Tuesday Mar 2, 2021

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

San Juan The

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Star

Green Light for the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine P7

SSI for Island in Hands of US Supreme Court

P4

Justice Dept. Sues Maker of Rosselló’s Infamous Armored Vehicle, Demands Money Back P5

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL P 18

PDP Ex-Governors Ask Biden to Address PR Status, Warn of New Tax System Consequences P4

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Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

GOOD MORNING

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March 2, 2021

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.

La Fortaleza says time to plan for gov’t workers’ return to agencies

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a Fortaleza Chief of Staff Noelia García on Monday urged island agencies to present new remote work plans updated to March 2021 with the goal of having public workers who are physically able to do so return to face-to-face work.

In December, the government enacted a law requiring agencies to furnish plans for remote work over a 30-day period.

“I am asking them now to submit new plans adjusted to March 2021,” García said.

Each agency must have an attendance system in place to ensure that government employees who continue doing remote work are indeed working.

While most public employees are not vaccinated against COVID-19, García said all measures and protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19 will be followed.

“We need to establish what the real need is,” she said. “We have a responsibility to execute and we must activate workers who are needed to forge that execution.”

García spoke after the completion of a news conference following a meeting of agency heads involved in infrastructure.

At that press conference, Recreation and Sports Secretary-designate Ray Quiñones Vázquez announced that the agency had begun the bidding process to make way for the repair of 111 recreational and sports facilities damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“This will allow sports activity to start again,”

he said. “It will also jumpstart the economy with an economic impact of around 1,000 direct jobs and over 3,000 indirect jobs.”

Quiñónes Vázquez said the repairs are possible thanks to $31 million obligated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He specified that the repairs include courts, parks, lighting, roofs, bathrooms, administrative offices, gates, benches, doors, windows, land grading and rain systems.

Because construction workers are few in number, García said, agencies must find creative ways to attract skilled workers. However, there are no plans to raise the minimum wage.

The government also on Monday authorized the reopening of public schools. Teachers will return on March 3 to 115 schools identified by the Education Department as ready to allow for the resumption of face-to-face classes on March 10 even if it is just in a partial manner or combined with remote learning.

A total of 137 schools are considered ready to open but only 115 are ready to open in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.

García said the process of reopening public and private schools will involve roadblocks that must be corrected.

“We are going to find flaws that we have to attend to,” she said. “We will attend to them immediately and we will continue every day seeing how we can be better.”

“The important thing is the communication among parents, teachers and students, particularly parents and teachers,” she added. “The key is communication.”

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The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

US Supreme Court to weigh SSI for Puerto Rico

By THE STAR STAFF

T

he U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to review a U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals ruling declaring that the U.S. Congress’ decision not to extend the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to Puerto Rico violates the Equal Protection Clause.

The Supreme Court’s decision comes after the top court distributed the case six times since November for conference to determine whether to grant the petition. The case United States vs Jose Luis Vaello Madero deals with an SSI disability recipient who continued to receive the payments after he moved to Puerto Rico from New York in 2013. The U.S. government asked Vaello Madero to return $28,081 in payments received over a three-year period after he returned to Puerto Rico arguing he was no longer entitled to the benefits after moving to the island.

Both the U.S. District Court and First Circuit judges had ruled that the exclusion of residents of Puerto Rico from the SSI program is “not rationally related to a legitimate government interest.” In its decision, the First Circuit, em-

ploying the rational-basis standard of review, determined that the exclusion of people residing in Puerto Rico from the SSI program violates their right to equal protection of the law under the Fifth Amendment.

The U.S. Justice Department asked the Supreme Court on Sept. 4, 2020 to overturn the ruling in a summary judgment, citing court precedents that allow Congress to treat the U.S. territory differently from states in the receipt of federal funds.

Attorneys for Vaello Madero said in November that the lower courts did not break new ground. In striking down the categorical exclusion of Puerto Rico residents from SSI on equal protection grounds, they said, the lower courts ended a 48-year history of “unjust discrimination against some of the nation’s poorest disabled Americans whose only disqualifying characteristic was their place of residence (or place of origin).”

“That discrimination was the product of a 120-year-old congressional practice of segregating the United States into so-called ‘incorporated’ and ‘unincorporated’ territories based on demoded beliefs about the racial and ethnic

composition of their populations,” they said.

On Nov. 24, the Justice Department replied that while Vaello Madero says the appeals court ruling complies with Supreme Court precedents, in reality it contradicts the court’s previous decisions in Califano v. Torres from 1978 and Harris v. Rosario from 1980. Those two cases support the idea that Congress may treat Puerto Rico differently from states for purposes of a welfare program if there is a rational basis for the distinction.

That is because Puerto Rican residents do not contribute to the federal treasury, the cost of treating Puerto Rico as a state under the statute would be high, and greater benefits could disrupt the Puerto Rican economy, the Justice Department argued.

For her part, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón said that on Jan. 20 of this year she had asked President Joseph Biden to withdraw the government’s petition for certiorari in the Vaello Madero case and to allow the decision declaring the exclusion of the Americans living in Puerto Rico from the SSI program as unconstitutional to become final.

“This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court

agreed to review the First Circuit’s decision to extend the SSI program to Puerto Rico,” the resident commissioner said in written remarks.

“Once again, I urge President Biden to do the right thing and withdraw the case. The exclusion of the Americans living in Puerto Rico from the SSI program, and other federal entitlement programs, is unfair and unjustified, which hurts the most vulnerable of our citizens that we, as a nation, are called to protect.”

On Jan. 28, González Colón introduced House Resolution (HR) 537, the Supplemental Security Act, to extend the SSI program to the territories.

“The vulnerable Americans living in the territories are no less deserving of our help than those vulnerable Americans living in the States and D.C.,” she said. “I ask my colleagues in Congress to do right and pass HR 537. It is a matter of justice and fairness; it is a matter of who we are as Americans.”

PDP ex-governors ask Biden for ‘an inclusive effort’ to address island’s political status Claim statehood would disrupt budget balancing process

By PEDRO CORREA HENRY Twitter: @pete_r_correa Special to The Star

F

ormer governors Sila María Calderón, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá and Alejandro García Padilla urged President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday to lead an “inclusive” political status determination process for Puerto Ricans.

In a letter co-signed by the three Popular Democratic (PDP) leaders, they said they feel confident that Biden will establish a task force that “will bring representatives of all status options to the table to seek consensus on a true process of self-determination.”

“We welcome a new Democratic administration with renewed hope for an inclusive effort to address Puerto Rico’s status,” the former island governors said. “There are formidable challenges ahead; Puerto Rico has a divided government, with a pro-statehood governor elected with 31 percent of the vote, and a legislative majority that promotes commonwealth.”

They also warned of the serious consequences and uncertainty that would be created by a new tax system that would integrate the tax burdens of statehood in the midst of the island’s recovery.

“Statehooders have sought the support of liberals by framing statehood as a civil rights issue,” the pro-commonwealth former governors said. “By denying it to Puerto Ricans, their argument is that the United States is denying them equality, but given the ups and downs of public opinion, the bare 52 percent majority for the statehood option allows only one indisputable conclusion: that the people of Puerto Rico are divided on this issue.”

Calderón, Acevedo Vilá and García Padilla went on to say that adopting the prostatehooders’ civil rights rhetoric “presupposes that those who oppose statehood, in a number

that is approximately equal, should be treated as if they were a different caste without similar recognizable rights.”

“That, of course, is untenable,” they said.

“Liberals should see the question of Puerto Rico’s status not as a civil rights issue affecting one group within that debate, but as a selfdetermination issue in which all stakeholders are entitled to a fair process; that’s what has been missing.”

The former governors also pointed out in the letter that “one only has to look at the wide variation in the last three plebiscites -- all of which were legislated by [governing] majorities in favor of statehood at the time -- to see how the process can affect the outcome.”

They noted the results of the 2012 status plebiscite, where statehood won with 61 percent of the votes cast on the second question.

“Many considered the actual percentage to be 44 percent due to the extraordinarily high number of blank ballots cast by procommonwealth voters who protested that their choice was excluded from that second question,” the former governors said. “As for the 2017 plebiscite, statehood won 97 percent of the votes after the pro-commonwealth party called for a boycott of the ballot due to the way the ballot defined the commonwealth;

the pro-independence party also boycotted.”

The ex-governors added that only 24 percent of the island’s active voters participated in that plebiscite.

Regarding last November’s vote, the former PDP governors argued in their letter that “statehood has won 52 percent in a ‘yes or no’ plebiscite that promises ‘immediate admission’ without transitional measures or conditions.”

“Transitional measures are essential to the statehood debate and any vote that excludes them is inherently flawed. In material contrast to all territories that became states, Puerto Rico has never been subject to federal income tax laws,” the pro-commonwealth leaders said, referring to the federal government’s 2014 General Accounting Office Report.

At that time, it was stated that statehood “could ultimately affect the government’s efforts to maintain a balanced budget.”

“If Puerto Rico’s current tax base is too small to accommodate a dual tax structure and statehood poses a viability problem that can only be addressed through an indefinite transition period, voters should have known that before they voted,” the PDP leaders said.

“The vote in the last plebiscite, to the extent that it lacked any specificity on this issue, was materially uninformed.”

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

5

Justice Dept. sues armored vehicle maker over ‘null and void transaction’ Demands return of $224,100 that ‘was unduly taken from us’

By PEDRO CORREA HENRY Twitter: @pete_r_correa Special to The Star

T

hree years after the island Public Safety Department purchased a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban Premier from the Texas Armoring Corp. (TAC) that cost $224,100, with the government attempting to get the money back because the vehicle was never shipped, Justice Secretary-designate Domingo Emmanuelli filed a petition in San Juan Superior Court on Monday against the manufacturing company and its CEO Ronald Trent Kimball “for not complying with the legal requirements of government contracting” and demanding “the restitution of all money paid.”

The lawsuit calls on TAC to cancel the purchase contract because it didn’t fulfill the government’s legal contract requests and to hand back $224,100, with “interest and legal costs,” for the undelivered armored vehicle that La Fortaleza requested, Emanuelli said, “for safety reasons.”

“We are vindicating our country’s right to recover what was unduly taken from us in a transaction that we understand to be null and void, and that the money paid for a bus [SUV] that was never delivered should be returned,” Emanuelli said during a press conference. “February 26 of this year marked the third year since the armored vehicle was purchased. Something that could have been done before, we are doing it now, only two months since we joined the Department of Justice.”

Emanuelli said the determination to take action in the case,

to which he pointed out General Services Administration (ASG by its Spanish initials) Administrator Karla Mercado’s decision to refer the controversial purchase to the Justice Department on Jan. 21, takes the department one step closer in “becoming Puerto Rico’s law firm, the Department of Justice that has never been.”

“Any reasonable person would think that the Puerto Rico government was being scammed,” Emanuelli said. “They are going to realize [in the lawsuit that] there was a preemptive mood … you don’t know what happened with that vehicle.

They [TAC] gave explanations when they wanted to.”

Mercado noted that the ASG attempted multiple times to contact TAC about the armored vehicle’s status, efforts which she said came to nothing.

She said ASG officials visited the San Antonio-based manufacturing company, where they were shown a Cadillac Escalade instead of the purchased model.

“And still, to this day, we cannot determine if the vehicle is finished, if it is complete,” Mercado said. “They have not been responsive, even though they have been paid almost in full for the vehicle.”

The petition states that the original contract was signed on Feb. 26, 2018, by the then-director of the Governor’s Office, Raymond Cruz, to purchase a Chevrolet Suburban Premier. On the same date, the ASG issued the payment voucher against the obligation for $165,950.

The lawsuit asserts that among other contractual conditions, a $27,550 discount to the original cost of $272,550 and the delivery of the vehicle in 120 to 150 days did not occur.

The second payment for $58,150 was issued on Oct. 25, 2018.

“From October 26, 2018, until early February 2019, TAC

did not inform or communicate with the plaintiffs on any aspect related to the purchase of the armored motor vehicle,” the lawsuit says.

The petition also establishes that a teleconference was held on Nov. 5, 2019 between TAC employee Mike Weaver and Public Safety Chief of Staff Silvia Saldaña, after which an email was sent with photos of a Cadillac Escalade vehicle, which TAC executives claimed was a vehicle similar to the one purchased.

“This shows that TAC offered a different motor vehicle to the DSP [Department of Public Safety] to replace the Chevrolet Suburban that had been paid for in advance,” the document says.

A member of the press asked if it was possible, even though the vehicle was paid for, thatTAC had sold it or it had disappeared.

“Or maybe they never started [preparing it],” Emanuelli replied.

More than 152 million attempted cyberattacks affected Puerto Rico in 2020

By THE STAR STAFF

M

ore than 152 million attempted cyberattacks were recorded in Puerto Rico in 2020, out of a total of 41,000 million reported in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a report from Fortinet, a firm that targets and provides automated cybersecurity solutions.

From October to December alone, there were 61.5 million attempted attacks in Puerto Rico. During this period, threats known as “phishing” emails spread throughout Latin America with attached HTML files, in an attempt to redirect the browser to malicious websites.

“Malware” on the web has become the most common vehicle for distributing infected files, often being the gateway for data theft or hijacking, known as “ransomware.”

The information is part of Fortinet’s report

for the fourth quarter of 2020 and its annual summary on cyberattack attempts, compiled by its threat intelligence laboratory FortiGuard Labs, which collects and analyzes cybersecurity incidents daily around the world.

Although the volume of cyber-attack attempts remains extremely high, what is most alarming is the degree of sophistication and

efficiency that cybercriminals have achieved thanks to advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), which allow them to develop targeted attacks with greater chances of success.

This means that in fewer attempts, cybercriminals can do more damage.

“2020 demonstrated the ability of criminals to invest time and resources in more lucrative attacks, such as ‘ransomware,’” said Daniel Vega, country manager for Fortinet in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “In addition, they are adapting to the new era of remote work with more sophisticated actions to deceive victims and access corporate networks.”

“We see a trend toward peripheral attacks, and not just the core network,” he noted. “The use of Iot devices and mission-critical industrial environments are some examples of access points for criminals.”

Vega warned that in 2021, “we must be

attentive to the emergence of new smart edges,” or networks that adapt and expand according to the needs of the user. These not only create different attack vectors, but allow groups of compromised devices to work together to reach victims at 5G speeds.

“We must be alert to any suspicious mail or activity, and implement and follow all the necessary controls on personal devices to mitigate the risk of intrusion or violation of our companies’ security policies, including the periodic installation of available updates from manufacturers,” Vega said.

“From a business point of view, it is necessary to add the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to security platforms that operate in an integrated and automated way on the main network, in multicloud environments, in branches and remote workers’ homes,” he added.

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Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

‘Spaceport’ proposed for Ceiba

By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

T

he Puerto Rico Ports Authority (APPR by its Spanish initials) has begun a request for information (RFI) process in search of a master services developer for the establishment of an aerospace port, or “spaceport,” at José Aponte de la Torre (JAT) Airport in Ceiba, APPR Executive Director Joel A. Pizá Batiz announced on Monday.

“Aerospace activity, exploratory trips and events beyond our atmosphere arouse great interest in local and global citizens, while generating income and significant investment in economic, human and scientific capital,” Pizá Batiz said in a written statement.

The official said that based on a desirability study commissioned in 2019 to the firm RS&H, the JAT regional airport in Ceiba, and the surrounding facilities, could represent a geographically strategic space for aerospace equipment manufacturing and storage activities, which, in the future, could include launch activities, subject to approval of a launch site operator license.

Launch activity, Pizá Batiz noted, can range from nanosatellites to space transport ships, subject to the approval of the licensing process. Until recently, the Google company used JAT facilities for its Loon pilot project, from where balloons were launched to provide internet to regions that are inaccessible or with little internet connectivity.

“That is why the APPR is calling on the members of the innovative community and aerospace experts to share a presentation of no more than 15 pages where they provide specific information on their activities related to the manufacture and storage of aerospace equipment and/or related activities, and how they could establish their operations in spaces at José Aponte de la Torre regional airport in Ceiba, an area belonging to the Puerto Rico Ports Authority,” Pizá Batiz said.

Details of the RFI are available as of Monday on the APPR web portal: Information Request.

The deadline for submitting the RFI is May 26.

“The aerospace sector is a growing industry worldwide and on our island has not been the exception. The proximity of the island of Puerto Rico to the equator, the skills of

our workforce, a program of advanced industrial incentives, the competitiveness, the climate and the quality of life of Puerto Rico, make us the ideal place to establish a aerospace port,” said Manuel Cidre Miranda, Puerto Rico’s secretary of Economic Development and Commerce. “This, in addition to being an extraordinary opportunity to position ourselves before the world as an attractive destination. The aerospace port will contribute positively to the creation of well paid jobs, which, in turn, encourages our professionals to choose to stay on the island.”

Pizá Batiz added that “[t]he Ports Authority continues focused on maximizing the potential of our facilities, so that they continue to be axes of economic development for the benefit of the municipalities where they are located and for the surrounding regions.”

Aguadilla mayor calls for probe of alleged election fraud

By JOHN McPHAUL jpmcphaul@gmail.com

A

guadilla Mayor Julio Roldán Concepción will ask island Justice Secretary-designate Domingo Emmanuelli to conduct a criminal investigation for perjury against those allegedly implicated in making false testimony related to the existence of 50 illegally cast ballots with mixed votes in the November elections, the mayor announced Monday in a written statement.

Those implicated in Roldán’s complaint are Yanitsia Irizarry Méndez, Edwin Mundo, Jessica Colón, Nanette Laguer, José Luis Castro and Saira Rosa. The latter four were the officials who the defeated mayor claimed saw the 50 mixed municipal ballots,

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which in a recount held Saturday were shown not to exist.

“Last Saturday, it was demonstrated that the former mayor’s claim was based on stereotypical affidavits, with no basis or foundation in the voting records,” Roldán said in his letter. “The defendants were successful in misleading the Court of Appeals, which caused public resources to be wasted in the Judicial Branch and in the State Elections Commission.”

“Jessica Colón, Nanette Laguer, José Luis Castro and Saira Rosa made four sworn statements that said exactly the same thing: that there were more than 50 ballots erroneously awarded by the machine [and] which were in violation of the electoral law,” added Roldán. “These vague and false statements were sufficient evidence for the Court of Appeals to request a manual recount. Undoubtedly, knowingly making false statements is a criminal act that we will not let go unanswered and those involved will have to face the consequences of their inappropriate actions.”

In addition to the accusations against the four officials, in his letter, Roldán requests that an investigation be made as to whether Irizarry, the former mayor of Aguadilla, “incurred ethical misconduct as a licensed attorney, since the ethical canons that govern the profession prohibit lawyers from abusing and wasting the limited funds of the Judicial Branch.”

“Undoubtedly, her participation in a farce that constituted a dangerous precedent in the electoral history of Puerto Rico, being a lawyer, must be investigated and reach its final consequences, since they are reprehensible actions with serious consequences,” Roldán said.

The Aguadilla mayor said the complaint also includes Mundo, the electoral adviser of the New Progressive Party, for similarly making a sworn statement assuring that “everything

declared is the truth and nothing but the truth.”

Meanwhile, Irizarry acknowledged in a radio interview Monday that she was not victorious in her bid for reelection and accepted that Roldán is the mayor of the northwestern coastal municipality.

Regarding the processes in the courts, the former mayor denied that the New Progressive Party officials had lied.

“Here the only one who has lied in the process has been the lawyer for the Popular Democratic Party, who in an oral hearing, in the letter to the Superior Court and in the letter to the Appellate Court said that there was no evidence of wrongdoing.

They made a representation to the court that there was not a single [bit of evidence],” Irizarry said in a radio interview with Rubén Sánchez on WKAQ 580.

“There were illegal votes that were incorrectly read by the machines of the State Election Commission,” she said, referring to what the Court of Appeals decided. “It was a very close election. It was a very, very close election.”

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

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CDC panel endorses Johnson & Johnson vaccine

By SHARON LaFRANIERE

O

ne day after federal regulators authorized Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, senior Biden administration officials warned Sunday that the supply of the new vaccine would be highly uneven for the next month.

In an effort to lower expectations that the authorization of a third COVID vaccine will mean a steady new stream of doses, the officials said that the company will deliver 3.9 million shots this week but none the week after. The officials were speaking in an organized briefing with reporters but refused to be quoted by name.

Johnson & Johnson will deliver another 16 million doses to the federal government by the end of March, but the majority of that will only come toward the end of the month, the officials said.

In a $1 billion contract signed last year, Johnson & Johnson pledged to deliver 37 million doses by the end of March and a total of 100 million by the end of June.

But the firm is still trying to scale up its production at its new Baltimore plant.

The initial 3.9 million doses were manufactured at its factory in the Netherlands; officials have said the rest of the doses were expected to come from its Baltimore plant.

Earlier Sunday, a committee of independent advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted as expected to recommend distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to all adults in the United States.

The committee’s approval echoed the Food and Drug Administration’s decision Saturday evening. Johnson & Johnson’s

is the third COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized for Americans in less than a year. The first shipments are expected to reach states by Tuesday.

The committee did not weigh in on whether states should prioritize the oneshot vaccine for any particular population groups, or how they should deploy it compared with the other two authorized vaccines.

“That is not a decision that we’re ready to make,” said Dr. José Romero, Arkansas’ top health official and the committee’s chair.

The panel voted 12 in favor of the vaccine and none against, with one recusal.

The committee acted with little debate following presentations showing the vaccine was 85% protective against severe COVID-19 disease across all clinical trial sites and provided complete protection against hospitalizations and deaths.

Late Sunday, Rochelle P. Walensky, the CDC. director, signed the committee’s recommendation, calling the new vaccine “another milestone toward an end to the pandemic.”

Experts pointed out that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be simpler to distribute than the other two vaccines, which are made by Moderna and Pfizer with its German partner BioNTech. It requires just one shot instead of two and can be stored in standard refrigerators instead of freezers. Health professionals have noted that it could be particularly well-suited to remote areas and clinics as well as drive-through mass vaccination sites.

The committee weighed those

The Johnson & Johnson campus in Irvine, Calif. advantages against the shot’s somewhat lower efficacy rate in clinical trials. Pfizer and Moderna’s shots each were shown to be about 95% protective against symptomatic COVID disease, whereas Johnson & Johnson’s was 72% efficacious against moderate to severe disease in U.S. trial sites.

Direct comparisons between the vaccines are problematic, however, because the trials were conducted in different locations at different times. For instance, Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines were tested before troubling new variants of the virus emerged in Britain, South Africa and elsewhere.

The panel, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, reviewed one recent survey showing that, given a

choice between a two-dose vaccine as effective as Pfizer’s or Moderna’s or a single dose vaccine as effective as Johnson & Johnson’s, only 7% of respondents picked Johnson & Johnson’s. Twenty-one percent said they would take either.

Importantly, though, of the 58% of respondents who said they preferred a vaccine like Pfizer’s or Moderna’s, nearly half said they would take a vaccine like Johnson & Johnson’s rather than wait a month for one of the other two.

The committee met almost exactly one year after the first death associated with COVID-19 in the United States. The committee is expected to meet again on Monday and discuss all three vaccines, including how they might be best deployed among different population groups.

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The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Sexual harassment claims against Cuomo: What we know so far

The deepening scandal marks one of the lowest points of the governor’s tenure.

By LUIS FERRÉ-SADURNI

G

ov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York is confronting one of the most tumultuous moments of his three terms in office after two women who once worked for his administration accused him of sexually harassing them.

Under immense public and political pressure, the governor’s office asked the state attorney general to appoint someone to conduct an outside investigation into the sexual harassment claims against Cuomo, a Democrat.

On Sunday evening, Cuomo issued an apology of sorts, saying, “I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation.

“To the extent anyone felt that way,” he said. “I am truly sorry about that.”

The deepening scandal marks one of the lowest points of Cuomo’s tenure and has thrust his political future into uncertainty, as he faces renewed scrutiny over his administration’s decision to withhold data on nursing home deaths during the pandemic.

Here’s what we know so far.

Ex-aide says Cuomo asked about her sex life Charlotte Bennett, 25, a former aide to the governor, accused him of sexually harassing her last year, telling The New York Times that Cuomo, 63, had asked her

about her sex life and whether she had ever had sex with older men.

Bennett, who left the administration in November, described one instance in which, when she was alone with the governor in his state Capitol office, Cuomo asked her if she thought age made a difference in romantic relationships, remarks she took as overtures to a sexual relationship.

“I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared,” Bennett told The Times. “And was wondering how I was going to get out of it and assumed it was the end of my job.”

Bennett said she reported the interaction with the governor to his chief of staff and was transferred to another job.

She also provided a lengthy statement about the episode to a special counsel to the governor. The Times corroborated Bennett’s account through interviews with friends and family members she told about the incidents at the time and a review of contemporaneous text messages and emails.

In a statement Saturday, Cuomo described Bennett as a “hardworking and valued member” of his staff and said he respected her “right to speak out.”

“I never made advances toward Ms. Bennett nor did I ever intend to act in any way that was inappropriate,” he said.

Another woman said the governor ‘kissed me on the lips’ Bennett’s accusations came only a few days after another former administration aide, Lindsey Boylan, elaborated on previous sexual harassment claims that she had lodged against the governor.

Boylan, who worked for the state’s economic development agency from 2015-18, published an essay Wednesday in which she detailed several years of uncomfortable interactions with the governor.

Boylan, who said her boss at the time told her that Cuomo had a “crush” on her, said the governor went “out of his way to touch me on my lower back, arms and legs.” In October 2017, during a flight back from an event in western New York, Boylan said Cuomo told her they should “play strip poker.” And in 2018, she said Cuomo gave her an unsolicited kiss after a one-on-one meeting in his Manhattan office.

“As I got up to leave and walk toward an open door, he stepped in front of me and kissed me on the lips,” she wrote. “I was in shock, but I kept walking.”

The governor’s office said Boylan’s claims were false and did not call for an independent review of her allegations.

Boylan, who is running for Manhattan borough president, first publicly accused Cuomo of sexual harassment in December, but did not specify details.

After Bennett went public with her accusations, Boylan called on Cuomo to resign.

“His abuse of power never ends,” she wrote. “He does not get to choose his judge and jury. We do.”

The governor said he ‘meant no offense’ Cuomo, who has not held a news conference in a week, said he would not comment on the allegations beyond the statement he issued Saturday following the Times’ story about Bennett’s accusations.

By Sunday evening, however, following a torrent of criticism, Cuomo issued a lengthy written statement in which he lamented making “playful” jokes and teasing employees in what he thought was “a good-natured way.”

“I have teased people about their personal lives, their relationships, about

getting married or not getting married,” the governor said. “I mean no offense and only attempt to add some levity and banter to what is a very serious business.”

Cuomo, however, said he never inappropriately touched or propositioned anyone, but that he understood, in hindsight, that his interactions “may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended.”

There are calls for an impartial investigation Cuomo initially said in a statement that he would direct “a full and thorough outside review” of Bennett’s accusations, and named a former federal judge, Barbara Jones, to lead the inquiry. That move quickly met backlash, as critics questioned the integrity of his review and the judge’s close ties to one of the governor’s longtime advisers.

The governor’s office backtracked by the next morning, saying it would instead ask Letitia James, the state attorney general, and Janet DiFiore, the chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, “to jointly select an independent and qualified lawyer in private practice without political affiliation to conduct a thorough review of the matter and issue a public report.”

Cuomo’s first attempt to rectify the situation, however, did not quell criticism: James and top Democratic state officials said the governor’s new plan still did not go far enough.

In a statement, James said she did “not accept the governor’s proposal,” saying her office should be the one to lead the investigation. Under state law, she said, her office had to receive an official referral from the governor’s office to conduct a review with subpoena power.

“While I have deep respect for Chief Judge DiFiore, I am the duly elected attorney general and it is my responsibility to carry out this task, per executive law,” she said. “The governor must provide this referral so an independent investigation with subpoena power can be conducted.”

By Sunday evening, the governor’s office effectively said it would grant James’ request for a referral and ask her office to designate a private lawyer as a “special independent deputy attorney general” to conduct the investigation.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

9

Before Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, there was Ahmaud Arbery

By RICHARD FAUSSET

S

cores of mourners gathered last week at a rural cemetery for a service to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was chased by a trio of white men and shot to death on a residential street.

Arbery’s killing, on a sunny afternoon in a suburban South Georgia neighborhood, drew widespread outrage when it happened, particularly with its evocation of the tortured racial history of the South. And together with the subsequent police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, his death has contributed to the national furor over shooting deaths of Black people and the wave of protests against systemic racism.

The emotions surrounding his death are still raw, but they now must intersect with a thicket of legal issues that leave the outcome of his case very much in doubt.

At the graveside service and at a candlelight vigil in the neighborhood where he was killed, many of the mourners acknowledged that the past year has brought some progress. That included a new hate crimes measure and an ongoing bipartisan effort to remake the state’s 158-year-old citizen’s arrest law. The law was cited by an early prosecutor of the case when he argued that Arbery’s assailants had not acted illegally.

But the mourners also were steeling themselves for the possibility of more painful moments in the months to come, including a potentially explosive murder trial for the three men — Travis McMichael, who is accused of pulling the trigger; his father, Gregory McMichael; and their neighbor William Bryan, all of whom have been in custody in a Glynn County, Georgia, jail since their arrests on murder, assault and other charges last May. If convicted, each faces life in prison without parole.

“We are not seeking revenge. We are seeking justice,” said Kenya Sullivan-Crumbley, a minister in Waynesboro, Georgia, the hometown of Arbery’s mother, Wanda CooperJones. “Justice is what is right in the eyes of the Lord.”

His supporters have found allies far beyond the world of liberal activists. They include Gov. Brian Kemp, a conservative Republican who has been accused by liberals of supporting voter suppression tactics that target African Americans, and who, as a candidate in 2018, suggested in a campaign ad that he might take vigilante action against

immigrants living in the country without legal permission.

Last June, Kemp signed into law a new hate crimes measure that imposes additional penalties for crimes motivated by bias. The move came a few weeks after a hearing in the Arbery case in which a Georgia investigator testified that Bryan had heard Travis McMichael use a racist slur moments after firing his shotgun at Arbery. (The investigator also said that Bryan had used racial epithets in text messages unrelated to the shooting.)

Today, Kemp is among a group of bipartisan political figures backing a bill that aims to reform the state’s citizen’s arrest law, which dates to the year of the Emancipation Proclamation and would significantly curtail the ability of anyone who is not a certified law enforcement officer to arrest someone, allowing exceptions for security guards, private investigators and a few others.

Still, lawyers for Travis McMichael said the law — as it existed Feb. 23, 2020, when Arbery was killed — will be central to the defense of their client, who authorities said was captured on video firing the fatal shots after a brief confrontation.

Lawyers for Arbery’s family say he was out for an innocent jog that day. In the early afternoon, a man in the Satilla Shores neighborhood saw Arbery enter a home under construction. There had been a string of burglaries and car thefts in the neighborhood in prior months.

The McMichaels later told police they suspected Arbery of the break-ins, and in a graphic video that captured the confrontation and killing, he can be seen running down a tree-lined street as the father and son wait up ahead for him.

Arbery and Travis McMichael, who was 34 at the time, are seen tussling over McMichael’s shotgun as McMichael shoots three times. Arbery then spins around, tries to run and falls to the pavement.

“From our review of the law — as much as no one likes what it allows Georgia citizens to do — it appears the McMichaels had the full authority of the law to engage Mr. Arbery and to try to stop him and talk to him and hold him until the police arrived,” Jason Sheffield, one of McMichael’s lawyers, said in an interview last week.

Sheffield, echoing the analysis of one of the first prosecutors on the case, George Barnhill, also said that Travis McMichael was within his rights to fire on Arbery under the state’s self-defense law because the two men

were physically fighting at the time.

Cooper-Jones, in an interview last week, said she hoped that jurors would not be swayed.

“The citizen’s arrest law was implemented in the time of the Civil War,” she said. “My son’s murder happened back in 2020. You can’t hide behind that law and commit murder in 2020.”

Still, the arguments may resonate in Glynn County, where Arbery and the accused men lived and where the trial is likely to be held. No date has been set. The county, along the southern stretch of Georgia’s Atlantic coast, is majority white and conservative — “a defense-friendly venue for this type of case,” said Esther Panitch, a criminal defense lawyer and legal analyst in Atlanta.

The prosecutors and defense have sparred, in competing motions, over whether Arbery should be allowed to be called a “victim” in the case; lawyers for the McMichaels have argued that it is a “prejudicial” term.

But it is the fate of two other motions that may prove to have a more serious impact on the eventual trial. In one, prosecutors have asked that evidence of what are described as past “racial” incidents involving the three defendants be included at trial, including Facebook posts and text messages.

In another motion, lawyers for the McMichaels have asked to allow Arbery’s criminal history to be introduced, including a conviction for bringing a handgun to a basketball game and another

for trying to steal a television.

The motion, citing interviews with Arbery’s neighbors, claims that he tried to break into houses around his own home.

Medical documents reviewed by The New York Times show that Arbery was given a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder in late 2018 or early 2019 by health care professionals and that he had told doctors he heard voices in his head that at times told him “to do wrong” and “to steal and rob.”

Arbery’s family believes that his criminal past should have no bearing on whether he should have been chased and killed, especially by people who were not active law enforcement, on the mere suspicion that he might have engaged in a property crime.

“One of my friends said, ‘I wouldn’t care if he had an entire house on his back — you don’t get to do what they did,’” said Josiah Watts, Arbery’s cousin. “In a civil society, there’s no way that’s the proper response, the humane response.”

Last week, Cooper-Jones filed a lawsuit against the McMichaels, Bryan and others, including Glynn County Police Department officials and the first two prosecutors who handled the case. The suit recounts how the three pursuers walked free for weeks after the killing until an explosive video of his shooting was made public. And it argues that police and prosecutors engaged in a “deliberate effort” to “cover up Ahmaud’s murder.”

Marcus Arbery Sr., center-front, Ahmaud Arbery’s father, speaks at the spot where his son was shot and killed one year ago, in Brunswick, Ga., Feb. 23, 2021. A year after his killing in Georgia, his death has sparked a bipartisan effort to remake the state’s 158-year-old citizen’s arrest law.

10

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

CPAC takeaways: Trump dominates, and DeSantis and Noem stand out The lineup of CPAC speakers over the weekend showed how thoroughly a new pair of catchphrases — “cancel culture” and the “woke mob” — are animating a Republican Party that, beyond supporting Trump, appears increasingly centered on defining itself in opposition to the left.

“Didn’t anybody tell you?” Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri began his CPAC speech.

“You’re supposed to be canceled.”

The crowd cheered as “cancel culture” served throughout the weekend as shorthand for bashing the news media, railing against the tech industry (in particular, Twitter’s and Facebook’s decisions to bar Trump from their platforms), and spreading fear about the decline of conservative and religious values in American popular culture.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, one of his party’s most adroit culture warriors, summarized the Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action annoyance and alienation felt by attendees at the right-wing gathering because of the Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 28, 2021. continuing pandemic.

“You can French kiss the guy next to

By SHANE GOLDMACHER and ELAINA immigration-focused Republican Party while you yelling ‘Abolish the police’ and no one PLOTT relitigating his specific grievances from 2020. will get infected,” he mocked. “But if you go Trump named every Republican who to church and say ‘Amazing grace,’ everyone ny lingering belief that Donald Trump voted for his impeachment. “Get rid of them is going to die.” would fade from the political scene like all,” he said. And he predicted a Republican A ‘rigged’ 2020 is now a GOP article other past presidents evaporated fully would win the White House in 2024. “Who, of faith.

Sunday as he spoke for more than 90 minutes who, who will that be, I wonder?” he mused.

T.W. Shannon, a Republican from in a grievance-filled and self-promoting The speech came right after Trump won Oklahoma, was the first to say it. Speaking address that sought to polish up his presidential a CPAC 2024 presidential straw poll, finishing Friday morning on a panel called “Tolerance legacy, take aim at his enemies and tease his with 55% of the vote — more than double the Reimagined: The Angry Mob and Violence political future. percentage of his closest runner-up. But that in Our Streets,” Shannon said the reason proHere are six takeaways from the first victory was dampened by the fact that only Trump demonstrators stormed the Capitol on major Republican gathering of the post-Trump 68% of the attendees at the conference said Jan. 6 was that “they felt hopeless.” era, the 2021 Conservative Political Action they wanted him to run again.

And that, he said, was “because of a Conference in Orlando, Florida.

A second straw poll, without Trump, was rigged election.”

Trump has (almost) total dominance. carried by Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who The election was not rigged, of course, “I am not starting a new party,” Trump received 43% on his home turf, followed by but by the end of CPAC it was clear that the lie declared, nixing rumors and making news in Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota with 11%. Trump had promoted vigorously had become the first moments of the first speech of his Those results showcased the challenge canon among the base of the Republican post-presidency. that senators face in edging ahead of governors Party. On Sunday, the conference’s straw poll And why would he? Trump remains in the 2024 pack of potential presidential results revealed that 62% of attendees ranked the most influential Republican politician in candidates. Both DeSantis and Noem “election integrity” as the most important the nation. The three-day CPAC gathering in highlighted their efforts to keep the economy issue facing the country.

Orlando showed how fully the Republican open during the coronavirus pandemic, which For those who tuned into Hawley’s Party has been remade in his image in the proved a more popular resume point than the speech, this was probably unsurprising: five years since he boycotted the conference legislative fights that senators in Washington Hawley, who was the first Senate Republican in 2016 en route to capturing the party’s have been engaged in. to announce his plans to object to the nomination.

‘Cancel culture’ is the new ‘fake news.’ Electoral College certification, electrified the In a meandering speech guided by a In his first presidential bid, Trump CPAC audience when he reminded them of teleprompter and interrupted with cheering adopted “fake news” as a rallying cry against his defiance. that at times read more obligatory than the traditional news media and then effectively “On Jan. 6, I objected to the Electoral enthusiastic, Trump lashed out at President Joe and relentlessly deployed it to position himself College certification — maybe you heard Biden and outlined his vision of a culture- and as the sole arbiter of truth for his supporters. about it,” Hawley said with a wry grin. People

A

erupted in applause.

There was little interest in policy — whether Biden’s or the Republican Party’s.

As the conference began, House Democrats were preparing to approve a coronavirus relief package worth nearly $2 trillion that was opposed by every House Republican. But inside the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, it was hard to find many conservatives who cared.

CPAC in past years has served, at minimum, as a forum for conservatives to unite in opposition to a Democratic policy agenda.

But most speakers over the weekend won applause by channeling the preoccupation with personality over policy that animated the party during Trump’s presidency. The result was an event in which conservatives signaled their lack of interest not just in mobilizing against Biden’s policies, but also in debating the finer points of their own.

DeSantis suggested that the current threat posed by the left was too dangerous for conservatives to prioritize policy discussions.

“We can sit around and have academic debates about conservative policy — we can do that,” he said. “But the question is, when the Klieg lights get hot, when the left comes after you: Will you stay strong, or will you fold?”

The Republican ‘civil war’ remains very much uncanceled.

Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, who runs the Republican political committee trying to win back the Senate in 2022, tried to downplay any intraparty disagreements and urged activists to focus on opposing the Democratic agenda.

The problem is that some of his party’s biggest names — including and especially Trump — are focused first on exacting revenge for those who strayed from the Trump party line on impeachment.

Donald Trump Jr. excoriated Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the top-ranking Republican to vote to impeach his father, as aggressively as he did any Democrat in his speech. Trump on Friday announced that one of his first 2022 endorsements would be for the primary opponent of Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, another Republican who voted for impeachment. The mere mention of Sen. Mitt Romney’s name drew derision.

But even if there are critical parts of the Republican apparatus at war, the activist flank of the party remains firmly behind Trump. Or, as he put it, “The only division is between a handful of Washington, D.C., establishment political hacks and everybody else.”

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

11

The city where cars are not welcome

By JACK EWING

E

ckart Würzner, a mayor on a mission to make his city emission-free, is not terribly impressed by promises from General Motors, Ford and other big automakers to swear off fossil fuels.

Not that Würzner, the mayor of Heidelberg, is against electric cars. The postcard-perfect city, in southern Germany, gives residents who buy a battery-powered vehicle a bonus of up to 1,000 euros, or $1,200. They get another 1,000 euros if they install a charging station.

But electric cars are low on the list of tools that Würzner is using to try to cut Heidelberg’s impact on the climate, an effort that has given the city, home to Germany’s oldest university and an 800-year-old castle ruin, a reputation as a pioneer in environmentally conscious urban planning.

Würzner’s goal is to reduce dependence on cars, no matter where they get their juice.

Heidelberg is buying a fleet of hydrogenpowered buses, building a network of bicycle “superhighways” to the suburbs and designing neighborhoods to discourage all vehicles and encourage walking. Residents who give up their cars get to ride public transportation free for a year.

“If you need a car, use car-sharing,” Würzner said in an interview at Heidelberg’s Baroque-style City Hall, which was nearly deserted because of the pandemic. “If you can’t use car-sharing because you’re living too far outside and there is no mass transportation, then use the car, but just to the train station and not to downtown.”

Heidelberg is at the forefront of a movement that is probably strongest in Europe but has a presence in plenty of communities around the world, including U.S. cities like Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. The pandemic has given many citizens a taste of what densely packed urban areas would be like without so much traffic, and they like it.

Vows of fossil fuel abstinence by carmakers recently, including GM, Ford Motor and Jaguar Land Rover, are a tacit admission that they will no longer be welcome in cities at all unless they radically clean up their acts.

Even then, the tide of history may be against them as urban planners try to free up space now occupied by vehicles.

Dozens of cities in Europe, including Rome, London and Paris, plan to limit center

Dieter Bartmann, an early Bahnstadt resident, in the newly developed neighborhood that strives to be climate-neutral, in Heidelberg, Germany, Feb. 4, 2021. city traffic to emission-free vehicles during the next decade. Some, like Stockholm and Stuttgart, the German home of MercedesBenz, already ban older diesel vehicles.

National governments are adding to the pressure. Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Slovenia say they will ban sales of internal combustion cars after 2030. Britain and Denmark say they will do so in 2035, allowing only hybrids after 2030, and Spain and France in 2040.

Such declarations of intent “certainly push vehicle manufacturers,” said Sandra Wappelhorst, a senior researcher at the International Council on Clean Transportation in Berlin who tracks plans by companies and governments to phase out internal combustion.

Heidelberg, a city of 160,000 people on the Neckar River, which was threatening to overflow its banks recently after unusually heavy rains, provides a glimpse of how an automobile-light city of the future may look.

Heidelberg is one of only six cities in Europe considered “innovators” by C40 Cities, an organization that promotes climate-friendly urban policies and whose chair is Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York.

(The others are Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Venice, Italy; and Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.)

Among the city’s measures to make cars irrelevant are building bridges that would

allow cyclists to bypass congested areas or cross the Neckar without having to compete for road space with motor vehicles.

Buildings are also important. The city has cut energy consumption of schools and other city buildings by 50% in the last decade — no small feat when many of the structures are hundreds of years old.

Heidelberg’s mile-long pedestrian zone, usually thronged with tourists but nearly empty recently because of the pandemic, is said to be Germany’s longest. But the best showcase for the city’s emission-free ambitions is built atop a former rail freight yard on the edge of town.

In 2009 work began on the Bahnstadt, or Rail City. The vacant parcel, which had to be cleared of three unexploded bombs from World War II, offered planners a blank slate with which to create a climate-neutral neighborhood.

The modern apartment buildings, architecturally the opposite of Heidelberg’s Baroque city center, are so well insulated that they require almost no energy to heat. What warmth they do require comes from a plant just outside the neighborhood that burns waste wood.

Cars are not banned from the Bahnstadt, but there is almost no traffic. Most streets are dead ends. Apartment buildings are arranged around generous courtyards with playgrounds and connected by walkways. The one street

that cuts through the triangular neighborhood has a speed limit of 30 kilometers an hour, or less than 20 mph. Bicycles have the right of way.

The Bahnstadt, with 5,600 residents and still growing, has its own kindergarten and elementary school, a community center, two supermarkets, several bakeries and cafes, two bicycle shops and six car-sharing stations, each with two electric vehicles. Heidelberg’s main train station and a tram stop are a short walk away, and a bicycle path follows the route of an old rail line to the city center.

There are also jobs. The Bahnstadt has several large office buildings whose tenants include the German subsidiary of Reckitt Benckiser, the maker of consumer products like Clearasil and Woolite.

“The idea is to get back to the classic early city, where living and working are closely intertwined,” said Ralf Bermich, head of Heidelberg’s Office for Environmental Protection.

Würzner, the mayor, said his goal was to make Heidelberg climate neutral by 2030, an ambitious target. The city plans to generate its own wind and solar power and is installing a hydrogen filling station for a fleet of 42 buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The city wanted to order hundreds of the buses, but Würzner complained that the bus-makers had been slow to respond to demand for emission-free transportation.

“We can’t get enough,” he said.

(Daimler, which makes buses in Neu-Ulm, about 2 1/2 hours from Heidelberg, does not yet sell a city bus powered solely by hydrogen.)

Würzner, who drives an experimental hydrogen-powered Mercedes, acknowledged that not every city could afford to do all the things that had made Heidelberg a showcase for environmentally friendly planning. The University of Heidelberg, one of Germany’s most prestigious universities, has spawned numerous research institutes that provide a solid tax base. The residents tend to be well educated and affluent.

“It’s true the city is in a quite good financial situation,” Würzner said.

But he said he often heard from mayors in Europe, the United States and Asia who wanted to emulate Heidelberg’s strategy.

“We all know we have to go in this direction,” he said. “It’s just a question of how fast.”

12

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

China charges ahead with a national digital currency

A sign for China’s new digital currency eCNY.

By NATHANIEL POPPER and CAO LI

A

nnabelle Huang recently won a government lottery to try China’s latest economics experiment: a national digital currency.

After joining the lottery through the social media app WeChat, Huang, 28, a business strategist in Shenzhen, received a digital envelope with 200 electronic Chinese yuan, or eCNY, worth around $30. To spend it, she went to a convenience store near her office and picked out some nuts and yogurt.

Then she pulled up a QR code for the digital currency from inside her bank app, which the store scanned for payment.

“The journey of how you pay, it’s very similar” to that of other Chinese payments apps, Huang said of the eCNY experience, though she added that it was not quite as smooth.

China has charged ahead with a bold effort to remake the way that governmentbacked money works, rolling out its own digital currency with different qualities than cash or digital deposits. The country’s central bank, which began testing eCNY last year in four cities, recently expanded those trials to bigger cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, according to government presentations.

The effort is one of several by central banks around the world to try new forms of digital money that can move faster and give

even the most disadvantaged people access to online financial tools. Many countries have taken action as cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which has recently soared in value, have become more popular.

But while Bitcoin was designed to be decentralized so that no company or government could control it, digital currencies created by central banks give governments more of a financial grip. These currencies can enable direct handouts of money that expire if not used by a particular date and can make it easier for governments to track financial transactions to stamp out tax evasion and crack down on dissidents.

Over the last 12 months, more than 60 countries have experimented with national digital currencies, up from just over 40 a year earlier, according to the Bank for International Settlements. The countries include Sweden, which is conducting real-world trials of a digital krona, and the Bahamas, which has made a digital currency, the Sand Dollar, available to all citizens.

In contrast, the United States has moved slowly and done just basic research.

At a New York Times event last week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen indicated that might change when she said a U.S. digital currency was “absolutely worth looking at” because it “could result in faster, safer and cheaper payments.”

Yet no major power is as far along as

China. Its early moves could signal where the rest of the world goes with digital currencies.

“This is about more than just money,” said Yaya Fanusie, a fellow at the Center on Economic and Financial Power, a think tank, and an author of a recent paper on the Chinese currency. “It’s about developing new tools to collect data and leverage that data so that the Chinese economy is more intelligent and based on real-time information.”

While the Chinese government has not said if and when it will officially introduce the eCNY nationwide, several officials have mentioned having it ready for tourists visiting for the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

Recent articles and speeches from officials at the People’s Bank of China, which is the country’s central bank, underscored the project’s ambitions and the desire to be first.

“The right to issue and control digital currencies will become a ‘new battlefield’ of competition between sovereign states,” read an article in China Finance, the magazine of the central bank, in September. “China has many advantages and opportunities in issuing fiat digital currencies, so it should accelerate to seize the first track.”

The People’s Bank of China did not respond to a request for comment.

The development of a national digital currency began in 2014, when the People’s Bank of China set up an internal group to work on one, shortly after Bitcoin gained attention in the country. In 2016, the central bank created a division called the Digital Currency Institute. Last year, it began trials of eCNY in the cities of Shenzhen, Suzhou, Xiongan and Chengdu, according to research from Sino Global Capital, a financial investment firm.

People invited to the trial through a lottery on WeChat or other apps were able to click on a link and get a balance of 200 electronic yuan, which was sometimes displayed in their bank app over a picture of an old-fashioned Chinese bank note with Mao Zedong’s face. To spend the money, users can use an eCNY app to scan a retailer’s QR code or produce a QR code that the retailer can scan.

The design of eCNY borrows only a few minor technical elements from Bitcoin and does not use the so-called blockchain technology, a ledger-like system, which most cryptocurrencies rely on, officials from the People’s Bank of China have said.

In a hint of the currency’s unusual nature, recipients have only a few weeks to spend the digital money before it disappears.

So far, only a limited number of retailers have taken the currency. But early users said the experience was so similar to Chinese digital payment options like Alipay and WeChat Pay that it would not be hard to switch to it if it rolled out nationwide.

“I’m totally fine to pay with the eCNY, since it’s smooth and fast enough,” said Yifan Gao, 30, a financial analyst in Shenzen, who recently used her 200 eCNY to buy snacks at a 7-Eleven.

Gao added that the eCNY would become mainstream only if people could send it to friends, which was not possible with the trial version.

Eswar Prasad, the former head of the International Monetary Fund’s China division, said one of the most important factors driving the eCNY was the success of WeChat Pay and Alipay. Both have given rise to a new alternate financial system that has worried Chinese officials and led to a recent crackdown on Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and Ant Financial, which owns Alipay.

“The eCNY is really a defensive mechanism to keep central bank money relevant,” Prasad said.

If the eCNY is successful, it will give the central bank new powers, including novel types of monetary policy to help grow the economy. In one scenario that economists have discussed, a central bank could program its digital currency to slowly lose value so that consumers are encouraged to spend it immediately.

Some economists said China’s digital currency would also make it easier for the yuan to compete with the U.S. dollar as a global currency because it can move internationally with fewer barriers. But Chinese officials and analysts have said that many other changes would be necessary for that to happen.

Beyond those ambitions, the eCNY could immediately give the Chinese government more power to monitor finance flows because a digital currency system can record every transaction. That poses privacy concerns, with China having used many tools in the past to crack down on dissidents.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

13 Stocks

S&P 500 set for best day in nine months on vaccine, stimulus cheer

T

he S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes came under pressure on Monday as climbing Treasury yields and prospects of rising inflation triggered valuation concerns, hitting shares of high-flying growth companies.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday, and investors are expected to look for any potential changes to the central bank’s dovish outlook in recent months.

Shares of Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, Facebook Inc, Alphabet Inc, Tesla Inc, Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc resumed their slide from the previous week, falling between 0.7% and 5%.

A largely upbeat fourth-quarter earnings had powered Wall Street’s main indexes to record highs earlier last week, but the rally lost steam on fears of a potential snag in countrywide inoculation efforts and inflation concerns rising from a raft of stimulus measures.

“There’s little new money going into the market. It is like everyone has bought in and, at some point, there’s an exhaustion of buyers and the market tends to come down a little bit,” said David Keller, chief market strategist at StockCharts.com.

“The market is recognizing the general euphoric sentiment conditions that we’ve had.”

The benchmark 10-year yield was little changed on Monday but had been as high as 1.394% overnight, the highest since Feb 2020.

The S&P 500 was down 21.41 points, or 0.55%, at 3,885.30, on track for a five-day losing, its worst in one year.

Value stocks have outperformed growth shares in February, with investors betting on a rebound in industrial activity and a pick up in consumer demand as countries roll out vaccines to tame the pandemic.

The S&P 500 industrials and financial sector rose 1.0% each, while energy stocks surged 4.3% on higher oil prices.

At 12:04 p.m. ET, the Nasdaq Composite was down 234.03 points, or 1.69%, at 13,640.44, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 29.43 points, or 0.09%, at 31,523.75, with Walt Disney Co boosting the bluechip index.

Discovery Inc jumped 9.2% after the media company said it was expecting 12 million global paid streaming subscribers by the end of February, as coronavirus-led restrictions kept people at home.

Kohl’s Corp gained 9.4% after a group of activist investors nominated nine directors to the department store chain’s board.

Principal Financial Group Inc added 8.9% after a media report that activist investor Elliott Management Corp had taken a stake in the life insurance company and planned to push for changes.

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14

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

The ugly divorce between Britain and Brussels is just getting started

A freight truck arriving at the port at Larne in Northern Ireland last month. Confusion over new trade rules has interrupted some commerce, leading to empty shelves in Northern Irish supermarkets.

By MARK LANDLER

F

ew people on either side of the English Channel believed that Britain’s exit from the European Union would go off without a hitch. So when horror stories surfaced about rotting shellfish, empty delivery trucks and eye-popping customs fees, many reacted less with shock than grim resignation.

But Britain and the European Union have also fallen out politically and diplomatically, with a speed and bitterness that has surprised even pessimists about the relationship. While these strains are less tangible to Britons than having to pay extra costs for imported coffee from Italy, they could have an equally corrosive long-term effect.

“These are not purely teething problems,” said Kim Darroch, who served as Britain’s permanent representative to the European Union and later as ambassador to Washington, citing the government’s all-purpose explanation for Brexit problems.

“They are structural problems that arise from not being in the single market. This is what a ‘hard Brexit’ looks like.”

Tensions have flared on matters large and small since a new trade agreement formalized Brexit on Jan. 1. The British refused to grant full diplomatic status to the European Union’s envoy to London. European leaders lashed out at shortages in the supply of a British-made coronavirus vaccine and briefly threatened to rip up the agreement governing trade with a post-Brexit Northern Ireland.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson replaced the minister

responsible for dealing with Brussels, Michael Gove, an ambitious politician known for his emollient manner, with David Frost, a more rough-edged functionary who hammered out the trade agreement between Britain and the European Union.

In a recent speech that sketched out his vision of a “Global Britain,” Johnson pledged to deepen trans-Atlantic ties and even build Britain’s presence in the Pacific. But he barely mentioned the European Union. When he did, it was to emphasize how much Britain would gain by severing ties with it.

“The U.K. really needs a special relationship, a deeply interlinked relationship, with the EU,” said Jeremy Shapiro, research director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, a research institute in London. “But this government has defined itself ideologically as not needing the EU for anything.”

Some of these tensions are the inevitable result of what was, after all, an acrimonious divorce, 4 1/2 years in the making. The trade agreement was less a springboard for future cooperation than a bare-bones severance deal that left many issues, including the future of London’s mighty finance industry, to be thrashed out later.

In a sign of the battles to come, the Bank of England’s governor, Andrew Bailey, warned last week of a “serious escalation” in tensions between London and Brussels if the European Union tried to force banks to move the clearance of euro-denominated derivatives trading from London to the continent.

Britain, he told Parliament, would view that as “highly controversial and something we would have to resist very firmly.”

As always with Brexit, much of the antagonism is being driven by domestic politics. Feelings have become raw in Europe because of the perception that Britain, which has rolled out vaccines much faster than the European Union, did so in part by hoarding doses from its homegrown manufacturers.

President Emmanuel Macron of France questioned the efficacy of a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford in people older than 65. That nationalistic message may have played well with his political base, even if critics pointed out that the World Health Organization and the European Union had recommended the vaccine for all adults.

Simon Fraser, a former head of Britain’s Foreign Office, said the strain of the pandemic and the vaccine race had deepened tensions that would have simmered anyway.

“The tensions around the vaccines have been totemic,” he said.

In Britain, some politicians have seized on the vaccine gap as vindication of the vote to leave. On a range of issues, it is clear that the fulfillment of Brexit has not soothed antagonism toward the EU, either in the government or among the hard-core band of Brexiteers in Johnson’s Conservative Party.

On Thursday, these lawmakers, known as the European Research Group, called on the government to scrap the Northern Ireland Protocol. That is the complex, hard-fought agreement with Brussels that allows Northern Ireland to preserve an open border with Ireland, an EU member, even after leaving Europe’s single market along with the other nations of the United Kingdom.

Under the terms of the deal, Britain has agreed to subject goods flowing into Northern Ireland to customs and health checks. Confusion over the new rules has interrupted some of that trade, leading to empty shelves in Northern Irish supermarkets and fears that the situation could get worse, as grace periods on some checks expire.

The protocol has already come under fire from both sides: The European Union threatened to upend it during the dispute over vaccine supplies, while Johnson’s government warned last fall that it would abandon it if it was not able to come to terms with Brussels on a trade agreement.

The latest demands by the Brexiteer lawmakers may reflect a simple desire to stay in the limelight, having accomplished their defining goal of leaving Europe. But it also dramatizes the enduring appeal of euro-skepticism — a narrative of grievance that British politicians can deploy to deflect criticism for anything from trade hiccups to deeper economic problems.

There are some signs the hard feelings might soften. Macron has changed his tune on the AstraZeneca vaccine, saying that he would now happily take it. Political analysts said that when Johnson shuffles his cabinet in coming weeks, he might actually recruit ministers who voted to stay in the European Union.

Still, said Mujtaba Rahman, an analyst at the political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, old habits are hard to break — and the political incentives do not currently favor harmony across the channel.

“Brexit is the gift that keeps giving for the Johnson government,” he said. “In Europe, there is this sense that the U.K. keeps trying to score points. The risk is that the Europeans will feel the need to smack back.”

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

15

China appears to warn India: push too hard and the lights could go out

By DAVID E. SANGER and EMILY SCHMALL

E

arly last summer, Chinese and Indian troops clashed in a surprise border battle in the remote Galwan Valley, bashing each other to death with rocks and clubs.

Four months later and more than 1,500 miles away in Mumbai, India, trains shut down and the stock market closed as the power went out in a city of 20 million people. Hospitals had to switch to emergency generators to keep ventilators running amid a coronavirus outbreak that was among India’s worst.

Now, a new study lends weight to the idea that those two events may have been connected — as part of a broad Chinese cyber campaign against India’s power grid, timed to send a message that if India pressed its claims too hard, the lights could go out across the country.

The study shows that as the standoff continued in the Himalayas, taking at least two dozen lives, Chinese malware was flowing into the control systems that manage electric supply across India, along with a high-voltage transmission substation and a coal-fired power plant.

The flow of malware was pieced together by Recorded Future, a Somerville, Massachusetts, company that studies the use of the internet by state actors. It found that most of the malware was never activated. And because Recorded Future could not get inside India’s power systems, it could not examine the details of the code itself, which was placed in strategic powerdistribution systems across the country.

While it has notified Indian authorities, so far they are not reporting what they have found.

Stuart Solomon, Recorded Future’s chief operating officer, said that the Chinese state-sponsored group, which the firm named Red Echo, “has been seen to systematically utilize advanced cyber intrusion techniques to quietly gain a foothold in nearly a dozen critical nodes across the Indian power generation and transmission infrastructure.”

The discovery raises the question about whether an outage that struck on Oct. 13 in Mumbai, one of the country’s busiest business hubs, was meant as a message from Beijing about what might happen if India pushed its border claims too

vigorously.

News reports at the time quoted Indian officials as saying that the cause was a Chinese-origin cyberattack on a nearby electricity load-management center.

Authorities began a formal investigation, which is due to report in the coming weeks.

Since then, Indian officials have gone silent about the Chinese code, whether it set off the Mumbai blackout and the evidence provided to them by Recorded Future that many elements of the nation’s electric grid were the target of a sophisticated Chinese hacking effort.

It is possible the Indians are still searching for the code. But acknowledging its insertion, one former Indian diplomat noted, could complicate the diplomacy in recent days between China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, and his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in an effort to ease the border tensions.

The investigators who wrote the Recorded Future study said that “the alleged link between the outage and the discovery of the unspecified malware” in the system “remains unsubstantiated.” But they noted that “additional evidence suggested the coordinated targeting of the Indian load dispatch centers,” which balance the electrical demands across regions of the country.

The discovery is the latest example of how the conspicuous placement of malware in an adversary’s electric grid or other critical infrastructure has become the newest form of both aggression and deterrence — a warning that if things are pushed too far, millions could suffer.

“I think the signaling is being done”

by China to indicate “that we can and we have the capability to do this in times of a crisis,” said retired Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, a cyber expert who oversaw India’s borders with Pakistan and China. “It’s like sending a warning to India that this capability exists with us.”

Until recent years, China’s focus had been on information theft. But Beijing has been increasingly active in placing code into infrastructure systems, knowing that when it is discovered, the fear of an attack can be as powerful a tool as an attack itself.

In the Indian case, Recorded Future sent its findings to India’s Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT-In, a kind of investigative and early-warning agency most nations maintain to keep track

A woman and her daughter during the power outage in Mumbai, India, in October. of threats to critical infrastructure. Twice the center has acknowledged receipt of the information, but said nothing about whether it, too, found the code in the electric grid.

Repeated inquiries by The New York Times to the center and several of its officials over the past two weeks yielded no comment.

The Chinese government, which did not respond to questions about the code in the Indian grid, could argue that India started the cyberaggression. In India, a patchwork of state-backed hackers were caught using coronavirus-themed phishing emails to target Chinese organizations in Wuhan last February. A Chinese security company, 360 Security Technology, accused statebacked Indian hackers of targeting hospitals and medical research organizations with phishing emails, in an espionage campaign.

Four months later, as tensions rose between the two countries on the border, Chinese hackers unleashed a swarm of 40,300 hacking attempts on India’s technology and banking infrastructure in just five days. Some of the incursions were so-called denial-of-service attacks that knocked these systems offline; others were phishing attacks, according to the police in the Indian state of Maharashtra, home to Mumbai.

By December, security experts at the Cyber Peace Foundation, an Indian nonprofit that follows hacking efforts, reported a new wave of Chinese attacks, in which hackers sent phishing emails to Indians related to the Indian holidays in October and November. Researchers tied the attacks to domains registered in China’s Guangdong and Henan provinces, to an organization called Fang Xiao Qing. The aim, the foundation said, was to obtain a beachhead in Indians’ devices, possibly for future attacks.

“One of the intentions seems to be power projection,” said Vineet Kumar, president of the Cyber Peace Foundation.

Military experts in India have renewed calls for the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to replace the Chinesemade hardware for India’s power sector and its critical rail system.

“The issue is we still haven’t been able to get rid of our dependence on foreign hardware and foreign software,” Hooda said.

Indian government authorities have said a review is underway of India’s information technology contracts, including with Chinese companies. But the reality is that ripping out existing infrastructure is expensive and difficult.

16

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Military crackdown in Myanmar escalates with killing of protesters

By RICHARD C. PADDOCK

M

ilitary forces in Myanmar opened fire on crowds of peaceful demonstrators in several cities Sunday, killing at least 18 people, the United Nations said, in a violent escalation of the junta’s efforts to suppress weeks of mass protests against its month-old coup.

Videos and photographs captured images of bodies in the street and people running from police as tear gas and smoke filled the air. The sheer ferocity of Sunday’s crackdown — soldiers appeared to shoot at unarmed people at random and rounded up groups of demonstrators before marches could begin — drew sharp rebukes internationally.

The forceful response of the military signaled a new ruthless resolve to quash unrest after a month in which thousands have turned out regularly to protest the Feb. 1 coup.

The demonstrations and civil disobedience movement have challenged the primacy of a military notorious for its brutality after having crushed democracy movements in 1988 and 2007 by shooting protesters.

“We strongly condemn the escalating violence against protests in Myanmar and call on the military to immediately halt the use of force against peaceful protesters,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson with the U.N. human rights office. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced what he called

“abhorrent violence” by the military.

In the southern city of Dawei, police opened fire on a crowd of hundreds, witnesses told The New York Times. At least three people were killed and more than 50 wounded, said Dr. Tun Min, who was treating the injured at a hospital. A second doctor, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, confirmed those numbers.

Doctors in Mandalay confirmed three fatal shootings there, and killings also took place in Yangon and the city of Mawlamyine, The New York Times was able to confirm. The United Nations statement said it had reports of deaths “as a result of live ammunition fired into crowds” in Yangon, Mandalay and Dawei as well as in the cities of Myeik, Bago and Pokokku.

It was the largest single-day toll since the coup, which ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s most popular politician. Before Sunday, just three deaths at the hands of the security forces had been widely reported, though two other deaths recently came to light in interviews with bereaved family members.

The Tatmadaw, as Myanmar’s military is known, has led the country for most of the past 60 years. But over the past decade it yielded some power to civilian leaders, before seizing control again in the coup.

Until Sunday, the junta led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing had been comparatively restrained in its response to

Protesters shout from behind a makeshift barricade in Mandalay, Myanmar, Feb. 28, 2021, as police and military forces crack down on protests against the military coup.

the protests and organized civil disobedience that have swept the nation. But as the demonstrations, marches and work stoppages have continued, fear of another bloody, fullscale crackdown has been ever-present.

In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, one protester, Maung Maung Oo, died after being shot in the head through his motorcycle helmet as he was fleeing police officers and soldiers. Two others were shot and wounded.

Si Thu, a doctor and a protester, said he and the three victims were among a group of about 50 who were trying to escape police and soldiers, who broke up their planned protest before it could start.

“I don’t know where the bullet came from, but the man was shot in the forehead and went down,” Si Thu said in an interview.

A video of the scene posted on Twitter showed several men carrying the victim to an ambulance as blood from his wound dripped onto the ground.

Minutes after the ambulance left, an army truck stopped at the end of the street, and soldiers opened fire on the group, Si Thu said. That was when the other two men were wounded, one in the chest and one in the arm.

Maung Maung Oo was taken to the Byamaso Social Association Hospital, where he died, said Zar Ni, a doctor there. Lei Lei, another doctor at the hospital, said a second protester also died there from a gunshot wound.

Later, after protesters in Mandalay had largely dispersed, a woman was shot in the head and killed as police and soldiers cleared barricades and fired at people in the streets, apparently at random, a witness said. Zar Ni said the woman, whose name was not released, was dead on arrival at the Byamaso hospital.

In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, a protester named Hein Htut Aung, 23, was shot and killed at a demonstration in Thingangyun township. His death was confirmed by Nadi Ayar Hospital, where he was taken. Another demonstrator in Yangon, Nyi Nyi Aung Htet Naing, was also shot dead, according to family members. The last post on his Facebook page read, “#How_Many_ Dead_Bodies_UN_Need_To_Take_Action?”

As teachers gathered to demonstrate at another protest site in Yangon, police began firing tear gas and rubber bullets near them,

and a primary schoolteacher identified as Daw Tin Nwet Yi died of a heart attack, a witness said.

The first person known to have been killed this month in the protests was Ma Mya Thwate Thwate Kaing, 20, who was shot in the head by police at a demonstration in the capital, Naypyitaw, on Feb. 9. She died 10 days later, becoming a martyr for the movement.

On the day after her death, the security forces fired into a crowd of demonstrators at a shipyard in Mandalay, killing two — one of them a 16-year-old boy — and wounding dozens.

Another man who attended the shipyard protest, Kyi Soe, a 48-year-old jewelry trader, was beaten by police and died during the night, according to his wife, Chaw Ei Thein.

Kyi Soe had gone to a market near the protest site to buy food but never came home. A friend called later to say that Kyi Soe had been badly beaten by police.

Because of a curfew, Chaw Ei Thein was unable to go see her husband at the friend’s home until early the next morning.

When she arrived, he was dead.

“According to the witness, he was brutally beaten by the police during the protest,” she said in an interview. “I saw a very big bruise on the lower left side of his head.” She said she did not pursue an autopsy because it was clear that the beating had killed him.

Another casualty of the shipyard protest was U Yarzar Aung, 26, a construction worker who was shot in the knee by security forces. He was taken to a military hospital, where family members were not allowed to visit him.

On Wednesday, four days after the protest, the hospital contacted the family and said he had died. At that point, his wife, Phyu Phyu Win, was allowed to see him. She said his body was still handcuffed to the hospital bed.

“When I saw him in the hospital, there were many bruises and injuries on his face,” she said in an interview. “They said my husband was trying to escape and that’s why they needed to tie him up.”

She asked to take his body away for burial, but the doctors refused. She said they told her he had died of COVID-19 and that the body must be cremated immediately.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

17

The era of vaccine diplomacy is here

By THE NYT EDITORIAL BOARD

I

t is only natural that the American government and the American people have focused on getting coronavirus vaccines to as many of its people as possible, with the most vulnerable first in line. But as the pace of domestic vaccination accelerates, two facts are worth bearing in mind.

One is that the pandemic will not be vanquished anywhere until it is vanquished everywhere. Several known coronavirus variants are making their way around the world, and public health researchers know more will evolve so long as the virus continues to spread, potentially challenging the efficacy of existing vaccines. South Africa, for example, halted use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine when it showed “disappointing” results against a new, more contagious variant of the virus that has made landfall in the United States.

The second fact is that while more than 45 million Americans, nearly 14% of the U.S. population, have received at least one dose of vaccine, and most high-income countries have launched their own vaccination programs, the Think Global Health project of the Council on Foreign Relations estimates that only

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7% of low-income countries had vaccinated anyone at all as of Feb. 18.

That is a yawning gap. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, has correctly described it as “another brick in the wall of inequality between the world’s haves and have-nots.”

The good news is that the gap is finally being addressed. Last week, a cargo plane landed in Ghana with 600,000 doses of vaccine developed in Britain and manufactured in India, the start of a program to deliver at least 1.3 billion shots to 92 low- and middle-income countries this year through COVAX, an international effort backed by the World Health Organization.

The effort has had a rocky start. Under the Trump administration, the United States pulled out of the WHO altogether, and along with other wealthy nations it grabbed what vaccine it could for itself. But the Biden administration has moved quickly to rejoin the WHO and has pledged $4 billion to the global vaccination drive. President Emmanuel Macron of France has further suggested that instead of money, wealthy countries should donate vaccine doses to African governments, sparing COVAX the need to compete for existing supplies.

All this is just a start. The 600,000 doses that arrived in Ghana are barely enough to inoculate 1% of its population, and COVAX will need a lot more money and help.

While conquering the virus is the obvious and primary reason for the United States to pitch in, there is also this: It is very much in America’s national interest not to cede a critical “soft power” advantage to autocratic rivals like Russia or China.

Poor countries will remember who came to their assistance, and when. Moscow and Beijing saw an opportunity early on, sending masks and protective gear to hard-hit countries last spring. Now, with lowand middle-income countries clamoring for vaccines, countries from Serbia and Algeria to Brazil and Egypt are getting doses from China and Russia. Serbia, in fact, is ahead of most countries in the European Union in the percentage of its population that has been vaccinated, in part because it’s one of the few countries where both Russian and Chinese vaccines are already available.

China has made sharing its homegrown vaccines a centerpiece of its “Belt and Road Initiative,” a global strategy to invest in more than 70 countries and international organizations. Beijing’s vaccine diplomacy has had its glitches, most notably the lack of

verified information about the efficacy of its vaccines, but for many poor countries, China’s vaccines are far better than nothing. Recently, for example, China announced it would donate 300,000 doses to Egypt.

Russia claims it has orders for its Sputnik V vaccine from about 20 countries — including America’s southern neighbor, Mexico, which has contracted to receive 7.4 million doses between February and April.

After a bout of COVID-19 in late January, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico reported that he had received a warm phone call from President Vladimir Putin of Russia and that he had invited Putin to visit Mexico. At about the same time, the president and vice president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, both received their first jabs of Sputnik V. India, among the world’s largest producers of generic medicines, has also moved to develop its own vaccines and to ship them abroad, in part as a counter to China’s outreach. Though India has a population of more than 1.3 billion, it has already sent 3.2 million free doses to neighboring countries and has contracted with a host of governments around the world to supply vaccines. One reason India can do this is that it’s producing more vaccines than it can currently distribute domestically. The UAE, which is vaccinating its residents faster than any country except Israel, has also begun donating Chinese-made Sinopharm to countries where it has strategic or commercial interests.

Vaccine diplomacy has drawbacks. Ghebreyesus of the WHO has complained that too many countries and vaccine manufacturers are focused on making bilateral or selective deals, which pushes the poorest countries to the side. That is the advantage of the WHO’s COVAX initiative, and the Biden administration has made a good start in supporting it.

President Joe Biden has assured Americans that most will be vaccinated by the end of summer. He should also assure them that it is very much in their interest, for reasons of morality, common sense and national interest, to be at the forefront of the global war against that vicious little spiked blob.

18

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

Alertan a mantener las atenciones médicas de las enfermedades de tiroides durante la pandemia Por THE STAR

E

n el mes de la Prevención y Tratamiento de Enfermedades del Tiroides, la Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Endocrinología y Diabetología (SPED) alertó este lunes, a la ciudadanía a mantener los cuidados médicos y los tratamientos de estas condiciones durante la pandemia del COVID-19 para evitar efectos adversos a la salud. El presidente de SPED y especialista en endocrinología, José García Mateo, hizo el llamado ante la alta prevalencia de enfermedades de tiroides en la Isla y el aumento de casos de pacientes diagnosticados.

La glándula tiroidea es un órgano que se encuentra en la base del cuello y produce hormonas que ayudan a controlar el ritmo cardiaco, la presión de la sangre, la temperatura del cuerpo, el sistema reproductivo, el metabolismo de grasas y otros aspectos metabólicos.

“Instamos a la población a continuar con el seguimiento y tratamiento de los trastornos de tiroides durante la pandemia, a acudir a las citas médicas, obtener suficiente suplido de medicamentos y mantener el monitoreo y cuidado continuo para el control de estas condiciones crónicas. Si bien es responsabilidad de todos prevenir los contagios del nuevo virus, es esencial además no descuidar aquellas condiciones que estarán presentes por siempre en los pacientes como lo son los trastornos de tiroides”, expresó el especialista en comunicación escrita.

Explicó que el tratamiento de las condiciones de tiroides necesitan ajustes que están basados en evaluaciones clínicas e interpretación de pruebas de laboratorio que ayudan a prevenir síntomas y complicaciones en los sistemas cardiovascular, neurológico, óseo, reproductivo, entre otros. Las complicaciones pueden ocurrir debido a cantidades excesivas o insuficientes de la hormona tiroidea.

Por otro lado, el galeno señaló que actualmente no existe suficiente información sobre la relación de la susceptibilidad al COVID-19 y las condiciones de la glándula tiroides que lleven a pensar que las personas afectadas con estos trastornos estén en riesgo de contraer el coronavirus o experimentar complicaciones. Aseguró que sí se han reportado casos de inflamación de la glándula tiroides luego de infección por COVID-19, sin embargo estas no han traído mayores complicaciones.

También el especialista aclaró que no existe ninguna contraindicación a la vacuna en pacientes con algún trastorno de tiroides, a pesar de que existen muchos mitos sobre la respuesta y la seguridad a la vacuna contra el COVID-19 en pacientes con condiciones crónicas, entre estas, las de la glándula tiroides.

“Exhortamos a la población y los pacientes de condiciones de tiroides a vacunarse contra el COVID-19, ya que al momento no existe contraindicación a la vacuna en personas con padecimientos de tiroides”, manifestó García Mateo.

Uniéndose a la SPED en el mes de concienciación sobre las enfermedades del tiroides, el gerente general de AbbVie, Alejandro Drevón reafirmó la importancia de que las personas atiendan su tiroides como parte del cuidado de su salud. “Compartimos con SPED el propósito de informar y educar a la comunidad general sobre la importancia de hacerse la prueba de TSH y discutir el resultado con su endocrinólogo, como parte de las iniciativas de detección temprana”, dijo Drevón.

Durante el mes de alerta de enfermedades del tiroides la SPED, que agrupa a 103 médicos especialistas en las condiciones del tiroides, celebrará además, diversas actividades educativas de manera virtual para la comunidad.

Tome el control de las enfermedades de tiroides durante la pandemia Se estima que el 20 por ciento de la población en la isla padece de algún trastorno de tiroides, mientras que un reciente estudio reveló que el 33 por ciento de las mujeres en Puerto Rico han reportado algún padecimiento de la glándula tiroidea.

Entre los trastornos más comunes de tiroides se encuentran el hipotiroidismo, hipertiroidismo y el cáncer de tiroides. El hipotiroidismo es el más común reportado, siendo la enfermedad de Hashimoto la causa más frecuente en Puerto Rico y los Estados Unidos. Esta es una condición autoinmune de la glándula tiroides que provoca carencia en la producción de hormonas.

Es de suma importancia mantener el tratamiento para reemplazar la hormona tiroidea con levotiroxina de la misma marca y tomarla con las indicaciones correctas, en especial durante este periodo de pandemia para así evitar interrupciones en el control.

Por otro lado, el hipertiroidismo es causado por un desorden autoinmune. Los síntomas de este son contrarios al hipotiroidismo: irritabilidad, pérdida de peso, calor e insomnio. Su tratamiento controla los

niveles excesivos de la hormona tiroidea. Los medicamentos utilizados para el hipertiroidismo pueden causar síntomas similares a una infección viral y bajar los glóbulos blancos y podría confundirse con infección por COVID-19. Además, hay condiciones oculares asociadas al hipertiroidismo que necesitan terapias inmunológicas y esteroides como cortisona que harían al paciente más susceptible a una infección viral como COVID-19.

Por su parte, el cáncer de tiroides se ha convertido en el de más rápido crecimiento. Este aumento, en parte, radica a la mejoría en las técnicas de detección de este tumor tales como: el ultrasonido y las biopsias de aguja fina. Ocurre en todas las edades, principalmente en adultos, y afecta cerca del triple de mujeres que hombres.

El tratamiento del cáncer de tiroides es exitoso en la mayoría de los casos, mediante una cirugía individualizada y otros tratamientos dependiendo de la clasificación de la malignidad diagnosticada. En este momento de la pandemia el tratamiento de este tipo de malignidad no se debe retrasar a menos que el paciente esté infectado con COVID-19 o con síntomas sospechosos.

“Bajo el tratamiento adecuado y el cuidado médico con especialistas, las personas que padezcan algún trastorno en su tiroides pueden disminuir los síntomas, controlarlos y convivir con una enfermedad que no le impedirá llevar un ritmo de vida habitual. Por el contrario, las enfermedades de tiroides no tratadas adecuadamente, como ha ocurrido durante la pandemia COVID-19, pueden provocar complicaciones metabólicas o malignidad dependiendo de la causa. El acceso al proveedor de salud se ha hecho disponible durante el periodo de pandemia COVID-19, ya sea de manera presencial o por telemedicina, de manera que no hay razón para que el paciente abandone el cuidado de su condición de tiroides”, concluyó el galeno.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

19

The best and worst of the Golden Globes

By THE NEW YORK TIMES

I

t was a Golden Globes like no other, for better (the winners’ backdrops!) and worse (the technical glitches!). The challenges of putting on an awards ceremony in the midst of a pandemic were evident in ways large and small Sunday night, while a series of exposés about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that hands out the awards, set the tone for the show. Here are the evening’s highs and lows as we saw them. — Stephanie Goodman Biggest challenge: How the ceremony grappled with diversity Going into the night, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association faced intense criticism over its membership’s lack of diversity and a nomination list that omitted some of the most decorated Black-led shows and movies of the season. And yet: many of the night’s trophies went to Black talent and stories, and an Asian woman made Golden Globes history.

Chadwick Boseman won best actor in a drama (for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Andra Day took home best actress in a drama (for “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”), Daniel Kaluuya was the supporting actor winner for film (“Judas and the Black Messiah”) and John Boyega picked up the same award for television (“Small Axe”). The hit Pixar movie “Soul,” about a Harlem jazzman, received two Globes (for

Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler “shared” the stage. best animated film and original score).

And Chloé Zhao won best director for her work on the drama “Nomadland,” making her the first Asian woman ever to win that prize. (The film was also honored as the best drama.)

Still, concerns about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (which has no Black members) and who gets nominated pervaded the show right from the start, when the hosts, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, brought up the situation several times.

“Look, a lot of flashy garbage got nominated, but that happens, OK?” Poehler said, adding,

Andra Day accepting the award for best actress in a motion picture, drama.

Jodie Foster and her wife, Alexandra Hedison, after the actress won Sunday.

“But a number of Black actors and Black-led projects were overlooked.”

After several investigative articles were published earlier in the week, the association vowed to diversify its ranks. But its leaders knew they had to say something on the telecast, and they did early in the night. “We recognize we have our own work to do,” Helen Hoehne, the group’s vice president, said onstage. “Just like in film and television, Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization.”

That didn’t stop several winners from calling on the association to do better. Jane Fonda, accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement, urged groups that decide “who gets hired and what gets made and who wins awards” to make room “so that everyone rises and everyone’s story has a chance to be seen and heard.”

And Daniel Levy, accepting best

television comedy for “Schitt’s Creek,” was even more pointed: “I hope that this time next year, this ceremony reflects the true breadth and diversity of the film and television being made today, because there is so much more to be celebrated.” — Matt Stevens Weirdest production value: Longdistance hosts onstage ‘together’ Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were good hosts, but we figured they would be — they’ve done the job before. But about that split screen. Yes, we know the Golden Globes had to get creative to present hosts on opposite coasts (and nominees on Zoom and beyond), but what was with the “Parent Trap”-era split-screen antics? Why even try to make it look as if Fey, who was in the Rainbow Room in New York, and Poehler, who was in the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, were together when we all know they weren’t? Sure, they had a gag about it — Fey’s arm “reached” from one screen to another to stroke Poehler’s hair — but the stage design and attempt to match things up were more distracting than anything, with my eyes frequently drawn to that pesky line down the middle rather than paying attention to the hosts (and the jokes). — Mekado Murphy Worst production value: Technical glitches Back in September, the Emmys demonstrated that the technical production of a pandemic awards show was doable.

Weirdly, though, the Globes seemed, er, plagued by glitch after glitch: winners on mute, intro and outro segments that were off, tinny sound in general. Daniel Kaluuya, the best supporting actor winner for “Judas and the Black Messiah,” was almost left out of the show because of technical difficulties.

Sure, the Golden Globes are ostensibly the awards where “anything can happen,” but that’s usually because it’s a ballroom full of drunk people. At least this ceremony served as additional confirmation that video conferencing is the pits. — Margaret Lyons Best production Value: Celebrity Zoom backgrounds I may not remember any of the monologue jokes from this year’s ceremony, but the celebrities’ Zoom backgrounds will stay with me for all time. Was Ryan Murphy calling from his own personal Panopticon?

Was Colin Farrell hiding in the study from the board game Clue? Every time the camera

Continues on page 20

20

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

From page 19 cut back to Aaron Sorkin’s living room, I noticed an outlandish new detail: A guitar!

No, two guitars! And is that Olivia Munn on the couch behind him? If you’re still curious about how the other half lives, at least these pandemic-era awards shows are good for something. — Kyle Buchanan Most moving acceptance, Part 1: Boseman’s widow The raw and emotional acceptance speech from Boseman’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, was by far the most honest moment of the night. Speaking through tears, she evoked his spirit (“He would say something beautiful; he would say something inspiring”) and thanked those he would have wanted to recognize.

And in a year when so many people have lost so much, she reaffirmed what really matters: “taking the moments to celebrate those we love.”

These award shows are trifles of manufactured nonsense but that moment rang true. Had it been in person, there wouldn’t have been a dry eye in the house.

— Nicole Sperling Most moving acceptance, Part 2: Jodie Foster In a moment that brought tears of joy to this gay reporter’s eyes, Jodie Foster accepted the Globe for best supporting actress in a film, for “The Mauritanian,” while seated next to her wife, Alexandra Hedison.

A gobsmacked Foster even capped her acceptance speech by smooching Hedison.

It was a powerful reminder that Hollywood — for all of its many (many) inclusion problems — is becoming a more equitable place for LGBTQ people. For

A crowd that included at least one guitar was on hand when Aaron Sorkin won best film screenplay for “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” decades, Foster and her team rightly feared that her coming out as a lesbian would hurt her career. (And whose business was it anyway?) As recently as 2013, when she appeared on the Globes telecast to accept a lifetime achievement award, she was only haltingly able to acknowledge her sexual identity, never actually saying the words.

And yet there she was Sunday celebrating openly with her wife. In pajamas! — Brooks Barnes Most awkward acceptance: The filmmakers of ‘Soul’ On a racially changed night, the best animated film winner, Pixar’s “Soul,” about a Black jazz musician in search of his inspiration, provided one of the more awkward moments. Pete Docter, who directed the film, and Dana Murray, the film’s primary producer, who are both white, gave live acceptance speeches from a woodsy-looking home in the Bay Area.

The film’s co-director, Kemp Powers, who is Black, seemed to receive short shrift, subsequently offering thanks in a pretaped video that played on Docter’s iPad. Blame the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kemp, who resides in Southern California, was only told Sunday that he was a nominee.

Co-directors have been excluded in the past.

(Twitter calmed down when “Soul” won best score, and Jon Batiste, who is Black, opened the acceptance speeches, with his fellow winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross following.) — Brooks Barnes Biggest mixed message: A family honored and snubbed The Hollywood Foreign Press Association asked Satchel and Jackson Lewis Lee to serve as Golden Globes ambassadors.

They’re the offspring of Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, and they are the first Black siblings selected for the role, a largely ceremonial job traditionally reserved for the

offspring of Hollywood’s elite.

Coincidentally or not, they were chosen the same year that Spike Lee was snubbed, for his Vietnam veteran drama “Da 5 Bloods,” alongside other prominent Black creators and actors like Michaela Coel. The siblings say they are used to their father not always being recognized for his work.

“When he was making movies that nobody was responding to or they weren’t as big as they have been, it didn’t really faze him,” Satchel Lee said, adding that he would just move on to his next project. — Sandra E. Garcia Most surprising fashion accessory: The home red carpet Forget the Zoom shirt; welcome to the Zoom evening gown. Also the Zoom tux.

If this year’s Golden Globes red carpet wasn’t exactly the red carpet we were used to, nor was it the dressed-down stars-in-theirjammies-pretending-to-be-just-like-us reveal of fundraisers during the pandemic past.

Instead, the first of the big award shows of 2021 gave us the hitherto before unimagined … home red carpet.

Turns out you can only keep the Hollywood-fashion industrial complex down for so long. But this time, the sight of stars in their finery in social isolation seemed less a mercenary marketing play (though there’s obviously still some of that) than a refusal to wallow and an understanding of the value of vicarious escapism.

As Laverne Cox said during the preshow segment as she posed in what she called “a standing Zoom” — the better to show off her frock — “we should have a moment.”

And if not now, when? So she, and the rest of the nominees and presenters, proceeded to provide one. — Vanessa Friedman

With Dana Murray, producer of “Soul,” and the film’s director, Pete Docter, held an iPad up to the camera so their fellow winner, Kemp Powers, could give his speech.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

21

Got a pandemic puppy? Learn how to prevent dog bites With new puppies and kids at home, doctors are worried about treating more children for dog bites.

By PERRI KLASS, M.D.

T

he surge in pet adoptions during the pandemic brought much-needed joy to many families, but doctors are worrying about a downside as well: more dog bites.

A commentary published in October in The Journal of Pediatrics noted an almost threefold increase in children with dog bites coming into the pediatric emergency room at Children’s Hospital Colorado after the stay-at-home order went into effect.

The lead author, Dr. Cinnamon Dixon, a medical officer in the Pediatric Trauma and Critical Illness Branch of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said: “If someone were to tell me they were going to get a new dog during Covid, I would first and foremost want to make sure that family is prepared to have a new entity in their household, a new family member.”

Dr. Dixon said that as a pediatric emergency room doctor, taking care of children who get bitten had been a priority for her. Still, she said, from the stories she heard, she often felt “that dogs are victims in this as well.”

Brooke Goff, a partner in the personalinjury law firm the Goff Law Group in Hartford, Conn., said, “We’re definitely seeing a huge uptick in dog bite cases.”

Ms. Goff said that dog bites harm children in ways that go well beyond the physical damage. “It creates major emotional issues and PTSD,” she said. “If you’ve ever spoken to a dog bite victim as an adult that was bitten as a child, they are deathly afraid of dogs.”

Dog bites are “an underrepresented public health problem” in the United States, said Dr. Dixon, the daughter of a veterinarian who grew up around animals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s best estimates from old research put the number of dog bites at 4.5 million a year. There are over 300,000 nonfatal emergency department visits a year related to dog bites, and among children, the greatest incidence

is in school age children, aged 5 to 9, but the most severe injuries are among infants and young children, presumably because they are less mobile, and lower to the ground, with their heads and faces closer to the dogs.

Dr. Robert McLoughlin, a general surgery resident at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, was the first author on a 2020 study of hospitalizations for pediatric dog bite injuries in the United States. He said that his research grew out of an interest in pediatric surgery and pediatric injury prevention. “I had seen a lot of cases of toddlers with head and neck injuries,” he said.

The study showed that younger children, ages 1 to 4 and 5 to 10, were much more likely to need hospitalization than those over 11. In the youngest children, most injuries are to the head and neck, and beyond the age of 6, extremity wounds (arms, legs, hands) become increasingly prevalent and predominate after the age of 11, Dr. McLoughlin said.

The bites that require hospitalization and surgical repair are the most serious injuries, such as toddlers bitten in the face and neck, where many critical structures can be damaged, including eyes and ears, and there can be devastating cosmetic damage done as well. But hand injuries can also have a very lasting impact and need expert repair.

For dog bite prevention, Dr. Dixon said, “the No. 1 strategy remains supervision.”

Children should learn to leave dogs alone

when they are eating, when they are sleeping with a favorite toy, when they are caring for their puppies. They should not reach out to unfamiliar dogs. And dog owners should keep their dogs healthy and should socialize and train them from an early age.

“It’s important we take responsibility for our animals,” said Ms. Goff, who has a dog named Daisy that she brings with her to the office. “Most dogs don’t bite to attack, they bite because they’re scared or provoked.”

Ms. Goff also emphasized that from the point of view of liability, anyone who owns a dog should have insurance coverage. In her state, Connecticut, a strict liability state, “I don’t have to prove anybody was at fault,” she said, and the dog owner is responsible for the damages. “If you can afford the dog, you can afford the insurance,” she said.

She said that it’s important as well that dog bites be reported because of the need to track dogs who bite multiple times, but reassured those who were worried that a dog might be destroyed that, at least in Connecticut, unless there is a catastrophic or fatal injury, “our forgiveness about animals extends quite heavily.”

When dogs do show aggressive behavior, Dr. Dixon said, owners should seek expert help from a veterinarian or “a behavioral expert in canine aggression — ideally before something bad happens.”

Dr. Judy Schaechter, a professor of pediatrics and public health at the University of Miami, said that given the increase in

puppy buying during the Covid epidemic, “We’re now a year into this; puppies may be big, strong dogs at this point.” And with many parents juggling work from home with their children’s school issues, it can be difficult for them to supervise all the children (and pets) all the time.

Bites often occur, Dr. Schaechter said, “around playing and feeding behaviors.”

Small children are particularly at risk, in part because they may be close to the dog’s food dish, or on the ground when food falls, and the dog may see the child as competition.

“Any dog can bite, any breed can bite, and that can be horrific,” she said, but a medium or large dog, or a dog with a very strong jaw, “can quickly do a lot more damage.”

When Dr. Dixon saw children who had been bitten in the emergency room, “the most common story I would hear over and over,” she said, involved “resource guarding,” in which the child seemed to be encroaching on something that belonged to the dog. “The child was next to the dog’s food or had gone next to a dog’s toy or was playing with the dog and the dog jumped up and grabbed the arm instead of the bone,” she said.

Dr. McLoughlin sees opportunities for programs to address dog bite prevention, perhaps drawing lessons from programs that discuss “stranger danger.” It’s important to teach children not to approach strange dogs, he said, but also to help them interpret dogs’ behavior, “to identify when a dog is saying leave me alone, give me some space.” He is interested in the possibility of taking dogs into schools in order to educate children about dogs they may encounter outside their homes, but emphasized that parents should be teaching even very young children about how to approach a dog — including that they should always ask the owner first.

Dr. Schaechter pointed to research on the benefits of having a dog in the family, from the joys of companionship and the lessons children learn from caring for a pet to the medical evidence that children may be at lower risk of allergy and asthma if they are exposed early to animals. The bond between children and their pets is the substance of so many books and movies, Dr. Schaechter said. “It’s real — but don’t let that be so romantic that a child ends up being hurt or scarred.”

22

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

The San Juan Daily Star

CDC traces COVID outbreaks in gyms, urging stricter precautions

A strength training class at a fitness center in Orwigsburg, Pa. In coronavirus cases in Honolulu and Chicago, participants were not required to wear masks while they were exercising.

By RONI CARYN RABIN

P

ublic health officials on Wednesday urged gymgoers to wear masks when they work out and to remain 6 feet apart, as new research described the rapid spread of coronavirus infections during high-intensity exercise classes at gyms in Honolulu and Chicago.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised fitness centers to take a variety of measures to prevent outbreaks, including enforcing proper mask use and reminding gym and staff members to stay home if they have symptoms of illness or have tested positive for the virus.

Heavy breathing during intense physical activity in confined indoor spaces increases chances of transmission, and fitness teachers who shouted exercise instructions to members may also have contributed to the spread, the CDC research found. Exercising outdoors or taking virtual fitness classes could help reduce infection risk, the authors noted.

“It’s very important for individuals who would like to attend a gym and work out to be cognizant of what the COVID symptoms are, and to be aware that if you are feeling something that looks and feels like a COVID-19 symptom, to stay home as a precaution,” said Richard A. Teran, a CDC public health researcher in Chicago who was one of the authors of the Chicago

case study published Wednesday.

At a gym in Chicago, Teran and his colleagues identified 55 coronavirus infections among 81 people who attended high-intensity, in-person fitness classes between Aug. 24 and Sept 1.

Among them were 22 people who had gone to the classes on the day they developed their first symptoms of illness, or the day after. Three went to an exercise class on the day they received a positive test result indicating they had been infected, or the day after. In all, 43 gym members who tested positive participated in classes when they were possibly infectious, researchers said.

The outbreak occurred even though classes at the gym were limited to 25% of their usual size, with only 10 to 15 people in attendance.

Members were required to wear masks when they entered the gym, at which point they had their temperatures taken and were screened for symptoms. But they were allowed to remove their masks while exercising; those who were infected were more likely to wear masks only infrequently during classes, the researchers found.

In Hawaii, public health investigators linked 21 infections to a 37-year-old male fitness instructor in Honolulu who taught at several facilities and developed symptoms of COVID-19 — body aches, chills, headache and cough — at the end of June, according to a CDC report published Wednesday.

On June 29, just hours before his first symptoms, he taught an hourlong stationary cycling class with 10 participants, in which no one wore a mask. All of those participants tested positive in early July, among them a 46-year-old man who worked as a fitness instructor at another facility. He became acutely ill and was hospitalized in an intensive care unit.

Twelve hours before that instructor experienced his first symptoms, he held several small kickboxing sessions and a personal training session. Of 11 people exposed, 10 became infected and tested positive in early July. All 10 developed COVID symptoms, and one was hospitalized in the ICU. On July 22, the city of Honolulu passed emergency orders requiring face coverings in fitness centers, including during exercise. Before then, gym members could remove their face coverings while exercising.

Fitness centers and gyms have been hit hard since last March, when the pandemic struck. They were among the first businesses shuttered last spring, and now they are eager to welcome patrons back.

The International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association, an industry group, reported recently that 15% of the nation’s clubs and studios had closed as of last fall, and more closures and bankruptcies were expected.

The association has been encouraging people to return to gyms, adopting the slogan “Exercise is vital!”

Many clubs have put in place new safety protocols and have taken steps to improve ventilation, upgrade air filtration systems and maximize outdoor air circulation, said Alex Larcom, the association’s senior manager of health promotion and health policy.

The outbreaks described in the CDC studies were caused by inconsistent mask use and other lapses in behavior, and perhaps buildings that were inadequately ventilated, she said.

“In Chicago, you had members who went to class when they were symptomatic or COVID-positive,” Larcom said. That facility was not originally designed to be a fitness center, she added, and the screening for symptoms appeared to have been poorly carried out.

“Society-wide, we are relying on people who are sick or think they are sick to remove themselves from society,” she said. Those who went to the gym even though they had symptoms “were probably also going to the grocery store, going out to eat and moving through the community.”

The CDC researchers emphasized that a multifaceted approach to safety is required in fitness facilities, including good ventilation, consistent and correct mask use, persistent reminders that employees and patrons are to stay home when sick, and additional hand washing stations.

“Nothing is 100% safe,” Larcom said. “There is never zero risk. But clubs are not the primary driver of COVID spread.”

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

23

The love language of butter

By YOTAM OTTOLENGHI

A

round Valentine’s Day, I raise my glass particularly high to any couple who managed to save up any top chat for a romantic dinner for two. What on earth is there to talk about when you haven’t been anywhere or done anything for a very long time? In the absence of such discussion, may I present three ways to remind someone why they love you: the general concept of cupboard love; the very specific qualities of butter; and the particularly special advantages of brown butter?

Cupboard love is not always held up as a very pure form of love. At its heart is the relationship between the feeder and the fed. It is, in short, why your dog appears to love you and only you. It’s not, sadly, that your pet is the only one who truly understands your soul, but simply the fact that you fill its bowl with food once a day.

I’m someone whose “love language” is often wrapped up with food, so cupboard love does not strike a particularly false note with me. If I want to show someone love, a meal is generally made. I, in turn, love my cupboard when I open it and see my staples at the ready: my jars of butter beans, my anchovies, my silky olive oil, my chile flakes. If really big hugs and comfort are needed, though, I often reach for butter.

The link between butter and love was recently crystallized for me when I was reading a recipe for Sho Spaeth’s butter chicken. His description was for a “mother’s love’s worth of butter and cream” to be added at the end. This matched perfectly with dishes I cook for my kids, so many of which have butter at their heart: grilled cobs of corn, buttery mashed potatoes, my very wet scrambled eggs, baked aromatic rice and a whole range of spongecakes.

It’s not just a language between parents and their children, though. Watch grown adults take their first bite of sole meunière, and the pure joy of this French classic will become immediately evident on their faces. The magic of the dish does not derive just from the presence of butter, balanced perfectly by tangy lemon, but from heating the butter to the point of becoming beurre noisette — a nutty, frothy, caramelized brown butter.

Making brown butter is easy. It’s butter, plus heat, plus time: The butter is heated in the pan, then the water evaporates and the solids left behind start to caramelize and smell nutty. If butter is an everyday love, then brown butter is the candlelit moment: simple to achieve (so long as you keep a close eye on the pan) and makes everything feel sort of wondrous. Decadent as well, as drizzling frothy, nutty, browned butter over everything would not, literally, be a great idea for the heart.

Brown butter can be paired with — so as to elevate — the most basic of ingredients. Here, it’s a jar of butter beans that have been roasted in the oven, but it also works

well drizzled over wilted greens, baked eggs, mashed carrots, rice pudding or plain tagliatelle. Everyday dishes, each and every one, made utterly lovable by the simple addition of butter.

Brown-butter butter beans with lemon and pesto Yield: 4 servings Total time: 45 minutes 6 cups (drained) home-cooked, canned or jarred butter beans (about 2 1/4 pounds/1 kilogram) 7 tablespoons/105 milliliters olive oil Kosher salt and black pepper 1/3 cup/30 grams roughly grated Parmesan 1/3 cup/15 grams packed roughly chopped parsley 3 scallions, trimmed and sliced 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest plus 1/3 cup/80 milliliters juice (from 3 lemons) 1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks) 8 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced 8 oil-packed anchovies, drained and roughly chopped (about 2 packed tablespoons/30 grams) 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes 1. Heat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit/230 degrees Celsius. Dry the butter beans very well, then spread them

out onto 2 large parchment-lined baking sheets (trays). Add 2 tablespoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and plenty of pepper to each baking sheet, toss gently to combine, then spread the beans in an even layer. Roast for 15 minutes, then carefully turn over the butter beans and return to the oven, swapping the positions of both baking sheets. Roast until nicely browned and crispy, another 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t worry if some of the butter beans are broken or split; this lends plenty of crisp texture.

2. While the beans roast, make the pesto: Add the Parmesan, parsley, scallions, lemon zest, a good pinch of salt and a generous amount of pepper to a food processor, and pulse a few times to finely chop. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil and blitz until combined. Transfer to a bowl, stir in 4 teaspoons lemon juice, and set aside.

3. Add the butter to a large skillet and melt over medium-high heat. Once melted, cook for 4 to 5 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally, until beginning to brown and smell nutty. Add the garlic (it will bubble vigorously) and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the anchovies and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more, or until the garlic is very lightly golden. Stir in the red-pepper flakes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the remaining lemon juice.

4. Using the parchment paper as a sling, transfer the roasted butter beans to a large platter or divide among plates.

Pour the brown butter mixture on top. Dot with some of the pesto, and serve right away, passing the remaining pesto in a bowl alongside.

24

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Meet the newest member of the fluorescent mammal club

By CARA GIAIMO

P

latypuses do it. Opossums do it. Even three species of North American flying squirrel do it.

And, breaking news: Two species of rabbit-size rodents called springhares do it. That is, they glow under black light, that perplexing quirk of certain mammals that is baffling biologists and delighting animal lovers all over the world.

Springhares, which hop around the savannas of southern and eastern Africa, weren’t on anyone’s fluorescence bingo card.

Like the other glowing mammals, they are nocturnal. But unlike the other creatures, they are Old World placental mammals, an evolutionary group not previously represented. Their glow, a unique pinkish-orange the authors call “funky and vivid,” forms surprisingly

In an undated photo from the researchers, a springhare glowing under UV light. The springhare — whose coat glows a patchy pinkish-orange under UV light — joins the platypus and other mammals with this perplexing trait.

variable patterns, generally concentrated on the head, legs, rear and tail.

Fluorescence is a material property rather than a biological one. Certain pigments can absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as a vibrant, visible color.

But mammals, it seems, don’t tend to have these pigments. A group of researchers, many associated with Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, has been chasing down exceptions for the past few years — ever since one member, biologist Jonathan Martin, happened to wave a UV flashlight at a flying squirrel in his backyard. It glowed eraser pink.

The researchers then went to the Field Museum in Chicago. When the team tried a drawer that housed preserved springhares, they beamed back.

“We were equal parts shocked and excited,” said Erik Olson, an associate professor of natural resources at the college and an author of the new paper, published in Scientific Reports.

Over the next several years, the researchers examined 14 springhare specimens from four countries, some male and some female. All showed fluorescence — many in a patchy pattern, which was unique among mammals they’ve studied, Olson said.

Chemical analysis of springhare hair found that the fluorescence comes largely from a set of pigments called porphyrins, which have also been found to cause this effect in marine invertebrates and birds, said Michaela Carlson and Sharon Anthony, chemists at Northland College who worked on the paper.

But the biggest question is: why?

The springhare findings in particular provide some avenues for exploration. There is a possibility that fluorescence helps animals hide from predators with UV-sensitive vision, by absorbing wavelengths that would otherwise be brightly reflected and emitting less visible ones. In that case a patchy pattern like the springhares’ might be another asset, Olson said.

A photo provided by C. Fritz and G. Tosello shows the shell of Charonia lampas recovered from the Marsoulas cave in the Pyrenees of France.

By KATHERINE KORNEI

I

n 1931, researchers working in southern France unearthed a large seashell at the entrance to a cave. Unremarkable at first glance, it languished for decades in the collections of a nearby natural history museum.

Now, a team has reanalyzed the roughly foot-long conch shell using modern imaging technology. It’s an extremely rare example of a “seashell horn” from the Paleolithic period, the team concluded. And it still works — a musician recently coaxed three notes from the 17,000-year-old shell.

“I needed a lot of air to maintain the sound,” said Jean-Michel Court, who performed the demonstration and is also a musicologist at the University of Toulouse.

The Marsoulas Cave, in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, has long fascinated researchers with its colorful paintings depicting bison, horses and humans. It’s where the enormous tan-colored conch shell was first discovered, an incongruous object that must have been transported from the Atlantic Ocean, over 150 miles away.

Only in 2016 did researchers begin

Hear the sound of a seashell horn found in an ancient French cave to analyze the shell anew. Artifacts like this conch help paint a picture of how cave dwellers lived, said Carole Fritz, an archaeologist at the University of Toulouse who has been studying the cave and its paintings for over 20 years.

Fritz and her colleagues started by assembling a three-dimensional digital model of the conch. They immediately noticed that some parts of its shell looked peculiar. For starters, a portion of its outer lip had been chipped away.

That left behind a smooth edge, quite unlike Charonia lampas, said Gilles Tosello, a prehistorian and visual artist also at the University of Toulouse.

The apex of the conch was also broken off, the team found. Indeed, further analysis showed that the shell had been struck repeatedly — and precisely — near its apex.

The mystery deepened when the team used CT scans and a tiny medical camera to examine the inside of the conch. They found a hole, roughly half an inch in diameter, that ran inward from the broken apex and pierced the shell’s interior structure.

All of these modifications were intentional, the researchers believe. The smoothed outer lip would have made the conch easier to hold, and the broken apex and adjacent hole would have allowed a mouthpiece to be inserted into the shell. The result was a musical instrument, the team concluded in their study, which was published in Science Advances.

24 LEGAL NOTICE IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO.

CONDADO 3 CFL, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

ORLANDO VARGAS MARZAN, EDNA AMPARO RIVERA VARGAS, A/K/A EDNA RIVERA VARGAS AND THE CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP CONSTITUTED THEREIN

Defendants CIVIL NO. 16-2998 (JAG). RE: COLLECTION OF MONIES, FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE. NOTICE OF SALE.

TO: ORLANDO VARGAS MARZAN, EDNA AMPARO RIVERA VARGAS, A/K/A EDNA RIVERA VARGAS AND THE CONJUGAL PARTNERSHIP CONSTITUTED THEREIN; JOHN DOE: AND TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO. Judgment in favor of plaintiff for the sum of $509,622.28 in principal, accrued interest in the amount of $50,867.27, as of October 18, 2019, which continues to accrue until full payment of the debt at the rate of $107.94 per diem, accrued late charges in the amount of $9,927.36, Force Place Insurance in the amount of $78.00, property preservation fees in the amount of $33.19 and any other advance, charge, fee or disbursements made by plaintiff, on behalf of defendants, in accordance with the mortgage deed, plus costs and attorney’s fees in the amount of $53,500.00; Pursuant to the judgment, the undersigned Special Master was ordered to sell at public auction for United States currency in cash or certified check without appraisement or right of redemption to the highest bidder to be held on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico or any other place designated by said Special Master, to cover the sums adjudged to be paid to the plaintiff, the following property: URBANA: Lote dos (2). Solar radicado en el barrio San Anton del Municipio de Carolina, con una cabida superficial de dos mil doscientos uno punto cero dos (2,201.02) metros cuadrados, y en lindes por el NORTE, con terrenos de Carmen Escobar, por el SUR, con terrenos del Club Yaucano; por el ESTE, con el lote número uno; y por el OESTE, con el

@

lote número tres. Es el remanente de esta finca luego de deducidas las segregaciones practicadas. Consta inscrita al folio “229” del tomo “54” de Carolina, finca número “2,532”.

Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Seccion de II de Carolina. Physical address: Int. and West of PR-887 KM 1.5, San Anton Wd., Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979. The property is subject to the following Junior liens: 1. MORTGAGE: As a guarantee of a promissory note in favor of John Doe, for the sum of $300,000.00, responding this for $200,000.00, without interest and expires on presentation, according to deed # 120, granted in San Juan, on April 10, 2013, before the Notary José Rubén Vélez Marrero, inscribed on page 33 of volume 1509 of Carolina, property # 2, 532, inscription 20th. Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior or preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax liens (express, tacit, implied or legal), or homeowner associations dues, to the extent specified under the applicable Condominium Law, shall continue in effect. It being understood that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. The present property will be acquired free and clear of all junior liens. THEREFORE, the first public sale shall be held on the April 9th, 2021 at 10:15 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $535,000.00. In the event said first public auction does not produce a bidder and the property is not adjudicated, a second public auction shall be held on the April 16th, 2021 at 10:15 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $356,666.67, 2/3 parts of the minimum bid for the 1st public sale. If said second auction does not result in the adjudication and sale of the property, a third auction will be held on the April 23rd, 2021 at 10:15 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $267,500.00, ½ of the minimum bid for the 1st public sale. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. For further particulars, reference is made to the judgment entered by the Court in this case, which can be examined in the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Federal Building, Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puer-

to Rico, on January 27th, 2021. treinta (30) días contados a parAGUEDO DE LA TORRE, Spe- tir de la última publicación de cial Master.. este edicto, o en su defecto los organismos públicos afectados, LEGAL NOTICE el Tribunal podrá conceder el ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO remedio solicitado en el expeDE PUERTO RICO TRIBU- diente promovido, o cualquier NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejerSALA SUPERIOR DE AGUA- cicio de su sana discreción, lo DILLA. entiende procedente.

LCDO. ADALBERTO RAMOS ORTEGA CARMEN RUA: 7,419 OCASIO GONZALEZ 40 RUTA 5 BARRIO ARENALES Comunidad Mantilla BAJOS ISABELA, PUERTO RICO 00662 Calle Lentejuela 1834 TEL. (939) 258-0733 Isabela, P.R. 00662 ramos485@gmail.com PETICIONARIA vs.

Este edicto deberá ser publicaSUCESION MIGUEL do en tres (3) ocasiones dentro ROSADO LOPEZ del término de veinte (20) días, (Se desconoce la en un periódico de circulación dirección) general diaria, para que comparezcan si quieren alegar su EX- PARTE CIVIL NUMERO: derecho. Toda primera mención AG2020CV00729.

SOBRE: de persona natural y/o jurídica INFORMATIVO DE DOMINIO que se mencione en el mismo, CONTRADICTORIO. EMPLA- se identificará en letra tamaño ZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ES- diez (10) puntos y negrillas, TADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA conforme a los dispuesto en las EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ES- Reglas de Procedimiento Civil, TADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA 2009. En Aguadilla, Puerto Rico EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIA- hoy día 26 de enero de 2021.

Sarahi Reyes Perez, Sec ReDO DE PUERTO RICO. SS. A: SUCESION MIGUEL gional. Zuheily Gonzalez Aviles, Sec Auxiliar del Tribunal.

ROSADO LOPEZ COMPUESTA POR PILAR ROSADO LOPEZ Y JUAN ROSADO LOPEZ

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUPOR LA PRESENTE se les NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA notifica para que comparezcan, SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN si lo creyeren pertinente, ante JUAN este Honorable Tribunal dentro BANCO POPULAR DE de los treinta (30) días contaPUERTO RICO dos a partir de la última publicaDemandante V. ción de este edicto a exponer lo SUCESIONES DE que a sus derechos convenga MARIO CABÁN en el expediente promovido por COLÓN Y, TERESA la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre la siguienDUMONT VELÁZQUEZ, te finca: “RÚSTICA”: Solar TAMBIÉN CONOCIDA ubicado en el Barrio Arenales COMO TERESA Altos del término municipal de DUMOND VELÁZQUEZ, Isabela, Puerto Rico; comCOMPUESTA POR: puesto de CUATROCIENTOS FULANO Y MENGANO SESENTA y NUEVE PUNTO DE TAL, COMO CUATROCIENTOS DIECISIETE METROS CUADRADOS POSIBLES HEREDEROS (469.417 M.C.), en lindes al DESCONOCIDOS; NORTE, con Luz M. Nieves; al DEPARTAMENTO DE SUR, con Camino Municipal, al HACIENDA DE PUERTO ESTE, con Camino Municipal; RICO; CENTRO DE y por el Oeste con Yolanda RECAUDACION DE Ocasio. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a INGRESOS MUNICIPALES Demandado través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo de Administración de Civil Núm.: KCD2017-0340.

Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede (506). Sobre: COBRO DE DIacceder utilizando, la siguiente NERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE GAdirección electrónica: https:// RANTÍAS. ESTADOS UNIDOS unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENsalvo que se presente por de- TE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIrecho propio, en cuyo caso DOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOdeberá presentar su alegación CIADO DE PUERTO RICO, responsiva ,en la secretaria del SS. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. tribunal. Se le apercibe que de Yo EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULEno comparecer los interesados RO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, Aly/o partes citadas dentro de los guacil del Tribunal de Primera

staredictos@thesanjuandailystar.com

(787) 743-3346

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, al público en general.

CERTIFICO Y HAGO SABER: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia fechado el 4 de agosto de 2017 que me ha sido dirigido por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, en el caso arriba indicado, venderé en la fecha o fechas que más adelante se indican, en pública subasta al mejor postor, en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América, en efectivo, cheque certificado o giro postal, en mi oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el Centro Judicial de San Juan, Puerto Rico, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada, en el inmueble que se describe a continuación, propiedad de la parte demandada Sucesiones de Mario Cabán Colón y Teresa Dumont Velázquez t/c/c Teresa Dumond Velázquez, compuesta por: Fulano y Mengano de Tal, como posibles herederos desconocidos; Departamento de Hacienda; Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales. Dirección Física: Cond.

Golden View Plaza, Apt. 1806, San Juan, PR 00924. Finca 31,416 tomo Móvil 966 de Sabana Llana, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección V de San Juan. “URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Apartamento número mil ochocientos seis (1806) ubicado en el piso dieciocho (18) del Condominio Golden View Plaza, localizado en el sub-Barrio de Sábana Llana del Barrio Río Piedras del término Municipal de San Juan. Con una cabida superficial de 598.66 pies cuadrados. Contiene dos habitaciones, sala-comedor, cocina, y un baño. Colinda por el NORTE, en veintiséis pies cuatro pulgadas (26’4”), con el Apartamento 1807; por el SUR, en veintiséis pies cuatro pulgadas (26’4”), con el Apartamento 1805; por el ESTE, veintidós pies tres pulgadas (22’3”), con espacio exterior; y por el OESTE, en veintidós pies tres pulgadas (22’3”), con pasillo que le da acceso. Este Apartamento tiene asignado el estacionamiento número 162. En los elementos comunes tiene un cero punto cero cuatro siete siete por ciento (0.00477%) de participación.” Finca 31,416: Por su procedencia está afecta a: LIBRE DE CARGAS. Por sí está afecta a: a. Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Doral Mortgage LLC, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $36,103.00, con intereses al

4% anual, vencedero el día 1 de marzo de 2028, constituida mediante la escritura número 93, otorgada en Carolina, Puerto Rico, el día 28 de febrero de 2013, ante el notario Melvin Rodríguez Torres, e inscrita al tomo Karibe de Sabana Llana, finca número 31,416, inscripción 3ra. b. Aviso de Demanda de fecha 24 de febrero de 2017, expedido en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, en el Caso Civil número KCD2017-0340 sobre cobro de dinero seguido por Banco Popular de Puerto Rico vs Mario Caban Colón, Teresa Dumont Velázquez también conocida como Teresa Dumond Velázquez y la Sociedad de Bienes gananciales por $29,653.14 al tomo Karibe de Sabana Llana, finca número 31,416, Anotación A. El precio mínimo de este remate con relación a la Finca 31,416 antes descrita y la fecha de cada subasta serán la siguiente: FECHA DE SUBASTA PRIMERA SUBASTA: 25 DE MARZO DE 2021 DE LA 9:00 MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $36,103.00. HIPOTECA: Escritura Número 93 sobre Primera Hipoteca, otorgada el día 28 de febrero de 2013, ante el notario Melvin E. Rodríguez Torres. SEGUNDA SUBASTA: 5 DE ABRIL DE 2021 DE LA 9:00 MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $24,068.67. TERCERA SUBASTA: 12 DE ABRIL DE 2021 DE LA 9:00 MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $18,051.50.

Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación que se transmite y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y las preferentes, si las hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante las acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de las mismas, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Conforme a la Sentencia dictada el día 7 de junio de 2017, notificada el 9 de junio de 2017 y publicada el 15 de junio de 2017, la anterior venta se hará para satisfacer las sumas adeudadas por concepto del préstamo garantizado por la hipoteca antes mencionada y las sumas que se mencionan a continuación: La suma principal de $29,653.14, más intereses a razón de 4%, desde el 1 de agosto de 2016, que se acumulan diariamente hasta su total y completo pago, más la suma

The San Juan Daily Star de $46.40 por cargos por mora, más la suma de $170.10 en conexión con la cuenta de reserva, más la suma de $3,610.30 por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado hipotecariamente asegurados. Se notifica por la presente a los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los inmuebles a ser subastados con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen del ejecutante descrito anteriormente, o acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubieren pospuesto al gravamen del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizado hipotecariamente con posterioridad al gravamen del actor para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si así lo interesan o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogado, quedando 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 de acuerdo con la ley en un periódico de circulación general de la isla de Puerto Rico y en tres sitios públicos del Municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida de la parte demandada, expido el presente edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy día 18 de febrero de 2021. EDWIN E. LÓPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN.

LEGAL NOTICE M&T 42228 ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR.

MTGLQ Investors, L.P., Demandante v.

Roberto Rivera Colon t/c/c Roberto Jose Rivera Colon, Laurie Rodriguez Medina t/c/c Laurie Joan Rodriguez Medina y la sociedad legal de bienes gananciales compuesta por ambos

Demandados CIVIL NÚM: CA2019CV03144.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor quién pagará de contado y en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, giro postal o por cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia el día 29 de abril de 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañana en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en 7302 Apt. Balcones Monte R, Carolina, PR 00987; Condominio Balcones de Monte Real II, Apartamento 7302, Carolina, PR 00987 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Balcones de Monte Real, situado en la carretera estatal número 853 en el Barrio Canovanillas del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, apartamento número 7302. Está localizado en el Edificio H, piso segundo.

Consta de un área de 1,217.60 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 113.16 metros cuadrados. Colinda de un área de 1,217.60 pies cuadrados, equivalente a 113.16 metros cuadrados. Colinda por el NORTE en 14’ 9’ equivalente a 4.50 metros, con pared medianera de hormigón que lo separa del apartamento 7202 y en 15’7’, equivalente a 4.75 metros con pared de hormigón y bloques hacia el exterior; por el SUR, en 48’ 4’ equivalente a 14.73 con pared de hormigón y bloques que lo separa del apartamento 7402; por el ESTE, en 23’ 3’ equivalente a 7.09 metros, con pared de bloques hacia el exterior y en 12’ 3’ equivalente a 3.73 metros, con pared de bloques hacia el exterior y puerta principal que da acceso al apartamento; por el OESTE en 35’ 6’ equivalente a 10.82 metros, con paredes de bloques hacia el exterior. Esta propiedad está formada por sala, comedor, balcón, tres dormitorios con closets, cocina y dos baños y área de lavande-

The San Juan Daily Star ría. Le corresponden dos estacionamientos identificados con el mismo número del apartamento y una participación de .0020036% en los elementos comunes. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita en el folio 98 del tomo 1,416 de Carolina, finca número 58,805, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Segunda.

El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $157,449.19. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una segunda subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 6 de mayo de 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañana. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $104,966.13. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una tercera subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 13 de mayo de 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañana. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $78,724.60. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 461, otorgada el día 30 de noviembre de 2005, ante el Notario Adela Surillo Gutierrez y consta inscrita en el folio 98 del tomo 1,416 de Carolina, finca número 58,805, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Segunda, inscripción segunda. La hipoteca fue modificada mediante escritura de modificación y ampliación de hipoteca número 872, otorgada el 25 de octubre de 2012. En la misma el balance principal fue modificado a la suma de $157,449.19 el mismo fue establecido para responder en caso de ejecución para todos los propósitos legales y registrales. El porciento de interés fue modificado a 4.500% anuales, comenzando el 1 de diciembre de 2012, con fecha de vencimiento extendida al 1 de noviembre de 2052. La referida escritura consta inscrita en el folio 58 (vuelto) del tomo 1,417 de Bayamón, finca número 58,805, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Segunda, inscripción cuarta.

Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $148,969.32 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 4.500% anual

desde el día 1 de marzo de 2018. Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Se pagarán también los cargos por demora equivalentes a 5.000% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha vencimiento, la suma de $15,744.91 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, la suma de $15,744.91 para cubrir los intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley y la suma de $15,744.91 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca, más intereses según provisto por la regla 44.3 de las de Procedimiento Civil. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble 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 de remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores ni preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad.

Surge de un estudio de título que, sobre la finca descrita anteriormente, pesan los gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que se ejecuta mediante este procedimiento que se relacionan más adelante. 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 por la presente se notifica, 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. AVISO DE DEMANDA: Pleito seguido por MTGLQ Investors, LP vs.

Roberto Rivera Colón también cocinado como Roberto José Rivera Colón, Laurie Rodríguez

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Medina también conocida como Laurie Joan Rodríguez Medina, ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior, en el caso civil número CA 2019-CV03144, sobre cobro de dinero y ejecución de hipoteca, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $148,969.32 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 20 de agosto de 2019. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Carolina. Anotación A. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la alcaldía, el Tribunal y la colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado mediante edictos dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores sujeto a lo dispuesto en los Artículos 113 al 116 de la Ley 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015, según aplique. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 18 de febrero de 2021. FDO. MANUEL VILLAFAÑE BLANCO, ALGUACIL.

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO.

San José MRC LLC; Plaintiff, v.

WESTERN BOWLING AND SPORTS CENTER, INC.; THE ESTATE OF MIGUEL ALBERTO PÉREZ COMAS A/K/A MIGUEL A. PÉREZ COMAS A/K/A MIGUEL PÉREZ COMAS FORMED

BY MARILIZ PÉREZ, FABIOLA PÉREZ, AND MIGUEL PÉREZ

Defendants Civil No. 17-cv-1174 (JAG).

COLLECTION OF MONIES AND FORECLOSURE OF MORTGAGE AND PLEDGE. NOTICE OF SALE.

TO: DEFENDANTS AND GENERAL PUBLIC

Judgment was entered in favor of plaintiff, as of February 29, 2020, in the total amount of $1,394,552.12, composed by the following: principal in the amount of $838,401.99; interests in the amount of $176,677.55, which continue to accrue until full payment of the debt at $93.16 per diem; accrued late charges in the amount of $8,647.48; insurance payments in the amount of $16,838.10; other costs in the amount of $3,987.00; and any

other advance, charge, fee or disbursements made by San José to Defendant under the Loan Agreement as well as under the other loan documents, plus agreed costs and attorney’s fees in the amount of $300,000.00 under the Mortgage I, as modified, and $50,000.00 under the Mortgage II. Pursuant to the said judgment and/or the Order of Execution of Judgment, the undersigned appointed Special Master was ordered to sell, at public auction for U.S. currency in cash or certified check, without appraisement or right to redemption, to the highest bidder, at the office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Room 150 - Federal Building, Carlos Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, or at any other place designated by said Clerk, to cover the sums adjudged to be paid to the plaintiff, the following property: RUSTIC: Parcel located in Sábalos Ward of the municipality of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, with a surface area of 5895.5935 square meters, equivalent to 1.5 “cuerdas”, bounded by the North, with Corazones Avenue, by the South and East, with remnant of the main parcel, and by the West, with the street that give access to the Mayagüez municipal cemetery. Contains a commercial building. The property described above is recorded at page 54 of volume 1,100 of Mayagüez, property number 33,335, Registry of Property, Section of Mayagüez. The Property is described in the Spanish language as follows: RÚSTICA: Parcela radicada en el Barrio Sábalos del término municipal de Mayagüez, con una cabida superficial de 5895.5935 metros cuadrados, equivalentes a 1.5 cuerdas. Colinda al NORTE, con la Avenida corazones; al SUR y ESTE, con el remanente de la finca principal; y al OESTE, con la calle que da acceso a Cementerio Municipal de Mayagüez. Contiene edificio dedicado a comercio”. The property described above is recorded at page 54 of volume 1,100 of Mayagüez, property number 33,335, Registry of Property, Section of Mayagüez. The property is subject to the following liens: BY ITS ORIGIN: By itself: It’s bound by easements in favor of the United States of America and Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. BY ITSELF: MORTGAGE in guarantee of payment in favor of Ponce Federal Bank F.S.B., or to its order, in the principal amount of $1,000,000.00 with an annual interest rate of 1% over the Prime Rate, due on presentation, as per Deed No. 719, executed on December 4, 1985, before

Notary Public Wendell W. Colon, recorded at page 57 of volume 1100 of Mayaguez, 3rd inscription. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of third inscription for the amount of $854,304.32, as per Deed No. 26, executed on February 6, 1987, before Notary Public Wendell William Colón, recorded at page 57 of volume 1100 of Mayagüez at the margin of the third inscription. MORTGAGE in guarantee of payment in favor of the Mayaguez Municipality, Puerto Rico, or to its order, in the principal amount of $403,000.0 with an annual interest rate of 9%, due on presentation, as per Deed No. 158, executed on November 6, 1985, before Notary Public Frank M. Ramírez, recorded at page 59 of volume 1100 of Mayaguez, 4th inscription.

MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of third inscription, as per Deed No. 123, executed on December 17, 1997, before Notary Public José L. Landrón Ramery, recorded at mobile page 1402 of Mayaguez, 4th inscription.

MORTGAGE in guarantee of payment in favor to the Bearer, or to its order, in the principal amount of $500,000.0 with an annual interest rate of 10%, due on presentation, as per Deed No. 73, executed on December 22, 1998, before Notary Public Luis F. Carlo Mendoza, recorded at mobile page 1402 of Mayagüez, 8th and last inscription.

Entry 661 of Book 748, on October 11, 2011, as per Deed No. 27 of the Modification of Mortgage, executed on September 9, 2011, before Public Notary Alberto Ramos Zorrilla, for which Western Bowling and Sport Center, Inc., and Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Bank Puerto Rico, modify the mortgage over this property in its 3rd inscription, furthermore modify as for an extension due June 1, 2022.

Entry 2017-016049-MY01, on February 13, 2017, Complaint filed on February 7, 2017, in the United States District Court, Puerto Rico District, case No. 17-1174, followed by Triangle Cayman Asset Company vs.

Western Bowling and Sports Center, Inc., Miguel Alberto Pérez Comas a/k/a Miguel A. Pérez Comas a/k/a Miguel Pérez Comas; for which the claim of the mortgage payment recorded on the 3rd inscription, with a balance of $1,215,509.55.

Entry 2017-069335-MY01, filed on June 20, 2017, Judgment of October 22, 2014 by the First Instance Court of Mayaguez, Civil case No. ISCl201300338, Mayagüez Municipal vs. Western Bowling and Sports Center, Collection of Money, claiming the amount of $37,777.73.

LIEN in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Western Bowling and Sport

25

Center, Inc., Certification of December 10, Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales, for the amount of $193,700.04, filed on January 15, 2016, page 4, order #12, lien’s book # 40 of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, lien #0-72-91-5034.

Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior and preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax, liens, (express, tacit, implied or legal), shall continue in effect. It being understood further that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. The lien executed is over the property, and for the purposes of the first judicial sale the minimum bid amount is as follows: The amount of $1,000,000.00, as set forth in the mortgage deed, as amended, shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the first public sale. Should the first public sale fail to produce an award or adjudication, twothirds of the aforementioned total amount or $666,666.67, shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the second public sale. Should there be no award or adjudication at the second public sale, the minimum bidding amount for the third public sale shall be $500,000.00.

Said sale to be made by the appointed Special Master is subject to confirmation by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the deed of conveyance and possession to the property may be executed and delivered after the judicial sale. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. THEREFORE, public notice is hereby given that the appointed Special Master, pursuant to the provisions of the Judgment herein before referred to, will, on the 26th day of March, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, will sell at public auction to the highest bidder the property described herein, the proceeds of said sale to be applied in the manner and form provided by the Court’s Judgment. Should the first judicial sale set hereinabove be unsuccessful, the second judicial sale of the property described in this Notice will be held on the 5th day of April, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., on the sidewalk in

front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Should the second judicial sale set hereinabove be unsuccessful, the third judicial sale of the property described in this Notice will be held on the 12th day of April, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

The records of the case and of these proceedings may be examined by the parties at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Federal Building, Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 19th day of February, 2021. Aguedo de la Torre, Appointed Special Master.

LEGAL NOTICE M&T 42060 ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR.

MTGLQ Investors, L.P., Demandante v.

Pedro A. Díaz García t/c/c Pedro Díaz García t/c/c Pedro Angel Díaz García, Vilma S. Torres Collazo t/c./c Vilma Torres Collazo t/c/c Vilma Socorro Torres Collazo y la sociedad legal de bienes gananciales compuesta por ambos

Demandados CIVIL NÚM: FCD2017-0535 (406). SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor quién pagará de contado y en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, giro postal o por cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia el 29 de abril de 2021, a las 10:45 de la mañana en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble

de su propiedad que ubica en Com. Rural Buenaventura, D11 calle Almendro, Carolina, PR 00983 y que se describe a continuación: RÚSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número 11-D, en el plano de parcelación de la Comunidad Rural Buenaventura, del Barrio Trujillo Bajo, del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de 203.87 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el NORTE, con la parcela número 11 y 11-A de la comunidad; por el SUR, con la Calle Almendro de la comunidad; por el ESTE, con la parcela número 11-C de la comunidad; y por el OESTE, con la parcela número 11 de la comunidad. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita en el folio 1 del tomo 1,137 de Carolina, finca número 49,329, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Segunda. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $92,000.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una segunda subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el 6 de mayo de 2021, a las 10:45 de la mañana. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $61,333.33. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una tercera subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 13 de mayo de 2021, a las 10:45 de la mañana. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $46,000.00. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 294, otorgada el día 7 de junio de 2000, ante el Notario Francisco Díaz Herrero y consta inscrita en el folio móvil del tomo 1,284 de Carolina, finca número 49,329, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección Segunda, inscripción sexta. Modificada la hipoteca por la suma de $95,500.00, según escritura número 364, otorgada en San Juan, el día 29 de octubre del 2004 ante el notario José V. Gorbea Varona. Inscrita al folio 60 del tomo 1,408 de ágora de Carolina inscripción Séptima.

El 30 de marzo de 2012 las partes firmaron un ACUERDO INTERNO (PRP) mediante el cual se modificó la hipoteca en cuanto a su principal por la suma de $86,873.80 e intereses de la siguiente manera: Durante el primer año, comenzan-

26 do el 1 de mayo de 2012 el interés será a razón de 4.745% anual. Luego, comenzando el 1 de mayo de 2013 el interés será a razón de 9.125% y finalmente, comenzando el 1 de mayo de 2014 el interés será a razón de 9.125%, la fecha de vencimiento del último pago por concepto de principal e intereses será 1 de marzo de 2036.

Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $90,308.23 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 9.125% anual desde el día 1 de diciembre de 2016. Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Se pagarán también los cargos por demora equivalentes a 5.000% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha vencimiento, la suma de $9,200.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, la suma de $9,200.00 para cubrir los intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley y la suma de $9,200.00 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; más intereses según provisto por la Regla 44.3 de las de Procedimiento Civil. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de Carolina, Sala Superior durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble 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 de remate. La propiedad está sujeta a los siguientes gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Doral Financial Corporation, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $31,200.00, con intereses al 9% anual, vencedero el día 1 de marzo de 2013, constituida mediante la escritura número 385, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 27 de febrero de 1998, ante la notario Gloria B. Aquino Aponte, e inscrita al tomo móvil 1284 de Carolina, finca número 49,329, inscripción 5ta. El 12 de enero de 2021 se presentó al asiento 2021-002568-CR del sistema Karibe Orden y Mandamiento

de fecha 10 de diciembre de 2020 y 7 de enero de 2021, respectivamente, dictados en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, en el caso civil número CA2019CV01523 sobre cancelación de pagaré extraviado, para que se cancele la hipoteca por la suma de $31,200.00. El documento se encuentra pendiente de cancelación. Surge de un estudio de título efectuado que, sobre la finca descrita anteriormente, pesan los gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que se ejecuta mediante este procedimiento que se relacionan más adelante. 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 por la presente se notifica, 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. Demanda del día 16 de junio de 2017, expedida en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, en el Caso Civil número FCD2017-0535, seguido por el Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, versus Pedro A. Díaz García; Vilma S. Torres Collazo, por la suma de $90,308.23 y otras, anotada al tomo Karibe de Carolina, finca 49,329, Anotación A. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la alcaldía, el Tribunal y la colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado mediante edictos dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores sujeto a lo dispuesto en los Artículos 113 al 116 de la Ley 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015, según aplique. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma, en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 18 de FEBRERO de 2021.

FDO. MANUEL VILLAFAÑE BLANCO, ALGUACIL.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 LEGAL NOTICE

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

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante, v.

DAMARIS COLÓN DELGADO; MANUEL COLÓN LARRAURI, SU ESPOSA, MARÍA DE JESÚS SANTIAGO Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados CIVIL NÚM. SJ2019CV05732.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA POR LA VIA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA.

A: LOS CODEMANDADOS DE EPIGRAFE Y AL PÚBLICO EN GENERAL:

El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente anuncia y hace constar que en cumplimiento de una Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe el 17 de enero de 2020, notificada y archivada en autos el 24 de enero de 2020 y publicada el 28 de enero de 2020 y de un Mandamiento de Ejecución emitido el día 15 de julio de 2020, que le ha sido dirigido por la Secretaria del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, procederá a vender en subasta, por separado, y al mejor postor con dinero en efectivo, cheque de gerente o letra bancaria con similar garantía, todo título, derecho o interés de los demandados de epígrafe sobre el inmueble que adelante se describe. Se anuncia por la presente que la primera subasta habrá de celebrarse el día 25 de marzo de 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañana, en mi oficina localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de San Juan, sobre el inmueble que se describe a continuación: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Apartamento BA-3 323 de un nivel, localizado en la segunda planta del Edificio #12 “Reina Gisela” del Condominio Portal de la Reina, localizado en la Avenida Montecarlo del barrio Sabana Llana de Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tiene un área superficial de 1,160.00 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 107.80 metros cuadrados.

Colinda por el NORTE, en una distancia de 20’6” y otra de 6’0” y otra de 12’0” con área común; por el SUR, en una distancia de 27’0”, otra de 12’6”, otra de 2’4” otra de 8’3”, otra de 5’6” y otra de 12’6” con área común; por el ESTE, en una distancia de 33’6” con el apartamento BA-2

322 y por el OESTE, en una distancia de 20’6” con el apartamento BA-4 324. Tiene su puerta de entrada y salida en su primer nivel por su lado Norte, que da al pasillo exterior y a la escalera que conduce a los caminos que conducen al área de estacionamiento. Consta de sala-comedor, cocina, lavandería, tres habitaciones, dos baños y balcón. ESTACIONAMIENTO: Le corresponde a este apartamento los estaciónamientos #421 y 422, localizados en el área de estacionamiento en la parte Norte del edificio. PORCENTAJE: Elementos Comunes Generales: 0.0036639%.

Dirección física: Apto. 323 Reina Gisela Bld. Portal de la Reina Cond. San Juan PR 00924. El siguiente pagaré consta inscrito en la propiedad antes mencionada y es el que se pretende ejecutar: HIPOTECA: Por $122,150.00, con intereses a razón del 6% anual, en garantía de un pagaré a favor de R&G Mortgage Corporation, o a su orden, que vence el 1ro de agosto de 2034. Según escritura #466, otorgada en San Juan, el 9 de julio de 2004, ante Juan Carlos Goitía Rosa, inscrita al folio 143 del tomo 1030 de Sabana Llana, inscripción 3ra.

CANCELACION PARCIAL Y MODIFICACION DE HIPOTECA: Se cancela parcialmente la hipoteca por $122,150.00 de la inscripción 3ra., en la suma de $1,111.79, para un nuevo principal de $121,038.21; se modifica el interés al 3.75% anual, y vencerá el 1ro de octubre de 2043. Según escritura #352, otorgada en San Juan, el 23 de septiembre de 2013, ante Laura Cristina Rivera Sorrentini, inscrita en el tomo Karibe de la Sección V de San Juan, finca #33125 de Sabana Llana, inscripción 4ta. La referida hipoteca grava el bien inmueble antes descrito. La subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al demandante, total o parcialmente según sea el caso, de la referida sentencia que fue dictada por las siguientes sumas: $108,075.00 por concepto de principal, más intereses al 3.75% anual hasta su total y completo pago, contribuciones, recargos y primas de seguro adeudados y la suma de $12,215.00 por costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato de préstamo. Y PARA CONOCIMIENTO DE LAS PARTES INTERESADAS y del público en general, se advierte que los autos de este caso y demás instancias están disponibles para ser inspeccionadas en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de San Juan, durante las horas laborables.

Se entenderá que todo licitador

acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante, incluyendo el gravamen por las contribuciones sobre la propiedad inmueble adeudadas, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda responsable de los mismos sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.

La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá Libre de Cargas y Gravámenes posteriores. Los tipos mínimos a utilizarse para la subasta son los siguientes: El inmueble antes descrito ha sido tasado en la suma de CIENTO VEINTIUN MIL TREINTA Y OCHO DÓLARES CON VEINTIUN CENTAVOS ($121,038.21) para que dicha suma sirva de tipo mínimo en la primera subasta a celebrarse. De no producirse remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del antedicho inmueble, se celebrará una segunda subasta en el mismo lugar antes mencionado, el día 5 de abril de 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañana, sirviendo como tipo mínimo para dicha segunda subasta, una suma equivalente a las dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo pactado para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de OCHENTA MIL SEISCIENTOS NOVENTA Y DOS DÓLARES CON CATORCE CENTAVOS ($80,692.14) para la finca antes descrita. De no producirse remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta del antedicho inmueble, se celebrará una tercera subasta en el mismo lugar antes mencionado, el día 12 de abril de 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañana, sirviendo como tipo mínimo para dicha tercera subasta, una suma equivalente a la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo fijado para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de SESENTA MIL QUINIENTOS DIECINUEVE DÓLARES CON DIEZ CENTAVOS ($60,519.10) para la finca antes descrita. En testimonio de lo cual, expido el presente aviso, el cual firmo y sello, hoy 18 de febrero de 2021, en San Juan, Puerto Rico. EDWIN E. LOPEZ MULERO, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR, Sala de San Juan.

LEGAL NOTICE M&T 42320 ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR.

Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2019-GS5 Demandante v.

José Ramón Pesante Ortiz y Alma Damaris Fuentes Garay t/c/c Alma

D. Fuentes Garay t/c/c Alma Fuentes Garay

Demandados CIVIL NÚM: SJ2019CV11551.

SOBRE: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de San Juan, Sala Superior, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor quién pagará de contado y en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, giro postal o por cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia el día 24 de marzo de 2021, a las 9:30 de la mañana en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de San Juan, Sala Superior, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en Urb. La Cumbre, 440 calle Carolina, San Juan, PR 00926-5560 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA: Solar marcado con el número 440 en el bloque LC-22 en el plano de la Urbanización La Cumbre, radicada en el Barrio Monacillos de Río Piedras del término municipal de la Capital de Puerto Rico, con un área superficial de 361.73 metros cuadrados. En lindes por el Norte, en una distancia de 15.00 metros, con un sendero público que lo separa de los solares números 321 y 322 del bloque LC-22; por el Sur, en una distancia de 16.95 metros, con la Calle denominada ‘Carolina Street’ del mencionado plano; por el Este, en una distancia de 27.85 metros, con el solar número 441 del bloque LC-22 del mencionado plano; y por el Oeste, en una distancia de 21.67 metros, con el solar número 439 del bloque LC-22 del mencionado plano. Enclava una casa. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita en el folio 175 del tomo 84 de Monacillos Este y el Cinco, finca número 2,744, en el Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Quinta. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $224,000.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una segunda subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el

día 31 de marzo de 2021, a las 9:30 de la mañana. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $149,333.33.

Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una tercera subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 8 de abril de 2021, a las 9:30 de la mañana. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $112,000.00.

La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 71, otorgada el día 24 de marzo de 2006, ante el Notario Pedro M. Ortiz Bey y consta inscrita en el folio 93 del tomo 294 de Monacillos Este y el Cinco, finca número 2,744, en el Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Quinta, inscripción décimocuarta. El 23 de diciembre de 2010 la parte demandada firmó un documento titulado Plan de Reducción de Pago, Extensión de Término, Intereses Solamente y Reducción de Interés mediante el cual se estableció como nuevo balance principal adeudado la suma de $212,786.00 y se modificó escalonadamente la tasa de interés anual de la siguiente forma: la tasa de interés anual será 1.043% desde el 1 de febrero de 2011 hasta el 1 de enero de 2012 y la tasa de interés anual será 6.95% desde el 1 de febrero de 2012 hasta el saldo del préstamo el 1 de abril de 2046. Además, la parte demandada adeuda a la parte demandante la cantidad de $21,642.23 denominado como balance diferido, pagadero a la fecha de vencimiento el 1 de abril de 2046 y no devengaría intereses durante la vigencia del acuerdo. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $202,936.26 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 6.950% anual desde el día 1 de julio de 2017. Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación.

Además, se pagará la cantidad de $21,642.23 denominado como balance diferido que no genera intereses. Se pagarán también los cargos por demora equivalentes a 5.000% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha vencimiento, la suma de $22,400.00 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, la suma de $22,400.00 para cubrir los inte-

reses en adición a los garantizados por ley y la suma de $22,400.00 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca, más intereses según provisto por la regla 44.3 de las de Procedimiento Civil. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de San Juan, Sala Superior durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble 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 de remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores ni preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad.

Surge de un estudio de título que, sobre la finca descrita anteriormente, pesan los gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que se ejecuta mediante este procedimiento que se relacionan más adelante. 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 por la presente se notifica, 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. HIPOTECA: Constituída por José Ramón Pesante Ortiz, (soltero), y Alma Fuentes Garay, (soltera), en garantía a un pagaré a favor de DORAL BANK, o a su orden, por la suma de $56,000.00, sus intereses al 6.95% anual y vencedero el 1 de abril de 2036, según escritura número 72, otorgada en San Juan, el 24 de marzo de 2006, ante el notario Pedro M. Ortíz Bey. Inscrita al folio 93 del tomo 294 de Monacillos Este y El Cinco. Inscripción décima quinta. AVISO DE DEMANDA: Pleito seguido por Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust 2019-GS5 vs.

The San Juan Daily Star 2021, a las 11:00 de la mañana en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE GUAYNABO SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en Porticos de Guaynabo Apt. 17-303 Guaynabo, PR 00965 t/c/c Cond Porticos de Guaynabo 1 Calle Villegas Apt. 17-303 Guaynabo, PR 009719217 y que se describe a continuación: Urbana: Propiedad Horizontal: Apartamento residencial de forma irregular localizado en la tercera planta del Edificio No. 17 del Condominio Pórticos de Guaynabo, situado en el Barrio Santa Rosa III del término municipal de Guaynabo. Apartamento No. 17-303.

Area neta del apartamento 954.66 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 88.74 metros cuadrados. En lindes: Colinda por el Este, con pared medianera que lo separa del apartamento No. 17-302, en una distancia de 32’10’’, equivalentes a 10.00 metros; por el Sur, colinda un area común, a una distancia de 30’6’’, equivalentes a 9.32 metros; por el Oeste, con una pared medianera que lo separa del apartamento No. 17-304, en una distancia de 14’0’’, equivalentes a 4.27 metros y con el vestíbulo del Edificio, en una distancia de 18’1’’, equivalentes a 5.51 metros; y por el Norte, LEGAL NOT ICE colinda con un area comun, en una distancia de 27’8’’, equivaM&T 208364 lentes a 8.43 metros y con el ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO vestíbulo del Edificio, en una DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU- distancia de 3’10’’, equivalentes NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA a 1’16’’ metros. El apartamento SALA DE GUAYNABO SALA consta de un nivel y esta dividiSUPERIOR. do en los siguientes elementos: sala-comedor, cocina, área de Federal National Mortgage Association lavandería, dos cuartos dormitorios con sus closets, unidos t/c/c Fannie Mae, por un pasillo central dos baños Demandante v. uno con acceso al pasillo cenDamaris Rentas Fontan tral y el segundo ubicado dentro Demandada del area del cuarto dormitorio CIVIL NÚM: GB2019CV00845. principal; la sala-comedor a su SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO vez da acceso a una terraza Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTEcubierta y a un patio exterior.

CA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. Contiene un calentador de EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alagua y gabinetes de cocina. Le guacil que suscribe por la precorresponde a este apartamensente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y to en los elemento comunes hace CONSTAR: Que en cumgenerales el (0.04175%). Se plimiento de un Mandamiento le asigna un estacionamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que marcado con el número del le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil apartamento. TRACTO REGISque suscribe por la Secretaría TRAL: Se separa del Edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA No. 17 del Condominio Pórticos INSTANCIA SALA DE GUAYde Guaynabo, la finca No. 2953, NABO SALA SUPERIOR, en inscrita al folio 78 del tomo 1052 el caso de epígrafe procederá de Guaynabo. La propiedad ana vender en pública subasta al tes relacionada consta inscrita mejor postor quién pagará de en el Folio 136 del Tomo 1323 contado y en moneda de curso de Guaynabo, finca número legal de los Estados Unidos de 40135, en el Registro de la ProAmérica, giro postal o por chepiedad de Guaynabo. El tipo que de gerente a nombre del mínimo para la primera subasta Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera del inmueble antes relacionado, Instancia el día 5 de abril de será el dispuesto en la Escritura José Ramón Pesante Ortiz y Alma Fuentes Garay también conocida como Alma Damaris Fuentes Garay y Alma D. Fuentes Garay, ante el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Centro Judicial de San Juan, en el caso civil número SJ 2019 CV11551, sobre ejecución de hipoteca IN REM, en la que se reclama el pago de hipoteca, con un balance de $202,936.26 y otras cantidades, según Demanda de fecha 4 de noviembre de 2019. Anotada al Tomo Karibe de Monacillos Este y El Cinco.

Anotación A. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la alcaldía, el Tribunal y la colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado mediante edictos dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores sujeto a lo dispuesto en los Artículos 113 al 116 de la Ley 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015, según aplique. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma en San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy día 19 de FEBRERO de 2021. PEDRO HIEYE GONZALEZ, ALGUACIL.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $105,684.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una segunda subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 12 de abril de 2021, a las 11:00 de la mañana. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $70,456.00. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una tercera subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el 19 de abril de 2021, a las 11:00 de la mañana. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $52,842.00. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura número 380, otorgada el día 14 de junio de 2012, ante el Notario Griselle Arbona Martínez y consta inscrita en el Folio 136vto. del Tomo 1323 de Guaynabo, finca número 40135, en el Registro de la Propiedad de Guaynabo, inscripción quinta. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido ascendente a la suma de $92,388.81 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 4.125% anual desde el día 1 de enero de 2019. Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Se pagarán también los cargos por demora equivalentes a 5.000% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha vencimiento, la suma de $10,568.40 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, la suma de $10,568.40para cubrir los intereses en adición a los garantizados por ley y la suma de $10,568.40 para cubrir cualquier otro adelanto que se haga en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca, más intereses según provisto por la Regla 44.3 de las de Procedimiento Civil.

Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE GUAYNABO SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables.

Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble 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 de 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.

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. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la alcaldía, el Tribunal y la colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado mediante edictos dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores sujeto a lo dispuesto en los Artículos 113 al 116 de la Ley 210 del 8 de diciembre de 2015, según aplique. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta bajo mi firma, en Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, hoy día 19 de febrero de 2021. FDO. JESÚS M. PÉREZ, ALGUACIL.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE MAYAGÜEZ

BOSCO IX OVERSEAS, LLC, BY FRANKLIN CREDIT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AS SERVICER Demandante V.

WILMA MÉNDEZ PAGÁN T/C/C WILMA GISELLE MÉNDEZ PAGÁN

Demandado Civil Núm.: MZ2019CV01902.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE GARANTÍAS.

ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. Yo, JOSÉ M. CRESPO NAZARIO, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Mayagüez, al público en general. CERTIFICO Y HAGO SABER: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia fechado el 15 de diciembre de 2020, que me ha sido dirigido por la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Mayagüez, en el caso arriba indicado, venderé en la fecha o fechas que más adelante se indican, en pública subasta al mejor postor, en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América, en efectivo, cheque certificado o giro postal, en mi oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el Centro Judicial de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada, en el inmueble que se describe a continuación, propiedad de la parte demandada, WILMA MENDEZ PAGAN T/C/C WILMA GISELLE MENDEZ PAGAN. Dirección Física: Apt. 102 Calle Las Flores, Cond. Plaza Paola, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00680. Finca 44,140, inscrita al folio 38 del tomo 1521 de Mayagüez, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Mayagüez. URBANA: Propiedad Horizontal: Apartamento marcado con el número ciento dos (102) del Condominio Plaza Paola, sito en el Barrio Candelaria de Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Consta de una planta y está localizado en la parte Norte central del segundo nivel del edificio, con una cabida superficial de 435.00 pies cuadrados.

En linderos: NORTE, en 19’8” con la pared exterior del edificio y un balcón; SUR, en 19’8” con el pasillo central del segundo nivel; ESTE, en 21’6” con la pared que lo divide del apartamento 101; OESTE, en 21’6” con la pared que lo divide de apartamento 103. Este apartamento, el cual es tipo “Studio”, contiene un baño, sala, comedor y cocina juntos, closet y balcón.

Su puerta principal de acceso se encuentra hacia el lado Sur, conectándose allí al pasillo y escalera que conducen al área de estacionamiento y a la vía pública. Este apartamento tiene una participación del 3.97% en los elementos comunes del condominio. Finca 44,140: Por su procedencia está afecta a: Condiciones y disposiciones del Reglamento para la Administración del Condominio. Por sí está: a) Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de First Security Mortgage Inc., o a su orden, por la suma principal de $78,400.00, con intereses al 6

27

½ % anual, vencedero el día 1 de agosto de 2039, constituida mediante la escritura número 109, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 24 de julio de 2009, ante el notario María Elena Arroyo Rojas, e inscrita al folio 38 vuelto del tomo 1521 de Mayagüez, finca número 44,140, inscripción 6ta. b) Aviso de Demanda de fecha 31 de octubre de 2019, expedida en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Mayagüez, en el Caso Civil Número MZ2019CV01902, seguido por Bosco IX Overseas, LLC by Franklin Credit Management Corp as Servicer, contra Wilma Méndez Pagan, también conocida como Wilma Giselle Méndez Pagán, se solicita el pago de la deuda o la venta en pública subasta, por la suma de $68,412.17, anotado el 27 de diciembre de 2019, al tomo Karibe de Mayagüez, finca número 44,140, Anotación A. El precio mínimo de este remate con relación a la Finca 44,140 antes descrita y la fecha de cada subasta serán la siguiente: FECHA DE SUBASTA: PRIMERA SUBASTA: 15 DE ABRIL DE 2021 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $78,400.00. Hipoteca: Escritura Número 109 sobre Hipoteca, otorgada el día 24 de julio de 2009, ante la notario María Elena Arroyo Rojas. SEGUNDA SUBASTA: 22 DE ABRIL DE 2021 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $52,266.67. TERCERA SUBASTA: 29 DE ABRIL DE 2021 A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $39,200.00.

Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación que se transmite y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y las preferentes, si las hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante las acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de las mismas, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.

Conforme a la Sentencia dictada el día 2 de octubre de 2020, notificada el 13 de octubre de 2020 y publicada el 19 de octubre de 2020, la anterior venta se hará para satisfacer las sumas adeudadas por concepto del préstamo garantizado por la hipoteca antes mencionada y las sumas que se mencionan a continuación: La suma principal de $68,412.17, más intereses a razón de 6.5%, desde el 1 de agosto de 2018, que se acumulan diariamente hasta su total y completo pago, más la suma de $7,840.00 por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios

de abogado hipotecariamente asegurados. Se notifica por la presente a los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los inmuebles a ser subastados con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen del ejecutante descrito anteriormente, o acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubieren pospuesto al gravamen del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizado hipotecariamente con posterioridad al gravamen del actor para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si así lo interesan o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogado, quedando 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 de acuerdo con la ley en un periódico de circulación general de la isla de Puerto Rico y en tres sitios públicos del Municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida de la parte demandada, expido el presente edicto bajo mi firma y el sello de este Tribunal en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, hoy día 12 de enero de 2021.

JOSÉ M. CRESPO NAZARIO, ALGUACIL, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA SUPERIOR DE MAYAGÜEZ.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE HUMACAO SALA SUPERIOR

FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO Demandante Vs.

ANGELA LORENZA RODRIGUEZ T/C/C ANGELA LORENZA BAIDAL POR SÍ Y COMO VIUDA SUPÉRSTITE DE FRANCISCO RODRÍGUEZ MELÉNDEZ, FRANK RODRIGUEZ JR, COMO ÚNICO Y UNIVERSAL HEREDERO DE LA SUCESIÓN DE FRANCISCO RODRÍGUEZ MELÉNDEZ

Demandados Civil Núm.: HU2019CV00755.

Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS E.E. U.U., EL ESTADO LIBRE

ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. Yo, MARÍA DEL PILAR RIVERA RIVERA, ALGUACIL REGIONAL, Alguacil del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Humacao, al Público HAGO SABER: Que en cumplimiento del Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que se me libró con fecha del 17 de octubre de 2019, por la Secretaria del Tribunal Superior de Humacao en relación con la Sentencia Sumaria en Rebeldía, dictada el 5 de agosto de 2019, notificada el 8 de agosto de 2019, publicada la Notificación de Sentencia por Edictos el 16 de agosto de 2019, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor la propiedad inmueble que se describe a continuación: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Apartamento número 1001. Apartamento interior de una planta, en el primero piso del Edificio Dos del Condominio Paseo del Río, situado en la Avenida Nicanor Vázquez (Boulevard del Norte) en el Barrio Cataño y Santiago de Humacao, Puerto Rico, con un área de 1,091.1838 pies cuadrados.

Colinda por el NORTE, con área de siembra y acera que lo separa del área de Estacionamiento del Edificio Dos; por el SUR, con la Avenida Nicanor Vázquez (Boulevard del Norte); por el ESTE, con al Apartamento número 1101; y por el OESTE, con pasillo común del Condominio y con el Apartamento número 901. Tiene puerta de entrada en el lado Oeste que conduce a pasillo común del Condominio y puerta de cristal doble de salida en el lado Sur que conduce al patio posterior del Edificio Dos del Condominio. Consta dicho apartamento de sala, salón familiar, comedor, cocina con espacio para guardar comestible, lavandería, dos dormitorios con sus respectivos guardarropas, un dormitorio principal con su guardarropa, dos baños y un espacio para el calentador. A este apartamento le corresponden y se le adjudican como elemento común limitado los estacionamientos 1001 A y 1001 B, cada uno, situados el primero en el Área de Estacionamiento del lado Norte del Edificio Dos y el segundo en el área de Estacionamiento del lado Este del Edificio Seis y ambos han sido identificados numéricamente. A este apartamento le corresponde el uso exclusivo de una porción del patio posterior del Edificio Dos del Condominio constituido como área común limitada del Condominio con cabida de 34.1774 metros cuadrados, colindando por el NORTE, con la pared exterior del Condominio que lo separa del Apartamento número 1001; por el SUR, con verja de concreto, bloques y rejas ornamentales de 2.27 me-

28 tros de altura que lo separa de la Avenida Nicanor Vázquez (Boulevard del Norte); por el ESTE, con la verja de madera de seis pies (6’) de altura que lo separa de la porción del patio posterior del Edificio Dos del Condominio al cual tiene derecho de uso exclusivo el Apartamento Número 1101; y por el OESTE, con verja de madera de seis pies (6’) de altura que lo separa de la porción del patio posterior del Edificio Dos del Condominio al cual tiene derecho de uso exclusivo el Apartamento número 901. A este apartamento le corresponde una participación de 0.005050 en los elementos comunes generales del Condominio y una participación de 0.0023 en los elementos comunes limitados. Consta inscrita al folio 30 del tomo 561 de Humacao, Finca Número 25,173, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Humacao. Por su procedencia está afecta a: a. Servidumbre a favor de la Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico. b. Servidumbre a favor de la Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica de Puerto Rico. c. Servidumbre a favor de la Puerto Rico Telephone Company. Dirección de la propiedad: Condominio Paseo del Rio, Edificio 2, Apartamento 1001, Humacao PR 00791. Catastro Número 51304-000-005-25-094. Se apercibe a los licitadores para que procedan con la inspección física del inmueble objeto de ejecución previo a la celebración de las subastas. El precio mínimo de licitación con relación a la propiedad anteriormente descrita y la fecha y hora de cada subasta es como sigue: PRIMERA SUBASTA: SE CELEBRARÁ EL 23 DE MARZO DE 2021, A LAS 3:45 DE LA TARDE. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $82,000.00. SEGUNDA SUBASTA: SE CELEBRARÁ EL 30 DE MARZO DE 2021, A LAS 3:45 DE LA TARDE. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $54,666.66.

TERCERA SUBASTA: SE CELEBRARÁ EL 6 DE ABRIL DE 2021, A LAS 3:45 DE LA TARDE. PRECIO MÍNIMO: $41,000.00. Las subastas se llevarán a cabo para satisfacer al Banco demandante de las siguientes sumas de dinero adeudadas por la parte demandante conforme a la Sentencia dictada, a saber, la suma de $69,609.26 adeudada por concepto de principal e intereses vencidos al 16 de abril de 2019, y los que se continúen acumulando al tipo pactado hasta el pago total y completo de la obligación, los cargos por demora vencidos que a igual fecha ascienden a $263.68, y los que se continúen acumulando al tipo pactado hasta el pago total y completo de la obligación, las sumas adeudadas por concepto

de seguros y/o contribuciones, la suma de $26.00 por concepto de adelantos, la suma de $75.00 adeudada por concepto de cargos por cheque devuelto por insuficiencia de fondos, más la suma de $8,200.00 por concepto de costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, según pactados. Las subastas de dicha propiedad se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina situada en el local que ocupa este Tribunal en el Tribunal de Humacao, advirtiéndose que el que obtuviere la buena pro de dicha propiedad consignará en el acto del remate el importe de su oferta en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América, en adición a los gastos de la subasta, siendo éste el mejor postor. En cualquier momento luego de haberse comenzado el acto de la subasta, el Alguacil podrá requerir de los licitadores que le evidencien la capacidad de pago de sus posturas. Del producto obtenido en dicha venta, el Alguacil pagará en primer término los gastos del Alguacil, en segundo término las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados hasta la suma convenida, en tercer término los intereses acumulados hasta la fecha de la subasta según pactados hasta su total y completo pago, en cuarto término, las sumas establecidas para el pago de recargos por demora hasta la fecha de la subasta y en quinto término la suma principal adeudada. Disponiéndose, que si quedare algún remanente luego de pagarse las sumas mencionadas, el mismo deberá ser depositado en la Secretaría del Tribunal para ser entregado a la parte demandada, previa solicitud y orden del Tribunal. La propiedad inmueble anteriormente descrita se encuentra afecta al siguiente gravamen preferente: Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Firstbank Puerto Rico, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $90,000.00 (así surge), con intereses al 6% anual, vencedero el día 1 de marzo de 2026, constituida mediante la escritura número 100, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 28 de febrero de 2006, ante el Notario Mario A. Quiles Rosado, e inscrita al folio 30 del tomo 561 de Humacao, finca número 25,173, inscripción 2da., aclarada mediante la Escritura Número 21 sobre Acta de Subsanación para establecer que la suma principal de la hipoteca es $60,000.00. La referida hipoteca, según aclarada, fue objeto de cancelación en virtud de la Escritura Número 49, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 18 de febrero de 2016, ante la Notario Luz E. Vela Gutiérrez, presentada el 10 de marzo de 2016, al Asiento 2016-013168HU01 del Sistema Karibe, Re-

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

gistro de la Propiedad de Humacao (se acompaña de pagaré cancelado y escritura sobre Acta de Subsanación). El inmueble anteriormente descrito se encuentra afecto a los siguientes gravámenes posteriores: (i) SENTENCIA del día 5 de diciembre de 2014, expedida en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Las Piedras, en el Caso Civil número HBCI-2014-00525, seguido por Asociación de Residentes de Paseo de los Artesanos Inc., vs. Francisco Rodriguez, Fulana de Tal y la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales, por la suma de $7,631.82, presentada el día 16 de noviembre de 2015 al folio 17, Demanda Número 49 del Libro 10. (ii) ANOTACIÓN PREVENTIVA DE DEMANDA radicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia de Puerto Rico, Sala de Humacao, Civil Número HU2019CV00755 sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca por la Vía Ordinaria de fecha 24 de mayo de 2019, seguida por Firstbank Puerto Rico (Demandante) Vs. Angela Lorenza Rodríguez, et al (Demandada). Por la misma se reclama el pago de la suma de $69,609.26, más intereses vencidos y otras sumas representadas por la hipoteca de la inscripción 3ra, anotado el 20 de junio de 2019, al Tomo Karibe de Humacao, Anotación “A” sobre la Finca Número 25,173 de Humacao, Registro de la Propiedad de Humacao, el cual se refiere al caso del epígrafe en la presente causa de acción. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, toda vez que el precio de remate no se destina a su extinción. Se le notifica a La Asociación de Residentes de Paseo de los Artesanos, Inc., en relación con el gravamen posterior inscrito a su favor para que comparezca a reclamar cualquier derecho que en ley se le reconozca y se le advierte, además, que habrá de solicitarse la cancelación de sus derechos en el Registro de la Propiedad, una vez celebrada la venta en pública subasta. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento del caso de epígrafe están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Humacao, durante horas laborables. Y PARA LA CONCURRENCIA, de los licitadores expido el presente Edicto que se

publicará en el Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Alcaldía y la Colecturía de Rentas Internas del Municipio donde se celebrará la subasta por espacio de dos semanas y en un periódico de circulación general del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico por espacio de dos semanas y por lo menos una vez por semana.

En Humacao, Puerto Rico, a 16 de diciembre de 2020. MARÍA DEL PILAR RIVERA RIVERA, ALGUACIL REGIONAL, ALGUACIL SUPERIOR. JENNISA GARCÍA MORALES, ALGUACIL AUXILIAR PLACA #796. ***

LEGAL NOTICE Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de VEGA BAJA.

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante V.

SUCESION DE LYDIA HERNANDEZ ROMAN COMPUESTA POR FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; WILFREDO HERNANDEZ VAZQUEZ

Demandado(a) Civil: VB2018CV00266. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA VIA ORDINARIA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

A: FULANO Y MENGANO DE TAL, POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA CAUSANTE LYDIA HERNANDEZ ROMAN

(Nombre de las partes a las que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que 19 de febrero de 2021, 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 éste caso, con fecha de 23 de febrero de 2021. En VEGA BAJA Puerto Rico, el 23 de febrero de 2021. LCDA LAURA I. SANTA SANCHEZ, Secretaria.

MARITZA ROSARIO ROSARIO, Secretario(a) Auxiliar.

MWPR, LLC.

Demandante vs.

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 febrero de 2021. En Manatí, Puerto Rico, el 25 de febrero de 2021. f/ Vivian Y. Fresse González, Secretaria Regional. f/Saray Salgado, Secretaria Auxiliar.

SUCESION DE CARLOS JUAN AYALA MARRERO COMPUESTA POR FULANO DE TAL Y FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS LEGAL NOTICE DESCONOCIDOS, Estado Libre Asociado de PuerSUCESION DE to Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL VICTORINA REYES DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de PriQUIÑONES COMPUESTA mera Instancia Sala Superior POR SUTANO DE TAL Y de BAYAMON. SUTANA DE TAL COMO BANCO POPULAR DE POSIBLES HEREDEROS PUERTO RICO DESCONOCIDOS Demandante v. , SUCESION DE RICHARD GERALD ADALBERTO AVALA QUILES LASANTA, LUZ LEGAL NOTICE REYES COMPUESTA MILAGROS HERNANDEZ IN THE UNITED STATES DISMENGANO DE TAL Y VEGA (TITULAR TRICT COURT FOR THE DISMENGANA DE TAL COMO REGISTRAL) POSIBLES HEREDEROS TRICT OF PUERTO RICO. Demandado(a) TRIANGLE CAYMAN Civil: Núm. BY2019CV04728 DESCONOCIDOS, ASSET COMPANY 2, (402). Sobre: COBRO DE DI- ADMINISTRACION PARA Plaintiff, v.

NERO Y EJECUCION DE GAEL SU STENTO DE LUIS MANUEL MORALES RANTIAS. NOTIFICACIÓN DE MENORES, CENTRO DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. SEDA, HIS WIFE SYLVIA RECAUDACIONES DE A: RICHARD GERALD ENID CABRERA ROMÁN, QUILES LASANTA, LUZ INGRESOS MUNICIPALES AND THE CONJUGAL (CRIM) MILAGROS HERNANDEZ PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN Demandados VEGA (TITULAR THEM, Civil: MT2020CV00348. Sobre: Defendants.

REGISTRAL) COBRO DE DINERO Y EJE(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 febrero de 2021, 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 febrero de 2021. En BAYAMON, Puerto Rico , el 25 de febrero de 2021. LCDA. LAURA I SANTA SANCHEZ, Secretaria F/ELIBETH M TORRES ALICEA, Sec Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de Manatí.

CUCION DE HIPOTECA. NO- Case No. 16-cv-3074 (JAG).

TIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA RE: BREACH OF CONTRACT, COLLECTION OF MONIES, POR EDICTO. FORECLOSURE OF MORTA: SUCESION DE GAGE AND PLEDGE. NOTICE CARLOS JUAN AYALA OF SALES.

MARRERO COMPUESTA TO: DEFENDANTS AND POR FULANO DE TAL Y GENERAL PUBLIC FULANA DE TAL COMO On October 11, 2019, the Court POSIBLES HEREDEROS entered Judgment in favor of plaintiff, Triangle Cayman Asset DESCONOCIDOS, Company 2 (“Triangle”) and SUCESION DE against defendants, Luis MaVICTORINA REYES QUlÑONES COMPUESTA nuel Morales Seda, his wife Sylvia Enid Cabrera Román, and POR SUTANO DE TAL Y their Conjugal Partnership (“DeSUTANA DE TAL COMO fendants”). As of August 31, POSIBLES HEREDEROS 2017, the Defendants owe DESCONOCIDOS, Triangle under the loan documents the principal amount of SUCESION DE $2,076,432.20; interests in the ADALBERTO AYALA REYES COMPUESTA amount of $180,553.51 which continue to accrue until full payMENGANO DE TAL Y MEN ment of the debt at $302.81 per GANA DE TAL COMO diem; late charges in the amouPOSIBLES HEREDEROS nt of $8,800.00 and any other DESCONOCIDOS advances, charges, fees, or

(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 23 de FEBRERO de 2021. 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

disbursements made by Triangle, on behalf of the Defendants, in accordance with the loan documents, plus costs and agreed attorney’s fees in the amount of $201,500.00. Pursuant to the Judgment, the Order of Execution of Judgment, and the Writ of Execution of Judgment, the undersigned appointed Special Master was ordered to sell, at public auction for U.S. currency in cash or certified check, without appraisement or right to redemption, to the highest bidder, at the office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Room 150 - Fede-

ral Building, Carlos Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, or at any other place designated by said Clerk, to cover the sums adjudged to be paid to the Plaintiff, the following properties: Property I: RUSTIC: Located in Islote Ward in Arecibo, with a surface area of 9.833 “cuerdas”, equivalent to 3 hectareas, 86 areas and 48 centiareas of land dedicated to pastures and minor fruits, bounded by the North and West, with property of Carlos Domínguez, by the South and East, with Estate of Basilio Reyes. The property described above is recorded at page 67 of volume 42 of Arecibo, property number 2,138 of the Registry of Property of Puerto Rico, First Section of Arecibo. Property I is described in the Spanish language as follows: RÚSTICA: Radicada en el Barrio Islote de Arecibo, tiene una cabida de 9.833 cuerdas, equivalentes a tres hectáreas, ochenta y seis áreas y cuarenta y ocho centiáreas de terreno dedicadas a pastos y frutos menores, en lindes por el NORTE y OESTE, con tierras de Carlos Domínguez; por el SUR y el ESTE, con la Sucesión de Basilio Reyes. La propiedad antes descrita consta inscrita al folio 67 del volumen 42 de Arecibo, finca número 2,138 del Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección Primera de Arecibo.

Property I is subject to the following liens: Free of charge due to its origin. By itself: MORTGAGE in the principal amount of $964,600.00, in guarantee of a mortgage note payable to Westernbank Puerto Rico, or to its order, subsequently endorsed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and thereafter endorsed to Triangle in the principal amount of $964,600.00 with an annual interest of 8% and due on presentation, as per Deed #365, executed on June 8, 2007, before Notary Public Juan Manuel Casanova Rivera, recorded at page 41 of volume 1209 of Arecibo, 23rd inscription.

MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 23rd inscription mortgage, as per Deed #182, executed on December 19, 2008, before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, recorded at Karibe of Arecibo, 25th inscription. COMPLAINT ANNOTATION regarding the Mortgage in the principal amount of $964,000.00 of the 23rd inscription, plaintiff Triangle Cayman Asset Company 2 and defendants Luis Manuel Morales Seda, his wife Sylvia Enid Cabrera Román, and the Conjugal Partnership between them, regarding Breach of Contract, Collection of Monies and Execution of Mortgage, Case No. 16-3074 before the United States District Court for the District

The San Juan Daily Star of Puerto Rico, recorded at Karibe of Arecibo, Annotation C, dated June 1, 2017. This complaint annotation was previously registered at entry 2016-124556-SJ02, dated December 9, 2016. LIEN (embargo) in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Luis M. Morales Seda in the amount of $2,525.22 for income tax, as per certification of August 15, 2017, registered on August 25, 2017, Lien #ARE17-3782. LIEN (embargo) in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Luis M. Morales Seda in the amount of $3,695.13 for income tax, as per certification of March 23, 2018, registered on April 19, 2018, Lien #ARE-17-3782. FEDERAL LIEN (embargo) against Luis M. Morales Seda, filed and registered on May 8, 2009, at page 5 of volume 4, entry 3 of federal liens book in the amount of $9,179.94. Property II: RUSTIC: Located in Islote Ward in Arecibo, with a surface area of 86,337.7160 square meters, bounded by the North, with public way from Arecibo to Barceloneta; by the South, with Estate of Antonio Roses and United States; by the Outgoing, with United States and Estate of Carlos Domínguez, Juan Morales and Estate of Basilio Reyes; by the West, with Estate of Borrás, Antonio Roses, Crispina Maldonado, Marcelino Figueroa and Estate of Carlos Domínguez. This is a remnant of this land. The property described above is recorded at page 225 of volume 70 of Arecibo, property number 2,637 of the Registry of Property of Puerto Rico, First Section of Arecibo. Property II is described in the Spanish language as follows: RÚSTICA: Radicada en el Barrio Islote de Arecibo, tiene una cabida de 86,337.7160 metros cuadrados, en lindes por el NORTE, con camino público de Arecibo a Barceloneta; por el SUR, con Sucesión de Antonio Roses y Estados Unidos; por el SALIENTE, con Estados Unidos y Sucesión de Carlos Domínguez, José Morales y Sucesión de Basilio Reyes; por el OESTE, con Sucesión Borras, Antonio Roses, Crispina Maldonado, Marcelino Figueroa y Sucesión de Carlos Domínguez. La anterior descripción corresponde al remanente de esta finca. La propiedad antes descrita consta inscrita al folio 225 del volumen 70 de Arecibo, finca número 2,637 del Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección Primera de Arecibo.

The property is subject to the following liens: Free of charge due to its origin. By itself: MORTGAGE in the principal amount of $906,400.00, in guarantee of a mortgage note pa-

yable to Westernbank Puerto Rico, or to its order, subsequently endorsed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and thereafter endorsed to Triangle in the principal amount of $906,400.00 with an annual interest of 8% and due on presentation, as per Deed #366 executed on June 8, 2007 before Notary Public Juan Manuel Casanova Rivera, recorded at page 46 of volume 1209 of Arecibo, 31st inscription.

MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 31st inscription mortgage, as per Deed #179 executed on December 19, 2008 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, recorded at Karibe of Arecibo, 33rd inscription. COMPLAINT ANNOTATION regarding the Mortgage in the principal amount of $906,400.00 of 31st inscription, plaintiff Triangle Cayman Asset Company 2 and defendants Luis Manuel Morales Seda, his wife Sylvia Enid Cabrera Román, and the Conjugal Partnership between them, regarding Breach of Contract, Collection of Monies and Execution of Mortgage, Case No. 16-3074 before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, recorded at Karibe of Arecibo, Annotation D, dated June 1, 2017. This complaint annotation was previously registered at entry 2016-124556-SJ02, dated December 9, 2016. LIEN (embargo) in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Luis M. Morales Seda in the amount of $2,525.22 for income tax, as per certification of August 15, 2017, registered on August 25, 2017, Lien #ARE17-3782. LIEN (embargo) in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Luis M. Morales Seda in the amount of $3,695.13 for income tax, as per certification of March 23, 2018, registered on April 19, 2018, Lien #ARE-18-3782. FEDERAL LIEN (embargo) against Luis M. Morales Seda, filed and registered on May 8, 2009, at page 5 of volume 4, entry 3 of federal liens book in the amount of $9,179.94. Property III: URBAN: HORIZONTAL PROPERTY: Commercial Lot, of substantially rectangular shape, situated in the number 13 of the commercial first floor of the Darlington Building in the Muñoz Rivera Avenue in Río Piedras, San Juan, with a private area of 1,190 square feet, equivalent to 110.60 square meters, with lineal measures greater than 18’ and 33” in its width and 64’ 83” in its length. Bounded by the North, with wall that separates this commercial lot from commercial lot number 14; by the South, with wall that separates this commercial lot from commercial lot number 12; by the East, with exterior wall of the

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 building that bounds with properties of Carmen Luisa Freites, Estate of Amoros and others; and by the West, with exterior wall of the building that bounds with Muñoz Rivera Avenue. The principal entrance door communicates directly and immediately with the access that leads and has exit to the public way, hence, the Muñoz Rivera Avenue. The percentage that corresponds in relation to the common elements is 1.2472%. The property described above is recorded at page 208 of volume 771 of Río Piedras North, property number 22,408 of the Registry of Property of Puerto Rico, Second Section of San Juan. Property III is described in the Spanish language as follows: URBANA: PROPIEDAD HORIZONTAL: Local comercial de forma sustancialmente rectangular que radica en el #13 de la primera planta comercial del Edificio Condominio Darlington en la Avenida Muñoz Rivera de Río Piedras, San Juan, con un área privada de 1,190.00 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 110.60 metros cuadrados, siendo sus medidas lineales mayores de dieciocho pies con treinta y tres centésimas de pie en su ancho por sesenta y cuatro pies con ochenta tres centésimas de pie en su largo. Colinda por el NORTE, con la pared que separa este local comercial del local comercial #14; por el SUR, con la pared que separa este local comercial del local comercial #12; por el ESTE, con la pared exterior del edificio que da a la colindancia con propiedades de Carmen Luisa Freites, Sucesión Amoros y otros; y por el OESTE, con la pared exterior del edificio que da a la colindancia con la Avenida Muñoz Rivera. Su puerta principal de entrada comunica directa e inmediatamente con los accesos que conducen y tiene salida a la vía pública, o sea, a la Avenida Muñoz Rivera. El porcentaje que le corresponde en relación con los elementos comunes es de 1.2472%. The property described above is recorded at page 208 of volume 771 of Río Piedras North, property number 22,408 of the Registry of Property of Puerto Rico, Second Section of San Juan. The property is subject to the following liens: By its origin: Easement of Sewerage in favor of couple Clar Bossó. By itself: MORTGAGE in the principal amount of $98,000.00, in guarantee of a mortgage note payable to The Bank & Trust of Puerto Rico, or to its order, subsequently endorsed to Westernbank Puerto Rico, thereafter endorsed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and thereafter endorsed to Triangle in the princi-

pal amount of $98,000.00 with an annual interest of 9.25% and due on presentation, as per Deed #89 executed on March 12, 1999 before Notary Public Luis M. Nolla Vilá, recorded at page 194 of volume 923 of Río Piedras, 17th inscription.

MORTGAGE in the principal amount of $32,000.00, in guarantee of a mortgage note payable to R-G Premier Bank of Puerto Rico, or its order, subsequently endorsed to Westernbank Puerto Rico, thereafter endorsed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, and thereafter endorsed to Triangle in the principal amount of $32,000.00 with an annual interest of 6.75% and due on presentation, as per Deed #12 executed on January 21, 2003 before Notary Public Joisette Marie Rosa Rodríguez, recorded at mobile page 1441 of Río Piedras, 18th inscription.

Pursuant to Deed #12 of first mortgage pari-passu, the mortgages at 17th and 18th inscriptions are equalized in ranking, both constituting first rank mortgages. MORTGAGE in the principal amount of $14,000.00, in guarantee of a mortgage note payable to Westernbank Puerto Rico, subsequently endorsed to Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, and thereafter endorsed to Triangle in the principal amount of $14,000.00 with an annual interest of 8% and due on presentation, as per Deed #368 executed on June 8, 2007 before Notary Public Juan Manuel Casanova Rivera, recorded at page 82 of volume 1564 of Río Piedras, 19th inscription. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 17th inscription mortgage, as per Deed #363 executed on June 8, 2008 before Notary Public Juan Manuel Casanova Rivera, and as per Rectification Act executed on July 23, 2008 before Notary Public Gary E. Biaggi Silva, recorded at page 82 of volume 1565 of Río Piedras, 20th inscription. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 18th inscription mortgage, as per Deed #364 executed on June 8, 2007 before Notary Public Juan Manuel Casanova Rivera, and as per Rectification Act executed on July 23, 2008 before Notary Public Gary E. Biaggi Silva, recorded at page 82 of volume 1565 of Río Piedras, 21st inscription. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 18th inscription mortgage, as per Deed #178 executed on December 9, 2008 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, and as per Notarial Act executed on January 9, 2009 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, recorded at page 83 of volume 1565 of Río Piedras, 22nd inscription. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 17th inscription mortgage,

as per Deed #180 executed on December 19, 2008 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, and as per Notarial Act executed on January 9, 2009 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, recorded at page 84 of volume 1565 of Río Piedras, 23rd inscription. MODIFICATION OF MORTGAGE of the 19th inscription mortgage, as per Deed #181 executed on December 19, 2008 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, and as per Notarial Act executed on January 9, 2009 before Notary Public Genevieve López Stipes, recorded at page 84 of volume 1565 of Río Piedras, 24th inscription. COMPLAINT ANNOTATION in favor of plaintiff Triangle Cayman Asset Company 2, versus defendants Luis Manuel Morales Seda, his wife Sylvia Enid Cabrera Román, and the Conjugal Partnership between them, regarding Breach of Contract, Collection of Monies and Execution of Mortgage, Case No. 16-3074 before the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, recorded at Karibe of Arecibo, Annotation A, dated June 1, 2017. This complaint annotation was previously registered at entry 2016-124556-SJ02, dated December 9, 2016. LIEN (embargo) in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Luis M. Morales Seda in the amount of $2,525.22 for income tax, as per certification of August 15, 2017, registered on August 25, 2017, Lien #ARE17-3782. LIEN (embargo) in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico against Luis M. Morales Seda in the amount of $3,695.13 for income tax, as per certification of March 23, 2018, registered on April 19, 2018, Lien #ARE-18-3782. FEDERAL LIEN (embargo) against Luis M. Morales Seda, filed and registered on May 8, 2009, at page 5 of volume 4, entry 3 of federal liens book in the amount of $9,179.94. Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior and preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax, liens, (express, tacit, implied or legal), shall continue in effect. It being understood further that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. The liens executed are over the properties, and for the purpose of the first judicial sales the minimum bid amount is as follows: a) Property I - The

29

amount of $964,600.00, as set forth in the mortgage deed, shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the first public sale. Should the first public sale fail to produce an award or adjudication, two-thirds of the aforementioned amount or $643,066.67 shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the second public sale. Should there be no award or adjudication at the second public sale, the minimum bidding amount for the third public sale shall be $482,300.00. b) Property II The amount of $906,400.00, as set forth in the mortgage deed, shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the first public sale. Should the first public sale fail to produce an award or adjudication, two-thirds of the aforementioned amount or $604,266.67 shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the second public sale. Should there be no award or adjudication at the second public sale, the minimum bidding amount for the third public sale shall be $453,200.00. c) Property III The amount of $130,000.00, as set forth in the mortgage deeds in pari-passu at 17th inscription ($98,000.00) and 18th inscription ($32,000.00), shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the first public sale. Should the first public sale fail to produce an award or adjudication, two-thirds of the aforementioned amount or $86,666.67 shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the second public sale. Should there be no award or adjudication at the second public sale, the minimum bidding amount for the third public sale shall be $65,000.00.

Said sales to be conducted by the appointed Special Master are subject to confirmation by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the deed of conveyance and possession to the properties may be executed and delivered after the judicial sales.

Upon confirmation of the sales, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. THEREFORE, public notice is hereby given that the appointed Special Master –pursuant to the provisions of the Judgment, the Order of Execution of Judgment, and the Writ of Execution of Judgment, on the 26th day of March, 2021, at 10:15 a.m. for Property I; at 10:20 a.m. for Property II; and at 10:25 a.m. for Property III, on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Federal Building, 150 Carlos Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico– will sell at public auction to the highest bidder the properties described herein, the proceeds of said sa-

les to be applied in the manner and form provided by the Court’s Judgment. Should the first judicial sales set hereinabove be unsuccessful, the second judicial sales of the properties described in this Notice will be held on the 5th day of April, 2021, at 10:15 a.m. for Property I; at 10:20 a.m. for Property II; and at 10:25 a.m. for Property III, on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico located at the address indicated above. Should the second judicial sales set hereinabove be unsuccessful, the third judicial sales of the properties described in this Notice will be held on the 12th day of April, 2021, at 10:15 a.m. for Property I; at 10:20 a.m. for Property II; and at 10:25 a.m. for Property III, on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico located at the address indicated above. The records of the captioned case and of these proceedings may be examined by the parties at the Clerk’s Office of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Room 150 Federal Building, 150 Carlos Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 19th day of February, 2021. AGUEDO DE LA TORRE, Appointed Special Master.

LEGAL NOTICE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF PUERTO RICO.

BAUTISTA REO PR CORP. Plaintiff v.

OROS VERDES, INC.

Defendant CIVIL NO. 16-2836 (CCC).

COLLECTION OF MONIES, MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE. NOTICE OF SALE.

TO: DEFENDANT AND GENERAL PUBLIC

On February 16, 2018, this Court issued Opinion and Order, and on the same date, Judgment was entered in favor of Bautista. To date, Defendant has not satisfied the Judgment.

Consequently, there is an outstanding balance as of June 22, 2017, Defendant owes Plaintiff the sum of $141,171.54, which consists of $107,935.07 in principal; interests in the amount of $14,483.81, which continues to accrue until full payment of the debt at the rate of $19.49 per diem; accrued late charges in the amount of $3,3,471.16, valuations and property inspections valued at $1,001.50, and any other advance, charge, fee or disbursements made by Bautista, on behalf of Defendant, in accordance with the Loan Agre-

ement as well as under the other loan documents, plus costs and agreed attorneys’ fees in the amount of $14,280.00. Pursuant to the said judgment and/or the Order of Execution of Judgment, the undersigned appointed Special Master was ordered to sell, at public auction for U.S. currency in cash or certified check, without appraisement or right to redemption, to the highest bidder, at the office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Room 150 - Federal Building, Carlos Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, or at any other place designated by said Clerk, to cover the sums adjudged to be paid to the plaintiff, the following property: URBAN: HORIZONTAL PROPERTY: Apartment number 203 of the Playa Fortuna Condominium, located in the Mameyes ward of the municipality of Luquillo, Puerto Rico. This Apartment is built out of reinforced concrete and concrete blocks and is composed of one level. Its access door gives it access to the B stairway located in the EAST side of the building being continuous to the WEST and EAST terraces located in the ground level which border a communal sidewalk which grants access to the parking area which borders public road number one which gives access to the lot where the Condominium was built. The stairs, terraces, sidewalk and parking are common elements.

Area of the Apartment: 839.94 square feet equivalent to 78.06 square meters. Its boundaries are: by the NORTH, at a distance of 18 feet equivalent to 5.49 meters with exterior wall that separates it from a general common area composed of the north or back patio; by the SOUTH, at a distance of 18 feet equivalent to 5.49 meters with exterior wall that separates it from general common area composed of the south or front patio; by the WEST, at a distance of 48 feet and 2 feet, totaling 50 feet equivalent to 14.63 meters, 0.61 meters and 15.24 meters with Apartment 502 and exterior wall that separates it from general common area composed of the southern or front patio; and by the EAST, in four distances of 18 feet 9 inches, 12 feet 3 inches, 17 feet and 2 feet totaling 50 feet equivalent to 5.72 meters, 3.73 meters, 5.18 meters, 0.61 meters respectively with Apartment 202 and exterior wall that separate it from general common area (front or southern patio); And by the EAST in four distances of 18 feet 9 inches, 12 feet 3 inches, 17 feet and 2 feet totaling 50 feet equivalent to 5.72 me-

30 ters, 3.73 meters, 5.18 meters, 0.61 meters and 15.24 meters with Apartment 204, stairway B, Apartment 204, and exterior wall that separates it from general common area composed of the front or southern patio (SIC). This Apartment is composed of kitchen, living room, open balcony, two bedrooms each one with a closet. The master room has a private bath; linen closet and a common bathroom. Parking: To this Apartment belongs parking #203 according to the inscription plans. This Apartment has a 10% participation in the common elements of the building.”

The property described above is recorded at page 196 of volume 271 of Luquillo, property number 12,874, Registry of Property, Section of Fajardo.

The Property is described in the Spanish language as follows: URBANA: Propiedad Horizontal; Apartamento número 203 del Condominio Playa Fortuna, situada en el Barrio Mameyes del término municipal de Luquillo, Puerto Rico. Este apartamento está construido en hormigón armado y bloques de hormigón. Consta de un solo nivel. Su puerta de entrada da acceso a la escalera B, ubicada en el lado Este del edificio y la misma es continua hasta las terrazas Oeste y Este, ubicadas a nivel terrero, las cuales a su vez colindan con una acera comunal que da acceso al área de estacionamiento y este a su vez colinda con la calle pública número 1 que da acceso al solar donde se construyó el edificio.

Las escaleras, las terrazas, la acera y el estacionamiento son elementos comunes. Área; este apartamento tiene un área total de 839.94 pies cuadrados, equivalentes a 78.06 metros cuadrados. Linderos; por el NORTE, en distancia de 18 pies, equivalentes 5.49 metros con pare exterior que lo separa del aérea común general constituida por el patio Norte o posterior; por el SUR, en una distancia de 18 pies, equivalentes a 5.49 metros, pare exterior que lo separa del aérea común general constituida por el patio Sur o delantero; por el OESTE, en 2 alineaciones, 48 pies y 2 pies que suman 50 pies, equivalentes a 14.63 metros, 0.61 metros y 15.24 metros respectivamente, colindando con apartamento 202 y con pared exterior que lo separa del área común general constituida por el patio SUR o delantero; por el ESTE, en 4 alineaciones, 18 pies 9 pulgadas, 12 pies 3 pulgadas, 17 pies y 2 pies que suman 50 pies, equivalentes respectivamente a 5.72 metros, 3.73 metros, 5.18 metros, 0.61 metros respectivamente colindando con apartamento 202 y

con pared exterior que lo separa del área común general constituida por el patio SUR o delantero; por el ESTE, en 4 alineaciones, 18 pies 9, pulgadas, 12 pies 3 pulgadas, 17 pies y 2 pies que suman 50 pies, equivalentes respectivamente a 5.72 metros, 3.73 metros, 5.18 metros, 0.61 metros y 15.24 metros colindando cada alineación respectivamente, con apartamento 204, escalera B, apartamento 204 y pared exterior que lo separa del área común general constituida por el patio SUR o delantero (SIC).

Este apartamento consta de cocina, sala, comedor, balcón abierto, 2 dormitorios, cada uno con closet, el dormitorio principal cuenta con baño privado. “linen closet” (percha para ropa de cama), y un baño común.

Estacionamiento: A este apartamento le corresponde el estacionamiento #203, según marcado en los planos.

Participación: A este apartamento le corresponde una participación de 10%, en los elementos comunes del edificio.”

The property is subject to the following liens: BY ITS ORIGIN: Free and clear. BY ITSELF: MORTGAGE guaranteeing a note payable to the order of Doral Bank in the principal amount of $142,800.00 with an annual interest rate of 6.50% and due on February 1, 2032, as per deed number 69, executed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 31, 2002, before Notary Public Kristina Vivoni Girod, recorded at page 196 of volume 271 of Luquillo, 3rd inscription.

LIS PENDENS: Filed on October 17, 2016 to the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Civil Case #162836, about Collection of Monies and Foreclosure of Mortgage; plaintiff: Bautista Cayman Asset Company, defendant: Oros Verdes, Inc., amount owed $134,657.94; recorded on January 26, 2017 to the Karibe Volume, annotation A. (2016-104666-FA01). Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior and preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax, liens, (express, tacit, implied or legal), shall continue in effect. It being understood further that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. The lien executed is over the property, and for the purposes of the first judicial sale the minimum bid amount is as follows: The amount of

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

$142,800.00, as set forth in the mortgage deed, shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the first public sale. Should the first public sale fail to produce an award or adjudication, two-thirds of the aforementioned amount or $95,200.00 shall serve as the minimum bidding amount for the second public sale. Should there be no award or adjudication at the second public sale, the minimum bidding amount for the third public sale shall be $71,400.00.

Said sale to be made by the appointed Special Master is subject to confirmation by the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the deed of conveyance and possession to the property may be executed and delivered after the judicial sale. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. THEREFORE, public notice is hereby given that the appointed Special Master, pursuant to the provisions of the Judgment herein before referred to, will, on the 26th day of March, 2021, at 10:35 a.m., on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, will sell at public auction to the highest bidder the property described herein, the proceeds of said sale to be applied in the manner and form provided by the Court’s Judgment. Should the first judicial sale set hereinabove be unsuccessful, the second judicial sale of the property described in this Notice will be held on the 5th day of April, 2021, at 10:35 a.m., on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Should the second judicial sale set hereinabove be unsuccessful, the third judicial sale of the property described in this Notice will be held on the 12th day of April, 2021, at 10:35 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the main gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.

The records of the case and of these proceedings may be examined by the parties at the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Federal Building, Chardón Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 23th day of February, 2021. AGUEDO DE LA TORRE, Appointed Special Master.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTAN-

CIA SALA DE PONCE.

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO Demandante Vs.

DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados CIVIL NÚM. TA2019CV00470.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA Demandada CIVIL NÚM.: PO2020CV01575. POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISALÓN: 605. SOBRE: COBRO SO DE PÚBLICA SUBASTA. DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIEN- A: LOS CODEMANDADOS TO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS DE EPIGRAFE Y AL UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PÚBLICO EN GENERAL: PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTAEl Alguacil que suscribe por DOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO LIla presente anuncia y hace BRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO constar que en cumplimiento RICO. de una Sentencia dictada en el A) DIANA I. caso de epígrafe el 9 de agosGUTIÉRREZ JIMÉNEZ to de 2019, notificada el 12 de POR LA PRESENTE: Se le agosto de 2019 y publicada notifica que contra usted se ha el 15 de agosto de 2019 y de presentado la Demanda sobre un Mandamiento de Ejecución Cobro de Dinero de la cual se emitido el día 3 de enero de acompaña copia. Por la pre- 2020, que le ha sido dirigido sente se le emplaza a usted y por la Secretaria del Tribunal se le requiere para que dentro de Primera Instancia, Sala de del término de TREINTA (30) Toa Alta, procederá a vender días desde la fecha de la Publi- en subasta, por separado, y cación por Edicto de este Em- al mejor postor con dinero en plazamiento presente su con- efectivo, cheque de gerente testación a través del Sistema o letra bancaria con similar Unificado de Manejo y Adminis- garantía, todo título, derecho tración de Casos (SUMAC), al o interés de los demandados cual puede acceder utilizando de epígrafe sobre el inmueble la siguiente dirección electróni- que adelante se describe. Se ca: https://unired.ramajudicial. anuncia por la presente que la pr, salvo que se represente por primera subasta habrá de celederecho propio, en cuyo caso brarse el día 7 de abril del año deberá presentar su alegación 2021 a las 9:00 de la mañana, responsiva en la Secretaría del en mi oficina localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, P.O. Box 7185, Sala Superior de Toa Alta, soPonce, Puerto Rico 00732- bre el inmueble que se describe 7185 y notifique a la LCDA. a continuación: RUSTICA: ParGINA H. FERRER MEDINA, cela I identificada con el #15 en personalmente al Condominio el plano de inscripción aprobaLas Nereidas, Local 1-B, Calle do en el Caso #9- 73-4 URB., Méndez Vigo esquina Ama- radicado en el barrio Piñas del dor Ramírez Silva, Mayagüez, término municipal de Toa Alta, Puerto Rico 00680; o por correo Puerto Rico, compuesta de al Apartado 2342, Mayagüez, 1,038.12 metros cuadrados, Puerto Rico 0068 1-2342, Te- en lindes por el NORTE, en léfonos: (787) 832-9620 y (845) 24.10 metros, con los solares 345-3985, Abogada de la parte 5 y 6 aprobados en este mismo demandante, apercibiéndose caso. SUR, en 24 metros, con que en caso de no hacerlo así Calle A, dedicada a uso públipodrá dictarse Sentencia en co. ESTE, en 42.13 metros, con Rebeldía en contra suya, con- el solar 14 y OESTE, en 44.38 cediendo el remedio solicitado metros, con solar aprobado en en la Demanda sin más citarle el caso 5-72-343-LS. FINCA: ni oírle. EXPIDO BAJO MI FIR- Número tres mil quinientos seMA y el Sello del Tribunal hoy senta y tres (3563), inscrita al 2 de FEBRERO de 2021. LUZ folio ciento uno (101) del tomo MAYRA CARABALLO GAR- ochenta y dos (82) del Registro CIA, Secretaria. Maribel Ortiz de la Propiedad de Bayamón Muñiz, SubSecretaria.

Sección III, demarcación Toa Alta. Dirección física: Lot 15 LEGAL NOTICE Elena St. Ayala Sector Toa Alta ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO PR 00953. El siguiente pagaré DE PUERTO RICO TRIBU- consta inscrito en la propiedad NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA antes mencionada y es el que SALA SUPERIOR DE TOA se pretende ejecutar: HIPOALTA. TECA: Por $117,993.00, con BANCO POPULAR DE intereses al 5-1/2% anual, en garantía de un pagaré a favor PUERTO RICO Preferred Mortgage CorporaDemandante v.

FRANCISCO FONTÁNEZ tion, que vence el 1ro de enero ROJAS, SU ESPOSA, de 2034. Según escritura #171, otorgada en San Juan, el 31 de MORAIMA CRUZ diciembre de 2003, ante RoRODRÍGUEZ Y LA sendo E. Miranda López, insSOCIEDAD LEGAL crita en virtud de la ley 216 del

DIANA I. GUTIÉRREZ JIMÉNEZ

2010 para agilizar el Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, en el tomo Karibe de la Sección III de Bayamón, finca #3563 de Toa Alta, inscripción 12da, con fecha de 28 de septiembre de 2016. CANCELACION PARCIAL Y MODIFICACION DE HIPOTECA: Cancelada parcialmente la anterior hipoteca, en la suma de $1,540.48, para un nuevo principal de $116,452.52. El interés anual será al 4.625%, el pago mensual de principal e intereses será de $598.73, con pagos comenzando el 1ro de octubre de 2011 y vencerá el 1ro de septiembre de 2041; el término será de 30 años (360 pagos).

El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta, en caso de ejecución, será por $116,452.52. Según escritura #670, otorgada en San Juan, el 17 de agosto de 2011, ante Néstor Machado Cortés, inscrita en el tomo Karibe de la Sección III de Bayamón, finca #3563 de Toa Alta, inscripción 15ta., con fecha de 28 de septiembre de 2016. La referida hipoteca grava el bien inmueble antes descrito. Que según surge del estudio de título, la propiedad se encuentra afecta al siguiente gravamen posterior: HIPOTECA: Por $4,422.00, sin intereses, en garantía de un pagaré a favor del Departamento de Desarrollo Urbano y Vivienda de los Estados Unidos de América. Según escritura #142, otorgada en San Juan, el 7 de julio de 2006, ante Luis A. Arrufat Pimentel, inscrita en virtud de la ley 216 del 2010 para agilizar el Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, en el tomo Karibe de la Sección III de Bayamón, finca #3563 de Toa Alta, inscripción 14ta., con fecha de 28 de septiembre de 2016. POSTERGACION DE HIPOTECA: Se posterga la hipoteca por $4,422.00 que grava esta finca, según su inscripción 14ma a favor de la modificación de la hipoteca de la inscripción 12ma, modificada posteriormente según su inscripción 15ta. Según escritura #769, otorgada en San Juan, el 8 de septiembre de 2011, ante Nestor Machado Cortes, inscrita al tomo Karibe de la Sección III de Bayamón, finca #3563 de Toa Alta, inscripción 14ma. con fecha de 14 de julio de 2020. La subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al demandante, total o parcialmente según sea el caso, de la referida sentencia que fue dictada por las siguientes sumas: $105,786.55 por concepto de principal, más intereses al 4.625% anual, más “escrow” en atraso, más 4% de todo pago en atraso, más $11,799.30 como cantidad estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados, así

como cualquier otra suma que contenga el contrato de préstamo. Y PARA CONOCIMIENTO DE LAS PARTES INTERESADAS y del público en general, se advierte que los autos de este caso y demás instancias están disponibles para ser inspeccionadas en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Primera Instancia Sala Superior de Toa Alta, durante las horas laborables.

Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante, incluyendo el gravamen por las contribuciones sobre la propiedad inmueble adeudadas, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda responsable de los mismos sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.

La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá Libre de Cargas y Gravámenes posteriores. Los tipos mínimos a utilizarse para la subasta son los siguientes: El inmueble antes descrito ha sido tasado en la suma de CIENTO DIECISÉIS MIL CUATROCIENTOS CINCUENTA Y DOS DÓLARES CON CINCUENTA Y DOS CENTAVOS ($116,452.52) para que dicha suma sirva de tipo mínimo en la primera subasta a celebrarse. De no producirse remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del antedicho inmueble, se celebrará una segunda subasta en el mismo lugar antes mencionado, el día 14 de abril del año 2021 a las 9:00 de la mañana, sirviendo como tipo mínimo para dicha segunda subasta, una suma equivalente a las dos terceras (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo pactado para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de SETENTA Y SIETE MIL SEISCIENTOS TREINTA Y CINCO DÓLARES CON UN CENTAVO ($77,635.01) para la finca antes descrita. De no producirse remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta del antedicho inmueble, se celebrará una tercera subasta en el mismo lugar antes mencionado, el día 21 de abril del año 2021 a las 9:00 de la mañana, sirviendo como tipo mínimo para dicha tercera subasta, una suma equivalente a la mitad (1/2) del tipo mínimo fijado para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de CINCUENTA Y OCHO MIL DOSCIENTOS VEINTISÉIS DÓLARES CON VEINTISÉIS CENTAVOS ($58,226.26) para la finca antes descrita. En testimonio de lo cual, expido el presente aviso, el cual firmo y sello, hoy 11 de febrero de 2021, en Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. JUAN AVILES VALLINES, Alguacil Auxiliar, Placa 793.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE JUANA DIAZ.

LIME HOMES, LTD., Demandante vs.

JUAN BAUTISTA SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ T/C/C JUAN B. SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ; NILSA IVETTE RODRÍGUEZ RIVERA; Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados CIVIL NÚM.: SI2018CV00065.

SOBRE: ACCIÓN IN REM DE EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLICA SUBASTA. Yo, Hector I Ruiz Martinez, Alguacil de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia de Juana Diaz, a los demandados y al público en general les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso por el Secretario del Tribunal de Juana Diaz con fecha 27 de marzo de 2020 y para satisfacer la Sentencia por la cantidad de $42,005.26 de principal; dictada en el caso de autos el 21 de octubre de 2019 y notificada por correo ese mismo día, publicada el 28 de octubre de 2019 en el periódico “The San Juan Daily Star” y notificada por correo certificado el 29 de octubre de 2019, procederé a vender en pública subasta, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, mediante efectivo, giro o cheque certificado a nombre del Alguacil de este Tribunal todo derecho, título e interés que hayan tenido tengan o puedan tener los deudores demandados en cuanto a la propiedad localizada en el Municipio de Guayama, Puerto Rico, el bien inmueble se describe a continuación: Calle Betances 55, Santa Isabel, PR 00757, URBANA: Solar número (12) en el plano radicado en el municipio de Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, con una cabida de CIENTO OCHENTA Y OCHO METROS NOVENTA Y TRES CENTIMETROS CUADRADOS (188.93 M/C). En colindancias por el NORTE, con la Autoridad de Hogares de Puerto Rico; por el SUR con la calle Doctor Betances; por el ESTE, con la Autoridad de Hogares de Puerto Rico y por el OESTE, con el solar número trece (13) del plano. En su inscripción segunda (2da.) se expresa que dicho solar colinda actualmente por el NORTE y ESTE con la

The San Juan Daily Star C.R.U.V. de Puerto Rico y por el OESTE, con Efigenio Vega.

Esta propiedad por sí y por su procedencia se encuentra libre de cargas. La Propiedad consta inscrita al folio doscientos cinco (205) del tomo treinta y dos (32) de Santa Isabel, finca número ochocientos cuatro (804) en el registro de Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección de Guayama. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, según la Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, por el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Juana Diaz, cuyas cantidades son las siguientes: $42,005.26 de principal; intereses al 13.13880%, desde el 8 de diciembre de 2016, los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda; recargos a razón del 5% de cada pago vencido no recibido dentro de los quince (15) días después de la fecha de vencimiento; más el 20% del principal del pagaré, equivalente a $10,917.99, para cubrir costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados pactado.

El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $54,589.99 según la escritura de hipoteca para la propiedad descrita. De declararse la subasta desierta, se procederá a una segunda subasta y servirá de tipo mínimo de 2/3 del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $36,393.32.

Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en esta segunda subasta, se procederá a una tercera subasta, en la cual regirá como tipo mínimo ésta la 1/2 del precio mínimo antes mencionado; $27,294.99. La primera subasta se llevará a cabo el 14 de abril de 2021; a las 10:00 de la mañana. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una segunda subasta el 21 de abril de 2021; a las 10:00 de la mañana. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una tercera subasta el 28 de abril de 2021; a las 10:00 de la mañana. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina, localizada en Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Juana Diaz. Del Estudio de Título realizado no surgen gravámenes posteriores que deban ser cancelados. Se advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para co-

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

nocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término 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.

La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados, durante horas laborables, en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante, continuarán subsistentes; entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate.

Y para conocimiento de los demandados, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, a 9 de febrero de 2021. Hector I Ruiz Martinez, Alguacil Auxiliar #219.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.

REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC. Demandante vs.

JOSE RAMON PEREZ PORTALES T/C/C JOSE R. PEREZ PORTALES T/C/C JOSE PEREZ PORTALES T/C/C JOSE RAMON PEREZ; RUFINA ESTHER DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ T/C/C RUFINA E. DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ T/C/C RUFINA DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ T/C/C RUFINA ESTHER DOMINGUEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE

BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA

Demandados CIVIL NUM. CA2020CV02616.

SOBRE: EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. SS.

A: JOSE RANON PEREZ PORTALES T/C/C JOSE R. PEREZ PORTALES T/C/C JOSE PEREZ PORTALES T/C/C JOSE RANON PEREZ; RUFINA ESTHER DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ T/C/C RUFINA E. DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ T/C/C RUFINA DOMINGUEZ MARTINEZ T/C/C RUFINA ESTHER DOMINGUEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

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 del 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 NEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309 Telephone: (954) 343 6273 Frances.Asencio@gmlaw.com Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy 18 de febrero de 2021. Lcdo. Marilyn Aponte Rodriguez, Secretaria Regional.

Myriam I Figueroa Pastral, Sec Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA.

REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING LLC. Demandante vs.

SUCESION LUIS HERNANDEZ AMARO T/C/C LUIS ENRIQUE HERNAMDEZ T/C/C LUIS ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ AMARO T/C/C LUIS HERNANDEZ COMPUESTA POR JAVIER HERNANDEZ ORTIZ, LUIS HERNANDEZ ORTIZ, JR.; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; CARMEN ORTIZ DE ALBA T/C/C CARMEN R. ORTIZ -HERNANDEZ TIC/C CARMEN RITA ORTIZ DE ALBA T/C/C CARMEN ORTIZ POR SÍ Y EN CUANTO A LA CUOTA VIUDAL USUFRUCTUARIA; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA

conforme al Art. 959, supra, y el caso Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaría vs. Latinoamericana de Exportación, Inc., 164 DPR 689 (2005), les ordena que el término de treinta (30) días, hagan declaración aceptado o repudiando la herencia de LUIS HERNANDEZ AMARO T/C/C LUIS ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ T/C/C LUIS ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ AMARO T/C/C LUIS HERNANDEZ. Se les apercibe que de no expresar su intención de aceptar o repudiar la herencia dentro del término que se le fijó, la herencia se tendrá por aceptada. Los abogados de la parte demandante son: GREENSPOON MARDER, LLP, TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE 700, lOO WEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309, Tel. (954) 343 6273, Fax. (954) 343 6982. Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, hoy 18 de febrero de 2021. Lcda. Marilyn Aponte Rodríguez, Secretaria Regional.

Myriam I Figueroa Pastrana, Sec Auxiliar.

LEGAL NOT ICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA Demandados SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROCIVIL NUN. CA2019CV04159.

LINA. SOBRE: MANDAMIENTO DE REVERSE MORTGAGE INTERPELACIÓN POR EDICFUNDING LLC. TO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE Demandante vs.

AMÉRICA EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS SUCESION MARIA EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIAANTONIA RIVERA DO DE PUERTO RICO. SS. TORRES T/C/C MARIA

31

LA SUCESION MARIA CIVIL NÚM. AI2019CV00263.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO ANTONIA RIVERA de Hipoteca por la TORRES T/C/C MARIA A. (Ejecución Vía Ordinaria). EDICTO DE RIVERA TORRES; JOHN SUBASTA. ROE Y JANE ROE COMO Al: Público en General POSIBLES MIEMBROS A: SUCESIÓN DE DESCONOCIDOS DE LA CARMEN ROSA SUCESION IVAN SANTOS MAYSONET COSME, RIVERA compuesta por sus hijos El Articulo 959 del Código Civil MARGARITA GARCIA de P.R., 31 LPRA § 2787, dispoMAYSONET, ESTHER ne: “Instando, en juicio, un terGARCIA MAYSONET cer interesado para que el herey JOSE GARCIA dero acepte o repudie, deberá el Tribunal Superior señalar a MAYSONET; FULANO éste un término, que no pase DE TAL y ZUTANO DE de treinta (30) dias, para que TAL, como herederos haga su declaración; apercibidesconocidos; CENTRO do de que, si no la hace, se tenDE RECAUDACIÓN DE drá la herencia por aceptada.”

For la presente el Tribunal de INGRESOS MUNICIPALES (“CRIM”) Primera Instancia, conforme al Art. 959, supra, y el caso Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria vs.

Latinoamericana de Exportación, Inc., 164 DPR 689 2005), les ordena que el término de treinta (30) dias, hagan declaración aceptado o repudiando la herencia de MARIA ANTONIA RIVERA TORRES T/C/C MARIA A. RIVERA TORBES e IVAN SANTOS RIVERA. Se les apercibe que de no expresar su intención de aceptar o repudiar la herencia dentro del término que se le fijó, la herencia se tendré por aceptada. Los abogados de la parte demandante son: GP.EENSPOON MABDER, LLP, TRADE CENTRE SOUTH, SUITE 700, 100 WEST CYPRESS CREEK ROAD, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309, Tel. (954) 343 6273, Fax. (954) 343 6982. Expido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, hoy 5 de enero de 2021. Lcda. Marilyn Aponte Rodriguez, Secretaria Regional. Rosa M. Viera Velazquez, Sec Auxiliar.

A: CARMEN ORTIZ A. RIVERA TORRES DE ALBA T/C/C COMPUESTA FOR CARMEN R. ORTIZ YADIRA MELENDEZ -HERNANDEZ T/C/C RIVERA, SANDRA CARMEN RITA ORTIZ DE SANTOS RIVERA; JOHN ALBA T/C/C CARMEN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO ORTIZ, EN CUANTO POSIBLES HEREDEROS A LA CUOTA VIUDAL DESCONOCIDOS; LEGAL NOTICE USUFRUCTUARIA; SUCESION IVAN SANTOS ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO LUIS HERNANDEZ RIVERA COMPUESTA DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUORTIZ, .JR.; JOHN DOE POR CHRISTIAN SANTOS NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA Y JANE DOE COMO BORRERO; JOHN ROE SALA SUPERIOR DE COMEPOSIBLES MIEMBROS RIO. Y JANE ROE COMO DE LA SUCESION LUIS POSIBLES HEREDEROS BANCO POPULAR DE HERNANDEZ AMARO PUERTO RICO DESCONOCIDOS; Demandante vs.

T/C/C LUIS ENRIQUE ESTADOS UNIDOS DE SUCESIÓN DE CARMEN HERNANDEZ T/C/C LUIS AMERICA; CENTRO ROSA MAYSONET ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ DE RECAUDACION DE COSME, compuesta por AMARO T/C/C LUIS INGRESOS MUNICIPALES sus hijos MARGARITA HERNMIDEZ Demandados El Artículo 959 del Código Ci- CIVIL NUM. CA2019CV03632.

GARCIA MAYSONET, vil de P.R., 31 LPRA § 2787, SOBRE: EJECUCION DE HIESTHER GARCIA dispone: “Instando, en juicio, POTECA. MANDAMIENTO DE MAYSONET y JOSE un tercer interesado para que INTERPELACIÔN POR EDICGARCIA MAYSONET; el heredero acepte o repudie, TO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE FULANO DE TAL y deberá el Tribunal Superior AMERICA EL PRESIDENTE ZUTANO DE TAL, señalar a éste un término, que DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS como herederos no pase de treinta (30) días, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIApara que haga su declaración; DO DE PUERTO RICO. SS. desconocidos; CENTRO apercibido de que, si no la DE RECAUDACIÓN DE A: JOHN DOE Y hace, se tendrá la herencia por INGRESOS MUNICIPALES JANE DOE COMO aceptada.” Por la presente el (“CRIM”) POSIBLES MIEMBROS Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Demandados DESCONOCIDOS DE

Yo, JOSE JULIAN ORTIZ, Alguacil de este Tribunal, a la parte demandada y a los acreedores y personas con interés sobre la propiedad que más adelante se describe, y al público en general, HAGO SABER: Que el día 16 de abril de 2021 a las 11:30 de la mañana en mi oficina, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Aibonito, Aibonito, Puerto Rico, venderé en Pública Subasta la propiedad inmueble que más adelante se describe y cuya venta en pública subasta se ordenó por la vía ordinaria al mejor postor quien hará el pago en dinero en efectivo, giro postal o cheque certificado a nombre del o la Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia.

Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento incoado, estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal de Comerío durante horas laborables. Que en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta a celebrarse, se celebrará una segunda subasta para la venta de la susodicha propiedad, el día 23 de abril de 2021 a las 11:30 de la mañana y en caso de no producir remate ni adjudicación, se celebrará una tercera subasta el día 30 de abril de 2021 a las 11:30 de la mañana en mi oficina sita en el lugar antes indicado. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: RUSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número Ciento Dos (102) en el plano de parcelación de la COMUNIDAD RURAL NARANJO del Barrio Naranjo del término municipal de Comerío, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de CERO PUNTO DOS MIL DOSCIENTOS CIENTO (0.2205) CUERDA, equivalentes a OCHOCIENTOS SESENTA Y SEIS PUNTO SETENTA Y UNO (866.71) METROS CUADRADOS. En lindes por el NORTE, con la Calle núme-

ro Tres (3) de la Comunidad; por el SUR, con las parcelas número Ciento Tres (103) y Ciento Cuatro (104) de la Comunidad; por el ESTE, con la Calle número Dos (2) de la Comunidad; y por el OESTE, con la Calle número Tres (3) de la Comunidad. La escritura de hipoteca se encuentra inscrita al folio 196 del tomo 155 de Comerío, Registro de la Propiedad de Barranquitas, finca número 5,325-Bis, inscripción Cuarta. La dirección física de la propiedad antes descrita es: Barrio Naranjo, Número 102, Carretera 782, Comerío, Puerto Rico. La subasta se llevará a efecto para satisfacer a la parte demandante la suma de $19,031.79 de principal, intereses al 6.25% anual, desde el día 1ro. de noviembre de 2017, más la cantidad de $3,500.00 estipulada para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado, hasta su completo pago, todas cuyas sumas están líquidas y exigibles. Que la cantidad mínima de licitación en la primera subasta para el inmueble será de $35,000.00 y de ser necesaria una segunda subasta, la cantidad mínima será equivalente a 2/3 partes de aquella, o sea, la suma de $23,333.34 y de ser necesaria una tercera subasta, la cantidad mínima será la mitad del precio pactado, es decir, la suma de $17,500.00. Si se declara desierta la tercera subasta se adjudicará la finca a favor del acreedor por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada si esta es igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta, si el Tribunal lo estima conveniente. Se abonará dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si esta es mayor. La propiedad se adjudicará al mejor postor, quien deberá satisfacer el importe de su oferta en moneda legal y corriente de los Estados Unidos de América en el momento de la adjudicación y que todo licitador acepta como suficiente la titularidad y que las cargas y gravámenes preferentes, si los hubiese, continuarán subsistentes, entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser vendida en pública subasta se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Podrán concurrir como postores a todas las subastas los titulares de créditos hipotecarios vigentes y posteriores a la hipoteca que se cobra o ejecuta, si alguno o que figuren como tales en la certificación registral y que podrán utilizar el montante de sus créditos o parte de alguno en sus ofertas.

Si la oferta aceptada es por cantidad mayor a la suma del crédito o cré-

32 ditos preferentes al suyo, al obtener la buena pro del remate, deberá satisfacer en el mismo acto, en efectivo o en cheque de gerente, la totalidad del crédito hipotecario que se ejecuta y la de cualesquiera otro créditos posteriores al que se ejecuta pero preferente al suyo. El exceso constituirá abono total o parcial en su propio crédito. EN TESTIMONIO DE LO CUAL, expido el presente Edicto para conocimiento y comparecencia de los licitadores, bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Aibonito, Puerto Rico, a 19 de febrero de 2021. JOSE JULIAN ORTIZ, ALGUACIL TRIBUNAL, SALA SUPERIOR DE AIBONITO.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AIBONITO SALA SUPERIOR.

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO DEMANDANTE VS.

JESÚS GABRIEL SUÁREZ ORTÍZ T/C/C JOSE GABRIEL SUAREZ ORTIZ

DEMANDADOS CIVIL NUM.: AI2019CV00129.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AIBONITO, SALA SUPERIOR, en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América el 6 DE ABRIL DE 2021, A LAS 10:30 DE LA MAÑANA, en su oficina sita en el local que ocupa en el edificio del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AIBONITO, SALA SUPERIOR, todo derecho, título e interés que tenga la parte demandada de epígrafe en el inmueble de su propiedad que ubica en: LOT 41 (25) CALLE PALESTINA COMUNIDAD SAN LUIS BARRIO LLANOS, AIBONITO, PR 00705 (25 CALLE PALESTINA BDA. SAN LUIS, AIBONITO, PR 00705) y que se describe a continuación: RUSTICA: Parcela marcada con el número 41 en el Plano de Parcelación de la Comunidad Rural San Luis del Barrio Llanos del término municipal de Aibonito, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de .1961 de cuerda, equivalentes a 770.83 metros cuadrados. En lindes

por el NORTE, con la Carretera Estatal número 724; por el SUR, con la Parcela número 35 de la comunidad; por el ESTE, con la Parcela número 40-A; y por el OESTE, con la Parcela número 42 de la comunidad.

Enclava una casa. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 90 del Tomo 111 de Aibonito, finca número 5,173, Registro de la Propiedad de Barranquitas. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $79,419.00. Si no hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la primera subasta del inmueble mencionado, se celebrará una segunda subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 13 DE ABRIL DE 2021, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE. En la segunda subasta que se celebre servirá de tipo mínimo las dos terceras partes (2/3) del precio pactado en la primera subasta, o sea la suma de $52,946.00.

Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una tercera subasta en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el día 20 DE ABRIL DE 2021, A LAS 2:00 DE LA TARDE. Para la tercera subasta servirá de tipo mínimo la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado para el caso de ejecución, o sea, la suma de $39,709.50.

La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura de hipoteca número 111 otorgada en Cayey, Puerto Rico, el día 15 de noviembre de 2010, ante el Notario Roberto Soto Tapia, y consta inscrita al folio 50 del tomo 265 de Aibonito, finca número 5,173, inscripción Octava (8va). Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para con su producto satisfacer al Demandante total o parcialmente según sea el caso el importe de la Sentencia que ha obtenido contra la parte demandada ascendente a la suma de $69,573.64 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 5.00% anual que continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación; cargos por demora en la suma de $318.47; y $7941.90, por concepto de costas y honorarios. Que los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al Procedimiento incoado estarán de manifiesto en la SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AIBONITO, SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate.

La propiedad no está sujeta a los siguientes gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. Surge de un estudio de título que, sobre la finca descrita anteriormente, pesan los gravámenes posteriores a la hipoteca que se ejecuta mediante este procedimiento que se relacionan a continuación. Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de Autoridad para el Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $3,400.00, sin intereses, vencedero el día 11 de julio de 2014, constituida mediante la escritura número 139, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 11 de julio de 2008, ante el notario Magaly Rodríguez Batista, e inscrita al folio 21 vuelto del tomo 272 de Aibonito, finca número 5,173, inscripción 7ma.

Sujeto a Condiciones de venta bajo el Programa La Llave Para Tu Hogar, por un término de 6 años. Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores desconocidos, no inscritos o presentados que 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. La propiedad objeto de ejecución y descrita anteriormente se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores una vez el Honorable Tribunal expida la correspondiente Orden de Confirmación de Venta Judicial. Y para conocimiento de licitadores del público en general se publicará este Edicto de acuerdo con la ley por espacio de dos semanas en tres sitios públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía. Este Edicto será publicado dos veces en un diario de circulación general en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas. Expido el presente Edicto de subasta

bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal en Aibonito, Puerto Rico, hoy día 24 de febrero de 2021. JOSE O. MELENDEZ RODRIGUEZ, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AIBONITO SALA SUPERIOR.

LEGAL NOTICE ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE SAN JUAN.

MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P. Parte Demandante Vs.

LA SUCESION DE LUIS ANTONIO CASTRO FEBO COMPUESTA POR BENIGNO CASTRO FEBO, Y POR JOHN DOE Y RICHARD ROE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; Administración Para el sustento de menores y Centro de Recaudacion de Ingresos Municipales

Parte Demandada CIVIL NUM. SJ2019CV10709.

SOBRE: EJECUCION DE HIPOTECA POR LA VIA ORDINARIA Y COBRO DE DINERO. ANUNCIO DE SUBASTA. El suscribiente, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia de Puerto Rico, Sala de San Juan, 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, en mi oficina en este Tribunal el derecho que tenga la parte demandada en el inmueble que se relaciona más adelante para pagar la SENTENCIA por $125,574.48, de balance principal, los intereses vencidos sobre el principal computados al 5.75% anual desde el día primero de abril de 2017 hasta su total pago; más el 5% computado sobre cada mensualidad por concepto de cargos por demora desde el primero de mayo de 2016, hasta su total pago; más la suma de $13,200.00 garantizada de la hipoteca para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado del acreedor demandante, más cualesquiera otras sumas que por cualesquier concepto legal se devenguen hasta el total y completo pago de esta sentencia 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 EV

del plano de inscripción de la segunda extensión de la Urbanización Country Club, situado en el Barrio Sabana Llana de Rio Piedras, con una cabida superficial de trescientos punto quince metros cuadrados (300.15). Colinda por el Norte, en trece punto cero cinco metros (13.05) con la calle numero cincuenta y cinco (55), por el Sur, en trece punto cero cinco metros (13.05) con el solar numero cuarenta y cinco (45), por el Este, en veintitres metros (23.00) con el solar numero tres (3), y por el Oeste, en veintitres metros (23.00) con el solar numero uno (1). Enclava una casa de concreto reforzado para vivienda. Sobre la superficie del techo de la vivienda existente antes mencionada, se ha identificado una segunda planta de concreto y bloques para una familia, segun consta de la inscripción décimonovena (19).

Inscrita al folio sesenta (60) del tomo ciento sesenta y nueve (169) de Sabana Llana, finca numero siete mil quinientos cuarenta y siete (7,547), Registro de San Juan quinta (5ta).

Dirección física: Urbanización Country Club, 1016 Calle Alejo Cruzado, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00924. La primera subasta se llevará a cabo el día 30 de marzo de 2021, a las 10:30 de la mañana, y servirá de tipo mínimo para la misma la suma de $132,000.00 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 7 de abril de 2021, a las 10:30 de la mañana 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 $88,000.00.

Si tampoco hubiera remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una tercera subasta el día 14 de abril de 2021, a las 10:30 de la mañana y el tipo mínimo para esta tercera subasta será la mitad del precio establecido para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de $66,000.00. 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 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 San Juan, Puerto Rico a 23 de febrero de 2021.

PEDRO HIEYE GONZALEZ, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE SAN JUAN.

LEGAL NOTICE

FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO

minada Caloca Street y por el

ROBERTO LOPEZ PABON y su esposa DAISY RIVERA SOTO, por sí y en representación de la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales compuesta por ambos

Inscrita al folio ciento dieciséis

Parte Demandante Vs.

Parte Demandada

Oeste, en igual medida, con el solar noventa y siete (97).

(116) del tomo ciento seis (106) de Sabana Llana, finca número

cuatro mil cuatrocientos noventa y nueve (4499).

Registro

de la Propiedad de San Juan,

Sección V. Dirección fisica: 328

Citadel Rept Universitario, San

Juan, PR 00926. La primera NUM. KCD2017-0229. subasta se llevará a cabo el día SOBRE: EJECUCION DE 30 de MARZO de 2021, a las CIVIL

HIPOTECA POR LA VIA OR- 10:00 de la mañana, y servirá DINARIA IN-REM. ANUNCIO de tipo mínimo para la misma la

DE SUBASTA, El suscribiente, suma de $156,892.49 sin admiAlguacil del Tribunal de Primera tirse oferta inferior. En el caso Instancia de Puerto Rico, Sala de que el inmueble a ser subasde San Juan, a los demanda- tado no fuera adjudicado en la dos de epígrafe y al público en primera subasta, se celebrará general hace saber que los au- una segunda subasta el día 7

tos y documentos del caso de de ABRIL de 2021, a las 10:00 epígrafe estarán de manifiesto de la mañana y el precio mínien la Secretaría del Tribunal mo para esta segunda subasta durante horas laborables y que será el de dos terceras partes venderá en pública subasta del precio mínimo establecido al mejor postor, en moneda para la primera subasta, o a

de curso legal de los Estados sea la suma de $104,594.99.

Unidos de América en efectivo, Si tampoco hubiera remate ni

cheque certificado, o giro pos- adjudicación en la segunda sutal a nombre del Alguacil del basta, se celebrará una tercera Tribunal de Primera Instancia, subasta el día 14 de ABRIL de en mi oficina en este Tribunal 2021, a las 10:00 de la mañael derecho que tenga la parte na, y el tipo mínimo para esta demandada en el inmueble tercera subasta será la mitad que se relaciona más adelante del precio establecido para la

para pagar la SENTENCIA por primera subasta, o sea, la suma $145,490.34, de balance prin- de $78,446.24. El mejor postor

cipal, los intereses vencidos deberá pagar el importe de su sobre el principal computados oferta en efecto, cheque certifial 5.750% anual desde el día cado o giro postal a nombre del primero de junio de 2017, hasta Alguacil del Tribunal. Si se desu total pago; más el 5% com- clarase desierta la tercera suputado sobre cada mensuali- basta, se dará por terminado el dad de $908.87 por concepto procedimiento, pudiendo adjude cargos por demora desde dicarse el inmueble al acreedor el primero de julio de 2017, a hipotecario dentro de los diez razón de $45.44 mensuales días siguientes a la fecha de hasta su total pago; más la la última subasta, si así lo essuma de $15,649.25 garantiza- timase conveniente, por la totada de la hipoteca para costas, lidad de la cantidad adeudada gastos y honorarios de aboga- conforme a la sentencia, si ésta do del acreedor demandante, fuera igual o menor que el monmás cualesquiera otras sumas to del tipo de la tercera subasta que por cualesquier concepto y abonándose dicho monto a

legal se devenguen hasta el la cantidad adeudada si ésta total y completo pago de esta fuera mayor. Se avisa a cualsentencia hasta el día de la su- quier licitador que la propiedad basta. La propiedad a venderse queda sujeta al gravamen del en pública subasta se describe Estado Libre Asociado y CRIM como sigue: URBANA: Solar sobre la propiedad inmueble marcado con el numero no- por contribuciones adeudadas

venta y seis (96) en el bloque y que el pago de dichas contriB guion seis (B-6) del plano de buciones es la responsabilidad inscripción de la urbanización del licitador. Que se entenderá Reparto Universitario, radicado por todo licitador acepte como

en el barrio Sabana Llana de suficiente la titulación y que los Ríos Piedras, con un área su- cargos y gravámenes anterioperficial de trescientos ochenta res y los preferentes al crédiy ocho (388) metros cuadrados to del ejecutante continuarán con treinta y siete (37) centíme- subsistentes en entendiéndose

tros cuadrados y colinda por el que el rematador los acepta y Norte, en diecisiete metros, con queda subrogado en la resla calle denominado Street No. ponsabilidad de los mismos,

2; por el Sur, en igual medida ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO con el solar ciento treinta y dos DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA (132); por el Este, en veintitrés (23) metros, con la calle denoSALA DE SAN JUAN.

sin destinarse su extinción al

precio rematante. Todos los nombres de los acreedores que

tengan inscritos o anotados

The San Juan Daily Star sus derechos sobre los bienes grafe en su contra. Copia de OF PUERTO RICO. SS. Judghipotecados con posterioridad la demanda, emplazamientos ment in favor of plaintiff for the a la inscripción del crédito del y del presente edicto le ha sido sum of: LOAN XXXXX0024. ejecutante, o de los acreedores enviado por correo a la ultima The sum of $2,086,035.15 in de cargas o derechos reales dirección conocida. Pueden principal, accrued interest in que los hubiesen pospuesto a ustedes obtener mayor infor- the amount of $688,198.07, la hipoteca ejecutada y las per- mación sobre el asunto revi- which continues to accrue until sonas interesadas en, o con de- sando los autos en el Tribunal. full payment of the debt at the recho a exigir el cumplimiento Se le apercibe que tiene usted established rate, forced placed de instrumentos negociables un término de treinta (30) días insurance in the amount of garantizados hipotecariamente para radicar contestación a $608.00 and any other advance con posterioridad al crédito dicha demanda de cobro de or disbursement made by plaintiff, on behalf of defendants, in ejecutado, siempre que sur- dinero y/o cualquier escrito accordance with the term notes gen de la certificación registral, que estime usted conveniente and/or mortgage deeds, plus para que puedan concurrir a a través del Sistema Unificado costs and $240,000.00 in attorla subasta si les convenga o de Manejo y Administración ney fees. LOAN XXXXX0025. satisfacer antes del remate el de Casos (SUMAC), al cual The sum of $82,854.20 in prinimporte del crédito, de sus in- puede acceder utilizando la sicipal, accrued interest in the tereses, costas y honorarios guiente dirección electrónica: amount of $23,128.19, which de abogados asegurados, que- https://uniredramajudicial.pr, continues to accrue until full dando entonces subrogados salvo que se represente por payment of the debt at the esen los derechos del acreedor derecho propio, en cuyo caso tablished rate and $16,000.00 ejecutante. La propiedad a ser deberá presentar su alegación in costs and attorney fees. ejecutada se adquirirá libre de responsiva en la SecretarIa del LOAN XXXXX0026. The sum cargas y gravámenes posterio- Tribunal de epígrafe, pero que of $21,780.22 in principal, acres. Y para conocimiento de de no radicarse escrito alguno crued interest in the amount licitadores, del público en gene- ante el Tribunal dentro de dicho of $6,188.28, which continues ral y para su publicación en un término el Tribunal procederá to accrue until full payment periódico de circulación general a ventilar el procedimiento sin of the debt at the established diaria en Puerto Rico y en los más citarle ni oirle. Dada Cabo rate and $5,000.00 in costs sitios públicos de acuerdo a las ROjo, Puerto Rico, hoy 24 de and attorney fees. Pursuant to disposiciones de la Regla 51.7 febrero de 2021. LIC. NORMA the judgment, the undersigned de las de Procedimiento Civil, SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRE- Special Master was ordered to así como para la publicación TARIA REGIONAL. MARIA AVI- sell at public auction for United en un periódico de circulación LES BONILLA, SECRETARIA States currency in cash or certified check without appraisegeneral diaria y en el Estado AUXILIAR DEL TRIB. ment or right of redemption to Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, LEGAL NOTICE the highest bidder to be held on por espacio de dos semanas con antelación a la fecha de la IN THE UNITED STATES DIS- the sidewalk in front of the main primera subasta y por lo me- TRICT COURT FOR THE DIS- gate entrance of the United States District Court, Federal nos una vez por semana. Los TRICT OF PUERTO RICO. PRCI LOAN CFL, LLC Building, 350 Chardon Avenue, autos y todos los documentos Hato Rey, Puerto Rico or any Plaintiff, vs. correspondientes al procedimiento indicado estarán de INMOBILIARIA ROSSY other place designated by said Special Master, to cover the manifiesto en la Secretaría del ASENCIO, S.E., ALFONSO sums adjudged to be paid to the Tribunal durante las horas laROSSY MILLAN, plaintiff, the following property: borables. (Art. 102 (1) de la Ley HIS WIFE, AIMEE URBANA: Solar marcado con el núm. 210-2015). Expedido el RAICES SANCHEZ número nueve (9) situado en la presente en San Juan, Puerto AND THE CONJUGAL Urbanización Julio N. Matos en Rico a 23 de febrero de 2021. el Barrio Martin González del PARTNERSHIP PEDRO HIEYE GONZALEZ, término municipal de Carolina, CONSTITUTED THEREIN, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE el cual tiene una cabida de diez JOSE ROSSY MILLAN, PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA mil seiscientos noventa y dos LETICIA ROSSY MILLAN metros cuadrados con ochoDE SAN JUAN. Defendants cientos centímetros cuadraLEGAL NOTICE CIVIL NO. 17-1964 (ADC). RE: dos. Colindando por su lado ESTAJDO LIBRE ASOCIADO COLLECTION OF MONIES, NORTE, en ciento veinticinco FORECLOSURE OF MORTDE PUERTO RICO TRIBUmetros novecientos cuarenta y NAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA GAGE, NOTICE OF SALE, un milímetros con el solar siete SALA SUPERIOR DE HORMITO: INMOBILIARIA de la misma urbanización; por GUEROS EN CABO ROJO. ROSSY ASENCIO, S.E., el ESTE, en ochenta y cuatro COOPERATIVA DE ALFONSO ROSSY metros cincuenta y dos cenAHORRO Y CREDITO tímetros con área dedicada a MILLAN, HIS WIFE, DE CABO ROJO AIMEE RAICES SANCHEZ calle publica que la separa en Parte Demandante AND THE CONJUGAL su mayor parte en dirección Sur del solar cinco; por el SUR, en CARLOS ALBERTO PARTNERSHIP ciento veintisiete metros novenCOLON NAZARIO CONSTITUTED THEREIN, ta milímetros con el solar diez Parte Demandada JOSE ROSSY MILLAN, de la misma urbanización; y por CIVIL NUM. HO2021CV00007.

LETICIA ROSSY MILLAN; el OESTE, en ochenta y cuatro SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO JOHN DOE; RICHARD metros cincuenta y tres con la (VIA ORDINARIA), EDICTO. ROE; WESTERNBANK Urbanización Jardines de CaA: CARLOS ALBERTO rolina, propiedad de Modern PUERTO RICO: COLON NAZARIO Home Construction, Inc., antes, CITIBANK, N.A.: AND Se le apercibe que la parte deRosendo Vila. Consta inscriTO THE PUBLIC IN mandante por mediación del ta al folio 36 del tomo 649 de Lcdo. Rafael Fabre Colon, P.O. GENERAL: Carolina, finca número 26,063.

Box 277, Mayaguez, Puerto UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Registro de la Propiedad, SecRico 00681, Tel. 787-265-0334, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ción II de Carolina. Physical ha radicado la acción de epí- STATES COMMONWEALTH

Tuesday, March 2, 2021 address: Lot No. 14 Julio N. Matos Industrial Park, Carolina PR 00985. The property is subject to the following Junior liens: MORTGAGE: Constituted in favor of Note Holder, in the original principal amount of $540,000.00, with 15% annual interests, due on presentation, constituted by deed #297, executed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 26, 2000, before Notary Public Carlos M. Franco, recorded at page of mobile volume 1316 of Carolina, property #26, 063, 12th inscription.

MORTGAGE: Constituted in favor of Westernbank Puerto Rico, in the original principal amount of $185,000.00, with 9.99% annual interests, (does not express expiration date), constituted by deed #1448, executed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on December 23, 2003, before Notary Public Adrian J. Hilera Torres and the Deed #525 “Act of Remediation”, issued in Mayaguez, on June 14, 2004, before the same notary, recorded at page 16 of volume the 1355 of Carolina, property recorded #26,063, at 14th page inscription. The parties of renounce to the prescriptive terms of 20 years in the mortgage constituted by this deed that establishes Art. 145 of the Mortgage Law and they prolong o amplify to 35 years beyond the date of presentation. MODIFICATION: The $540,000. 00 mortgage in the 12th inscription has been modified in the following manner: starting from the issue date of the deed, the annual interest rate will be 9. 999%, indicating that in case of payment default in the principal or interest of the obligation, the amounts due will yield default interest by reason of the resultant by adding two percentage points to the type of interest agreed upon on the note and the expiration, according to that determined in Art. 145 of the Mortgage Law. This mortgage Lien is extended to 35 years from the issue date of this current deed which is #1447, executed in San Juan, on December 23, 2003 before Notary Public Adrian J. Hilera Torres, recorded on page 16 of volume 1355 in Carolina, property #26, 063, 16th inscription. MORTGAGE: Constituted in favor of Note Holder, in the original principal amount of $160,000. 00, with interest over the outstanding balance of 7.50% from this date and during the following 24 months, and during consecutive periods of the following 36 months, by a fixed rate resulting in adding 1% to the prime rate, as established from time to time by Citibank, N.A. in the City of New York, in force on the commencement of each consecutive period of

36 months, up to the total and complete payment, indicating that in case of payment default in the principal or interest of the obligation, the amounts due will yield default interest by reason of the resultant by adding two percentage points to the type of interest agreed upon on the note and the expiration. Authenticated of affidavit #2724. Guaranteed credits: Three additional sums equivalent to 10% of the original note of the principal are guaranteed to cover cost, expenses and lawyer fees in case of judicial foreclosure, to cover other anticipated expense that may incur under this mortgage and for interest in addition to those guaranteed by law, and due on presentation, as noted in deed #161, executed in Carolina, on March 13, 2006 before Notary Public Juan Carlos Ortega Torres, recorded on page 205 of volume 1357 in Carolina , property #26,063, 17th inscription.

Potential bidders are advised to verify the extent of preferential liens with the holders thereof. It shall be understood that each bidder accepts as sufficient the title and that prior or preferential liens to the one being foreclosed upon, including but not limited to any property tax liens (express, tacit, implied or legal), or homeowner associations dues, to the extent specified under the applicable Condominium Law, shall continue in effect. It being understood that the successful bidder accepts them and is subrogated in the responsibility for the same and that the bid price shall not be applied toward their cancellation. The present property will be acquired free and clear of all junior liens. THEREFORE, the first public sale shall be held on the April 23rd, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $1,675,000.00. In the event said first public auction does not produce a bidder and the property is not adjudicated, a second public auction shall be held on the April 30th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $1,116,666.67, 2/3 parts of the minimum bid for the 1st public sale. If said second auction does not result in the adjudication and sale of the property, a third auction will be held on the May 7th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m., and the minimum bid that will be accepted is the sum of $837,500.00, ½ of the minimum bid for the 1st public sale. Upon confirmation of the sale, an order shall be issued canceling all junior liens. For further particulars, reference is made to the judgment entered by the Court in this case, which

33

can be examined in the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court, Federal Building, Chardon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 3rd , 2021.

AGUEDO DE LA TORRE, Special Master.

a la publicación de este Edicto. Contestación en el Tribunal de

LEGAL NOTICE

ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se drá. anotarse la rebeldía en su

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

en cuyo caso deberá presentar solicitado en la Demanda sin

PR RECOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT JV, LLC DEMANDANTE VS.

NORBERTO SANTIAGO RODRIGUEZ, SUTANA DE TAL & LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS; LUIS ARMANDO FELIX DAVILA, FULANA DE TAL & LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

DEMANDADOS CIVIL NUM.: CA2020CV02313.

SOBRE: COBRO DE DINERO INCUMPLIMIENTO DE CONTRATO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO.

Usted deberá presentar su ale- SALA DE AÑASCO. Copia de gación responsiva a través del la Demanda, así coma de este

Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Emplazamiento, podrán ser obAdministración de Casos (SU- tenidas en la Secretaria de este MAC), la cual puede acceder Tribunal, apercibiéndose que

utilizando la siguiente direc- en caso de no hacerlo usted así

ción electrónica: https://unired. dentro del término indicado, porepresente por derecho propio, contra concediendo el remedio su alegación responsiva en Ia más citarle ni oírle. Expido bajo

secretaria del tribunal. Si usted mi firma y el sello del Tribunal,

deja de presentar su alegación hay 10 de febrero de 2021.

responsiva dentro del referido LCDA NORMA C SANTANA término, el tribunal podrá dic- IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA. LUZ tar sentencia en rebeldía en NELDY dio solicitado en la demanda o

cualquier otro sin más citarle ni

emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes

ACEVEDO,

LEGAL NOTICE

oírle, si el tribunal en el ejerci- Estado Libre Asociado de Puercio de su sana discreción, lo en- to Rico TRIBUNAL GENERAL tiende procedente. El sistema DE JUSTICIA Tribunal de PriSUMAC notificará copia al abo- mera Instancia Sala Superior gado de la parte demandante, de BAYAMON. el Lcdo. José F. Aguilar Vélez

cuya dirección es: P.O. Box 71418 San Juan, Puerto Rico

00936-85 18, teléfono (787) 993-3731 ala dirección jose.

aguilar®orf-law.com y a la dirección notificaciones@orf-law.

CONDADO I, LLC. Demandante v.

JOSE MANUEL BERDECIA FIGUEROA; YAHAIRA MELENDEZ ESTRELLA

Demandado(a) com. EXTENDIDO BAJO MI Civil: BY2020CV02415. SALA: FIRMA y el sello del Tribunal, 506. Sobre: COBRO DE DIen Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy NERO Y EJECUCION DE HIdía 18 de febrero de 2021. En POTECA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 18 de SENTENCIA POR EDICTO febrero de 2021. Lcda. Marilyn ENMENDADA.

A: NORBERTO SANTIAGO Aponte Rodriguez, Secretaria RODRIGUEZ, POR SI Y EN RegionaI. Rosa M. Viera VelazREPRESENTACION DE quez, Sec Auxiliar.

LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE LEGAL NOTICE GANANCIALES / Chalets ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO de Bayamón Apartamento DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL 1631 Bayamón, Puerto GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIRico 00759 BUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANA: SUTANA DE CIA SALA DE AÑASCO. TAL, POR SI Y EN BANCO POPULAR DE REPRESENTACION DE PUERTO RICO Demandante Vs. LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES / Chalets JULIO A. RIVERA RIVERA Demandado de Bayamón Apartamento CIVIL NUM.: AÑ2020CV00169.

1631 Bayamón, Puerto SALON: 0201. SOBRE: CORico 00759 BRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAA: LUIS ARMANDO FELIX MIENTO POR EDICTO. DAVILA, POR SI Y EN A: JULIO A. REPRESENTACION DE RIVERA RIVERA LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL Por la presente se le emplaza a DE GANANCIALES / usted y se le requiere para que Balcones de Monte dentro del término de TREINReal Apartamento 3105, TA (30) días desde la fecha de la Publicación por Edicto Carolina, Puerto Rico de este Emplazamiento, noti00987 fique a la LCDA. GINA H. FEA: FULANA DE RRER MEDINA, Condominio TAL, POR SI Y EN Las Nereidas, Local 1-B, Calle REPRESENTACION DE Méndez Vigo esquina AmaLA SOCIEDAD LEGAL dor Ramirez Silva, Mayaguez, DE GANANCIALES / Puerto Rico 00680; Apartado Balcones de Monte 2342, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico Real Apartamento 3105, 0068 1-2342, Teléfonos: (787) 832-9620 y (845) 345-3985, Carolina, Puerto Rico Abogada de la Parte Deman00987

POR LA PRESENTE se le

CHICO

su contra y conceder el reme- SUB-SECRETARIA.

A: JOSE MANUEL BERDECIA FIGUEROA

(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 22 de FEBRERO de 2021. 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 febrero de 2021. En BAYAMON, Puerto Rico, el 25 de febrero de 2021. F/LAURA I SANTA SANCHEZ, Secretaria dante, cuya dirección es la que Regional. F/MARILYN COLON queda indicada, copia de su CARRASQUILLO, Secretaria Contestación a la Demanda, Auxiliar. radicando el original de dicha

34

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

How one sports season fell apart, even in a bubble

By MARISA INGEMI

T

he coronavirus infiltrated the National Women’s Hockey League season at the end of January, and players still don’t know how that was allowed to happen.

That was the main theme from a dozen players who spoke with The New York Times who saw their season at a so-called bubble environment in Lake Placid, New York, cut short after positive tests overwhelmed the league before its semifinals and finals, which were scheduled to be televised nationally.

The league could not complete its 201920 season because of the pandemic, but it had momentum entering the two weeks of games it planned to hold for its sixth season.

It had added a sixth team to the five returning from the previous season, and reached a broadcast agreement with NBC Sports.

Since the season was postponed Feb. 3, with intentions but no announced plans of resuming play, the players, including several dozen who believe they contracted the virus while playing, have returned home.

“If we just stuck to our game plan and original protocols, no matter what was happening, I think a lot could have been prevented,” Kayla Friesen, a rookie forward for the Connecticut Whale, said. “I’m not sure all of it, but I think we would have been able to finish.”

In a statement to The Times, the league said the number of positives was just north of 20% of everyone there, though the league declined to share names or the precise number of cases in its end-of-season news conference. Tyler Tumminia, the commissioner, said in the news conference that the Metropolitan Riveters had 10. Players with the Whale said it was “at least” half their team; the other teams have kept those numbers under wraps, but each team had at least three verifiable cases after Lake Placid.

Minnesota, which had many players deal with the virus at training camp in the fall, had the fewest cases. Connecticut had the most.

“Those impacted returned home safely and followed local health guidelines and recommendations during their process of recovery,” Tumminia said in a statement.

“We learned a lot, and I take responsibility for not providing enough oversight to be sure our plan was followed effectively.”

“I think it’s really just the reality of how small the margin is playing in a global pandemic,” said Boston Pride defender Kaleigh Fratkin, one of the players who contracted the virus. “It’s a beast of its own.”

Some believe the original case belonged to the Riveters, the first team to leave the site, on Jan. 28, after playing in three games.

One of their players, who partook in training camp, tested positive before the team’s departure to Lake Placid, and she stayed behind; the rest of the team tested negative and traveled there 72 hours before the season began.

Within two days of the start of the season, two Riveters players tested positive, and they and coach Ivo Mocek left in the middle of their second game. The Riveters’ case numbers soon shot into the double digits, and they left.

The Whale, who shared a hotel with the Riveters and the Minnesota Whitecaps, believe they can trace their initial cases to a trainer who alternated between the Riveters and the Whale, and a false sense of security when their rapid tests weren’t as reliable — there were several false negatives, according to Whale players — as the PCR tests, which took longer.

The league had developed its protocols in conjunction with the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), which operates Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid.

Players were to stay in their hotels other than going to the rink, though Instagram and other social media posts from players across several teams seemed to contradict that. Players say they followed the guidance the league gave them, and followed what was enforced.

After the Riveters left, Friesen said, one of the protocols changed from teams having buffet-style meals away from other clubs to eating only in their rooms.

“The state’s partnership with the local health department, along with ORDA’s operation and oversight of this venue, identified several teams’ failure to follow the mandatory protocols, which contributed to a rise in positive cases, and created an unsafe health condition,” a spokesperson for the development authority said.

Requests for comment sent to NYU Langone, the league’s medical partner, were not returned.

Other players felt that the league should have stepped in and stopped the potential spread as soon as there was an inkling of trouble by telling the Riveters to stay home.

“I know if I was on that team, that would have been incredibly heartbreaking to hear, but one team had a positive case right before coming and that would have been the one moment I can think of, honestly, they could have made the choice to not allow them to come,” said one player who requested anonymity for speaking against the league’s decision-making.

By the time the Riveters departed, it was too late. From their perspective, they followed the protocols, testing negative before departure and upon arrival. No positive players took the trip to Lake Placid.

Instead, players watched in real time as cases ticked up.

“There’s certainly theories that have floated around, but it could have been before we left or when we were there,” Riveters defender Rebecca Morse said. “Regardless of what happened, we were out of the tournament, so you can’t point fingers and blame anyone for getting sick.”

Connecticut had six positive tests shortly after the Riveters left the bubble, and called on four players — including an emergency backup goalie, Mariah Fujimagari, who was on location — to join the team.

No one seemed to have a clear answer to when puncturing the bubble became acceptable. Some teams that had injured players earlier in the season said they didn’t think teams could do that. One player with the Whale said the team had players drive there, while another team flew a player in, which was less safe.

“I’m not sure how that was allowed, but I guess the state approved it,” Friesen said.

“I guess rules and protocols changed during the tournament.”

By the time the Whale were scheduled for a game against Minnesota on Feb. 1, with no implications in the standings, they had just played short-handed and were worried about additional positive results.

They took tests the evening before the game, but with a blizzard consuming the East Coast, the tests did not return results from New Haven, Connecticut, until Tuesday night, after both Feb. 1 games were scheduled.

The Whale left the bubble Feb. 1, but not without some animosity. Connecticut had asked the league to forfeit its game against Minnesota, since it would face Minnesota in the semifinals anyway, to reduce exposure while they awaited results.

According to three members of the Whale, the league told them if they were to not play that day, they would have to leave the bubble. The league did not respond to a question to confirm or deny that.

One player said they never got a chance to speak with Tumminia, and the ultimatum was passed on down to them. Another said they felt the league was forcing them to choose between playing in unsafe conditions or not at all.

The test results turned out to be telling; the Whale were in the double digits, while Boston, which stayed in its own, isolated building and had no contact outside the rink, had three positives for the first time.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

35

Yankees feel butterflies before playing in front of a crowd

By JAMES WAGNER

T

he gates at Steinbrenner Field opened at 11 a.m. Sunday, two hours before the New York Yankees hosted the Toronto Blue Jays for their first spring training game of 2021. Among the first fans to enter: Robert and Jean Koontz, who have made this yearly trip from their home in North Carolina for two decades.

Like so many across the world, the Koontzes had their lives upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Robert, 84, and Jean, 82, called off Thanksgiving and Christmas with their large family last year. They still have 32 stockings hanging and a tree up at home as they wait to celebrate two Christmases this year: the first when everyone in their family feels safe, and then the usual one in December.

So watching their beloved Yankees play in Tampa for the next month was some semblance of normalcy despite the continued pandemic. Luckily for both, they said they were both fully vaccinated against the virus.

“We’re still careful about what we do,” Robert Koontz said through a mask. Added Jean Koontz, before they took their seats in Section 210, “It’s nice to get out.”

There were some hiccups, but fans returned en masse Sunday to Major League Baseball stadiums, albeit spring training facilities. There are capacity restrictions, generally ranging from 9% to 28%, and mask requirements. The Yankees said they accommodated 2,637 fans, roughly 24% of the capacity of their spring training home since 1996.

Even in a 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays, the atmosphere felt entirely different. Children were back with gloves and waiting at the outfield railing. Adults walked the concourses with beer and hot dogs in their hands.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone waved to fans.

“It was cool,” Boone said. “Even on the bench over there, where we sit just outside the dugout there, we made reference to it a couple times with the coaches, ‘How nice is it having people in the stands?’”

He added later with a sigh, “It’s been too long.”

When Blue Jays third baseman Cavan Biggio flied out for the first out of the game, the roar of the crowd was subdued. It was still relatively quiet between pitches. The fans warmed up as the game went on.

The Yankees had 2,637 fans in attendance for their first spring training game.

To enforce social distancing, the unused seats were secured with zip ties.

“It felt a lot more normal,” said Michael King, a right-handed pitcher who started the game for the Yankees. “It still felt loud. Obviously compared to nothing, it’s a lot louder.

It’s awesome to just kind of see movement.

I’m used to the cardboard cutouts, and they’re getting more lively.”

Fans were not allowed in the stands last season until the neutral site National League Championship Series and the World Series in Arlington, Texas. The return of fans marked the end of cutouts of fans in the stands and fake crowd noise.

“That got kind of tired,” Yankees first baseman Luke Voit said of the piped-in noise. He added that it felt like it has been five years since they have played in front of fans. He said the lack of them at key moments of last year’s pandemic-shortened 60-game season — on opening day and the playoffs — was weird.

“It felt like we shouldn’t have even done it because there wasn’t fans,” he said.

For some Yankees, the return of fans carried additional significance. Outfielder Brett Gardner, the longest tenured Yankee, said last season that he didn’t want his career to finish without his family or the fans in the stands. He returned to the Yankees for his 14th major league season on a two-year deal that could be the last of his career.

Right fielder Aaron Judge said interact-

ing with fans was among his favorite parts of baseball. He said he missed signing autographs, hearing fans shout things at him — good or bad — playing catch with them in the stands and chatting with them at the outfield wall. On Sunday, given the strict health and safety restrictions for players and key staff, Judge said the only interaction he could have with fans was tossing them baseballs after he finished warming up between innings.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I guess I’ll let my play be the connection. Put on a show.”

After the game, Judge said he and a few teammates reminisced about the butterflies they felt in their stomachs before their first at-bats in front of crowds again.

“We’re all excited to have some fans,” he said. “It wasn’t a packed house, but anything is better than nothing.”

Last March, the pandemic forced the suspension of the MLB season with two weeks left in spring training. Most teams had their second preseason tuneup at their home stadiums as the number of coronavirus cases grew in Arizona and Florida. So this is the first spring training held amid the public health crisis, and teams have had to reconfigure their usual setups as a result.

Case in point: To reduce the time spent at the stadium for games that don’t count, Sunday’s contest was allowed to last only seven innings. And to cut down on the num-

ber of people in one place, Yankees pitchers and catchers have been practicing at the club’s minor league facility, which is just over a mile away from Steinbrenner Field.

“I’m driving back and forth every single day,” Boone said. In the near future, he said pitchers and catchers would start being phased over to the main stadium because, for example, he wanted Jameson Taillon and Corey Kluber to get to know their new teammates.

Health experts have said they believe that outdoor sporting events — particularly baseball, where the majority of MLB stadiums are open air — can be staged safely when coupled with social distancing and masks.

The Yankees implemented many measures: socially distanced seating clusters, socalled pods ranging from two to six seats; mobile ticketing; cashless transactions; hand sanitizer throughout the stadium; touchless features in the bathroom; and Plexiglas over and around the dugout to shield people on the field and those in the first row of seats from one another.

One rule, however, wasn’t followed much. Fans over 2, including those who had been vaccinated, are required to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth “at all times” at Steinbrenner Field “except when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats.” A large percentage of fans were not adhering to this, and there appeared to be little enforcement.

A reminder was played over the publicaddress system in the third and fifth innings: “Please stay socially distant and please wear your masks.”

Toni Pisani, 69, came to Sunday’s game with her wife, Anne Coombs, 66. She said they felt safe because they were both vaccinated, wearing masks and the stadium had limited capacity.

Pisani grew up loving baseball in New York and moved to Tampa three years ago.

In a normal year, Pisani, who is retired, estimated she attended about 30 spring and regular-season games in person around Florida.

Sunday was her first game since last March, which is why she was willing to pay what she said were increased prices for Yankees standing room tickets ($32 each) and loge seats ($123 each) for a later game.

“I was going through baseball withdrawal,” Pisani said.

36

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Collin Morikawa wins Workday title on a day of tributes to Woods

By BILL PENNINGTON

A

lthough he was atop the leaderboard, Collin Morikawa stumbled repeatedly Saturday and Sunday at the PGA Tour’s Workday Championship, even calling one of his setbacks “stupidity at its finest.”

But surmounting the unsettling vicissitudes of golf with a winning, steely resolve is becoming the hallmark of Morikawa’s career. Such a performance seemed especially appropriate Sunday when tour players and fans honored Tiger Woods by wearing red shirts and black pants, Woods’ signature final-round outfit.

In the end, Morikawa, 24, confidently persevered with a three-stroke victory in the World Golf Championship event in Bradenton, Florida to join Woods as the only player to win a major golf championship and a World Golf Championship event before age 25. Like many in the tournament’s field, Morikawa, who won last year’s PGA Championship in August, grew up idolizing Woods. Standing next to the 18th green Sunday evening, Morikawa said of Woods, who remained hospitalized after a car crash in Los Angeles County, California, on Tuesday, “Tiger means everything to me.”

He added: “I don’t think we say thank you enough, so I want to say thank you to Tiger because sometimes you lose people too early.”

Morikawa mentioned Kobe Bryant and his paternal grandfather, Toshio, who he said died a month ago.

“You don’t get to say thank you enough,” Morikawa said.

The third-round leader, Morikawa turned in a Woods-like performance Sunday, holding off the strongest tour field so far this year. It was Morikawa’s fourth PGA Tour victory, a stunning turnaround from his first, inglorious moment in the tour spotlight only eight months ago.

At the Charles Schwab Classic in June, which was the first tournament last year after the men’s tour’s 90-day layoff because of the pandemic, Morikawa missed a 3-foot putt that ended a two-man playoff that he lost. Just three events later, he won his first pro tournament, then added the PGA Championship. Morikawa has ascended to sixth in the world rankings with a string of steady performances.

Going through the crucible of success-

Collin Morikawa celebrated after winning the Workday Championship on Sunday in Bradenton, Fla. fully defending his third-round lead at the Concession Golf Club could be a springboard to more victories.

“It makes me a little more comfortable after sleeping on the lead knowing that guys were ready to go low today,” Morikawa said. “I do feel confident.”

Morikawa did not wear a red shirt in the final round, although his clothing manufacturer shipped him one. He said weather might have delayed the arrival.

Morikawa was pursued Sunday by two other young hotshots, Viktor Hovland, 23, and Scottie Scheffler, 24. He also had to fend off Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner. Hovland made eight birdies to pressure Morikawa, who entered the final round with a two-stroke lead, but he faltered with bogeys on the 14th and 16th holes and finished in a three-way tie for second. Scheffler also had eight birdies, but a double bogey on the par-4 16th hole was his undoing and dropped him to fifth place. Koepka had

an up-and-down round with five birdies and three bogeys, which stalled his charge, although he managed to tie Hovland and Billy Horschel for second.

On Saturday, after Morikawa threeputted the 13th hole to make bogey, he called the outcome “stupidity at its finest.”

He three-putted the 13th hole again Sunday, but this time it led to a par, which was all he needed at the time to hold on to his three-stroke lead.

“I said that yesterday because I psyched myself out before I even played the 13th hole,” Morikawa said of his “stupidity” remark. “But I learned from yesterday.”

Morikawa’s victory was powered by consistent putting, which proved to be another turnaround for him. He ranked last in putting at his last tournament, the Genesis Invitational. He recently consulted a twotime major winner, Mark O’Meara, about a new putting grip called the saw. He switched to the grip, and while the imme-

diate results were not encouraging, he was undaunted.

With typical confidence that things would turn around, Morikawa said: “I needed a full reset and I needed to figure out what was going to be a solution. And now it just feels awesome. I’m very excited with how I’m putting.”

Although most would consider Morikawa precocious — he turned 24 on Feb. 6 — he said Sunday that he believed he had grown complacent after winning the PGA Championship. In that way, the PGA Tour may be only beginning to see the best of him.

“I was getting lazy,” he said. After missing the cut in several events last year, including the U.S. Open in September, Morikawa rededicated himself over the 2020-21 winter.

“By the time this year started, my game felt really, really good — I felt some things had turned around,” Morikawa said.

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

37

Sudoku How to Play: Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.

Sudoku Rules: Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9 Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9 Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Crossword

Answers on page 38

Wordsearch

GAMES

HOROSCOPE Aries

38

The San Juan Daily Star

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

(Mar 21-April 20)

Libra

(Sep 24-Oct 23)

The Moon in diplomatic Libra, makes convivial ties that could lead to exciting, positive and useful conversations. The more you link with others, join groups and pool ideas, the more productive the coming days and weeks can be. A more reflective influence though, may find you ready to reach out with a view to resolving issues that need some discussion and closure.

The Moon in your sign and its positive aspects can enhance confidence, and make you aware of all you could accomplish if you tried. While a feeling of pressure may have left you wondering what your next move should be, the coming days might find you mulling over workable solutions. The willingness to think out of the box and explore new options, can be a major help.

Taurus

(April 21-May 21)

Scorpio

Gemini

(May 22-June 21)

It’s time to set the scene for what is to come. As dynamic Mars prepares to move into Gemini, you’ll be eager to make the most of any offers or opportunities related to your job or career. If you can earn more, you’ll be even more pleased. Today’s lunar ties encourage you to stay on the pulse, and see what you could discover that might bring about a breakthrough.

Looking for ways to free up your time and explore new interests? You might even be looking for a job or career that allows you to work from anywhere.

The focus on your sector of travel and far horizons, could intensify this desire Gemini. While you may be limited as to where you can go right now, things will eventually change. Prepare now, and it can soon be all systems go.

Cancer

(June 22-July 23)

Over the past years, you have learnt a lot about what makes other people tick. Now with an ongoing focus on a psychological zone, you can make use of this in so many ways. An understanding of the values of those you work with or are close to, could be a gamechanger. Keen for someone to embrace an idea or plan? Knowing what they really want makes it easier.

Leo

(July 24-Aug 23)

(Oct 24-Nov 22)

If an emotional event happened again, you would likely deal with it differently. As you can’t turn back time Scorpio, you may be left with the realisation that what is needed is a chance for things to heal. Today’s lunar ties could help you take the first step. While you can’t expect miracles, this is an opportunity to break the ice and make a gesture of reconciliation, and to see how it goes.

Sagittarius

(Nov 23-Dec 21)

Capricorn

(Dec 22-Jan 20)

Although your mind is full of serious ideas, this doesn’t stop you from looking for novel and exciting ways to implement them. As clever Mercury moves to align with expansive Jupiter, something can occur to you that has a touch of genius. You might even wonder why you never thought of it before.

Now you have, get moving and things could proceed in wonderful ways.

Feel it’s inappropriate to share what’s on your mind?

Do it anyway Capricorn, as you’ll be surprised at the number of people who agree with you. You may find you have more friends and supporters than you thought, which could be heart-warming. A small windfall might also boost your mood. Treating yourself to something nice can get the week off to a fabulous start.

Aquarius

(Jan 21-Feb 19)

Whatever has been happening regarding your relationship, things could take a positive turn very soon.

The Moon in diplomatic Libra makes harmonious ties, allowing conversation to flow, differences to be smoothed over and a budding romance to show greater promise. This can be an excellent time to promote a skill or talent, as a fortunate aspect suggests you might do well.

Pushing yourself harder than ever to accomplish big plans? If so, this is very commendable. You may go through what seem like testing times though Aquarius, or situations that try your patience. With Saturn in your sign for the long-haul, you are learning how to push beyond your limits. The rewards that will be yours when you stay the course, will be well worth the effort.

Virgo

Pisces

(Aug 24-Sep 23)

It’s time to find a balance between what you can and can’t do, Virgo. With sobering Saturn in your work zone, you may be busier than ever, with little time to yourself. Upbeat Jupiter in this same zone, encourages you to explore new options that could lead to a better lifestyle. Which activities inspire you, or turn you off? Something might need to go, so you can make progress.

(Feb 20-Mar 20)

You may wish that things were different Pisces, but the focus on a spiritual zone suggests that you are in exactly the right place, and that this is a time to grow any issues rather than go into denial. You don’t have to cope with everything alone. Whatever is going on, there is someone with the experience and knowledge to help. If you need support, then be sure to ask for it.

Answers to the Sudoku and Crossword on page 29

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

39

CARTOONS

Herman

Speed Bump

Frank & Ernest

BC

Scary Gary

Wizard of Id

For Better or for Worse

The San Juan Daily Star

Ziggy

40

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

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