Tuesday May 30, 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.

Today’s Weather

Memorial Day brings out commemoration, demands for an end to war, better treatment for veterans

By THE STAR STAFF

The organization Mothers Against War, led by Sonia Santiago Hernández, commemorated Memorial Day in San Juan on Monday by honoring the Puerto Rican soldiers killed in U.S. wars and issued a call to action, urging authorities to improve treatment and mental health services for veterans.

In addition, the group advocated for an end to military involvement in armed conflict and asked young people to reconsider before signing a military contract.

“We will continue to demand that they be provided with the health services that the veterans [community] needs. We urge the youth not to sign a military contract. Let the troops return now! No more funds for wars,” Santiago Hernández said. “Although Puerto Rico has never declared war on any nation, more than 200,000 Puerto Rican soldiers have served in the U.S. armed forces since World War I. It is estimated that around 1,500 of those soldiers have lost their lives on battlefields around the world.”

At the National Cemetery in Bayamón, meanwhile, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia participated in acts commemorating Memorial Day on Monday under the motto, “Remembrance: Commitment, Service and Legacy.” The governor paid tribute to and honored Puerto Rico’s heroes, especially those who died in defense of the nation.

“It is a day of deep respect, gratitude and remembrance, in which our words come together in one voice to recognize the supreme sacrifice of those who took the oath to protect and serve, no matter the risk to their lives,” the governor said in a written statement. “However, this Memorial Day has an even more personal meaning for me. Just a few days ago, I had to say goodbye to my hero, to my example, to my father. My father served humbly and bravely as a lieutenant in the United States Army. Like so many of his peers and our … citizens who wear or have worn the military uniform of the United States, he never boasted of his service, because for him it was simply his duty.”

Pierluisi added that “his adherence and dedication to the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy and justice have taught me invaluable lessons throughout my life.”

The event was attended by the assistant to the director of national cemeteries, Marcos de Jesús; U.S. Army Survivor Outreach Services Manager Edwin Ramos Jourdan; Veterans Services Manager Melvin Granados; and the Veteran’s Attorney Agustín Montañez; as well as several elected officials.

“Today, on behalf of all Puerto Ricans, I reiterate my deep gratitude to those men and women who gave everything in the fulfillment of their patriotic duty,” Pierluisi said. “We know that our words will never be enough to compensate for the value of their sacrifices, to fill the void they have left, but we honor their memory by living according to the

principles for which they fought. Every tomb and every grave in this cemetery is a tangible reminder that freedom and democracy are fragile and require constant effort and sacrifice to be preserved.”

The governor also recognized and thanked the families and loved ones who were also part of the sacrifice, as they had to say goodbye to a loved one in military service.

“Their burden is deep and their pain is incalculable, but it is important for them to know that Puerto Rico surrounds them with love and support every step of the way,” he said. “Their loved ones will live forever in our hearts and will always be remembered as the heroes they are.”

The governor noted that the only way to repay the debt owed to the men and women who fought for rights, freedoms and democracy is to “commemorate their sacrifices and follow their worthy example of courage and determination to protect the democratic principles we treasure.”

“Our rights and our democracy are an admirable heritage for which we still have to fight to defend them every day,” Pierluisi said. “As governor of Puerto Rico, I promise to continue working tirelessly to support our veterans, active military, and their families, to ensure that they receive the services they deserve and that they always have the recognition they have earned.”

Mothers Against War, meanwhile, highlighted several cases of Puerto Rican war veterans who, after their service, have faced severe mental health problems, often with tragic results.

The group questions the level of support and treatment offered by the Veterans Administration in Puerto Rico, suggesting that many veterans have not received the care they need.

As Gov. Pedro Pierluisi honored the memories of fallen Puerto Rican armed service members during a Memorial Day commemoration at the National Cemetery in Bayamón on Monday, Mothers Against War noted at a rally in San Juan that “more than 200,000 Puerto Rican soldiers have served in the U.S. armed forces since World War I. It is estimated that around 1,500 of those soldiers have lost their lives on battlefields around the world.”

Governor poised to file new budget amendments in the Legislature

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said Monday that within the next day or two he would present to the island Legislature new amendments to the budget approved by the Financial Oversight and Management Board that would treat municipalities and the University of Puerto Rico differently.

“The treatment of municipalities should be clearer, what amount of funds they will receive and under what terms and conditions,” the governor said. “In the same way, as with the university, there is also a need for greater clarity regarding its budget and the terms or conditions for its use. I am mentioning those two, but there are other areas, and we will have the details as soon as we file the resolution.”

Pierluisi added that he may present the amend-

ments today when the Legislature returns to work.

Regarding renewed complaints about the ferry service for the offshore island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra, the governor insisted that the service has improved substantially.

However, he recommended that the private company operating the ferries improve its organization of shifts and boarding schedules to avoid leaving boats almost empty on some trips.

“They must find a way so that if by a particular hour, before the departure time, the person who had the ticket has not appeared, they lose the absolute right to board that boat,” Pierluisi said. “That should be done so that no people stay in the terminal with spaces available on the boat. That’s the only change I see. Regardless of the reports that arise from one place or the other, the service is better, and demonstrably so, and no one will be able to refute it.”

Lawmaker: Budget must be amended to address added burden on towns

By THE STAR STAFF

Newly seated District 29 (Cidra and Cayey) Rep. Gretchen Marie Hau Irizarry said Monday that before the discussion of the budget for the next fiscal year, which takes place in the House of Representatives by constitutional provision, “it must be amended to defend the municipalities because they are carrying the burden of many functions and services for the public that correspond to the central government.”

In a press release, Hau gave as an example the serious state of the roads in large areas of the municipalities of Cidra and Cayey, as well as the state of public schools in that district.

“While it is a source of great satisfaction and joy to have attended some of the graduations in the district’s schools, the physical plant, materials and equipment leave much to be desired,” the lawmaker said. “Both municipalities do what they can with the little budget available because most [funds] remain in the bureaucracy of San Juan. A decentralization plan was presented last week and we welcome it with cautious hope and responsible oversight.”

Another issue that is most pressing in the 22 neigh-

borhoods of Cayey and the 14 of Cidra, Hau said, is the situation of constant and reliable access to drinking water.

“They are two municipalities in the mountains, where citizens living in the highest areas have supply problems,” she said. “Of course, the invoices of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) arrive without fail. This is how the service should be, without fail.”

The legislator added that communication with PRASA Executive President Doriel Pagán Crespo is good.

“Engineer Pagán Crespo knows about the situations, and we have met to discuss the different issues,” Hau said. “Of course, that must be put into action. We cannot be in the 21st century with communities lacking a constant supply of drinking water.”

The former executive director of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association said the creation of the fund that guarantees essential services in municipalities should function as a mechanism that finances the work done by municipalities in the face of the inefficiency of some state agencies.

“Naturally, what we are going to do must comply with PROMESA (the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act), which practically says that everything the board and the government do has to guarantee essential services,” Hau said, adding that as part of the budget review process she will present an analysis of the economic and social vulnerability of Cidra and Cayey, which can serve as an example for other municipalities.

“What we are looking for is for people to receive services, for government bureaucracy to be more flexible and less expensive,” she said.

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi

Rep. Gretchen Hau Irizzary is seen with a group of graduating seniors.

PREPA customers can expect to see lower energy bills at least through August

By THE STAR STAFF

Besides the 20% energy rate reduction ordered by the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau (PREB) for June, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) consumers should experience a cut in their utility rates for a different reason.

Certain costs associated with the liquified natural gas contract PREPA has with New Fortress Energy will go down to $6.50 from $7.50, which will result in a lower energy rate for August, according to information that came out during a recent PREPA board meeting.

At the meeting, PREPA board member Tomás Torres Placa asked about the reduction that is expected to go into effect in June resulting from some “adders” in the contract. It was revealed then that the cut was slated to go into effect by virtue of the contract.

The reduction, which will result in a cut in the cost of energy, is separate and different from the 20.8% drop in the energy bills consumers should see during June after the PREB confirmed a series of excess collections reported by LUMA Energy, the consortium in charge of PREPA’s transmission and distribution system, for March and April.

The cost per kWh for residential customers will be reduced to 20.90 cents from 26.39 cents. Therefore, a subscriber with a monthly consumption of 400 kWh would receive a bill of

$83.60 in June, instead of $105.56.

Meanwhile, PREPA said it has completed modifications and closed nine of the renewable energy contracts comprising 555 megawatts (MW) from the Tranche 1 tender.

Launched in February 2021, the Tranche 1 tender

sought to award contracts for 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity and 500 MW of battery storage. PREPA had trouble closing all contracts because the service providers sought amendments to contract terms to adjust for inflation and pricing changes. PREPA officials also blamed LUMA Energy for the delay as it failed to provide information on interconnection costs.

The PREB on April 4 ordered PREPA to close all of the energy power purchase agreements and five battery storage contracts within the 60-day extension period it had granted.

PREPA Executive Director Josué Colón Ortiz said the projects were presented to the PREB. The projects must also obtain the approval of the Financial Oversight and Management Board.

Colón Ortiz said there are four other contracts out of the initial 23 contracts in the Tranche 1 tender that should be closed in June. Those contracts for renewable projects should provide 404.5 MW of energy to Puerto Rico.

“With this we will have a grand total of 959.5 MW of energy in Tranche 1,” he said.

Regarding the battery energy storage contracts obtained in Tranche 1, Colón Ortiz said the utility closed a total of 150 MW of battery storage through three contracts in addition to the 360 MW in battery storage contracts that the utility has for a total of 510 MW in battery energy storage.

Seven hopefuls file candidacies for empty Guayama Senate seat

By THE STAR STAFF

Seven candidates are aspiring to run for the empty Guayama Senate seat, Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary General Gerardo “Toñito” Cruz Maldonado announced earlier this week.

The seat was left vacant by Gretchen Hau Irizzary, who moved to the House of Representatives.

“The candidacies were officially opened so that anyone interested in becoming a Senator for the Guayama district seat could present a candidacy to the PDP to be certified for the contest,” Cruz Maldonado said. “After the filing process ended, we can report that seven people showed up to submit their candidacy.”

Cruz Maldonado said that as established by party regulations, an applicant qualification commission, made up of eight professionals in various fields, three of them certified public

accountants, will be responsible for evaluating, investigating, and determining the qualification or disqualification of the Senate hopefuls.

The candidates that the PDP Applicant Qualifying Commission will evaluate are Ángel Rodríguez Otero, Roberto Colón Sánchez, Juan Figueroa Rodríguez, Carmen González González, Héctor Santiago Torres, Eder Ortiz Ortiz, and Kía Rosario León.

“After the Commission reviews the applicants, the Popular Democratic Party grants an official certification through the General Secretariat,” Cruz Maldonado said. “As we are in a hurry to fill the vacancy in the Senate, this whole process will be done quickly. We plan to complete the certification process between today and tomorrow and conduct the drawing for the positions on the ballot on Wednesday.”

The election will be held this Sunday, June 4 at Leopoldo Sanabria Cruz School of Fine Arts in the Guayama sports com-

plex. It will be held by the assembly of delegates of the Guayama senatorial district, as decided by the PDP governing board. The secretary general anticipated that some 530 certified delegates from the 15 municipalities that make up the Guayama senatorial district will cast votes in the special election.

Governor sees ‘agendas’ at work in criticism of special independent prosecutor panel

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said Monday that criticism of the performance of the Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (OPFEI by its Spanish initials) is the result of “agendas.”

“If, when we look at the conviction statistics of the special independent prosecutors, they exceed 90 percent of the cases they handle,” the governor said in response to questions from the press. “In other words, one should not be reaching such

conclusions because of the preliminary outcome of a particular case. In other words, we must respect that institution.”

“It is, by the way, the raison d’être of the FEI panel to ensure impartiality in prosecuting cases of a criminal nature against high-ranking officials in the government,” Pierluisi added. “So the alternative cannot be and will not be while I am governor, to return [the OPFEI] to the Department of Justice. Again, here what we often have is agendas; that is, for the moment, because they do not like the institution or some cases in particular, they want to tear down an institution that is very important because,

again, it ensures that power is not abused when it comes to investigating, prosecuting officials and former high-ranking officials of the government.”

After the result of the hearings on cause for arrest against Citizen Victory Movement Rep. Mariana Nogales Molinelli, in which cause was found for only two of a possible 24 charges, and against Popular Democratic Party Sen. Albert Torres Berríos, in which no cause was found in the four charges filed, demand increased in some quarters for eliminating the OPFEI or revising its enabling law.

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Executive Director Josué Colón Ortiz

Popular Democratic Party Secretary General Gerardo Cruz Maldonado

Forensic Sciences Institute receives $3.5 million for facility reconstruction

By THE STAR STAFF

Reconstruction work at the Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences (ICF by its Spanish initials) is on track after receiving $3,462,184, through an advance from the Working Capital Advance (WCA) pilot program, Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3) Executive Director Manuel A. Laboy Rivera said Monday.

“This permanent work, which has approximately $17.8 million mandated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will allow the acquisition of new specialized equipment, as well as repairs that will make the infrastructure resilient. With this investment of federal funds, the ICF will strengthen its operations and offer better tools to its staff to develop specialized work with the excellence that distinguishes them,” Laboy Rivera said in a written statement.

FEMA initially obligated $7.6 million for the project. Then, the island government filed a claim in court against the insurer, since the amount awarded was less than the estimated damages. In response to the insurer’s original proposal to pay only $111,198 and complying with the process established by FEMA known as “reasonable effort,” the ICF achieved, with COR3’s assistance, a considerable increase in the obligation, which amounts to $17,877,592.

Meanwhile, Laboy Rivera said the ICF is one of the government agencies that is benefiting from the WCA extending assistance for those subrecipients with previous disbursements.

In this case, ICF received a refund of $1,007,293 some time ago, and now has petitioned through the WCA pilot program for $3,462,184. The sum of both disbursements represents 25% of the total obligation.

“With the advance of these funds, we will be able to direct the rehabilitation work on the physical plant, and the

acquisition of equipment, and carry out the repairs that are essential for the continuity of services and to be able to provide rapid response in emergency situations,” ICF Executive Director Dr. María Conte Miller said. “I am pleased with the technical advice we received from COR3 to be able to access these resources and advance the work that will give us safe and adequate facilities for our workers and the people who require our services.”

The scope of work of the ICF reconstruction project includes replacing lighting fixtures, repairing cracks in walls, and replacing ceiling panels, plaster walls and vinyl floors, as well as cleaning and improving ventilation systems that were fouled by the entry of water during Hurricane Maria. Likewise, improvements to and replacement of mechanical equipment that was damaged by the collapse of the electrical system or that was impacted by strong winds will be made. It will also be possible to complete exterior painting, replacement of perimeter fences, installation of lighting poles and repair of a retaining wall that surrounds part of the installation.

In addition, considering the importance of bolstering the facility’s resilience against future extreme weather events, the ICF will qualify for $1.4 million for mitigation measures including roof sealing work as well as the installation of structural mesh that reduces the impact of hurricane winds on exposed equipment. Also, windows can be replaced with units that are resistant to hurricane winds, and storm shutters, and safety doors can be installed, among other measures.

Bill provides roadside assistance option in drivers’ compulsory insurance coverage

By THE STAR STAFF

At-large Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero filed House Bill 1718 with the Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Works Committee in the lower chamber this week, legislation mandating that any insurer that provides compulsory liability insurance include the option of adding roadside assistance coverage to its coverage.

“Through this measure we seek to facilitate the lives of drivers who travel on public roads every day,” Pérez Cordero said Monday in a written statement. “Ensuring the safety of drivers on public roads is vital. Therefore, in case the car

suffers a mishap such as a flat tire or needs fuel and the driver voluntarily took advantage of the Roadside Assistance policy, he would be counting on this important benefit. Remember that the purpose pursued by this measure is to safeguard the lives of drivers in case they suffer a mishap while driving. Nor should we lose sight of the fact that a large number of citizens who drive on public roads are adults over 60 years old, or mothers caring for their children, so the approval of this measure would be of great benefit to them.”

Optional roadside assistance coverage gives every vehicle owner in Puerto Rico the option of being provided with direct assistance when a road mishap occurs. Under

the legislation, the owner of a vehicle would have the option of adding such coverage at the time of purchase of the compulsory insurance.

According to the measure, every insurer that provides compulsory liability insurance will provide the option of adding roadside assistance coverage. Minimum roadside assistance coverage would consist of: assistance in changing tires, gasoline supply service (1 gallon per incident), free battery recharging and towing service.

The premium to be paid for such optional coverage would be established by the commonwealth insurance commissioner.

Governor laments extreme and ‘savage’ nature of recent violence

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said Monday that although the homicide rate on the island is lower compared to previous years, now what is being seen are “intemperate and savage” incidents.

“If we have greater proliferation of illegal weapons, we see the use of those illegal weapons in an intemperate, totally savage way. We see it in events caused by those illegal weapons outside of Puerto Rico, which are also shocking in killings for reasons that are not understood,” the governor said in response to questions from the press. “Here, I recognize that

when we have innocent victims, what we are seeing on many occasions, not all, is that they are products of drug trafficking, of wars among drug traffickers, that is why we must not lower our guard.”

Pierluisi said an alternative for mitigating the situation is to empower the communities through the S.A.R.A model (Detection of the Problem, or “Scanning, Analysis, Response and Evaluation Assessment”).

“About 150 communities have been impacted in Puerto Rico,” he said. “The SARA model is carried out through community policing. Those are good solutions because it is basically empowering communities to protect themselves, so

that we cooperate with law enforcement authorities and it is not seen as [a matter of] here are the police and here are the others, where we are not all united to combat that violence. So again, that incident of two dead and 13 wounded by gunfire, it is hard, but I am sure that our law enforcement [authorities] will investigate it and they will resolve the matter and then hold responsible whoever they have to.”

The governor was referring to the incident reported in the early hours of Sunday, in which two people died and 13 were wounded in a shooting incident near the Piel Kanela bar-restaurant on 11th Street in the Parcelas Hill Brothers neighborhood of Río Piedras.

Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences Executive Director Dr. María Conte Miller

By PETER BAKER

After weeks of tense wrangling between the White House and House Republicans, the fiscal deal reached on Saturday to raise the debt ceiling while constraining federal spending bolsters President Joe Biden’s argument that he is the one figure who can still do bipartisanship in a profoundly partisan era.

But it comes at the cost of rankling many in his own party who have little appetite for meeting Republicans in the middle and think the president cannot stop himself from giving away too much in an eternal and ephemeral quest for consensus. And it will now test his influence over fellow Democrats he will need to pass the deal in Congress.

The agreement in principle that he reached with Speaker Kevin McCarthy represents a case study in governing for Biden’s presidency, underscoring the fundamental tension of his leadership since the primaries in 2020 when he overcame progressive rivals to win the Democratic nomination. Biden believes in his bones in reaching across the aisle even at the expense of some of his own priorities.

He has shown that repeatedly since being inaugurated 2-1/2 years ago even as skeptics doubted that cross-party accommodation was still possible. Most notably, he pushed through Congress a bipartisan public works program directing $1 trillion to building or fixing roads, bridges, airports, broadband and other infrastructure; legislation expanding treatment for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits; and an investment program to boost the nation’s semiconductor industry, all of which passed with Republican votes.

This is not a moment, however, in which bipartisanship is valued in the way it was when Biden came up through the Senate in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. His desire to position himself as the leader who can bring together a deeply divided country is at the heart of his case for a second term next year. But it conflicts with the interests of many Democrats who see more political benefit in standing firm against former President Donald Trump’s Republican Party and prefer to draw a sharper contrast for their own elections in 2024 when they hope to recapture the House.

“The agreement also represents a compromise that means no one got everything

they want, but that’s the responsibility of governing,” Biden told reporters at the White House Sunday evening.

Most importantly from Biden’s point of view, the agreement averts a catastrophic national default that could have cost many jobs, tanked the stock markets, jeopardized Social Security payments and sent the economy reeling. He is banking on the assumption that Americans will appreciate mature leadership that does not gamble with the nation’s economic health.

But many on the political left are aggravated that Biden in their view gave into McCarthy’s hostage-taking strategy. The president who said the debt ceiling was “not negotiable” ended up negotiating it after all to avoid a national default, barely even bothering with the fiction that talks over spending limits were somehow separate.

Liberals were pushing Biden to stiff the Republicans and short-circuit the debt ceiling altogether by claiming the power to ignore it under the 14th Amendment, which says the “validity of the public debt” of the federal government “shall not be questioned.” But while Biden agreed with the constitutional interpretation, he concluded it was too risky because the nation could still go into default while the issue was being litigated in the courts.

And so, much to the chagrin of his allies,

the bargaining of recent weeks was entirely on Republican terms. While details were still emerging this weekend, the final agreement included no new Biden fiscal initiatives like higher taxes on the wealthy or expanded discounts for insulin. The question essentially was how much of the Limit, Save and Grow Act passed by House Republicans last month would the president accept in exchange for increasing the debt ceiling.

But Biden succeeded in stripping the Limit, Save and Grow Act significantly down from what it originally was, to the great consternation of conservative Republicans. Instead of raising the debt ceiling for less than one year while imposing hard caps on discretionary spending for 10 years, the agreement links the two so that the spending limits last just two years, the same as the debt ceiling increase. While Republicans insisted on predicating the limits on a baseline of 2022 spending levels, appropriations adjustments will make it effectively equivalent to the more favorable baseline of 2023.

As a result, the agreement will pare back anticipated spending over the decade just a fraction of what the Republicans sought. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the caps passed by House Republicans last month would have trimmed $3.2 trillion in discretionary spending over 10 years; a rough

New York Times calculation suggests the agreement reached by Biden and McCarthy might instead cut one-third of that or less.

Moreover, while Biden did not advance many new Democratic policy goals in the agreement with McCarthy, he effectively shielded the bulk of his accomplishments from the first two years of his presidency from Republican efforts to gut them.

The challenge now for Biden is selling the compromise to his fellow Democrats. Just as McCarthy knows he will lose potentially dozens of Republicans disappointed in the accommodations he made, the president expects many in his own party to vote against the final product as well. But he needs to deliver enough Democrats to offset GOP defections to forge a bipartisan majority.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., summed up the reaction of many in his party. “None of the things in the bill are Democratic priorities,” he said on “Fox News Sunday,” citing health care, climate change and other issues and adding that “those are priorities and not a single one of them are in this bill.”

But he added that Biden had pared down the final product. “The reason it may have some traction with some Democrats is that it’s a very small bill.”

Sensitive to the criticism, the White House sent briefing materials and talking points to every House Democrat within minutes of striking the deal Saturday night and followed up Sunday with telephone calls. In his short meeting with reporters later in the day, Biden rejected criticism from Democrats worried he gave away too much. “They’ll find I didn’t,” he said. As for concern that the work requirements would hurt those in need of food, he said, “It’s a ridiculous assertion.”

Biden has been here before. As vice president, he was President Barack Obama’s chief negotiator in several fiscal showdowns, but he so aggravated fellow Democrats who thought he gave away too much that Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, then the party leader in the Senate, effectively barred Biden in 2013 from negotiations over a debt ceiling increase.

Kicking a vice president out of the room, of course, is one thing. Biden is now the president and the leader of his party heading into a reelection year. It’s his room. And he is managing it on his own terms, like it or

not.

In pursuit of consensus, did Biden find the reasonable middle or give away too much?

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, holds a press conference with other caucus members on Capitol Hill, Washington, on May 24, 2023. Many on the political left are aggravated that President Biden in their view gave in to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s hostage-taking strategy in debt-ceiling negotiations.

Trump looks like he will get the 2024 crowd he wants

primaries as a two-man race. But as he has stumbled in recent months, amid questions about his personality and political dexterity, rivals have become emboldened. And some have the cash to stay relevant deep into the primary calendar.

Scott entered the race with nearly $22 million on hand, and he raised $2 million more in his first day as a candidate. The wealthy, littleknown governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, now sees a 2024 opening, filming ads recently to prepare for an imminent campaign, according to two people involved in the planning.

Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, has invested $10 million of his own money in his campaign. Like DeSantis, Ramaswamy sells a similar anti-woke sentiment, but he does so with the charm of a natural communicator.

focused his campaign on the state in 2016, and the state’s sitting governor, Chris Sununu, a moderate who has left the door open to a run, threaten to siphon votes from DeSantis. And in South Carolina, he will be sandwiched between two home-state candidates, the former governor Haley and Scott.

Many Republicans who want to defeat Trump are aghast at the exploding field — along with DeSantis’ underwhelming performance in recent months. DeSantis has slipped in the polls and now trails Trump in all states and by an average of more than 30 percentage points nationally.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets people at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, N.H., May 19, 2023. DeSantis officially entered the presidential race last week, but he appears farther than ever from the one-on-one matchup that his allies believe he needs to wrest the nomination from former President Donald Trump.

By SHANE GOLDMACHER, JONATHAN SWAN and MAGGIE HABERMAN

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida officially entered the presidential race last week, but he appears further than ever from the one-on-one matchup that his allies believe he needs to wrest the nomination from former President Donald Trump.

Former Vice President Mike Pence is burrowing deeper into Iowa, crucial to his effort to dislodge the Republican front-runners, even before he has announced his bid. Former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is intensifying preparations for another campaign, with an expected focus on New Hampshire. And Republican donors and leadership on Capitol Hill are showing fresh interest in Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who kicked off his campaign last week. Even candidates who have barely been mentioned are suddenly expressing interest in 2024.

The rapidly ballooning field, combined with Trump’s seemingly unbreakable core of support, represents a grave threat to DeSantis, imperiling his ability to consolidate the nonTrump vote, and could mirror the dynamics that powered Trump’s takeover of the party in 2016.

It’s a matter of math: Each new entrant threatens to steal a small piece of DeSantis’ potential coalition — whether it be Pence with Iowa evangelicals or Scott with college-educated suburbanites. And these new candidates are unlikely to eat into Trump’s votes. The former president’s base — more than 30% of Republi-

cans — remains strongly devoted to him.

“President Trump — he should go to the casino, he’s a lucky guy,” Dave Carney, a veteran Republican strategist based in New Hampshire, said of the former casino owner, Trump.

“It’s a gigantic problem” for DeSantis, added Carney, who has worked on past presidential campaigns, because “whatever percentage they get makes it difficult for the second-place guy to win because there’s just not the available vote.”

Trump’s advisers have almost gleefully greeted each successive entry as part of a divideand-conquer strategy that his team has spoken about since 2021. And many of the candidates seem more comfortable throwing punches at DeSantis than at Trump.

The DeSantis campaign sees the landscape differently.

“We don’t believe it’s 2016 again,” Ryan Tyson, a senior adviser to DeSantis, said in an interview.

And in a private briefing for donors this week, Tyson described a Republican electorate split into three parts: 35% as “only Trump” voters, 20% as “never Trump” and the remaining 45% as the DeSantis sweet spot.

Tyson told donors, in audio that was leaked and published online, that every entrant besides the two front-runners were isolated in the “never Trump” segment. “If your name is not Ron DeSantis or Donald Trump, you are splitting up this share of the electorate,” he said.

In the months leading up to his campaign launch, DeSantis and his allies framed the 2024

Trump has welcomed the non-DeSantis entrants to the race. In January, when Nikki Haley, who served as Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, called to tell him she planned to run, Trump did not rant about her disloyalty, as some had expected. He sounded unbothered, telling her to “do what you’ve got to do,” according to two people briefed on their conversation.

And in the days leading up to Scott’s announcement, Trump was watching Fox News in his Mar-a-Lago office when he said, “I like him. We’re just going to say nice things about Tim,” according to a person familiar with his private comments.

The conventional wisdom at the beginning of the year was that the field would be relatively small, perhaps as few as five people running. Republican anti-Trump donors were working to thin the herd to prevent a repeat of the divided field that guaranteed Trump’s victory in 2016. Now, after DeSantis’ early stumbles, there will likely be as many as 10 candidates competing for attention and vying for the debate stage.

For DeSantis, the squeeze was apparent on the day he entered the race.

In New Hampshire, Haley mocked him on Fox News as merely “copying Trump,” down to his mannerisms. “If he’s just going to be an echo of Trump, people will just vote for Trump,” she said.

In Iowa, Pence sat down with the type of mainstream media outlets that DeSantis has shunned, including The Des Moines Register. Pence also met with Bob Vander Plaats, the same evangelical leader DeSantis had recently brought to Tallahassee, Florida, for a private meal.

The split screen was a reminder that DeSantis is being pinched both ideologically and geographically, as the field expands.

Pence and Scott have made plain their plans to vie for influential evangelical voters in Iowa. In New Hampshire, both Christie, who

“All Republicans have to be hitting Donald Trump,” said Sununu, who described himself as “50-50” about entering the race. “Any Republican that isn’t hitting Donald Trump hard right now is doing the entire party a disservice because if only one or two people are willing to take a shot at Donald Trump, it looks personal. It looks petty.”

So far, Christie has gotten the most attention for his direct attacks on Trump, which he has signaled would be crucial to his candidacy. But he also has delighted in needling DeSantis at times, an acknowledgment of the Florida governor’s position in the race.

The reluctance to go after Trump, for many Republicans, feels eerily like a repeat of 2016. Then, Trump’s rivals left him mostly alone for months, assuming that he would implode or that they were destined to beat him the moment they could narrow the field to a one-on-one matchup, a situation that never transpired.

And while the field grows, there is the matter of the debate stage, where Trump eviscerated his opponents in the 2016 primary.

The chair of the Republican National Committee, Ronna McDaniel, said earlier this year that she did not expect to need two debate stages as the party required in 2016, with the tiers of candidates determined by polling.

But there could be as many as a dozen declared candidates by August, and many are already racing to collect the 40,000 donors and 1% polling threshold the party has indicated will be needed to get onstage. This pool includes longer-shot candidates such as Larry Elder, the talk radio host who got walloped in the California recall election.

“Everyone says, ‘We have to keep people from getting in.’” Sununu said. “That’s the wrong message, the wrong mentality, and that’s not going to work.”

But he acknowledged that consolidation will eventually be needed to defeat Trump.

“The discipline,” Sununu added, “is getting out.”

Hundreds of thousands have lost Medicaid coverage since pandemic protections expired

By NOAH WEILAND

Hundreds of thousands of low-income Americans have lost Medicaid coverage in recent weeks as part of a sprawling unwinding of a pandemic-era policy that prohibited states from removing people from the program.

Early data shows that many people lost coverage for procedural reasons, such as when Medicaid recipients did not return paperwork to verify their eligibility or could not be located. The large number of terminations on procedural grounds suggests that many people may be losing their coverage even though they are still qualified for it. Many of those who have been dropped have been children.

From the outset of the pandemic until this spring, states were barred from kicking people off Medicaid under a provision in a coronavirus relief package passed by Congress in 2020. The guarantee of continuous coverage spared people from regular eligibility checks during the public health crisis and caused enrollment in Medicaid to soar to record levels.

But the policy expired at the end of March, setting in motion a vast bureaucratic undertaking across the country to verify who remains eligible for coverage. In recent weeks, states have begun releasing data on who has lost coverage and why, offering a first glimpse of the punishing toll that the so-called unwinding is taking on some of the poorest and most vulnerable Americans.

So far, at least 19 states have started to remove people from the rolls. A precise total of how many people have lost coverage is not yet known.

In Arkansas, more than 1.1 million people — over one-third of the state’s residents — were on Medicaid at the end of March. In April, the first month that states could begin removing people from the program, about 73,000 people lost coverage, including about 27,000 children 17 and under.

Among those who were dropped was Melissa Buford, a diabetic with high blood pressure who makes about $35,000 a year at a health clinic in eastern Arkansas helping families find affordable health insurance. Her two adult sons also lost their coverage.

Like more than 5,000 others in the state, Buford, 51, was no longer eligible for

Medicaid because her income had gone up. A notice she received informing her that she did not qualify made her so upset that she threw it in a trash can.

But a majority of those who lost coverage in Arkansas were dropped for procedural reasons.

Daniel Tsai, a senior official at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services who is helping to oversee the unwinding process for the Biden administration, said that more outreach was needed to help those who lost coverage that way. He said federal officials were in regular contact with state officials around the country to review early data on the unwinding and check whether people who lost coverage had a fair shot to prove their eligibility.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, a Republican, has framed the unwinding as a necessary process that will save money and allow Medicaid to function within its intended scope.

“We’re simply removing ineligible participants from the program to reserve resources for those who need them and follow the law,” Sanders wrote in an opinion essay in The Wall Street Journal this month. She added that “some Democrats and activist reporters oppose Arkansas’ actions because they want to keep people dependent on the government.”

Medicaid, which is financed jointly by the federal government and the states, has become an increasingly far-reaching component of the American safety net. Early this year, 93 million people — more than 1 in 4 Americans — were enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, up from 71 million before the pandemic.

What has played out in Arkansas so far offers evidence of the widespread disruption that the unwinding process is likely to cause in households across the country in the coming months, forcing Americans to find new insurance or figure out how to regain Medicaid coverage that they lost for procedural reasons. The federal government has projected that about 15 million people will lose coverage, including nearly 7 million people who are expected to be dropped despite still being eligible.

Among the biggest looming questions is how the process will affect children. In Florida, for instance, a boy in remission from

leukemia and in need of a biopsy recently lost his coverage.

Researchers at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families estimated before the unwinding that more than half of children in the United States were covered by Medicaid or CHIP. Many children who lose coverage will be dropped for procedural reasons even though they are still eligible, said Joan Alker, the center’s executive director.

“Those kids have nowhere else to turn for coverage,” she said. “Medicaid is the single largest insurer for children. This is hugely consequential for them.”

In Arkansas, many of the children who lost Medicaid were “the poorest of the poor,” said Loretta Alexander, the health policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. She added that losing coverage would be especially harmful for young children who need regular developmental checkups early in life.

Local health workers like Buford are trying to help people regain coverage if they still qualify for it. She said that she had worked with 50 to 75 Medicaid recipients who had lost coverage in April, helping them fill out forms or answering their questions about how to verify their eligibility.

Other states have also removed a large number of Medicaid recipients for procedural reasons. In Indiana, nearly 90% of the roughly 53,000 people who lost Medicaid in the first month of the state’s unwinding were booted on those grounds. In Florida, where nearly 250,000 people lost Medicaid coverage, procedural reasons were to blame for a vast majority.

In addition to taking different approaches to removing people from Medicaid, states are also releasing data about their progress in different ways, making it difficult to compare their strategies in the early stages of the unwinding. “We’re comparing apples to oranges to tangerines,” Alker said.

A hospital in Mountain Home, Ark., July 8, 2021. As states begin to drop people from their Medicaid programs, early data shows that many recipients are losing their coverage for procedural reasons.

Apartado 907 Caguas, PR 00726

Tel. 787-653-8833 caguas.gov.pr

AVISO VISTA PÚBLICA

Para conocimiento del público general y de conformidad con las disposiciones del Reglamento Conjunto para la Evaluación y Expedición de Permisos Relacionados al Desarrollo, Uso de Terrenos y Operación de Negocios, vigente al 2 de enero de 2021, conocido como: “Reglamento Conjunto”, la Ley 107 del 14 de agosto de 2020, conocida como: “Código Municipal de Puerto Rico” y cualquier otra disposición de ley aplicable, se informa que la Oficina de Permisos (ODP) del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas celebrará Vista Pública para evaluar la solicitud que se describe a continuación:

Peticionario Caso Petición Dirección Física

Sr. Eric Pagan Cotto

P/C: Ing. Harry S. Figueroa Tirado email: ingenierosconsultores25@ yahoo.com

Netflix starts to crack down on password sharing

By NICOLE SPERLING

The great Netflix password crackdown has begun. The streaming giant sent out an email last week to U.S. members who are sharing their account with people living outside their household that made clear it would begin kicking people off the service if they were using someone’s account for more than 30 days while at a different location.

person.

Some Netflix subscribers have taken to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the new strategy, noting that the company for years had encouraged users to share their password with others.

2023478946CUB-008597

Consulta de Ubicación para Legalizar Edificio Accesorio

Carr. 172

Km. 20.6 Sector La Sierra Bo. Cañaboncito Caguas PR 00727

La Vista Pública se celebrará el 15 de junio de 2023, a la 9:30 a.m., en el Tribunal Administrativo, localizado en el primer piso, lobby, de la nueva Alcaldia Municipal, en la calle Padial en Caguas.

La propiedad propuesta para el proyecto ubica dentro de un Distrito de Calificación R-I, Residencial Intermedio, según el Mapa de Calificación de Suelo de Caguas. La solicitud se evaluará a tenor con las reglas 6.1.3, 6.3.1, 2.1.10 y las secciones aplicables del Capítulo 8.5 del Reglamento Conjunto. Se invita a vecinos del proyecto y a los propietarios de terrenos que radiquen dentro de los límites territoriales circundantes, a las agencias gubernamentales y al público en general a comparecer y participar en dicha Vista. Es mandatorio que el Peticionario o dueño de la propiedad o su representante autorizado asista a la Vista Pública. De no asistir se procederá con el archivo de la solicitud. Se advierte que las partes podrán comparecer asistidas por abogados, pero no estarán obligadas a estar así representadas, la cual incluye corporaciones y sociedades. Todo lo anterior, de conformidad, pero sin limitarse a lo establecido en la Orden Ejecutiva OE-2020044, según enmendada; en cuanto a las normas de distanciamiento social y el uso de mascarillas. Se advierte que la Oficina de Permisos podrá establecer requisitos adicionales de conformidad con las circunstancias de cada caso; esto de acuerdo con la emergencia de salud pública por la que hoy día atraviesa Puerto Rico.

El Oficial Examinador que presida la Vista no podrá suspenderla una vez señalada, salvo que se solicite por escrito con expresión de las causas que justifiquen la suspensión, con no menos de cinco (5) días de antelación a la fecha de celebración de la misma. La parte que solicite la suspensión tendrá que expresar las razones que justifican la suspensión o posposición. La Solicitud o Petición de Suspensión de la Vista tendrá un costo de cien dólares ($100.00). Este pago será realizado en el Departamento de Finanzas del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas en las formas de pago aceptadas por dicho Departamento. La Petición de Suspensión o transferencia deberá ser radicada ante la Secretaría de la Oficina de Permisos del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas y no se entenderá radicada correctamente hasta tanto se evidencie el pago de los cien dólares ($100.00) y la notificación de la Solicitud de Suspensión a las otras partes e interventores en el procedimiento, que tendrá que ser con no menos de cinco (5) días previos a la celebración de la Vista.

El expediente de Vista estará disponible para inspección de las partes en la Oficina de Permisos, ubicada en la Oficina 201 del Centro de Gobierno Municipal Ángel Rivera Rodríguez, al frente de la nueva Alcaldía en la calle Padial final, en Caguas. Para más información o someter comentarios sobre esta solicitud, puede contactarnos a nuestra direccion postal: Oficina de Permisos, PO Box 907, Caguas, PR 00726-0907, o a nuestro correo electrónico: permisos.mac@caguas.gov.pr

En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 17 de mayo de 2023.

For households willing to pay for an additional person to have access to their account, Netflix said it would charge an extra $7.99 per person. Otherwise, it said, it would encourage those users to sign up for an account themselves. (Netflix allows users to transfer their existing profiles to a new account to save their algorithm.)

The news was not a surprise. More than a year ago, in April 2022, the company announced its first subscriber loss in 10 years, attributing the decline, in part, to shifting economic forces as well as increased competition from other streaming services. It said at the time that it would look for ways to increase revenue, including adding a cheaper ad tier and cracking down on password sharing among households. Netflix estimated that 100 million people worldwide were accessing their streaming service without paying for it.

Netflix offers a variety of pricing options now, from $6.99 a month on the low end for an ad-supported version, to $19.99 a month on the high end for a version that doesn’t include ads and allows subscribers to add two other members for an additional $7.99 a month, per

But that was a different time, one when Netflix reigned as the only streaming service in town. Now consumers have a plethora of choices, from Disney+ to Warner Bros. Discovery’s newly launched Max to Peacock and Paramount+ and many others. And Netflix’s efforts to generate more revenue per subscriber come as many consumers are feeling the economic strain from inflation.

With the new policy also occurring in the middle of the writers strike, some influential writers were encouraging users to cancel their Netflix account in solidarity with the writers.

Still, the displeasure isn’t unexpected by Netflix. The company has spent the past year testing the strategy in smaller markets like Canada, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal. It said in its most recent letter to shareholders that the initial reaction to limiting passwords is a “cancel reaction in each market” followed by “increased acquisition and revenue” after the borrowers activate their own accounts.

In Canada, where Netflix imposed the strategy in the first quarter of this year, the company wrote that “our paid membership base is now larger than prior to the launch of paid sharing and revenue growth has accelerated and is now growing faster than in the U.S.”

Netflix has estimated that 100 million people worldwide were accessing its streaming service without paying for it.

lng. Jaime A. Plaza Velázquez

Director Oficina de Permisos

WILLIAM E. MIRANDA TORRES • ALCALDE MUNICIPIO AUTONOMO DE CAGUAS

OFICINA DE PERMISOS CENTRO Y CORAZÓN DE PUERTO RICO

Dollar Nudges Lower as U.S. Debt Ceiling Deal Dents Safe-Haven Appeal

The dollar nudged down on Monday, pulling back from six-month peaks against the yen as a U.S. debt ceiling deal lifted risk appetite in world markets and dented the greenback’s safe-haven appeal.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday finalised a budget agreement with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to suspend the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling until Jan. 1, 2025, and said the deal was ready to move to Congress for a vote.

Having briefly touched a six-month high of 140.91 yen during Asia trade, the dollar drifted lower and was last down almost a third of a percent at 140.17 yen.

The dollar index, which measures the U.S. unit’s value against a basket of other major currencies, was also a touch softer around 104.23 but not far from last week’s two-month peaks.

The pull-back in the safe-haven dollar came as world stocks rallied on the positive news from Washington, although trade was generally subdued with parts of Europe, including Britain, on holiday along with the United States.

“An initial risk-on reaction is likely as the cloud of U.S. default has retreated,” said Charu Chanana, a market strategist at Saxo Markets in Singapore.

“But focus will quickly turn to the fact that getting the deal is only a step in the process and an agreement from both the House and Senate by June 5 is still a big ask.”

The agreement would suspend the debt limit through Jan. 1, 2025, and cap spending in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

In Europe, the euro slipped 0.2% to $1.0709, showing little immediate reaction to news of a snap election in Spain.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday polling would take place on July 23 after his leftwing coalition government suffered heavy losses in regional ballots on Sunday.

Upbeat world sentiment pushed the risk-sensitive Australian and New Zealand dollars off last week’s sixmonth lows.

The Aussie rose 0.35% to $0.6541, while the kiwi edged 0.2% higher to $0.6058.

“We’ve got a risk-positive response so far to the debt deal news,” said Ray Attrill, head of FX strategy at National Australia Bank.

“Obviously there’s still the need to get this debt deal over the line, but I think markets are happy to travel on the presumption that it will get done before the new Xdate.”

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday said the government would default if Congress did not increase

MOST ASSERTIVE STOCKS

PUERTO

the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling by June 5, having previously said a default could happen as early as June 1.

Talk that the U.S. rate hiking cycle may not be over as soon as hoped given signs of economic strength have bolstered the dollar and could support the currency even as U.S. debt ceiling worries abate.

The dollar was on course for a monthly gain of about 3% against the yen. The dollar index has gained 2.5% in May.

Data on Friday showed U.S. consumer spending increased more than expected in April and inflation picked up, adding to signs of a still-resilient economy.

Money markets price in a roughly 62% chance that the Federal Reserve will raise rates by 25 basis points in June, versus a roughly 26% chance a week ago.

Elsewhere, the Turkish lira touched a record low at 20.10 per dollar after President Tayyip Erdogan secured victory in the country’s presidential election on Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade.

Bitcoin, meanwhile, slipped 0.5% to $27,932, down from a three-week high hit earlier on.

By MARC SANTORA

Ballistic missiles exploded in the clear blue skies Monday, and frightened pedestrians hurried to get off the streets of Ukraine’s capital as the battle unfolded over their heads in a rare daytime missile attack on Kyiv.

Air-raid alarms sounded shortly after 11 a.m. local time, sending parents racing to get their children to safety and hospital workers to take cover in bomb shelters. Powerful explosions echoed around the city within minutes, as Ukrainian air defenses sprung into action. Children wearing backpacks started to run and scream when booms resounded on one Kyiv street, a video widely shared by Ukrainian officials on social media showed.

Even in this city where people have adapted their daily routines to life under threat, the barrage — the 16th this month and the first daytime assault in many weeks — was a jolting reminder that the Ukrainian capital remains a major target, and recalled some of the worst bombardments against Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Moscow has been steadily deploying attack drones, ballistic missiles and cruise-missiles, adjusting its tactics to try to inflict maximum damage, according to Ukrainian officials.

So far, Ukrainian air defenses, reinforced by Western weapons, have largely thwarted the aerial attacks on Kyiv, limiting casualties and damages in the highly populated area. All 11 missiles directed at the capital Monday were shot down, Ukrainian officials said. Falling debris caused some damage in various parts of the city and information about possible casualties was still being clarified,

authorities said.

The daytime attack came six hours after the night attack, Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv regional military administration, said in a statement. After weeks of nighttime attacks, Popko said, Russian forces “struck a peaceful city during the day, when most of the residents were at work and on the streets.”

Rescue and fire crews were later dispatched to put out fires caused by falling debris that landed on a major roadway in the capital. The Kyiv regional military administration said it was working to clear debris from at least six locations around the city.

As Kyiv builds up its air defense systems, Russia appears to be continuously testing

them. Russian forces have been changing the timings of bombardments, the combination of weapons they use and the trajectories of the missiles and drones, most recently flying them low along riverbeds and through valleys to avoid detection.

With those adjustments, Russian forces are trying to “confuse and mislead our air defense system,” Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force Command, said in an appearance on national television over the weekend. “It uses the topography of the area to disappear from radars.”

“But as we can see, the Ukrainian air defense is getting stronger and stronger every day,” he said.

On Sunday, Ukrainian air defense teams

repelled Russia’s largest drone attack on the city since the start of the war. Less than 18 hours later, another overnight attack followed.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Russian forces had fired a total of 40 cruise missiles and 38 Iranianmade attack drones Monday, and that 36 of the missiles and 30 of the drones had been shot down.

One missile hit the village of Kivsharivka in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, according to the local military administration. It said at least three people were wounded in the attack.

The Russian overnight assault did hit at least one military installation, according to Ukrainian officials, damaging an airfield located in Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine.

“Five aerial vehicles went out of service,” the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration said in a statement. It said rescue crews were racing to put out fires at a fuel depot and warehouse at the base. “Restoration works also started at the runway,” the administration said.

Hours after those strikes, air alarms sounded again in several regions of Ukraine. Millions across the capital still reeling from the consecutive nights of bombardment watched as air defense missiles launched into the clear blue spring sky.

The residents of Kyiv — a city of 3.6 million people — paused, braced and waited. When the blasts subsided, residents of the capital did as they have done after every attack — posted messages on social media thanking air defense teams, texted their friends and proceeded to go about their business.

Russia launches a rare daytime missile attack on Kyiv Typhoon Mawar moves near the Philippines

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

Evacuations were underway Monday in the northern Philippines as Typhoon Mawar continued to swirl in the Pacific Ocean, after walloping Guam last week with heavy rain and howling wind.

As of Monday afternoon in the Philippines, Mawar’s center was about 276 miles east of Calayan, Cagayan — an area just north of Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island — the Philippine meteorological agency said. Because the country gives its own names to typhoons that enter its so-called area of responsibility, a large area of the Western North Pacific, the storm is known locally as Betty.

Local news outlets have reported that some residents in northern sections of the country had been evacuated. Authorities had also ordered more than 27,000 personnel to assist in responding to the storm.

The storm was moving northwest at about 6 mph with maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which is operated by the U.S. Navy. That wind speed is equivalent to the force of a strong Category 3 Atlantic hurricane.

Forecasters said the storm would become slowmoving or almost stationary from Tuesday into Wednesday and would likely stay north of the Philippines before weakening later this week. But heavy rain, flooding,

landslides and gale-force winds were expected in northern Luzon on Monday, the Philippine weather agency said. Some areas of the country were also forecast to receive nearly 4 inches of rain by Tuesday afternoon.

As Mawar continues to head north, then northeast, the impact on Taiwan, China and South Korea could be minimal. Depending on the timing of other weather systems in the area, the storm could instead track farther west toward Taiwan, or northwest toward Japan.

Those developments wouldn’t come until later this week and into the weekend, and a lot could change in the atmosphere in that time. As the storm moves north, whether toward or away from Japan, it is expected to weaken as it encounters cooler waters.

Ukrainian officials said all 11 missiles were intercepted by air defenses. The assault came hours after another overnight barrage.

Barely noting war in public, Putin acts like time is on his side

By ANTON TROIANOVSKI and PAUL SONNE

Pro-Ukrainian fighters stormed across the border into southwestern Russia this past week, prompting two days of the heaviest fighting on Russian territory in 15 months of war. Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin, in public, ignored the matter entirely.

He handed out medals, met the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, hosted friendly foreign leaders and made televised small talk with a Russian judge about how Ukraine was not a real country.

In managing Russia’s biggest war in generations, Putin increasingly looks like a commander in chief in absentia: In public, he says next to nothing about the course of the war and betrays little concern about Russia’s setbacks. Instead, he is telegraphing more clearly than ever that his strategy is to wait out Ukraine and the West — and that he thinks he can win by exhausting his foes.

“There’s no need for any illusions,” said Natalia Zubarevich, an expert on Russian social and economic development at Moscow State University. Putin, she said, has laid the domestic groundwork to sustain the war for a “long, long, long, long, long” time.

But while Western analysts and officials believe that Putin’s Russia does have the potential to keep fighting, his military, economic and political maneuvering room has narrowed, presenting obstacles to prosecuting a lengthy war.

Even as Putin refers to the fighting as distant “tragic events,” the war keeps hitting home — with growing fissures in the military leadership, unease among the Russian elite and worrying signs for the economy as the West vows to further wean itself off Russian energy.

On the battlefield, Russia’s ability to go on the offensive has shriveled as ammunition has run low and the monthslong battle for the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut took thousands of soldiers’ lives. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group that led the assault on Bakhmut, said he was starting to pull his soldiers out of the city while releasing one profane tirade after another aimed at Russia’s Kremlin-allied elites.

To mount a major new offensive, Western officials and analysts say that Putin would need to find new sources of ammunition — and impose a politically risky, second military draft to replenish his depleted troops. Still, the U.S. director of national intelligence, Avril D. Haines, told Congress this month that the chances that Putin would make any concessions in talks this year were “low,” unless he were to feel a domestic political threat.

Western officials also remain concerned about the possibility that he could resort to nuclear weapons, but calculate that the risk is greatest if Putin is facing a catastrophic defeat that threatens his hold on power.

At home, Russia’s economy has proved flexible enough to adapt to Western sanctions, while government reserves have been sufficient to finance higher military spending and increased welfare payments. But the longer the war drags on — especially if oil prices drop — the likelier it is the Kremlin would be forced into hard choices on cutting government spending or letting inflation surge.

Politically, some researchers argue that public support for the war in Russia is broad but shallow — capable of shifting quickly in response to unforeseen events. The incursions across the border this past week brought the war into Russia in a way it had not before, stirring unease among military bloggers, who have a widespread following.

Then there is the wild card of Prigozhin, who has been morphing into a populist politician taking on top Russian officials, and this week delivered a broadside against the strategy of waiting out the West.

In an hourlong video interview with a Russian blogger, Prigozhin described an unlikely “optimistic scenario” in which “Europe and America get tired of the Ukrainian conflict, China sits everyone down at the negotiating table, we agree that everything we’ve already grabbed is ours.”

The more likely scenario, Prigozhin asserted, is that Ukraine pushes Russian troops back to prewar lines and threatens the Crimean Peninsula — the crown jewel among Putin’s Ukrainian land grabs.

Western analysts and officials doubt that Ukraine’s upcoming counteroffensive can deliver a knockout blow. At the same time, they say that Russia’s ability to wage the war is steadily degrading, as evidenced by tens of

thousands of casualties in Bakhmut and the sharp decline in the number of shells Russian forces are firing per day in eastern Ukraine compared with the height of the battle last year.

“It’s not as if the Russians will suddenly stop being able to wage a war,” said Max Bergmann, a former State Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “The question is can they still wage it with any sort of intensity.”

Some Russian officials are already looking ahead to next year’s presidential election in the United States, hinting that a Republican victory could turn the tide. Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and the vice chair of Putin’s security council, said this past week that “the main thing” was that President Joe Biden not be reelected.

President Donald Trump, who is the early front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, “is a good guy,” Medvedev said, and “historically it was always easier to work with the Republicans.”

But there are risks to Putin’s wait-and-see approach beyond the possibility of a battlefield breakthrough by Ukraine. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, argues that Putin’s “tactic of inaction” could raise the influence of hard-liners like Prigozhin.

“Russia’s elites are liable to see defeatism in inaction,” she wrote this month. “Already, Putin is struggling to explain what exactly he is waiting for.”

The durability of Russian public support for the war — like the economic stability that helps underpin it — is far from clear.

But some researchers and U.S. officials believe that cracks in pro-war sentiment have already begun to show because of heavy casualties.

A recent report from a group of Russian sociologists, based on scores of in-depth interviews, argues that Russians see the war as “a natural disaster” they cannot do anything about, rather than as something they are firmly convinced is right.

“This support is not built on fundamental political positions or some ideological views,” said Sasha Kappinen, one of the report’s authors, who uses a pseudonym for

security reasons because she works at a university in Russia. “This is not stable support.”

Russia has spent heavily to placate the general public since the war began, increasing welfare payments and easing the burden on small businesses. Its economy has adapted to sanctions, benefiting from the numerous countries outside North America and Western Europe that continue to do brisk trade with Russia.

Zubarevich, the Moscow economic development expert, said the government had the capacity to keep spending at its current clip at least until the presidential election next March, when Putin, 70, is expected to run for a fifth term. But a fall in the price of oil could force the government to cut spending on things like infrastructure.

“The two sacred cows are state defense procurement and support for low-income groups and pensioners,” she said, referring to the need to satisfy key constituencies. “They will be kept in place for as long as possible.”

At the same time, analysts and Russians who know Putin still see him as fundamentally flexible and opportunistic — a man who would probably accept a freeze in the fighting if it were offered, even as he prepares to fight on for years. As a result, well-connected people in Moscow see an unpredictable future while girding for a long war.

“Putin’s spectrum of options is pretty broad,” a prominent businessman in Moscow said, “from doing a cease-fire today to fighting a hundred-year war.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Despite inflation, earthquakes and tough race, Erdogan is reelected

By BEN HUBBARD

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan beat back the greatest political challenge of his career Sunday, securing victory in a presidential runoff that granted five more years to a mercurial leader who has vexed his Western allies while tightening his grip on the Turkish state.

His victory means Erdogan could remain in power for at least a quarter-century, deepening his conservative imprint on Turkish society while pursuing his vision of a country with increasing economic and geopolitical might. He will be ensconced as the driving force of a NATO ally of the United States, a position he has leveraged to become a key broker in the war in Ukraine and to enhance Turkey’s status as a Muslim power with 85 million people and critical ties across continents.

Turkey’s Supreme Election Council declared Erdogan the victor late Sunday. He won 52.1% of the vote; opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu got 47.9% with almost all votes counted, the council said.

Erdogan’s supporters shrugged off Turkey’s challenges, including a looming economic crisis, and lauded him for developing the country and supporting conservative Islamic values.

In many Turkish cities Sunday night, they honked car horns, cheered and gathered in public squares to watch the results roll in and await his victory speech. Thousands gathered outside the presidential palace in Ankara, waving red and white Turkish flags.

“It is not only us who won, it is Turkey,” Erdogan said, to raucous applause. “It is our nation that won with all its elements. It is our democracy.”

Kilicdaroglu told his supporters that he did not contest the vote count but that the election overall had been unfair, nevertheless. In the run-up to the vote, Erdogan tapped state resources to tilt the playing field in his favor.

During his 20 years as the country’s most

prominent politician — as prime minister beginning in 2003 and as president since 2014 — Erdogan has sidelined the country’s traditional political and military elites and expanded the role of Islam in public life.

Along the way, he has used crises to expand his power, centering major decision making about domestic, foreign and economic policy inside the walls of his sprawling presidential palace. His political opponents fear that five more years at the helm will allow him to consolidate power even further.

Erdogan has offered few indications that he intends to change course in either domestic affairs or in foreign policy.

Erdogan’s unpredictability and frequent tirades against the West left officials in some Western capitals wondering whose side he was on in the war in Ukraine and privately hoping he would lose.

The Turkish leader condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, but refused to join Western sanctions to isolate President Vladimir Putin and instead increased Turkish trade with Moscow. He calls Putin “my friend” and has hampered NATO efforts to expand by delaying the admission of Finland and still refusing to admit Sweden.

During his campaign, Erdogan indicated that he was comfortable with his stance on Ukraine. He described Turkey’s mediation at times between the conflict’s warring parties as “not an ordinary deed.” And he said he was not “working just to receive a ‘well done’ from the West,” making clear that the desires of his allies will not trump his pursuit of Turkey’s interests.

Erdogan operates on the understanding that “the world has entered the stage where Western predominance is no longer a given,” said Galip Dalay, a Turkey analyst at Chatham House, a London-based research group.

That view has led regional powers like Turkey to benefit from ties with the West even while engaging with American rivals like Russia and China. The idea is that “Turkey is

better served by engaging in a geopolitical balance between them,” Dalay said.

Critics accuse Erdogan of pushing Turkey toward one-man rule. Election observers said that while this month’s voting was largely free, he used state resources and his sway over the news media to gain advantage, making the wider competition unfair.

Still, his opponents came closer to unseating him than ever before, and many expect he will try to prevent them from ever being able to do so again.

“Winning this election will give him ultimate confidence in himself, and I think he will see himself as undefeatable from now on,” said Gulfem Saydan Sanver, a political consultant who has advised members of the opposition. “I think he will be more harsh on the opposition.”

Over the years, Erdogan has merged himself with the image of the state, and he is likely to keep leveraging Turkey’s position between the West, Russia and other countries to enhance his geopolitical clout.

His relations with Washington remain prickly.

The United States removed Turkey from a program to receive F-35 fighter jets in 2019 after Turkey bought an air-defense system from Russia.

And during the long war in neighboring Syria, Erdogan criticized the United States for working with a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey says is an extension of a Kurdish militant group that has fought the Turkish government for decades to demand autonomy.

Erdogan’s interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, accused the United States of a “political coup attempt” to unseat Erdogan during the campaign. As evidence, Soylu cited comments from President Joe Biden’s own campaign, in which he criticized Erdogan as an “autocrat” and said the United States should support Turkey’s opposition.

Diplomats acknowledge that Erdogan’s ties to both Russia and Ukraine allowed him to mediate an agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea as well as prisoner swaps between the warring parties.

Recently, Erdogan has worked to patch up relations with former regional foes, including Israel, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, in order to cool tensions and stimulate trade. After conciliatory moves by Turkey, Saudi Arabia deposited $5 billion in Turkey’s central bank in March, helping shore up its sagging foreign currency reserves.

The Turkish leader has said he might meet with President Bashar Assad of Syria after years of supporting anti-Assad rebels. The goal: speeding the return of some of the

millions of Syrian refugees in Turkey, a key demand of Turkish voters.

Erdogan, the son of a ferry captain who grew up in a tough Istanbul neighborhood and dreamed of playing professional soccer, retains the deep devotion of many Turks, who credit him with developing the country. Swift economic growth in the 2000s lifted millions of Turks out of poverty and transformed Turkish cities with new highways, airports and rail lines.

Erdogan also expanded the space for Islam in public life.

Turkey is a predominantly Muslim society with a secular state, and for decades women who wore headscarves were barred from universities and government jobs. Erdogan loosened those rules, and conservative women vote for him in large numbers.

He also has a habit of making smokers he encounters promise to quit — and getting it in writing. In March, his office displayed hundreds of cigarette packs signed by the people Erdogan had taken them from, including his own brother and a former foreign minister of Bulgaria.

He has also expanded religious education and transformed the Hagia Sophia, Turkey’s most famous historic landmark, from a museum into a mosque.

Musa Aslantas, a bakery owner, listed what he considered Erdogan’s most recent accomplishments: a natural gas discovery in the Black Sea, Turkey’s first electric car and a nuclear power plant being built by Russia.

“Our country is stronger thanks to Erdogan,” said Aslantas, 28. “He can stand up to foreign leaders. He makes us feel safe and powerful. They can’t play with us like they used to.”

Erdogan’s most immediate challenge could be the economy.

His insistence on lowering interest rates has exacerbated inflation that peaked at more than 80% annually last year, economists say, and expensive moves he made before the election added to the state’s bills and depleted the central bank’s foreign currency reserves. Without a swift change of course, Turkey could soon face a currency crisis or recession.

Economic trouble could lead more voters to seek change in the future, assuming Erdogan’s foes can overcome their disappointment and mount another challenge.

“Erdogan has clear vision of what he wants for the country, and he has had that vision since he was very young,” said Selim Koru, an analyst at the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey. “What people like about him is that he has not really compromised on that.”

Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan celebrating his victory in Istanbul on Sunday.

The inflation debate is cooling

By PAUL KRUGMAN

On Tuesday, the Brookings Institution held a special symposium on inflation, which I unfortunately couldn’t attend. But I read the two papers presented and some of the subsequent commentary, and it seems to me that something weird is happening: growing agreement among many (although not all) economists about both the causes of and, more important, the future prospects for inflation.

And the seemingly emergent consensus is cautiously optimistic.

I won’t talk here about the paper by Don Kohn and Gauti Eggertsson, although I think it may point the way toward a deeper understanding of some key issues. Instead, let’s talk about the paper by two major (and deeply respected) heavyweights: Olivier Blanchard, the former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, and Ben Bernanke, the former master of the world — I mean, the former chair of the Federal Reserve.

Bernanke and Blanchard focus a lot on the big debate in early 2021 over whether the big Biden spending package would be highly inflationary. Obviously, the pessimists — Blanchard among them — who predicted large inflation were right, while the optimists who minimized the risks — myself unfortunately included —

were wrong. But the paper argues that the pessimists were largely right for the wrong reasons. They expected that inflation would arrive via a hugely overheated labor market, but that’s mostly not what happened:

“

We find that, contrary to early concerns that inflation would be spurred by overheated labor markets, most of the inflation surge that began in 2021 was the result of shocks to prices given wages, including sharp increases in commodity prices and sectoral shortages.”

Their estimates say that overheated labor markets have played some role in recent inflation, but not a central one. In subsequent remarks, Blanchard has tried to clarify that he and Bernanke didn’t mean to minimize the effects of the Biden stimulus: “

At least until the invasion of Ukraine, U.S. inflation came primarily from too strong aggregate demand, largely due in turn to the large fiscal packages, reinforced by a relative demand shift from services to goods, and by shortages in a number of markets.”

I think he may be conceding too much here, but in any case, the important point is that much of the price shock coming from high spending can be fairly easily reversed, and is in fact reversing as we speak.

What I mean, and what I think Blanchard means, was seen with one of the inflationary shocks nobody saw coming: the extraordinary surge in shipping costs.

What caused that surge? Consumers suddenly increased the demand for durable goods, many of them made in Asia, and as it turned out, we didn’t have the capacity — port facilities, available shipping containers, etc. — to meet this demand.

But why did durables demand rise? Some of it was the pandemic, which caused a shift in spending away from in-person services to physical objects. For example, people afraid to eat at restaurants may have bought air fryers instead. But some of it presumably also reflected people spending the checks they got from the American Rescue Plan.

Whatever the sources of the shipping-cost surge, however, it didn’t last. So even if you believe that excessive government spending played a big role in the initial rise in inflation, future inflation will reflect more persistent factors — which, in Bernanke and Blanchard’s analysis, means focusing on the labor market, which they say is still overheated and needs to cool.

So here’s what’s weird: While I might quibble with details, basically, I don’t disagree with any of that. Neither, as far as I can tell, does Jason Furman, a generally pessimistic commentator on inflation who discussed their paper. So there’s actually a sort of consensus: While

much recent inflation reflected temporary factors, the economy is still running too hot and needs to cool off.

The 6-million-job question is whether this cooling off needs to involve a large rise in unemployment.

The paper is actually fairly optimistic on that question, suggesting that “immaculate disinflation,” inflation coming down without any significant rise in unemployment, may be possible, and that even if it isn’t, those grim projections we were hearing a year ago about the need for many years of high unemployment no longer seem plausible.

Why the optimism? Bernanke and Blanchard, as I’ve already noted, use the ratio of vacancies to the unemployed as their measure of labor market tightness. And what has been really striking since late 2022 is that vacancies have come way down without any rise in unemployment.

A lot of last year’s pessimism came from the apparent worsening of the Beveridge curve — which captures the relationship between unemployment and vacancies — but that worsening now appears to have been largely if not entirely a temporary phenomenon, related to pandemic disruptions. If the recent improvement continues, a fairly soft landing will look increasingly likely.

True, there are some questions about how much we should rely on vacancy data; I was a bit surprised to see Bernanke and Blanchard make it so central to their analysis. But other measures are, if anything, even more encouraging. Notably, some economists have been arguing that we should focus on the rate at which workers quit their jobs as an indicator of labor market tightness. This measure is almost back down to prepandemic levels.

Now, does all of this mean that the Fed’s job is done and that there should be no more rate hikes? Not necessarily. Among other challenges, things like consumer spending have remained stubbornly resilient in the face of higher rates, so even if cooling needn’t involve a big rise in unemployment, getting to where we need to be might still require even higher interest rates. (Or it might not; are there still lagged effects of the Fed’s rate changes in the pipeline?)

But while inflation may or may not be cooling off sufficiently, the inflation debate seems to have gotten substantially cooler. And I, for one, welcome the change in tone.

POR EL STAR STAFF

SAN JUAN – Roberto Iván Aponte Berríos, comisionado electoral del Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP), exhortó nuevamente hoy a los universitarios que estudian en instituciones fuera del País a que cuando regresen de vacaciones a Puerto Rico durante el verano, saquen su tarjeta electoral porque lo importante es estar listo para votar.

“Aquellos jóvenes que salieron del país para hacer sus estudios universitarios y regresan a la Isla a vacacionar deben asegurar dar su primer paso, sacar su tarjeta electoral visitando una Junta de Inscripción Permanente (JIP). El horario de las JIP es de lunes a viernes, de 8 de la mañana a 4:30 de la tarde. Si eres un joven que, por motivos de estudios, vas

a estar fuera del País el día de las elecciones, tienes derecho a solicitar el Voto Ausente. Si tienes duda de la ubicación de las JIP Isla puedes acceder a www.ceepur.org o comunicarte al 787-296-0640”, señaló Aponte Berríos.

Los estudiantes que tienen derecho a inscribirse son aquellos que cumplan 18 años en o antes del 5 de noviembre del 2024.

“El PIP continúa con su campaña educativa de informar sobre la importancia de que se inscriban lo antes posible, no solo a los jóvenes que residen en el País, sino también a aquellos que estudian en instituciones universitarias en el extranjero”, comentó el Comisionado pipiolo.

“En este periodo de verano separa un espacio de tu tiempo para inscribirte y que tu voto cuente en estas próximas elecciones para hacer realidad un

Puerto Rico libre del bipartidismo rojo y azul. Prepárate para hacer historia, por un mejor país, por una Patria Nueva”, concluyó Aponte Berríos.

Cortometraje puertorriqueño presentado por primera vez en vivo a través de la plataforma de Youtube

corto puertorriqueño en ser transmitido completamente en vivo a través de las plataformas digitales.

S AN JUAN – De los productores de Chona 2, llega el cortometraje “Por el camino del ganso”, primer

“Por el camino del ganso” estrena el martes, 13 de junio, a las 10:00 de la noche, a través del canal de Youtube El Tocino.TV. La pieza tiene una duración de 6 minutos y cuenta con las actuaciones estelares de Wanda Sais y Eric Yamil, bajo la dirección de Emmanuel ‘Sunshine’ Logroño.

Filmado en el novedoso formato “raw” o crudo, con una cámara siguiendo la acción dará la impresión a los espectadores que se está grabando desde un celular.

“Con este corto volvemos a hacer historia en la Isla transmitiendo en vivo una propuesta que estoy seguro presenta una propuesta novedosa no solo en su estilo de filmación sino en la historia que se escenifica en la calle, con la ambientación natural de una noche en Santurce. De igual forma la musicalización y ambientación será con sonidos reales

de ambiente”, expresó Sunshine quien desarrolló el guión inspirado en lo que podría ser una historia de la vida real que toca la crisis de seguridad que vivimos actualmente.

Luego de su transmisión en vivo, quedará grabado en el canal El Tocino.TV en la plataforma de Youtube, más la experiencia de verlo en vivo, será únicamente el martes, 13 de junio a las 10:00 de la noche. El proyecto con el objetivo de desarrollar cortometrajes en vivo una vez al mes y atraer a cineastas que quieran experimentar dentro de este concepto, es una producción de Solcinema y será posible gracias a la colaboración de La Respuesta en Santurce y otros importantes auspiciadores.

Se verá en vivo en los diferentes países y ciudades en los horarios a continuación: Chicago (9:00pm); Los Ángeles (7:00pm); Madrid (4:00 am); Bogotá (9:00pm); Ciudad de México (8:00pm); Argentina (11:00pm) y Río de Janeiro (11:00pm).

Suspenden a agente de la Policía luego de ser acusado de agresión sexual a menor

POR CYBERNEWS

C AGUAS – Las autoridades informaron el lunes, que Jorge Cabrera Oliveras, de 52 años, un agente de la Policía, adscrito a la División de Operaciones Tácticas de San Juan y residente de Caguas, fue acusado de agresión sexual, actos lascivos y maltrato de menores. Según la Uniformada, supuestamente Cabrera Oliveras cometió estos delitos contra un menor de edad durante varios años hasta que la víctima pudo expresar lo que estaba sucediendo.

La agente Mariliza Dones Román, supervisada por la

sargento Damaris Ramos, llevó a cabo la investigación. Se consultó con la fiscal Charlene Sánchez, de la Unidad Especializada en Maltrato de Menores de Caguas, quien instruyó la radicación de los cargos

La Policía precisó que la jueza Yaritza Santiago San Antonio, del Tribunal de Caguas, encontró causa para arresto y fijó una fianza global de 84,000 dólares. Cabrera Oliveras prestó la fianza mediante un fiador privado y ahora está en libertad provisional hasta la Vista Preliminar programada para el 19 de junio de 2023. Cabrera Oliveras ha sido suspendido de empleo y sueldo en el Negociado de la Policía de Puerto Rico.

POR EL STAR STAFF

El PIP exhorta a los estudiantes universitarios fuera del país a inscribirse

‘The Little Mermaid’ review: The renovations are only skin deep

By WESLEY MORRIS

The new, live-action “The Little Mermaid” is everything nobody should want in a movie: dutiful and defensive, yet desperate for approval. It reeks of obligation and noble intentions. Joy, fun, mystery, risk, flavor, kink — they’re missing. The movie’s saying, “We tried!” Tried not to offend, appall, challenge, imagine. A crab croons, a gull raps, a sea witch swells to Stay Puft proportions: This is not supposed to be a serious event. But it feels made in anticipation of being taken too seriously. Now, you can’t even laugh at it.

The story comes from Hans Christian Andersen, and when Disney made a cartoon musical of it in 1989, the tale’s tragedy and existential wonder got swapped for Disney Princess Syndrome, wherein one subjugation is replaced with another, an even exchange redrawn as liberating love. But the people who drew it had a ball with the hooey.

In both movies, the mermaid Ariel wants out of her widowed father’s underwater kingdom and into the arms of the earthbound merchant prince whom she rescues in a shipwreck. Her father forbids, but that sea witch, Ursula, fulfills Ariel’s wish, giving her three days to procure a kiss from that prince and remain human or spend the rest of her life enslaved to Ursula. Somehow mirth and music ensue. In the original, that’s thanks mostly to Ariel’s talking Caribbean crab guardian, Sebastian, and her Noo Yawky dingbat sea gull pal, Scuttle.

This remake injects some contemporary misfortune (humans despoil the water, we’re told). It also packs on an additional 52 minutes and three new songs, trades zany for demure and swaps vast animated land- and seascapes for soundstagey sets and screensavery imagery. They’re calling it “live-action,” but the action is mostly CGI. There’s no organic buoyancy. On land, Ariel can walk but can’t speak, which means whoever’s playing her needs a face that can. Achieving that was a piece of cake in the cartoon. Ariel could seem bemused, enchanted, bereft, coquettish, alarmed, aghast, elated. And her scarlet mane was practically a movie unto itself.

Now Ariel is in singer Halle Bailey’s hands. And it’s not that she can’t keep par with the original’s illustrators. It’s that this movie isn’t asking her to. It takes the better part of an hour for the flesh-and-blood Ariel to go mute. And when she does, whatever carbonation Bailey had to begin with goes flat. This Ariel has amnesia about needing that kiss, taking “cunning” off the table for Bailey, too.

With her sister, Bailey is half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. They’ve got a chilling, playful approach to melody that Bailey can’t fully unleash in this movie. For one thing, she’s got two songs, one of which — the standard “Part of Your World” — does manage to let her quaver some toward the end. But what’s required of her doesn’t differ radically from what Jodi Benson did in the first movie. Ostensibly, though, Bailey has been cast because her Ariel would differ. Bailey’s is Black, with long copper hair that twists, waves

and locks. Racially, the whole movie’s been, what, opened up? Diversified? Now, Ariel’s rueful daddy, King Triton, is played by a stolid Javier Bardem, who does all the king’s lamenting in Spanish-inflected English. Instead of the Broadway chorines of the original, her mermaid siblings are a multiethnic, runway-ready General Assembly.

The prince, Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), is white, English and now seems to have more plot than Ariel. “More” includes meals with his mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni), who’s Black, as is her chief servant, Lashana (Martina Laird). The script, credited to David Magee, John DeLuca, and director Rob Marshall, informs us that the queen has adopted the prince (because somebody knew inquiring minds would need to know). As the bosomy, tentacled Ursula, who’s now Triton’s banished, embittered sister, Melissa McCarthy puts a little pathos in the part’s malignancy. She seems like she’s having a fine time, a little Bette Midler, a little Mae West, a little Etta James. And the sight of her racing toward the camera in a slithery gush of arms and fury is the movie’s one good nightmare image. But even McCarthy seems stuck in a shotfor-shot, growl-for-growl tribute to her cartoon counterpart and Pat Carroll’s vocal immortalization of it.

What’s really been opened up, here? For years now, Disney’s been atoning for the racism and chauvinism and de facto whiteness of its expanded catalog (it owns Pixar and Marvel, too), in part by turning its nettlesome cartoons into live-action corrections. This is important, culturally reparative work from a corporation that, lately, has more steadily inched humanity away from bottom-line priorities; consequently, it has found itself at war with the governor of Florida, where Disney World lives. On-screen, though, that correctness tends to smell like compromise. For every “Moana,” “Coco” or “Encanto” — original, wondrous, exu-

berant animated musicals about relationships and cultures Disney didn’t previously notice or treat with care — there’s something timid and reactive like this.

It’s really a misery to notice these things. A 9-year-old wouldn’t. But one reason we have this remake is that former 9-year-olds, raised on and besotted with these original Disney movies, grew up and had questions. In that sense, “The Little Mermaid” is more a moral redress than a work of true inspiration. Which isn’t to say there’s nothing inspired about it. In fact, the best sequence in the movie combines these ambitions of so-called inclusion with thornier American musical traditions. It’s the moment when Scuttle reveals that Eric’s about to marry Ursula.

The song that breaks this news to Ariel and Sebastian is a rap called “The Scuttlebutt” with lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. And Awkwafina, who does Scuttle’s voice, performs most of it while Bailey looks on in what I’m going to call anguish. Here’s an Asian American performer whose shtick is a kind of Black impersonation, pretending to be a computer-generated bird, rhythm-rapping with a Black American man pretending to be a Caribbean crab. It’s the sort of mind-melting mess that feels honest and utterly free in its messiness, even as the mess douses a conveniently speechless Black woman.

Watching it, you realize why the rest of the movie plays it so safe. Because fun is some risky business. This is a witty, complex, exuberant, breathless, deeply American number that’s also the movie’s one moment of unbridled, unabashed delight. And I can’t wait to see how Disney’s going to apologize for it in 34 years.

‘The Little Mermaid’

Rated PG. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes. In theaters.

Halle Bailey, right, as Ariel in the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid,” with Awkwafina voicing the bird Scuttle and Jacob Tremblay as the fish Flounder.

George Maharis, TV heartthrob of ‘Route 66,’ is dead at 94

By ANITA GATES and ALEX TRAUB

George Maharis, the ruggedly handsome New York-born stage actor who went on to become a 1960s television heartthrob as a star of the series “Route 66,” died Wednesday at at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was 94.

His longtime friend and caretaker, Marc Bahan, confirmed his death.

Maharis’ greatest fame arose from the role of Buz Murdock, one of two young men who traveled the country in a Corvette convertible, finding a new adventure and drama (and usually a new young woman) each week on CBS’ “Route 66.”

In a 2012 reappraisal of the show, New York Times critic and reporter Neil Genzlinger praised the literary quality of the scripts and commented, “This half-century-old black-and-white television series tackled issues that seem very 21st century.”

Several actors who went on to greater renown appeared on the show, including Martin Sheen, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall and Barbara Eden.

“Route 66” began in 1960, and Maharis left the show in 1963. His co-star, Martin Milner, got a new partner, played by Glenn Corbett, and the series continued for one more season.

Maharis attributed his departure to health reasons (he was suffering from hepatitis), but Karen Blocher, an author and blogger who interviewed Maharis and other principal figures on the show, wrote in 2006 that the story was more complex.

Herbert B. Leonard, the show’s ex-

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ecutive producer, “thought he’d hired a young hunk for the show, a hip, sexy man and good actor that all the girls would go for,” Blocher wrote. “This was all true of Maharis, but not the whole story, as Leonard discovered to his anger and dismay. George was gay, it turned out.”

Blocher attributed Maharis’ departure to a number of factors. “The producers felt betrayed and duped when they learned of Maharis’ sexual orientation, and never trusted him again,” she wrote, adding, “Maharis, for his part, started to feel that he was carrying the show and going unap-

Lash Extención

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preciated.”

Maharis was arrested in 1967 on charges of “lewd conduct” and in 1974 on charges of “sex perversion” for cruising in men’s bathrooms.

He did not discuss his sexuality in interviews, but he proudly described being the July 1973 nude centerfold in Playgirl magazine to Esquire in 2017.

“A lot of guys came up to me,” he said, “and asked me to sign it for their ‘wives.’”

Maharis had done well-received work in theater before becoming a television star. In 1958 he played a killer in an off-Broadway production of Jean Genet’s “Deathwatch.” Writing in the Times, Louis Calta described Maharis’ performance as “correctly volatile, harsh, soft and cunning.”

Two years later, Maharis appeared in Edward Albee’s “Zoo Story” in its offBroadway production at the Provincetown Playhouse. That year he was one of 12 young actors given the Theater World Award. The other winners included Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Patty Duke and Carol Burnett. In 1962, he received an Emmy Award nomination for his work on “Route 66.”

In 1963, Maharis told a writer for the Times that he treated the TV series like a

job in summer stock theater.

“The series taught me how to maintain my integrity and not be sucked in by compromise,” he said.

George Maharis was born in the Astoria section of the Queens borough of New York City on Sept. 1, 1928, the son of a Greek restaurateur. He attended Flushing High School and later served in the Marines.

Before succeeding as an actor, he told interviewers, he had worked as a mechanic, a dance instructor and a short-order cook. But he had aspired to a singing career first, and after he became a television star he recorded albums including “George Maharis Sings!,” “Portrait in Music” and “Just Turn Me Loose!” At least one single, “Teach Me Tonight,” became a hit.

After leaving “Route 66,” Maharis appeared in feature films including “Sylvia,” with Carroll Baker, and “The Satan Bug,” a science-fiction drama (both 1965). He tried series television again in 1970 as the star of an ABC whodunit “The Most Deadly Game,” with Ralph Bellamy and Yvette Mimieux, but the show lasted only three months.

In the 1970s and early ’80s, he made guest appearances on other television series, including “Police Story,” “The Bionic Woman” and “Fantasy Island.” He did occasional television films, including a poorly reviewed 1976 “Rosemary’s Baby” sequel. He worked infrequently in the 1980s and made his final screen appearance in a supporting role in “Doppelganger,” a 1993 horror film starring Drew Barrymore. Information about his survivors was not immediately available.

Because of his filming schedule when the shows aired, Maharis did not have a chance to watch “Route 66” until it was rereleased on DVD in 2007, he told the website Route 66 News that year.

“I was really surprised how strong they were,” he said. “For the first time, I could see what other people had seen.”

In an interview the same year with the Chicago Sun-Times, he reflected on his “Route 66” days and on how the country had changed since then. “You could go from one town to the next, maybe 80 miles away, and it was a totally different world,” he said. “Now you can go 3,000 miles and one town is the same as the next.”

George Maharis, left, as Buz Murdock and Martin Milner as Tod Stiles in 1960 with their Corvette from the television show “Route 66.” Mr. Maharis received an Emmy Award nomination in 1962 for his work on the show.

Can actual rats save the mall?

tine.

With collaborations like the one between the SPCA and Westfield Annapolis gaining popularity, malls and animal havens are hoping to attract more pet owners and customers to these retail spaces that were already struggling before the pandemic forced temporary closures.

Morgan McLoud, the marketing director at Westfield Annapolis, came up with the idea to lease retail spaces to animal shelters at a reduced rate in January 2020, after she saw dozens of people line up to pay $25 to visit a crowded cat cafe in Washington.

A

By CLAUDIA ROSENBAUM

When Alia Mahmud visited Westfield Annapolis Mall in February 2022, she didn’t go to buy clothes, or to watch a movie or to even meet up with her girlfriends. She was looking for rats.

A week earlier, Mahmud saw a post online about a pack of rodents at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, whose shelter opened an outpost at the mall in September 2020. When she arrived at the new location and approached the rat enclosure, she saw Snoofles, Algernon and Ikit, 5-month-old sisters who perked up and pressed their pink noses through their crate to get a better look at Mahmud and her boyfriend.

“They kind of ran up to us and said hi,” said Mahmud, 32, a school therapist in Alexandria, Virginia. “They melted our hearts with how little, affectionate and outgoing they were from the beginning.”

But it wasn’t until a meet-and-greet days later when Mahmud finally decided to take them home, after Snoofles proceeded to run down her shirt.

“At that point, I was like, Well all right, I guess they’ve chosen,” Mahmud said.

Snoofles, Algernon and Ikit are just some of the thousands of pets that have been adopted from animal shelters sprouting up in malls across the country in the past three years. A growing number of shopping centers are offering animal rescue groups empty storefronts for free or at a significant discount, sometimes as much as 90%. According to Shelter Animals Count, an animal welfare national database, shelters reported that intakes increased 4% in 2022, leaving them overburdened with animals that were once hard to obtain during quaran -

Within days, she reached out to Kelly Brown, president of the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, who suggested using one of the mall’s empty storefronts as an extension of the organization’s main shelter. The new outpost, Paws at the Mall, opened eight months later. Since then, Paws has seen the number of adoptions rise to 608 in 2021, from 131 in 2019, finding homes for hundreds of cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and even some hedgehogs and hermit crabs.

Developers had been thinking of ways to re-imagine the mall long before the pandemic, said Alexandra Lange, the author of “Meet Me by the Fountain,” which explores the history and future of American malls.

Malls had their golden age in the 1990s. Some had architecture that re-created quaint towns with cobblestone streets. Others offered photo shoots with Santa Claus, carousel rides and even life-size dinosaur-themed exhibits. Teenagers would often spend their leisure time lounging in the food court, riding escalators and loitering in Abercrombie & Fitch stores.

But then came the rise of the internet in the early 2000s. The prevalence of online shopping and the subsequent decline in demand for physical retail space had malls struggling to reinvent the shopping experience.

Moving animal shelters into empty storefronts is

just the latest effort by shopping centers to try to lure more customers in, Lange said.

“Malls got so big and so commercial and so nationally franchised that they kind of forgot about that lowhanging fruit,” Lange said, referring to more communitybased experiences. “So going back to that place that’s closer to their original community, neighborhood spirit seems like a totally reasonable idea.”

For animal shelters, the move has been widely successful.

L.A. Love & Leashes, an organization in Los Angeles that picks animals up from the city’s six shelters every morning and displays them at its mall storefront before returning unadopted pets in the evening, has found homes for more than 3,000 pets since relocating into a shopping center in 2021, more than doubling yearly adoption rates. In Illinois, Orphans of the Storm has found homes for more than 200 cats and dogs out of their two mall locations in Vernon Hills and Northbrook since opening in 2021, tripling its annual adoption rate. And Hop on Home, one of two animal shelters in Wilton Mall, in Saratoga Springs, New York, has found homes for 354 bunnies since opening a store at the shopping center in 2022, tripling its annual adoption rate.

Besides providing opportunities to see the animals, rescues like Hop on Home also host “Instagrammable” activities like yoga with rabbits, in which the furry mammals hop around exercise mats that they sometimes chew.

Lange said she believed that despite the ease of online shopping, customers would continue to come to the mall for experiences that can’t be replicated at home.

As for the rats Snoofles, Algernon and Ikit, they now spend their days dunking in a minipool of frozen peas, snuggling in a blue plush hammock and running around Mahmud’s one-bedroom apartment. Mahmud, though, already knows she will return to the mall sometime soon.

“Sadly,” she said, “rats only live two to three years.”

young girl looks at rats caged inside their enclosure at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County’s store Paws at the Mall inside the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Md., on April 22, 2023. Animal centers have been cropping up in shopping centers across the country, taking advantage of retail space offered at discounted rates.

Two people stop to look at a window display of kittens at SPCA of Anne Arundel County’s store Paws at the Mall inside the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, Md., on April 22, 2023.

A rabbit is seen through a blue tunnel at the SPCA of Anne Arundel County’s store Paws at the Mall inside the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis.

Apartado 907 Caguas, PR 00726 Tel. 787-653-8833 caguas.gov.pr

AVISO VISTA PÚBLICA

Para conocimiento del público general y de conformidad con las disposiciones del Reglamento Conjunto para la Evaluación y Expedición de Permisos Relacionados al Desarrollo, Uso de Terrenos y Operación de Negocios, vigente al 2 de enero de 2021, conocido como: “Reglamento Conjunto”, la Ley 107 del 14 de agosto de 2020, conocida como: “Código Municipal de Puerto Rico” y cualquier otra disposición de ley aplicable, se informa que la Oficina de Permisos (ODP) del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas celebrará Vista Pública para evaluar la solicitud que se describe a continuación:

Peticionario Caso Petición Dirección Física

Sr. Ismael Borges Rosa

P/C: Ing. Harry S. Figueroa Tirado email: ingenierosconsultores25@ yahoo.com

New cases of chronic pain outnumber those of diabetes or depression, study shows

By DANI BLUM

2023472092CUB-008010 Consulta de Ubicación para Edificio Comercial

Calle San Clemente F 24 y F 25 Urb. Notre Dame Caguas PR 00725

La Vista Pública se celebrará el 15 de junio de 2023, a la 1:30 p.m., en el Tribunal Administrativo, localizado en el primer piso, lobby, de la nueva Alcaldia Municipal, en la calle Padial en Caguas.

La propiedad propuesta para el proyecto ubica dentro de un Distrito de Calificación R-I, Residencial Intermedio, según el Mapa de Calificación de Suelo de Caguas. La solicitud se evaluará a tenor con las reglas 6.1.3, 6.3.1, 2.1.10 y las secciones aplicables del Capítulo 8.5 del Reglamento Conjunto. Se invita a vecinos del proyecto y a los propietarios de terrenos que radiquen dentro de los límites territoriales circundantes, a las agencias gubernamentales y al público en general a comparecer y participar en dicha Vista. Es mandatorio que el Peticionario o dueño de la propiedad o su representante autorizado asista a la Vista Pública. De no asistir se procederá con el archivo de la solicitud. Se advierte que las partes podrán comparecer asistidas por abogados, pero no estarán obligadas a estar así representadas, la cual incluye corporaciones y sociedades. Todo lo anterior, de conformidad, pero sin limitarse a lo establecido en la Orden Ejecutiva OE-2020044, según enmendada; en cuanto a las normas de distanciamiento social y el uso de mascarillas. Se advierte que la Oficina de Permisos podrá establecer requisitos adicionales de conformidad con las circunstancias de cada caso; esto de acuerdo con la emergencia de salud pública por la que hoy día atraviesa Puerto Rico.

El Oficial Examinador que presida la Vista no podrá suspenderla una vez señalada, salvo que se solicite por escrito con expresión de las causas que justifiquen la suspensión, con no menos de cinco (5) días de antelación a la fecha de celebración de la misma. La parte que solicite la suspensión tendrá que expresar las razones que justifican la suspensión o posposición. La Solicitud o Petición de Suspensión de la Vista tendrá un costo de cien dólares ($100.00). Este pago será realizado en el Departamento de Finanzas del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas en las formas de pago aceptadas por dicho Departamento. La Petición de Suspensión o transferencia deberá ser radicada ante la Secretaría de la Oficina de Permisos del Municipio Autónomo de Caguas y no se entenderá radicada correctamente hasta tanto se evidencie el pago de los cien dólares ($100.00) y la notificación de la Solicitud de Suspensión a las otras partes e interventores en el procedimiento, que tendrá que ser con no menos de cinco (5) días previos a la celebración de la Vista.

El expediente de Vista estará disponible para inspección de las partes en la Oficina de Permisos, ubicada en la Oficina 201 del Centro de Gobierno Municipal Ángel Rivera Rodríguez, al frente de la nueva Alcaldía en la calle Padial final, en Caguas. Para más información o someter comentarios sobre esta solicitud, puede contactarnos a nuestra dirección postal: Oficina de Permisos, PO Box 907, Caguas, PR 00726-0907, o a nuestro correo electrónico: permisos.mac@caguas.gov.pr

En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 17 de mayo de 2023.

lng. Jaime A. Plaza Velázquez

New cases of chronic pain occur more often in the United States than those of other chronic conditions, like diabetes, depression and high blood pressure, according to a study from the National Institutes of Health. The findings offer a large-scale confirmation of what previous research has shown: Chronic pain is staggeringly common in America.

Experts have known that around one-fifth of U.S. adults have chronic pain, but the new study offers a snapshot of just how many people are newly suffering each year. Researchers analyzed data from 10,415 adults who participated in two editions of an annual survey led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; respondents reported how often they felt pain in the past three months, and whether that pain interfered with their daily lives.

“We’re talking about a major public health problem,” said Dr. Gregory Terman, a pain medicine specialist at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a co-author of the study.

The study shows that as more people develop new cases of chronic pain, existing patients struggle to recover. Only around 10% of those with chronic pain in 2019 were pain-free in 2020, which underscores just how hard it is to treat.

“It’s astronomical,” said Richard L. Nahin, the lead author of the study and the lead public health researcher at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

And it’s possible these numbers have grown during the coronavirus pandemic, said Beth Darnall, a professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine at Stanford School of Medicine who was not involved with the study. But a number of existing and emerging treatments can alleviate pain.

“There really are solutions, and there is help,” Darnall said. “Unfortunately, it’s just not easy to find.”

Why is chronic pain so difficult to treat?

It’s hard to pin down a singular definition of pain. The study defined people with chronic pain as those who said they had pain most days, or every day, over the previous three months. And chronic pain itself can be a disease, said Dr. Prasad Shirvalkar, an associate professor of anesthesia and neurological surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, who studies pain management. He added that it could take years for some patients to get an accurate diagnosis for conditions that cause chronic pain, and that over one-third of cases occur with no clear cause.

“It’s like a fire alarm going off, but there’s no fire,” he said.

Even when doctors can diagnose conditions that cause chronic pain, many aren’t equipped to treat it. “There really is an underappreciation in the medical community about pain management,” said Dr. Michael Bottros, clinical operations chief and medical director of pain services at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. And because pain is “nebulous” and varies from person to person, he added, it can be difficult to pinpoint the appropriate treatments.

The study also examined how pain progresses into chronic pain. Participants who experienced acute pain were more likely to develop chronic pain in the next year, with about 1 in 6 people with non-chronic pain reporting chronic pain a year later. In other words, without early intervention, experts say, pain can sometimes compound; what starts as an acute or occasional ache might worsen into a long-term problem. But not everyone has equitable access to that care, Darnall said.

How to get help for chronic pain

Experts recommend first going to a primary care doctor if you are experiencing pain that interferes with your daily life. If you’re not improving after six weeks, Bottros recommends seeking out a specialist. If you are struggling to find a chronic pain specialist, Shirvalkar recommends looking into pain centers at major universities, many of which offer telehealth appointments.

Community hospitals may also be able to offer resources. Darnall said that advocacy organizations for particular conditions, like the Marfan Foundation, can also provide educational materials and help patients find providers. Recent changes to Medicare have also expanded coverage for treating chronic pain, Nahin said.

In response to the opioid epidemic, some doctors have tried to move away from medication as the first response to treating chronic pain. It’s critical to treat chronic pain through a multimodal approach, experts said, using several therapies. A patient may go to physical therapy, for example, but also see a mental health professional for cognitive behavioral therapy. “One flavor of treatment is never going to be adequate,” Shirvalkar said.

Mental health treatment is a particularly promising, but often underused, way to address chronic pain. “A psychologist can fundamentally help reframe how people relate to their pain or even the cues that they listen to in their bodies,” Shirvalkar said.

Newer treatments are also on the horizon: Researchers are examining whether psychedelics, virtual reality treatments and brain stimulation can alleviate pain.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all,” Darnall said. “Patients are not a monolith.”

Director Oficina de Permisos

WILLIAM E. MIRANDA TORRES • ALCALDE MUNICIPIO AUTONOMO DE CAGUAS

CENTRO Y CORAZÓN DE PUERTO RICO

White lasagna

By MELISSA CLARK

Made without any Bolognese or tomato sauce, a white lasagna is a celebration of pasta and vegetables bound together by a creamy béchamel. This version, brimming with herbs, spinach, asparagus and peas, is an ode to spring, like a baked pasta primavera in its richest form. Serve it in small squares as a first or pasta course, as it’s served in Italy, or in more substantial slabs as a meatless main course. It’s a bit of a project, so if you want to work ahead, you can make the béchamel up to a week in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The baked lasagna can also be made ahead and refrigerated for up to two days. Reheat, covered, in a 350-degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes.

Yield: 6 main course or 12 appetizer or side-dish servings

Total time: 3 hours, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Béchamel:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups whole milk, plus more if needed

1 teaspoon fine sea or table salt, plus more to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

For the Filling:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

Fine sea or table salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)

1 cup combination of soft herbs (parsley, chives, basil, dill), finely chopped, plus more for garnish

2 leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned and thinly sliced

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

8 ounces baby spinach or baby greens, like kale or arugula (about 8 cups), chopped

1 lemon, zested and juiced

32 ounces whole-milk ricotta (about 4 cups)

1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan

3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano

12 ounces dried lasagna noodles (about 12 noodles), or substitute the same amount of no-boil, oven-ready or fresh noodles; all will work

8 ounces whole-milk mozzarella, thinly sliced

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with a little butter.

2. Prepare the béchamel: In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Once melted, add flour and whisk until combined. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until pale golden. Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, so that the sauce does not clump. Add the salt, nutmeg and bay leaf. Gently bring to a simmer and let cook for 9 to 12 minutes, whisking often, until the béchamel is thick but still pourable. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan and grated garlic, and taste, adding more salt if needed.

3. While the béchamel is cooking, start preparing the filling: Place a 12inch skillet over medium-high heat and

add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Let it heat until it thins out, about 30 seconds, then add the asparagus and sauté, shaking the pan, until crisp-tender, 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the frozen peas and 2 tablespoons herbs.

4. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pan and heat until the oil thins out, about 30 seconds, then add the leeks, fennel seeds, red-pepper flakes and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté leeks until tender and golden at the edges, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the spinach and remaining herbs, working in batches if needed, and sauté until the greens are very tender and the pan is very dry, about 10 minutes. Stir in lemon zest and juice. Taste and add more salt if needed. It should be well seasoned.

5. Add mixture to a large bowl. Stir in ricotta and 3/4 cup each Parmesan and pecorino (save remaining Parmesan for the top). Taste and add more salt if needed.

6. Remove bay leaf from béchamel, then ladle some of the sauce into the bot-

tom of the baking pan until just covered. Place as many noodles as will fit on top of the béchamel, breaking or cutting them to fit in one layer. Ladle a little more béchamel on top of the noodles, covering the surface. Add half of the ricotta mixture, spreading evenly, then sprinkle half of the asparagus-pea mixture on top. Add another layer of noodles, then béchamel, then the remaining ricotta mixture, then the remaining asparagus-pea mixture. Top with the sliced mozzarella. Add a third and final layer of noodles (don’t worry if you don’t end up using all of the noodles) and cover with remaining béchamel. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.

7. Cover the pan with foil and place on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil. Bake for another 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling on top. (If the top is still pale, you can run the lasagna under the broiler for 1 to 3 minutes.) Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 21

LEGAL NOTICE

SERVICE BY PUBLICATION IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF GWINNETT COUNTY. STATE OF GEORGIA

CIVIL ACTION FILE NO. 21AD-00113-1

IN RE: PETITION OF S.R.C.

For the adoption of a minor child to be known as

SEBASTIAN CARVAJAL REYNA

By Order for the service by Publication dated the 13th day of July, 2022, you are hereby notified that on the 3rd day of August, 2021, BOVIS, KYLE, BURCH & MEDLIN, L.L.C. filed a Stepparent Adoption in the Superior Court of Gwinnett County. Senei Perez desires to adopt his stepson Sebastian Carvajal Reyna. Respondent Sandi Eligio Carvajal Zorrilla and any interested or affected party has the right to appear and file objections and an answer to the Petition by filing with the Superior Court of Gwinnett County in the above referenced action within thirty (30) days of the date of this publication for Stepparent Adoption. WITNESS, the Honorable Georgie Hutchinson, III, Judge of this Superior Court. This 10th day of May, 2023.

-s-

D/Clerk of Superior Court, Gwinnett County

TIANA P. GARNER, CLERK

Attorney:

Lauren Larmer Barrett BOVIS, KYLE, BURCH & MEDLIN, L.L.C 200 Ashford Center North Suite 500 Atlanta, Ga 30338-2668 Telephone:770-391-9100

*

LEGAL NOTICE

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

DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC.

Parte Demandante Vs. RONALD CRUZ ROSA Y ANA LYDIA BERLANGA ROSADO, TCC ANA M.

BERLANGA ROSADO Y COMO ANA BERLANGA ROSADO

Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: N3CI2014-00540.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA Y COBRO DE DINERO. ANUNCIO DE SUBASTA. El suscribiente, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia de Puerto Rico, Sala de Fajardo, a los demandados de epígrafe

y al público en general hace saber que los autos y documentos del caso de epígrafe estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables y que venderá en pública subasta al mejor postor, en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América en efectivo, cheque certificado, o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, el derecho que tenga la parte demandada en el inmueble que se relaciona más adelante para pagar la SENTENCIA por $150,461.61 de balance principal, más intereses a razón de 6.50% anual, desde el primero de diciembre de 2010, hasta su completo pago, más el 5% computado sobre cada mensualidad de principal e interés por concepto de cargos por demora devengados desde el primero de enero de 2011, hasta su total y completo pago, más la suma estipulada para honorarios de abogado pactada en la escritura de hipoteca; y cuales quiera otras sumas que por cualesquiera concepto legal se devenguen hasta el día de la subasta. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: URBANA: Solar marcado con el numero dos (2) del bloque A, Tercera Fase de la Urbanización Mansiones de Hacienda Jiménez, localizado en el Barrio Jiménez de la Municipalidad de Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de quinientos setenta y siete punto cuatro mil ciento cincuenta y tres metros cuadrados (577.4153), de los cuales cuatrocientos sesenta y tres punto siete mil quinientos doce metros cuadrados (463.7512) se encuentran en superficie plana y ciento trece punto seis mil seiscientos cuarenta y un metros cuadrados (113.6641) se encuentran en superficie irregular (talud). En lindes por el Norte, en distancia de veinticuatro punto cincuenta metros lineales (24.50) con Dolly Lugo, por el Sur, en una distancia de veinticuatro punto cincuenta metros lineales (24.50) con la calle Eucalipto, por el Este, en distancia de veintitrés punto treinta y cuatro metros (23.34) con solar numero tres (3), y por el Oeste, en distancia de veintitrés punto noventa y nueve metros lineales (23.99) con el solar numero uno (1). Enclava una estructura de hormigón y bloques de hormigón tipo residencial diseñada para una sola familia. Inscrita al tomo Karibe, finca numero veintinueve mil novecientos seis (29906), Registro de Carolina III. Dirección Física: Urb. Mansiones de Hacienda Jimenez, Calle Eucalipto #2, Rio Grande, Puerto

Rico 00745. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el día

7 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2023, A LAS 2:30 DE LA TARDE, y servirá de tipo mínimo para la misma la suma de $162,500.00 sin admitirse oferta inferior. En el caso de que el inmueble a ser subastado no fuera adjudicado en la primera subasta, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 14 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2023, A LAS 2:30 DE LA TARDE, y el precio mínimo para esta segunda subasta será el de dos terceras partes del precio mínimo establecido para la primera subasta, o a sea la suma de $108,333.33. Si tampoco hubiera remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 21 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2023 A LAS

2:30 DE LA TARDE y el tipo mínimo para esta tercera subasta será la mitad del precio establecido para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de $81,250.00. El mejor postor deberá pagar el importe de su oferta en efecto, cheque certificado o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se dará por terminado el procedimiento, pudiendo adjudicarse el inmueble al acreedor hipotecario dentro de los diez días siguientes a la fecha de la última subasta, si así lo estimase conveniente, por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada conforme a la sentencia, si ésta fuera igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta y abonándose dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta fuera mayor. Se avisa a cualquier licitador que la propiedad queda sujeta al gravamen del Estado Libre Asociado y CRIM sobre la propiedad inmueble por contribuciones adeudadas y que el pago de dichas contribuciones es la responsabilidad del licitador. Que se entenderá por todo licitador acepte como suficiente la titulación y que los cargos y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes en entendiéndose que el rematador los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse su extinción al precio rematante. Todos los nombres de 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

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 22

posterioridad al crédito ejecutado, siempre que surgen 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. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Y para conocimiento de licitadores, del público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general diaria en Puerto Rico y en los sitios públicos de acuerdo a las disposiciones de la Regla 51.7 de las de Procedimiento Civil, así como para la publicación en un periódico de circulación general diaria y en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas con antelación a la fecha de la primera subasta y por lo menos una vez por semana. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento indicado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante las horas laborables. (Art. 102 (1) de la Ley núm. 210-2015). Expedido el presente en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, a 11 de mayo de 2023. SANDRALIZ MARTÍNEZ TORRES, ALGUACIL #737, ALGUACIL CONFIDENCIAL, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA DE FAJARDO. JORGE A. ORTIZ ESTRADO, ALGUACIL REGIONAL INTERINO #622.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

MIDFIRST BANK

Demandante Vs. JAIME DE JESUS REYES, LA SUCESION DE MARGARITA IRIS

RODRIGUEZ MASSARI COMPUESTA POR SUS HEREDEROS ELIZABETH VICTORIA DE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, EVA LORRAINE DE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, IVONNE MARIE DE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, SANDRA RAMIREZ RODRIGUEZ, FULANO DE TAL y SUTANA DE TAL HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS, BLANCA I. DE JESUS MODLINGER y CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES

(CRIM)

Demandados

Civil Núm.: BY2020CV01101. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. A: JAIME DE JESUS REYES, LA SUCESION DE MARGARITA IRIS RODRIGUEZ MASSARI COMPUESTA POR SUS HEREDEROS ELIZABETH VICTORIA DE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, EVA LORRAINE DE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, IVONNE MARIE DE JESUS RODRIGUEZ, SANDRA RAMIREZ RODRIGUEZ, FULANO DE TAL y SUTANA DE TAL HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS, BLANCA I. DE JESUS MODLINGER y CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM).

El que suscribe, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón, hago constar que en cumplimiento de la Sentencia dictada con fecha de 18 de septiembre de 2022 y por edicto el 26 de enero de 2023, de la Orden de Ejecución de Sentencia emitida el 26 de marzo de 2023 y el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia expedido el 27 de marzo de 2023, procederé a vender y venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor la propiedad que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar Número Mil Ciento Siete (1107) del Bloque “D” de la Urbanización Levittown, Barrio Sabana Seca de Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, compuesto de TRSCIENTOS TREINTA Y SEIS METROS CUADRADOS CON OCHO CENTIMETROS CUADRADOS (336.08 m.c.) En lindes por el NORTE, en una distancia de nueve punto treinta (9.30) metros y un arco de nueve punto ochenta y nueve (9.89) metros con paseo público; por el SUR, en una distancia de cuatro punto noventa (4.90) metros y un arco de cinco punto treinta y cuatro (5.34) con Paseo Deleite; por el ESTE, en una distancia de veintitrés (23.00) metros, con el solar número ciento seis (1106), y por el OESTE, en una distancia de veinticuatro punto once (24.11) metros, con el solar número mil ciento ocho (1108). Enclava edificación.

Finca número: 4,335 inscrita al folio 16 del tomo 53 de Toa Baja, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, sección II. Esta hipoteca consta inscrita al folio

#11 del tomo #544 de Toa Baja, del Registro de la Propiedad, Bayamón II, finca #4335, inscripción 16ta. La dirección física de la propiedad es: Urbanización Levittown, D-1107 Calle Deleite, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico 00949. El producto de la subasta se destinará a satisfacer al demandante hasta donde alcance, la suma de $67,905.74 que compone la deuda del principal, más el interés anual de 7.0% sobre el balance del principal calculado desde el 1 de agosto de 2019, hasta el pago de la deuda en su totalidad. Los intereses continuaran devengándose hasta el pago total y completo de la deuda. Adeudan además la cantidad de $9,672.90 para cubrir costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados relacionados con este procedimiento, cuyas sumas están vencidas y 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. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a efecto el día 14 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS 10:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en la sala del referido Alguacil, sita en el edificio que ocupa el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Bayamón. Que el precio mínimo fijado para la PRIMERA subasta es de $96,729.00. Que de ser necesaria la celebración de una SEGUNDA SUBASTA la misma se llevará a efecto el día

21 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS

10:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina antes mencionada del Alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo para la SEGUNDA subasta será de $64,486.00 equivalente a dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo estipulado para la PRIMERA subasta. Si no se produce remate ni adjudicación en le PRIMERA ni en la SEGUNDA subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA día

28 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS

10:45 DE LA MAÑANA, en la oficina a antes mencionada del alguacil que suscribe. El precio mínimo fijado para esta TERCERA subasta es la mitad de la suma pactada para la PRIMERA subasta a saber $48,364.50. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistente.

Entendiéndose que el rematante lo acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de estos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. No constan inscrito en el Registro de la Propiedad acreedores que tengan derechos o cargas sobre el bien hipotecado con anterioridad

a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante. Se les advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará el mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el acto mismo de la adjudicación, en moneda curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, entiéndase en efectivo, cheque certificado o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal. Tome conocimiento la parte demandada y toda aquella persona o personas que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando; y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general, se publicará dos (2) veces en un periódico de circulación diaria en la Isla de Puerto Rico y se fijará, además, en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Una vez efectuada la venta de dicha propiedad, el Alguacil procederá a poner al licitador victorioso en posesión física de la propiedad dentro del plazo de veinte (20) días contados a partir de la venta en pública Subasta. Además, el Alguacil procederá a darle posesión del material al adjudicatario, en los casos que fuere necesario, proceda el lanzamiento del demandado o terceras personas de la propiedad subastada y forzar puertas o ventanas, romper cerraduras, candados, cortar cadenas y tomar cualquier otra medida propia. De igual forma, el Alguacil sacará cualquier propiedad mueble o personal de los demandados o de terceras personas que se encuentren en la mencionada propiedad. Además, los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la secretaría del tribunal durante las horas laborables. EXPIDO, el presente EDICTO, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 26 de abril de 2023. MARIBEL LANZAR VELÁZQUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #735, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

ORIENTAL BANK

Demandante Vs. NELLY MERCEDES

APONTE MORALES

T/C/C NELLY M. APONTE MORALES

Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2019CV01836.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO

Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO ANUNCIANDO

PRIMERA, SEGUNDA Y TERCERA SUBASTA. El Alguacil

que suscribe, funcionario del Tribunal de San Juan , Puerto Rico, por la presente anuncia y hace saber al público en general que en cumplimiento con la Sentencia dictada en este caso con fecha de 12 de junio de 2019 y según Orden y Mandamiento del 18 de febrero de 2020 librado por este honorable Tribunal, procederé a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor, y por dinero en efectivo, cheque certificado o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal con todo título derecho y/o interés de la parte demandada sobre la propiedad que se describe a continuación:

URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORI-

ZONTAL: Apartamento CuatroB: Apartamiento de tres dormitorios, localizado en la esquina Suroeste de la quinta planta del Edificio conocido como Condominio Granada, situado en el solar de una cabida de tres mil doscientos dieciséis punto ochentiún metros cuadrados, que a su vez está localizado en el Bloque “A” de la Urbanización Héctor A. Piñeiro, situada en los Barrios Martín Peña y Hato Rey del Municipio de San Juan, Puerto Rico. El apartamiento tiene un área total de mil trescientos cincuentiocho pies cuadrados, equivalentes a ciento veintiséis punto dieciséis metros cuadrados, colindando el mismo por el NORTE, con la parte Oeste del área central comunal del piso y el espacio abierto sobre el patio de recreo del Condominio; por el SUR, con el espacio abierto sobre el patio Sur del Condominio; por el ESTE, con el apartamiento Cuatro-A del mismo edificio; y por el OESTE, con el espacio abierto sobre el patio de recreo del Condominio, en el lado Suroeste del solar. El apartamiento tiene su puerta de entrada por su esquina Noroeste, por donde tiene salida al vestíbulo central del piso, que a su vez lo conecta con los elevadores y las escaleras del edificio, a través de los cuales el apartamiento tiene acceso a las demás plantas del Condominio y a sus patios y calles circundantes. Este apartamiento tiene las siguientes dependencias: cocina-laundry, sala-comedor, balcón, cinco closets, tres dormitorios y dos baños; también pertenece a cada apartamiento un espacio de estacionamiento para un automóvil, localizado y marcado sobre el patio del Condominio o dentro de los garajes de la primera planta en la letra y número de cada apartamiento. Correspondiéndole a este apartamiento un porcentaje de 1.628% en los elementos comunes generales.

FINCA NÚMERO: 29,416, inscrita al folio 281 del tomo 1031

de Río Piedras Norte, sección II de San Juan. Nota aclaratoria; En el Registro de la Propiedad, Sección II de San juan, la descripción registral consta tal y como fue transcrita anteriormente. En la Escritura número 113, otorgada el 27 de abril de 2012, consta lo siguiente; El apartamiento tiene un área total de cincuenta y ocho pies cuadrados, equivalentes a ciento veintiséis punto dieciséis metros cuadrados. DIRECCIÓN

FÍSICA: COND GRANADA (URB.HÉCTOR A. PIÑEIRO, BLQ A), APT 4-B ESQUINA SUROESTE, 5 PLANTA, SAN JUAN, PR. 00917. Se anuncia por medio de este edicto que la PRIMERA SUBASTA habrá de celebrarse el día 15 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en mi oficina sita en el edificio que ocupa el Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala Superior de San Juan. Siendo ésta la primera subasta que se celebrará en este caso, será el precio mínimo aceptable como oferta en la Primera Subasta, eso es el tipo mínimo pactado en la Escritura de Hipoteca para la propiedad, la suma de $155,700.00. De no haber remanente o adjudicación en esta primera subasta por dicha suma mínima, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 26 DE JUNIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en el mismo lugar antes señalado en la cual el precio mínimo serán dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo pactado en la escritura de hipoteca para la propiedad, la suma de $103,800.00. De no haber remanente o adjudicación en esta segunda subasta por el tipo mínimo indicado en el párrafo anterior, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en el mismo lugar antes señalado el día 05 DE JULIO DE 2023 A LAS 9:00 DE LA MAÑANA, en la cual el tipo mínimo aceptable como oferta será la mitad (1/2) del precio mínimo pactado en la escritura de hipoteca para la propiedad, la suma de $77,850.00. Si se declare 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 mínimo de la tercera subasta, si el tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta es mayor. Con el importe de esta venta se habrá de satisfacer el balance de la sentencia dictada en este caso el cual consiste en el pago de $138,308.64 de principal, más intereses convenidos al 4.6250% anual más recargos hasta su pago, más el pago de lo pactado en la sentencia para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados. Se dispone que una vez celebrada la subasta y vendido el inmueble relacionado, el alguacil pondrá en posesión judicial a los nuevos dueños den-

tro 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 12 de mayo de 2023.

PEDRO HIEYE GONZÁLEZ, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA

SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA REGION JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA DE SAN LORENZO.

Finance of America Reverse, LLC

DEMANDANTE VS. Sucesión de Carmen

Lydia Aponte Martínez, t/c/c Carmen Nidia Aponte

Martínez, t/c/c Carmen Lidia Aponte Martínez, t/c/c Carmen Aponte, t/c/c Carmen Aponte Martínez, t/c/c Carmen Lidia Aponte compuesta por Junior Vázquez; Carlos Vázquez; Caralina Vázquez; Caroline Vázquez, Fulano de Tal, Sutano de Tal; Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales; y a los Estados Unidos de América

DEMANDADOS

CIVIL NÚM.: SL2022CV00152.

SOBRE: Ejecución de Hipoteca In Rem. EDICTO DE SUBASTA.

Al: Público en General A: SUCESIÓN DE CARMEN LYDIA APONTE MARTÍNEZ, T/C/C CARMEN NIDIA

APONTE MARTÍNEZ, T/C/C CARMEN LIDIA APONTE MARTÍNEZ, T/C/C CARMEN

APONTE, T/C/C CARMEN

APONTE MARTÍNEZ, T/C/C CARMEN LIDIA APONTE COMPUESTA

POR JUNIOR

VÁZQUEZ; CARLOS VÁZQUEZ; CARALINA VÁZQUEZ; CAROLINE VÁZQUEZ, FULANO DE TAL, SUTANO DE TAL; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES; Y A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA

Yo, Alejandro Urbina Roque, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Caguas, a los demandados, acreedores y al público en general con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, por la presente CERTIFICO, ANUNCIO y HAGO CONSTAR: Que el día 20 de junio de 2023, a las 10:15 en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Caguas, Caguas, Puerto Rico, procederé a vender en Pública Subasta, al mejor postor, la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria mediante Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, la cual se notificó y archivó en autos el día 27 de febrero de 2023. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una segunda subasta para la venta de la susodicha

propiedad, el 27 de junio de 2023, a las 10:15; y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una tercera subasta el día 6 de julio de 2023, a las 10:15 en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que ha sido liberado por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Caguas, en el caso de epígrafe con fecha de 15 de mayo de 2023, procederé a vender en pública subasta y al mejor postor, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Lote

A: Predio de terreno de una cabida de 1,056.8013 metros cuadrados, el cual radica en el Barrio Cerro Gordo de San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, en lindes por el NORTE, con el camino municipal, en una distancia de 49.86 metros; por el SUR, con la finca principal y Anastacio Calderón, en una distancia de 25.32 metros; por el ESTE, con Salomé Lai, en una distancia de 25.32 metros; y por el OESTE, con la finca principal, en una distancia de 47.69 metros.

Finca Número 14,119, inscrita al folio 209 del tomo 278 de San Lorenzo. Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección II de Caguas. Dirección de la Propiedad: Lot A SR 916 Km

4.9 Cerro Gordo Ward, San lorenzo PR 00754. La subasta se llevará a cabo para satisfacer, hasta donde alcance, el importe de las cantidades adeudadas a la parte demandante conforme a la sentencia dictada a su favor, a saber: de $ de $86,446.01, de principal, más intereses acumulados al tipo de 3.156% anual, cual acumula a un total de $96,816.00 a la fecha de 27 de septiembre de 2021 y que continúan acumulándose hasta su total y completo pago, más la cantidad de $23,100.00 equivalente al 10% de la suma principal original pactada, estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; más recargos acumulados hasta la fecha en que se pague la deuda; más cualquiera suma de dinero por concepto de contribuciones, primas de seguro hipotecario y riesgo, así como cualesquiera otras sumas pactadas en la escritura de hipoteca, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 29 otorgada el día 7 de marzo de 2014, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, ante el Notario Público Jose Garcia Noya y consta inscrita al tomo Karibe de San Lorenzo, finca número 14,119, Registro de la Propiedad de San Lorenzo, Sección II de Caguas. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre

los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargos o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. Entiéndase: Hipoteca revertida en garantía de un pagaré a favor de The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $187,500.00, con intereses al 3.156% anual, vencedero el día 6 de diciembre de 2088, constituida mediante la escritura número 30, otorgada en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el día 7 de marzo de 2014, ante el notario José García Noya, e inscrita al tomo Karibe de San Lorenzo, finca número 14,119, inscripción 5ta. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta del inmueble antes descrito será la suma de $187,500.00 según se establece en la escritura de hipoteca antes relacionada. En caso de que el inmueble a ser subastado no fuera adjudicado en su primera subasta se ordena la celebración de una segunda subasta de dicho inmueble, en la cual, la cantidad mínima será una equivalente a 2/3 parte de aquella, o sea la suma de $125,000.00; desierta también la segunda subasta de dicho inmueble, se ordena la celebración de una tercera subasta en la cual, la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado para la primera subasta, es decir la suma de $93,750.00. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación, entiéndase efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según surge de las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad en un estudio de título efectuado a la finca antes descrita. Una vez

efectuada la venta de dicha propiedad, el Alguacil procederá a otorgar la escritura de traspaso al licitador victorioso en subasta, quien podrá ser la parte demandante, cuya oferta podrá aplicarse a la extinción parcial o total de la obligación reconocida por la sentencia dictada en este caso. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Si el producto de la venta fuere insuficiente para satisfacer la cantidad reclamada, se procederá a la ejecución de la sentencia en contra de la parte demandada por el remanente de las sumas no satisfechas, mediante embargo y venta en ejecución de cualesquiera otros bienes propiedad de la parte demandada en cantidad suficiente para dejar cubierta y totalmente satisfecha a la parte demandante cualquier deficiencia o parte insoluta de la sentencia dictada a su favor según dispuesto en la sentencia dictada en este caso. Se dispone, conforme con la sentencia dictada en este caso que, una vez efectuada la subasta y vendido el bien inmueble, los adjudicatarios sean puestos en posesión del mismo dentro del término de veinte (20) días por el Alguacil de este Honorable Tribunal y los actuales poseedores lanzados del referido inmueble. Y para la concurrencia de licitadores y para el público en general, se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley, mediante edicto, en un periódico de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, una vez por semana, por espacio de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía, y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto de Subasta para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Caguas, Puerto Rico, a 18 de mayo de 2023.

Alejandro Urbina Roque, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE CAGUAS. ***

LEGAL NOTICE

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

ADMINISTRACIÓN

FEDERAL DE PEQUEÑOS NEGOCIOS DE LOS ESTADOS ÚNIDOS DE

AMÉRICA (U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION)

Demandante vs. FULANO Y FULANA DE TAL, posibles poseedores del pagaré extraviado

Demandados

CIVIL NÚM.: GB2023CV00349.

SALA: 202. SOBRE: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ HIPOTECARIO EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU. EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PR. SS. A: FULANO DE TAL Y FULANA DE TAL, personas desconocidas que se designe con estos nombres ficticios, que puedan ser tenedor, portador, tenedores o portadores, o puedan tener algún interés en el pagaré hipotecario al que se hace referencia más adelante en el presente edicto, que se publicará una sola vez. Se les notifica que en la Demanda radicada en el caso de epígrafe se alega que un pagaré hipotecario emitido por Cecilia C. Colón a favor del U.S. Small Business Administration, por la suma principal de $117,100.00, más intereses a razón del 1.750% anual hasta su total pago, suscrito el día 18 de abril de 2018, ante la Notario Público Carla M. Jiménez Pérez, el cual fue autenticado bajo el affidavit 773, el cual se ha extraviado y no ha podido ser localizado, por lo que la parte demandante pide que se ordene la cancelación del mismo y de la hipoteca que lo garantiza.

La hipoteca que garantiza dicho pagaré, constituida mediante escritura número 22 ante la Notario Público Carla M. Jiménez Pérez el día 18 de junio de 2018 en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, grava la propiedad inmueble que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número once (11) del bloque “D” del plano de inscripción de la Urbanización

El Alamo situada en el barrio Frailes del término municipal de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de 408.59 metros cuadrados; en lindes al Norte, en 26.90 metros, con el solar D-12; al Sur, en 26.90 metros, con el solar D-10; al Este, en 14.80 metros,

con los solares E-6 y E-7 y al Oeste, en 15.58 metros, con la calle número siete. Consta inscrita al tomo Karibe finca 14425 de Guaynabo, inscripción decimosexta (16ta) y última. Por la presente se les emplaza y requiere para que notifiquen al Lcdo. Pedro Jaime López Bergollo abogado de la parte demandante en este caso, cuya dirección es 273 Ave. Ponce de León, Suite 510, Plaza 273, San Juan, PR 00917 y su número de teléfono es (787) 766-5269, con copia de su contestación a la Demanda antes mencionada, de cuyos detalles pueden enterarse con mayor particularidad en el expediente de este caso, debiendo radicar ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Bayamón, y notificar al abogado aludido tal contestación dentro del término de treinta (30) días de haberse publicado este edicto, excluyéndose en el cómputo de tal término el día de su publicación, y se le apercibe, además, que en caso de no radicar tal contestación podrá dictarse sentencia en rebeldía a favor de la parte demandante concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda sin más citarles ni oírles. EXPEDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y EL SELLO DEL TRIBUNAL, hoy día 3 de MAYO de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I SANTA SANCHEZ, Sec Regional II. F/ Sara Rosa Villegas, Sec Trie Conf I.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Demandante Vs. ERNESTO ZABALA TAYLOR; KATHERINE BROWN ALUELO Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados Civil Núm.: NSCI201500792. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN 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

das (30’ 7”) equivalentes nueve punto trescientos veinticuatro (9.324) metros con el vestíbulo que es un área común limitada de piso; por el ESTE, en dos alineaciones que suman cuarenta y siete pies seis pulgadas (47’ 6”), equivalentes a catorce punto cuatrocientos ochenta y dos (14.482) metros, con el apartamento dos mil novecientos doce (2912) y con áreas comunes; y por el OESTE, en dos alineaciones que suman cuarenta y cuatro pies seis pulgadas (44’ 6”), equivalente a trece punto quinientos sesenta y siete (13.567) metros con el apartamento dos mil ochocientos doce (2812) y con áreas comunes. Su entrada está localizada en el piso número uno, orientada hacia el Sur del edificio y da acceso directamente al vestíbulo de dicho piso que a su vez da acceso a elementos comunes generales de la propiedad a través de los pasillos y acera para llegar a la vía pública. El apartamento consta de un solo nivel y está dividido en los siguientes elementos: salacomedor, cocina, tres cuartos dormitorios con sus closets, unidos por un pasillo central, dos baños, uno con acceso al pasillo central y el segundo ubicado dentro del área del cuarto dormitorio principal; la cocina a su vez da acceso al área de lavandería en el patio exterior y una terraza cubierta a la que se tiene acceso por la sala-comedor. Contiene un calentador de agua y gabinetes de cocina. Le corresponde en forma permanente e inseparable los espacios de estacionamientos los cuales están identificados con los números ciento noventa y nueve (199) doble localizado el uno detrás del otro. Le corresponde a este apartamento en los elementos comunes generales el punto cero cuatro nueve uno nueve cero tres por ciento (.0491903%) en los gastos de operación y mantenimiento general del Condominio el cero punto cinco dos siete cuatro ocho cinco por ciento (0.527485%). Inscrita al folio

148 del tomo 1879 de Bayamón

Sur, finca número 73,529, Registro de la Propiedad de Bayamón, Sección Primera. La parte demandante alega que dicho Pagaré se ha extraviado, según más detalladamente consta en la Demanda radicada que puede examinarse en la Secretaría de este Tribunal. Por tratarse de una obligación hipotecaria, y pudiendo usted tener interés en este caso o quedar afectado por el remedio solicitado, se les emplaza por este Edicto que se publicará en un (1) periódico de circulación general una (1) sola vez y que si no comparecen a contestar dicha Demanda radicando el original de la misma a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual pueden acceder utilizando la

siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se representen por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberán presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Utuado, con copia al abogado de la parte demandante, Lcdo. Jorge García Rondón, de PMB 538, 267 Sierra Morena, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926 dentro del término de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la publicación del Edicto, se les anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia en su contra concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda sin más citarles ni oírles. EN TESTIMONIO DE LA CUAL, expido el presente Edicto por Orden del Tribunal, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy 19 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA

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

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA

REVERSE MORTGAGE

FUNDING LLC.

Demandante Vs.

SUCESION ROSA

MARIA SANTIAGO

BONILLA T/C/C ROSA

SANTIAGO BONILLA

COMPUESTA POR JOHN

DOE Y JANE DOE COMO

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

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CA2022CV03256.

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 Carolina, 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 Carolina, el 31 DE JULIO DE 2023, A LAS 11:30 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 radicado en la Urbanización Sabana Gardens, situado en el Barrio Sabana Abajo del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, marcado con el número trece (#13) de la manzana dos (2), un área superficial de cuatrocientos cuarenta y ocho metros cuadrados con cuarenta y cinco centímetros (448.45); en lindes por el Norte, con la Calle treinta (30), en un arco de cinco metros cincuenta centímetros (5.50), y un distancia de catorce metros ochenta y cinco centímetros (14.85); por el Sur, con paseo público, en distancia de dieciocho metros con treinta y cinco centímetros (18.35); por el Este, con el solar número catorce (#14), en distancia de veinticuatro metros con sesenta y cinco centímetros (24.65); y por el Oeste, con la calle número seis (#6), en distancia de veinte metros con quince centímetros (20.15). Enclava edificación. Inscrita al folio 239 del tomo 260 de Carolina Norte, finca 10,010, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección I. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 189 del tomo 1004 de Carolina Norte, finca 10010, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección I, inscripción 10ª. Propiedad localizada en: URB. SABANA GARDENS, 2-13 CALLE 30, CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO 00983. 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 gravada 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: $214,500.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 4 de octubre de 2087. 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 $214,500.00, 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 Carolina, el 7 DE AGOSTO DE 2023, A LAS 11:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $143,000.00, 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 $107,250.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 14 DE AGOSTO DE 2023, A LAS 11:30 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 $107,476.83 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $27,345.17 en intereses acumulados al 25 de noviembre de 2022 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 3.493% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $5,942.11 en seguro hipotecario; $5,495.00 en tarifas de servicio; $3,826.81 en seguro; $475.00 de tasaciones; $460.00 de inspecciones; $3,058.00 en adelantos de honorarios de abogado; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $21,450.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado, esta última habrá de devengar intereses al máximo del tipo legal fijado por la oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras aplicable a esta fecha, desde este mismo día hasta su total y completo saldo. 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. Expe-

dido en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy 11 de mayo de 2023. JOSÉ CRISTOBAL ORTIZ, ALGUACIL REGIONAL. HÉCTOR L. PEÑA RODRÍGUEZ, ALGUACIL PLACA #278.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN ORIENTAL BANK

Parte Demandante V. JOSE FRANCISCO

GUADALUPE; SUCESION DE IVELISSE MARRERO ROMAN COMPUESTA POR LUIS RODRIGUEZ MARRERO Y FULANO DE TAL

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: BY2022CV06570. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS.

A: SUCESIÓN DE IVELISSE MARRERO ROMÁN COMPUESTA POR LUIS RODRIGEZ MARRERO, FULANO DE TAL Y JOSE FRANCISCO GUADALUPE EN SU CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA CON LAS SIGUIENTES DIRECCIONES

CONOCIDAS: URB. COUNTRY CLUB, 788 CALLE PAMPERO, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00924; URB. VALENCIA, 4-E LIRIO ST., BAYAMÓN, PUERTO RICO 00959; 10 FLAMINGO APARTMENTS, APT. 12104, AVE. LOS DOMINICOS BAYAMÓN, PUERTO RICO 00959. VISTA la Moción Solicitando se dicte Orden de Interpelación a los miembros de la SUCESIÓN DE IVELISSE MARRERO ROMÁN compuesta por LUIS RODRIGEZ MARRERO, FULANO DE TAL Y JOSE FRANCISCO GUADALUPE en su cuota viudal usufructuaria, se declara HA LUGAR y de conformidad con el Artículo 1578 del Código Civil de Puerto Rico de 2020, antes Art. 959 del Código Civil de 1930, se dicta Orden para que expresen si han de aceptar o rechazar formalmente la herencia del causante IVELISSE MARRERO ROMÁN en el término de treinta (30) días, dispuesto en ley. Se advierte a los miembros de la SUCESIÓN IVELISSE MARRERO ROMÁN, que al haberse presentado el pleito en Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca en contra del causante mencionado, de no recibirse contestación en el término de

treinta (30) días a partir de la notificación de esta orden, la herencia se tendrá por aceptada y los herederos responden por la deuda reclamada. En SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, hoy 22 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IVETTE M. MARRERO BRACERO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA REGIÓN JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALAS DE RELACIONES DE FAMILIA Y ASUNTOS DE MENORES

MARY IVETTE

PEREZ RODRIGUEZ Demandante Vs. MILTON RIVERA MATOS Demandado

Civil Núm.: BY2023RF00780.

Sala: 4001. Sobre: DIVORCIO (RUPTURA IRREPARABLE). EMPLAZAMIENTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., S.S.

A: MILTON RIVERA MATOS. 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 utilizado 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.

LCDA. ROSA L. VAZQUEZ LOPEZ RUA 17483 / COL. 18853

379 Calle Cesar González Hato Rey, San Juan, PR 00918

Email: vazquezyasociadospr@ gmail.com

EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 22 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA I. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ISABEL C. SOUCHET BURGOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

Demandante V.

LILLIAN LÓPEZ TORRES

Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2023CV03460. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS. EDICTO.

A: LILLIAN LÓPEZ TORRES. URB. VENUS GARDENS NORTE, 1701 CALLE AGUAS CALIENTES, SAN JUAN, PR 009264652; 177 SERENITY CT, HOSCHTON, GA 30548; 4321 ELVIS WAY HOSCHTON GEORGIA 30548; SOLAR 24 DEL BLOQUE AN, URB.

VENUS GARDENS (NORTE), BARRIO SABANA LLANA, SAN JUAN, PR 00926.

POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. 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 el Lcdo. Javier Montalvo Cintrón, Delgado Fernández, LLC, PO Box 11750, Fernández Juncos Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico 009 10-1750. Tel. [787] 274-1414. DADA en San Juan, Puerto Rico, a 22 de mayo de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. FERNÁNDEZ DEL VALLE, LUZ E., SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA REGIÓN JUDICIAL DE FAJARDO

SALA SUPERIOR

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESION DE AIDA

VAZQUEZ MILLAN COMPUESTA POR FRANCISCO SABAT

ROBERTO POR SI Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; FRANCHESKA SABAT VAZQUEZ, FULANO DE TAL, FULANA DE TAL, ZUTANO DE TAL, ZUTANA DE TAL, A, B Y C COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; SECRETARIO DE HACIENDA DEL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SECRETARIO DE JUSTICIA DEL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO

Demandado Ciivl Núm.: FA2023CV00337. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO, EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S. S. A: SUCESION DE AIDA VAZQUEZ MILLAN, COMPUESTA POR FRANCISCO SABAT ROBERTO POR SI Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; FRANCHESKA SABAT VAZQUEZ, FULANO DE TAL, FULANA DE TAL, ZUTANO DE TAL, ZUTANA DE TAL, A, B Y C COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS. Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto, radicando el original de la contestación ante el Tribunal y sala que se menciona en el epígrafe de este edicto con copia a la parte aquí demandante. Se le apercibe que, de no contestar la demanda dentro del término aquí estipulado, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia sin más citarle ni oírle. Por la presente el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, conforme al caso de Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria vs. Latinoamericana de Exportación, Inc., 164 DPR 689 (2005), le ordena que en el término de treinta (30) días, haga declaración aceptando o repudiando las herencias de la SUCESION DE AIDA VAZQUEZ MILLAN. Se le apercibe que de no expresar su intención de aceptar o repudiar la herencia dentro del término que se le fijó, las herencias se tendrán por aceptadas. 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 electróni-

ca: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Se le apercibe que de no contestar la demanda dentro del término aquí estipulado, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia sin más citarle ni oírle. El abogado de la parte demandante es: Lcda. Melisa Figueroa Castro, 1606 Ave. Ponce de León, Edif VIG Tower, Suite 706, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907, Tel. (787) 919-0073, Fax (787) 722-1932.

Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, hoy 24 de mayo de 2023. WANDA

SEGUÍ REYES, SECRETARIA

GENERAL. IVELISSE SERRANO GARCÍA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR 903

FIRSTBANK

PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs. NAIDA IVYS

BENITEZ ORTIZ

Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2023CV03229.

Sobre: INCUMPLIMIENTO DE CONTRATO; COBRO DE DINERO Y REPOSESIÓN. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

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

A: NAIDA IVYS BENITEZ ORTIZ. PMB 322405, AVE. ESMERALDA STE. 2, GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO 00969; 1908 CALLE ORQUIDEA, URB. SANTA MARIA, SAN JUAN, PR 00927.

De: FIRSTBANK DE PUERTO RICO.

Se le emplaza y requiere que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramaiudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Este caso trata sobre Incumplimiento de Contrato; Cobro de Dinero y Reposesión, en que la parte demandante solicita que se condene a la parte demandada a pagar: la suma principal adeudada al 13 de abril de 2023, ascendente a $53,279.30 de principal, más los intereses acumulados a

razón del 10.45% anual hasta el total y completo pago de la deuda, más $263.50 de cargos por demora los cuales se continúan acumulando hasta el total y completo pago de la deuda más $40.00 de otros cargos los cuales se continúan acumulando hasta el total y completo pago de la deuda; más una suma equivalente al 30% del total adeudado para honorarios de abogados según pactado. Se le apercibe que, si dejare de hacerlo, se dictará contra usted sentencia en rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle.

Lcdo. José Antonio Lamas Burgos Número del Tribunal Supremo 15693 PO Box 194089, San Juan, PR 00919

Teléfono: (787) 296-9500

Correo Electrónico: jlamas@lvprlaw.com

EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA y Sello del Tribunal, hoy 24 de mayo de 2023. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. GLORIAM MARTÍNEZ RIVERA, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE HUMACAO BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante Vs. SUCESION DE SALVADOR ROLDAN RIVERA, COMPUESTA POR FULANO DE TAL Y ZUTANO DE TAL, COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS CON POSIBLE INTERÉS; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (CRIM)

Demandados

Civil Núm.: HU2023CV00475. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA “IN REM”. EMPLAZAMIENTO

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

A: FULANO DE TAL

Y ZUTANO DE TAL, COMO HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION DE SALVADOR ROLDAN RIVERA.

POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le notifica que se ha radicado en esta Secretaría por la parte demandante, Demanda sobre Ejecución de Hipoteca por la Vía Ordinaria (“In Rem”) en la que se alega adeuda la suma principal de $70,079.34, más intereses sobre dicha suma al 4.25% anual, desde

el día 1ro de octubre de 2022, hasta su completo pago, más recargos acumulados, más la cantidad de $8,035.00 estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, así como cualquier otra suma estipulada en el contrato de préstamo, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. La propiedad hipotecada a ser vendida en pública subasta es: URBANA: Solar número Cinco (5) del Bloque

“K”, radicado en la URBANIZACIÓN PRADERAS DEL ESTE, localizado en el Barrio Santiago y Lima del término municipal de Naguabo, Puerto Rico, con un área superficial de DOSCIENTOS SESENTA Y CUATRO

PUNTO CERO CERO (264.00)

METROS CUADRADOS; colindando por el NORTE, en doce punto cero cero (12.00) metros, con la Calle número Cuatro (4) de la Urbanización; por el SUR, en doce punto cero cero (12.00) metros, con el solar número Dieciocho (18) del Bloque “K”; por el ESTE, en veintidós punto cero cero (22.00) metros, con el solar número Cuatro (4) del Bloque “K”; y por el OESTE, en veintidós punto cero cero (22.00) metros, con el solar número Seis (6) del Bloque “K” de la Urbanización. Enclava casa de hormigón y bloques de hormigón para fines residenciales. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al folio 190 vuelto del tomo 244 de Naguabo, Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao, finca número 14,437, inscripción quinta, según modificada inscripción sexta y séptima. POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido publicado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día de la publicación. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección: https://unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/ salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal y enviar copia a la representación legal de la parte demandante cuya dirección más adelante se indica. 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.

Lcda. Xana M. Connelly Pagán

Bufete COLLAZO, CONNELLY & SURILLO, LLC

P.O. Box 11550

San Juan, P.R. 00922-1550

Tel. (787) 625-9999

Fax (787) 705-7387

E-mail: xconnelly@lawpr.com

Se le advierte, además, a los

herederos que conforme el caso de Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria v. Latinoamericana de Exportación, lnc., 164 D.P.R. 689, 696 (2005) y a tenor con las disposiciones del Artículo 1578 del Código Civil de Puerto Rico (31 L.P.R.A. sec. 11021), deberá aceptar o repudiar la herencia del causante Salvador Roldán Rivera, dentro del término de treinta (30) días. De no expresar su intención de aceptar o repudiar la herencia dentro del término que se le fijó, la herencia se tendrá por aceptada. Se le notifica también por la presente que la parte demandante habrá de presentar para su anotación al Registrador de la Propiedad del Distrito en que está situada la propiedad objeto de este pleito, un aviso de estar pendiente esta acción. Para publicarse conforme a la Orden dictada por el Tribunal en un periódico de circulación general. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto que firmo y sello en Humacao, Puerto Rico, hoy 25 de mayo de 2023. IVELISSE C. FONSECA RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. ILEANETTE RIVAS SERRANO, SUB-SECRETARIA.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

Demandante V. ANTULIO DELGADO CARDONA; AIDA

ANTONIA DE LA ROSA GARCIA Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES POR AMBOS COMPUESTA

Demandado(a)

Civil: CI2022CV00238. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: ANTULIO DELGADO CARDONA; AIDA

ANTONIA DE LA ROSA GARCIA Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES

GANANCIALES POR AMBOS COMPUESTA.

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 25 de 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 Puer-

to 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 25 de mayo de 2023. En Ciales, Puerto Rico, el 25 de mayo de 2023. VIVIAN FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA. JANETTE GONZÁLEZ VARGAS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

Parte Demandante Vs. LYNETTE ORTIZ

MAYSONET T/C/C

LINNETTE ORTIZ

MAYSONET POR SÍ Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; LA SUCESIÓN DE WILFREDO CINTRÓN

FUSSA, COMPUESTA

POR: IVELISSE A. CINTRÓN GREGORY, WILFREDO R. CINTRÓN GREGORY, ROSALÍA CINTRÓN ORTIZ, LYNETTE M. CINTRÓN ORTIZ, FULANO DE TAL Y MENGANO DE TAL LOS POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; DEPARTAMENTO DE HACIENDA; DEPARTAMENTO DE JUSTICIA

Parte Demandada

Civil Núm.: SJ2022CV04913. (604). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO; EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: LYNETTE ORTIZ

MAYSONET T/C/C

LINNETTE ORTIZ

MAYSONET POR SÍ Y EN LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; LA SUCESIÓN DE WILFREDO CINTRÓN FUSSA, COMPUESTA

POR: IVELISSE A. CINTRÓN GREGORY, WILFREDO R. CINTRÓN GREGORY, ROSALÍA CINTRÓN ORTIZ,

LYNETTE M. CINTRÓN ORTIZ, FULANO DE TAL

Y MENGANO DE TAL LOS POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS.

LA SECRETARIA que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 22 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 60 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 25 de mayo de 2023. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 25 de mayo de 2023. Griselda Rodríguez Collado, Secretaria Regional. Elsa Magaly Candelario Cabrera, Secretaria Auxiliar del Tribunal I.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

FINANCE OF AMERICA

REVERSE LLC

Demandante Vs.

CARMEN MILAGROS

LECODE SALES T/C/C

CARMEN M. LECODE SALES; SUCESION

BERNARDO MARQUEZ

PEREZ COMPUESTA POR

KATHERINE MARQUEZ

LECODE, JAIME ISMAEL

MARQUEZ LECODE, CARMEN MILAGROS

LECODE SALES; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO

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

Civil Núm.: BY2023CV02184.

Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: JOHN DOE Y

JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES MIEMBROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION BERNARDO MARQUEZ PEREZ.

POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al Tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través de Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: http://unired. ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberé presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente.

Greenspoon Marder, LLP

Lcda. Frances L. Asencio-Guido

R.U.A. 15,622

TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE 700 100 WEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309

Telephone: (954) 343 6273

Frances.Asencio@gmlaw.com

Expedido bajo mi firma, y sello de Tribunal, en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, hoy día 24 de mayo de 2023. LCDA. LAURA

L. SANTA SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IVETTE M. MARRERO BRACERO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

LEGACY MORTGAGE

ASSET TRUST 2019-PR1

Demandante Vs. BANCO BILBAO

VIZCAYA ARGENTINA

PUERTO RICO AHORA

ORIENTAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC; JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE, COMO

POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: CG2023CV00463.

Sobre: CANCELACIÓN O RESTITUCIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.

A: JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE, COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES 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 24 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 25 de mayo de 2023. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 25 de mayo de 2023. LISILDA MARTÍNEZ AGOSTO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MARTA E. DONATE RESTO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

AVISO DE NOTIFICACIÓN DE DEMANDA POR MEDIO DE PUBLICACIÓN ESTADO DE CAROLINA DEL NORTE WAKE COUNTY ESTADOS UNIDOS

En el Tribunal del Distrito de Wake County Divorcio (Christopher Suriel Rubio vs. Amarilyn Flores Galarza) en 23CV005279-910 a Amarilyn Flores Galarza, Demandada. Tenga en cuenta que se ha presentado un alegato en busca de reparación en su contra en la acción mencionada anteriormente. El tipo de reparación que se busca es la siguiente: El demandante solicita al tribunal un divorcio absoluto basado en mas de un año de separación. El Demandante no está solicitando al tribunal una pensión alimenticia o una distribución equitativa de bienes y, a sabiendas, renuncia a este derecho. Usted está obligado a defenderse de tal alegato a más tardar (40 días después de la fecha de presentación en el periódico) y si no lo hace, la parte que solicita la notificación en su contra solicitará al tribunal la reparación solicitada. Este, el día 26 de Mayo, 2023.

Alejandro BuenRostro de BuenRostro Law Firm Dirección de

In third place but armed for a run at the top

By TYLER KEPNER

Luis Severino was in a playful mood late Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The day had gone so well that he mused about pitching only in the sunshine. He felt so strong that he guessed he could throw his fastball 103 mph. He was dressed for success, and he knew it.

“Today, when I was walking in there, I saw that I really looked good in pinstripes,” Severino said, smiling. “So, hopefully, I can keep doing that for a long time.”

Severino had reason for optimism. The New York Yankees had just beaten the San Diego Padres — a team struggling to find the substance to match its style — in 10 brisk innings in the Bronx. After another victory Sunday, 10-7, they stood with a 32-23 record, sturdy again after a sluggish start.

Relatively sturdy, anyway. The Yankees were hitting only .234 as a team before Sunday, which would be their worst average in a full season since Mickey Mantle’s farewell in 1968. They’re seven games out of first place, trailing the Tampa Bay Rays and second-place Baltimore Orioles, in the rugged American League East, which has no teams with losing records.

And yet, when Severino pitches as he did Saturday — when only a two-out error in the seventh kept him from a seven-inning, one-run performance — the outlook seems a whole lot brighter.

There’s a long way to go, of course, with many injuries and trades to unfold across the league. But no lineup would relish facing Gerrit Cole, Néstor Cortés, a full-strength Carlos Rodón and Severino in a short series — especially with Severino throwing an easy 97 mph again. Domingo Germán, scheduled to return Monday from a sticky-stuff suspension, has been solid, too.

“You can see a place where we have a chance to have a really complete and talented group that’s tough to score against,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Sevvy’s a front-line guy. When he’s on the mound, if he’s at his best, he can match up with anyone, and any offense.”

The Padres are missing star infielder Manny Machado, who has a hairline fracture in his left hand, and they held Xander Bogaerts, their marquee free agent signing, out of Saturday’s lineup to rest a sore wrist. Severino mastered their makeshift order, allowing just one hit — a homer by Fernando Tatis Jr. —

and three walks across 6 2/3 innings.

It was the second strong start for Severino, who missed the first 48 games of the season with a strained right lat muscle. A similar injury cost him two months last summer, and he missed most of the three prior years — 2019-21 — with shoulder and elbow trouble.

Severino exemplifies the fragility of power pitchers. In both of his All-Star seasons (2017 and 2018), he threw the hardest fastball in the majors among qualified starting pitchers: averaging 97.6 mph both seasons, according to FanGraphs.

Cole was second in fastball velocity in those same seasons, spent with Pittsburgh and Houston, and has stayed healthy ever since; Severino, admiringly, called him a “monster.” More common, perhaps, is the case of Rodón, a left-hander who had surgeries to his shoulder and elbow with the Chicago White Sox before an All-Star season in 2021.

He followed that up with another last year, for the San Francisco Giants, then signed with the Yankees for six years and $162 million. A forearm strain and back problems have kept Rodón on the injured list all season, and although he remains inactive, he is back in the clubhouse now and will travel with the Yankees this week for series with the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers.

“It’s nice to be able to be a part of the team and be here, but when I was rehabbing in Tampa, it was tough watching and being on the outside looking in,” Rodón said. “I wanted to be a part of it. Obviously, you’ve got to try to be a good teammate every day,

but it makes it a lot easier when you’re pitching on a mound.”

Rodón has been doing that — in the bullpen, at least — and said he no longer feels discomfort in his back after a cortisone shot in early May. The inactivity altered his calendar — “I’m back to February freaking 15th,” he said — but he has finally started the customary six-week buildup that a pitcher would get in spring training.

“In the bullpen yesterday, the shapes were there,” Rodón said Saturday. “Obviously, it’s not 98 miles an hour, but the metrics on the pitches — the carry on everything,

the shapes were the same as they’ve always been the last two years. I feel like I’m moving down the mound the same way. Now, it’s just part of the buildup process, building up to throwing to hitters and building more endurance throwing in games. That’s the steps I have to take.”

Considering the injury histories for Severino and Rodón, a lighter load of regularseason innings could help in the postseason. That’s a charitable way of looking at the situation, perhaps, but every team must solve the riddle of keeping their best pitchers fresh for when it matters most.

The Rays and the Orioles have been better than the Yankees so far. But Tampa Bay has no pitchers who have ever thrown 170 innings in a season, and Baltimore has two — Cole Irvin, who is in the minors, and Kyle Gibson.

The Toronto Blue Jays are the only team in the majors to use just five starters this season, but steady has not translated to success; the team has been in a tailspin since the Yankees took three out of four at Rogers Centre in mid-May. And although Chris Sale is thriving again at last for the Boston Red Sox, the rest of the team’s patchwork rotation has a lot to prove.

In that context, third place in the AL East doesn’t seem so bad. The Yankees are imperfect, but if rotation strength matters most in the long run, they should be just fine.

Luis Severino returned from the injured list on May 21 and has been solid in two starts, allowing two earned runs in 11 and one-thirds innings.

Women’s tennis suddenly has a big(ish) three

By MATTHEW FUTTERMAN

Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka have won a combined five Grand Slam singles titles. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won 64.

Swiatek, Rybakina and Sabalenka have been at the top of the sport for roughly a year. Some combination of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic has been there the past 20.

Swiatek, the world No. 1 from Poland, Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion who was born and raised in Russia but represents Kazakhstan, and Sabalenka, the 2023 Australian Open champion from Belarus, are still largely known only to tennis geeks. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are among the most recognizable athletes on Earth.

So, it is with the utmost hesitance, caution and respect for what has come before that anyone should invoke the term “Big Three” when talking about Swiatek, 21, Rybakina, 23, and Sabalenka, 25.

And yet something has been happening with this group lately in the rivalrystarved women’s game — something that could all come together in a glorious rumble during the next two weeks at the French Open in Paris. Sabalenka, the first of the three to play at Roland Garros, started her tournament with a win over Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in a match tinged with wartime bitterness. Swiatek’s and Rybakina’s first-round matches are scheduled for today, with Swiatek taking on 70th-ranked

Cristina Bucsa and Rybakina facing Linda Fruhvirtova, an 18-year-old ranked 59th.

Ever since Ashleigh Barty of Australia retired while atop the rankings in March 2022 at age 25, Swiatek, Rybakina and Sabalenka have been hogging nearly all of the most prestigious trophies. They have often beaten one another on the way to the winner’s circle, giving hope to the tennis executives — if not the rest of the field — that the women’s game just might be on the cusp of the kind of rivalries it has been missing for roughly a decade, perhaps even as far back as when Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters were battling

for supremacy.

“It is what you want, the best players playing each other, over and over,” Steve Simon, chair and CEO of the WTA Tour, said during a recent interview.

The budding rivalry even has a geopolitical backstory to add some fuel and antagonism. Swiatek has been among the most outspoken critics of Russia’s invasion, helping to raise millions of dollars to support relief efforts in Ukraine. She wears a pin with Ukraine’s flag on it when she plays. Rybakina and Sabalenka hail from the two countries perpetrating the war, as Kostyuk reminded everyone Sunday.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has continued to cast a pall over the sport, especially whenever players from the Eastern European countries most affected by the conflict compete. Kostyuk refused to shake Sabalenka’s hand after their match Sunday.

Swiatek has never gone as far as Kostyuk and the other players from Ukraine have, but whatever relationship Swiatek has with her two biggest rivals, it is a chilly one. Swiatek said she, Rybakina and Sabalenka respect one another but do not have any relationship at all off the court. Also, she said, she tries not to think about politics when she plays.

“When I think about the player, like, personally, it doesn’t help,” she said. “We don’t really have time in a match to overanalyze all the other stuff.”

There certainly has not been a shortage of matches to analyze, though.

Swiatek has lost to Rybakina three times this year already — at the Australian Open, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, and this month at the Italian Open in Rome, where she retired after injuring her leg early in the third set. Rybakina went on to win the tournament.

Rybakina has provided a blueprint for toppling Swiatek, a three-time Grand Slam tournament winner. Few could do that in 2022, when Swiatek reeled off 37 consecutive wins at one point. But Rybakina is among the most powerful players in the game, and she uses that ability to put Swiatek on her heels.

“Against Iga, it’s always tough battles,” Rybakina said this year. “Everybody wants to beat her.”

Swiatek beat Sabalenka in the final at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, in April (with a car on the line). Sabalenka returned the favor in May in the final at the Madrid Open.

Sabalenka beat Rybakina to win the Australian Open in January. In March, Rybakina beat Sabalenka to win the title at Indian Wells, regarded in the sport as an unofficial fifth Grand Slam tournament.

“Women’s tennis needs this kind of consistency to see world No. 1 and world No. 2 facing in the finals,” Sabalenka said after her win in Madrid. “It’s more intense.”

She has also made it clear that overtaking Swiatek for No. 1 has been her primary motivation during the past year and that having a specific target has helped her figure out what she needs to improve upon to get there.

It’s not unlike the dynamic that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic experienced at the heights of their success. They knew they were better than just about everyone else, knew the weapons that their stiffest rivals brought to the fore and knew their top priority had to be finding a way to answer them.

Swiatek said it’s more fun this way, and not just for the spectators. So many matches against the same tough outs and so many familiar tactics to combat turn the sport into a search for solutions to very specific problems.

“Pretty exciting, because I never had that yet in my career,” she said. “Extra motivation, for sure.”

Not a true Big Three yet, but not that far off, and far closer than women’s tennis has been to one in a while.

Aryna Sabalenka, left, defeated Iga Swiatek in the Madrid Open final this month and has said that overtaking Swiatek for No. 1 in the women’s singles rankings has been a primary motivator.

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Aries (Mar 21-April 20)

Today a number of chores around the home could have you feeling overwhelmed, Aries. Family members might abandon you, leaving you disgruntled. Do the most pressing and leave the rest for when they’re home! There might be a difference of opinion between you and your mate. Try to see both sides of the issue and circumvent any serious disagreements.

Taurus (April 21-May 21)

Some minor but annoying communications could interrupt your routine today. You won’t appreciate the distraction, Taurus, but it’s best to take care of whatever it is and then go back to your tasks. You might have to spend part of the day running errands. Traffic might have you frazzled. Spend the evening relaxing at home. You’ve worked hard and you deserve it!

Gemini (May 22-June 21)

Boredom and apathy could tempt you to run to the mall and spend a lot of money on luxuries. You might overindulge in food and drink. This can make you feel better temporarily, Gemini, but in the end all you will have is an empty wallet and a stomachache. Treat yourself, but don’t throw caution to the wind. This feeling will pass by tomorrow, and you don’t want to regret your day!

Cancer (June 22-July 23)

A lot of activity could take place around home today. It could involve a number of visitors, or it could simply be a lot of work that needs doing. Either way, you might feel a bit frazzled, and the temptation to run away from it all might be almost irresistible. Relax! There’s no need to stress out. Just do what needs to be done and enjoy the rest of the day.

Leo (July 24-Aug 23)

News of unforeseen success could come your way today, leaving you reeling and breathless. You might feel a bit dazed, Leo, like you don’t know what to do with yourself. It might take a while to gather yourself. A lot of letters and phone calls may come your way, some routine, some congratulatory. You could write or call a number of your friends. Some errands may be necessary.

Virgo (Aug 24-Sep 23)

Social events or group activities may prove draining today, as a lot of people might want to take advantage of your talents. Your kind, accommodating nature might cause you to try to make everyone happy, Virgo, but this isn’t realistic. You might stress yourself to the point of not caring what gets done. Be discriminating about what you commit to doing.

Libra (Sep 24-Oct 23)

Excess is the word for today, Libra. You may feel overly optimistic and enthusiastic about everything, and you could throw yourself into it all a bit too eagerly. You could take on more than you can handle. There is the danger of tiring yourself out physically. You could also go the other way and become very lazy, not wanting to do much of anything. Remember, moderation is the best approach.

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Today you might feel a little depressed and apathetic, like you don’t care what happens right now. You might try to get your mind off those feelings by spending money. This works, Scorpio, but don’t spend any more than you have to. These feelings really have more to do with the past than the present. If old pain wells up, let it go. Tomorrow all will seem a lot better!

Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)

Today you might be with friends who want to go out on the town and spend money. Shopping, eating in fancy restaurants, or going to dance clubs could be in their plans. This is fine, Sagittarius, as long as you don’t get caught up in the excess. Find a happy medium between spending too much and acting like a party pooper.

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)

Pressure and worries involving home and family could get in the way of your concentration today, Capricorn. There may have been a quarrel with a household member that weighs on your mind. The best way to deal with this is to give yourself and everyone else time to cool down. Later you’re likely to find that it has all blown over.

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19)

Organizing your office and paying bills are likely to be on your agenda today, Aquarius. You could feel overwhelmed by the tasks, and you might be tempted to put them off. It’s better to take it slowly until you get everything done. You don’t have to do them all at once. This should lessen the stress. Spend a quiet evening at home.

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Excessive food and drink could have you feeling rather sluggish and indifferent to everything. This can get in the way of your usual kindness and affection, but it shouldn’t. Get some rest, take a stomach remedy, and get back to your old self! You might also be tempted to overspend at some point. Think about it first!

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