiona last year.

“Recall that on November 15, 2022, the Senate approved, on the last day of the legislative work of the fourth regular session, House Joint Resolution 387 to allocate to the ‘Municipal Emergency Assistance Fund’ the sum of $78,000,000 for the municipalities of the country, at a rate of $1 million for each town, to cover expenses related to the response and recovery after Hurricane Fiona,” said Hernández Ortiz, who is the mayor of Villalba. “On January 5, 2023, Pierluisi signed RCC 387 into law. More than a month later, that allocation has not been made, and the 78 municipalities are waiting.”

Hernández Ortiz pointed out that the municipalities need the allocation to be able to finish the current fiscal year without problems.

“It is recognized by all components of the local and federal governments that municipalities have been led into a fiscal crisis following the elimination of the Equalization Fund,” he said. “During the emergency of Hurricane Fiona we had to take out where there was none to address the situation and

fulfill our obligation to the communities.”

On Feb. 3, the Mayors Association membership -- mayors affiliated with the Popular Democratic Party -- met with island Secretary of State Omar Marrero Díaz to discuss various issues, from the Essential Services Fund to an update on the efforts related to the reconstruction following hurricanes Maria (in

September 2017) and Fiona. On the issue of the allocation of $1 million to the municipalities, Marrero Díaz said the measure was in the hands of the Financial Oversight and Management Board.

“Given this information, it is up to the governor to give the appropriate follow-up to the [oversight board], not as a routine issue, but as an emergency,” Hernández Ortiz said. “The call we are making is not only for us, the partner municipalities, but also for the ones [affiliated with the Puerto Rico Mayors Federation, which groups mayors affiliated with the New Progress Party]. This is a measure that will benefit all 78 municipalities and every day that passes goes against the stability of the municipal institution.”

Arroyo Mayor Eric Bachier said “that $1 million would help us match the 10% required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to work on the damages caused by Hurricane Fiona and buy equipment for the operation of the landfill.” Comerío Mayor Josian Santiago expressed himself in similar terms.

“In our case of the mountain region, the condition of rural roads, the only access to hundreds of families in our [towns], is well known,” he said. “The deterioration of these roads continues to increase due to the heavy runoff of the rains that even tear off the asphalt layer. This situation requires prompt attention and that allocation is the best alternative for prompt repair. We all know that damage claims through FEMA funds take years to achieve.”

Ex-Yauco mayor gets 18 months in prison, ex-Aguas Buenas mayor pleads guilty

Judge allows Nazario to start serving sentence after finishing doctoral dissertation

By THE STAR STAFF

Former senator and Yauco Mayor Abel Nazario Quiñones will serve 18 months in federal prison, but only after he finishes his doctoral dissertation, while Aguas Buenas Mayor Javier García Pérez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy for his participation in a bribery scheme, officials said late last week.

Federal judge Francisco Augusto Besosa sentenced Nazario Quiñones to 18 months after he pleaded guilty and accepted blame for having “ghost employees” who were paid as municipal workers but who were working directly on his political campaign.

The convicted politician said he has “respect for the institution.”

“I pleaded guilty, I asked the people of Puerto Rico for forgiveness for the act I committed,” Nazario Quiñones said as he left the federal court in Old San Juan last Friday. “The judge has allowed me to turn myself in once I finish my doctoral thesis. It’s surprising, it’s God. Only God does those things and the prayers of so many good people in

Puerto Rico, of my friends who have accompanied me and of all of them.”

Nazario Quiñones is studying for a doctoral degree in political communication and is writing his thesis on the influence of the media in the elections between 2010 and 2020 in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

The former vice president of the New Progressive Party also pleaded guilty to a scheme to steal federal funds by lying about the use of funds from the U.S. Department of Labor in the municipality of Yauco. Nazario Quiñones had been released for his appeal process.

Meanwhile, García Pérez pleaded guilty Friday to one count of conspiracy for his participation in a bribery scheme in which he received cash payments in exchange for the awarding of municipal contracts and the payment of bills related to those contracts.

According to court documents, García Pérez, 46, was involved in a bribery conspiracy in which, from 2017 to 2021, he received and accepted cash payments from two businessmen in exchange for awarding them municipal contracts for public transportation services, waste disposal. asphalting, paving and debris removal services, and payment of pending contract invoices. Specifically, García Pérez received at least $32,000 in

cash payments from August 2020 to September 2021 from the two businessmen.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico W. Stephen Muldrow, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI Criminal Investigation Division, and Joseph González, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, made the announcement.

Puerto Rico Mayors Association President Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, at center

Former senator and Yauco mayor Abel Nazario Quiñones

ICF to present its advances at national forensics conference

By THE STAR STAFF

The Institute of Forensic Sciences (ICF by its Spanish initials) will present the advances it has achieved using technological resources acquired in recent years to resolve crimes and help the courts at the Annual Conference of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS).

ICF Executive Director María Conte Miller said she will speak on the advances to offer a more agile and efficient service to the judicial system and crime victims. The ICF is the local Medical Examiner’s Office.

“It is an honor that they have chosen us to communicate the advances we have achieved using new technological resources, such as Rapid DNA, FARO, and CT Scan Post Mortem,” Conte Miller said.

The AAFS 75th anniversary conference, which begins today in Florida, highlights the importance of forensic science to the justice system and the public this year. The forensic pathologist stressed that “Puerto Rico has a unique system that integrates scene investigation and autopsy and crime laboratory services, which is not common in the forensic systems of other jurisdictions.”

“The AAFS prepared a video where we

show how the use of these technological resources has served to dramatically reduce the analysis of safe kits and the cases of

unidentified bodies, with the CT Scan Post Mortem, completing autopsy reports in 90 days or less and with FARO, documenting

the crime scene in 3D quickly and facilitating the judge’s understanding of the facts presented by our forensic investigators in court,” Conte Miller said.

The AAFS plans to offer scientific content demonstrating that forensic science provides objective and reliable data that the judicial system and the public can trust. In addition, the conference intends to highlight the achievements of its members who work in forensic science every day. Finally, the meeting will recognize forensic science and the history of the Academy, according to the program of the conference.

In recognition of the work at the ICF, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia filed an administration measure in the Legislature last August that would prioritize the procedure for creating systems, protocols and evidentiary processing of safety kits. In addition, he allocated commonwealth funds so the ICF could buy equipment, including the aforementioned tools.

“I am proud that this is a recognition that Puerto Rico is a model system for other jurisdictions,” Conte Miller said. “It also shows that when governments place their forensic systems among their priorities, we have an efficient, objective and reliable service.”

Resident commissioner co-authors legislation to strengthen coffee industry

By THE STAR STAFF

Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón has co-authored a measure to protect and strengthen the coffee industry, she announced Sunday.

The bipartisan Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act (HR 965) expands the current language of U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiatives to support the coffee industry, improve the tools available to domestic coffee growers to combat pests and diseases, and expand critical research.

Co-led by González Colón, it is the first measure authored by the recently sworn in Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), and is also co-authored by Reps. Ed Case (D-Hawaii) and Garret Graves (R-La.), and Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

“Coffee is an everyday staple for millions of people across the country and an iconic product of Hawaii’s agricultural industry. A significant contribution to our economy, the 2021-2022 season produced an estimated $61.9 million in production value from our farms in Hawaii, and our coffee industry employs thousands of residents,” Tokuda said. “Our farmers face an uphill battle in the fight against invasive pests, diseases, droughts and changing weather patterns. They urgently need and deserve all our support and access to resources to make sure the coffee industry thrives well into the future.”

González Colón added that “coffee is one of the most prized agricultural products in Puerto Rico.”

“This bill seeks to protect this crop from emerging threats, such as coffee borer, among others, and promote greater collaboration with USDA through increased research and development of science-based tools and

treatments,” she said.

Case, meanwhile, noted that “coffee, an iconic crop grown in Hawaii for two centuries, faces myriad challenges, including rising cost of production, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, but now the most important thing is coffee rust.”

“The alignment of threats has caused an estimated 50 percent reduction in coffee harvest across the state,” he said. “This legislation is one more tool needed to ensure the survival and prosperity of our agricultural industry.”

Institute of Forensic Sciences Executive Director María Conte Miller

Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón

US shoots down a fourth flying object

By HELENE COOPER

The United States shot down a fourth flying object Sunday, this one over Lake Huron in Michigan, U.S. officials said.

The Pentagon used an F-16 fighter jet that downed the object with a Sidewinder air-to-air missile. This object was unidentified, as was an object shot down over the Yukon Territory in Canada on Saturday and another shot down over the Arctic Ocean near Alaska on Friday.

The episodes began Feb. 4, when the U.S. military shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina.

The latest turn in the aerial show taking place in the skies above North America comes after a helter-skelter weekend involving what at times seemed like an invasion of unidentified flying objects.

The incursions seemed to become so common that Biden administration officials have found themselves issuing private assurances that there is no evidence that they involve extraterrestrial activity. But officials also acknowledge

privately that the longer they are unable to provide a public explanation for the provenance of the objects, the

more speculation grows.

On Friday, after tracking an unidentified object 40,000 feet in the air across Alaska and into a fairly congested air traffic route for commercial flights between the United States and Asia, the United States shot down the object. It used the same type of airplane (an F-22) and weaponry (a Sidewinder airto-air missile) that was used to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon a week earlier.

But soon after recovery teams began the effort to locate and identify the debris in the Prudhoe Bay area, NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which is operated by the United States and Canada, began tracking a second unidentified object. This one moved across Alaska on Friday night and crossed into Canada on Saturday before it was shot down by an American fighter jet over the Yukon Territory.

The second object, Canadian authorities said, was cylindrical. The first object, American officials said, was the size of a small car, though one official said it was also cylindrical.

Celia Cruz will be first Afro-Latina to appear on the US quarter

By ISABELLA SIMONETTI

Celia Cruz, a Cuban American singer who was known as the Queen of Salsa, will be the first Afro-Latina woman to appear on American quarters as part of a U.S. Mint initiative.

The mint said in a news release Feb. 1 that Cruz would be featured as a 2024 honoree of the American Women Quarters Program, which portrays prominent women throughout history on the quarter.

Other honorees this year include Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color to serve in Congress; Pauli Murray, the writer, lawyer and activist; Mary Edwards Walker, an abolitionist and surgeon during the Civil War era; and Zitkala-Sa,

also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, who was a political activist for Native American rights.

The designs for the honorees will be made public by mid2023, the mint said.

Cruz, described by the mint as “one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century,” was born in Havana and joined Cuba’s most popular band, La Sonora Matancera.

Cruz won five Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts and a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy, the mint said.

In addition to her voice, Cruz was known for wearing dazzling outfits and large wigs. She moved to New York in 1961 and eventually to Fort Lee, New Jersey, where, in 2003, she died at 77 from complications after surgery for a brain tumor.

“When people hear me sing,” she told The New York Times in 1985, “I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don’t want them thinking about when there’s not any money or when there’s fighting at home. My message is always felicidad — happiness.”

The American Women Quarters Program, which began in 2022 and will run through 2025, honors women in fields including civil rights and science who have made contributions to U.S. history, according to the mint’s website.

Honorees are chosen by the treasury secretary after consulting with the American Women’s History Initiative at the Smithsonian Institution, the National Women’s History Museum and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus,

the mint said.

Maya Angelou, Eleanor Roosevelt and Sally Ride are among the program’s past honorees.

“All of the women being honored have lived remarkable and multifaceted lives, and have made a significant impact on our nation in their own unique way,” Ventris C. Gibson, the mint’s director, said in the news release. “By honoring these pioneering women, the mint continues to connect America through coins, which are like small works of art in your pocket.”

Other efforts over the years have aimed to increase the diversity of figures represented on the country’s currency. Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist, is supposed to appear on the $20 bill, but that change will most likely take several years because of a deadline concerning counterfeiting protections.

The fourth flying object was shot down over Lake Huron by the United States on Sunday.

Celia Cruz performing in New York in 2001.

Terror trial could yield Manhattan’s first death penalty in 60 years

By BENJAMIN WEISER and LOLA FADULU

Today, U.S. prosecutors will ask 12 people to authorize a punishment that hasn’t been levied on a Manhattan defendant since 1963: death.

Sayfullo Saipov, 35, was convicted last month of fatally mowing down eight people as he raced a truck down a West Side bike path in 2017. Now comes the phase of his trial that will determine his punishment: The U.S. government wants to end Saipov’s life with a lethal injection.

To succeed, prosecutors must win a unanimous vote from the jurors, who will deliberate in a city that has been both a bastion of liberalism and a stage for repeated acts of terrorism. The clash over Saipov’s fate will test how a jury in the Southern District of New York — which includes Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester and five other downstate counties — weighs crime against punishment two decades after 9/11.

The United States has a long history of capital punishment, but the percentage of people who support the death penalty has dwindled. At the state level, New York no longer has a death penalty, a central provision having been ruled unconstitutional in 2004.

But the federal government can still bring capital cases, which is why a jury will gather in a nondescript room in lower Manhattan to decide whether Saipov’s act of terror calls for the ultimate punishment.

New York is a global capital of commerce and culture, with 36% of its residents born abroad. Around the world, 70% of countries have banned the death penalty, including Belgium and Argentina, where six of the bike path victims were from, and Uzbekistan, Saipov’s native country.

“It’s a really tough question to say whether it’s morally right to exercise the death penalty or not, especially for your everyday person that lives in New York,” said Nick Buenaventura, 29, who stopped his Citi Bike last week to be interviewed near Watts and West streets, the scene of the attack. “To bear that weight — it’s a heavy decision.”

The Saipov jury faces a stark choice: If the jurors do not unanimously support his execution, he will receive life imprisonment without the chance of release.

The Southern District’s mix of cosmopolitan and rural areas and its diversity of race, ethnicity, financial status and political viewpoints would seemingly ensure defendants can have their cases heard by a cross-section of the community. In a death penalty case, however, the jury’s composition is tilted in the government’s favor, because people unalterably opposed

to capital punishment are not allowed to sit on the jury.

Michael Mukasey, the attorney general under President George W. Bush from 2007 to 2009 and before that a longtime Southern District judge, thinks a death penalty could be imposed. “New York is famous as a place where people can be realistic in a hard-nosed way,” he said, adding that with a spike in crime in the city, “I would by no means bet the farm on it being impossible for a jury to return a death penalty verdict in this case.”

Saipov’s lawyers’ advantage is that they must persuade only a single juror to hold out. Rachel E. Barkow, a law professor and sentencing expert at New York University, said that could make it harder for the government to obtain a death penalty verdict.

“That’s difficult in any circumstance,” Barkow said. “It’s particularly difficult with a Southern District jury in Manhattan.”

Death penalty trials are rare in New York state and even rarer in Manhattan.

The last federal executions in New York state, all stemming from Southern District trials, occurred almost seven decades ago: Gerhard A. Puff, a bank robber who killed an FBI agent, was executed in 1954.

The previous year, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg died in the electric chair after a Southern District jury found them guilty of conspiring to steal atomic secrets on behalf of the Soviet Union. They each denied throughout their trial that they had been spies, and after they were electrocuted, acrimonious debate over their convictions continued through the decades.

The last state execution was in 1963, when Eddie Lee Mays, 34, was put to death for killing a woman in a bar in Harlem.

Stephen B. Bright, a lawyer who has represented death penalty defendants in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia and teaches at Yale Law School, said that the likelihood that a jury would impose the penalty depended to a great extent on the population from which the jury was chosen.

“You try them in, say, the Southern District of Alabama, in Mobile, Alabama, you’re going to have a very different outcome,” he said.

Saipov’s case is notable because he is the first defendant to face a federal death penalty trial during the administration of President Joe Biden, who had campaigned against capital punishment.

During testimony in January, evidence showed that Saipov drove a rented pickup truck across the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan on Halloween Day 2017, then turned onto the bike path and sped south, smashing into cyclists before crashing into a school bus.

Ann-Laure Decadt, 31, a Belgian woman visiting with her two sisters and mother, was one victim. They had rented their bikes from a store called Blazing Saddles.

Dyshea Smiley, 35, a tour guide for Blazing Saddles since 2015, recalls the day of the attack clearly.

“I just remember the silence after,” she said, adding, “Can you imagine a family of yours going on vacation and never coming back?”

Smiley said she had strong feelings about the Saipov’s punishment.

“I would give him the death penalty,” Smiley said. “I don’t care about his life — he didn’t care about human life.”

Gwyneth Leech, 64, an artist who has lived in New York since 1999, still uses the bike path, navigating bollards installed after the attack to keep motor vehicles away. She said a memorial plaque regularly reminds her of the lives lost, but that reverence does not require retribution.

“I’m opposed to the death penalty, so that’s it,” she said. Saipov’s lead lawyer, David E. Patton, the city’s federal public defender, acknowledged during the trial that his client had acted intentionally and had caused “unimaginable pain and suffering.” But he disputed the government’s contention that Saipov was fixated on joining the Islamic State terrorist group. He said his client had acted alone after spending hours caught up in propaganda and martyrdom videos.

Patton has said in court that the defense plans to bring members of Saipov’s family to the United States to testify on his behalf, presumably to offer the jury a fuller portrait of Saipov, his childhood, his upbringing in Uzbekistan, his solitary hours on the road as a long-haul truck driver.

Austin Sarat, a professor of law and political science at Amherst College in Massachusetts, who has written critically about capital punishment, said that Saipov’s defense lawyers must change his image in jurors’ minds.

“The burden that the defense faces is to turn this man from a terrorist into a human being,” Sarat said.

Prosecutors, in court filings, have cited various factors that they say favor execution, including that Saipov’s attack was premeditated and carefully planned and that it was carried out in support of a terrorist organization.

The arguments over whether Saipov should live or die could last into March. Then, the 12 New Yorkers will retreat into the jury room to decide.

“I’m glad that I’m not on the jury, because I truly don’t know,” said Buenaventura, the man interviewed on the bike path. “It’s a real morality decision.”

Police respond at the scene where Sayfullo Saipov fatally mowed down eight people on a bike path, in New York on Oct. 31, 2017.

Workers fighting America’s overdose crisis are ‘hanging by a thread’

By NOAH WEILAND

So many of Deborah Krauss’ friends and neighbors have died of drug overdoses during the pandemic that she said she felt as if she had been living inside of a dream. The longest she has gone without someone dying, she noted, is three weeks. Her calendar grew cluttered with funerals.

“I lost count at 40,” she recalled on a recent evening in a Des Moines, Iowa, office as she organized supplies to help people consume drugs more safely. “And it just keeps happening.”

The next day, Krauss was on the road, parked outside a Walmart in the small town of Osceola, her trunk brimming with boxes of syringes, fentanyl test strips and overdose-reversing medication. A former hair stylist, she recalled the stress of grooming an ex-boyfriend’s facial hair to make him presentable at his funeral after he died from an overdose in 2018.

Krauss, 38, is one of the few practitioners in Iowa of a public health strategy known as “harm reduction,” a wide-ranging set of policies that President Joe Biden and many federal and local health officials and physicians have made central to their efforts to curtail record-breaking overdose deaths. The strategy does not seek to cut people off from drug use. Instead, it aims to give them tools to use drugs in a safer manner, like the supplies in Krauss’ trunk.

In his State of the Union address Tuesday, Biden, the first president to endorse the strategy, highlighted the federal government’s attention to some of the core features of harm reduction work, including a provision in a recently enacted spending package that makes it easier for doctors to prescribe buprenorphine, an effective addiction medication that Krauss works to get to drug users. During his speech, Biden recognized the father of a 20-year-old from New Hampshire who died from a fentanyl overdose, citing the more than 70,000 Americans dying each year from the potent synthetic opioid.

The father’s story, he said, was “all too familiar to millions of Americans.”

But two years after Biden took office, with the nation’s drug supply increasingly complex and deadly, the practice of harm reduction remains underfunded and partially outlawed in many states. The work is often conducted by organizations that run syringe exchange programs, with workers like Krauss, a former methamphetamine user, functioning as brokers between drug users and the resources they need to manage their consumption. Those workers can face legal risk in the process.

“I have a hard time seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Krauss said. “We’ve been hanging by a thread.”

Krauss works for the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition, one of the few harm reduction groups in the state. The coalition operates a syringe exchange program, which also routes drug users to medication-assisted treatment, in which they receive drugs that can help manage cravings.

Researchers at RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, estimate that there are only around 1,100 full-time workers nationwide like Krauss, aided by a cast of around 600 part-time staff members and roughly 2,000 volunteers. A national survey conducted by RTI found that the median annual budget of a syringe exchange program was roughly $100,000, far less than what is needed to cover salaries, supplies and travel expenses.

The scale of the challenge facing those workers is vast: Over 100,000 Americans die each year from drug overdoses — one every five minutes, the White House estimates. Many of those who die are younger than 50.

Critics of harm reduction have argued that the strategy takes a permissive stance toward drug use, signaling acceptance of dangerous substances without the ultimate goal of sobriety. Many Republicans and some prominent Democrats have expressed discomfort with at least some of the aims of the approach. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said at a congressional hearing last year that he “worried that making drugs more accessible is what this administration calls drug control.”

Public health experts say that disproportionate attention to abstinence can be ineffective and punitive, leading drug users into a maze of treatment regulations and stigmatizing environments that can discourage the use of medication.

They point to a body of federal and academic research that they argue has demonstrated that harm reduction saves lives, prevents dangerous disease outbreaks and leads to greater uptake of treatment.

But finding money to pay for the work is difficult. And while supplies can be cheap — $1 for a fentanyl test strip, for example — scaling the response to the magnitude of the overdose crisis in many communities is often prohibitively expensive.

The kind of work that groups like the Iowa coalition undertake is expensive and timeconsuming.

On a recent morning, Krauss, a single mother who often has her 2-year-old daughter in tow, drove to a public housing complex in Osceola, nearly an hour south of Des Moines, to make a single delivery. She greeted Dove Solomon, an opioid user battling immense back pain, with boxes and bags of syringes, alcohol swabs, clean smoking pipes and naloxone, the overdose-reversing medication. The night before, Krauss had called to check in on Solomon, soothing her after the death of one of her dogs.

The Iowa group’s crusading style of helping drug users is not unusual. Harm reduction workers across the country are often former or current drug users with deep ties to communities of other users and experience navigating treatment that can benefit others. Those relationships allow the workers to find vulnerable and isolated people in ways that can be challenging for outsiders.

Krauss, who makes around $55,000 a year, or roughly half the coalition’s 2022 budget,

loosely oversees a network of hundreds of drug users who rely on her drop-offs, calling and texting her when they are in need. Serving as a kind of roving medical and social worker, she delivers drug use supplies around Iowa until 10 p.m. most weeknights, scrambling to counsel or intervene before an overdose.

“Even at 2 a.m.,” she said, “I will respond to a user who is worried about what they’re going to try.”

Krauss often looks for homeless residents who may need a syringe or fentanyl test strip, or parks behind a local McDonald’s in search of people who might want help. She also visits the emergency room with clients of her group, helping them navigate the stress of hospital care for an infection or overdose.

The intimacy of the work has meant that harm reduction groups prioritize funding the small staffs they already have. “I need to pay people — people who are comfortable in these communities,” said Dr. Andrea Weber, a psychiatrist at the University of Iowa who heads the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition’s board of directors.

Krauss and her colleagues face legal peril in Iowa, a conservative state that has been cracking down on drug use. It is one of more than a dozen states with drug paraphernalia laws that forbid the use of fentanyl test strips, a priority of Biden’s drug control strategy. Other materials used for drug consumption, such as pipes and syringes, can also be seen as forbidden for that reason.

State and federal laws have also stifled funding for harm reduction, said Corey Davis, the director of the Harm Reduction Legal Project at the Network for Public Health Law, which advises syringe exchange programs. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages the use of syringe exchange programs, he noted, federal funds typically cannot be used to purchase syringes for drug use. The recent spending package, which Biden signed into law in December, banned the use of federal money in purchasing pipes, Davis added.

Some harm reduction groups get creative to cover costs. Jessica Carter, who oversees a harm reduction program in Nashua, New Hampshire, said she relied on proceeds from charity poker games to buy syringes.

As Krauss waited for people to pick up supplies at the Des Moines office one recent evening, she reflected on the relentlessness of fatal overdoses in Iowa, something that she said many Americans might not easily associate with states like her own.

“It makes sense in New York; it makes sense in San Francisco,” she said. “Why would it make sense in Pella, Iowa?”

Deborah Krauss, holding her daughter, drops off supplies with Dove Solomon, an opioid user who suffers from back pain, in Osceola, Iowa, Nov. 18, 2022.

Biden and Lula swap insurrection stories and vow to guard democracy

By PETER BAKER and JACK NICAS

When he hosts world leaders, President Joe Biden typically exchanges thoughts on trade policy or national security and maybe swaps old election stories. But last Friday, for the first time, he welcomed a leader with whom he could trade notes about being on the receiving end of a violent insurrection.

Biden’s meeting at the White House with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil came barely a month after a mob supporting Lula’s defeated predecessor ransacked the country’s Congress, Supreme Court and presidential offices in an attack eerily similar to the storming of the U.S. Capitol two years earlier.

“Both our nations’ strong democracies have been tested of late, very much tested, and our institutions are put in jeopardy,” Biden said as he sat with Lula in the Oval Office. “But in both the United States and Brazil, democracy prevailed.” He added: “Brazil, the United States, stand together, we reject political violence and we put great value in our democratic institutions.”

The rampage in Brazil on Jan. 8 felt like a South American repeat of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack in Washington when hundreds of supporters of President Donald Trump broke into the Capitol seeking to stop the counting of electoral votes confirming Biden’s victory. The Brazilian mob, supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right leader who befriended Trump and was called the Trump of the Tropics, marauded through government buildings, hoping to prod the military to topple the leftist Lula.

Sitting in the Oval Office on Friday, Lula thanked Biden “for your solidarity” during the crisis last month and described his predecessor in scathing terms.

“His world started and ended with fake news,” Lula said through a translator. “In the morning, afternoon and at night.”

Biden smiled. “Sounds familiar,” he replied.

The meeting between the two leaders, just 40 days into Lula’s presidency, was framed as a renewal of the relationship between the two largest countries in the Western Hemisphere and illustrated the warm embrace that Brazil’s new leader is receiving from leaders across the world after four years of sometimes erratic foreign policy under Bolsonaro.

“In a sense, this visit resumes bilateral relations,” Michel Arslanian Neto, the ambassador who oversees the Americas region in Brazil’s foreign ministry, told reporters Tuesday. “A relationship that has been a little bit on the back burner since Biden’s victory.”

Just a few years apart in age, Biden and Lula are both seasoned politicians with similar straight-talking, backslapping political styles, and the American president accepted an invitation to visit Brazil at an undetermined time.

Both sides stressed their shared desire and increasing cooperation to combat climate change. Brazil’s new environment minister, Marina Silva, was also in Washington on Friday. John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, has already met with Lula administration officials twice and plans to visit Brazil this year.

Beyond their shared experiences and views about the threats to democracy, the most pressing item on the agenda for their talks was protecting the Amazon rainforest. When Lula repeated his country’s commitment to completely halt deforestation by 2030, Biden crossed his fingers.

“I can reassure you, Mr. President, that the U.S. and the rest of the world can count on Brazil in the fight for democracy and the fight for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest,” Lula said.

After four years of increasing deforestation under Bolso -

naro, Lula has made protecting the Amazon a central priority, including a recent push to eject illegal miners from one of Brazil’s largest Indigenous territories. In a joint statement after the meeting between the two leaders, the Biden administration announced that it would “work with Congress” to contribute money to the Amazon Fund established to preserve the rainforest, but did not say how much.

There were areas of disagreement, most notably the Russian war on Ukraine. While Lula has condemned Russia’s invasion, he has also suggested in the past that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and NATO share some blame, and he has hesitated to sell weapons to Ukraine in an effort to maintain neutrality. Brazil’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war is complicated by its reliance on Russia for about onequarter of its fertilizer imports, which are crucial to its enormous agriculture industry.

Lula wants to try to help mediate peace in the conflict, while Biden has been more skeptical of talks in the short term since President Vladimir Putin of Russia has shown no interest in ending hostilities. Moreover, Biden has repeatedly insisted that he would not support a settlement unless it were acceptable to Ukraine.

Speaking with reporters outside the White House after his meeting with Biden, Lula said they discussed “the need to create a group of countries that are not involved directly or indirectly in the war with Russia in order to find a way to make peace.”

“I’m convinced we have to find a way to end this war,” he said. “You need to have partners able to build a group of negotiators with credibility on both sides who can end the war.”

Another flashpoint was the fate of two Iranian warships in the region. Lula’s government reversed a decision allowing the ships to dock in Rio de Janeiro before his trip to Washington, but simply delayed the ships’ visit until later this month or early next month. Republicans argued that Lula should bar them altogether.

“It is completely unacceptable for President Lula da Silva to simply postpone, instead of forbidding, the visit of two Iranian warships to Brazil to appease the White House ahead of Lula’s meeting with Biden today,” said Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Joe Biden meet in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.

DeSantis declares victory, but Disney World keeps many perks

By BROOKS BARNES

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gained control late last week of the board that oversees development at Walt Disney World, a move that restricts the autonomy of Disney, the state’s largest private employer, over its theme-park complex and strips some perks enjoyed by the company for 56 years.

The changes are the result of a bill that the Florida Legislature approved at the urging of DeSantis, who fought with Disney last year over an education law that limits the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. The state house passed the bill Thursday, and the state Senate followed suit Friday. DeSantis claimed victory earlier in the week: “There’s a new sheriff in town.”

It was not a total victory for DeSantis, who originally wanted to eliminate more of Disney’s privileges by revoking Disney World’s designation as a special tax district. That status had effectively allowed Disney to self-govern the 25,000-acre resort since its founding. The district serves as a de facto county.

“I will not allow a woke corporation based in California to run our state,” DeSantis said last year. “Disney has gotten away with special deals from the state of Florida for way too long.”

His vitriol followed Disney’s decision to pause political donations in the state over the education legislation, which opponents call the “Don’t Say Gay” law.

The Legislature went along with DeSantis until it realized there was a problem. The abolishment of the district — set for June 1 — would require taxpayers in Orange and Osceola counties to pick up the tab for Disney World services such as fire protection, policing and road maintenance. Under the old setup, Disney paid for those costs.

The district also carried roughly $1 billion in debt. If the district had been abolished, that debt would have been transferred to the counties.

So the Legislature tried again, taking up a new Disney World measure in a special session that started Monday. This time, Disney would be allowed to keep the special tax district — which never went away

— and almost all its perks, including the ability to issue tax-exempt bonds and approve development plans without scrutiny from certain local regulators. But Disney would no longer be able to appoint the five members of the tax district’s board. Florida’s governor would get to do that.

In terms of monetary impact, the changes make it possible for the board to impose taxes on Disney to help fund road improvements outside Disney World’s boundaries. It also eliminates some Disney World exemptions from state regulatory reviews, which could cause the cost of building projects at the resort to balloon.

DeSantis has relished campaigning and fundraising against what he calls “woke” corporations — chiefly Disney but also, over the past couple of years, the NCAA and Ben and Jerry’s — as well as certain math textbooks and the former top prosecutor in Tampa, whom DeSantis removed from office. Last year, he signed the Stop WOKE Act, a law that limits the teaching of aspects of racism and other history in schools and workplaces.

Before the special session, Disney hoped that it would retain the ability to appoint at least a couple of the board members.

“For more than 50 years, the Reedy Creek Improvement District has operated at the highest standards,” Jeff Vahle, Disney World’s president, said in a statement, noting that the resort has been able to grow into “one of the largest economic contributors” in Florida because of the district. “We are focused on the future and are ready to work within this new framework.”

The board makeup is important because members vote on Disney World development efforts, like building a new hotel or access road or an additional theme park. The worry is that a politicized board could delay or even block such plans. (Blocking development efforts and associated job growth is not something Florida’s Republicans are known for doing, however.)

The board does not have the power to dictate the content that Disney offers to its customers.

Disney World is already extensively developed, lessening the potential impact. The complex includes four theme

parks; an outdoor shopping mall; a 220acre basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, baseball and competitive cheer complex; and 18 Disney-owned hotels with 24,000 rooms. The complex attracts an estimated 50 million visitors annually.

The tax district’s comprehensive plan, which was recently updated and approved, already gives Disney the ability to build a fifth theme park, two additional water parks and thousands of hotel rooms on 850 acres. (The company has indicated no plans to do so.) The plan extends until 2032.

Along with putting the board in the hands of political appointees, the measure changed the tax district’s name to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. Disney will also be barred from building a nuclear power plant or an airport at the resort — things that were never on its to-do list anyway.

Florida has hundreds of similar special tax districts. One covers The Villages, a colossal senior-living community north of Orlando. Another covers Daytona International Speedway and the surrounding area.

For more than five decades, Disney has effectively been able to self-govern its 25,000-acre theme park complex in Florida.

A tech race begins as Microsoft adds AI to its search engine

By CADE METZ and KAREN WEISE

It’s been a rough few months for the tech industry. There have been tens of thousands of layoffs, hundreds of billions in value lost on Wall Street and a high-profile scandal at a crypto company that has shaken faith in that young market.

But in a conference center on Microsoft’s sprawling campus, last Tuesday was a moment for swagger. Executives and engineers from Microsoft and a small research lab partner called OpenAI unveiled a new internet search engine and web browser that use the next iteration of artificial intelligence technology that many in the industry believe could be a key to its future.

This new artificial intelligence became a fascination for millions of people two months ago when OpenAI released a chatbot called ChatGPT. Capable of answering questions, writing poetry and riffing on almost any topic tossed its way, ChatGPT provided the tech industry with a jolt of excitement in the middle of its biggest job contraction in at least 15 years.

The enthusiasm around OpenAI’s technology — as well as the work of several competitors expected to hit the market soon — reminds tech veterans of other moments that have turned Silicon Valley on its head, from the arrival of the first iPhone and the Google search engine to the introduction of Netscape web browser that set the stage for the commercialization of the internet.

Microsoft played catch-up on browsers, badly missed the shift to mobile computing that came with the iPhone, and its Bing search engine is a distant second in popularity to Google. But it could be the first big company to tech’s next big thing if the chatbots and their technology, called generative

AI, live up to their billing.

“This technology will reshape pretty much every software category that we know,” said Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO. He added that “a race starts today in terms of what you can expect.”

On Tuesday, in a room crowded with nearly 100 reporters, editors and photographers, Microsoft showed off a new Bing search engine. Yusuf Mehdi, a corporate vice president at Microsoft, used a new conversational interface to search for a 65-inch television suited to video games. As the service listed televisions, he asked it to pare the list to the cheapest models. It quickly did.

He then used the chatbot to plan a Mexican vacation and research Japanese poets. With a short query, he could ask the system to translate results from Spanish to English or show a particular haiku poem.

“You see, this is just so much better than today’s search,” Mehdi said.

Mehdi also unveiled a new version of the company’s Edge web browser that offers its own chatbot service. After loading a news release, he asked the bot to summarize the document. He also asked it to write a social media post about the new Bing search engine and had it generate a snippet of computer code for a new software program.

Microsoft released its new version of Bing to a limited number of people Tuesday. Each user will be able to run a limited number of queries and people can join a wait list for access to the full version of the service. The company plans to expand access to millions more people by the end of the month.

Nadella said in an interview that Microsoft was working in a “frantic pace” to incorporate the technology into its products. By releasing a new search tool — what he called “the most used product on the planet” — people will see how their “everyday habit” could lead to “something magical.”

It is important, he added, that Microsoft doesn’t act like it is “shackled by our old businesses” when working with the new technology. But when it comes to search engines, Microsoft, with just a 3% share of the global market, doesn’t have a lot to lose.

their own generative AI products, the name for technologies that generate words, images and other media on their own.

Executives, entrepreneurs and investors hope the chatbots will not turn out to be what the tech industry has seemed to churn out for some time now: a curiosity that falls short of big expectations.

There have been many: Self-driving cars that can’t quite get the self-driving part right. Wearable technologies that still need a smartphone nearby to truly be useful. And crypto currencies that promised to change the world of finance but so far have largely been an asset for speculators.

Microsoft has worked closely with OpenAI, investing $13 billion in the startup and supplying the billions of dollars in computing power needed to build its AI technology. Microsoft declined to discuss the specific technology that underpins its new search engine, but it is likely based on a widely rumored OpenAI creation called GPT-4, the successor to what the San Francisco company released two months ago.

The partnership is the “best bromance in tech history,” Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said in an interview.

Like similar services from startups such as Perplexity and You.com, Microsoft’s new search engine annotates what the chatbot says, so people can readily review its sources. And it dovetails with Microsoft’s index of all websites, so that it can instantly access the latest information posted to the internet. The company also said that its search engine includes technology designed to identify and remove problematic content from the chat service.

Last week, Microsoft released its first AI integration into Outlook, its email service, with a tool that helps salespeople write custom emails. In the coming months, Microsoft plans to release features with generative AI on average every week, said Charles Lamanna, an executive who oversees the applications Microsoft builds for businesses.

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Other companies also have jumped into the chatbot race. On Monday, Google announced that it would soon offer a chatbot called Bard and start adding chatbot technology into its own search engine. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, is fast-tracking efforts to release similar technology in various products. And countless startups are building

The new chatbots do come with baggage. They often do not distinguish between fact and fiction. They can generate language that is biased against women and people of color. And experts worry that people will use them to spread lies at a speed they could not in the past.

“Companies often put these technologies out too quickly, disregarding their flaws and then trying to fix them on the fly,” said Chirag Shah, a University of Washington professor who explores the flaws in chatbots. “This can cause real harm.”

Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, speaks during a keynote address at a media event to introduce Microsoft’s new Bing search engine using AI at the company’s campus in Redmond, Wash., Feb. 7, 2023.

Nasdaq ends lower as Treasury yields rise, Lyft plunges

The Nasdaq ended lower on Friday as megacap growth stocks came under pressure after Treasury yields pointed to higher interest rates and shares of ride-hailing firm Lyft plunged following a downbeat profit forecast.

Yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to their highest in more than a month following an auction on Thursday of 30-year bonds that saw weak demand. [US/]

“Investors are wondering what the bond market is telling us that economic indicators are not telling us,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research. “Higher bond yields are going to more adversely affect the higher growth technology companies.”

But a rally in energy stocks as oil prices climbed on Russia’s plans to cut crude supplies helped push up the Dow and the S&P 500.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended up 169.52 points, or 0.5%, to 33,869.4, the S&P 500 gained 8.98 points, or 0.22%, to 4,090.48 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 71.46 points, or 0.61%, to 11,718.12.

The Nasdaq posted its first weekly fall this year, down 2.41%, while the S&P 500 ended the week lower 1.11% and the Dow Jones lost 0.17%, in a week dominated by hawkish commentary from U.S. Federal Reserve officials and earnings reports from more than half of the S&P 500 constituents.

That comes after a stellar performance by stocks in January. This month, however, strong jobs data and comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell stoked worries about how much higher interest rates may need to climb.

“What has been going on for the last few days is that every other day there is a Fed governor going to talk hawkish,” said Kevin Rendino, chief executive of asset manager 180 Degree Capital.

The Russell 1000 Growth index that houses many large-cap growth names fell 0.33%.

Lyft Inc plummeted 36.44% as it lowered prices, raising concerns it was falling behind bigger rival Uber Technologies Inc. Uber shares also dropped 4.43%.

Most of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors edged higher. The energy sector jumped 3.92% as oil prices climbed on Russia’s plans to cut crude supplies, while the consumer discretionary sector fell 1.22%. [O/R]

More than half of the firms listed on the S&P 500 have reported earnings, with 69% beating profit esti-

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PUERTO RICO STOCKS

mates for the quarter, according to Refinitiv data.

U.S. consumer sentiment improved further in February month-on-month, but households expected higher inflation to persist over the next 12 months, the University of Michigan’s preliminary February reading showed.

After U.S. equities were rattled over the week by

COMMODITIES

CURRENCY

strong jobs data, investors are waiting for January consumer inflation data next week for clarity on the Fed’s rate-hike path.

Volume on U.S. exchanges was 10.43 billion shares, compared with the 11.85 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.

Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 1.03-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.35-to-1 ratio favored decliners.

The S&P 500 posted 3 new 52-week highs and no new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 36 new highs and 68 new lows.

Turkey widens investigation into contractors as quake toll rises

By BEN HUBBARD, SAFAK TIMUR and GULSIN HARMAN

Turkey vowed Sunday to “meticulously” pursue contractors linked to deadly building collapses in last week’s earthquake as rescue workers pulled more bodies from the rubble and anger rose at the swelling death toll.

The 7.8 magnitude quake Feb. 6 caused widespread destruction in 10 provinces in southern Turkey as well as in northern Syria, and killed more than 33,000 people. More than 1 million people have been rendered homeless in Turkey, and many others have been left without shelter in Syria.

Amid the destruction, the attention in Turkey has turned to what earthquake victims and building experts have called inferior construction that left people’s homes particularly vulnerable to collapse. The government has started to respond.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told reporters Sunday that 134 people had been detained and seven others barred from traveling abroad on charges related to collapsed buildings.

“We will follow this up meticulously until the necessary judicial process is concluded, especially for buildings that suffered heavy damage and buildings that caused deaths and injuries,” Vice President Fuat Oktay told reporters in the capital, Ankara.

Two contractors responsible for collapsed buildings in the city of Adiyaman, Yavuz Karakus and Sevilay Karakus, were detained Sunday at Istanbul Airport, the state-run news media reported. They carried more than $17,000 in cash and were planning to fly to Georgia.

“My conscience is clear,” Yavuz Karakus told reporters after his arrest. “I built 44 buildings; only four have collapsed.”

The Turkish Justice Ministry has set up earthquake crimes investigation bureaus in the affected areas, Oktay said, and prosecutors will be appointed to bring charges against contractors and others connected to poorly constructed buildings that collapsed, often killing their residents instantly and leaving others buried in the ruins in near-freezing temperatures.

Murat Kurum, the environment minister, said that

more than 24,000 buildings across the quake zone had been heavily damaged or had collapsed in the quake, based on an assessment of some 170,000 buildings.

The quake destroyed buildings and damaged infrastructure on both sides of the border, but while aid for Turkey has flowed in from around the world, almost none has reached northern Syria because of the complex political situation after more than 12 years of civil war.

The death toll rose above 29,000 on Sunday in Turkey and more than 3,500 in Syria, a combined figure that makes the quake one of the century’s deadliest natural disasters.

The Turkish government has mobilized an enormous aid effort, with tens of thousands of rescue workers and volunteers from around the world digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings for bodies and, occasionally, survivors. The government has also erected tent cities for residents whose homes were destroyed and is distributing food, medicine and other items.

But largely because of political divisions on the ground in Syria, which is much poorer, aid efforts are severely lagging. The earthquake caused heavy damage in areas controlled by the government of President Bashar Assad and in enclaves controlled by anti-government rebels who are backed by Turkey. Assad, considered a pariah by much of the world for his troops’ brutality in the civil war, has sought to have all aid sent through his government. That aid, critics say, is then routed to his loyalists.

Only one border crossing into the rebelheld areas, Bab al-Hawa, has been authorized by the United Nations for the transit of aid shipments, but it has yet to become a major channel. The Syrian Red Crescent received permission to send 14 trucks from

government-held areas into the rebel-held Idlib province, but Sunday, the convoy appeared to be tied up. Even if it goes, the cargo would be minuscule in comparison with the needs.

On Saturday, authorities in Turkey began arresting contractors who had built structures that collapsed after the quake.

They included Mehmet Ertan Akay, the licensed builder of a collapsed complex in the city of Gaziantep, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter and violation of public construction law, a Turkish news agency reported. The Gaziantep prosecutor’s office said it had issued the detention order after inspecting evidence collected from the rubble of the complex he had built.

Mehmet Yasar Coskun, the contractor who built a 12-story building in Hatay province with 250 apartments that was completely destroyed, was detained Friday at an Istanbul airport while trying to board a flight to Montenegro. Dozens of people are thought to have died when the building collapsed. Coskun told prosecutors his building had been properly licensed and audited by local and state authorities, according to the state-run Anadolu News Agency. His lawyer suggested the main reason he had been detained was to assuage public anger.

Two builders of a collapsed 14-story building in Adana, who reportedly fled Turkey immediately after the quake, were detained in Northern Cyprus, according to the Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus administration.

Turkey, which suffered a powerful earthquake in 1999 that killed more than 17,000 people, has upgraded its building codes since to make buildings more earthquake resistant.

But quake survivors and building experts say that the codes are often not followed.

Bugra Gokce, an urban planner and senior official in the Istanbul municipality, said in an interview that focusing on only the contractors missed all of the other people who may have failed in their duties, allowing for a subpar building to be built.

“This is a system problem,” he said.

While most of the search effort in hard-hit Turkish cities Sunday focused on finding and removing bodies, unlikely rescues were made.

In Hatay province, a team from Romania removed a 35-year-old man alive from a pile of rubble 149 hours after the quake, the CNN Turk television station reported.

“His health is good; he was talking,” one of the rescuers told the station. “He was saying: ‘Get me out of here quickly; I’ve got claustrophobia.’”

In another rescue broadcast live on HaberTurk television, a 6-year-old boy was pulled from the ruins of a building in the city of Adiyaman 151 hours after the quake.

A partly collapsed building in Adiyaman, Turkey, on Saturday.

Russia’s Wagner fighters claim advance near Bakhmut

By SHASHANK BENGALI

Russian forces edged closer to Bakhmut on Sunday, claiming to capture a village on the outskirts of the strategic city in eastern Ukraine as they hammered nearby settlements with tank rounds, mortar fire and artillery shells.

The Wagner private military company, whose forces have helped lead the brutal and monthslong Russian campaign to seize Bakhmut, said that its “assault units” had taken the village of Krasna Gora, near the northern edge of the city. The statement was made by the press service of Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the group’s founder, and included a video purporting to show Wagner fighters at the entrance to the village.

“This is what we have captured,” one fighter is heard saying as an explosion rings out. They will continue on to the next village, he added. There was no immediate comment from Russia’s Defense Ministry, and neither the claim nor the footage could be independently verified.

Bakhmut has emerged as a focal point of the war and an important prize for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has poured troops into the battle for a city seen as key to his stated goal of seizing the entire area of eastern Ukraine known as Donbas.

The Ukrainian military’s general staff said Sunday that Russian forces, sometimes backed by airstrikes, had shelled Krasna Gora and two dozen other settlements near Bakhmut over the past day, continuing a pattern of intensifying attacks as Moscow begins to mount a renewed offensive in the east. It said Ukrainian forces had repelled Russian attacks on Bakhmut, although Ukrainian soldiers in recent weeks have acknowledged that their hold on the city was slipping.

Capturing Bakhmut would be Russia’s first significant battlefield victory in months after a string of setbacks in the fall. But military analysts say it is not clear that seizing the city would pave the way for further Russian advances in eastern Ukraine. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have suffered heavy losses in the campaign, one of the deadliest of the nearly yearlong war.

Bakhmut, which had a prewar population of about 70,000 people but is now largely ruined, has become a national symbol of Ukrainian resistance. After months of withering bombardment, Russian forces,

including both regular troops and Wagner mercenaries, now appear to have surrounded the city on three sides. It remains unclear whether Ukraine will seek to bring in more reinforcements to keep defending the city or decide to stage a tactical retreat.

Moscow has thrown many inexperienced recruits and former convicts recruited by Wagner into the battle, according to U.S. and European officials, who this month assessed that the total number of Russian troops killed or wounded in nearly 12 months of fighting was approaching 200,000.

Britain’s defense intelligence agency said Sunday that over the past two weeks, “Russia has likely suffered its highest rate of casualties since the first week of the invasion of Ukraine.” The assessment was based on Ukrainian estimates of more than 800 Russian soldiers killed or injured daily during the past week, the agency said, figures that it could not verify but believed were “likely accurate.”

“The uptick in Russian casualties is like -

ly due to a range of factors including lack of trained personnel, coordination and resources across the front,” the agency said.

This was apparent, it added, in the fighting in Bakhmut and around Vuhledar, a town 60 miles to the south, where Russia has deployed thousands of troops in an effort to protect a key supply line from Ukrainian artillery attacks.

Russia’s advance in eastern Ukraine stalled in the summer as Ukrainian forces, backed by new, longer-range weapons from Western allies, dug in around strategic cities and fortified their defenses. But in recent weeks, Moscow’s troops — firing artillery at the highest rate in months and deploying waves upon waves of soldiers at various points on the 140-mile-long front line — have begun to seize the initiative in the east, analysts say, and steadily tightened a claw around Bakhmut.

Last month, Russia captured Soledar, a salt-mining town north of Bakhmut, and drew within firing range of a key Ukrainian supply route to the south, effectively cut-

ting it off.

But Ukrainian military officials and analysts say it is far from clear that Russia can sustain a major offensive. Rivalries between Wagner fighters and regular troops, questions about whether it has enough munitions and the disarray that has plagued its war effort from the beginning all could jeopardize Russia’s attempted push.

At the same time, analysts say that Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s advantage in troop numbers will depend in part on how soon Western nations can deliver newly promised military aid — tanks, armored vehicles and long-range weapons — to the front. About 80 German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks pledged by European allies are not expected to reach Ukraine until the end of March at the earliest.

The U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, held a call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, on Saturday and discussed the need for advanced weapons to be “delivered to the battlefield as quickly as possible,” according to a Pentagon summary of the call.

As fighting raged in the east, Russian strikes continued elsewhere in Ukraine on Sunday. In the south, Russian troops fired artillery rounds at the Ukrainian-held town of Nikopol, next to a major nuclear plant occupied by Moscow, the regional governor said. One woman was killed and another injured in the strike, which damaged a water facility, a college and other buildings, the official said.

Russian forces also shelled the regional administration building in the center of Kherson, the battered southern city that Ukraine reclaimed in the fall, according to local authorities. No injuries were reported there.

Ukrainian soldiers on Saturday at a position near Bakhmut, Ukraine.

Why Chinese companies are investing billions in Mexico

By PETER S. GOODMAN

Bill Chan had never set foot anywhere in Mexico, let alone the lonely stretch of desert in the north of the country where he abruptly decided to build a $300 million factory. But that seemed a trifling detail amid the pressure to adapt to a swiftly changing global economy.

It was January 2022, and Chan’s company, Man Wah Furniture Manufacturing, was confronting grave challenges in moving sofas from its factories in China to customers in the United States. Shipping prices were skyrocketing. Washington and Beijing were locked in a fierce trade war.

Man Wah, one of China’s largest furniture companies, was eager to make its products on the North American side of the Pacific.

“Our main market is the United States,” said Chan, CEO of Man Wah’s Mexico subsidiary. “We don’t want to lose that market.”

That same objective explains why scores of major Chinese companies are investing aggressively in Mexico, taking advantage of an expansive North American trade deal. Tracing a path forged by Japanese and South Korean companies, Chinese firms are establishing factories that allow them to label their goods “Made in Mexico,” then trucking their products into the United States duty-free.

The interest of Chinese manufacturers in Mexico is part of a broader trend known as nearshoring. International companies are moving production closer to customers to limit their vulnerability to shipping problems and geopolitical tensions.

The participation of Chinese companies in this shift attests to the deepening assumption that the breach dividing the United States and China will be an enduring feature of the next phase of globalization. Yet it also reveals something more fundamental: Whatever the political strains, the commercial forces linking the United States and China are even more powerful.

Chinese companies have no intention of forsaking the American economy, still the largest on Earth. Instead, they are setting up operations inside the North American trading bloc as a way to supply Americans with goods, from electronics to clothing to furniture.

The Mexican border state of Nuevo León has positioned itself to reap the bounty. Led by a brash, 35-year-old governor, Samuel García, the state has courted foreign investment while pursuing highway improvements to ease the passage to border crossings.

Since García took office in October 2021, nearly $7 billion in foreign investment has poured into Nuevo León, making the state the largest recipient after Mexico City, according to the Mexican Ministry of Economy.

In 2021, Chinese companies were responsible for 30% of foreign investment in Nuevo León, second only to the United States at 47%.

Some of this money is financing factories that will make finished products for sale in the United States. But much is focused on a broader refashioning of the global supply chain.

As the pandemic disrupted Chinese industry and jammed ports, companies with factories in the United States suffered shortages of parts made in Asia. Many are now demanding that their suppliers set up plants in North America or risk losing their business.

Lizhong, a Chinese manufacturer of automobile wheels, is erecting the company’s first factory outside Asia at an industrial park in Nuevo León. Lizhong’s largest customers, including Ford and General Motors, pressed the company to open a factory in North America, said its general manager for Mexico, Wang Bing.

A South Korean company, DY Power, which makes components for construction equipment, is considering northern Mexico as the site for a factory near a major customer in Texas.

“After going through the pandemic and the supply chain crisis, the China COVID shutdown, many North American manufacturers would like to eliminate the risk,” said Sean Seo, a Seattle-based executive for DY Power.

“Globalization has ended,” he declared. “It’s localization now.”

César Santos has placed a substantial bet on such pronouncements proving true.

A corporate lawyer, Santos, 65, runs a sideline enterprise as a developer in Monterrey, an industrial boomtown full of upscale restaurants, glittering shopping malls and spas.

A decade ago, he was approached by a developer in Los Angeles who was representing a Chinese electronics company that was contemplating a factory in Mexico. Santos controlled an asset of considerable interest — a 2,100-acre parcel of land.

Dotted by cactus, the property sat less than 150 miles from the Texas border. While surrounding states grappled with violence linked to drug trafficking, Nuevo León carried a reputation for security. The state boasted a highly skilled workforce, given the presence of universities that churned out engineering graduates, among them Tec de Monterrey, often referred to as “Mexico’s MIT.”

The land had been his family’s cattle ranch when Santos was a child, the scene of horseback riding adventures. Now, he saw a lucrative opportunity to turn it into an industrial park.

He took a trip to China, riding a high-speed train from Shanghai to the lakefront city of Hangzhou to meet the Holley Group, which had constructed an industrial park for Chinese companies in Thailand.

“China was a country that had developed everything so fast,” Santos said. “I was really amazed.”

By 2015, he had joined with Holley and another Chinese partner to forge a joint venture, Hofusan Real Estate. They plan a grid of warehouses and factories fronted by a hotel and temporary apartments for visiting managers, plus more than 12,000 homes for workers.

The Holley Group dispatched Jiang Xin to oversee the venture. He had previously worked at the company’s project in Thailand. Mexico presented a different proposition.

“Chinese companies had no idea about Mexico, and the only things we knew were bad things, dangerous things,” Jiang said. “Then Trump came.”

When he became president in 2017, Donald Trump demanded that American companies abandon China. By 2018, he was slapping steep tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese imports.

“The tariff thing did help us,” Jiang said. “Chinese companies wanted more options. And we are one of their options.”

By the time Chan began contemplating Mexico in the fall of 2021, 27 other Chinese companies had already locked up land inside the Hofusan park. Only one large parcel remained.

Chan used the Chinese social media platform, WeChat, to connect with Jiang. His questions were blunt. How soon could Man Wah begin construction? (Immediately.) How were the highways? (Not great, but improving.) Were there any authentic Chinese restaurants in the vicinity? (No.)

Within weeks, Man Wah had committed to purchase the land. In January 2022, Chan signed the contract before boarding a flight to Mexico, leaving his wife and two children behind in Shenzhen.

While the new factory is being constructed, Man Wah has already begun producing sofas at a small, leased plant nearby.

Even before he located the temporary site, Chan loaded 70 containers full of machinery and raw materials in China, putting them on a ship bound for Mexico.

“We always do things quickly,” he said. “Don’t worry about anything, just do it.”

Finding local suppliers is also a challenge. Under the terms of the North American trade agreement, manufacturers must employ minimum percentages of parts and raw materials from within the region to qualify for duty-free access to the other countries in the bloc.

Three years ago, Lenovo, the Chinese computer maker, opened a new factory in Monterrey dedicated to making servers, the boxes that hold data for cloud computing.

Until last year, Lenovo flew in one crucial component — so-called motherboards — from a factory in China. But as international shipping troubles intensified, the company switched to a supplier in the Mexican city of Guadalajara.

Lenovo also stopped importing packaging materials from China, instead buying them in Mexico.

But Lenovo continues to import many key components from China, from memory devices to specialized cables.

“There’s no supply chain for these things in Mexico,” said Leandro Sardela, the company’s western operations director. At least, not yet.

Workers wait for a taxi outside of the Hofusan industrial park, a venture of a local developer and two companies from China, in Nuevo León, Mexico, Jan. 19, 2023.

Medicina Alternativa y Natural Aceptamos el Plan MMM Medicare

Bairoa calle 4, CC8 Ave. Las Américas Caguas P.R.

Lic. Michelle M. Colón Naturópata/Iridióloga

Wagner founder has Putin’s support, but the Kremlin’s side-eye

By ANTON TROIANOVSKI

He challenged Ukraine’s president to a duel from the cockpit of a bomber. He threatened to urinate on the face of a critic. He declared his private army was fighting for “every street, every house, every stairwell” in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut.

And that was just the past couple of weeks in the stillnascent public life of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the St. Petersburg tycoon who is confounding Moscow’s Kremlin-allied elite by starting to dabble in politics alongside waging war in Ukraine.

Prigozhin operated for years in secrecy, profiting from his personal ties to President Vladimir Putin to win lucrative catering and construction contracts with the Russian government while building up a mercenary force known as Wagner. After throwing his forces into Ukraine, their ranks swelled by prisoner recruits, Prigozhin has emerged as a public power player, using social media to turn tough talk and brutality into his personal brand.

Now Moscow, along with analysts trying to understand the changing dynamics of Putin’s Russia, is puzzling over Prigozhin’s next move. Some analysts believe he is poised to turn his new prominence into broader political influence, perhaps even to threaten Putin. Others see limits to Prigozhin’s power base and public appeal.

“We don’t understand what his political ambitions are,” Oleg Matveychev, a member of Parliament for Putin’s United Russia party and a longtime pro-Kremlin political operator, said in a phone interview. “No one understands whether he has them or not.”

The emergence of Prigozhin after many years in the shadows has, in many ways, defined Russia’s political transformation since its invasion of Ukraine began last February. Spewing vulgarities, disregarding the law and displaying loyalty to no one but Putin, Prigozhin is becoming a symbol of wartime Russia: ruthless, shameless and lawless, while his mercenary force takes thousands of casualties in one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

But there are obstacles to Prigozhin’s rise. He is facing public blowback in St. Petersburg, his home base, as he tries to exert control over the politics of the city, Russia’s second largest. Wagner has suffered heavy casualties in the battle for Bakhmut. And Prigozhin is dogged by open questions and criticism in Moscow, where analysts doubt that his recruitment of prisoners and endorsement of extrajudicial executions have broad appeal. On Thursday, Prigozhin said that he was no longer recruiting from Russian prisons.

Even the Kremlin appears to be trying to keep Prigozhin’s political rise in check. Sergei Markov, a pro-Putin political analyst and former Kremlin adviser who appears frequently on Russian state television, said officials had been transmitting an unusual directive to Moscow’s talking heads in recent weeks: “Don’t excessively promote Prigozhin and Wagner.”

“It was a request from the leadership, and not just to me,” Markov said in a phone interview, declining to specify who, exactly, had made the request. “They apparently don’t want to bring him into the political sphere because he’s so unpredictable — they fear him a little bit.”

Prigozhin jumped into the fray by expanding Wagner’s presence in Ukraine after the Kremlin’s initial attempt to seize Kyiv, the capital, failed early last year. The “private military

Ambulances destroyed by Russian bombardment in Bakhmut, Ukraine, on Oct. 19, 2022. Mercenary force known as Wagner has suffered heavy losses while fighting for control of the city.

company” was at that point largely active in Syria and Africa, where it operated both on behalf of the Russian government and in the service of Prigozhin’s own business interests.

Amid Russia’s urgent need for frontline manpower, Prigozhin toured the country’s prisons last summer looking for recruits — an effort so blatantly encroaching on Russia’s powerful security establishment that analysts believed it could have been approved only by Putin.

In the battle for Bakhmut in recent weeks, Western officials say, Prigozhin has thrown thousands of convicts into the maw of Ukraine’s defenses, taking extraordinary casualties in a stubborn effort to wear down the other side.

When Prigozhin has tried to flex his muscle beyond Ukraine’s battlefields, he has often been rebuffed. He has demanded that his nemesis Alexander Beglov, governor of St. Petersburg, be tried for treason, describing him as the leader of the city’s “parasites and spongers who only think about stuffing their pockets.”

Beglov, an ally of Putin, has brushed off the months of public attacks and remains in power.

“He has a mandate,” Mikhail Vinogradov, a Moscow political analyst, said of Prigozhin, “but not carte blanche.”

Prigozhin’s ambiguous role in Russia’s domestic politics reflects Putin’s high-stakes balancing act as the Kremlin tries to fire up pro-war hard-liners without setting the stage for mass discontent over any future Russian military failures.

Prigozhin did not respond to a request for comment for this article and claimed in an interview with a Russian blogger on Friday that he had “zero political ambitions.” But on his social media account — in which his press office publishes inquiries from journalists along with his responses — Prigozhin casts himself as a populist wartime leader taking on corrupt officials and oligarchs who would prefer to cozy up to the West.

Two of his Wagner fighters recorded a video in December profanely excoriating Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian military’s general staff, for not providing them with enough ammunition. Prigozhin followed up by warning that “it’s hard to hear the problems on the front when you’re sitting

in a warm office.”

Last month, in a screed on the Telegram messaging service, Prigozhin attacked officials for refusing to block access to YouTube — “the informational plague of our time.” He blamed Putin’s presidential administration, where, he claimed, many officials “only think about one thing: if only Russia would lose the war as fast as possible, so that the Americans come and work things out.”

But only two weeks after Prigozhin’s broadside against Gerasimov, the Kremlin named the general the chief commander of the war in Ukraine. The same day that Prigozhin went after YouTube, a senior lawmaker declared that “we are not discussing or, as far as I know, planning to discuss blocking YouTube.”

Prigozhin’s attention seeking is particularly striking because he acknowledged only last fall that he had founded Wagner. For Moscow’s political experts, key questions remain unanswered: What does Prigozhin actually want — and how will he fit into Putin’s tightly controlled political system?

“Prigozhin is behaving like a public politician,” said Alexander Kynev, a political scientist in Moscow. “But there are practically no vacancies in public politics in Russia today.”

Markov, the pro-Kremlin political analyst, said he saw Prigozhin’s main goal as the creation of a “business empire” in which political influence was useful.

For Putin, Prigozhin is useful, too — up to a point. While Wagner fighters are often cited as brave and effective in Kremlin-controlled media, Prigozhin’s antics like his recent cockpit video, viral among war supporters, scarcely make it onto state television.

Markov said that even as the Kremlin tries to keep Prigozhin’s popularity in check, he has Putin’s personal backing.

“He is very clearly defending Prigozhin,” he said. “Because the number of people who have their claws out for him in the bureaucracy is huge.”

Jonatan Ramos Director Funerario “Tus sentimientos en las mejores manos”

Two-thirds of kids struggle to read, and we know how to fix it

children are still struggling to read. Eighth graders today are actually a hair worse at reading than their counterparts were in 1998.

One explanation gaining ground is that, with the best of intentions, we grown-ups have bungled the task of teaching kids to read. There is growing evidence from neuroscience and careful experiments that the United States has adopted reading strategies that just don’t work very well and that we haven’t relied enough on a simple starting point — helping kids learn to sound out words with phonics.

“Too much reading instruction is not based on what the evidence says,” noted Nancy Madden, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who is an expert on early literacy. “That’s pretty clear.

“At least half of kids in the U.S. are not getting effective reading instruction.”

learning from the science of reading movement and from Hanford, and she told me how she has modified her curriculum as a result — but she also says that phonics was always part of her approach and that media narratives are oversimplified.

As Calkins and others revise their materials, skeptics worry that curricula still aren’t fully committed to phonics but layer it onto other strategies, leaving students befuddled.

It’s easy to be glib in describing these reading wars. Everyone agrees that phonics are necessary, and everyone also agrees that phonics are not enough.

By NICHOLAS KRISTOF

Alovely aphorism holds that education isn’t the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.

But too often, neither are pails filled nor fires lit. One of the most bearish statistics for the future of the United States is this: Two-thirds of fourth graders in the United States are not proficient in reading. Reading may be the most important skill we can give children. It’s the pilot light of that fire.

Yet we fail to ignite that pilot light, so today some 1 in 5 adults in the United States struggle with basic literacy, and after more than 25 years of campaigns and fads, American

Other experts agree. Ted Mitchell, an education veteran at nearly every level who is now president of the American Council on Education, thinks that easily a majority of children are getting subpar instruction.

Others disagree, of course. But an approach called the “science of reading” has gained ground, and it rests on a bed of phonics instruction.

(I’m focusing on national policy, but parents also play a role. It can be dangerous to listen to kids — you’ll be talked into buying a video game — so read to them!)

I spent much of the 1980s and 1990s as a New York Times correspondent in East Asia, and children there (including mine) learned to read through phonics and phonetic alphabets: hiragana in Japan, bopomofo in Taiwan, pinyin in China and hangul in South Korea. Then I returned with my family to the United States in 1999, and I found that even reading was political: Republicans endorsed phonics, so I was expected as a good liberal to roll my eyes.

The early critique of phonics in part was rooted in social justice, trying to address inadequate education in inner cities by offering more engaging reading materials. The issue became more political when the 2000 Republican Party platform called for “an early start in phonics,” and when President George W. Bush embraced phonics with a major initiative called Reading First.

For liberals, Bush’s support for phonics made it suspect. That had some basis: The Reading First program was not well implemented, and careful evaluations showed it had little impact. It died.

I became intrigued by the failures in reading after listening to a riveting six-part podcast, “Sold a Story,” that argues passionately that the education establishment ignored empirical evidence and unintentionally harmed children.

“Kids are not being taught how to read because for decades teachers have been sold an idea about reading and how children learn to do it,” Emily Hanford, a public radio journalist who for years has focused on reading issues, says in the first of the podcasts. She told me that the podcast has had more than 3.5 million downloads.

One of the targets of the podcast is Lucy Calkins, a professor at Columbia University Teachers College who has a widely used reading curriculum. Calkins has acknowledged

“Yes, phonics matters, but how you do phonics matters, too, and the rest of the stuff matters as well,”Madden said. She runs a nonprofit, Success for All, that is one of the most evidence-based organizations for improving reading, and rigorous evaluations have shown excellent results. (Success for All was one of the nonprofits in my 2022 holiday giving guide; huge thanks to my readers for donating more than $6 million to them.)

What’s clear is that when two-thirds of American kids are not proficient at reading, we’re failing the next generation. We can fix this, imperfectly, if we’re relentlessly empirical and focus on the evidence. It’s also noteworthy that lots of other interventions help and aren’t controversial: tutoring, access to books and coaching parents on reading to children. And slashing child poverty, which child tax credits accomplished very successfully until they were cut back. Onward.

EL CAPITOLIO – El presidente del Senado y presidente de la Comisión de Nombramientos, José Luis Dalmau Santiago, le solicitó a la designada Procuradora de las Mujeres que complete el trámite de documentos que se le exigen por la Comisión, para poder realizar una vista pública en la que los Senadores puedan evaluar el nombramiento en sus méritos.

“Todos los nombramientos que hace el Gobernador son evaluados con mucha responsabilidad por el Senado. Sin embargo, es importante que todos los nominados cumplan con la documentación que se les requiere. De lo contrario, no

tenemos ante nosotros toda la información para evaluarlos en sus méritos”, sentenció Dalmau Santiago.

Según Dalmau Santiago, al momento, Vilmarie Rivera Sierra, designada a ocupar la Procuraduría de las Mujeres no ha entregado el Historial de Información Personal de los Nominados, la Autorización y Relevo, la certificación de Deuda de Hacienda, la certificación de Radicación de Planillas de los últimos 5 años, las planillas certificadas de los últimos 5 años, el estado financiero compilado al 31 de diciembre de 2022 y el certificado de radicación del Formulario de Solvencia.

Por otro lado, Dalmau Santiago precisó que en los próximos días se estará reuniendo y eva-

luando los nominados a Secretario del DACO, Hiram Torres Montalvo, y la designada a dirigir el Servicio de Innovación y Tecnología de Puerto Rico (PRITS), Nannette Martínez Ortiz.

Celebran torneo 3×3 de baloncesto entre residenciales públicos

SAN JUAN – La empresa administradora de residenciales públicos Cost Control Company se llevó el sábado los premios de campeón y/o subcampeón en el el torneo San Juan Hoops 3×3 en la Plaza del Quinto Centenario del Viejo San Juan.

Este torneo de baloncesto, en su modalidad 3×3, comenzó el 10 de diciembre de 2022 con la participación de 273 residentes, distribuidos en 68 equipos, en tres categorías: 13-15 años, 1617 años y 18-open de los seis agentes administradores que administran residenciales públicos del Municipio de San Juan.

“Respondiendo al gran interés de nuestros residentes en desarrollarse en distintas disciplinas deportivas, y por el increíble potencial que han

demostrado mediante los torneos creados por la AVP, establecimos junto al municipio este torneo. Agradezco el valioso compromiso y disponibilidad del municipio y su alcalde, Miguel Romero, para unirse en estas iniciativas que benefician el desarrollo y la calidad de vida de los residentes de nuestras comunidades en San Juan”, manifestó el administrador de la Adminitración de Vivienda Pública, Alejandro Salgado Colón en declaraciones escritas.

Los equipos participantes del torneo “San Juan Hoops” por área fueron:

– Área 1 – SP Management – 48 participantes (12 equipos)

– Área 2 – Mas Corporation – 40 participantes (10 equipos)

– Área 3 – Martinal Property – 60 participantes (15 equipos)

– Área 4 – A&M Contract – 40 participantes (10 equipos)

– Área 5– Mora Housing Management – 40 participantes (10 equipos)

– Área 11 – Cost Control Company – 45 Participantes (11 equipos)

Resultados del “San Juan Hoops 3×3”:

Categoría 13-15 años

-Equipo Sub- Campeón: Cost Control Company

-Equipo Campeón: A&M Contract

Categoría 16-17 años

-Equipo Sub- Campeón: Cost Control Company

-Equipo Campeón: SP Management

Categoría 18 Open

-Equipo Sub- Campeón: A&M Contract

-Equipo Campeón: Cost Control Company

Populares de San Juan continúan proceso de reorganización en el distrito 4 de la Capital

POR EL STAR STAFF

S AN JUAN – Manuel Calderon Cerame, portavoz del Partido Popular Democrático (PPD) en la Legislatura Municipal de San Juan y presidente del PPD en el distrito 4 de San Juan, se mostró satisfecho con el proceso de reorganización que ayer se celebró en la sede de su colectividad en Puerta de Tierra.

“Ayer sábado, con el debido quórum y siguiendo las determinaciones del nuevo reglamento del Partido Popular, celebramos una asamblea en donde seleccionamos a los 14 miembros de las nuevas organizaciones que se han creado en nuestro partido.

Con está nueva directiva adelantamos un paso más en la reorganización de nuestro distrito para posicionarnos como una alternativa coherente y lista”, indicó el legislador municipal.

El portavoz del PPD en la Ciudad Capital señaló que entre las personas que se seleccionaron ayer, están un representante de la comunidad LGBT, un representante del sector ambiental, una nueva representante de los inmigrantes y un representante de los retirados “hoy le hacemos eco a la diversidad social de nuestro distrito, posicionando a líderes que nos ayudarán a sumar a más personas que hoy no necesariamente militan en mi partido, que votaron

por el PNP o algunos de los nuevos movimientos y hoy se encuentran desilusionados por su dejadez con los temas de la Capital” añadió Calderón Cerame.

Durante la asamblea celebrada ayer, se seleccionaron a las siguientes personas: Lydia Rivera como representante de las mujeres, Swanny Vargas como representante de la juventud, Francisco Martínez representante de los Servidores Públicos, Giancarlo Colberg Ferrer como representante de la comunidad LGBT, al pastor Josué Carrillo como representante de las comunidades de base de fe y Magali Bigio como representante sindical.

Designada Procuradora de las Mujeres sigue sin completar documentos para proceso de confirmación

How the Oscars and Grammys thrive on the lie of meritocracy

thing else: the false myth of meritocracy upon which these institutions, their ceremonies and their gatekeepers thrive.

It is true that Black women, dating to Hattie McDaniel for “Gone With the Wind” (1939), have won the Academy Award for best supporting actress. And while it took a half-century for Whoopi Goldberg to receive an Oscar in the same category (for “Ghost”), over the past 20 years, seven Black women have won in this category, including Davis, and this year, Angela Bassett is a front-runner as well.

Ricci and Riseborough’s “To Leslie” co-star Marc Maron calling out the academy for its investigation. “So it’s only the films and actors that can afford the campaigns that deserve recognition?” Ricci wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. “Feels elitist and exclusive and frankly very backward to me.”

By SALAMISHA TILLET

Ididn’t see it coming, but maybe I should have.

That refrain has been popping into my head repeatedly since learning that neither Viola Davis (“The Woman King”) nor Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) was nominated for the best actress Oscar and that Andrea Riseborough and Ana de Armas had emerged as this year’s spoilers.

It came to mind again Sunday night when the Grammys awarded Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” album of the year, not Beyoncé’s “Renaissance.” Although she made history that night as the most Grammy-winning artist of all time, this was Beyoncé’s fourth shutout from the industry’s most coveted category and another stark reminder that the last Black woman to take home that award

was Lauryn Hill — 24 years ago. This time the message was loud and clear: Beyoncé, one of the most prolific and transformative artists of the 21st century, can win only in niche categories. Her music — a continually evolving and genre-defying sound — still can’t be seen as the standard-bearer for the universal.

The music and movie industries differ in many ways, but their prizes are similarly determined by the predominantly older white male members of the movie and recording academies. Although both organizations have made concerted efforts in recent years to diversify their voting bodies in terms of age, race and gender, Black women artists, despite their ingenuity, influence and, in Beyoncé’s case, unparalleled innovation, continue to be denied their highest honors.

This trend is no indication of the quality of their work but rather a reflection of some-

But, in a way, this is an example of rewarding the niche. What’s being honored is a character whose function is in service to a film’s plot and protagonist. She is neither a movie’s emotional center nor primarily responsible for propelling its narrative. Such heavy lifting is why I think it made sense for Michelle Williams, whom many considered a lock for an Oscar for best supporting actress for “The Fabelmans,” to campaign as a lead instead. “Although I havenW’t seen the movie,” she told The New York Times, “the scenes that I read, the scenes that I prepped, the scenes that we shot, the scenes that I’m told are still in the movie, are akin to me with experiences that I have had playing roles considered lead.”

In the past, academy voters might have said there weren’t enough Black women in leading roles to consider. But “Till” and “The Woman King” disprove that. So we’re left with other, more traditionally meritocratic arguments about who deserves to be nominated for best actress — the quality of the individual performance, the critical response to a film, and a decent budget to market and campaign for Oscar consideration. Yet this year, even those measures suddenly seemed to be thrown out the window.

Instead, in the case of Andrea Riseborough’s surprising nod for “To Leslie,” we saw a new Oscar strategy playing out before our eyes. A groundswell of fellow actors, including A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and even Cate Blanchett, who would go on to be nominated herself, publicly endorsed Riseborough’s performance on social media, at screenings and even at a prize ceremony. Since only 218 of the 1,302 members of the academy’s acting branch needed to rank a candidate first to secure a nomination, in time, that momentum translated into a nomination upset.

That, in turn, led to a backlash, a review by the academy to make sure none of its campaign guidelines had been violated, and a backlash to the backlash, with Christina

What fascinated me, however, was that what was being framed as a grassroots campaign to circumvent studio marketing machines revealed another inside game. A racially homogeneous network of white Hollywood stars appeared to vote in a small but significant enough bloc to ensure their candidate was nominated.

And while that explains how an Oscar campaign can be both nontraditional and elitist, it also underscores the other obstacles that Black actresses, in particular, and actresses of color in general, have to surmount just to be nominated, let alone win. Gina PrinceBythewood’s “The Woman King” was so critically praised for its filmmaking and masterly performances and was such a commercially successful film that Davis was expected (at the very least) to garner her third nomination in the best actress category.

In contrast, Andrew Dominik’s “Blonde,” starring de Armas, was so heavily panned for its brutal and sexist depiction of Marilyn Monroe that I assumed the prerelease chatter about her performance would have dampened by the time Oscar voting began. For more than any other film with a best actress contender this year, “Blonde” raises the question: Shouldn’t a protagonist have depth or multidimensionality for that actor’s performance to be noteworthy? As conceived by Dominik, Monroe merely flits from injury to injury, all in the service of making her downfall inevitable.

It’s been over 20 years since Halle Berry won the best actress Oscar for her “Monster’s Ball” performance as a Black mother who grieves the loss of her son through alcohol and sex. The fact that she remains the only Black woman to have won this award is ridiculous. “I do feel completely heartbroken that there’s no other woman standing next to me in 20 years,” Berry reflected in the runup to the Oscars last year. “I thought, like everybody else, that night meant a lot of things would change.”

The difference between then and now is that there are far more Black women directors and complex Black women characters on the big screen than ever before. Maybe, next year, the academy members will get behind one of those actors. Then again, maybe I should know better.

Danielle Deadwyler in “Till.” She had to show public restraint as a grieving mother, while other actresses were lauded for emotional excess.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? Here’s what you need to know.

By ELISABETH MALKIN

Turmoil among taxi drivers in Cancún. Airports shuttered amid gang violence in Sinaloa. Safety alerts from the U.S. Embassy.

A number of recent security incidents have raised concerns about the risks of traveling to Mexico, where more than 20 million tourists flew last year to visit the country’s beaches, cities and archaeological sites.

An overwhelming majority of those visitors enjoyed a safe vacation, and tourists are largely sheltered from the violence that grips local communities. But the recent disorder in Cancún, precipitated by a dispute between taxi unions and Uber drivers, along with the violence in early January that forced the closure of three airports in northwest Mexico, is prompting questions about whether the country’s broader unrest is spilling into other destinations.

What happened in Cancún?

Uber has been challenging the taxi unions for the right to operate in Cancún and won a court decision in its favor on Jan. 11. The ruling infuriated the powerful unions, which are believed to have links to local organized crime figures and former governors, according to Eduardo Guerrero, the director of Lantia Intelligence, a security consulting company in Mexico City.

Taxi drivers began harassing and threatening Uber drivers, which drew the attention of Gov. Mara Lezama of the state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancún.

The conflict generated widespread attention after a video of taxi drivers forcing a Russian-speaking family out of their rideshare car went viral, and after unions blocked the main road leading to Cancún’s hotel zone. That prompted the U.S. Embassy in Mexico to issue a security alert, warning that similar disputes in the past have turned violent.

Guerrero said that the authorities will try to negotiate some kind of compromise, but there was a probability of more violence ahead. “The taxi drivers are empowered,” he said. “It’s a monster.”

Have authorities curbed violence that might affect tourists?

As a rule, criminals in Mexico are careful not to kill tourists, Guerrero explained, because doing so “can set in motion a persecution that can last years,” the consequences of which can be “very dissuasive,” he said.

But the rule doesn’t always hold. And in two popular destinations for foreign tourists — Los Cabos, at the tip of the Baja California peninsula, and the Caribbean coast — local and state officials have recently sought help from the United States to take on organized crime that threatened to drive off tourists.

The joint approach led to a lull in gangland gunbattles in Quintana Roo’s tourist areas, and experts say that drug sales to meet foreign demand no longer take place on the street, although they are continuing more discreetly.

What about tourist areas in other states?

Even in states where crime is very high, tourist areas

have been spared. San Miguel de Allende, a haven for U.S. retirees, is an island of relative peace in a state, Guanajuato, that has been riddled with cartel violence.

The Pacific Coast state of Jalisco, home to the resort of Puerto Vallarta, picturesque tequila country and the cultural and gastronomic attractions of the state capital, Guadalajara, is also the center of operations of the extremely violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The cartel’s focus of violence is in the countryside; Puerto Vallarta and the beaches to its north, including the exclusive peninsula of Punta Mita and the surfers’ hangout of Sayulita, are all booming — and, despite drug sales, the cartel’s control seems to limit open conflict.

Mexico City has become a magnet for digital nomads and shorter term visitors, and concerns about violence there have receded. The city’s police force has been successful in reducing violent crime, particularly homicides, and the number of killings has been cut almost in half over the past three years.

Are there any other safety concerns?

Street crime is still a problem almost everywhere, especially in bigger cities and crowded spaces. Kidnapping and carjacking are a risk in certain regions and many businesses that cater to tourists operate under extortion threats. While tourists may not be aware of underlying criminal forces, their power sometimes spills out into the open in spectacular shows of violence.

Three airports in the state of Sinaloa, including

the beach destination Mazatlán, were closed Jan. 5 amid gang violence after Mexican security forces arrested Ovidio Guzmán, a son of Joaquín Guzmán, the crime lord known as El Chapo, who is serving a life sentence in the United States. A stray bullet fired by cartel gunmen shooting at a Mexican military plane as it landed at the airport in the state capital, Culiacán, clipped an Aeromexico plane preparing to take off for Mexico City. Nobody was hurt and the plane returned to the terminal.

Pierre de Hail, the president of Janus Group Mexico, a risk management company in Monterrey, is skeptical that security has improved. “There is too much random risk,” he said. “It’s all about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

What precautions should tourists take?

De Hail recommends researching the resort and news from the area you’re visiting. The U.S. State Department provides state-by-state information about travel risks in Mexico. As of early February, the department had issued its strongest possible warning — Level 4: Do Not Travel — for six states, including Sinaloa. Quintana Roo is at Level 2, indicating that visitors should exercise increased caution. (By comparison, the same Level 2 advisory is applied to France and Spain.)

De Hail also suggests buying travel insurance in case of a medical emergency or theft, and recommends that tourists keep a low profile to avoid attracting attention, he said, warning that it is easy to misread situations.

As anywhere, common sense should prevail, de Hail said: Don’t wear expensive watches or jewelry, and avoid dark and deserted places. He recommends making a copy of your passport, remaining alert while walking home at night and not leaving your drinks unattended. “I have had numerous cases of people asking for help because they were extorted coming back from bars,” he said.

He added: “If you’re staying in a place that has a report of strikes or demonstrations, don’t go there. You’re a fish out of water.”

Taxi drivers during a recent protest in Cancún.

The San Juan Daily Star

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR

E.M.I. EQUITY MORTGAGE, INC.

Demandante Vs. SANDRA IVETTE AGUILA RIVERA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CA2022CV01838.

Sala: 407. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMON, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el 8 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMON, SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en #78 CALLE ROBLE, URBANIZACION ESTANCIAS DEL RIO, CANOVANAS, PR 00729 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Parcela identificada en el Plano de Inscripción como el solar seis (6) del Bloque B de la Urbanización Estancias del Río, localizada en el Barrio Canóvanas del Municipio de Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de trescientos dos punto mil noventa y dos (302.1092) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con la Calle B; por el SUR, con el solar B raya dieciocho (18); por el ESTE, con el solar B raya cinco (5), según Plano el solar B raya siete (7); y por el OESTE, con el solar B raya siete (7), según el Plano con el solar B raya cinco (5). Enclava en dicho solar una residencia de concreto de una planta. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 30 del Tomo 421 de Canóvanas, finca número 16,697, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección Tercera. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $113,333.00. Si no

hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día el 15 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $75,555.33. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día el 23 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $56,666.50. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura de hipoteca número 30 otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 23 de enero de 2018, ante el Notario Jaime E. Dávila Santini, y consta inscrita al Tomo Karibe de Canóvanas, finca número 16,697, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Tercera, inscripción 6ta. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $105,730.25 por concepto de principal, desde el 1ro de diciembre de 2021, más intereses al tipo pactado de 4.25% anual que continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Además, la parte demandada adeuda a la parte demandante los cargos por demora equivalentes a 5.00% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha de vencimiento; los créditos accesorios y adelantos hechos en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $11,333.30. Además, la parte demandada se comprometió a pagar una suma equivalente a $11,333.30 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca y una suma equivalente a $11,333.30 para cubrir intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA

INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bas-

tante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate. La propiedad está sujeta a los siguientes gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. Sujeta a Condiciones de Subsidio, conocida como “Programa de Subsidio para Vivienda de Interés Social”, bajo la Ley 124 del 10 de diciembre de 1993. El beneficiario tendrá la obligación de reembolsar al Banco y Agencia del Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico la totalidad o una parte del subsidio recibido al amparo de dicha ley, en caso de que decida vender, permutar, donar o de otro modo transferir la propiedad dentro de un periodo de 6 años de la fecha de otorgamiento de la primera hipoteca (ya cancelada). La propiedad no podrá hipotecarse sin la previa autorización por escrito del Banco y Agencia de Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico. La hipoteca será asumible únicamente cuando el comprador subsiguiente sea elegible para un subsidio igual o menor al del beneficiario original y el Banco y Agencia de Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico así lo autorice, según consta de la escritura número 167, otorgada en San Juan el 29 de septiembre de 2001, ante el notario Solagne Morales Morales, inscrita al folio 30 del tomo 421 de Canóvanas, finca 16,697, inscripción 1ra. NOTA: Del Historial no surgen canceladas estas condiciones. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores desconocidos, no inscritos o presentados que sus acreedores de cargos o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. La propiedad objeto de ejecución y descrita anteriormente se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores

Monday, February 13, 2023 22

una vez el Honorable Tribunal expida la correspondiente Orden de Confirmación de Venta Judicial. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 29 de diciembre de 2022. HÉCTOR L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL #278, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs. RAMÓN EMILIO SUÁREZ ALCALÁ

Demandado

Civil Núm.: CA2018CV01731.

Sala: 404. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA “IN REM” (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el 8 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 11:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en: A-63 CALLE ALELÍ, URBANIZACION VILLA BLANCA, TRUJILLO ALTO, PUERTO RICO 00976 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número sesenta y tres (63) de Bloque

A del Proyecto de Solares Las Cuevas, radicado en el término municipal de Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, con una cabida de trescientos veintinueve punto treinta (329.30) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con camino municipal, distancia de diecisiete punto sesenta y cinco (17.65) metros; por el SUR, con el solar número cuarenta (40), distancia de nueve punto cero cero (9.00) metros; por el ESTE, con el solar número sesenta y dos (62), distancia de veinticuatro punto sesenta (24.60) metros; y por el OESTE, con los solares uno (1) y dos (2) distancia de catorce punto cero cero (14.00) meros con el solar número uno (1) y en trece punto ochenta (13.80) , con el solar numero dos (2). Contiene una casa para fines residenciales. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 171 del Tomo 285 de Trujillo Alto, finca número 8,230, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Cuarta. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $175,915.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 15 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 11:45 DE LA MAÑANA. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $117,276.66. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 23 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 11:45 DE LA MAÑANA. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $87,957.50. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura de hipoteca número 551 otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 31 de octubre de 2012, ante el Notario David Cardona Dinguí y consta inscrita al Folio 113 del Tomo 707 de Trujillo Alto, finca número 8,230, inscripción 10ma, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Cuarta. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido condenando a la parte demandada ascendente a la suma de $160,642.48 por concepto de

principal, desde el 1ro de julio de 2017, más intereses al tipo pactado de 4.00% anual que continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Además, la parte demandada adeuda a la parte demandante los cargos por demora equivalentes a 4.00% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha de vencimiento; los créditos accesorios y adelantos hechos en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $17,591.50. Además, la parte demandada se comprometió a pagar una suma equivalente a $17,591.50 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca y una suma equivalente a $17,591.50 para cubrir intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores conocidos y desconocidos que tengan inscritos, no inscritos, presentados y/o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. La propiedad objeto de ejecución y descrita anterior-

The San Juan Daily Star

mente se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores una vez el Honorable Tribunal expida la correspondiente Orden de Confirmación de Venta Judicial. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 11 de enero de 2023.

GRETCHEN M. PÉREZ SEDA, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE HUMACAO SALA SUPERIOR ORIENTAL BANK

COMO AGENTE DE SERVICIOS DE THE MONEY HOUSE, INC.

Demandante Vs. MICHAEL ANGELO FLORES PARISIS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: HU2022CV00147. Sala: 206. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE HUMACAO, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el 28 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE HUMACAO, SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en:

#302 CALLE ARTURO MARQUEZ, URBANIZACION VALLE PIEDRAS, LAS PIEDRAS,

PUERTO RICO 00771, y que se describe a continuación:

URBANA: Solar número dos (2) del Bloque H de la Urbanización Valle Piedras, radicado en el Barrio Quebrada Arenas del término municipal de Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, con un área de trescientos ocho punto treinta y cuatro (308.34) metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, en distancia de veintitrés punto cero ocho (23.08) metros, con el solar número tres (3) del Bloque H; por el SUR, en una distancia de veintitrés punto cero ocho (23.08) metros, con el solar número uno (1) del Bloque H; por el ESTE, en una distancia de trece punto treinta y seis (13.36) metros, con el solar número veintidós (22); y por el OESTE, en una distancia de trece punto treinta y seis (13.36) metros, con la calle número ocho (8) de la Urbanización. Enclava una casa diseñada para una familia. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 255 del Tomo 223 de Las Piedras, finca número 11,871, Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $86,759.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 4 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $57,839.33. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 11 DE ABRIL DE 2023, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $43,379.50. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 728 otorgada en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el día 21 de agosto de 2020, ante el notario Alejandro J. Mues Arias y consta inscrita al tomo Karibe de Humacao, finca número 11,871, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao, inscripción tercera (3ra). Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido contra la parte demandada ascendente

notifica al acreedor posterior o a su sucesor o cesionario en derecho para que comparezca a proteger su derecho si así lo desea. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes. Se les advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate y que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores tal como lo expresa la Ley Núm. 2102015. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy 19 de enero de 2023. ALEJANDRO URBINA ROQUE, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #997, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE FAJARDO

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs. LISETTE DEL CARMEN

FERREIRA CASTRO

Demandada

Civil Núm.: FA2022CV00677. (303). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO (EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. Al: PÚBLICO EN GENERAL.

A: LISETTE DEL CARMEN

FERREIRA CASTRO.

Yo, DENISE BRUNO ORTIZ, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR #266, Alguacil de este Tribunal, a la parte demandada y a los acreedores y personas con interés sobre la propiedad que más

adelante se describe, y al público en general, HAGO SABER: Que el día 11 DE ABRIL DE 2023 A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Fajardo, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, venderé en Pública Subasta la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria al mejor postor quien hará el pago en dinero en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del o la Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Fajardo durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el día 18 DE ABRIL DE 2023 A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 25 DE ABRIL DE 2023 A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: CONDOMINIO MIRADOR PLAYA CONVENTO de Fajardo. Apartamento: 9302 del Edificio IX. Cabida: CIENTO CINCO PUNTO TRECE (105.13) METROS

CUADRADOS. Ubicado en el Barrio Quebrada Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Colinda por el NORTE, en una distancia de 34’11-1/2”, con pared exterior; por el SUR, en una distancia de 34’9”, con pared exterior, pasillo y apartamento número 9303; por el ESTE, en distancia de 42’4”, con apartamento número 303 y pared exterior; por el OESTE, en una distancia de 41’8”, con apartamento número 9301, pared exterior y pasillo. Su puerta principal de acceso se encuentra en su lado Sur la cual colinda con el pasillo interior de su piso. Contiene tres dormitorios, dos baños, sala-comedor, cocina, balcón y calentador de agua. Tiene un closet y/o un espacio designado en los planos como facilidades de “laundry” para la colocación de una lavadora, una secadora y donde existe instalada una pileta. Le corresponde a este apartamento en los elementos comunes del inmueble una participación de .49%. Le corresponde dos espacios de área común limitada de estacionamiento marcados con el número 265 y número 266. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al Sistema Karibe, finca número 21,118 de Fajardo, Registro de la Propiedad de Fajardo, inscripción segunda. La dirección física de la propiedad antes descrita

es: Condominio Mirador Playa Convento, Apartamento 9-302, Fajardo, Puerto Rico. La subasta se llevará a efecto para satisfacer a la parte demandante la suma de $97,144.33 de principal, intereses al 6% anual, desde el día 1ro de junio de 2017, hasta su completo pago, más la cantidad de $13,000.00estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, más recargos acumulados, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta para el inmueble será de $130,000.00 y de ser necesaria una segunda subasta, la cantidad mínima será una equivalente a 2/3 parte de aquella, o sea la suma de $86,666.67 y de necesitarse una tercera subasta la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado, es decir la suma de $65,000.00. Si se declara desierta la tercera subasta se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si esta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el Tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si esta es mayor. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación y que todo licitador acepta como suficiente la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser vendida en pública subasta se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Podrán concurrir como postores a todas las subastas los titulares de créditos hipotecarios vigentes y posteriores a la hipoteca que se cobra o ejecuta, si alguno o que figuren como tales en la certificación registral y que podrán utilizar el montante de sus créditos o parte de alguno en sus ofertas. Si la oferta aceptada es por cantidad mayor a la suma del crédito o créditos preferentes al suyo, al obtener la buena pro del remate, deberá satisfacer en el mismo acto, en efectivo o en cheque de gerente, la totalidad del crédito hipotecario que se ejecuta y la de cualesquiera otro créditos posteriores al que se ejecuta pero preferente al suyo. El exceso constituirá abono total o parcial en su propio crédito. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, a 23 de noviembre de 2022. Denise Bruno Ortiz,

Alguacil Auxiliar #266, Alguacil Del Tribunal, Sala Superior De Fajardo. Jorge A. Ortiz Estrada, Alguacil #622 Regional Interino.

***

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS COOPERATIVA DE AHORRO Y CREDITO ORIENTAL

Demandante Vs. NIURKA DE JESUS DEL VALLE; MIGUEL A. VELAZQUEZ DIAZ Y; LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA ENTRE AMBOS

Demandado

Núm. de Caso: SL2022CV00097.

Sala: 701. COBRO DE DINERO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: NIURKA DE JESUS DEL VALLE, MIGUEL A. VELAZQUEZ DIAZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA ENTRE AMBOS.

EL(LA) SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 3 de febrero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL INTERINA. ENEIDA ARROYO VÉLEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL

SUPREMO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA

SUPERIOR DE PONCE

FIRSTBANK

PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. ZAYMI TORO GOTAY

Demandado(a)

Civil: PO2022CV01795. 406. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO, EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: ZAYMI TORO GOTAY.

P/C LCDA. MARIE L. QUIÑONES TAÑON. PO BOX 9022512, SAN JUAN PR 00902-2512.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 25 de enero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. PONCE, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA. MARIELY FÉLIX RIVERA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE CAGUAS

COOPERATIVA DE AHORRO Y CRÉDITO DE CAGUAS

Demandante Vs. INTERNATIONAL CHARTER MORTGAGE CORPORATION; BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO; JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE

Demandados Caso Núm.: CG2022CV04227. Salón Núm.: 802. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADO UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: INTERNATIONAL CHARTER MORTGAGE

CORPORATION;

JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE. Quede emplazada y notificada que en este Tribunal se ha radicado Demanda sobre Ejecución de Hipoteca y Cobro de Dinero. POR LA PRESENTE, se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto. Usted debe de presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. EXPEDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y SELLO DEL TRIBUNAL. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy 03 de febrero de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA GENERAL. LILI RODRÍGUEZ RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESIÓN DE BLANCA

ELBA VÉLEZ IRIZARRY

T/C/C BLANCA E. VÉLEZ IRIZARRY Y BLANCA

VÉLEZ IRIZARRY COMPUESTA POR

SUS HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS

FULANO (A) DE TAL

Y SITANO (A) DE TAL; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: SJ2021CV06451.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO Y MANDAMIENTO DE INTERPELACIÓN POR EDICTO.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: FULANO(A) DE TAL, SUTANO(A) DE TAL

COMO MIEMBROS Y POSIBLES HEREDEROS

DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE BLANCA

ELBA VÉLEZ IRIZARRY

T/C/C BLANCA E. VÉLEZ IRIZARRY Y BLANCA VÉLEZ IRIZARRY. 1683

CALLE SEGRE J-9, SAN FERNANDO, SAN JUAN, P.R. 00926.

Por la presente se les notifica que se ha presentado en este Tribunal la Demanda de epígrafe. Se le emplaza y requiere para que notifique a: Lcdo. Fernando Gierbolini; MONSERRATE, SIMONET & GIERBOLINI, 101 Ave. San Patricio, Edificio Maramar Plaza, Suite 1120, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968; Tel: (787) 620-5300, abogados de la parte demandante, con copia de la contestación a la Demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto, que se publicará una (1) vez en un periódico de circulación diaria general. Se le apercibe que si no contesta la Demanda radicando el original de la misma a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior dentro del término antes indicado, y notificando con copia a la parte demandante, se le anotará la rebeldía y se le dictará Sentencia en su contra concediendo el remedio solicitado a favor de la parte demandante sin más citarle ni oírle. Además, se les interpela judicialmente, a tenor con el Artículo 959 del Código Civil de Puerto Rico, 31 L.P.R.A. § 2787, para que en un término de treinta (30) días de haber sido publicado este edicto, excluyendo el día de su publicación, acepten o repudien, mediante instrumento público o comparecencia judicial especial, la herencia de la causante, BLANCA ELBA VÉLEZ IR/ZARRY TIC/C BLANCA E. VÉLEZ IRIZARRY Y BLANCA VÉLEZ IRIZARRY, apercibiéndosele que, de no expresarse dentro de dicho término, se tendrá por aceptada la herencia. Por consiguiente, según B.B.V.A. v. Latinoamericana, 164 D.P.R. 689 (2005), responderían por las cargas de dicha herencia. EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA y el Sello del Tribunal, en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy día 6 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. BRENDA BÁEZ ACABA, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE JUANA DÍAZ ISLAND PORTFOLIO

SERVICES, LLC

COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC

Demandante V. RAFAEL GARCÍA COLÓN

Demandado(a)

Civil: SI2022CV00016. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: RAFAEL GARCÍA COLÓN. P/C LCDO. KENMUEL JOSÉ RUIZ LÓPEZ PARA SER

PUBLICADA POR EDICTO.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 17 de noviembre de 2022, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. En Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA INTERINA. DORIS A. RODRÍGUEZ COLÓN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE CAGUAS FORTALEZA EQUITY PARTNERS I, LLC

Demandante V. URAYOAN ROMAN MARTINEZ

Demandado

Civil Núm.: CG2022CV03629. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA - IN REM. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., S.S. A: URAYOAN ROMAN MARTINEZ. POR LA PRESENTE, se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsi-

va a la demanda dentro de los TREINTA (30) días de haber sido publicado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día de publicación. Se le advierte que al tiempo de hacerse la primera publicación de este edicto se le estará enviando por correo certificado una copia del emplazamiento y de la demanda al lugar de su última dirección conocida. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal.

Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Se le requiere que notifique su contestación a la parte demandante, por conducto de sus abogados, Lcda Ana J. Bobonis Zequeira a su dirección

Fernández Chiqués LLC PO

Box 9749 San Juan, PR 00908, Tel. (787) 722-3040, Fax (787) 722-3317, Email: ana@ffclaw. com, dentro del término provisto o se le podrá anotar la rebeldía en su contra y se le dictará sentencia en su contra, conforme se solicita en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle.

EXPEDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y SELLO DE ESTE TRIBUNAL.

En Caguas, Puerto Rico, hoy día 7 de FEBRERO de 2023.

LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. LIZ WHARTON ROSA, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL

GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V.

RAYSA MARÍA FLORES

SANTOS; Y LIDA SAMARIS RIVERA VALLEJO

Demandadas

Civil Núm.: BY2022CV06016.

Sala: 503. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS

UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS

UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: LIDA SAMARIS

RIVERA VALLEJO. C17302 APARTMENT, VILLAS

DE HATO TEJAS COND., BAYAMÓN, PR 00957, Y 533 VILLAS DE HATO TEJAS, BAYAMÓN,

PR 00959.

Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Los abogados de la parte demandante son:

ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE

DEMANDANTE:

Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393

BERMUDEZ & DIAZ LLP

500 Calle De La Tanca Suite 209 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

Tel.: (787) 523-2670 / Fax: (787) 523-2664 rdíaz@bdprlaw.com

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal, hoy 7 de febrero de 2023. LCDA.

LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL.

IVETTE M. MARRERO BRACERO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CIALES

JANICE

CORDERO LAUREANO

Demandante V. BANCO POPULAR

PUERTO RICO

COMO SUCESOR EN DERECHOS DE DORAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION D/B/A H.F.

MORTGAGE BANKERS; LUZ M. MERCADO BERDECIA T/C/C LUZ

M. MERCADO; JOSE L. MUÑOZ; JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES CON INTERES

Demandado(a)

Civil: MV2022CV00145. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ HIPOTECARIO EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

BERDECIA T/C/C LUZ

M.

MERCADO; JOSE L. MUÑOZ Y JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 3 de febrero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. En Ciales, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023. VIVIAN FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA. JANETTE GONZÁLEZ VARGAS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN SUCESIÓN INES

UBIOR TORRES, T/C/C INES OBIOL TORRES, COMPUESTA POR FRANCES RÍOS UBIOR Y LA SUCESION

LOUIS RIOS UBIOR, COMPUESTA POR LOUIE

JOSEPH RÍOS, STEVEN RÍOS, DAWN MARIE RÍOS Y DOUGLAS RÍOS

La Parte Demandante Vs. MARIA FERRER RAMOS Y FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, SUCESIÓN MARÍA FERRER RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS

DESCONOCIDAS, Y SUCESIÓN FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS

DESCONOCIDAS

La Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV10782.

Sobre: ACCIÓN DECLARATIVA DE DOMINIO POR USUCAPIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA.

EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDIC-

TO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, PERSONA DESCONOCIDA.

POR LA PRESENTE, queda emplazada y notificada de que en este Tribunal se ha radicado una demanda de Acción Declarativa de Dominio por Usucapión Extraordinaria. Se le notifica que deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https.//unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan y enviando copia a la parte demandante: Vargas Marrero Estudio Legal, Ave. Apolo #2098, Local 3-A, Guaynabo, PR 00969; teléfono (787) 2949238, Fax (787) 294-9237, correo electrónico: vargasvalle@ gmail.com/rvargas@vargasvallelaw.com dentro de los próximos treinta (30) días del recibo del presente emplazamiento. Se le apercibe y notifica que si no contesta la demanda radicada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citársele ni oírsele. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, a 07 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ENID DÍAZ RÍOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN SUCESIÓN INES

UBIOR TORRES, T/C/C INES OBIOL TORRES, COMPUESTA POR FRANCES RÍOS UBIOR Y LA SUCESION

LOUIS RIOS UBIOR, COMPUESTA POR LOUIE JOSEPH RÍOS, STEVEN RÍOS, DAWN MARIE RÍOS Y DOUGLAS RÍOS

La Parte Demandante Vs. MARIA FERRER RAMOS Y FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, SUCESIÓN MARÍA FERRER RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS, Y SUCESIÓN FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, COMPUESTA

POR PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS

La Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV10782. Sobre: ACCIÓN DECLARATIVA DE DOMINIO POR USUCAPIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS. A: MARIA FERRER RAMOS, PERSONA DESCONOCIDA. POR LA PRESENTE, queda emplazada y notificada de que en este Tribunal se ha radicado una demanda de Acción Declarativa de Dominio por Usucapión Extraordinaria. Se le notifica que deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https.//unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan y enviando copia a la parte demandante: Vargas Marrero Estudio Legal, Ave. Apolo #2098, Local 3-A, Guaynabo, PR 00969; teléfono (787) 2949238, Fax (787) 294-9237, correo electrónico: vargasvalle@ gmail.com/rvargas@vargasvallelaw.com dentro de los próximos treinta (30) días del recibo del presente emplazamiento. Se le apercibe y notifica que si no contesta la demanda radicada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citársele ni oírsele. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, a 07 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ENID DÍAZ RÍOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

SUCESIÓN INES

UBIOR TORRES, T/C/C INES OBIOL TORRES, COMPUESTA POR FRANCES RÍOS UBIOR Y LA SUCESION LOUIS RIOS UBIOR, COMPUESTA POR LOUIE JOSEPH RÍOS, STEVEN RÍOS, DAWN MARIE RÍOS Y DOUGLAS RÍOS

La Parte Demandante Vs. MARIA FERRER RAMOS Y FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, SUCESIÓN

MARÍA FERRER RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS, Y SUCESIÓN FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS

La Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV10782.

Sobre: ACCIÓN DECLARATIVA DE DOMINIO POR USUCAPIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: SUCESION FRANCISCO FERRER RAMOS, PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS.

POR LA PRESENTE, queda emplazada y notificada de que en este Tribunal se ha radicado una demanda de Acción Declarativa de Dominio por Usucapión Extraordinaria. Se le notifica que deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https.//unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan y enviando copia a la parte demandante: Vargas Marrero Estudio Legal, Ave. Apolo #2098, Local 3-A, Guaynabo, PR 00969; teléfono (787) 2949238, Fax (787) 294-9237, correo electrónico: vargasvalle@ gmail.com/rvargas@vargasvallelaw.com dentro de los próximos treinta (30) días del recibo del presente emplazamiento. Se le apercibe y notifica que si no contesta la demanda radicada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citársele ni oírsele. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, a 07 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ENID DÍAZ RÍOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN SUCESIÓN INES

UBIOR TORRES, T/C/C

INES OBIOL TORRES, COMPUESTA POR FRANCES RÍOS UBIOR Y LA SUCESION LOUIS RIOS UBIOR,

COMPUESTA POR LOUIE JOSEPH RÍOS, STEVEN RÍOS, DAWN MARIE RÍOS Y DOUGLAS RÍOS

La Parte Demandante Vs. MARIA FERRER RAMOS Y FRANCISCO FERRER

RAMOS, SUCESIÓN MARÍA FERRER

RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS

DESCONOCIDAS, Y SUCESIÓN

FRANCISCO FERRER

RAMOS, COMPUESTA POR PERSONAS

DESCONOCIDAS

La Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV10782.

Sobre: ACCIÓN DECLARATIVA DE DOMINIO POR USUCAPIÓN EXTRAORDINARIA.

EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: SUCESION

MARIA FERRER RAMOS, PERSONAS DESCONOCIDAS.

POR LA PRESENTE, queda emplazada y notificada de que en este Tribunal se ha radicado una demanda de Acción Declarativa de Dominio por Usucapión Extraordinaria. Se le notifica que deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https.//unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan y enviando copia a la parte demandante: Vargas Marrero Estudio Legal, Ave. Apolo #2098, Local 3-A, Guaynabo, PR 00969; teléfono (787) 2949238, Fax (787) 294-9237, correo electrónico: vargasvalle@ gmail.com/rvargas@vargasvallelaw.com dentro de los próximos treinta (30) días del recibo del presente emplazamiento. Se le apercibe y notifica que si no contesta la demanda radicada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citársele ni oírsele. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, a 07 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ENID DÍAZ RÍOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INS-

TANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS LUNA RESIDENTIAL III

LLC

Demandante Vs. TOÑITA QUIÑONES GARCIA Y SU ESPOSO FERNANDO SANCHEZ TORRES Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandado Núm. Caso: CG2019CV04345. Sala: 701. EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA - IN REM. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. A: TOÑITA QUIÑOES GARCIA Y SU ESPOSO FERNANDO SANCHEZ TORRES Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS. EL(LA) SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 13 de enero de 2022, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL INTERINA. ENEIDA ARROYO VÉLEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN

CASCADE FUNDING

MORTGAGE TRUST HB2

Demandante Vs. MERARI DIAZ

SANTANA, POR SÍ Y

LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; LA SUCESION DE ESTEBAN

MORALES CALDERON

COMPUESTA POR JOHN

DOE Y JANE DOE, DEPARTAMENTO DE HACIENDA Y CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS

MUNICIPALES; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA

Demandados

Civil Núm.: TA2022CV00336.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VIA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE INTERPELACIÓN.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: LA SUCESION DE ESTEBAN MORALES CALDERON COMPUESTA

POR MERARI DIAZ

SANTANA, JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS CON INTERÉS EN LA SUCESIÓN.

El Artículo 1578 del Código

Civil de 2020, dispone: “Transcurridos treinta (30) días desde que se haya producido la delación, cualquier persona interesada puede solicitar al tribunal que le señale al llamado un plazo, para que manifieste si acepta la herencia o si la repudia. Este plazo no excederá de treinta (30) días.

El tribunal apercibirá al llamado de que, si transcurrido el plazo señalado no ha manifestado su voluntad de aceptar la herencia o de repudiarla, se dará por aceptada.” Por la presente el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, conforme al Art. 1578, supra, y el caso Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria vs. Latinoamericana de Exportación, Inc., 164 DPR 689 (2005), les ordena que el término de treinta (30) días, hagan declaración aceptado o repudiando la herencia del causante, ESTEBAN MORALES CALDERON. Se les apercibe a los herederos antes mencionados que de no expresarse dentro de ese término de treinta (30) días en torno a la aceptación o repudiación de herencia, la misma se tendrá por aceptada. Los abogados de la parte demandante son:

Lcdo. Andrés Sáez Marrero

T.S.P.R. Núm. 18074

TROMBERG, MORRIS & POULIN, LLC

1515 South Federal Highway, Suite 100 Boca Raton, FL 33432

Tel. 877-338-4101 / Fax: 561-338-4077

prservice@tmppllc.com / asaez@tmppllc.com

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, hoy 1 de febrero de 2023. LCDA.

LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IVETTE M. MARRERO BRA-

CERO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

COOPERATIVA DE AHORRO Y CRÉDITO

JESÚS OBRERO

Demandante Vs. GEORGE

VELÁZQUEZ BONILLA

Demandados

Civil: CG2022CV02234. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: GEORGE

VELÁZQUEZ BONILLA.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 3 de febrero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 7 de febrero de 2023. En CAGUAS, Puerto Rico, el 7 de febrero de 2023.

LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL.

MARTA E. DONATE RESTO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INS-

TANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN

COOPERATIVA DE AHORRO Y CREDITO DE RINCON

Demandante V. DAGMAR

SANTIAGO SOSTRE

Demandado(a)

Civil: TB2021CV00279. Sala:

701. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: DAGMAR SANTIAGO SOSTRE. (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 30 de enero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023.

LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. MARÍA E. COLLAZO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC.

Demandante (a) Vs. CRISTINA ISABEL GONZÁLEZ LÓPEZ; JOHN DOE Y RICHARD DOE COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES DEL PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO

Demandado (a)

Civil Núm.: GB2022CV01058.

Sala: 202. Sobre: SUSTITUCIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: JOHN DOE Y RICHARD DOE COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS DEL PAGARÉ.

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 7 de febrero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una

sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 8 de febrero de 2023. En Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el 8 de febrero de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL INTERINA. ANGELA M. RIVERA HERNÁNDEZ , SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Parte Demandante Vs. JAIME LÓPEZ ACOSTA, CARMEN NEREIDA VARGAS AVILÉS Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: SJ2019CV06847. Sala: 604. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia dictada el 20 de mayo de 2020, la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia del 27 de mayo de 2022 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución del 20 de enero de 2023 en el caso de epígrafe, procederé a vender el día 13 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de San Juan, Sala Superior, en la Avenida Muñoz Rivera, Esquina Coll y Toste, Parada 37, San Juan, Puerto Rico, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda de los Estados Unidos de América, cheque de gerente o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal; todo título, derecho o interés de la parte demandada sobre la siguiente propiedad:

URBANA: PROPIEDAD HO-

RIZONTAL: Condominio Borinquen Tower II. Apartment Num-

ber 1014 is situated on the 10th floor of the building in the section which composes the Eastern part of building. Its consists of an irregular rectangular shaped body, measuring 15 feet 7 inches wide by 31 feet 0 inches long and open balcony 11 feet 11 inches long by 55 inches wide, that is and are of 596 square feet and 1,700 this of another equivalent to 55 square meters and 48 hundredths another. Bounding on the NORTH, with an exterior wall which separates it from common yard on the Northern side of the building; on the SOUTH, with an interior wall which separates it from common public corridor to which the entrance door of the apartment opens, and which an interior wall which separates it from the common public elevators; on the EAST, with a party wall which separates it from apartment 1015; on the WEST, with a party wall which separates it from apartment 1013. This apartment consists of one bedroom which its closet, a hall, 1 bathroom, combination of living-dining room, which five access to the open balcony. Storage closet, kitchen equipped which cabinet and 30 gallons capacity water heater. Le corresponde una participación de 0.3930% en los elementos comunes restringidos de 0.4376%. Inscrita al folio 211 del tomo 762 de Monacillos, Finca Número 23367, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección III. La hipoteca consta inscrita al folio 11 vuelto del tomo 1043 de Monacillos, Finca Número 23367, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección III. Inscripción undécima (11ma). DIRECCIÓN FÍSICA: COND. BORINQUEN TOWER II, 1486 AVE. FD ROOSEVELT, APT. 1014, SAN JUAN, PR 00920-2740. Número de Catastro: 79-062-075-126-43-171. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta será de $108,097.00. De no haber adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA, el 20 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será de dos terceras partes del tipo mínimo fijado en la primera subasta, o sea, $72,064.66. De no haber adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA, el día 28 DE MARZO DE 2023, A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $54,048.50. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si ésta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Dicho remate

se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante el importe de la Sentencia por la suma de $92,559.28 de principal, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 6.5% anual desde el 1 de mayo de 2018 hasta su completo pago, más $526.62 de recargos acumulados, más la cantidad estipulada de $10,809.70 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato del préstamo. Surge del Estudio de Título Registral que sobre esta propiedad pesa el siguiente gravamen posterior que afecta la propiedad que se pretende ejecutar: a. Aviso de Demanda: Pleito seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Vs. Jaime López Acosta y su esposa, Carmen Nereida Vargas Avilés, ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, en el Caso Civil Número SJ2019CV06847, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $92,559.28 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 1 de julio de 2019. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Monacillos. Anotación A. Se notifica al acreedor posterior o a su sucesor o cesionario en derecho para que comparezca a proteger su derecho si así lo desea. Se les advierte a los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como los de Subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en el expediente del caso que obra en los archivos de la Secretaría del Tribunal, bajo el número de epígrafe y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general en Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana; y para su fijación en los sitios públicos requeridos por ley. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate y que la propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores tal como lo expresa la Ley Núm. 2102015. Y para el conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, EXPIDO para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes, el presente Aviso de Pública Subasta en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy 6 de febrero de 2023.

PEDRO HIEYE GONZÁLEZ,

ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

EDWIN G. RODRÍGUEZ LEÓN

Peticionario

EX-PARTE

Civil Núm.: SL2023CV00365. Sala: 603. Sobre: DECLARACIÓN DE MUERTE PRESUNTA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: MIGUEL ÁNGEL RODRÍGUEZ LEÓN.

El Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan dictó la siguiente providencia: “ORDEN DE EMPLAZAMIENTO

POR EDICTO: Atendido el escrito “SOLICITUD DE EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO” presentado por la parte demandante, surge que, la parte demandada no puede ser emplazada por una o más de las causas y razones contempladas por la Regla 4.6 de las Procedimiento Civil. En su consecuencia, este Tribunal declara HA LUGAR la solicitud para emplazar por edicto y ordena a la Secretaría del Tribunal a expedir el correspondiente emplazamiento por edicto para que así se emplace a MIGUEL ÁNGEL RODRÍGUEZ LEON.

La publicación de tal edicto se hará una sola vez, en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico. A su vez, se le advertirá mediante edicto a la parte demandada en cuestión que deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC) al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. poderjudicial.pr/sumac, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Una vez publicado dicho edicto en un periódico de circulación general diaria, dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación, procederá la parte demandante a notificarle a la parte demandada por correo certificado con acuse de recibo a su última dirección conocida, una copia de la Demanda y del Emplazamiento a no ser que se justifique por declaración jurada que a pesar de los esfuerzos razonables realizados, con expresión de éstos, no ha sido posible localizar residencia alguna conocida de dicho demandado, en cuyo caso el Tribunal excusará el cumplimiento de esta

disposición. Transcurridos los treinta (30) días de haberse publicado el edicto sin que la parte notificada compareciese a este Tribunal y a tenor con la Regla 10.1, el caso continuará su trámite. NOTIFÍQUESE. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 2 de febrero de 2023. f/RAÚL A. CANDELARIO LÓPEZ, JUEZ SUPERIOR”. Se le advierte que, si no comparece al Tribunal en el presente caso, enviando copia de su posición a la abogada de la Peticionaria, la Lcda. Lizannette Morales Crespo, PO Box 5272 Carolina, PR 00984-5272, tel. (787) 945-5233, dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación, se dictará Resolución concediendo el remedio solicitado sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPIDO, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 03 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. DIANA C. PÉREZ SIERRA, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE FAJARDO MIGUEL ANGEL MENDEZ CRESPO

Demandante Vs. OSCAR LAFONTAINE; FULANO DE TAL

Demandados Civil Núm.: FA2022CV01214. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: OSCAR LAFONTAINE. CONDOMINIO SANDY HILLS OESTE, APARTAMENTO 11-C-II, LUQUILLO, P.R. 00773; O SEA, LA PARTE CODEMANDADA ARRIBA MENCIONADA. POR LA PRESENTE, se le emplaza y requiere para que presente al Tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los 30 días de haber sido publicado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día de la publicación, notificando copia de la misma al abogado de la parte demandante o a ésta, de no tener representación legal. La demanda promueve la cancelación de una hipoteca por $40,400.00, la cual grava la finca 8244, inscrita al folio 165 del tomo 148 de Luquillo, Registro da la Propiedad de Fajardo. La hipoteca fue constituida mediante la escritura número 69, otorgada en San Juan, P.R., el 28 de abril de 1980, ante el Notario José A. Cestero; y el pagaré, de la misma fecha, por $40,400.00 y garantizado por

folio 136 del tomo 2066 de Ponce, Registro de la Propiedad de Ponce, Sección I, finca número 21405, inscripción 12ma. POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido publicado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día de la publicación. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/ salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. La dirección postal del abogado de la parte demandante es la siguiente:

Lcda. Xana M. Connelly Pagán

Bufete COLLAZO, CONNELLY & SURILLO, LLC

P.O. Box 11550

San Juan, P.R. 00922-1550

Tel. (787) 625-9999

Fax (787) 705-7387

E-mail: xconnelly@lawpr.com

Se le notifica también por la presente que la parte demandante habrá de presentar para su anotación al Registrador de la Propiedad del Distrito en que está situada la propiedad objeto de este pleito, un aviso de estar pendiente esta acción. Para publicarse conforme a la Orden dictada por el Tribunal en un periódico de circulación general. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto que firmo y sello en Ponce, Puerto Rico, hoy 3 de febrero de 2023. Carmen G. Tirú, Secretaria. Mariely Félix Rivera, Secretaria Auxiliar Del Tribunal.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN

TRIAD INVESTMENT, LLC

Demandante Vs. ORIENTAL BANK

COMO SUCESOR EN DERECHO DE R-G

PREMIER BANK; ROSA

L. ANGUEIRA GONZÁLEZ Y GERONIMO VALENTÍN

MONTALVO; RICHARD

DOE COMO DEMANDADO DESCONOCIDO

Demandados

Civil Núm.: BY2023CV00584.

Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EM-

PLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉ-

RICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S. A: RICHARD DOE

COMO DEMANDADO DESCONOCIDO.

Se le emplaza y requiere que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramaiudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Este caso trata sobre Sustitución de Pagaré Extraviado. Se le apercibe que si dejare de hacerlo, se dictará contra usted sentencia en rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle.

Lcdo. Fernando José Rivera Casellas Abogado de la parte demandada Colegiado Núm. 19269 RUA 18246

Urb. Villa Nearez

314 Calle 4 San Juan, PR 00927-5355

Tel. 787-754-7248

Email: fernando@riveraiturbe.com

EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA y Sello del Tribunal, hoy 3 de febrero de 2023. LCDA. LAURA

I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. NEREIDA QUILES SANTANA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL

SUPREMO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA

SUPERIOR DE PONCE BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. LA SUCESIÓN DE BETSY FIGUEROA ROMÁN COMPUESTA

POR: MARGIE

FIGUEROA ROMÁN, MARÍA JOSEFINA

FIGUEROA ROMÁN, MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO LA

SUCESIÓN DE YUYA

FIGUEROA ROMÁN, COMPUESTA POR

SUTANO Y PERENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS LA SUCESION DE RAMÓN A. FIGUEROA ROMÁN, COMPUESTA POR PERENCEJO Y

ZUTANEJO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS

Demandado(a)

Civil: PO2022CV00155. 406.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO, EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: MARGIE FIGUEROA ROMÁN Y MARÍA JOSEFINA

FIGUEROA ROMÁN, HEREDERAS DE BETSY FIGUEROA ROMÁN, A LAS SIGUIENTES DIRECCIONES: EXTENSIÓN VALLE ALTO, M12 CALLE 19, PONCE, PR 00730, EXTENSIÓN

VALLE ALTO, 2310 CALLE PRADOS, PONCE, PR 00730, URB. EXT. VALLE ALTO, 2413 CALLE PRADOS, PONCE, PR 00730-4147 Y 609 AVE

TITO CASTRO, SUITE 112 PMB 305, PONCE, PR 00716-0200.

MENGANO DE TAL COMO POSIBILE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO DE BETSY FIGUERO ROMÁN CON DIRECCIÓN E IDENTIDAD DESCONOCIDA.

SUTANO Y PERENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE YUYA FIGUEROA ROMÁN, PERENCEJO Y ZUTANEJO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE RAMÓN A. FIGUEROA ROMÁN. P/C LCDA. BELMA ALONSO GARCÍA. PO BOX 3922, GUAYNABO PR 00970-3922.

(Nombre de la partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 23 de enero de 2023, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edic-

to. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 6 de febrero de 2023. Ponce, Puerto Rico, el 6 de febrero de 2023. Carmen G. Tirú Quiñones, Secretaria. Mariely Félix Rivera, Secretaria Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO EN EL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE CAROLINA JOSÉ RODRÍGUEZ

Demandante Vs DAMIEN WILLIAM URENA; DEVIN JOEY URENA; DESIREE URENA; DESTINY S. URENA

Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2023CV00013. Sobre: DECLARATORIA DE HEREDEROS; PARTICIÓN DE HERENCIA; DIVISIÓN DE COMUNIDAD; NIVELACIÓN. EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EEUU, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: DAMIEN WILLIAM URENA, 170 BARBEY ST., BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11207; DEVIN JOEY URENA, 170 BARBEY ST., BROOKLYN, N. Y. 11207; DESIREE URENA, 170 BARBEY ST., BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11207; DESTINY S. URENA, 170 BARBEY ST., BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11207.

Por la presente se le notifica que la parte Demandante ha presentado ante este tribunal una Demanda de Declaratoria de Herederos, Partición de Herencia, División de Comunidad y Nivelación. Representa a la parte Demandante la abogada cuyo nombre y dirección se consigna a continuación:

Lcda. Beatriz Cay Vázquez RUA 18,234 P.O. Box 1809, Caguas, Puerto Rico 00726-1809 Tel. (787) 731-0526

Email: beatrizcayvazquez@gmail.com

Se le apercibe que si no compareciere usted a presentar alegación sobre dicha Demanda dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del edicto, podrá dictarse Sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda. Por el presente Edicto se le emplaza y requiere para que conteste la Demanda. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del tribunal, Sala de Carolina y no-

tificándole con copia de dicha contestación a la abogada de la parte demandante. POR ORDEN DEL TRIBUNAL, expido el presente Edicto en Carolina, Puerto Rico hoy día 07 de febrero de 2023. Lcda. Marilyn Aponte Rodríguez, Secretaria Regional. Ruth M. Colón Luciano, Secretaria Auxiliar Del Tribunal.

LEGAL NOTICE

Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de BAYAMON BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante v. HERMENEGILDO MARTINEZ REMIGIO, ISABEL LUISA

MONTAÑEZ ORTIZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR

AMBOS

Demandado(a)

Civil Núm. BY2021CV04025. SALA 506. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA (VIA ORDINARIA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: ISABEL LUISA MONTAÑEZ ORTIZ, POR SI Y COMO REPRESENTANTE DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA CON EL SR. HERMENEGILDO MARTINEZ REMIGIO, A SUS ULTIMAS DIRECCIONES

CONOCIDAS: FISICA: 81 CALLE PALMAS SABANA SECA WARD TOA BAJA, PR 00949; Y POSTAL: PO BOX 926 SABANA SECA, PR 00952 (Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 8 de noviembre de 2022 este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta

notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 10 de febrero de 2023. En BAYAMON, Puerto Rico , el 10 de febrero de 2023.

F/LAURA I. SANTA SANCHEZ, Secretario. F/MARILYN COLON CARRASQUILLO, Secretario Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESIÓN DE ANA

JULIA ROSADO DÍAZ, COMPUESTA

POR: ANA CRISTINA GONZÁLEZ ROSADO Y MIGUEL ÁNGEL

GONZÁLEZ ROSADO, COMO HEREDEROS CONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE ANA JULIA ROSADO DÍAZ; JUAN PASCUAL MUÑOZ, POR CONCEPTO DE USUFRUCTO VIUDAL DE LA CAUSANTE ANA JULIA ROSADO DÍAZ; “JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE” COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE ANA JULIA ROSADO DÍAZ; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandados Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV10370.

Sala: 508. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA “IN REM”. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO E INTERPELACIÓN. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S. S. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO E INTERPELACIÓN DIRIGIDO

A: “JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE” COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE ANA JULIA

ROSADO DÍAZ. 7-E APT.

BLDG. B LOS NARDOS COND., SAN JUAN, PR 00907, Y APT. 7E COND. LOS NARDOS B, SAN JUAN, PR 00907. Queden emplazados, notificados e interpelados, que en este Tribunal se ha radicado Demanda sobre Ejecución de Hipoteca “In Rem” de la que

surge lo siguiente: Que se ha incumplido con las cláusulas de la escritura de hipoteca antes mencionada por haberse dejado de pagar las mensualidades vencidas desde el día 1ro de junio de 2022, adeudándosele a la parte demandante la totalidad de la deuda ascendente a: $34,998.40 por concepto de principal, más los intereses sobre dicha suma a razón del 7.00%, anual desde el 1ro de mayo de 2022, hasta su completo pago, más las primas de seguro hipotecario, recargos por demora y cualesquiera otras cantidades pactadas en la escritura de primera hipoteca, desde la fecha antes mencionada y hasta la fecha del pago total de las mismas, más la suma de $5,500.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y demás créditos accesorios garantizados hipotecariamente. La propiedad hipotecada cuya ejecución se solicita tiene la siguiente descripción y localización: URBANA: Propiedad Horizontal: Condominio Los Nardos. Edificio B apartamento número siete E (7-E) para fines residenciales con un área superficial de setecientos cincuenta y seis pies cuadrados (756.00 p/c). En lindes por el NORTE, en treinta un pies con seis pulgadas (31’ 6”) con una pared que da al patio interior del edificio y en parte al salón de recepción (lobby); por el SUR, hacia donde la puerta principal da entrada de este apartamento en treinta y un pies con seis pulgadas (31’ 6”) con una pared estructural que da al exterior del edificio y al solar donde enclava el mismo; por el ESTE, en veinticuatro pies con seis pulgadas (24’ 6”) con una pared exterior del edificio y al salón donde enclava el mismo y en parte con el apartamento número siete D (7-D) y por el OESTE, en veinticuatro pies con seis pulgadas (24’ 6”) con una pared al exterior del edificio y al solar donde enclava el mismo y en parte con el apartamento número siete F (7-F). Consta este apartamento de sala-comedor, tres cuartos dormitorios con sus respectivos guardarropas, un cuarto de baño y cocina. Tiene un valor de participación en los gastos, dividendos, derechos y deberes sobre los elementos comunes del punto cero uno dos seis cero uno cero por ciento (.0126010%). Inscrita en la finca número 7,984, al folio 120 del tomo 259 de Santurce Sur. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección I de San Juan. La finca antes relacionada se encuentra afectada a un gravamen posterior al que se pretende ejecutar, el cual se describe de la siguiente manera: Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de La Autoridad para el Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico, o a su

orden, por la suma principal de $15,000.00, sin intereses, vencedero el día 24 de mayo de 2012, constituida mediante la escritura número 371, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 25 de mayo de 2004, ante la notario María Isabel García Mantilla, e inscrita al folio 39 del tomo 378 de Santurce Sur, finca número 7,984, inscripción 6ta. Sujeta a Condiciones Restrictivas por un término de 8 años. Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda enmendada incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Además, en cuanto a la interpelación de los herederos del causante, a que dentro del término legal de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la fecha de la notificación de la presente Orden, acepten o repudien la participación que les corresponda en la herencia del causante conforme dispone el Artículo 959 del Código Civil, 31 L.P.R.A. §2787, de no expresarse dentro de ese término de treinta (30) días en torno a su aceptación o repudiación de herencia, se tendrá por aceptada. También se les APERCIBE a los herederos antes mencionados que luego del transcurso del término de treinta (30) días antes señalado contados a partir de la fecha de la notificación de la presente Orden, se presumirá que han aceptado la herencia del causante y, por consiguiente, responden por las cargas de dicha herencia conforme dispone el Artículo 957 del Código Civil, 31 L.P.R.A. §2785. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar y notificar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Los abogados de la parte demandante son:

ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE DEMANDANTE:

Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393

BERMÚDEZ & DÍAZ, LLP

Edificio Ochoa, 500 Calle De La Tanca Suite 209 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901

Tel.: (787) 523-2670 /

Fax: (787) 523-2664

rdíaz@bdprlaw.com

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal, hoy 3 de febrero de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA GENERAL. BRENDA HERNÁNDEZ ZAVALA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

How sports betting upended the economies of Native American tribes

By DAVID W. CHEN, MARK WALKER and KENNETH P. VOGEL

For decades, gambling has been the most important source of income for hundreds of Native American tribes. Now, in many parts of the country, the rapid spread of sports betting and online wagering is threatening to crimp that economic lifeline.

In Florida, the powerful Seminole tribe forged a lucrative deal to exclusively offer sports betting in the state, only to have the deal blocked by a lawsuit from casino companies.

And in Arizona, traditional casinos and sports teams gobbled up 95% of the nascent sports-betting market, which was on display at Sunday’s Super Bowl in Glendale, where fans in attendance could bet on the game for the first time. Tribes that had relied on gambling are now scrounging for scraps; the leader of one tribe said he might have to ration food and water for its impoverished residents.

Tribal gambling took root in the early 1980s after Florida’s Seminole tribe opened a bingo hall, helping to make up for steep Ronald Reagan-era federal budget cuts to Native American tribes. In 1987, the Supreme Court ruled that tribes could conduct gambling on their own lands.

Since then, casino gambling has blossomed into a $39 billion industry for 243 federally recognized tribes in 29 states.

But in 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a federal law banning most sports betting outside Nevada. That prompted three dozen states to authorize sports wagering, including 22 states that have tribal gambling.

The field has been crowded by a combination of fast-growing online platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel and by old-school casino companies such as Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International. Companies have deployed armies of lobbyists, lavished lawmakers with gifts and campaign cash, and at times trotted out questionable data to extract favorable deals in state capitals.

Some tribes are seeing revenue evaporate as giant gambling companies enter the fray. In other situations, tribes are losing their prime position to capitalize on

an expected explosion of all kinds of online gambling.

“The private sector has always wanted what the tribes have,” said W. Ron Allen, president of the Washington Indian Gaming Association and a past president of the National Congress of American Indians. “So they’re looking at ways to try to squeeze the tribes out.”

Jockeying for licenses

In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and established the National Indian Gaming Commission. Tribes were required to strike deals with states — called compacts — and often had to pay a share of revenue to offer certain types of gambling on their lands.

In Arizona, gambling used to be limited to 22 tribes under a 2003 compact. A few years ago, Doug Ducey, the state’s Republican governor at the time, backed by longtime allies from the state’s professional sports teams, pushed for a new agreement that would give teams and commercial casinos the right to open sportsbooks and take mobile wagers.

The biggest tribes were also on board, in part because they could take sports bets and offer a wider menu of casino games such as baccarat, craps and roulette. They were also allowed to build more casinos, which they wanted in order to attract tourism.

Among those who helped design the legislative deal in Arizona was Jeremy Kudon, a lobbyist at the international law firm Orrick who spearheaded a national push on behalf of some of the largest sports-betting platforms and professional sports leagues. A key part of his strategy was trying to broker compromise deals.

Ducey hosted a signing ceremony in April 2021 at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, which is dedicated to American Indian art. Five months later, Arizona went live with sports betting in time for the 2021 NFL season.

The major professional sports teams were guaranteed licenses. They got a head start and spent heavily on attracting customers while partnering with top national commercial casinos.

Conversely, 16 tribes jockeyed for 10 licenses and therefore had to make proposals, to pay a nonrefundable $100,000 application fee and to vet partners before they could even begin trying to attract bettors.

“Quite frankly, we were left behind,” Charlene Jackson, a longtime lawyer for several of the tribes, said before becoming a judge in November.

To date, the five biggest sports-betting companies — FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and Penn Entertainment (Barstool) — have dominated the

market in Arizona.

On Sunday in Glendale, visitors to the Super Bowl were able to place bets at a BetMGM sportsbook that opened next door to State Farm Stadium in September. Playing both sides

The Seminole Nation has come a long way from its bingo hall.

With its distinctive Guitar Hotel at its flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood outside Miami, the Seminoles are described by the federal government as a “thriving self-governing community.” Each tribal member reportedly receives annual dividend payments of $128,000.

So when the Seminoles made a play for sports betting, it seemed like the making of a crowning moment for all Native Americans.

In April 2021, they joined Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, to announce a deal for a new 30-year compact giving them the exclusive right to offer online betting throughout Florida on sports and other games, among other new gambling offerings. In exchange, they would pay the state a minimum of $2.5 billion over the first five years of the compact.

The arrangement would have prevented DraftKings, FanDuel and other commercial gambling companies from launching their own sports-betting platforms in Florida. But the state Legislature and the federal government had to sign off, and a heated lobbying battle ensued.

Lobbyists for DraftKings, under the direction of Kudon, mobilized against the online gambling portions of the compact.

They claimed allowing the tribe to offer online betting throughout the state would violate the 1988 federal law governing tribal gambling, which required that betting covered under the law needed to take place on Native American land. At issue was whether that requirement could be satisfied by locating the computer servers that processed the bets on tribal land, even if the bets were being placed by people all over the state.

The position DraftKings and Kudon took in Florida — that the location of the servers was not sufficient — seemed logically inconsistent with an argument they had used to push for the legalization of online sports betting in New York.

Johnny Lehi Jr., president of the San Juan Southern Paiutes, has had to consider how to provide for the tribe’s residents after it lost a slot machine deal worth up to $7 million yearly.

To meet a provision in the state constitution requiring gambling to occur at state-authorized casinos, Kudon’s team argued that as long as the servers accepting the bets were located at the casinos, that’s where the bets should be deemed to have taken place, regardless of the location of the bettors.

Lawmakers in Florida eventually approved a less ambitious compact, which allowed the Seminoles to exclusively offer in-person and online sports betting but not a full suite of online casino games.

The Seminoles launched online sports betting in No -

vember 2021, but the server argument resurfaced.

A pair of well-connected smaller casinos filed a lawsuit, echoing the argument DraftKings and Kudon had made in Florida. The Seminoles tried a similar rationale to the one that worked in New York — that the location of the servers trumped the location of the bettors — but they were rebuffed.

A judge dismissed the reasoning as “fiction” and nullified the compact. The Seminoles’ promising foray into online sports betting had lasted exactly three weeks. (The tribe has

The Nets fell apart from the top

By SOPAN DEB

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant didn’t trade themselves from the Brooklyn Nets.

They didn’t hire Steve Nash to coach the team, even though he had no experience.

They didn’t trade for — and then trade away — James Harden.

They didn’t sign off on Irving playing only part-time because he would not get the coronavirus vaccine. As players, they couldn’t have done any of those things. But team owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks could. And they did.

Over the past 3 1/2 years, the Nets’ ambitious plans to form a championship-winning superteam have fallen apart in fits and starts, finally imploding last week with the trades of Irving and Durant. Those two superstars had become the faces of the collapse, but the rubble of the franchise may reveal that the problem extends to the foundation — to the people who had the power to avert disaster many times and never did.

During a news conference last Thursday, Marks was asked whether he deemed the Durant and Irving era in Brooklyn a failure.

“I think it would be easy to look in from the outside,” Marks said. “And, you know, honestly, I look at it internally and say, ‘Wow, it didn’t work.’ Like, let’s be honest there. We did not reach the full potential of where we thought we could get to.”

‘We do have the pieces’

In the summer of 2019, Durant and Irving spurned the New York Knicks and joined the Nets in free agency. Tsai, a billionaire co-founder of the Chinese conglomerate Alibaba, assumed full control of the Nets and Barclays Center at a record-setting $2.35 billion team valuation. The Nets were primed to be not just the dominant basketball power in New York, but also in the NBA.

“I think the fans expect that we win a championship,” Tsai said in a YES Network interview months later. “And the good thing is, I believe that we do have the pieces in place.”

A coach with no experience

Coaching is typically considered a crucial piece for superstar-laden teams. Coaches must manage egos, maximize talent and manage workloads, all while winning basketball games. Only Golden State’s Steve Kerr has won a championship as a rookie head coach without having been an assistant coach first.

But for the Nets superteam, Tsai and Marks decided

their head coach would be Nash, who won two MVP awards as an NBA player but had no coaching experience. They drew criticism for overlooking Jacque Vaughn, an experienced Black assistant coach, for Nash, who is white. The hiring, in September 2020, came at a time when only seven of the NBA’s 30 team head coaches weren’t white. Most NBA players are Black.

But Nash and Marks were teammates on the Phoenix Suns, and Nash knew Durant because he consulted for Golden State when Durant played there.

Irving almost immediately undermined Nash during an appearance on Durant’s podcast, saying: “I don’t really see us having a head coach. You know what I mean? K.D. could be a head coach. I could be a head coach.”

The Nets fired Nash in November and hired Vaughn.

Irving vs. Tsai

Nowhere were the cautionary signs for the Nets more clear than in the rift between Tsai and Irving. Irving declined to take the coronavirus vaccine as the 2021-22 season got underway, but Tsai was a vocal proponent of vaccines, telling ESPN that it wasn’t “a matter of belief” but rather a scientific “matter of fact.”

Irving became a liability. He was not allowed to play in home games because of a local vaccine mandate, and he showed no signs of changing his mind. Tsai and Marks allowed him to become a distraction. First, they said he would not be allowed to play in road games either, citing the harm to the organizational culture of having him play only part-time. But just two months later, they changed their minds, even though Irving hadn’t changed his and the team was in first place in the Eastern Conference.

It sent the message that Irving could play by his own rules.

About a year earlier, the Nets acquired Harden from Houston by trading away promising young players. But soon after Irving was allowed to return, Harden stunned the Nets by asking for a trade. Harden later told reporters that Irving’s decision to not get vaccinated had a “very minimal” effect on his trade request, but he acknowledged that “it definitely did impact the team.”

The Nets quickly acquiesced to Harden in February 2022 by trading him to the Philadelphia 76ers, the competitor of his choice, instead of riding out the season, since they were playing well, or giving themselves time to explore all of their options to be sure they were getting the best deal.

Last chance

Even after the Boston Celtics embarrassed the Nets last year by sweeping them in the first round of the playoffs,

appealed.)

Although its current focus is on sports betting, the gambling industry sees online betting on casino games such as slots, blackjack and baccarat as a much bigger prize, because they are far more popular and profitable.

“If the tribes can’t have mobile — which will eventually mean they won’t have online casinos — then you are effectively writing an expiration date on tribal gaming,” said John Holden, a law and business professor at Oklahoma State University.

the Nets still had a shot to fulfill the promise of Durant and Irving this season. The Nets leadership attempted a culture reset — a public display that they would not be pushed around by stars anymore. When asked about Irving receiving a long-term extension, Marks demurred.

“I think we know what we’re looking for,” Marks told reporters in May. “We’re looking for guys that want to come in here and be part of something bigger than themselves.”

After Durant requested a trade in the offseason, Tsai tweeted support for the front office and coaching staff. A few weeks later in August, Durant backed off his request and Marks said the sides had “agreed to move forward with our partnership.”

Then in October, when Irving refused to disavow antisemitism or apologize after posting a link to an antisemitic film on Twitter, Tsai publicly rebuked him and suspended him.

Irving missed eight games. But when he returned, the Nets showed their tantalizing potential once again, going 18-2 in one stretch, only to unravel again as Durant got injured and Irving’s contract-extension talks fell apart and he asked to be traded.

“I want to be in a place where I’m celebrated and not just tolerated or just kind of dealt with in a way that doesn’t make me feel respected,” Irving said last Tuesday, a day after the Nets traded him to the Dallas Mavericks.

Two days later, the Nets traded Durant, too, to Phoenix. “We believe making this trade now positions the franchise for long-term success,” Marks said last Thursday in a statement.

Joe Tsai had dreams of a championship when he assumed full control of the Nets in 2019, but a series of missteps has undermined his plans.

A skeptic in football paradise

By KURT STREETER

It hasn’t been easy being a skeptic this past week, in this desert city, before the biggest sporting event on the American calendar.

Consider Damar Hamlin. The NFL wasn’t about to let anyone forget him, especially not during the glitz-andglam run-up to the Super Bowl.

The young Buffalo Bills defensive back nearly died before our collective eyes on a cold Cincinnati night just six weeks ago. Who among us wasn’t pulling and praying for him? Who hasn’t seen the glimpses of his recovery and felt deep relief and joy?

The NFL never misses an opportunity to gild its image, even if that means promoting the fortunate outcome of a near tragedy. The league made sure Hamlin showed up in Phoenix. Sure enough, there he was Wednesday, accepting a community service award from the players’ union, dressed in a red suit, looking confident and sure.

And there he was again Thursday, at a red carpet NFL gala, standing in front of the trainers and doctors who saved his life. He thanked them, and spoke of continuing his quest to be a beacon of hope.

“I have a long journey ahead,” he said, “a journey full of unknowns and a journey full of milestones, but it’s a lot easier to face your fears when you know your purpose.”

I’m calloused about the NFL. But watching Hamlin in person Wednesday, I felt goose bumps. I could see a woman nearby shedding a tear.

What a narrative arc.

The NFL is more than a sports league. It is a narrative-spinning factory churning out gift-wrapped stories that drive its popularity and obscure its faults. Hamlin’s appearance in Phoenix was the perfect, made-for-streaming NFL plot point: a tragedy-turned-miracle wrapped in a bow and beamed to the world during Super Bowl media week.

The ugly violence that leaves many of the league’s players with debilitating damage? Hey, look over here on this stage — a fallen hero in the flesh, sending his appreciation and love.

All of the league’s other nettlesome problems? Well, why talk about all that when there’s another corporate-sponsored jubilee to attend.

So, yes, I’m dubious about football — and not just because I’m a reporter whose job requires skepticism.

I’m the father of a 12-year-old. I will never let him play the game, not given what is known about brain trauma. I’m an African American disgusted by the league’s failure to hire Black head coaches and stung by the fact that it took until 2023 for two Black quarterbacks to lead their teams in the Super Bowl. The league’s penchant for brushing misogyny under the rug is a stain I cannot abide.

That said, I’m no different from many other skeptics. I love the game, detest the game and am conflicted by the game. The NFL has a way of pulling me in. It’s the spectacle — the choreographed beauty and drama, the marvel of teams trying to find control amid utter chaos.

I know I’m hardly alone, even if, walking among the crowds at the multitude of fan events in sun-scorched Phoenix, being a doubter felt more than a little lonely.

The league adds to its reach and selfserving mythology by setting up camp at each year’s Super Bowl. It makes each host city its own: a traveling football road show that clamps down on a metropolis like an

occupying army.

Phoenix and its flat maze of suburbs saw it all this week. Fan fests. Mixers. Photo ops. Award shows. Flag football. School visits sponsored by the NFL and “farm-to-table” meals sponsored by the Super Bowl host committee. Entire blocks felt like they were sponsored by Tostitos.

The light and airy mood of celebration works to hide the NFL’s woes.

My cynical side says this season should be forever remembered for how it made us think about the harm players face on the field, sometimes with terrible effects that are immediately obvious, at other times with terrible effects that might not show up for years.

In my view, no matter how Sunday’s game turns out, this will always be the season of Hamlin and Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback who sustained multiple concussions and became the latest example of the game’s risk to the brain. The image of Tagovailoa taking a hit so hard that his entire body seemed to convulse in a severe spasm should remain scorched into our

collective memory.

The horror of those injuries, especially Hamlin’s near death, forced us to step back and take another look at the game and its costs.

But not so fast. Super Bowl week, as it does every year, got in the way, pushing the narrative in another direction.

It wasn’t only Hamlin’s appearance with his caregivers in tow. The league positioned itself as above the fray by offering free lessons to the public in CPR. The NFL commissioner gushed about the readiness of the league’s training staff for treating catastrophic injury.

As I walked the streets and talked to fans at the sprawling football-themed carnivals in downtown Phoenix, Hamlin and Tagovailoa were rarely mentioned. When I prodded, I was often told about the power of prayer and the significance of miracles, that Hamlin’s brush with death was merely a freak thing, that quarterbacks like Tagovailoa know the risks, so, hey, what to do?

“I know it’s a dangerous game,” one fan told me. “It’s probably more dangerous than I know or want to see. And I don’t ever plan to stop watching.”

Fans took in some of the N.F.L.’s Super Bowl pregame events on Saturday, including an oversize replica of the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

How to Play:

Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.

Sudoku Rules:

Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Crossword

Crossword #73J6RGD9

1.

Wordsearch

2. Ipecac, for one

Aries (Mar 21-April 20)

You may want things to happen faster than is possible, Aries. You have a naturally impatient streak anyway, but today’s Moon/Uranus face-off, could find you eager to make a running jump when a steady approach would be better. This can also apply to spending money on a whim, when you might not even use what you’ve bought. Slow down, and you’ll make better choices.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

As Mercury moves further away from Pluto, you’ll be less inclined to obsess over someone or something, and more likely to go with the flow. This relaxed approach means answers, or the thing itself, will show up faster. The more you crave it, the more you stop it from reaching you. Be open and calm and it will come to you, rather than you having to chase after it, Taurus.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

You could find it easier to support others with their ideas than it is to work towards your own. As sweet Venus moves closer to compassionate Neptune, you might even be willing to make a sacrifice if someone would benefit. And yet this is a good time for dreaming your own dreams, and getting clear on what you want to accomplish. Be kind, but don’t dismiss your own goals.

Cancer (June 22-July 23)

With Pluto in the last degree of your sector of relating, the coming weeks could see you letting go of an aspect of the past to embrace a better future. This might mean rewriting the script concerning a key relationship, enabling it to strengthen. Plus, there’s potential for a decision that can see you forging ahead with a bold and innovative idea, and finally finding your feet, Cancer.

Leo (July 24-Aug 23)

With the Moon opposing rebellious Uranus in your sector goals, you may be more than ready for a break, and it could come at a time when you seem to have more responsibilities than ever. Too much work is not sustainable Leo, and this temporary aspect reminds you that life is a balance. Planning your getaway now, with or without company, could be just the tonic you need.

Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 23)

If you’re offered a new opportunity, be sure it’s the right one for you. No matter how busy your schedule, making time to sit quietly and see the bigger picture, can be helpful. Due to unsettled energies, you may feel you have to do something now, right away. Yet a few minutes to indulge a creative hobby or to go for a walk might be therapeutic, and help you find greater clarity, Virgo.

Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

If a family matter recently came to a head, then you may seek solace from friends, rather than those in your clan. If you need a break to think things through, then a coffee and a heart-to-heart could help you get your bearings. When you feel ready, you can return to the domestic scene with fresh suggestions. You’ll know what to do, and why it’s likely to succeed, Libra.

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

The coming weeks can see you taking stock of what you own, and making some big decisions. This may not be easy, especially if you feel an attachment to certain things, even those you have hardly used or worn. And yet the current line-up could see you being more ruthless. If you can sell a lot of it for a good price and recoup the cash, there’s so much you could use if for, Scorpio.

Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

With Mercury strolling through your communication sector, you may be ready to set your world to rights. This influence encourages you to think out of the box, and to embrace edgier ideas and solutions. Plus, a Moon/Uranus link, suggests you may feel it’s your duty to follow a trusted method. But what if a new formula or plan worked even better? It’s worth having a go, Archer.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)

Want something exciting to happen? Go exploring, and try out experiences that will give you a boost. And if it involves a small risk, so much the better. Diving into the unknown will infuse you with the feeling of being more alive. The secret is to do this regularly and new doors will open, Capricorn. You’ll get to love that feeling when you’ve no idea what will happen next.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19)

Energy and enthusiasm may produce positive results, when it comes to your social life and the chance to make an impact. If you’ve been meaning to host an event, whether a small get-together or something bigger, it could go down well. The Sun and Mercury in your sign, may bring out your best qualities, so you’ll have the attractor factor. Expect something exciting to happen!

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Your heart may melt at someone’s predicament Pisces, which could mean that you agree to do something for them that isn’t of any benefit to you. Still, today’s Moon/Uranus opposition could be the push you need to disentangle yourself. Think about using your precious time for ideas and goals that are important to you. It’s time to look after yourself as well as others.