Thursday May 18, 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.

Vázquez Garced denies ‘supplemental facts’ raised by Venezuelan banker in motion for dismissal

By THE STAR STAFF

Lawyers for former governor Wanda Vázquez Garced on Wednesday denied “supplemental facts” raised byVenezuelan financier Julio HerreraVelutini in his motion to dismiss.

Herrera Velutini, the owner of Bancrédito International Bank & Trust, and Mark Rossini, a financial consultant, sought to join Vázquez’s request to dismiss criminal charges against them for alleged corrupt acts.

The former governor’s lawyers said HerreraVelutini correctly alerted the court to two decisions from the Supreme Court and the First Circuit published after Vázquez filed her motion that continue a clear trend over the past 15 years in appellate courts, and especially the Supreme Court, rejecting the government’s aggressive theories of honest-services fraud.

However, Vázquez, the lawyers said, rejects and denies the “supplemental facts” included by Herrera Velutini in his motion.

According to Herrera Velutini’s motion, the “indictment alleges that a core development in the purported bribery scheme occurred … at a wedding attended by both Ms. Vázquez and Mr. Herrera.”

“Herrera mistakenly states that “according to the indictment, during the wedding, Ms. Vázquez was offered general support for a potential election campaign, but that she had to resolve ongoing issues with OCIF [Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions] to obtain that support,” the lawyers said.

“This is a total mischaracterization of the allegations included in the Indictment,” the ex-governor’s lawyers said. “The indictment does not allege that Ms. Vázquez was offered general support for a potential election campaign at the wedding. Notably, Mr. Herrera failed to provide any citation to the Indictment that supports his offhand conclusion that Vázquez ‘0was offered general support’ during the wedding. If he wishes to concede that point, so be it. But his concession is solely his, not Vázquez-Garced’s.”

In contrast, Vázquez’s memorandum was very carefully drafted, and every factual allegation had a corresponding citation to the indictment, the lawyers noted. Vázquez noted in her memorandum that the indictment does allege that at some point during the wedding, a John Blakeman sent a text message to Herrera Velutini stating that Vázquez would win the election if she had “the support from you all,” to which Herrera responded that she “has it. In this table she already has 2MM,” but, “she ha[d] to resolve” ongoing issues with respect to the longstanding mismanagement and abuses of OCIF.

“However, and crucially, the Indictment does not detail any conversations between Herrera and Vázquez during the wedding, much less that Herrera offered her ‘general support’ for her election campaign or that they agreed on an explicit quid pro quo relating to campaign funding,” the lawyers said.

“In fact, the Indictment does not allege that anyone at the wedding, including the other ‘billionaire[s]’ in attendance, agreed to contribute any money to her primary campaign or participate in any unlawful quid pro quo arrangement. The Indictment does allege that John Blakeman and Herrera exchanged text

messages during the wedding stating that they should support Vázquez if she resolved the ongoing issues with OCIF. But those conversations, as alleged by the Government, were between Blakeman and Herrera – no one else. The Government is not alleging – because it cannot – that Vázquez-Garced had any knowledge of the back-and-forth texting between Blakeman and Herrera.”

“Any potential criminal liability resulting from those text messages is attributable solely to Blakeman and Herrera,” the lawyers added. “Vázquez can only be criminally liable for her own actions, not the back-and-forth scheming between Blakeman and Herrera.”

Herrera Velutini also argues that the Indictment “ignores” that there were legitimate reasons for terminating former OCIF head George Joyner.

“Those ‘legitimate reasons’ are, however, not alleged in the indictment. And, while they may certainly be raised at trial, it is improper to raise them in a motion to dismiss an indictment,” Vázquez’s lawyers said.

According to the indictment, from December 2019 through June 2020, Vázquez allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme with various individuals, including Herrera Velutini, Frances Díaz, Rossini, and John Blakeman to finance Vázquez’s 2020 gubernatorial election campaign.

According to the indictment, beginning in 2019, Herrera Velutini’s bank was the subject of an examination by OCIF, a regulatory agency that oversees financial institutions operating in Puerto Rico. Through intermediaries, Herrera Velutini and Rossini allegedly promised to provide funding to support Vázquez’s 2020 gubernatorial election campaign in exchange for Vázquez terminating the OCIF commissioner and appointing a new commissioner of Herrera Velutini ’s choosing. The indictment alleges that Vázquez accepted the offer of a bribe and, in February 2020, took official action to demand the resignation of the OCIF commissioner and, in May 2020, to appoint a former consultant for the international bank owned by Herrera Velutini – who had been personally selected by Herrera Velutini. In return, Herrera and Rossini allegedly paid more than $300,000 to political consultants in support of Vázquez’s campaign.

Vázquez, Herrera Velutini and Rossini are each charged with conspiracy, federal programs bribery, and honest services wire fraud.

Former Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) and the Citizen Victory Movement (MVC) filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the prohibition of electoral alliances in Puerto Rico.

“The PIP and the MVC appear before the Court to correct the statutory wrong that the Electoral Code has inflicted on Puerto Rican democracy,” attorney Carlos Gorrín Peralta said at a press conference.

Another attorney, José Javier Lamas, argued that the prohibitions imposed in the Electoral Code “create a series of unconstitutional conditions that impose onerous burdens on the exercise of fundamental rights of political parties and their members.”

The ban on electoral alliances in

Puerto Rico has been in effect since 2011. According to the PIP and MVC, it limits the ability of political parties to form coalitions and field candidates representing a variety of viewpoints.

In the lawsuit filed in Superior Court, the parties allege that the ban violates various constitutional rights of political parties, their members and voters.

“The current ban unfairly limits the freedom of association of the Electoral Commissioner,” argued Yanira Reyes Gil, representing the MVC electoral commissioner.

For some time, the PIP and the MVC have been discussing joining forces and running together in the next election. Such political alliances are formed in many countries. However, the Electoral Code prohibits political coalitions in Puerto Rico.

By THE STAR STAFF

New Progressive Party Sen. Keren Riquelme Cabrera urged the Senate on Wednesday to approve Bill 843, which establishes an alternative expedited adjudication process to address disputes in condominiums, including complaints filed by apartment owners against a complex’s board of directors.

“We continue to receive complaints from condominium owners about the complaint adjudication processes,” said Riquelme, who authored the measure. “We understand that the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) has been doing a good job in this sense under the current parameters; unfortunately, this structure does not allow an expeditious adjudication of complaints, [but] Senate Bill 843 does. I call on the leadership of the Popular Democratic Party in the Senate to give way to the measure as a matter of urgency.”

The bill was filed on April 5, 2022 and since the 19th of that month it has been in the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Essential Services and Consumer Affairs.

The measure creates an Alternate Expe-

dited Adjudication Process, which is similar to the judicial process of summary judgment. The expedited process would remain under the jurisdiction of DACO as the administrative forum in the first instance, and provides a strict term of up to 60 days from the filing of the complaint to resolve the controversy.

The owner who uses the process would be required to present his or her case in such a way that it places DACO in a position to have all the evidence and documentation necessary to elucidate the controversy without the need to require testimony or additional significant evidence.

If the 60-day term to resolve a case submitted through the Alternate Expedited Adjudicative Process is breached, the complainant may file a challenge action in court.

“The experience has been sad,” Riquelme said. “The delay, in many cases of years, in the resolution of the controversies presented by the owners of apartments … against the owners councils or the boards of directors is the cause of constant complaints. Every day we receive the same complaint. Plunged into despair at finding themselves deprived of an agile forum to solve their problems, these residents demand legislative action so that

Attorney Carlos Gorrín Peralta

the Superior Court is invested with primary jurisdiction over these cases.”

horizontal property regime. The statute retained that adjudicative scheme for the resolution of controversies in condominiums with at least one apartment dedicated to housing, with the DACO as the primary and exclusive forum.

Senate Bill 843 creates an “Alternate Expedited Adjudication Process,” similar to the judicial process of summary judgment, which would remain under the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Affairs as the administrative forum in the first instance, and provides a strict term of up to 60 days from the filing of the complaint to resolve the dispute.

Senator urges passage of bill that would expedite dispute resolution process in condos

PIP, MVC go to court to challenge ban on political alliances

PREPA FY24 budget for generation, T&D set at $1.3 billion

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s (PREPA) budget for the generation and transmission & distribution (T&D) systems has been put at $1.3 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which starts July 1.

The information appears in a resolution filed by LUMA Energy on May 16 with the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau.The breakdown of the FY24 budgets consists of $651 million for T&D, $345 million for generation and the HoldCo division, and $304 million for other items, according to the 441-page resolution. The generation systems are under Genera PR, a subsidiary of New Fortress Energy.

In addition, the report includes about $64 million for bankruptcy costs.

The $651 million budget for the T&D system, whose operator is LUMA Energy, is divided into $560 million for operating expenses and $91 million for capital expenditure (CapEx) projects without federal funding. The company also expects to receive $803 million in FY24 to fund CapEx projects.

Genera and PREPA prepared the $345 million budget for generation and the HoldCo division. Of that amount, about $316 million will go to the operation of the generation system, the report says.

About $304 million is listed as other expenses under $129 million, and $53 million will be used to pay LUMA and Genera PR their respective service fees for operating PREPA. The annual budgets for operating PREPA’s generation and T&D systems should increase to $1.34 billion and $1.36 billion in FY25 and FY26, respectively.

RFP issued for telecommunications infrastructure resiliency projects

By THE STAR STAFF

Enrique Völckers-Nin, executive director of the Smart Island program, announced Wednesday the publication of a request for proposals (RFP) seeking projects to facilitate reliable and resilient power and reinforced

infrastructure for key telecommunications facilities.

The goal is to minimize the loss of internet connectivity and telecommunications in Puerto Rico. The deadline for the RFP is June 2, 2023.

The projects presented to implement the systems in this first phase, which has an allocation of $15 million, must be designed for swift implementation, Völckers-Nin said in a written statement.

“We all know that the energy and telecommunications infrastructure in Puerto Rico faces great challenges,” he said. “The Government of Puerto Rico has directed various projects focused on strengthening these systems, and with this RFP we seek to identify those proponents that can both develop and implement projects that allow us to maintain a robust and resilient infrastructure.”

He added that “we all remember that after Hurricane Maria, we were left incommunicado.”

“Governor Pedro Pierluisi has been emphatic that this situation cannot be repeated and it is crucial to prioritize the development of resilient energy and infrastructure that can withstand these challenges and keep our communities connected, informed and safe, ultimately improving the overall quality of the Internet connectivity of Puerto Ricans, especially in times of disaster,” Völckers-Nin said. “This grant program also covers security infrastructure for key telecommunications sites.”

The proposals must include details on the design and installation of projects that can provide uninterrupted power to telecommunications facilities, as well as their fuel storage and distribution systems with a minimum capacity of 10 days of continuous operation. Also included must be details on the implementation and operation of monitoring and control systems that can remotely monitor the performance of the power infrastructure and detect any problems before they cause service interruptions.

Likewise, the proposals must contain information

on the development and execution of training for the proponent’s technical personnel on the operation and maintenance of the resilient energy infrastructure, as well as details on the design and implementation of the security infrastructure in the installation of telecommunications, among other details.

Funding for the program comes from the Puerto Rico Broadband or Smart Island Program, under the Office of Management and Budget. Smart Island was created by Pierluisi through Executive Order 2022-40 on July 11, 2022. The main purpose of the program is to coordinate, authorize and execute the disbursement of local and federal funds allocated to the construction of broadband infrastructure in Puerto Rico.

Those interested in submitting proposals should do so through https://www.smartisland.pr.gov/rfps/resilient-power-and-hardening. More information about the Puerto Rico Broadband Program can be found at smartisland.pr.gov (https://www.smartisland.pr.gov/).

The $651 million budget for the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system, whose operator is LUMA Energy, is divided into $560 million for operating expenses and $91 million for capital expenditure (CapEx) projects without federal funding.

Enrique Völckers-Nin, executive director of the Smart Island program

Forensic sciences director stresses talent retention in budget request

By THE STAR STAFF

Institute of Forensic Sciences (ICF by its Spanish initials) Executive Director Dr. María S. Conte Miller appeared before the Finance and Budget Committee in the island House of Representatives on Wednesday to defend the institute’s request for a budget of $25 million for the new fiscal year 2023-2024, which begins July 1.

The ICF budget request represents a difference of $6 million over the item recommended by the Financial Oversight and Management Board for the entity.

“Although our budget request exceeds the items recommended by the Board, we are in open communication and collaboration to join forces and seek alternatives,” Conte Miller said.

Conte Miller’s presentation highlighted that although the ICF has received the oversight board’s attention, “the salary adjustment that has been implemented is still below the expectation of wage justice.”

At the same time, however, Conte Miller acknowledged that the oversight board’s items, which allowed an adjustment

of $650 per month to scientific personnel, “has been very positive for retaining talent by observing that resignations have decreased and stability is maintained in the ICF workforce.”

The ICF reported that the request for $25 million is distributed as follows: $16,102,000 for payroll and related costs; $4,723,000 for operating expenses; $1,823,000 for utility

and $2,380,000 for Pay-As-You-Go (retirement system).

payments;

The primary responsibility of the ICF lies in the need to retain a specialized workforce. Compared to last fiscal year, the ICF requested an increase of $3.8 million “for compliance with the objective of providing fair compensation to our professionals to promote job stability and the retention of the best talent, stopping the exodus that affects us so much and that bleeds the treasury to have spent resources in training, and training to deliver them to other jurisdictions of the United States,” Conte Miller said.

“As part of the goal of retaining our talent, we plan to continue recruiting 25 additional front office positions at a cost of $1,113,196.20 in marginal salaries and benefits,” she said.

The human capital to be recruited is: three forensic pathologists, three chemists, two laboratory technicians, 10 forensic investigators, five autopsy room assistants and two evidence control and custody technicians.

In defense of the budget increase, Conte Miller insisted that recruiting staff without improving compensation “produces a vicious circle in the face of the reality of the brain drain.”

Town-level anti-gender violence initiative to launch in August

By THE STAR STAFF

The Coordinadora Paz para las Mujeres, the Puerto Rico Shelter Network and the League of Cities will launch the Violet Flag Project in August, an initiative to address gender-based violence at the local level.

“We recognize the importance of addressing gender-based violence at the local level since municipalities are the government entities that offer direct attention to citizens,” Camila Vélez Agosto of the League of Cities said in a written statement.

“It is of utmost importance that mayors begin to shape offices with personnel specialized in providing services to

victims of gender-based violence and counseling,” Gurabo Mayor Rosachely Rivera Santana said.

The project, which will run until November, aims to strengthen structures that prevent and address gender-based violence in Puerto Rico’s municipalities.

Towns that meet various requirements will be awarded a Violet Flag, symbolizing their commitment to the most vulnerable communities.

“For us it is urgent that in municipal spaces training focused on various issues related to equity be presented,” said Vilma González Castro, executive director of Coordinadora Paz para las Mujeres.

HUD raises income limits for aid-eligible island homebuyers

By THE STAR STAFF

Housing Secretary William Rodríguez Rodríguez announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) raised the income limits established to receive various types of federal aid, which will result in more people being able to obtain assistance for housing.

The increase comes after repeated calls from different sectors in Puerto Rico and the efforts of Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia along with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, who after her visit to the island promised to review the Table of Income Limits used by the local government to administer assistance programs.

“We appreciate the efforts of Secretary Fudge and this new

update that allows us to expand the benefit to more people,” Rodríguez said. “With this new outlook, we renew our commitment to continue working for those in need and thus complete the total recovery of our island. The 2023 table increases the income limits we had over the past year, the effect of which translates into more assistance opportunities for families who need to buy or live in a safe and dignified home.”

The new version of the Table of Income Limits for Puerto Rico in 2023 will have effects on the Home Buyer Assistance (HBA) program, which is administered by the island Housing Department in collaboration with the Housing Finance Authority. In addition, the changes have an effect on the Public Housing Administration and the Section 8 voucher program.

The 2023 version of the Table of Income Limits, available on the huduser.gov website, increases the median household

income for an individual to $50,400 annually, up from last year’s $46,650 limit. This estimate increases as the family composition increases to $95,050 for a family of eight.

“This news is particularly important at this time because just a few weeks ago we increased the HBA budget by injecting an additional $200 million so that more Puerto Ricans can buy their own home with up to $60,000 in aid,” Rodriguez said.

The secretary’s remarks also came after announcing that more than 6,000 people have already purchased a home with the assistance of the program, with over $200 million having been disbursed in the island real estate sector.

The HBA program, launched in 2019, provides funding to cover costs related to the purchase of a property. Assistance is provided to low- and moderate-income individuals who want to be buyers of a primary residence.

Institute of Forensic Sciences Executive Director Dr. María Conte Miller

Vilma González Castro, executive director of Coordinadora Paz para las Mujeres

No deal on debt limit for Biden and GOP, but signs of hope arise

By ZOLAN KANNO-YOUNGS and CATIE EDMONDSON

President Joe Biden and congressional leaders in both parties emerged from a White House meeting earlier this week offering glimmers of hope about eventually reaching a deal to raise the nation’s borrowing limit, even as they conceded they were still far from averting a default that could come as soon as June 1.

With time dwindling to strike a compromise that could make it through Congress in time to avoid an economic catastrophe, Biden said he would cut short a diplomatic trip to Asia to be on hand for a potential breakthrough. Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said it was possible that such a deal could materialize within days now that the president had agreed to dispatch his top advisers for stepped-up negotiations.

“We just finished another good, productive meeting with our congressional leadership about a path forward to make sure that America does not default on its debt,” Biden said after the hourlong session in the Oval Office.

McCarthy told reporters that he could see a deal reached “by the end of the week” — a marked change in tone after he had lamented the state of the talks just hours earlier. He exulted in a news release after the meeting that “negotiations are happening.”

Still, he acknowledged that talks about spending cuts remained far apart and made it clear that the two sides had yet to agree on any policy proposals.

Republicans and Democrats had both signaled that they saw the session on Tuesday as a make-or-break moment — much more significant than a similar gathering at the White House a week ago and more urgent with just 16 days before the country is projected to default on its debt.

The meeting also appeared to wipe away any pretense by Democrats that they would accept only a clean debt limit increase without conditions from House Republicans. For weeks, Biden has maintained that negotiating over cuts must not be a condition for raising the limit and avoiding

what could be a catastrophic default.

But on Tuesday, both Democratic leaders from New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader, told reporters at the White House that passing a bipartisan bill in both chambers was the only way forward.

“Hakeem and I are committed to getting that bipartisan bill done,” Schumer said. “We will not sacrifice our values,” he added. “They’ll probably not sacrifice their values. But we’ll have to come together on something that can avoid default. Default is a disaster.”

The meeting came a day after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reiterated that the United States could run out of money to pay its bills by June 1 if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt limit, the statutory cap on how much the government can borrow to finance its obligations. Economists say that could eliminate jobs and cause a recession.

The government reached the $31.4 trillion debt limit on Jan. 19, and the Treasury Department has been using a series of accounting maneuvers to keep paying its bills.

Yellen warned on Tuesday that the United States faced “an economic and financial catastrophe” if it defaulted and said the standoff over the debt limit was already affecting financial markets and households.

“We are already seeing the impacts of brinkmanship,” Yellen said in remarks at the Independent Community Bankers of America summit meeting.

As Tuesday’s meeting started, Biden joked to reporters that “we’re having a wonderful time — everything’s going well.”

But the session concluded without a breakthrough, even as broad areas of negotiation have emerged in recent days, including fixed caps on federal spending, reclaiming unspent funds designated for the COVID-19 emergency, stiffer work requirements for federal benefits and expedited permitting rules for energy projects.

McCarthy commended Biden for designating two officials to negotiate directly with his office and with Rep. Garret

Graves of Louisiana, one of McCarthy’s top lieutenants. Biden picked his senior adviser, Steve Ricchetti, and Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, according to people familiar with his choices.

“The structure of how we negotiate has improved,” McCarthy said. “It now gives you a better opportunity, even though we only have a few days to get it done.”

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, said on Tuesday that Biden “will not accept proposals that take away people’s health care, health coverage.”

Administration officials have said they will not roll back any of the president’s signature legislation, particularly on climate change.

As the talks appeared to gain some momentum, Biden said he would cut short an overseas diplomatic trip to Asia to be back in Washington for what he called “final negotiations” with congressional leaders. The president will still leave on Wednesday for Hiroshima, Japan, to attend the Group of 7 meeting there, but he will return Sunday, skipping planned visits to Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Economists on Wall Street and in the White House have warned that a prolonged default could wipe out jobs and lead

the country into a recession.

Democrats said earlier in the day on Tuesday that they were awaiting the outcome of the meeting to determine how aggressively to push on an emergency plan they have been preparing for months to try to steer around opposition from Republican leaders and force a debt limit increase vote.

Starting Tuesday, they have the opportunity to round up signatures for a special discharge petition that would automatically prompt such a vote if they won support from a majority of members of the House. Democrats would need at least five Republicans to join them to reach the necessary threshold of 218, and winning them over would be extremely difficult unless the crisis were at its peak. Lawmakers also said there was increasing talk of Biden invoking the 14th Amendment of the Constitution to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, a move they acknowledged would draw a legal challenge — and which Yellen has questioned — but could still avert economic disaster.

With so much uncertainty, Senate Democrats were also weighing whether they would be able to take a weeklong recess scheduled to begin on Monday, before the Memorial Day weekend.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) leaves after speaking to reporters after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington, May 16, 2023.

DeSantis goes 0-for-2 on election night

By NICHOLAS NEHAMAS and SHANE GOLDMACHER

On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida went out on a limb. On Tuesday, it snapped.

A day after he swooped into the Republican primary for Kentucky governor with a last-minute endorsement — a move that turned the race into an obvious proxy fight between himself and former President Donald Trump — DeSantis watched his chosen candidate lose in a landslide to the Trump-backed rival.

To make matters worse for DeSantis, a Republican he had endorsed conceded to a Democratic opponent in the mayor’s race in Jacksonville, the largest city in his state.

DeSantis’ preparations to enter the 2024 primary are intensifying. He has held a series of private dinners in Tallahassee with top donors, and on Tuesday he took a direct shot at Trump over his dodging whether he would sign a sixweek abortion ban.

But on Monday, DeSantis made a lastminute endorsement and robocall for Kelly Craft, a former United Nations ambassador under Trump and a member of a Republican megadonor family.

The move confounded Kentucky Republicans and those working for her rivals: While Craft spent heavily on the race, polls had suggested she was headed for defeat to Daniel Cameron, the state’s attorney general, an ally of Sen. Mitch McConnell who had garnered Trump’s endorsement in June 2022. Representatives for DeSantis declined to comment.

“Kelly shares the same vision we do in Florida,” DeSantis said in a recording that was sent to Republican voters on the eve of the primary.

It ended up being far from close. With nearly 90% of ballots counted, she was in a distant third, earning just 17% of the vote to Cameron’s 47%.

“Let me just say,” Cameron said in his victory speech, “the Trump culture of winning is alive and well in Kentucky!”

His choice of words was telling: As DeSantis nears the announcement of a presidential campaign, his stump speech has often called on the Republican Party to end its “culture of losing” during the Trump era. On Monday, the phrase was splashed across the front page of The Des Moines Register after the governor campaigned in Iowa over the weekend.

The Trump team cheered Cameron’s line. In fact, one of Trump’s top advisers, Chris LaCivita, had presaged it less than an hour before Cameron spoke. When the race was called, LaCivita wrote on Twitter, “so much for the #alwaysbackdown culture of winning.”

Never Back Down is the name of the main super political action committee backing DeSantis. One of that super PAC’s top strategists is Jeff Roe, whose consulting firm also worked for Craft.

The unsuccessful election-eve endorsement of Craft was similar to the last-minute backing that DeSantis gave to Harmeet Dhillon in the race to lead the Republican National Committee in January.

DeSantis called for “new blood” the day before that vote. The incumbent, Ronna McDaniel, won easily the next day.

Meanwhile, DeSantis’ night did not get better in Jacksonville, where Daniel Davis, the Republican endorsed by the governor, lost to Donna Deegan, a Democrat, for an open seat. DeSantis had provided little support to Davis beyond his endorsement, not visiting the city to campaign. Early results showed Deegan leading Davis with roughly 52% of the vote.

Jacksonville has had Republican mayors for most of the last 30 years.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is expected to announce a presidential campaign soon.

North Carolina legislature reapproves abortion ban, overriding governor’s veto

By KATE KELLY

North Carolina’s Republican-dominated legislature upheld a bill Tuesday night that will ban most abortions after 12 weeks, overriding the Democratic governor’s recent veto of the new restrictions.

The success of the override was a victory for Republicans and a critical test of their new, but slim, supermajority. The vote, taken in both chambers in back-toback sessions, means a dramatic change for abortion access in North Carolina, where abortion is currently legal up to 20 weeks. The vote also restricts access for women across the South, some of whom have traveled to North Carolina for abortions from states where the procedure is largely banned.

The new law is set to take effect July 1.

The vote came just days after Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill at a raucous rally near the legislative building in Raleigh, and after a public campaign to pressure Republican lawmakers to vote against the ban.

Given the Republican supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature, the override was not entirely a surprise. But it was also not assured. Just one vote could have tipped the outcome.

The Senate voted in favor of the override, and the House took up the bill about an hour later. Immediately after the House had voted to approve the ban, around 8:30 p.m., crowds of onlookers in the chamber’s gallery chanted: “Shame! Shame! Shame!”

In a statement minutes after the override vote’s conclusion, House Speaker Tim Moore said, “I am proud that the House has overridden the governor’s veto of this meaningful, mainstream legislation.”

The ban, known as Senate Bill 20, would restrict most abortions in North Carolina to 12 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, certain fetal abnormalities and the life of the mother. The ban also mandates that detailed information about abortion procedures be reported to state health regulators and institutes longer waiting periods and more in-person medical visits to obtain an abortion.

“North Carolinians now understand that Republicans are unified in their assault on women’s reproductive freedom, and we

are energized to fight back on this and other critical issues facing our state,” Cooper said after the override. “I will continue doing everything I can to protect abortion access in North Carolina, because women’s lives depend on it.”

North Carolina’s 12-week ban is less restrictive than other state laws that prohibit the procedure beginning at conception or after six weeks of pregnancy. Republicans said the bill was a compromise that would protect innocent life and support women, but abortion-rights activists said it would prevent women across the South from gaining access to abortion and would put lives at risk.

A recent poll shows that most voters support the state’s current abortion access, which allows the procedure up to 20 weeks, or want to see it expanded. A little more than one-third of voters want to further restrict or ban access.

The override was a huge blow to Cooper and his political allies, who had asked North Carolina voters to contact their legislators and urge them not to override the veto, zeroing in on four Republicans from districts with substantial numbers of Democratic constituents in the hope that he could persuade them to vote against the party line.

One of those lawmakers was Tricia Cotham, a longtime Democrat who, in a surprise move, switched parties last month, handing Republicans supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Cotham had earlier this year backed a bill that would have legalized abortion until viability, considered about 22 or 23 weeks. But in May, she voted in favor of the 12-week ban, and she did so again during the override vote on Tuesday night.

“I believe this bill strikes a reasonable balance on the abortion issue and represents a middle ground that anyone not holding one of the two extremist positions can support,” Cotham said in a statement after the vote.

Republicans have struggled to find consensus on abortion bans since the Supreme Court last year kicked regulation back to the states when it overturned Roe v. Wade. In South Carolina, the GOP has been unable to reach agreement and pass a new abortion ban for months because of objections from within the party. Nebraska is considering a 12-week ban after its attempt to pass a six-week ban failed.

Opponents of abortion have pushed for stricter bans, but they celebrated the North Carolina override as a victory.

“The battleground state of North

Carolina has taken a major step forward in the fight for life,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

Republican strategists said the ban could prove to be an important litmus test of the political realities for Republicans, especially in purple states like North Carolina.

“Legislatively, they’re on offense, but politically, they’re on defense, which is a bizarre place to be,” said Doug Heye, a former Republican National Committee communications director and a North Carolina native who has consulted on three Republican U.S. Senate campaigns in the state. “They’re feeling this issue out for what’s acceptable to the broader public.”

Dr. Kristin Baker, a House Republican, was the final legislator to speak before the vote. The bill “balances protecting the life of the unborn child,” she said, over boos from the gallery, adding: “It balances that with a woman’s need for life saving care. And, importantly, it protects the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship.”

On Monday, entities that do business throughout North Carolina, including online-rating company Yelp, British manufacturer Lush Cosmetics and upscale Raleigh eatery Death & Taxes, signed a petition opposing the bill, arguing that it could damage North Carolina’s standing as a magnet for business.

Restricting access to services including abortion “will not only deter future businesses from investing in our great state; it will also jeopardize the trust of those companies who have already established roots here,” said Ashley Christensen, a chef and the proprietor of a half-dozen restaurants and food-service businesses in the Raleigh area, who signed on to the petition.

Although Cooper and other Democrats vowed to keep fighting for abortion rights, it is unclear what maneuvers they might have left. During about two combined hours of debates, Democrats in the House and the Senate were by turns indignant and tearful about the bill before them.

“It is honestly hard for me to believe that my government would do this to me, to my daughters, to my friends, to their daughters,” said state Sen. Natasha Marcus, a Democrat from the Charlotte area.

A crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered in Raleigh, N.C., as Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed a ban on abortion on Saturday, May 12, 2023. The Republican supermajority in the state legislature overrode the veto late Tuesday. (Kate Medley/ The New York Times)

US sues to block Amgen’s $27.8 billion takeover of Horizon Therapeutics

By REBECCA ROBBINS

The Federal Trade Commission earlier this week sued to block drugmaker Amgen’s $27.8 billion acquisition of pharmaceutical company Horizon Therapeutics, saying it would thwart competition in the drug industry.

The FTC said the deal would allow Amgen to exploit a maneuver known as bundling, in which pharmaceutical companies take advantage of their large portfolios of drugs to offer discounts to insurers and others in exchange for favoring their products. The agency pointed to two expensive Horizon medications that lack competition, saying that bundling would entrench those monopolies.

The commission’s move is its most aggressive yet after years of signaling that it would be tougher in scrutinizing pharmaceutical mergers. Its commissioners voted 3-0 to approve filing the suit.

Holly Vedova, a senior commission official, said the agency’s lawsuit “sends a clear signal to the market: The FTC won’t hesitate to challenge mergers that enable pharmaceutical conglomerates to entrench their monopolies at the expense of consumers and fair competition.”

Amgen said that the merger did not pose competitive issues and that it would not bundle the two Horizon products.

The merger, announced late last year, was poised to be one of the largest pharma-

ceutical deals in recent years.

The FTC has long forced merging pharmaceutical companies to sell off drugs that treat the same types of diseases, but it is much rarer for it to try to quash a merger altogether. This case is unusual because Amgen and Horizon do not sell competing products.

Background: The FTC has been challenging corporate deals

Under the Biden administration, the FTC has challenged corporate mergers for reasons that go beyond traditional antitrust concerns about overlapping products.

FTC Chair Lina Khan has been very skeptical of corporate mergers in the tech industry. For example, the agency unsuccessfully tried to block Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, from buying a small virtual reality startup, a rare challenge to an acquisition in a nascent market for an unproven product.

The FTC’s move to try to block the Amgen-Horizon merger because of concerns about bundling is also unusual. “It tells us that the FTC is considering new theories of harm that have not been front and center before,” said Michael Carrier, an expert on antitrust issues in the pharmaceutical industry at Rutgers Law School.

Why it matters: Bundling can keep drug prices high

The FTC’s concern about bundling in the Amgen-Horizon merger is linked to concerns about high drug prices.

There has been increased attention to

the rebates that drug companies offer to insurers and the industry middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers in exchange for favoring their drugs. By offering deep discounts through bundling, a company can prevent competitors from gaining market share or discourage them from even trying to enter the market. That can keep prices high.

In the case of Amgen and Horizon, the FTC said, the merger would enable Amgen to pressure insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to favor two expensive Horizon drugs for rare conditions. The drugs treat an autoimmune disease, thyroid eye disease, and an inflammatory condition, chronic refractory gout.

Amgen’s promise to the FTC not to bundle the two Horizon products would be difficult for regulators to enforce. Drug negotiations are confidential, and drugmakers have a long history of finding creative ways to get around such commitments, said Ameet Sarpatwari, an expert in pharmaceutical policy at Harvard Medical School.

What’s next: The case will move to court

Amgen and Horizon said that they would not abandon the deal and would go to court to try to push through the merger by mid-December. The outcome is likely to be decided by a federal court in Illinois, where the FTC filed its lawsuit.

“How it plays out will serve as a litmus test for the ability to use antitrust law as a way to promote affordable access to pharmaceuticals,” Sarpatwari said.

Amgen is one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies.

US stocks move higher, dollar gains as debt limit talks inch forward

Wall Street was modestly higher on Wednesday and the dollar advanced as regional banks surged and negotiations in Washington over raising the debt ceiling inched forward.

All three major U.S. stock indexes were higher with investors looking past a dismal second-quarter outlook from Target Corp, coming on the heels of a similarly downbeat forecast from Home Depot Inc on Tuesday as first quarter earnings season winds down.

“Retail reports, from Target today and Home Depot yesterday suggest consumers are slowing their spending down, and that’s rippling through markets,” said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Regional banks provided some lift, with the KBW Regional Banks index up nearly 3.5% amid waning concerns of a liquidity crisis in the sector.

Debt ceiling negotiations preoccupied market participants, who took heart from Republican House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s vow to avoid what would be a catastrophic default.

“The two sides are talking, and they don’t seem as dug in as they were a week ago,” Tuz added. “I’m optimistic that this will get resolved in the tenth hour rather than the eleventh.

“They always take it to the brink and put a patch on it.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 110.29 points, or 0.33%, to 33,122.43, the S&P 500 gained 13.94 points, or 0.34%, to 4,123.84 and the Nasdaq Composite added 39.54 points, or 0.32%, to 12,382.59.

European shares turned negative as sentiment was weighed down by downbeat earnings and mounting concerns over the possibility of a U.S. debt default.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index lost 0.19% and MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe gained 0.04%.

Emerging market stocks lost 0.35%. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan closed 0.57% lower, while Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.84%.

The dollar gained ground against a basket of world currencies, the greenback benefiting from its safe-haven status as debt ceiling talks grind on.

The dollar index rose 0.4%, with the euro down 0.31% to $1.0827.

The Japanese yen weakened 0.65% versus the greenback at 137.30 per dollar, while Sterling was last trading at $1.2469, down 0.13% on the day.

U.S. 10-year Treasury yields reversed direction, inching higher after housing data showed an increase in groundbreaking and building permits for single-family homes.

Benchmark 10-year notes last rose 3/32 in price to yield 3.5396%, from 3.549% late on Tuesday.

The 30-year bond last rose 13/32 in price to yield 3.8492%, from 3.873% late on Tuesday.

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Oil prices rebounded as investor concerns over lackluster demand was trumped by tight supply.

U.S. crude rose 0.72% to $71.37 per barrel and Brent was last at $75.48, up 0.76% on the day.

Gold pulled back in opposition to the rising dollar after remarks from Federal Reserve officials suggested any talk of rate cuts would be premature.

Spot gold dropped 0.2% to $1,983.89 an ounce.

Becker will testify before the Senate Banking Committee

on Tuesday alongside Scott Shay and Eric Howell, the former chair and president, respectively, of Signature Bank. Regulators had closed Signature Bank on March 12 after it experienced liquidity issues following SVB’s collapse two days earlier. First Republic Bank was the third and largest bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis.

U.S. yields rose on Friday and Monday after a University of Michigan survey of consumers’ long-term inflation expectations jumped to the highest since 2011.

That put a possible Fed rate hike next month back in play, with traders laying down those odds at 17%.

The euro was up 0.2% against the dollar at $1.0875, rebounding after falling 1.54% the previous week.

‘Catastrophic’ floods in Italy leave 8 dead and thousands homeless

By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO

Widespread flooding in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna killed at least eight people and forced another 5,000 to abandon their homes, officials said Wednesday as rescue efforts continued to assist those stuck on the upper stories of buildings.

Some of the worst-hit areas received almost 20 inches of rain in 36 hours, about half the average annual amount, according to the Italian civil protection minister, Nello Musumeci.

Taking into account those figures, “you can understand how powerful this rainfall was,” he said.

Stefano Bonaccini, regional president of Emilia-Romagna, said that the rainfall had been a “catastrophic event that has never been registered before.” His deputy, Irene Priolo, said Wednesday that the death toll had risen to eight people.

Scenes of dramatic rescues from flooded towns have dominated national news broadcasts over the past two days: helicopters airlifting residents from the roofs of homes submerged in water; rescue workers wading through chest-high waters carrying older people on their backs; volunteers in rubber dinghies transporting residents from their homes as belongings floated from open doors.

Schools were shuttered, trains in the region were canceled, and roads and highways were closed as waters swept over large areas of land, submerging fields and some towns.

Priolo said that at least 23 rivers in Emilia-Romagna — including the Savio, the Montone, the Santerno and the Lamone — had burst their banks, affecting some 36 towns. Local officials were working to evacuate those in danger, a note on the region’s website said.

Paride Antolini, president of the geologists’ guild of Emilia-Romagna, called the rainfall — which averaged almost 8 inches across the region in less than 48 hours — “unprecedented.”

The rains in recent days followed a storm two weeks ago that had already saturated the area, damaging and eroding many riverbanks.

The storm this week led to dozens of landslides in hilly areas and severe flooding in the plains, while rough seas battered coastal areas of the region, Antolini said. “In

this moment, we’re facing millions in damages” to homes, agriculture, bridges and roads, he noted.

“There’s a lot of work that must be done,” he added. “This has been a huge catastrophe.”

Flooding is a complex phenomenon with many causes, including land development and ground conditions, scientists say. While linking the climate crisis to a single flood event requires extensive analysis, the human-caused changes, which are already leading to heavier rainfall in many storms, are an increasingly important part of the mix. Warmer atmosphere holds, and releases, more water, whether in the form of rain or

heavy winter snowpack.

The record rainfall that led to devastating floods in Germany and Belgium in the summer of 2021 was made much more likely by global warming, scientists have determined. Climate change also probably worsened extreme rains during back-to-back storms in southeastern Africa in early 2022, experts say, although a lack of high-quality weather data for the region has made it difficult to pin down how much.

Antolini said that extreme weather events — including heavy rainfalls — had become increasingly common in his region.

“Scientific references say we are heading toward climate change, so it’s time

to start thinking about the actions that we should be doing,” he said. “We have to learn from these situations.”

Musumeci, the civil protection minister, said that the decision to evacuate thousands of people from flood-hit areas was essentially “a preventive measure.”

Speaking during a radio interview, he added, “It is clear that a much more careful reconnaissance” had to be done on levees and hydraulic systems to deal with the recurring impact of heavy rains that, in the past few years, have followed long periods of drought.

“It’s clear that we have to adopt a very different approach than what we were used to,” he said.

A Formula 1 motor race that was to have been held in the Emilia-Romagna region was canceled because of the rains and flooding.

In a statement Wednesday, the organizers said, “The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region.”

“It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time,” the statement added.

Heavy rains fell on other areas of Italy on Wednesday. Officials in one small town near Florence, in central Italy, were considering plans to evacuate the population after landslides cut off access, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

On Tuesday, Venice, in northeastern Italy, activated its flood control system, a series of gates, but the city has not been affected by the flooding so far.

Officials had expected a high tide above 43 inches, “but the winds changed, so we got less water than expected,” said Alvise Papa, director of the tide forecast center in Venice. High tides are rare in May, with only four recorded for the month since 1872, the last one being in 2019.

Papa said it was the 50th time the flood gates had been raised since they became operative in 2020.

Bonaccini, the president of the EmiliaRomagna region, said Wednesday that officials were doing “everything possible to lend a hand to those in need and then obviously to restart as soon as conditions allow.”

“Emilia-Romagna has been knocked down, but it will rise again,” he added.

First responders rescued residents from flooded buildings after intense rainfall triggered widespread flooding.

Ecuador’s president dissolves congress amid impeachment trial

By JULIE TURKEWITZ and GENEVIEVE GLATSKY

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador disbanded the country’s opposition-led National Assembly on Wednesday, a drastic move as the right-leaning leader faced impeachment proceedings over accusations of embezzlement.

The constitutional measure, never before used, allows the president to rule by decree until new elections can be held, marking a moment of extraordinary political turbulence for a country of 18 million already in turmoil.

Ecuador has long been a relatively safe haven in the region, but in recent years it has seen rising violence and a skyrocketing homicide rate as increasingly powerful narco-trafficking groups fight for territory.

Opposition lawmakers accused Lasso of turning a blind eye to irregularities and embezzlement in a contract between a state-run shipping company and an oil tanker company that wasn’t delivering on its promises — allegations first made in media reports. The country’s constitutional court later approved a charge of embezzlement against the president but denied two charges of bribery.

Last week, the National Assembly voted to commence impeachment hearings, but all proceedings were brought to a permanent halt once Lasso dissolved congress.

The president repeatedly denied the charges, pointing out that the contract was signed before he took office.

“The prosecutors of this trial have acknowledged that they have nothing,” Lasso said Tuesday in his impeachment testimony. “This inquiry is political.”

He added: “This is not about saving a presidency, but about preserving a functioning democracy.”

This is the second time the opposition has tried to remove Lasso from the presidency since he took office in 2021.

He has faced growing criticism and petitions for his removal from civil society groups in the face of soaring rates of crime, extortion, kidnappings and robberies. Gangs battle for control of drug routes and have gained greater control

over the country’s prisons, leading to several prison riots and massacres over the last three years.

For weeks, the president and congress were locked in a game of brinkmanship, with legislators threatening to impeach and remove Lasso as he threatened to dissolve congress and call new elections — a move known in Ecuador as muerte cruzada, or mutually assured death.

The mechanism was written into the constitution in 2008 as a tool to end deadlocks between the presidency and the legislature. But until now no president has ever enacted it.

Now, with plummeting approval ratings, in some cases below 20%, Lasso must call for new presidential and legislative elections and will govern by decree in the meantime. The newly elected president and National Assembly would then govern for two years, until the end of the original term in 2025.

The disbanding of congress provides temporary stability for the country, said Arianna Tanca, an Ecuadorean political scientist, allowing Lasso to pass laws without a deadlock and giving political parties the chance for a “reset.”

But it also threatens to undercut the country’s democracy. A head of government calling for new elections is common in parliamentary democracies, but has no parallel in other presidential democracies in Latin America, said Mauricio Alarcón Salvador, the director of Transparency International’s chapter in Ecuador.

“To see a president shut down the assembly and assume legislative power in a transitory manner is undoubtedly a blow to democracy,” he said. “And above all to the system of checks and balances that should be in force in any democracy in the world.”

Lasso’s decision comes amid up-

heaval in the region. In December, Peru’s president attempted to dissolve congress — in this case an illegal move that led to his removal and arrest, and then to widespread protests that left dozens of people dead.

In January, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil stormed government buildings in the capital, arguing that November’s election in which he was defeated had been rigged.

Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that Lasso’s decision to go around legislators could possibly be good for him.

“Even though he is very unpopular now, I could see six months of rule by decree actually boosting his popularity if he can do something quickly about the twin crises of crime and hunger and poverty,” he said. “Although, given his track record, that’s a big if.”

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador meets with President Joe Biden at the White House in Washington on Dec. 19, 2022.

A newspaper’s closing deals a blow to a nation’s democracy

By JODY GARCÍA and ELDA CANTÚ

When the newspaper elPeriodico was founded in Guatemala in 1996, the country was emerging from a brutal civil war, and there was a feeling that a small space for free thought might be opening.

That opening closed this week when elPeriodico, which made a name for itself and became a frequent target for trying to hold Guatemala’s governments to account, published its final digital edition.

The newspaper’s demise followed the jailing of its publisher after he was accused by the government of financial crimes and the freezing of its assets as part of the case, which dealt a financial blow and led to the suspension of the print edition in December.

The closing of elPeriodico is the latest setback for Guatemala’s increasingly brittle democracy, civil liberties groups say, as President Alejandro Giammattei steers the country toward greater repression, targeting critics, including the news media, opposition politicians and the judiciary.

ElPeriodico was founded during a more hopeful, if uncertain, time, not long before the signing of peace accords in December 1996. The agreement put an end to a civil war in the Central American country, which had lasted 36 years and left hundreds of thousands dead or disappeared.

The conflict, which is considered a genocide, decimated the nation’s Indigenous population and pitted neighbor against neighbor.

As elPeriodico got off the ground, there were no clear lines between what was publishable and what was still unspeakable. The country was recovering from a legacy of dictatorial military governments and the prosecution and targeted killings of intellectuals and dissidents.

“We wanted to be irreverent, not necessarily confrontational,” said Luis Aceituno, who was one of three dozen remaining staff members at elPeriodico, whose newsroom at its high point in 2012 had 400 employees.

But over the years, elPeriodico has drawn the ire of the country’s ruling elite.

Since Giammattei took office in 2020, elPeriodico had published scores of investigative articles focused on government corruption within his administration, including within the prosecutor’s office and the country’s high court.

“Despite the fatigue, the severe adverse

conditions, the humiliation and the derision, I will not cease in my fight for freedom and democracy in Guatemala,” José Rubén Zamora, the newspaper’s publisher, wrote in a final editorial from jail.

Zamora has been detained since July after he was charged with money laundering, blackmail and influence peddling. He has denied any wrongdoing and has called the charges a “persecution.”

The government has said the case against Zamora has nothing to do with his work as a journalist, but his dealings as a businessman.

“If you’re a journalist, do you have the right to commit criminal acts because you are a journalist?” Giammattei asked during an interview with a Colombian radio station in January. “Does journalism grant you immunity?”

Nine other journalists at the newspaper are also under investigation by the government, some of them because they wrote about Zamora’s case, which prosecutors have said constitutes obstruction of justice.

Some journalists at elPeriodico have fled Guatemala, fearing legal repercussions because of their work.

“The feeling came that everything was falling, everything was leading us to disappear,”

Aceituno said in an interview Sunday in his Guatemala City home, which was filled with books and movie posters. “We went from being a promising news organization to an uncomfortable one that struggled every day.”

The shuttering of elPeriodico “is a horrible sign for independent journalism in Guatemala and in Central America,” said Eduardo Suárez, head of editorial at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in England. “What we are seeing in Guatemala is the latest example of how press freedom is eroding in the region.”

In Nicaragua, another Central American nation where democratic institutions have come under assault, most of the staff of La Prensa, a newspaper that has published articles challenging the increasingly repressive government, has left the country.

“Our experience shows that these strongmen learn from each other,” Suárez said. “They use the same laws and techniques to put journalists under pressure.”

From its very start, elPeriodico was not shy about taking on the government.

Its first cover story, on Nov. 6, 1996, reported that the government at the time was pushing a law that would benefit a high-ranking military officer. Aceituno remembers an

enthusiastic audience and a team buoyed by the sense of embarking on a collective adventure.

“There was great excitement in going to the newsroom,” said Aceituno, who oversaw the paper’s cultural coverage and its Sunday edition. “We were together, and there was also a context of people defending freedom of expression.”

As part of Guatemala’s road back to democracy, an international panel of investigators, starting in 2013 and backed by the United Nations, exposed widespread graft that targeted the country’s elite, leading to charges against former presidents and ministers, legislators, judges and business owners.

For elPeriodico and other independent media, it was a moment of optimism that did not last.

The progress in battling corruption in Guatemala has seen a setback in recent years and independent judges and prosecutors have become targets of recent governments. Since 2018, 35 judges, anti-corruption prosecutors and their lawyers have gone into exile. ElPeriodico’s investigations into abuses of power and graft under various administrations have regularly put it in the government’s cross hairs.

Over the past 10 years, it has been the subject of many tax audits by the revenue service. Zamora, an internationally acclaimed journalist who won an International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists, has been sued scores of times by the government, including a dozen ongoing claims filed by a former president and vice president.

Now the country is barreling toward presidential elections in June amid concerns that opposition candidates will not have a fair chance to run, according to international organizations.

And there will be at least one news media outlet fewer around to cover the race.

The front page of elPeriodico’s last Sunday edition was a report on nepotism in one of the largest hospitals in Guatemala, where key posts were assigned to relatives of the director. On Monday, its last day, the newspaper’s website led with an investigation about the country’s electoral authority buying equipment from a company owned by a congressman.

“What disappears is the idea that freedom of expression is the basis of democracy,” Aceituno said. “We’d like to be a metaphor for what is happening in Guatemala.’’

The presses are now silent at the elPeriodico newspaper offices in Guatemala City.

How Biden blew it on the debt ceiling

By PAUL KRUGMAN

As soon as Republicans took control of the House last November, it was obvious that they would try to take the economy hostage by refusing to raise the federal debt limit. After all, that’s what they did in 2011 — and hard as it may be to believe, the Tea Party Republicans were sober and sane compared to the MAGA crew. So it was also obvious that the Biden administration needed a strategy to head off the looming crisis.

More and more, however, it looks as if there never was a strategy beyond wishful thinking. I hope that I’m wrong about this — that President Joe Biden will, at the last minute, unveil an effective counter to GOP blackmail. He may even be forced to do so, as I’ll explain in a bit. But right now, I have a sick feeling about all of this. What were they thinking? How can they have been caught so off-guard by something that everyone who’s paying attention saw coming?

For those somehow new to this, the United States has a weird and dysfunctional system in which Congress enacts legislation that determines federal spending and revenue, but then, if this legislation leads to a budget deficit, must vote a second time to authorize borrowing

to cover the deficit. If even one house of Congress refuses to raise the debt limit, the U.S. government will go into default, with possibly catastrophic financial and economic effects.

This weird aspect of budgeting allows a party that is sufficiently ruthless, sufficiently indifferent to the havoc it might wreak, to attempt to impose through extortion policies it would never be able to enact through the normal legislative process.

What, then, should Biden & Co. have done once Republicans took the House? They could have tried to raise the debt ceiling during the lame-duck session. This would have been hard, given an evenly divided Senate. If it was possible at all, it probably would have required making big concessions to those Democratic senators least supportive of Biden’s agenda. Still, better to have a hostage negotiation with Joe Manchin than with Marjorie Taylor Greene.

So unless there was a plan to deal with the coming confrontation, there should have been a major effort to raise the debt ceiling. The fact that there was no such effort suggested that maybe there was such a plan.

But all we’ve seen from Biden officials since the House changed hands has been a combination of assertions that a U.S. default would be catastrophic — which may well be true — and denigration of any and all possible end runs around the debt ceiling. My heart sank, for example, when Janet Yellen, the Treasury secretary, repeatedly rejected the idea of minting a platinum coin — one of several possible ways to bypass the debt limit — as a “gimmick.” Yes, it would be a gimmick, but it would also be harmless. As I explained the other day, it would not mean printing money to cover the deficit; in practice, it would amount to carrying out normal borrowing through a back door.

The problem is that Yellen was in effect saying that the administration wasn’t open to any strategies that sounded silly or unorthodox; yet every strategy that avoids the debt limit must, in fact, be unorthodox and will probably sound silly if taken out of context.

The economic merits of various unconventional financing strategies aside, think about how the White House was positioning itself politically. On one side, it signaled that it was terrified of the consequences of default; on the other, it made it clear that it was unwilling even to consider any alternatives to an increase in the debt limit. The administration might as well have put a sign on its back saying “Kick Me.”

Maybe the administration expected moderate Republicans or business groups or supposedly nonpartisan advocacy groups to somehow step in and pressure the GOP to produce a clean debt ceiling bill.

But I don’t see how anyone who has been awake for the past 15 years could have believed that was a real possibility.

And sure enough, after months of asserting that it would never engage in negotiations over the debt ceiling, that it would accept nothing less than a clean increase, the administration is now … negotiating over the debt ceiling.

Many people have pointed out that this sets a terrible precedent — that having seen that extortion works, Republicans will engage in it again and again. Even these concerns, however, seem to me to be taking too long a view. Now that Republicans see what seems to be an administration on the run, there’s every reason to expect them to keep escalating their immediate demands — quite possibly to the point where no deal is possible.

There’s a precedent from the Obama years. Back in 2011, President Barack Obama and John Boehner, who was then the speaker of the House, came very close to a so-called Grand Bargain on debt that would have been objectively terrible — it would, for example, have raised the age of eligibility for Medicare, even though life expectancy for working-class Americans had risen very little — and would probably have been politically disastrous for Democrats. But the deal fell through because Republicans were unwilling to accept even small tax increases as part of a deficit-reduction plan.

Sure enough, Republicans have reportedly rejected every proposal to make a debt ceiling deal more acceptable to the Democratic base by closing tax loopholes.

I have no idea what happens next. I think there’s a real possibility that Biden officials will in the end be forced by sheer Republican intransigence to adopt unconventional methods after all — a task that will be made much harder by the fact that those same officials have spent months trash-talking the approaches they may need to follow.

But I don’t see any way to regard this whole episode as anything but a disastrous failure to face up to the reality of an opposition party controlled by extremists.

Dr.

Llegada de cruceros inyectará más de 1.6 millones de dólares a la economía local, según Compañía de Turismo y Puertos

SAN JUAN – Directivos de la Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico (CTPR) y la Autoridad de los Puertos (AP) anunciaron este miércoles, la llegada de 17,690 visitantes en cuatro cruceros, generando un impacto económico estimado de un millón 640 mil 69 dólares.

“Estamos reforzando nuestras relaciones con las líneas de cruceros para posicionar a la isla como el puerto turístico más importante del Caribe”, dijo Carlos Mercado Santiago, director ejecutivo de la Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico , en declaraciones escritas.

“La llegada de más de 17 mil pasajeros al Puerto

de San Juan representa la confianza de la industria en nuestro plan de trabajo”, afirmó Joel Pizá Batiz, director ejecutivo de la Autoridad de los Puertos.

Este anuncio se produce en el marco de esfuerzos continuos para revitalizar el turismo en la isla, una industria clave para la economía de Puerto Rico, especialmente después de los retos que ha enfrentado por la pandemia del COVID-19.

Como parte de los esfuerzos para maximizar la experiencia de los visitantes, los turistas serán recibidos con música y bailes puertorriqueños. Además, habrá personal de la Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico para asistir a los visitantes con información y orientación sobre las opciones disponibles.

Aprobada medida congresional para integrar el Fortín San Gerónimo al Sistema de Parques Nacionales

WASHINGTON, D.C. – El Comité de Recursos Naturales de la Cámara de Representantes federal aprobó unánimemente el martes, la Ley de Preservación del Fortín San Gerónimo, propuesta por la comisionada residente, Jenniffer González Colón.

“Agradezco al presidente del Comité, Bruce Westerman, por incluir mi proyecto de ley en la vista de hoy”, expresó González Colón en declaraciones escritas.

“Este fuerte se convirtió en una pieza central de la primera línea de defensa de San Juan. Este proyecto de ley garantizará que este sitio histórico esté bien conservado”, continuó la comisionada residente.

El Fortín San Gerónimo, una fortificación que data del siglo XVI, jugó un papel crucial en la defensa de San Juan y Puerto Rico en general. Es la única fortificación sobreviviente que representa la Batalla de San Juan de 1797.

La medida también establece que el Servicio de Parques Nacionales puede colaborar con el Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña para proporcionar asistencia técnica y financiera para la conservación del fuerte, sin que el sitio pase a ser propiedad federal. “El Fuerte San Gerónimo del Boquerón es una parte significativa de la historia puertorriqueña. La ley de la congresista González Colón protegería esta parte de la historia”, concluyó el presidente Westerman.

Además, el comité aprobó el H.R. 886, Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, un proyecto de ley liderado por las copresidentas del House Oceans Caucus, Jenniffer González Colón y Suzanne Bonamicci. “Este proyecto de ley bipartidista modificará técnicas a la ley subyacente para proporcionar a la NOAA y a la Marine Debris Foundation las flexibilidades necesarias para realizar esfuerzos de prevención y eliminación de desechos marinos”, detalló González Colón.

AAFAF se opone a medida que busca establecer plan para atender personas sin hogar

POR EL STAR STAFF

S AN JUAN – La Comisión de Impacto Comunitario continuó miércoles, una vista pública sobre el Proyecto del Senado 778 (PS 778), que busca establecer el Plan de Abordaje al Fenómeno del Sinhogarismo en Puerto Rico.

La medida propone adoptar la Carta de Derechos de la Población sin Hogar; establecer el procedimiento para tramitar reclamaciones o querellas; y crear el cargo de Oficial de Enlace Municipal de Ayuda a la Persona sin Hogar que existirá en cada municipio.

“Ninguna medida propuesta en esta Asamblea, está escrita en piedra. Soy fiel creyente de la importancia de discutir proyectos como este con todas las agencias pertinentes y buscar todas las opciones disponibles en favor de la ciudadanía”, dijo la presidenta de la Comisión, Lydia Méndez Silva.

A la audiencia pública compareció Luis Roberto Rivera Cruz, director interino de la Autoridad de Asesoría Financiera y Agencia Fiscal (Aafaf).

Por su parte, Rivera Cruz expuso que desde el punto de vista presupuestario, el PS 778 no requiere nuevas asignaciones de fondos, ya que mantiene la misma transferencia

de los $250,000 del presupuesto. Sin embargo, al disponer que la Oficina de Apoyo a la Población Sin Hogar será una entidad separada y con independencia del Gobierno Central, requerirá que se establezcan estructuras como oficinas de recursos humanos, finanzas, entre otras.

“Ese andamiaje adicional no se posee, ya que está adscrita a la ASSMCA, lo cual conlleva más gastos. Cabe destacar que tanto el Departamento de la Familia como ASSMCA se opusieron a la aprobación del PS 778 debido a la creación de esta nueva estructura y las implicaciones en el presupuesto de las facultades que se Ie conceden”, expresó Rivera Cruz.

Pedro Almodóvar’s answer to ‘Brokeback Mountain’

By KYLE BUCHANAN

The gunslinger in green locks eyes with the sheriff.

“Don’t look at me like that,” says the sheriff, squinting.

“How do you want me to look at you?” replies the gunslinger, flirting.

It wouldn’t be a Western without a fraught standoff, but when Pedro Almodóvar is behind the camera, the glances are even more loaded than the pistols. In “Strange Way of Life,” a new short film that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal star as a lawman and a cowboy who reunite 25 years after having a passionate affair. But will their old magic be rekindled, or are both men concealing ulterior motives for the meeting?

In many ways, the project is a swerve for Almodóvar: The 73-yearold auteur, typically known for Spanish-language movies about modern women living in beautiful apartments, has cast two English-speaking actors in a short that is set in the dusty Wild West. But Almodóvar, who was courted two decades ago to direct the gay Western “Brokeback Mountain” and turned it down, sees his new project on a continuum with that 2005 film, which was ultimately directed by Ang Lee, who went on to win best director.

“In ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ Jake Gyllenhaal’s character says to Heath Ledger’s character that they should go away and work on a ranch,” Almodóvar said on a video call. “Heath says, ‘What would two men do in the West, working on a ranch?’ In many ways, I feel my film gives answer to that.”

Almodóvar wrote a few pages of the centerpiece scene three years ago, then put it out of his mind. “Sometimes I just write for the pleasure of writing,” he said. “I didn’t have any purpose for it.” But inspiration struck when Anthony Vaccarello, the creative director of the fashion label Saint Laurent, mentioned that he had just produced a short film for Gaspar Noé. Almodóvar remembered the sequence with the two pistoleros, added a scene-setting prologue and a guns-out aftermath, and offered Vaccarrello the screenplay for the 31-minute “Strange Way of Life.”

“Of course, it could have become a feature-length film,” he said. “But I do think it was the perfect duration for the story I want to tell.” And after making the short film “The Human Voice” in 2020 with Tilda Swinton, Almodóvar hoped to continue casting English-speaking stars. “I never wanted to do it in Spanish,” Almodóvar said. “Even though we have our own Western type, the spaghetti western, I wanted to make it a classic Western.”

Almodóvar soon reached out to Pascal, whose star was beginning to rise with the series “The Mandalorian” and “The Last of Us.” The 48-year-old actor was eager to sign on; he had watched his first Almodóvar film, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” (1988), with his family as a young teenager.

“I remember it feeling like going to a new amusement park,” Pascal said in an email. “An entire world of color and play and a kind of naughty rebelión was introduced to my experience.”

His co-star was just as gung-ho. “I felt really honored to be an American actor that was getting to work with him,” Hawke said by phone. “A lot of times when you’re making mainstream American movies, there’s this third entity in the room, which is you want the movie to sell — you just feel it from people behind the monitor. And what’s so wonderful about working with Almodóvar is that you feel there is nobody you need to make happy but Pedro Almodóvar.”

The short went into production last summer in Almería, Spain, on the outdoor sets where Sergio Leone once shot his classic 1964-66 trilogy of spaghetti westerns starring Clint Eastwood. “The passing of time, 50 years of it, had given authenticity to the place,” Almodóvar said. And in addition to producing the project, Vaccarello doubled as its costume designer, a crucial post on an Almodóvar film.

“There’s some directors I’ve worked with who are wonderful directors, but they’re just not that interested in costume — it’s just, ‘Yeah, whatever you want to wear is fine,’” Hawke said. “Whereas Almodóvar would spend weeks deciding what shade of green the wall is behind you or

what color gray your jacket is and what fabric it’s made out of.”

Although Almodóvar’s films are also notable for what happens when those clothes come off, “Strange Way of Life” is surprisingly discreet, fading to black when Hawke and Pascal move in for an embrace.

“The sexual tension in my film happens around the gazes, so from the very beginning, I decided I wasn’t going to show the entirety of the sexual scene,” Almodóvar said. “They’re way more naked in the conversation they have after.”

It’s that conversation that made Almodóvar want to shoot the film in the first place: After making “Pain and Glory” (2019), which starred Antonio Banderas as a thinly veiled version of his director, Almodóvar has found himself increasingly drawn to stories about middle-aged gay men looking back at their lives.

“I do think this is partly a reflection of my own age, that I’ve decided to tell stories about older men,” Almodóvar said. “If I had written these stories when I was 25 years old, I probably would have written a story about two 25-year-old cowboys.”

The shoot wasn’t easy, Hawke admitted: The production had to battle a record heat wave over 15 days in the desert, “and it’s very difficult to think about nuanced ideas when all your body wants to do is go to sleep or find some air conditioning,” he said. But as the project drew to a close, he was able to step back and take it all in.

“All of a sudden I wrapped and realized that I was in the desert in Spain on an old Sergio Leone set, and Almodóvar was hugging me, thanking me, and I just thought about how much I love the movies and what a unique challenge this was and how much I keep wanting to hunt these kinds of experiences out,” Hawke said. “I felt somehow better for having done it, and I don’t know how to say it other than that.”

The San Juan Daily Star

May

By ALISHA HARIDASANI GUPTA

If the Food and Drug Administration follows the nonbinding recommendation of its advisers — and there is a chance the agency might not — Opill would become the first and only birth control pill to be available over the counter since oral contraceptives were introduced in the U.S. in 1960. A final decision is expected by early August.

After a two-day meeting, the 17 members of the FDA committee voted unanimously that it would be safe to make Opill available without a prescription, a move that is also overwhelmingly supported by medical associations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association. A 2022 survey found that 77% of more than 5,000 female participants favored the idea of getting the birth control pill over the counter, with many saying it would be more convenient and efficient to get it without a prescription.

Progestin-only pills have been widely used in the United States since the first one was approved in 1973. Like other oral contraceptives, they require a prescription from a health care provider or, in some states, a pharmacist.

The advisers’ vote is timely, experts said at the meeting. Almost a year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and thus the constitutional right to an abortion, the need to expand contraceptive options has become more urgent, they said. Studies show that roughly half of all pregnancies in the United States each year are unintended.

“In the balance between benefit and risk, we have a hard time justifying not taking this action,” Dr. Maria Coyle, the committee chair and an associate clinical professor at the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, said in the meeting. “The benefits are large; the drug is incredibly effective.”

She added that “the risk of the medication itself is incredibly low for the vast majority of users, and the risk of unintended pregnancy, while real, is less than that of existing over the counter measures

of birth control.”

How does the pill work?

Opill, also known as a “mini pill,” contains only progestin, a synthetic version of progesterone. It works primarily by thickening mucus in the cervix to make it harder for sperm to enter the uterus, said Dr. Katrina Heyrana, an OBGYN at the family planning program at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

It is also designed to prevent ovulation, but the low dose of progestin means that the pill doesn’t consistently do that, Heyrana said. Roughly 4 in 10 women on the mini pill continue to ovulate, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Each Opill box includes 28 pills and, if taken at roughly the same time every day with no breaks between packs, it is considered highly effective at preventing pregnancy, with a failure rate of around 7%. (This is comparable to combination contraceptive pills that contain both estrogen and progestin.) Research shows progestin-only pills are more effective than the birth control options that are currently available over the counter, such as condoms and spermicides, which have higher failure rates. Birth control pills are less effective than intrauterine devices or sterilization.

If you are certain you are not pregnant, you can start taking the pill at any point during your menstrual cycle, Heyrana said. It should start to prevent pregnancies within 48 hours of taking the first pill, so you might need a backup contraception method within that window, she said.

What are the side effects and risks associated with Opill?

Opill has fewer side effects and a lower risk profile than other birth control options, particularly combination pills, Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, a professor of reproductive health at Columbia University, said at the meeting.

The most common side effect is unscheduled bleeding throughout the cycle that is heavier than spotting and rarely follows any patterns, said Heyrana, “which can be quite bothersome for people.”

The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention notes that the combination oral contraceptive is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and blood clots. In contrast, according to the CDC, the mini pill is not associated with many serious long-term risks.

Research has suggested that taking a progestin pill, like Opill, might exacerbate severe liver disease or breast cancer, so people who have had those conditions should avoid it.

How much will it cost?

HRA Pharma has not yet revealed the sticker price, but affordability is going to be one of the main sticking points for consumers going forward, said Dana Singiser, co-founder of the Contraceptive Access Initiative, a nonprofit organization that advocates for expanded access to contraceptives.

“It is clearly a huge priority for the reproductive health community to make sure that the on-the-shelf price truly is affordable for the consumers who tend to have less access to health care,” Singiser said.

The Affordable Care Act mandates that insurance companies fully cover

prescribed contraceptives, and, Singiser said, reproductive rights activists are hoping that would extend to Opill as well, even if it’s purchased over the counter. But that would require the Department of Health and Human Services to direct insurance companies to include Opill, Singiser said, and it’s difficult to determine how long that will take.

Those who have insurance and access to a pharmacy or a physician can still go and get a prescription for a mini pill to avoid any out-of-pocket costs, Singiser said.

If the FDA decides to move on the recommendation, how soon would Opill be available?

The pill could be available almost overnight, Singiser said. It would simply depend on how quickly HRA Pharma can get the product “on the shelves with the FDA-approved label,” she said.

In other words, theoretically by the end of the summer, she said, you could “go to the family planning aisle at a CVS or Walgreens or Rite Aid and — right next to the condoms and the emergency contraception — there should be a pack of Opill.”

The Food and Drug Administration building in Silver Spring, Md., on May 26, 2022. FDA advisers voted that the benefits of a nonprescription hormonal contraceptive pill outweigh the risks. If the agency decides to move on the recommendation, the progestin-only contraceptive could be in stores within a few months.

A birth control pill may soon be available over the counter. Here’s what to know.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO

DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN

CANDIDO TORRES

RAMOS

Peticionaria EX-PARTE

Civil #: BY2023CV01244. So-

bre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO. (605). EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LAS PERSONAS IGNORADAS Y DESCONOCIDAS A QUIENES PUDIERA PERJUDICAR LA INSCRIPCIÓN DEL DOMINIO A FAVOR DE LA PARTE PETICIONARIA EN EL REGISTRO DE LA PROPIEDAD DE LA FINCA

QUE MÁS ADELANTE SE DESCRIBIRÁ Y A TODA

PERSONA EN GENERAL

QUE CON DERECHO

PARA ELLO DESEE OPONERSE A ESTE EXPEDIENTE.

POR LA PRESENTE: se les notifica para que comparezcan, si lo creyeren pertinente, ante este Honorable Tribunal dentro de los veinte (20) días contados a partir de la última publicación e este edicto a exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre la finca que se describe más adelante. Usted deberá presentar su posición a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de casos (SUMAC)1 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 en la secretaría del Tribunal.

Si usted deja de expresarse dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia, previo a escuchar la prueba de valor de la parte peticionaria en su contra, sin más citarle ni oírle, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la petición, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. El abogado de la parte peticionaria es el Lic. Jaime Rodríguez Rivera, cuya dirección es #30 Calle Reparto Piñero, Guaynabo, PR 00969-5650, Teléfono 787-7209553. RÚSTICA: Parcela de terreno en el barrio Sonadora

del término municipal de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, compuesta de 0.75 de cuerda equivalentes a 2947.797 metros cuadrados.

En lindes por el NORTE: con terrenos de Pascual Nieves; por el SUR: con terrenos de Higinio Nieves; por el ESTE: con carretera municipal y por el OESTE: con terrenos de Emeteria Nieves. Enclava estructura para fines residenciales”. Según mensura se describe del siguiente modo: ‘’RÚSTICA: Parcela de terreno en el barrio Sonadora del término municipal de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, compuesta de 0.3427 cda equivalentes a 1347.0205 metros cuadrados.

En lindes por el NORTE: con terrenos de Pascual Nieves, hoy, Sucesión de Pascual Nieves, por el SURESTE y por el ESTE: con carretera municipal la Marquesa y por el OESTE: con terrenos de Emeteria Nieves, hoy Sucesión de Emeteria Nieves. Enclava estructura para fines residenciales”. Este edicto deberá ser publicado en tres (3) ocasiones dentro del término de veinte (20) días, en un periódico de circulación general diaria, para que comparezcan si quieren alegar su derecho. Toda primera mención de persona natural y/o jurídica que se mencione en el mismo, se identificará en letra tamaño 10 puntos y negrillas, conforme a lo dispuesto en las Reglas de procedimiento Civil, 2009. Se le apercibe que de no comparecer los interesados y/o partes citadas, o en su defecto los organismos públicos afectados en el término Improrrogable de veinte (20) días a contar de la fecha de la última publicación el edicto, el Tribunal podrá conceder el remedio solicitado por la parte peticionaria, sin más citarle ni oírle. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 24 de abril de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SAN-

TA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA

REGIONAL. NÉLIDA OCASIO

ORTEGA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA DE CAROLINA

NICHOLE BERRIOS BENÍTEZ

Demandante Vs. SUCN. DE DON PEDRO

BERRIOS Y DOÑA

MATILDE RIVERA

T/C/C MATILDE RUIZ, COMPUESTA POR: SUCN. DE SERAFÍN BERRIOS

RUIZ, SUCN. DE JORGE

BERRIOS RUIZ, SUCN. DE LUIS BERRIOS RUIZ, SUCN. DE CRESILDA

BERRIOS RUIZ Y SUCN. DE CONCEPCIÓN

BERRIOS RUIZ; SUCN. DE SERAFIN BERRIOS RUIZ, COMPUESTA POR: SUCN. DE HÉCTOR E. BERRIOS BENÍTEZ, SUCN. DE JAIME I. BERRIOS BENÍTEZ, SUCN. DE EDDIE S. BERRIOS BENÍTEZ, SUCN. DE LUIS R. BERRIOS BENÍTEZ, EFRAÍN O. BERRIOS BENÍTEZ Y EDWIN W. BERRIOS BENÍTEZ; JOHN DOE Y JANE ROE.

Demandados

CIVIL NÚM: CA2022CV-04177

SOBRE: USUCAPIÓN; REANUDACIÓN DE TRACTO REGISTRAL ART. 183, LEY NÚM. 210-2015. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA. EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS. ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. S.S.

A: La Sucesión de Don Pedro Berrios y Doña Matilde Rivera también conocida como Matilde Ruiz, compuesta por: Sucesión de Serafín Berrios Ruiz, Sucesión de Jorge Berrios Ruiz, Sucesión de Luis Berrios Ruiz, Sucesión de Cresilda Berrios Ruiz, Sucesión de Concepción Berrios Ruiz; Sucesión de Serafín Berrios Ruiz compuesta por: Sucesión de Héctor E. Berrios Benítez, Sucesión de Jaime I. Berrios Benítez, Sucesión de Eddie S. Berrios Benítez, Sucesión de Luis R. Berrios Benítez, Efraín O. Berrios Benítez, Edwin W. Berrios Benítez; John Doe y Jane Roe, como posibles herederos de las Sucesiones antes mencionadas y/o terceros quienes también puedan tener algún derecho o reclamación sobre la propiedad, de los cuales se desconocen sus nombres y domicilios y/o las personas ignoradas y desconocidas a quienes pudiera perjudicar la Demanda de Usucapión, Reanudación de Tracto Registral, e Inscripción

a favor de la parte demandante en el Registro de la Propiedad de la finca que más adelante se describirá y a toda persona en general que con derecho para ello desee oponerse a esta solicitud.

POR LA PRESENTE: Se les notifica para que comparezcan, si lo creyeren pertinente, ante este Honorable Tribunal dentro de los veinte (20) días contados a partir de la última publicación de este edicto, a exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga en la acción promovida por la parte demandante de Usucapión, Reanudación de Tracto Registral, e Inscripción a favor de la parte demandante en el Registro de la Propiedad sobre la siguiente finca: Rústica: BARRIO LAS CUEVAS de Trujillo Alto. Solar: F guion seis (F-6). Con una Cabida de: dos (2.00) Cuerdas equivalentes a setenta y ocho (78) áreas, sesenta (60) centiáreas y siete mil novecientos doce (7912) diez milésimas de área. Colindante al NORTE, con las parcelas cinco (5) y diez (10); por el SUR, con la Sucesión Juan Hernández y Enrique Umpierre; por el ESTE, con la parcela número quince (15); y por el OESTE, con Fermín Ramos. Dentro de la parcela descrita se encuentra enclavada una casa de concreto reforzado, tipo tres A, de veintiún pies guion cuatro pulgadas (21’-4”) por diecinueve pies guion cuatro pulgadas (19’-4”), con divisiones interiores de concreto, construida por la Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration. Finca número dos mil quinientos cuarenta y seis (2546), Demarcación Trujillo Alto del Registro Inmobiliario Digital del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. La referida propiedad no aparece tasada para fines contributivos por el Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales (CRIM). La referida propiedad se encuentra localizada en Barrio Las Cuevas, Calle Adelina Hernández 187, Carretera 181, Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico 00962. Debe presentar el original de su escrito 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 Sala de Carolina, PO Box 267 Carolina PR 00986-0267 y notificar copia del mismo al representante legal de la parte demandante, Lcdo. Ramón A.

Pérez González, 6 Calle Hatillo, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918; Tel.: (787) 646-2100. Se le advierte además, que el Tribunal señalará vista en este caso en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, a la cual usted puede comparecer asistido por abogado y presentar oposición a la demanda. Este edicto deberá ser publicado en tres (3) ocasiones dentro del término de veinte (20) días, en un periódico de circulación general diaria, para que comparezcan si quieren alegar su derecho. Se le apercibe que de no comparecer los interesados y/o partes citadas, o en su defecto los organismos públicos afectados en el término improrrogable de veinte (20) días a contar a partir de la fecha de la última publicación del edicto, el Tribunal podrá conceder el remedio solicitado por la parte demandante, sin más citarle ni oírle. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, a 03 de abril de 2023. Lcda. Marilyn Aponte Rodríguez, Secretaria Regional. Keila García Solís, Secretaria Auxiliar del Tribunal.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE AÑASCO ROBERTO TALAVERA SOTO Peticionario EX PARTE

Caso Núm.: AÑ2020CV00088. Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO. EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUESTO RICO.

A: PERSONAS IGNORADAS O DESCONOCIDAS A QUIENES PUEDA PERJUDICAR LA INSCRIPCIÓN SOLICITADA O QUE ESTIMEN QUE SE LESIONA SUS DERECHOS TITULARES O REALES POR DICHA INSCRIPCIÓN Y AL PÚBLICO EN GENERAL, ASÍ COMO A CUALQUIER PERSONA CON INTERÉS, DUEÑOS O POSEEDORES ANTERIORES DESCONOCIDOS O SUS HEREDEROS Y/U ORGANISMOS PÚBLICOS AFECTADOS.

DE: ROBERTO TALAVERA SOTO P/C DE LA LCDA. MARGGIE RODRÍGUEZ

PÉREZ, RAMÓN EMETERIO BETANCES #182 SUR, MAYAGÜEZ, PR 00680.

POR LA PRESENTE, se les notifica a ustedes que se ha radicado una Petición de Expediente de Dominio donde el peticionario solicita se declare a su favor justificado el dominio de la propiedad que se describe a continuación y se ordene la inmatriculación de la propiedad en el Registro de la Propiedad: Rústica: Parcela de terreno radicada en el barrio Quebrada Larga del municipio de Añasco, Puerto Rico. Con una cabida superficial de cero punto siete mil trescientos dieciséis cuerdas (0.7316 cdas.), equivalentes a dos mil ochocientos setenta y cinco punto seis mil seiscientos veinticinco metros cuadrados (2,875.6625 m2), en lindes al Norte, en tres alineaciones continuas sumando setenta y tres punto dos mil trescientos cincuenta y ocho metros lineales (73.2358 m.) con Evelyn García, Eric García y Marielise García; al Sur, en una sola alineación continua de setenta y ocho punto seis mil trescientos treinta y cuatro metros lineales (78.6334 m.), con la Sucn. Otilio Soto Muñiz; al Este, en seis alineaciones continuas que suman cincuenta y cinco punto cinco mil trescientos ochenta y cuatro metros lineales (55.5384 m.) con quebrada la cual separa a los terrenos de la Sucn. Rafael Crespo Rodríguez y al Oeste, en cuatro alineaciones discontinuas y tres arcos discontinuos que suman setenta y seis punto cuatro mil noventa y un metros lineales (76.4091 m.) con la carretera municipal nombrada Salvador Pérez. Se les concede un plazo improrrogable de 20 días a contar de la fecha de la última publicación a fin de que comparezcan si quieren alegar lo que en derecho proceda mediante 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. El Honorable Tribunal releva a la parte peticionaria de presentar prueba de diligenciamiento. Se les apercibe que, de no contestar en el término provisto, este Tribunal, luego de evaluar la prueba podrá declarar, sin más trámite, justificado el dominio de la propiedad a favor del peticionario y ordenar su inmatriculación, así como cualquier remedio que en derecho proceda.

EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y SELLO DEL TRIBUNAL. En Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, hoy 21 de abril del 2023. LIC. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL II. NILDA TORRES ACEVEDO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR. BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

PARTE DEMANDANTE VS. NATALE CORPORATION, representado por Renzo Casillo Nielsen

PARTE DEMANDADA CIVIL NÚM. DCD2015-1488 (702). SOBRE: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA “IN REM”. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia en Rebeldía dictada el 3 de febrero de 2016 enmendada el 20 de abril de 2016 y notificada el 30 de noviembre de 2022, la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia del 14 de marzo de 2023 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución del 23 de marzo de 2023 en el caso de epígrafe, procederé a vender el día 13 de junio de 2023, a las 10:30 de la mañana, en el Cuarto Piso de la Oficina del Alguacil de Subastas, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Sala Superior, ubicado en la Carretera Número Dos (#2), Kilómetro 10.4, Esquina Calle Esteban Padilla, Bayamón, 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 HORIZONTAL: Apartamento que consiste de dos unidades numeradas: 2756/2758, el cual está localizado en el Séptimo (7mo) Piso del Edificio A de Dorado Condominium at Embassy Suites Hotel Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf Resort, ubicado en el Barrio Higuillar del término municipal de Dorado, Puerto Rico, con cabida superficial total de mil doscientos sesenta punto veinticinco (1260.25) pies cuadrados, equivalentes a ciento diecisiete punto doce (117.12)

metros cuadrados. Las entradas principales se encuentran al lado Oeste. Colinda por el NORTE, en distancia de 33’ 8”, con pared común que lo separa del Apartamento Número 2760; por el SUR, en distancia de 27’ 8”, con pared común que lo separa del Apartamento Número 2754; por el ESTE, en distancia de 39’ 6”, con área exterior; y por el OESTE, en distancia de 39’ 6”, con área exterior común. La unidad 2758 contiene un dormitorio con clóset, “kitchenette”, baño y una terraza. La unidad 2756 contiene una cocina con laundry, sala-comedor, un dormitorio con closet, baño y una terraza. El porcentaje de la propiedad de los elementos comunes generales descritos en la escritura matriz es el 1.0528%. La propiedad consta inscrita al tomo Karibe de Dorado, Finca 15234. Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección IV. La hipoteca consta inscrita al tomo Karibe de Dorado, Finca 15234. Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección IV. Inscripción 3ra. Dirección Física: Cond. Embassy Suites, Apt 2756-2758, Dorado PR 00646. Número de Catastro: 11-019-067-026-12-037. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta será de $306,400.00. De no haber adjudicación en la primera subasta se celebrará una segunda subasta, el día 20 de junio de 2023, a las 10:30 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, $204,266.66. De no haber adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una tercera subasta el día el día 27 de junio de 2023, a las 10:30 de la mañana en el mismo lugar, en la cual el tipo mínimo será la mitad del precio pactado, o sea, $153,200.00. 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 esta es mayor. Dicho remate se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer a la demandante el importe de la Sentencia por la suma de $242,411.83 de principal, intereses sobre dicha suma al 6.875% anual desde el 1 de diciembre de 2014 hasta su completo pago, más $402.56 por concepto de recargos adeudados desde el día 1 de enero de 2015 hasta su total pago, más la cantidad estipulada de $30,640.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el

cial a los nuevos dueños dentro del término de veinte (20) días a partir de la celebración de la Subasta. Si transcurren los referidos veinte (20) días, el tribunal podrá ordenar, sin necesidad de ulterior procedimiento, que se lleve a efecto el desalojo o lanzamiento del ocupante u ocupantes de la finca o de todos los que por orden o tolerancia del demandado/deudor la ocupen. El Alguacil de este Tribunal efectuará el lanzamiento de los ocupantes de ser necesario. Por la presente, también se notifica e informa a Fulano de Tal y Sutano de Tal, personas desconocidas que puedan tener derechos en la propiedad o título objeto de este edicto. La Venta en Pública Subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga y gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la Primera, Segunda y Tercera Subasta, si eso fuera necesario, a los efectos de cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha Subasta. 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. Se entenderá que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento del caso de epígrafe están disponibles en la Secretaría de este Tribunal durante horas laborables y para la concurrencia de los licitadores expido el presente Edicto que se publicará en un periódico de circulación diaria en toda la Isla de Puerto Rico por espacio dos (2) semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana y se fijará, además, en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Alcaldía y la Colecturía de Rentas Internas del Municipio donde se celebrará la Subasta y en la Colecturía más cercana del lugar de la residencia de la parte demandada. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO

CUAL, expido el presente que firmo y sello, hoy día 19 de abril de 2023. PEDRO HIEYE GONZALEZ, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN. ***

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN

JUAN

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs.

JOSELIN LEONOR VILORIO NUÑEZ

Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2023CV02658. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: JOSELIN LEONOR VILORIO NUÑEZ. CONDOMINIO VICTORIA APARTMENTS, APTO. B-118, SAN JUAN, PR 00924. DIRECCIÓN

POSTAL: PMP 1303, 243

CALLE PARIS SAN JUAN, PR 00917-3623.

POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días a partir de 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. 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. Representa a la parte demandante, la representación legal cuyo nombre, dirección y teléfono se consigna de inmediato:

BUFETE FORTUÑO & FORTUÑO FAS, C.S.P.

LCDO. JUAN C. FORTUÑO FAS

RÚA NÚM.: 11416

PO BOX 3908, GUAYNABO, PR 00970

TEL: 787-751-5290,

FAX: 787-751-6155

E-MAlL: ejecuciones@fortuno-law.com

En San Juan, Puerto Rico a 9 de mayo de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. BRENDA E. HERNÁNDEZ ZAVALA, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE MANATÍ GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC

Demandante V. AUREA NYDIA LUGO PIÑEIRO, TAMBIÉN CONOCIDA COMO AUREA LUGO DE VIDAL POR SI Y COMO MIEMBRO DE LA SUCESION DE JORGE VIDAL ARROYO COMPUESTA ADEMÁS POR JORGE VIDAL

CRUZ; JOEL VIDAL CRUZ; MIGUEL VIDAL CRUZ, Y JORGE VIDAL LUGO; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandados

Civil Núm.: BC2022CV00112. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO

GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Manatí, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque gerente, giro postal, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América al nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Manati, el 5 DE JULIO DE 2023 A LAS

9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número 795 en el plano de parcelación de la Comunidad Rural Angostura del Barrio Florida Afuera del término municipal de Barceloneta, con una cabida superficial de 505.15 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con parcela número 794 de la comunidad; por el SUR, con las parcelas número 797 y la número 796 de la comunidad; por el ESTE, con la parcela número 796 y la calle de la comunidad; y por el OESTE, con parcela número 798 de la comunidad.

Consta inscrita al folio 165 del tomo 145 de Barceloneta, finca número 9679, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Manatí. Propiedad localizada en: PR 140 KM 57.2, Angostura Comm, Barceloneta, PR 00617. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución no está gravada con cargas anteriores o cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante

antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo mínimo de subasta la suma de $56,649.99, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Manatí, el 12 DE JULIO DE 2023

A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $37,766.66, 2/3 partes del tipo mínimo establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $28,324.99, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Manatí, el 19 DE JULIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $32,245.42 de principal, intereses al tipo del 8.556% anual según ajustado desde el día 1ro. de agosto de 2018 hasta el pago de la deuda en su totalidad, un balance diferido que no genera intereses en la cantidad de $10,122.55, más la suma de $11,330.00 por concepto de honorarios de abogado y costas autorizadas por el Tribunal, más las cantidades que se adeudan mensualmente por concepto de seguro hipotecario, cargos por demora, y otros adeudados que se hagan en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas pu-

blicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Manatí, Puerto Rico, hoy día 27 de abril de 2023. WILFREDO RODRÍGUEZ CARRIÓN, ALGUACIL CONFIDENCIAL PLACA #135, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MANATÍ, SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. FELIX ORESTES DONES FALU Y OTROS

Demandado(a)

Civil: CA2023CV00189. Sala: 409. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. A: FELIX ORESTES DONES FALU POR SI Y COMO MIEMBRO DE LA SUCESION DE ROSA JULIA SANTANA MELECIO (CUOTA VIUDAL); EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO E INTERPELACION DIRIGIDA A: SABDIASEP DONES SANTANA, ASOR JOHANNIEM DONES SANTANA Y JAFET ELIM DONES SANTANA, TODOS POR SI Y COMO MIEMBROS DE LA SUCESION DE ROSA JULIA SANTANA MELECIO. - COND INTERAMERICANA, B20 CALLE 21 APT 191 TRUJILLO ALTO PR 00976. (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 9 de mayo 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 11 de mayo de 2023. En CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, el 11 de mayo de 2023. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA. MARICRUZ APONTE ALICEA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA SALA

SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs LA SUCESION DE LUIS

MANUEL APONTE LOPEZ

T/C/C LUIS M. APONTE LOPEZ COMPUESTA

POR ANLWIS MANUEL APONTE COLON, FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS

DESCONOCIDOS, ELIZABETH ROBLES

TORRES POR SI Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA

Demandado(a)

Civil Núm.: CG2023CV00080.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA

POR EDICTO.

A: ANLWIS MANUEL

APONTE COLON, COMO HEREDERO DE LUIS

MANUEL LOPEZ T/C/C

LUIS M. APONTE LOPEZ, ELIZABETH ROBLES

TORRES POR SI Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAD USUFRUCTUARIA A SUS ULTIMAS DIRECCIONES

CONOCIDAS: URB.

JARDINES DE RABANAL 6 (61) CALLE BAMBU, CIDRA PR 00739; RR 1 BOX 3082-1, CIDRA, PR 00739-8206; URB.

JARDINES DE RABANAL, 7 CALLE BAMBU, CIDRA PR 00739-9923, CORREO ELECTRONICO: robleselizabeth851@ gmail.com.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se les notifica la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de marzo 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 10 de mayo de 2023. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 10 de mayo de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA. VIONNETTE ESPINOSA CASTILLO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

ROBERTO JESUS

TORRES COMAS Y WINDA WALESKA

VELAZQUEZ ARROYO

Demandante Vs BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO; FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO, POR CONDUCTO DE SUCESORES EN DERECHO DE DORAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION, JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO Y CUALESQUIERA

PERSONA

DESCONOCIDA CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN LA OBLIGACIÓN CUYA CANCELACIÓN POR DECRETO JUDICIAL SE SOLICITA

Demandado

Civil Núm.: PO2023CV00730.

Salón: 601. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO Y JUANA DEL PUEBLO A SER NOTIFICADO POR EDICTO POR CONDUCTO DE LA LCDA. ALYSSA M. RIVERA RIVERA. LCDA. ALYSSA M. RIVERA RIVERA. P.O. BOX 19815, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00910, TEL.: 787-400-7269, ALYSSARIVERA.LAW@ OUTLOOK.COM.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se les notifica la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 11 de mayo 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 12 de mayo de 2023. En Ponce, Puerto Rico, el 12 de mayo de 2023. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. JESSICA BONILLA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE SAN BAYAMÓN KEYLINK LLC

Demandante Vs. SUCESION MARIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ VALLES COMPUESTAS POR FULANO Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DE LA SUCESION; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA

Demandados Civil Núm.: BY2023CV02523. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA - IN REM. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO E INTERPELACIÓN. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: FULANO Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE MARIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ VALLE T/C/C MARIA I. HERNANDEZ T/C/C MARIA ISABEL HERNANDEZ VALLES. POR LA PRESENTE se les emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto. Usted deberá radicar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired.rama-

judicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se presente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá radicar el original de su contestación ante el Tribunal correspondiente y notifique con copia a los abogados de la parte demandante, Lcdo. Roberto C. Latimer Valentín, al PO BOX 9022512, San Juan, P.R. 00902-2512; Teléfono: (787) 724-0230. En dicha demanda se tramita un procedimiento ejecución de hipoteca bajo el número mencionado en el epígrafe. Se alega en dicho procedimiento que la parte Demandada incurrió en el incumplimiento del Contrato de Hipoteca, al no cumplir con los requerimiento establecidos en el Contrato de Hipoteca Revertida por no ser la vivienda principal del deudor, entre otras De acuerdo con dicho Contrato de Garantía Hipotecaria la parte Demandante declaró vencida la totalidad de la deuda ascendente a la suma principal de $107,282.49, más intereses a razón del 5.56% anual, desde que dichas sumas fueron desembolsadas siendo el primer desembolso el 24 de agosto de 2010, hasta el presente y los que se continúen acumulando hasta su total y completo pago, más adelantos para el pago de seguros hipotecarios y contribuciones sobre la propiedad, entre cualquier otro anticipo o adelanto hecho por la parte demandante, más una suma equivalente a ($22,650.00), por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado todo según pactado. La parte Demandante presentará para su inscripción en el Registro de la Propiedad correspondiente, un A VISO DE PLEITO

PENDIENTE (“Lis Pendens”) sobre la propiedad objeto de esta acción cuya propiedad es la siguiente: URBANA: Solar radicado en el barrio Pájaros de Bayamón, Puerto Rico, con el número cinco de la manzana

A en el Plano de Inscripción parcial de la Urbanización Hermanas Dávila, con un área superficial de cuatrocientos veinte metros cuadrados, colindando por su frente que es el NORTE, en catorce metros con la calle

A de la Urbanización; por el Su fondo que es el SUR, en catorce metros con solares de Hermanas Dávila; por su derecha entrando que es el OESTE, en treinta metros con solar número seis de dicha manzana propiedad de Hermanas Dávila Inc.; y por su izquierda entrando que es el ESTE, en treinta metros con el solar número cuatro de dicha manzana propiedad de Hermanas Dávila Inc. Consta inscrita al folio 17 del tomo 137 de Bayamón Sur, Finca# 6,955, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección I de Bayamón. SE LES ORDENA a ustedes a que dentro del término legal de treinta (30) días, contados a partir de la fecha de notificación de la presente

Orden, acepten o repudien la participación que les corresponda en la herencia de la DE LA SUCESION DE Maria Isabel Hernandez Valle t/c/c Maria l. Hernandez t/c/c Maria Isabel Hernandez Valles. De no hacerlo dentro de dicho término, se dará la herencia por aceptada. SE LES APERCIBE que de no hacer sus alegaciones responsivas a la demanda dentro del término aquí dispuesto, se les anotará la rebeldía y se dictara sentencia, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal en Bayamón, Puerto Rico. A 12 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SAN-

TA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA

REGIONAL. SANDRA BÁEZ

HERNÁNDEZ, SECRETARIA

AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN

JUAN

REVERSE MORTGAGE

FUNDING LLC

Demandante Vs.

SUCESION CARMEN

LUCILA GONZALEZ

GONZALEZ T/C/C

CARMEN LUCILA

GONZALEZ T/C/C

CARMEN GONZALEZ

GONZALEZ T/C/C

CARMEN LUCIA

GONZALEZ GONZALEZ T/C/C CARMEN L.

GONZALEZ COMPUESTA

POR LUCILA GONZALEZ, DENISE THIESFELDT

GONZALEZ, WILLIAM THIESFELDT

GONZALEZ, DEBORAH

THIESFELDT GONZALEZ, SHEILA THIESFELDT

GONZALEZ; JOHN DOE

Y JANE DOE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; SUCESION DE MARGARITA ROSA

GONZALEZ COMPUESTA

POR DENISE

THIESFELDT GONZALEZ, WILLIAM THIESFELDT

GONZALEZ, DEBORAH

THIESFELDT GONZALEZ, SHEILA THIESFELDT

GONZALEZ; JOHN ROE Y JANE ROE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES Demandados

Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV01813.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA.

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

A: La Parte Demandada, al (a la) Secretario(a) de Hacienda de Puerto Rico y al Público General: Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 12 DE JUNIO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el numero Noventa y Nueve (99) en el plano de inscripción condicionado de la URBANIZACION EXTENSION SAN AGUSTIN, radicado en el Barrio Sabana Liana del sitio denominado Rio Piedras del término municipal del gobierno de la capital de Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de TRESCIENTOS VEINTICINCO PUNTO CERO CERO METROS CUADRADOS (325.00 M.C.). En lindes por el NORTE, en trece punto cero cero metros (13.00 m.), con la Calle número Diez (10) del mencionado plano, por el SUR, en trece punto cero cero metros (13.00 m.), con el Solar Ciento Trece (113) del mencionado plano, por el ESTE, en veinticinco punto cero cero metros (25.00 m.), con el Solar Cien (100) del mencionado plano; y por el OESTE, en veinticinco punto cero cero metros (25.00 m.), con el Solar Noventa y Ocho (98) del mencionado plano. Enclava una casa. Inscrita al folio 6 del tomo 55 de Sabana Llana, finca 2,237, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección V. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 418 del tomo 1,129 de Sabana Llana, finca 2,237, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección V, inscripción 26ª. Propiedad localizada en: EXTENSION SAN AGUSTIN, 364 CALLE 8, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00926. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga:

N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento:

N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gra-

vada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $352,500.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 4 de octubre de 2072. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $235,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 20 DE JUNIO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $156,666.67, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $117,500.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, el 27 DE JUNIO DE 2023, A LAS 10:00 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a la suma de $246,772.37 por concepto de principal, la cual no incluye intereses y otros gastos acumulados hasta el 31 de marzo de 2022. La suma total incluyendo intereses y otros gastos acumulados hasta esa fecha es de $293,353.53; costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado en caso de reclamación judicial y que correspondan a intereses y cargos por demora posterior a dicha fecha; así como cualquier otra suma que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca. Dichas sumas están vencidas, son líquidas y exigibles. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se notifica y se hace saber la fecha, hora y sitio de la PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA, si esto fuera necesario, a los efectos de que cualquier persona o personas con algún interés puedan comparecer a la celebración de dicha subasta. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás

constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy 5 de mayo de 2023. EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #368.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESION DE RAFAEL DEL TORO DELGADO, COMPUESTA POR SUS HEREDEROS: RAFAEL DEL TORO REYES; EDNA MARIA DEL TORO REYES; Y LUISA VANESSA DEL TORO REYES; AUREA SELENIA RAMIREZ JIMENEZ; JOSEFINA VEGA VAZQUEZ, COMO VIUDA DEL CAUSANTE; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIONES DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandado(a)

Civil: BY2021CV05354. Sala: 503. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. A: RAFAEL DEL TORO REYES; EDNA MARIA DEL TORO REYES; Y LUISA VANESSA TORO REYES, COMO HEREDEROS CONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION DE RAFAEL DEL TORO DELGADO; AUREA SELENIA RAMIREZ JIMENEZ, JOSEFINA VEGA VAZQUEZ COMO VIUDA DEL CAUSANTE RAFAEL DEL TORO DELGADO. (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 27 de septiembre 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 4 de octubre de 2022. En BAYAMÓN, Puerto Rico, el 4 de octubre de 2022. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. IVETTE M. MARRERO BRACERO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

GOBIERNO DE PUERTO RICO. DEPARTAMENTO DE ESTADO. NOMBRE COMERCIAL PARA REGISTRAR. AVISO. A QUIEN PUEDA INTERESAR: De acuerdo con las disposiciones de la Ley Núm. 75 del 23 de septiembre de 1992, según enmendada, mejor conocida como la Ley de Nombres Comerciales del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico y la Sección 24 del Reglamento promulgado bajo la ley citada anteriormente, el siguiente nombre comercial ha sido presentado en el Departamento de Estado de Puerto Rico para su archivo y registro.

EL BRONX

BAR & GRILL

Número de Expediente: 251664-99-1. Propietario: Chinchorreando LLC. Dirección: Urb. San Alfonso Calle Degetau D-3 Caguas, PR 00725. Actividad Empresarial: “Establecimiento para la venta de alimentos preparados.” Renuncia a elementos no registrables: Se renuncia a los términos “Bar & Grill”. NOTIFICACIÓN: Cualquier oposición a este registro deberá presentarse en el Departamento de Estado de Puerto Rico dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este aviso.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

PELLICIA TARAFA

Demandante Vs SOUTHERN MORTGAGE

CORPORATION; CITIMORTGAGE INC. JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE COMO

POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS

Demandado

Civil Núm.: PO2023CV00316. Salón: 601. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ HIPOTECARIO EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICFO.

A: SOUTHERN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, CITIMORTGAGE INC.

JOHN DOE Y RICHARD

ROE A SER NOTIFICADO POR EDICTO POR CONDUCTO DE LA LCDA. MARJALIISA COLÓN VILLANUEVA.

LCDA. MARJALIISA COLÓN VILLANUEVA. WENDELL W. COLÓN LAW OFFICE. P.O. BOX 7970, PONCE, PUERTO RICO 00732. TEL.: 787-843-4168 / FAX 787840-1049 MCOLON@ WWCLAW.COM.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se les notifica la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 8 de mayo 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 15 de mayo de 2023. En Ponce, Puerto Rico, el 15 de mayo de 2023. CARMEN

G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. JESSICA

BONILLA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU-

NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN

JUAN

CONSEJO DE TITULARES DEL CONDOMINIO

PROFESIONAL SAN

JUAN HEALTH CENTRE

Demandante V, RAD-MAN BP 22, LLC

Demandado / Demandante

contra Tercero V. LUIS F. HERNÁNDEZ VÉLEZ, ET AL.

Tercero Demandado Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV08027. (803). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO ORDINARIO (LEY 129-2020). EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: ALVILDA FUSTER RIVERA T/C/C ALVIDA FUSTER RIVERA Y SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES

COMPUESTA POR LUIS F. HERNÁNDEZ VÉLEZ Y ALVILDA FUSTER RIVERA. DIRECCIONES CONOCIDAS: CONDOMINIO PLAZA ATLÁNTICO, AVE. ISLA VERDE #4531, APARTAMENTO 1102, CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO 00979; URB. MONTEHIEDRA, CALLE GUAYACÁN J-16, SAN JUAN, PR 00926; CONDOMINIO PROFESIONAL SAN JUAN HEALTH CENTRE, SUITE 508 SAN JUAN, PR. Por la presente se le notifica que se ha radicado en su contra una Demanda contra Tercero Enmendada. Se le emplaza y requiere para que notifique a: Lcdo. Luis G. Parrilla Hernández Luis G. Parrilla Hernández RUA Núm. 16,736 Email: lparrilla@ferraiuoli.com Abogados de la demandante contra terceros, Rad-Man BP 22, LLC, con copia de respuesta a la Demanda contra Tercero Enmendada dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia 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 con el sello del Tribunal. DADO hoy en San Juan, Puerto Rico, 11 de mayo de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MARÍA I. RÍOS LÓPEZ, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

NAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN

WILMINGTON SAVINGS

FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES

ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1

Demandante V.

SUCESION CARMEN

SOCORRO MARTINEZ

MELENDEZ T/C/C

CARMEN S. MARTINEZ

T/C/C CARMEN S.

MARTINEZ MELENDEZ

COMPUESTA POR JOHN

ROE Y JANE ROE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; SUCESION BLANCA

GLORIA MELENDEZ

ARROYO T/C/C GLORIA

MELENDEZ ARROYO

T/C/C GLORIA MELENDEZ

MARTINEZ T/C/C

GLORIA M. MARTINEZ

COMPUESTA POR EDNEE

MARTINEZ MELENDEZ, JOSE MIGUEL MARTINEZ

PIÑERO, FRANCIS

JAVIER MARTINEZ

PIÑERO, MICHAEL

MARTINEZ; JOHN DOE

Y JANE DOE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS;

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO

DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICPALES Demandado(a)

Civil: BY2022CV05092. Sobre:

EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA.

NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTEN-

CIA POR EDICTO.

A: SUCESION CARMEN

SOCORRO MARTINEZ

MELENDEZ T/C/C

CARMEN S. MARTINEZ

T/C/C CARMEN S.

MARTINEZ MELENDEZ

COMPUESTA POR JOHN

ROE Y JANE ROE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS;

SUCESION BLANCA

GLORIA MELENDEZ

ARROYO T/C/C GLORIA

MELENDEZ ARROYO

T/C/C GLORIA MELENDEZ

MARTINEZ T/C/C

GLORIA M. MARTINEZ

COMPUESTA POR EDNEE

MARTINEZ MELENDEZ, JOSE MIGUEL MARTINEZ

PIÑERO, FRANCIS

JAVIER MARTINEZ

PIÑERO, MICHAEL

MARTINEZ; JOHN DOE

Y JANE DOE COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS

(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 marzo 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 12 de mayo de 2023. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 12 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SAN-

TA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. AMALYN FIGUEROA NIEVES, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

MANAL M. ABDEL RAHIM KOJAK

Demandante V. VICTOR J. REYES GONZALEZ

Demandado(a)

Civil: BY2023RF00006. 3001.

Sobre: PRIVACIÓN DE PATRIA POTESTAD. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: · VICTOR J. REYES GONZALEZ.

(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 10 de mayo 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 12 de mayo de 2023. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 12 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA.

YVETTE RÍOS VÁZQUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

HELGA EDME LABORDE MIRANDA

Demandante V. FULANO DE TAL Y MENGANO DEL CUAL

Demandado (a)

Civl Núm.: SJ2023CV02151.

Sala: 903. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: FULANO DE TAL Y MENGANO DEL CUAL.

(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 9 de mayo 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 11 de mayo de 2023. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 11 de mayo de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. MILDRED J. FRANCO REVENTOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V.

IVÁN RÍOS TORRES; SU ESPOSA MARÍA MARGARITA MELÉNDEZ TORRES, Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: BY2021CV04958.

Sala: 506. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA “IN REM”. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. AVISO DE SUBASTA. El que suscribe, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior, Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hago saber, a la parte demandada y al PÚBLICO EN GENERAL: Que en cumplimiento del Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia expedido el día 28 de abril de 2023, por la Secretaría del Tribunal, procederé a vender y venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor la propiedad que ubica y se describe a continuación: URBANA: Propiedad Horizontal: Condominio Colinas Del Sol 2 de Bayamón Sur, Puerto Rico. Apartamento: 4322. Cabida: 95.43 metros cuadrados, localizado en el segundo (2do) piso del Edificio número cuarenta y tres (43) del Condominio Colinas del Sol II, el cual está situado en el Barrio Buena Vista del municipio de Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Unidad individual de vivienda residencial de un nivel de altura construida de hormigón reforzado y bloques de concreto, con puertas de madera y ventanas de aluminio y cristal, compuesto de: sala-comedor, cocina, cuarto de lavandería (“laundry”), baño en el área de pasillo, dos (2) dormitorios con closet cada uno y un dormitorio principal (“master bedroom”) con closets con pasillo (“walk-in-closet”) y un año. Según se detalla en el plano, este apartamento colinda por el NORTE, con área común general, en un distancia de treinta pies siete pulgadas (30’7”), equivalentes a nueve punto treinta y dos metros (9.32 m.); por el SUR, con área común general, en una distancia de treinta pies siete pulgadas (30’7”), equivalentes a nueve punto treinta y dos metros (9.32 m.); por el ESTE, con área común general, apartamento cuarenta y tres veintiuno (4321), escaleras, pasillo (“hallway”) y entrada, en una distancia de treinta y cinco pies cero pulgadas (35’00”), equivalentes a diez punto sesenta y siete metros (10.67 m.) y por el OESTE, con pared medianera que lo divide del apartamento cuarenta y cuatro veintiuno (4421) en una distan-

cia de treinta y cuatro pies diez pulgadas (34’-10”), equivalentes a diez punto sesenta y dos metros (10.62 m.). La entrada principal de este apartamento está localizada en su lindero Este, la cual conecta la salacomedor del apartamento con el pasillo (“hallway”) del segundo (2do) piso del Edificio número cuarenta y tres (43), del Condómino Colinas del Sol II, el cual es un elemento común general del Condominio Colinas del Sol II. Este apartamento consta de un área de construcción bruta de mil veintisiete punto veintidós pies cuadrados (1,027.22 p. c.), equivalentes a noventa y cinco punto cuarenta y tres metros cuadrados (95.43 m.c.), como área privada de vivienda. Le corresponde a este apartamento, como anejo al mismo y como un elemento privado de uso exclusivo, dos (2) espacios de estacionamiento al descubierto de tamaño doble (“Back to Back”) identificados con los números cuarenta y tres veintidós A (4322A) y cuarenta y tres veintidós B (4322B) con una cabida aproximada de trescientos veinticinco punto sesenta y un pies cuadrados (325.61 p.c.) equivalentes a treinta punto veinticinco metros cuadrados (30.25 m.c.) y dimensiones aproximadas de dos punto setenta y cinco metros (2.75 m.) de ancho y once metros (11.00 m.) de largo. A este apartamento le corresponde una participación de un cero punto tres tres tres tres tres tres por ciento (0.333333%) en los elementos comunes generales del Condominio Colinas del Sol II. Inscrita en la finca número 81,280, al tomo Karibe de Bayamón Sur. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección I de Bayamón. Propiedad ubicada, según pagaré, en: Condominio Colinas del Sol II, Apartamento 4322, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Además, el Alguacil que suscribe, hago saber a todos los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante, o de los acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca ejecutada y las personas interesadas en, o con derecho a exigir el cumplimiento de instrumentos negociables garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito ejecutado, siempre que surjan de la certificación registral, para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les convenga o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogados asegurados, quedando entonces subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante: Aviso de Demanda de fecha 6 de diciembre de 2021, expedido en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Ba-

yamón, en el Caso Civil número BY2021CV04958, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, “In REM”, seguido por el Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, versus Iván Ríos Torres y su esposa María Margarita Meléndez Torres, por la suma de $109,619.73 más intereses y otras sumas, anotado el día 28 de diciembre de 2021, al tomo Karibe de Bayamón Sur, finca número 81,280, Anotación A. El producto de la subasta se destinará a satisfacer al demandante hasta donde alcance, la SENTENCIA dictada a su favor, el día 27 de marzo de 2023, archivada en autos y notificada el 27 de marzo de 2023, en el presente caso civil, a saber la suma de $109,619.73 por concepto de principal, más los intereses sobre dicha suma a razón del 3.75%, anual desde el 1ro de febrero de 2020, 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 $11,979.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y demás créditos accesorios garantizados hipotecariamente. La adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el acto mismo de la adjudicación, en efectivo (moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América), giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del alguacil del Tribunal. LA PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a efecto el día 22 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:15 DE LA MAÑANA, en el cuarto piso, Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas de Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Que el precio mínimo fijado para la PRIMERA SUBASTA es de $119,790.00. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una SEGUNDA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 29 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:15 DE LA MAÑANA, en el cuarto piso, Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas de Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA SUBASTA será de $79,860.00, equivalentes a dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una TERCERA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día 6 DE JULIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:15 DE LA MAÑANA, en el cuarto piso, Oficina de Alguaciles de Subastas de Centro Judicial de Bayamón, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. El precio mínimo para la TERCERA SUBASTA será de $59,895.00, equivalentes a la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se adjudica-

rá 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 esta es mayor, todo ello a tenor con lo dispone el Articulo 104 de la Ley Núm. 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015 conocida como “Ley del Registro de la Propiedad Inmueble del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquiere libre de toda carga y gravamen que afecte la mencionada finca según el Artículo 102, inciso 6. Una vez confirmada la venta judicial por el Honorable Tribunal, se procederá a otorgar la correspondiente escritura de venta judicial y se pondrá al comprador en posesión física del inmueble de conformidad con las disposiciones de Ley. Para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda aquella persona o personas que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de todos los licitadores y el público en general, el presente Edicto se publicará por espacio de dos (2) semanas consecutivas, con un intervalo de por lo menos siete días entre ambas publicaciones, en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico y se fijará además en tres (3) lugares públicos del Municipio en que ha de celebrarse dicha venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Se les informa, por último, que: a. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la secretaría del tribunal durante las horas laborables. b. Que 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. Se entenderá, que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. EXPIDO, el presente EDICTO, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy día 09 de mayo de 2023. EDGARDO ELÍAS VARGAS SANTANA, ALGUACIL

AUXILIAR PLACA #193, DIVISIÓN DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

WILMINGTON SAVINGS

FUND SOCIETY FSB AS

TRUSTEE OF STANWICH

MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST D

Demandante V. SUCESIÓN LUIS SANTAGO ROSA, LA SUCESIÓN DE LYDIA HERNÁNDEZ VAZQUEZ COMPUESTA POR LUZ DELIA PENA HERNANDEZ, ANAIDA PENA HERNANDEZ, JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE, SECRETARIO DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE URBANO Y VIVIENDA DESARROLLO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA, DEPARTAMENTO DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO, CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandado(a)

Civil: LO2019CV00131. 404. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: NOEL MOJICA HERNANDEZ; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LYDIA HERNANDEZ VAZQUEZ Y NOEL MOHICA HERNANDEZ. (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 2 de MAYO 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 5 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 MAYO de 2023. En CAROLINA, Puerto Rico, el 8 DE MAYO de 2023. MARILYN APONTE RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA. KEILA GARCÍA SOLÍS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

San Antonio Spurs get the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery

By SOPAN DEB

The San Antonio Spurs won the 2023 NBA draft lottery earlier this week, giving them the No. 1 pick in June’s draft and the right to select the most anticipated prospect since LeBron James: the 19-year-old French star Victor Wembanyama.

Peter Holt, the chair of the Spurs, jumped up to celebrate the moment it became apparent the Spurs had obtained the top pick. The lottery was held Tuesday night in Chicago, and the draft order was revealed during an ESPN broadcast.

“I might faint,” Holt said on the broadcast. “I’m so excited. The city of San Antonio, our fans, man — we just have so many people that love the Spurs so we’re pumped.”

The No. 2 pick went to the Charlotte Hornets, the third to the Portland Trail Blazers and the fourth to the Houston Rockets.

Wembanyama, in an interview from France, told ESPN: “My heart is beating. I got everyone I love, everyone I know around me. It’s really a special moment I’m going to remember for the rest of my life.”

A 7-foot-3 center with an 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama can handle the ball and shoot like a guard. He plays for Metropolitans 92, a professional French league team, where he is averaging 21.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The NBA G League hosted his team for a two-game exhibition near Las Vegas in October, and the NBA has broadcast some of his games. The hype about him rivals that surrounding James in 2003, when the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him No. 1 overall out of high school.

“He clearly, you know, appears to be a generational talent,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on ESPN before the lottery. “And, you know, there’s lots of other examples of generational talents who come in this league who’ve met expectations and some who haven’t. But I have no reason to believe he won’t.”

Wembanyama is certainly not the only potentially franchise-altering prospect available in this year’s draft, set for

June 22 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Scoot Henderson, a 19-yearold guard who played for the G League Ignite and faced Wembanyama in the October exhibitions, is widely expected to be drafted at No. 2 overall. Henderson averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 19 games with the Ig-

nite this season. For the Spurs, this is the third time they have won the lottery. In 1997, they used the No. 1 pick to select Tim Duncan, who became one of the best big men in NBA history. Ten years before, they also picked a big man in David Robinson, a 10-time All-Star. Both play-

ers are in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The draft order is decided by a lottery that grants teams with worse regular-season records better odds for the No. 1 pick. This system has led to teams being accused of tanking — not prioritizing winning to position themselves for high draft picks. The three teams with the best chance — 14% — to get the top pick this year were San Antonio, Houston and the Detroit Pistons, which got the fifth pick. The 11 other teams in the lottery had lessened odds, ranging from Charlotte at 13% to the New Orleans Pelicans at 0.5%.

In recent years, the NBA has moved to curb tanking by introducing a postseason play-in tournament to decide the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference and by flattening the chances for the No. 1 pick among the three worst teams.

But with Wembanyama’s NBA arrival on the horizon, Silver told reporters in the fall, “I know that many of our NBA teams are salivating at the notion that potentially through our lottery, they can get him, so they should all still compete very hard next season.”

The NBA fined the Dallas Mavericks $750,000 last month for resting several players in the final days of the season even though the team still had a chance to make the play-in tournament. They missed the playoffs and received the No. 10 pick through the lottery. They had a 3% chance of getting No. 1.

They weren’t as lucky as San Antonio.

The Spurs’ Gregg Popovich is the longest tenured coach in the NBA. He took over in December 1996 and has since led the Spurs to five championships, most recently in 2014. But in recent years, the Spurs have been rebuilding and stockpiling young talent. The team has not made the playoffs since 2019. They were tied with Houston for the worst record in the Western Conference this season at 2260. Wembanyama could immediately change that.

“I’m trying to win a ring ASAP,” Wembanyama told ESPN on Tuesday. “So be ready.”

Victor Wembanyama, center, is the most-hyped N.B.A. prospect since LeBron James. He’s a star in a French professional league.

Boulogne-Levallois’ Victor Wembanyama looks on during the Elite basketball match Boulogne-Levallois against JDA Dijon at the Palais de Sports Jean-Michel Geoffroy in Dijon, central France, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.

NBA commissioner ‘shocked’ by new Morant video with apparent gun

By SOPAN DEB

Star Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant apologized late Tuesday after receiving days of backlash for a social media video that appeared to show him brandishing a gun in public for the second time in just over two months.

“I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me,” Morant said in a statement. “This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a televised interview with ESPN on Tuesday that he was “shocked” by the video, which Morant’s friend reportedly streamed live on Instagram.

Morant, 23, is one of the best young players in the NBA. He has already made two All-Star teams and one All-NBA team just four years into his career. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2020. He is

best known for high-flying dunks and has made the Grizzlies a strong contender in the Western Conference as the No. 2 seed in back-to-back seasons.

He is also part of a new generation

of NBA stars the league hopes will help the game transition from aging figures like LeBron James, 38, and Stephen Curry, 35. He has a new signature sneaker with Nike and was announced as the new face of Powerade in March.

Morant faced criticism in March when a live video on his Instagram account showed him waving around a firearm in a Colorado nightclub. The NBA suspended him for eight games. Morant also apologized then, taking “full responsibility” for his actions. Morant vowed to “work on better methods of dealing with stress” and went to a counseling facility in Florida.

Silver called Morant’s actions “irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous.”

The video was posted as other Morant-related controversies swirled.

In a lawsuit, Josh Holloway, then 17, had accused Morant of punching him during a pickup basketball game last summer. Morant told the police that it was self-defense. A mall employee had also accused Morant of assaulting him after

Morant’s mother had a dispute at a shoe store. Another person accused Morant of intimidation when Morant came to his sister’s high school volleyball game because she was involved in a dispute. Morant has not been charged with a crime in any of these incidents.

Recordings of the new video went viral on Sunday. The Grizzlies quickly suspended Morant from all team activities, though the team was eliminated from the playoffs last month.

Silver told ESPN on Tuesday that the league was investigating the new video.

“The videos have been grainy and all that,” Silver said. “But I’m assuming the worst.”

As part of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement between the players’ union and team owners, players agree to “not to do anything that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests” of the team or the league. In suspending Morant the first time, the NBA said his conduct had been detrimental to the league.

Formula 1 cancels Grand Prix amid deadly floods in Italy

By ANDREW DAS

Formula 1 on Wednesday canceled this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix after heavy rain and deadly flooding in northern Italy made it unsafe to proceed with the race at Imola.

Officials in Italy have warned residents in the region to seek higher ground this week after heavy downpours caused rain-swollen rivers to overflow their banks, flooded towns, and disrupted power services and cellphone networks. At least eight people had died as of midday Wednesday, and more than 5,000 have fled their homes.

Some of the worst-hit areas received almost 20 inches of rain in 36 hours, and nearly two dozen rivers have already burst their banks.

Given the scale of the destruction and the ongoing rescue efforts, Formula 1 said in a statement, it had no choice but to cancel. The decision was taken, it said, “because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and

responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region.

“It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”

The race at Imola would have been the sixth of the current Formula 1 season, a globe-trotting circuit that was in Miami two weeks ago and will move on to Monaco by the end of the month. It is unclear if the canceled event can be rescheduled; Formula 1’s packed schedule has little flexibility given the time and trouble it takes to move it from country to country.

If the race at Imola is not rescheduled, Formula 1 will have 22 races this year instead of the record 23 it had planned.

It had become clear early this week that the race was in danger. Scenes of dramatic rescues of residents from flooded towns — via helicopters, small boats and even on the backs of emergency workers — have dominated Italian national news broadcasts over the past

two days.

Schools in the region have canceled classes, train service was interrupted and roads and highways have been closed. Aerial photos have shown submerged fields, mud-covered streets and flooded towns.

Formula 1 had earlier ordered its teams to stay away from the Imola track, which runs next to the Santerno River, and residents who had not left the town had been warned to relocate to higher floors. Photographs from the track posted by journalists showed the paddock area was flooded.

The entire Emilia-Romagna region faces the threat of more rains, and more flooding, this week, and then months of cleanup and repairs.

“It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia-Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in,” said Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive of Formula 1. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.”

“The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in the local communities and the F1 family,” he added, “as we need to ensure safety and not create extra burden for the authorities while they deal with this very awful situation.”

Ja Morant said in a statement Tuesday night that he takes “full accountability for my actions.”

A rescuer searching for missing residents in Cesena, Italy.

Sudoku

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

Answers on page 30

Wordsearch

Aries (Mar 21-April 20)

A friend may be throwing a party and you might be expected to attend. You’ve probably had a stressful day and really don’t feel up to it. Your friend may try to induce you to come by making you feel guilty. Don’t fall into that trap. Go only if you feel that the value of the occasion overrides your need to rest. Your friend will forgive you if you say no.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Today you might receive some uncomfortable intuitive signals from one or more of your friends, Taurus. Perhaps someone doesn’t feel well but came out to play anyway. Sensing the tension in others could save you some grief, as people may be stressed and likely to lash out over nothing. It’s best to focus on solitary pursuits if you can.

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Today you may attain a goal you’ve been hoping to reach for a long time, Gemini. Oddly enough, friends, family, and even your significant other may not seem as happy as you expected. They’ve probably suffered too many frustrations recently, and your success only reminds them of this. Give them some time to settle their own affairs and they will congratulate you. They’re only human.

Cancer (June 22-July 23)

Today you may be anxious to spend time with your family, Cancer, but there could be some chores you need to do first. This could stress you out quite a bit if you let it. Roll up your sleeves and handle whatever needs to be done and then hightail it back to your hEarth. Relax and enjoy the company of your loved ones!

Leo (July 24-Aug 23)

Today it might be more difficult than usual for you to deal with words, Leo. Someone might lend you a book on a rather obscure subject that you can’t understand. In fact, you might find the book - or anything else you try to read - boring! You don’t want to hurt your friend’s feelings. Put the book aside and try again later. The words should be clearer to you then.

Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 23)

Some news that comes to you from a friend or colleague could shake you up today, Virgo. You might find that what you learn casts doubts on concepts you’ve embraced for most of your life. This could confuse you. Don’t feel threatened. Everyone has to recreate some values from time to time. Think about it when you’re more relaxed and you might find it isn’t so radical after all.

Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

Today you may see that nearly every couple you know is quarreling, Libra. You may have a few differences with a current or potential partner, but this is nothing to worry about. You’re tense and edgy because of outside pressure, so your fuse might be a bit shorter than usual. Try to stretch your patience a little further, just for today. All should be well by tomorrow.

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Today you may be in a very stressful atmosphere. Your entourage is likely to be tense and anxious, and you’re no exception. You may need to stay in the environment until you’ve accomplished your objectives. You will probably want to spend your evening at home in front of the TV, doing and thinking absolutely nothing.

Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

You and a current or potential partner may disagree on whether to spend some time together alone or go out with friends, Sagittarius. If you’ve both had a rough day, you’re likely to be rather tense and apt to snap at each other. A compromise may be the best answer. Spend an hour or two with your friends and then come home and relax. That way, everyone’s happy.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)

A relaxing evening at home may be just what you need, Capricorn, but a colleague might ask you to attend a business-related event. You may have had a stressful few days. Such a party may be the last thing you want to do. Don’t be afraid to say no. There will be plenty of colleagues there. At the most, put in a quick appearance and then leave. Right now you need rest more than contacts.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19)

Today you may try to contact several people, Aquarius, none of whom may be available. You might particularly want to reach a female friend or relative who lives far away. This could prove frustrating, as you have some interesting news for her. Keep trying. You will eventually manage to connect, and she will be glad to hear from you. She might even invite you to visit!

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Whether or not you should make a specific expenditure could cause some tension between you and a partner, Pisces. You may think that it isn’t feasible now, while your friend is determined to go for it. This isn’t the day to try to reach an agreement in this matter. Neither of you is likely to give in. Wait a couple days until you’re both a bit less tense..

Speed Bump