Tuesday Aug 12, 2025

Initiates Investigation

Naranjito

Miguel Uribe, Colombian Senator Shot at Campaign Event, Dies at

Federico Ríos Escobar/The New York Times

2 GOOD MORNING

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.

By THE STAR STAFF

Just days before the start of the new school year, the Puerto Rican Association of Health and Education-Related Service Providers (APPSSRE by its initials in Spanish) has issued a warning about an unprecedented crisis in the provision of therapy services to Special Education students under the Provisional Remedy Unit.

The crisis, the APPSSRE says, has been exacerbated by the failure on the part of the executive branch of the island government to comply with the agreement reached on June 12 of this year, leading to more students experiencing violations of their constitutional rights to an education that promotes the full development of the human personality, as guaranteed by the Puerto Rico Constitution. Additionally, these students have a right to receive a free and appropriate public education in accordance with federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

As of June 26, the island Education Department reported that the Provisional Remedy Unit serves 28,113 students. However, the department acknowledges that there are 32,607 students with active letters who do not have an assigned provider, indicating that the number of students without services exceeds those currently served. Furthermore, according to the Rosa Lydia Vélez Class Action Compliance Report 2023-24 (p. 300), 62,005 students did not receive therapy services within 30 days of their annual Individualized Education Program review. Although it is unclear how many of these students subsequently received a provisional remedy letter, the data confirms that the number of students without services is significantly higher than those currently served by the Unit. The situation reveals a critical need for urgent measures to attract and retain providers, the APPSSRE noted.

The crisis not only threatens access to federal funds due to noncompliance with the IDEA, it also poses a direct threat to students and their families. Those affected, the APPSSRE pointed out, are children and young people whose therapy is interrupted, whose progress and opportunities are lost, and whose developmental lags continue to deepen.

The refusal to increase fees is not just an isolated administrative decision; it actively worsens the lack of services, encourages the exodus of specialists, reduces the number of available providers, and limits the capacity to meet the already identified needs, the association said.

The APPSSRE added that the secretary of education’s refusal to review and increase fees violates Law 85, which establishes that:

1. The secretary of the Department of Education is responsible for setting fees.

2. Fees must be adjusted to reflect market performance.

3. The fee structure should facilitate the provision of services.

None of the above mandates are currently being met, and even more concerning, according to the APPSSRE, is that se-

The ongoing crisis in the provision of therapy services to Special Education students has been exacerbated by the island government’s failure to comply with a two-month-old agreement, a professional organization says.

lective fee adjustments have been granted to a few providers, as acknowledged by the Department of Education, resulting in inequity and discrimination in compensation for the same services.

“Is access to services guaranteed by law now a privilege that must be negotiated?” the association queried.

In 2021, the Education Department attempted to reduce service rates, citing the authority granted to the secretary by Law 85-2018 to adjust fees according to market conditions. The study commissioned to justify that action, the APPSSRE said, had methodological flaws and was based on irrelevant references, such as the Vital Plan (Medicaid) rates. Thanks to APPSSRE’s analyses and the insights from Remedios providers who also serve through the Vital Plan, the department abandoned its intention to cut rates and implemented minimal increases for some services. However, as of 2015, 11 services have not seen any fee adjustments, and eight others have received insufficient increases.

An updated economic analysis by APPSSRE, conducted with the expertise of Dr. José Alameda, indicates that an immediate rate increase of at least 30% is necessary to address the loss of purchasing power due to rising operating expenses. That adjustment, the association said, should be viewed not as a typical rate increase, but as an essential corrective measure to restore the operational capacity of providers.

PFEI initiates investigation into Naranjito mayor

By THE STAR STAFF

The Special Independent Prosecutor Panel (PFEI by its initials in Spanish) announced on Monday that it has authorized the initiation of an investigation into Naranjito Mayor Orlando Ortiz Chevres for alleged violations of the Puerto Rico Penal Code and the Electoral Code.

On July 22 of this year, the PFEI received a referral from the Department of Justice recommending the initiation of an investigation against the mayor of Naranjito for alleged violations of Article 262 of the Puerto Rico Penal Code of 2012, which criminalizes the crime of illicit exploitation of public works or services, and Articles 12.2 and 12.6 of the Electoral Code of 2020, related to the misuse of public property and funds for electoral purposes, the PFEI noted in a written statement.

The investigation stemmed from a report by the Department of Justice’s Division of Public Integrity and Comptroller’s Affairs, which also recommended referring the case to the Office of Government Ethics for review. According to the Justice Department, the preliminary investigation revealed evidence linking the mayor to the alleged use of municipal employees and resources for political activities.

The PFEI appointed Zulma Fuster Troche and Ramón Mendoza Rosario as independent special prosecutors. They will have an initial term of 90 days to complete the investigation. That term may be extended, upon request, if the complexity of the case warrants it.

Later on Monday the president of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Municipal Committee in Naranjito, Julián Crespo

López, reacted to the PFEI’s recommendation, noting that “[a] ll of this stems from a police complaint filed by Carmen Cotto Rodríguez against the mayor.”

“Through a sworn statement, she stated that on the day the primary elections were held prior to the general elections, she was transported by the mayor, along with a companion and the municipal commissioner, to the polling place located at the Felipa Sánchez Cruzado school,” said Crespo López, who had already filed a public complaint on Oct. 1, 2024, along with current Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde, at PDP headquarters in Puerta de Tierra. “When she exercised her right to vote for Jenniffer González Colón, the mayor snatched her ballot and destroyed it. She also stated that the mayor also took another ballot and marked it for [former Gov. Pedro] Pierluisi without her authorization and against her will. Furthermore, the mayor, in a threatening tone, told Cotto’s caretaker that he hoped he knew who to vote for.”

“It is public knowledge in Naranjito that this illegal conduct by the mayor in the Cotto case is not the only one,” Crespo López added. “There is also the case of Enrique Quiles Colón, 78 years old and a resident of the urban center of Naranjito, who made public a sworn statement in which he stated that Flordelis Nieves, an official with the municipality’s Plan 8 Program, illegally requested early voting in his name, brought him the ballots, and forced him to vote for the New Progressive Party mayor, Orlando Ortiz Chevres.”

Quiles Colón filed a complaint with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, the PDP official noted.

“The Puerto Rico Electoral Code provides in Article 12.3, related to obstruction of voters’ voting, that this conduct is

Companies petition against expansion of neighboring Carolina landfill

By THE STAR STAFF

The Municipality of Carolina (MAC) did not disclose the existence of environmentally sensitive areas during its permit renewal application to expand the city’s sanitary landfill, according to a recent court filing.

The Caribbean Golf Academy, which is located adjacent to the landfill, alleges that the city misrepresented and omitted important information regarding the San José mogotes mountain range, an aquifer, a system of caves and caverns, and other valuable natural resources native to the karst zone during the permit renewal and landfill expansion process, which received approval from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER).

In a claim filed last Thursday opposing the renewal of the permit and the expansion of the sanitary landfill system (SRS), the golf academy demanded that the municipality be required to fund an independent environmental impact statement (EIS) to explore alternative options to the permit renewal. The academy’s suggested

alternatives should include the restoration of the flora and fauna, as well as the cultural values of the affected area within the buffer zone, along with measures recommended by previous studies regarding the hydrogeology of the site.

The golf academy is part of Hacienda Campo Rico, and both entities are neighboring businesses negatively impacted by the landfill’s planned expansion into the designated buffer zone -- an area that the municipality itself requested that the island Planning Board designate for resource conservation due to its high ecological value. In support of that request, the municipality expropriated a total of 34 acres (35 cuerdas) of land.

“The MAC and its agents are hiding information, while the JCA (formerly the Environmental Quality Board) and later the DNER are ignoring the fact that the MAC landfill, originally an openfield operation, is situated in karst terrain and is secretly expanding its operations into land that was intended to serve as a buffer zone,” said Patricio Martínez Lorenzo, the attorney for the Caribbean Golf Academy.

punishable by prison terms of between one and three years and fines of up to $5,000,” Crespo López said. “Even more severe is Article 12.6, which establishes a fixed penalty of eight years in prison for altering electoral documents.”

“My call to local and federal authorities is to take action against these cases of humble people, where their vulnerability is being taken advantage of to perpetrate electoral fraud,” the PDP official added.

The PFEI resolution establishes that the investigation should include the collection and analysis of documentary evidence, sworn statements, and any other relevant evidence. It also instructs prosecutors to assess whether there are additional crimes and to make appropriate recommendations.

New Gurabo mayor won 71% of special vote

After the vote count for Sunday’s special election in which Vimarie Peña Dávila, above, was elected as the new mayor of Gurabo, Puerto Rico State Elections Commission Chairman Jorge Rivera Rueda, along with the New Progressive Party Electoral Commissioner Aníbal Vega Borges, presented the final certification of results to the representatives of the elected mayor before the Local Special Election Board. According to the official results, Peña Dávila captured 71.25% of the vote. Runner-up Joenathan Guzmán Medina received 26.72%. (Facebook via Vimarie Peña)

Orlando Ortiz Chevres is sworn in as mayor of Naranjito as first lady Marangely López Colón looks on.

12, 2025 4

Latin American, US & island mayors to gather in SJ metro area

By THE STAR STAFF

Mayors from Puerto Rico, the mainland United States, and Latin America will gather from this Sunday, Aug. 17, to Tuesday, Aug. 19, in San Juan and Carolina for the “Experience 2025” municipal conference.

The event will focus on discussing the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on the economic development of local governments. This year’s conference marks the 10th anniversary of bringing international municipal leaders to the U.S. commonwealth, with more than 500 participants already registered, including mayors, council members, aldermen, legislators, municipal officials, public administration students, and private entrepreneurs, said Mickey Espada, president and organizer of Experience 2025, who announced the details of participation.

The summit will kick off at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan. Experts in economic development will present innovative strategies aimed at promoting smarter and more sustainable cities, focusing on key economic sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, housing and tourism.

“San Juan, by tradition and history, is a hub for ideas and collaboration between cities,” said Miguel Romero Lugo, mayor of San Juan and host of the opening event. “Hosting local and international leaders to discuss how technology and artificial intelligence can transform our local economies is a unique opportunity to strengthen innovation and resilience within our communities. Experience 2025 reaffirms that the future of our cities is built through shared knowledge and collaboration.”

Participants registered for Experience Puerto Rico 2025 can look forward to an educational day filled with experiences and discussions on new governance trends. Additionally, there will be cultural activities that highlight

the essence and identity of the Puerto Rican people, as outlined in the event program. The capital city’s Tourism Department will host participants at a cultural event following the opening ceremonies.

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, attendees can participate in guided tours of municipalities in the eastern part of the island, including Canóvanas and Loíza. Extraordinary meetings of local municipal leadership organizations from the U.S. and Latin America will also take place. This second day of educational talks will be held in Isla Verde, Carolina, and will feature a keynote address titled “Digital Infrastructure for Empowered Cities, Artificial Intelligence, and the Five Pillars of Economic Development,” presented by international guest Roberto Schigueo Susuki.

“We are honored to be among the mayors hosting this event, which will bring together local and international leaders to explore how technology can drive municipal

Jayuya Mayor Jorge González Otero, president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association

development,” noted Carolina Mayor José Carlos Aponte, host of the educational plenaries in Isla Verde. “The collective vision provided by Experience 2025 strengthens the future plans of each city.”

Organizations such as the Confederation of National Associations of Municipalities of Central America and the Caribbean; International City/County Management Association; Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities and Local Associations; and Mayoral Roundtable are joining 25 other municipal organizations as participants in the event.

Locally, entities such as the Mayors Association, the Mayors Federation and the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, alongside government agencies, municipalities, entrepreneurs, and private companies, will showcase their products and services during talks and plenary sessions on Monday, Aug. 18, at Vivo Beach Club in Isla Verde.

“For the associated mayors, Experience Puerto Rico is an excellent opportunity to expand knowledge and build collaborative bridges in both the public and private sectors,” said Jorge “Georgie” González Otero, mayor of Jayuya and president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Association. “The connections with other municipal organizations are particularly significant.”

For Camuy Mayor Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez, president of the Puerto Rico Mayors Federation, the summit presents a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with visiting mayors and learn from successful strategies employed in other cities to tackle similar challenges.

“This open and collaborative dialogue strengthens us as municipal leaders and enhances the solutions we provide to our communities,” he said.

Earlier this year, Experience PR received the Juan Pablo Duarte Award in the international cooperation category in the Dominican Republic for promoting educational and cultural events similar to the one being offered this year in San Juan and Carolina.

Municipal gov’t action called for to ensure compliance with public order code in La Perla

By THE STAR STAFF

The La Perla Community Impact Association (LPCIA) on Monday made an urgent call to the Municipality of San Juan to ensure strict compliance with the public order code in the community, following last weekend’s incident in which a tourist lost his life during an altercation near a local business.

“We express our solidarity with the grief of the families of the victims of this tragedy and demand an action plan from the Municipal Police to ensure the flow of visitors and commercial activity is managed in harmony with the residents, who are exposed to noise and disturbances until late at night,” the organization said in a written statement. “There is a Public Order Code throughout San Juan that

must be enforced.”

The LPCIA noted that the majority of people living near the establishments are older adults, who are often adversely affected by excessive noise, the continuous flow of visitors, and risky situations that extend into the late hours.

The LPCIA emphasized that while the community promotes cultural and tourism activities responsibly, it is essential that municipal authorities strengthen security and regulations to ensure the peace and well-being of its residents.

“Over the past few years, we have been making various efforts to improve the community, highlighting its cultural richness and scenic beauty,” said Yashira Gómez, president of the LPCIA. “It is frustrating that this type of incident occurs amidst multiple self-management initiatives benefiting our community.”

The San Juan Daily Star

The La Perla Community Impact Association made an urgent call to the Municipality of San Juan to ensure the strict enforcement of the public order code in the community, following an incident last weekend in which a tourist lost his life during an altercation near a local business.

The San Juan Daily Star Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Trump orders National Guard to Washington and takeover of capital’s police

By KATIE ROGERS, CAMPBELL ROBERTSON and CHRIS CAMERON

President Donald Trump said he was temporarily taking control of the Washington, D.C., police department and deploying 800 National Guard troops to the city, painting a dystopian picture of the nation’s capital that stood in sharp contrast to official figures showing violent crime in the city is at a 30-year low.

After Trump’s claims that the city was overrun by “bloodthirsty criminals” and “roving mobs of wild youth,” Mayor Muriel Bowser struck a diplomatic tone that acknowledged the president’s authority to enact a 30-day takeover of the city’s police. But she disputed his rationale and his depictions of life in the city, calling his actions “unsettling and unprecedented.”

During a White House news conference on Monday morning, Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi would oversee the federal takeover of the capital’s Metropolitan Police Department and, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at his side, added that he was prepared to send the military into Washington “if needed.” Trump also threatened to expand his efforts to other cities, including Chicago, if they did not deal with crime rates he claimed were “out of control.” But Trump’s authority to intervene elsewhere would be more limited: His announcement on Monday invoked a section of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act that granted him the power to temporarily seize control of the city’s police department.

While Bowser said there was little she could do to prevent such a takeover, Brian Schwalb, the attorney general of the District of Columbia, called it “unlawful” and vowed to “do what’s necessary to protect the rights and safety of district residents.”

Here’s what else to know:

— D.C. deployment: The Trump administration also plans to temporarily reassign 120 FBI agents in Washington to nighttime patrol duties as part of the crackdown, according to people familiar with the matter. Residents expressed skepticism of the

President Donald Trump announces that he is assuming control of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department and deploying the National Guard in the nation’s capital, citing high crime rates, at the White House on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Trump is joined by, from left: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum; Defense Sercetary Pete Hegeth (partially obscured); Attorney General Pam Bondi; and FBI Director Kash Patel. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

president’s actions, which also prompted protests.

— Dystopian claims: Trump’s most recent threats to take control of Washington came after a prominent member of the Department of Government Efficiency, his federal cost-cutting initiative, reported being beaten in an attempted carjacking. But on Monday he sought to lay out an even darker version of the city, overrun by violent crime and anarchy, that many who live in it are unlikely to recognize.

— Familiar targets: In portraying crime as out of control in cities across the country, he listed familiar targets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago but did not mention cities in Republican-led states with the highest murder rates: St. Louis, New Orleans or Memphis, Tennessee. He also ignored the most violent episode in Washington’s recent history: the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol, where his supporters sought to stop the certification of the 2020 election he lost. Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 of those rioters after returning to the White House in January.

— Earlier deployments: This summer, Trump deployed nearly 5,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles with orders to help quell protests that had erupted over immigration raids and to protect the federal agents conducting them. A suit brought challenging the deployment’s legality went to trial Monday, although most of the troops have since been withdrawn. And in his first term, Trump called up National Guard soldiers and federal law enforcement personnel to forcibly clear peaceful protests during the Black Lives Matter protests after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.

‘Fighting fire with fire,’ Democrats on defense as Texas redistricting looms

By ALYCE McFADDEN

Democrats are defending their party’s tit-for-tat threats to match the partisan congressional redistricting effort Republicans are pursuing in Texas.

Proposals to draw new maps that have been floated in Democrat-led states such as New York and California are a last resort, some party leaders said Sunday. But as the Texas drama grinds on, with Republicans threatening to arrest or oust from office Democratic state legislators who fled the state to stall a vote on an unusual mid-decade Republican redistricting plan, some Democrats said they were prepared to use any tool at their disposal.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Democrats, with whom he caucuses, have little choice but to respond in kind to the Republicans’ plan, which is designed to flip five U.S. House seats into the Republican column.

“What should Democrats do? Sit back and say, ‘Oh, gee?’” Sanders said on CNN. “Let them win the election when they shouldn’t? So Democrats have got to fight back.”

Sanders has long opposed partisan gerrymandering. But he told CNN’s Dana Bash that the effort in Texas amounted to an attempt to “rig the system” and keep Republicans in power despite an unpopular legislative agenda. The tools at Democrats’ disposal are limited, and to preserve even the chance of victory

in next year’s midterms, Sanders said, Democratic governors are left with but one unsavory option.

“I think it’s pathetic, but I think that’s what they’ve got to do,” he said.

Eric Holder, the chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and former attorney general, said on NBC that “there’s no question that gerrymandering is a threat to our democracy.” But he, too, endorsed Democrats’ plans to counter Texas’ maps in a manner that “is responsive and is temporary.”

Holder called a proposal by California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, to scrap maps drawn by an independent commission in favor of explicitly partisan districts designed to help Democrats “reasonable.”

Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, dismissed what he called “big talk and bluster by Democrat governors” as “weak sauce” in an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.” Democrats drew partisan maps first, Abbott said, and are now left with little room to maneuver.

“The fact of the matter is that they are bringing a gun to a gunfight, but they have no bullets because they lost their bullets when they engaged in redistricting and gerrymandering over the past decade,” Abbott said.

On Fox, another Democratic governor, Kathy Hochul of New York, who hosted some fugitive Texas Democrats in Albany, New York, said that “these times call for fighting fire with fire” and

criticized what she called “the hypocrisy of the Republicans who are now whining about the fact that we’re doing something in New York.” Hochul has said she is prepared to disband the state’s independent redistricting committee and redraw NewYork’s maps.

“Where was the outrage when Donald Trump told Texas to just go find five seats for him?” Hochul said. “Come on. People won’t buy this.”

Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois, also a Democrat, pushed back on Republican criticism of his state’s map, which was redrawn in 2021 to give Democrats more seats. Even if Republicans might not like the result, Pritzker said Sunday on NBC, Illinois’ redistricting process followed protocol and gave voters the chance to weigh in during a legislative hearing.

“It was done at the end of the census, the decennial census, and that’s how it’s done in this country,” he added. Congressional districts are usually redrawn after each census to reflect shifts in population that occurred since the previous census.

Holder also insisted that Democrats like Newsom and Hochul aren’t using the same tactics they find so objectionable in Texas.

“When Barack Obama was president and Joe Biden was president, did either of those presidents call a governor of a state and state legislature and tell them to gerrymander and find five seats?” Holder asked. “No.”

ICE is holding migrants in crowded and unsanitary cells, suit claims

By LUIS FERRÉ-SADURNÍ

Arecently detained immigrant filed a potential class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration late last week, denouncing the conditions inside holding cells at the main federal immigration offices in Manhattan as overcrowded and unsanitary.

The cells belong to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, at 26 Federal Plaza. They have drawn scrutiny as ICE has hastened the pace of arrests in New York City, with migrants filling the holding facility on the building’s 10th floor. In the past, the cells were used to hold migrants for just a few hours, but amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, migrants often remain there for days or for more than a week.

The lawsuit said that migrants often sleep on the concrete floor or sitting upright, lack access to legal counsel and are subjected to a “horrific stench” emanating from toilets next to where they sleep.

A video recorded by a migrant who sneaked in a cellphone last month appeared to confirm some of those complaints, as has recent reporting by The New York Times.

The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan federal court by Sergio Alberto Barco Mercado, a Peruvian immigrant who entered the United States in July 2022 and lives in New Jersey. He was arrested by ICE on Friday as he was leaving a routine appearance in immigration court, where he was facing deportation proceedings and applying for asylum after being charged with entering the country unlawfully.

Barco Mercado, a father of two, including a 3-month-old, is being held at 26 Federal Plaza, where the lawsuit said dozens of people were often crammed into a space that was just

A hallway outside immigration courtrooms at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, June 9, 2025. A recently detained immigrant filed a potential class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration on Friday, Aug. 8, denouncing the conditions inside holding cells at the main federal immigration offices in Manhattan as overcrowded and unsanitary. (Todd Heisler/The New York Times)

215 square feet. His lawyers are seeking that a judge certify the suit as a class-action lawsuit.

“People are being deprived of their basic rights, facing medical neglect, and they lack access to adequate food and hygiene,” said Harold Solis, a co-legal director of Make the Road New York, an immigrant advocacy group representing Barco Mercado. “This cruel detention policy is immoral and inhumane.”

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The agency has denied claims of unsanitary conditions at 26 Federal Plaza, telling the Times recently that “overcrowding or subprime

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conditions at ICE facilities are categorically false.” Agency officials have described the holding cells as temporary processing centers, not long-term detention facilities. They have used that designation to justify denying access to members of Congress who have sought to inspect the cells in recent months.

The 10th-floor cells hold detainees who are in the U.S. illegally and were arrested by agents at the city’s immigration courts, one of which is just two floors above the cells. Immigrants held there are typically processed and shuttled to detention centers elsewhere in the New York area or in other states, including Pennsylvania and Texas.

New federal data analyzed by the Times shows that about half of the more than 2,300 people arrested by ICE in the New York City area since Trump returned to office in January have been held at 26 Federal Plaza. Concerns about detention facility conditions have surfaced across the country as Trump officials race to find enough space to hold the migrants whom Trump wants to expel as part his mass deportation campaign.

The lawsuit argued that detainees have no way to communicate with their lawyers while being held in the lower Manhattan cells, are denied access to their prescribed medications and are served meals so meager that one detainee lost 24 pounds. It also said that ICE was violating its own policies that limit stays at such facilities to 72 hours. The lawsuit said that

some detainees have been held for more than a week and that one person was held for 10 days. Barco Mercado is also being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the law firm Wang Hecker.

Some of the same groups filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court on Aug. 1 challenging the federal government’s practice of arresting migrants showing up for routine hearings in immigration court. That lawsuit, coming two weeks after a similar class-action lawsuit was filed in Washington, D.C., argued that the arrests had turned the courts “into traps.”

The courthouse arrests have driven a spike in the detention of immigrants without criminal records in New York, according to the recent Times analysis. The lawsuit filed Aug. 1 in Manhattan argued that the arrests have undermined due process and discouraged immigrants from appearing for their mandated court hearings, which in turn puts them at risk of deportation.

Trump officials have defended the courthouse arrests as a “common sense” tactic to easily arrest and swiftly deport migrants who entered the country illegally during the administration of former President Joe Biden without having to send ICE agents into neighborhoods. Democratic members of Congress from New York have sought access to the holding cells at 26 Federal Plaza but have repeatedly been denied entry by ICE. A dozen Democratic lawmakers — including Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Dan Goldman of New York — sued the federal government last month because of its refusal to allow members into immigration facilities in California, New York, Texas and elsewhere.

Many migrants held at 26 Federal Plaza are moved to detention centers in the New York City region, including a new facility in Newark, New Jersey, known as Delaney Hall, a county jail on Long Island that began holding immigrants for ICE this year, and long-standing facilities in the Hudson Valley and near Buffalo, New York.

Under a recent agreement with the Bureau of Prisons, ICE also began holding more than 100 detainees at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which has a long history of conditions that some federal judges have described as “barbaric.”

Goldman and Espaillat, along with Rep. Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y., were denied access to the Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday after showing up to conduct oversight.

NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL

Where can Gaza go from here?

By BRET STEPHENS

First and most obviously: The government of Israel needs to rush, in abundant quantities and to immediate and undeniable effect, food and medicine to the places in the Gaza Strip that desperately need them.

This is as much a matter of self-interest as it is of humanitarianism. Few things hurt Israel more than the global perception, however tendentious, that it’s deliberately starving kids. Nothing helps Hamas more, either. Whatever benefits Hamas might derive from the aid pale next to the propaganda boon it has achieved through the starvation narrative — even if it’s Hamas itself that bears the final responsibility for causing and perpetuating Gaza’s misery.

But then what? There are three basic options.

The first is a negotiated settlement. Until just two weeks ago, the prospect of a ceasefire appeared to be tantalizingly close. Then Hamas hardened its stance. It has flatly refused to disarm until a Palestinian state is created.

It has also posted atrocity videos of two hostages, Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, visibly starved and nearing death, which were guaranteed to spark anguish and outrage among Israelis, though the rest of the world barely seemed to notice. “Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Steve Witkoff, the American envoy, said after withdrawing from talks.

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A ceasefire now lies farther out of reach. France’s feckless and destructive plan to recognize a Palestinian state, along with promises from Britain and Canada to follow suit, was a guaranteed incentive for Hamas to raise the diplomatic price on Israel. What a perverse reward for the terrorist group, and a punishment for ordinary Gaza residents.

There are other diplomatic opportunities, most promisingly an Arab League declaration last week that condemned the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and called for Hamas to disarm and release hostages. But that’s a hortatory statement that has no teeth until Arab states such as Qatar, which has hosted Hamas’ leadership in luxury, exert extreme pressure on the group to come to terms. Until then, diplomacy is a winding road to nowhere.

The second option is Israel’s complete reoccupation of all of Gaza. Israeli news media are reporting that Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has all but settled on this course over the strong opposition of some of his own senior military commanders. This may yet be a negotiating gambit to get Hamas to ease its terms. But it’s also something that the farright ministers in Netanyahu’s government have called for since the war’s beginning.

Whatever the case, it’s a risky and potentially catastrophic gamble. It would put the hostages at immediate risk, since their captors have been given execution orders if Israeli troops approach. It would require another round of bloody urban warfare. And it would involve Israel in a draining effort to stamp out every pocket of guerrilla warfare — a war that sooner or later would bring unbearable foreign and domestic pressure to bear on Israel. Beirut in 1982 is not an experience the Israeli government should ever want to repeat.

Children atop rubble await aid in Gaza City, July 27, 2025. If Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, “makes the colossal mistake of trying to reoccupy Gaza for the long term, then no thoughtful person can be pro-Israel without also being against him,” The New York Times columnist Bret Stephens writes. (Saher Alghorra/The New York Times)

should avoid being lured into nonstop urban combat and instead surround and isolate the battlefield, allowing food and medicine to get in but not the things Hamas would need to maintain its war machine, particularly fuel for generators in the tunnels.

Updated for the present, this would mean an indefinite Israeli occupation of Gaza’s inner perimeter, including its border with Egypt, and across the territory’s midpoint. But as Jonathan Schanzer writes in Commentary magazine, there should be no reconstruction aid for Gaza until Hamas releases the hostages and agrees to disarm. Food and medicine, yes — in abundance. Concrete and rebar, no — not so long as it might be used to rebuild the territory’s terror tunnels. It’s time for Hamas to feel the brunt of pressure, most of all from Gaza residents themselves, for the ruins they created.

But there’s a third option, a middle way between capitulating to Hamas’ outrageous demands and lunging for another Pyrrhic victory.

Shortly after Oct. 7, I reported on a proposal from former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called a “squeeze approach,” which he saw as essential to “not play along with the lines that Hamas wrote for us.” Bennett’s central insight was that Israel

Those who think of themselves as well-wishers of the Palestinians may want to forever put the moral onus on Israel for all of Gaza’s tragedies. But Gaza would not be where it is now had it not been for Hamas, and Gaza cannot be more than it is now so long as Hamas retains effective control. No thoughtful person can be pro-Palestinian without also being anti-Hamas.

At the same time, being pro-Israel means looking at Gaza through the wider lens of Israel’s overall interests: the return of the hostages to heal Israel’s heart; the relief of Gaza to rehabilitate Israel’s reputation (above all among wavering friends); the resumption of regional diplomacy to take advantage of Israel’s temporary victories over Hezbollah and Iran; and the restoration of deterrence against Israel’s larger and stillmenacing enemies.

If Netanyahu makes the colossal mistake of trying to reoccupy Gaza for the long term, then no thoughtful person can be pro-Israel without also being against him.

Colegio de Abogados advierte en vista pública cambios al Código Civil desprotegería a víctimas de daños en casos de responsabilidad extracontractual

EL CAPITOLIO – El licenciado y profesor Charles Santiago, en representación de la Comisión de Derecho Civil del Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas, se opuso el lunes en vista pública de la Comisión de lo Jurídico del Senado al Proyecto del Senado 56, que propone modificar el Código Civil de Puerto Rico para que en casos de responsabilidad extracontractual, varios causantes de un daño respondan de forma mancomunada y no solidaria, salvo excepciones. La propuesta busca que cada parte pague únicamente por la proporción del daño que causó.

“La Comisión de Derecho Civil reconoce el interés de la Asamblea Legislativa en revisar y actualizar el Código Civil. Sin embargo, consideramos que el P. del S. 56, tal como está redactado, no mejora el sistema de responsabilidad extracontractual de Puerto Rico. Por el contrario, introduce incertidumbre jurídica, desprotege a las víctimas de daños y complica innecesariamente el proceso de reclamación y litigio”, manifestó Santiago en la vista pública.

Explicó que, con la mancomunidad, el perjudicado perdería la posibilidad de reclamar el total de los daños a un solo responsable, viéndose obligado a identificar, localizar y demandar a todos los cocausantes para recibir una compensación completa. Añadió que la solidaridad es una norma justa, ya que en muchos casos no se puede determinar con precisión el grado de culpa de cada parte, y que el cambio podría reducir la indemnización total para las víctimas. “Así que, no veamos esto como que en la actualidad va a ser siempre la reparación total a uno solo de los cocausantes. Ahora, en muchos casos es

que no se puede… La norma de la solidaridad es justa”, manifestó Santiago.

El Proyecto del Senado 56, de la autoría del presidente senatorial Thomas Rivera Schatz, adopta un modelo presente en más de treinta jurisdicciones de Estados Unidos, como Luisiana, que conserva una tradición civilista similar a la de Puerto Rico. Actualmente, la norma solidaria permite reclamar a un solo causante la totalidad de los daños, aunque luego este recupere de los demás su parte proporcional. Con la propuesta, esa obligación se dividiría desde el inicio entre los responsables, reservando la solidaridad para casos donde hubo actuación concertada.

En la misma vista, la licenciada Maricarmen Montaner, en representación de la Asociación de Hospitales, apoyó la medida y sostuvo que es “necesaria, justa y coherente con las tendencias modernas del derecho de daños”. Explicó que limitaría la responsabilidad financiera de hospitales y médicos a su grado de participación en el daño, reduciría riesgos legales, favorecería la sostenibilidad de las instituciones de salud y ayudaría a retener talento médico en la isla.

Legisladores se unen para pedir eliminación del sistema de inspección de furgones en los muelles

POR EL STAR STAFF

SAN JUAN – Los representantes del Partido Nuevo Progresista, José Aponte y Víctor Parés, se unieron para impulsar la eliminación del sistema de inspección de contenedores de carga en los muelles de San Juan por éste ser inoficioso e innecesario.

“Este es un asunto que hemos trabajado desde hace bastante tiempo. Si el sistema de inspección Entendemos que el sistema de inspección estuviera funcionando apropiada y correctamente se justificaría mantenerse, pero la realidad es otra, es una carga adicional a los consumidores pues nuestros comerciantes pasan ese costo. En otro aspecto relacionado, no se han encontrado cargamentos de armas de fuego o drogas ilegales. No habiendo garantías de un sistema eficiente, es tiempo de eliminar este progra-

ma”, dijo Aponte, quien preside la Comisión de Asuntos Federales y de Veteranos de la Cámara Baja.

“El Puerto Rico de hoy es muy diferente al del 2008 cuando se concibió una plataforma para la inspección de contenedores de carga en los muelles bajo el antiguo Sistema Automatizado para Data de Aduana, modelo impulsado por las Naciones Unidas como un mecanismo de seguridad portuaria. En los muelles de la Isla no se inspecciona la totalidad de los contenedores, al contrario, durante los años la empresa contratada ha sido selectiva en los furgones que se evalúan, hecho que levanta serias dudas operacionales y demuestra la ineficiencia de esta plataforma”, añadió Parés, quien preside la Comisión de Gobierno. El sistema de inspección fue creado bajo los parámetros de la Ley Núm. 12 de 18 de febrero de 2008, mejor conocida como ‘Ley para Establecer la Política Pública en

el Área de la Seguridad Portuaria’, así como la Ley Núm. 7 de 9 de marzo de 2009 (Ley Especial Declarando Estado de Emergencia Fiscal y Estableciendo Plan Integral de Estabilización Fiscal para Salvar el Crédito de Puerto Rico).

Se forma la tormenta tropical Erin al oeste de las islas de Cabo Verde

SAN JUAN – El Centro Nacional de Huracanes (NHC, en inglés) informó este lunes que se formó la tormenta tropical Erin en aguas del Atlántico oriental, justo al oeste de las islas de Cabo Verde.

A las 2:00 de la tarde (hora de Cabo Verde), el sistema fue localizado en la latitud 17.4 grados norte, longitud 28.0 grados oeste, aproximadamente a 280 millas (455 km) al oeste-noroeste de las islas de Cabo Verde y a unas 2,305 millas (3,710 km) al este de las Islas de Sotavento del norte. Erin presenta vientos máximos sostenidos de 45 millas por hora (75 km/h) y se desplaza hacia el oeste a razón de 20 millas por hora (31 km/h). El NHC pronosticó un fortalecimiento gradual durante los próximos días. Por el momento, no hay vigilancias ni avisos costeros en vigor y no se anticipan impactos directos a tierra en el corto plazo.

“Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse”

Five science fiction movies to stream now

By ELISABETH VINCENTELLI

In this month’s picks, time-loop romance and creepy postapocalyptic roommates.

‘Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse’

Fans of Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” in particular and bonkers postapocalyptic auteurism in general should check out this film by Mexican director Isaac Ezban. After a virus turned people into ferocious, perpetually hungry monsters, brothers Salvador (Farid Escalante Correa), Oliver (Leonardo Cervantes) and Benjamin (Mateo Ortega Casillas) managed to survive in an isolated house. They make protein shakes out of ground worms for themselves, hunt dogs and dress them out to feed a pair of creatures chained in the basement. The reason for keeping these dangerous roommates around does not come as a huge surprise, but Ezban milks his twisted premise for all it’s worth — as in Boyle’s movie, the infected being alive rather than zombies means that they have drives besides eating. Rodrigo Sandoval’s washed-out cinematography gives “Párvulos: Children of the Apocalypse” the feel of a surreal fairy tale, one dotted with dark humor and seriously creepy scenes. Ezban is so in control of his aesthetics and mise-en-scene that he even salvages the godforsaken music montage in a couple of scenes set to groovy, neopsychedelic songs. (Rent or buy it on Apple TV+ or Prime Video)

‘Lost in Starlight’

The polar opposite of “Párvulos” in every imaginable way is Han Ji-won’s animated K-romance. After he fixes her vintage turntable, Jay (voiced by Hong Kyung) and Nan-young (Kim Tae-ri) start falling for each other — a process precipitated when Nan-young realizes that Jay wrote the obscure song that she has been obsessed with. The film is set mostly in Seoul, South Korea, in 2051, and its world-building superbly evokes a high-tech city that feels simultaneously now and futuristic.

Nan-young is a brilliant scientist who is obsessed with going to Mars, where her astronaut mother disappeared in a

catastrophic accident decades earlier. When NASA decides to send her there as part of a new mission, Nan-young may finally get closure. But is that even possible? And will her relationship with Jay survive the separation? Much of the movie is a romantic comedy that follows the couple as they get to know each other and their respective vulnerabilities. By the end, “Lost in Starlight” throws all caution to the wind and embraces the intergalactic power of love. There was a moment when I thought the film’s momentum was taking it to a somber place, but the story pulled back — in a still-satisfying manner. (Stream it on Netflix)

‘Spark’

Out on a birthday scavenger hunt, Aaron (Theo Germaine, from “The Politician”) gets paired with brooding Trevor (Danell Leyva), a man of few words and sexy eyebrows. They hook up, but in the middle of sex, Aaron wakes up at home, back at the start of the day. Yes, this is a time-loop story. Aaron, who has fallen for the enigmatic stranger, uses the do-overs to fine-tune the date — changing his hairstyle, grilling Trevor about his taste in music so he can pretend to enjoy the same bands. Soon, Aaron realizes that one way to prevent the clock from resetting is to avoid sex and actually get to know Trevor — not easy for someone with intimacy issues.

About half of Nicholas Giuricich’s “Spark” explores fairly familiar terrain, albeit with matter-of-fact queer representation, but the movie then steers off into less predictable territory. Let’s just say that Aaron’s roommate, Dani (Vico Ortiz, from “Our Flag Means Death”), has a role to play, and that we eventually get Trevor’s perspective. This last development is a departure from the usual time-loop template as it leaves the lead character’s point of view to give agency to someone who appeared to be a bystander in the main story. (Rent or buy it on most major platforms)

‘The Assessment’

Scientists Mia (Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (Himesh Patel) live a life of luxury in an isolated seaside compound, where

they have the time and resources to conduct their research. The one thing missing to complete their picture-perfect life is a child, but in the future earth of Fleur Fortuné’s movie, you can’t just go and make one: The only way is to be evaluated as being fit to adopt. The cryptic, totalitarian-sounding authorities send Virginia (Alicia Vikander) for a weeklong evaluation that involves practical tasks (any couple that has found itself on the brink of divorce after trying to assemble an Ikea wardrobe will empathize) and role-playing — this may be seen as one of the darkest films ever made about parenting. It quickly becomes hard to parse when Virginia is acting out as part of the test or having a genuine emotional reaction. Though, admittedly, it’s also hard to feel for Mia and Aaryan when they fall into obvious traps. Still, “The Assessment” gets better and better as the story becomes increasingly perverse, and as we get to know Virginia. The film ends on a smartly equivocal note that will determine if a viewer sees a glass as half-empty or half-full. (Rent or buy it on most major platforms)

‘Our Times’

Married couple Nora (Lucero) and Héctor (Benny Ibarra) are brilliant physics professors at a Mexico City university in 1966. They are equally committed to their research on wormholes, but Nora is constantly belittled and undermined by the college’s higher-ups, who reflexively call her “sweetie” then ask to talk to her husband. The pair test their theories by building a time machine that eventually lands them in 2025, in which the bounties of the modern world await. Being scientists, Héctor and Nora are fascinated by all the new technology at their disposal. When it comes to social mores, however, she is a lot happier than him. Nora, who learns a lot from her grandniece, Alondra (Renata Vaca), flourishes both personally and professionally. Héctor, meanwhile, withers bitterly in a world where women have more agency and his peers basically give him the treatment his wife received decades earlier — as a lesser adjunct to the researcher who matters.

Chava Cartas’ fleet comedy doesn’t engage with the paradoxes that this particular time travel would create, but it handles its characters with warmth and humor. It also avoids an obvious resolution for Héctor, and a major decision the couple makes at the end actually feels realistic. (Stream it on Netflix)w

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Stocks

Stock dip, US yields fall as markets brace for big week for trade, geopolitics

Global equity markets edged lower in a choppy session while long-dated U.S. Treasuries fell on Monday, as investors braced for a week packed with closelywatched developments on trade and geopolitics in addition to key U.S. economic data.

A U.S. tariff deadline on China, due to expire on Tuesday, is expected to be extended again, while U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are due to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending the Ukraine war.

On Wall Street, the benchmark S&P 500 index and the Dow were trading slightly lower, while the Nasdaq was down. Energy and materials stocks were driving losses while healthcare and consumer discretionary shares were making gains.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.33%, the S&P 500 fell 0.02% to 6,390.92 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.11%.

In Europe, the STOXX 600 index fell 0.07%. MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe was down 0.11% to 940.16, trading near its all-time record high reached in July.

“At the surface level the market is flat and calm and it looks like we are in wait-and-see mode to what the economic data will we are going to get tomorrow; all eyes on the CPI,” Wasif Latif, chief investment officer at Sarmaya Partners in New Jersey, said.

“When you look underneath the covers and at the breakdown within the market, you’re getting a little bit more of a selloff.”

The main economic release this week will be U.S. consumer prices on Tuesday, with analysts expecting the impact of tariffs to help nudge the core up 0.3% to an annual pace of 3% and away from the Federal Reserve target of 2%.

An upside surprise would challenge market wagers for a September rate cut, though analysts assume it would have to be a very high number given that a downward turn in payrolls is now dominating the outlook.

Markets imply around a 90% probability of a September easing, and at least one more cut by year-end.

The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes fell 1 basis point to 4.273%, while the 30-year bond yield fell 1.7 basis points to 4.8373%.

Trump having repeatedly criticised the Fed for not cutting rates at recent meetings, and markets are eyeing who will succeed current chair Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May. This, said Paul Mackel, Global Head of FX Research at

HSBC, meant that the dollar’s reaction to the CPI data would not be straightforward.

If the figure indicated higher U.S. tariff price pressures, “that could support the stagflation narrative, and to the dollar’s detriment”, he said, adding that this would also go against the view of some policymakers that tariffs were not causing prices to increase.

“If, however, softer U.S. CPI readings materialise, including the core goods figures, this would likely challenge the dollar too by supporting the case for further Fed easing, and perhaps see greater criticism from the U.S. administration towards Fed Chair Powell.”

The dollar strengthened 0.2% to 148.01 against the Japanese yen and was up 0.59% to 0.813 against the Swiss franc. The euro was down 0.32%

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against the dollar at $1.1602. The dollar index rose 0.37% to 98.59.

The Australian dollar eased 0.26% to $0.6507 ahead of a meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is widely expected to back a rate cut. It stunned markets in July by skipping an easing of policy to await more inflation data.

Gold prices fell 1.53% to $3,346/58 an ounce after wild swings last week on reports that the U.S. would slap 39% tariffs on some gold bars, which are major exports of Switzerland. [GOL/]

The White House has said it planned to issue an executive order clarifying the country’s stance.

The San Juan Daily Star

A sidelined Zelenskyy warns that Russia will try to deceive the US

By MARC SANTORA

With President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin preparing to meet in Alaska on Friday, ending the Russian leader’s years of diplomatic isolation with the West, Ukraine’s sidelined leaders warned that the Kremlin would try to “deceive America” as Trump pushed to end the war.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine is determined to demonstrate that his country is not the obstacle to peace by emphasizing Ukraine’s willingness to accept an unconditional ceasefire, an idea that Russia has rejected. He has cautioned that Putin will try to drive a wedge between the United States, Ukraine and its European allies by putting forth demands that the Kremlin knows Ukraine cannot accept and then portraying Zelenskyy as the barrier to a deal.

“We understand the Russians’ intention to try to deceive America — we will not allow this,” Zelenskyy said in his evening address to the nation Sunday night.

But even as Ukraine and its European backers are pressing hard for Zelenskyy to be included in the negotiations, Trump suggested Monday that he was already frustrated with the Ukrainian leader, seeming to claim that Ukraine was fighting a war of choice.

“I was a little bothered by the fact that Zelenskyy was saying, ‘I have to get constitutional approval’” to relinquish territory, Trump told reporters. “He’s got approval to go into war and kill everybody, but he needs approval to do a land swap?”

Trump said his sit-down with Putin would be a “feel-out meeting” intended to see if the Russian leader was ready to reach an agreement. Ukraine and its European allies are worried about the bilateral negotiations, given maximalist demands by Putin that Ukraine says threaten its survival.

In a reflection of Europe’s concerns, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday that he would convene a virtual summit Wednesday to discuss the war and Trump’s forthcoming meeting with Putin. A German government spokesperson said several European leaders were set to participate, along with Zelenskyy, Trump and Vice President JD Vance. A spokesperson for the

A bullet-riddled sign reading “Ukraine” and “Russia,” salvaged from a border crossing, hangs on a wall of the War Museum in Kyiv on Aug. 4, 2025. Ukraine fears that the Kremlin will try to convince President Donald Trump at U.S.-Russian talks in Alaska that Ukraine, not Russia, is the obstacle to peace. (David Guttenfelder/The New York Times)

European Commission said its president, Ursula von der Leyen, would participate.

The stakes of the diplomacy are high.

The bloodiest war on the continent since World War II has become deadlier, and the warring sides have expanded arsenals capable of striking deep into enemy territory.

European leaders and diplomats joined Ukraine in trying to frame the upcoming discussions in Alaska as a “test” for Russia, which has shown little sign that it is willing to pull back in its pummeling of Ukraine.

“On Friday, it is important to see how serious Putin is, and the only one who can do that is President Trump,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told CBS News on Sunday.

In their public comments, Ukrainian and European officials have tried to strike a delicate balance.

They have been careful in choosing their words, hoping not to offend Trump while at the same time attempting to shift the conversation back to the need for a complete ceasefire. Ukraine has argued that a truce is needed before any substantive negotiations

can take place — a position that the United States also once held and one that Putin has dismissed as his forces have continued to make gains on the battlefield.

As he announced the talks scheduled for Friday, Trump suggested that there could be “some swapping of territories” that would precede a cessation of hostilities. Zelenskyy has called that proposal a nonstarter, saying Ukraine will not hand over any territory that Russia does not currently occupy.

If the idea of territorial concessions emerges intact from the Alaska talks and Ukraine rejects it, Ukrainian and European leaders worry that Russia will be able to convince Trump that Ukraine is behind the failure to strike a peace deal. The president has swung wildly in his stance on Ukraine, in the past blaming it for Russia’s invasion but since then voicing some criticism of Putin.

The Kremlin has long attempted to weaken cohesion among the United States, Europe and Ukraine “as part of a wider campaign to deter further Western support to Ukraine and distract from Russia’s

intransigence regarding the peace process,” the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based research group, wrote in an analysis Sunday.

There is no evidence, the analysts wrote, that Russia is willing to compromise on its long-standing aims of preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, installing a Kremlinfriendly government in Kyiv and demilitarizing Ukraine. Those aims, taken together, would amount to Ukraine’s “full capitulation,” they wrote.

Even if the meetings in Alaska lead to a ceasefire, the analysts warned, Russia will very likely “violate and weaponize” any agreements while repeating past patterns of blaming Ukraine.

Vance said on Fox News on Sunday that the United States was trying to schedule a trilateral meeting among Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy, but that doing so was difficult.

Vance said that “one of the most important logjams is that Vladimir Putin said that he would never sit down with Zelenskyy.” The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly called for direct talks with Putin in any format, but Russia has refused.

Zelenskyy said Sunday that while he valued “the determination with which President Trump is committed to bringing an end to the killings in this war,” the root cause of the bloody conflict was “Putin’s desire to wage war and manipulate everyone he comes into contact with.”

The Ukrainian leader pointed to a Russian strike on a bus depot in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia on Sunday that injured at least 22 people as further evidence that Moscow was not interested in peace.

“No deadlines, no expectations work on them — they do not want to stop the killings,” he said. “The only thing they are looking for is a way to kill Ukraine.”

Miguel Uribe, Colombian senator shot at campaign event, dies at 39

By GENEVIEVE GLATSKY and JULIE TURKEWITZ

Miguel Uribe, the Colombian senator and presidential hopeful who was shot in the head at a campaign event two months ago in an attack that shocked the nation, has died at 39, according to a statement posted by his wife.

Uribe had spent nine weeks in the hospital after the shooting in Bogotá, undergoing multiple surgeries before succumbing to his injuries. The hospital had announced in a statement this weekend that Uribe’s condition had worsened and that he was experiencing bleeding in the brain.

In a photo posted on Instagram on Monday, Uribe’s wife, María Claudia Tarazona, addressed her late husband, promising to take care of their children.

“You will always be the love of my life,” she wrote. “Wait for me, because when I fulfill my promise to our children, I will come looking for you and we will have our second chance.”

The killing of Uribe, a conservative politician and a grandson of a former president, is for many Colombians a traumatic reminder of the country’s long conflict in which armed rebel groups, paramilitaries and narcotraffickers have fought for land, power and money.

Despite a 2016 peace deal between the government and the country’s main rebel group, the conflict and killing continues.

Uribe’s mother, Diana Turbay, a prominent journalist and daughter of a former president, was killed in 1991, when Uribe was a child, after being kidnapped by a drug cartel.

The senator’s shooting in June, captured on video, had both divided the nation over how to address violence in the country and united people of disparate political backgrounds around a shared tragedy.

On Monday, María José Pizarro, a senator on the left whose own father was assassinated on the presidential campaign trail in 1990, called the moment “a day of national mourning.”

Like Uribe, Pizarro had announced her intentions to run for the presidency next year. While she and Uribe stood on opposite sides of the political aisle, she said on Colombia’s W Radio that Uribe was “a man who fought for his ideals.”

She called for “reconciliation” before next year’s presi-

dential vote, with a first round set for May. She also urged investigators to find the perpetrators behind the crime.

It is still not clear who masterminded the assassination or why.

Uribe campaigned for an aggressive approach to the country’s armed groups, but he was not more vocal on the issue than other politicians on the right, and he was not viewed as the front-runner in the coming presidential vote.

Authorities have arrested six people in connection with the June 7 shooting, including a 14-year-old boy identified as the shooter, but have not disclosed a motive.

At least three adults — Carlos Eduardo Mora, Katerine Martínez and William González — are facing charges for using a minor to commit a crime.

The director of Colombia’s national police, Carlos Fernando Triana, has called another arrested man, Elder José Arteaga, known as el Costeño (“the man from the coast”), as among the people who orchestrated the assassination.

The police director has also said investigators are examining whether an armed group called Segunda Marquetalia is behind the killing.

The group is led by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, who returned to arms after striking a peace deal with the government in 2016.

Violence in Colombia has not returned to the levels of the 1990s and early 2000s. But it has risen from a low about 10 years ago, when the government struck a peace deal with FARC.

Since the peace deal, new armed groups have emerged from the remnants of old ones, fracturing as the years went on and creating an ever-more-complicated security picture.

Targeted killings and kidnappings have mostly been limited to the countryside. Uribe’s shooting, in a park in the capital, Bogotá, at a crowded campaign event, was uncommon and alarmed many.

In a post on social platform X on Monday, former President Álvaro Uribe, a mentor of the assassinated senator (though not a relative), said: “Evil destroys everything, they killed hope. May Miguel’s struggle be a light that illuminates Colombia’s rightful path.”

Both Álvaro Uribe and Miguel Uribe, along with other conservatives, have argued for a hard-line approach to armed groups, which members of the Uribes’ party, Democratic Center, call “democratic security.” The country’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, has promised to strike peace deals but has failed to do so.

Miguel Uribe was the father of a son about kindergarten age — the senator’s age when his own mother was killed. He is also the stepfather to three girls.

His death is likely to cast a long and dark shadow over the 2026 presidential vote in Colombia, heightening concerns about security for other candidates and elevating pressure to address the violence.

On W Radio on Monday, José Obdulio Gaviria, a member of the Democratic Center party, said the death of older people was often regarded as an arrival at a port. But in this case, he said, “Miguel’s death is more like a shipwreck.

Sonia Ballen, left, marches in support of conservative Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, who was shot in the head during a political rally the day before, in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, June 8, 2025. After nine weeks in the hospital in which he underwent multiple surgeries, Uribe has died at 39, according to a statement posted by his wife. (Federico Ríos Escobar/The New York Times)

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 13

Liberty Puerto Rico sees creditors take action amid revenue decline

By THE STAR STAFF

Liberty Communications Puerto Rico, facing a decline in revenue, is now seeing its creditors take action, as the company prepares for significant strategic changes.

According to sources, Liberty Communications has engaged Ropes & Gray as legal counsel and Moelis as its financial adviser. With reportedly around $2.8 billion in debt, the company has spurred the formation of creditor groups, with Akin Gump and Evercore represent-

ing one ad hoc group, and Glenn Agre representing another, as reported by sources. Liberty has not yet confirmed the information.

Last week, during its second quarter 2025 earnings presentation, Liberty announced its intention to pursue a li-

ability management transaction, aimed at leveraging select assets to address liquidity needs and enhance its capital structure. The strategic move is part of a broader plan to separate Puerto Rico operations from the Liberty Latin America parent company.

Liberty executives emphasize that the separation will unlock shareholder value and optimize capital structure. CEO Balan Nair said the separation could potentially take the form of a spinoff.

Despite experiencing a decline in

revenue of 5% on a rebased basis during the second quarter, Liberty’s Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands unit managed to increase its adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) by 22% year-over-year, totaling $87 million for the quarter and $168.5 million for the first half of the year. The growth in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization can be attributed to disciplined cost management, achieved through reduced staffing, lower professional services costs, and the phase-out of integration expenses.

Trump order clears way for crypto and private equity in 401(k)s

By TARA SIEGEL BERNARD

President Donald Trump signed an executive order late last week that aims to make it easier to include alternative assets like private equity, cryptocurrency and real estate inside 401(k) and related employee retirement plans. Together, the accounts hold $12.2 trillion in retirement savings.

The order directs the Labor Department, which oversees retirement plans, to re-evaluate its fiduciary guidelines related to these investments, as well as to clarify its position on the proper process when offering funds that include alternative assets.

There is nothing explicitly prohibiting plan operators from adding these types of investments now, and it is still too early to know how aggressively federal regulators will interpret Trump’s green light and what the implications may be. But the embrace of alternatives is a significant shift from the Biden administration, which issued a warning about the dangers of crypto investing, something the Trump administration recently rescinded.

Still, the underlying law governing retirement accounts, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, isn’t changing. Known as ERISA, it requires fiduciaries — the employers or plan administrators entrusted with the plans — to act solely in the best interests of employees, which includes choosing prudent investment options.

Are Bitcoin and other volatile digital assets prudent investments? Regardless of any executive order, it’s a case that employ-

ers would need to consider and be able to defend, and they tend to tread carefully across all asset types.

Even though crypto has become increasingly available to mainstream investors through vehicles like exchange-traded funds, it remains rare in retirement plan menus. Private equity, which involves investments that are not publicly traded, isn’t widely accessible to retirement investors at the moment, but some large financial services companies, including BlackRock, are developing products that contain them, including a target-date fund that is expected to be released in the first half of next year.

Arthur Laby, vice dean and a professor at Rutgers Law School, said executive orders are meaningful because they “add an important ingredient into the complex recipe” that determines when a fiduciary, such as an employer, has failed to uphold its duty. The orders can shape the national debate and direct federal agencies on how to carry out laws or policies — but they have limits.

“Executive orders can be influential, but they do not necessarily erase well-developed fiduciary law jurisprudence honed by the courts over many decades,” Laby added.

Employers have long been fearful of being sued for investment options that can be viewed as imprudent, or simply too expensive, which is why the shift isn’t expected to set off a rush to significantly overhaul 401(k) plan menus or load them up with digital assets like crypto, for example.

Betterment, an investment advisory

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, Aug. 1, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, Aug. 7, that aims to make it easier to include alternative assets like private equity, cryptocurrency and real estate inside 401(k) and related employee retirement plans. Together, the accounts hold $12.2 trillion in retirement savings. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)

firm that provides employer 401(k) plans and separately, cryptocurrency portfolios, does not make digital assets a standard option in its own 401(k) offerings.

The management and investment selection of 401(k) plans are “governed by fiduciary rules, which require an employer — and any adviser they may be working with — to review the investments to ensure they have fair fees and performance in line with general market returns,” said Edward Gottfried, a vice president at Betterment, which manages $19 billion in retirement assets.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer applauded the order, noting that the department wants to ensure that alternative-asset investments are more accessible to plan participants.

“This executive order further supports our efforts to improve flexibility and eliminate unfair one-size-fits-all approaches,” she said in a statement.

If more employers begin to wade into alternatives, legal experts say, they will need to do even more vetting given that many of these investments, by nature, are more opaque.

“The whole nature of private equity is it’s private, not public,” said Jerome Schlichter of Schlichter Bogard & Denton, a law firm in St. Louis, who gained a reputation for suing employers over retirement plans that workers thought were mismanaged and too expensive.

“If fiduciaries consider putting these kinds of funds in their plans, they’ll have to do much more work, a much deeper dive and much more investigation into what those underlying private equity investments are and their fees,” he added.

The executive order also directs Chavez-DeRemer to consult with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal regulators to determine whether regulatory changes should be made in other agencies to help carry out the order.

“The executive order seems like it’s more of a starting gun,” Gottfried of Betterment said.

The San Juan Daily Star

Pumping iron is their secret to aging well

so inevitable.

‘All of a sudden, we had this community.’

Greysteel was founded by Dr. Jonathon Sullivan, now 65, as a side project while he was working in the emergency room of Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Sullivan served in the Marines before medical school, but never took to what he called the “cardio bunny” style of working out — jumping jacks and 20-mile runs — that he experienced in the Corps. He became interested in lifting while conducting research on brain health for a doctorate.

This led him to the influential training manual “Starting Strength,” by coach and author Mark Rippetoe, and its back-tobasics program resonated. The book railed against the strength machines that had taken over mainstream gyms, preaching instead a minimalist lifting routine performed with a barbell.

overload, or structuring a training plan to consistently add difficulty.

He started coaching in 2013 in his garage, then in a derelict space barely big enough for a squat rack, with mushrooms growing out of the wall. By 2018, he was training around 15 people in a real gym.

After some 25 years in the emergency room, he found overnight shifts were affecting his health. He committed to Greysteel full time.

Sullivan now trains about 40 people at Greysteel, which packs eight stations into a strip mall storefront. Members pay $500 a month for two closely supervised training sessions a week, plus access to yoga and martial arts training. (Less expensive remote coaching is also available.)

“It was something I was going to do on the side,” he said. But more people started showing up. “All of a sudden, we had this community.”

older adults, the approach has clicked for its members — several of them even credit it with saving their lives. Val Rosengren, 75, was diagnosed with a bad case of sarcopenia, an aging-related loss of muscle. But thanks to 10 years of lifting, she said between reps, she has gained 12 pounds of muscle.

Others are simply trying to stay ahead of a slow decline.

“My mom had it all: high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and ended up with dementia — and that is the worst thing in the world,” said Cathy Jozwick, 61. “So I want prevention, if I can.”

By CHRIS COHEN

The clang of weights rang out through Greysteel Strength and Conditioning on a recent Friday morning. Over the pumping music came chirps of instruction and affirmation: You got this, push!

Ann Buszard, 84, strapped on a thick leather belt before stepping up to the barbell she had loaded to 170 pounds. She exhaled and hinged, lifting roughly the weight of a medium-size refrigerator fluidly off the ground, then reversed the move to gently set it down, safely completing a deadlift.

Buszard, a retired nurse, had never so much as touched a weight until she was 74, when she found herself struggling to stand up after kneeling down. She wanted to get stronger, and her son had heard of a local doctor who was moonlighting as a weightlifting coach.

She wound up at Greysteel, a no-nonsense gym in Farmington Hills, Michigan, outside Detroit. While many gyms around the country offer programs for older people, Greysteel distinguishes itself by focusing on old-school barbell lifting.

The logic behind Greysteel is straightforward: Stronger muscles and bones are associated with longer life and better health. And heavy barbell lifting programs are proven to build strength. If you combine those two ideas, the inevitable decline that comes with aging is perhaps not quite

Sullivan developed a program to modify standard training methods for older people, which he published in his 2016 book “The Barbell Prescription.” The basic program is built around four lifts: the bench press, squat, deadlift and overhead press — supplemented with cardio. And while the program provides extensive adjustments for older bodies, it focuses on relatively high weight, low repetitions and progressive

‘I just feel better when I’m doing this.’

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that most adults perform some form of resistance exercise at least twice a week. But less than a third of Americans meet that threshold, and most public health authorities focus on the message that any workout is better than nothing.

While few experts would recommend the demanding routines at Greysteel for all

Dr. Nina Blachman, an associate professor of medicine and geriatrics at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said that exercise could play an important role in heading off or managing chronic health conditions, though she warned against trying an aggressive workout plan without appropriate caution.

“We want people to do as much exercise as they’re able to do comfortably,” Blachman said. Depending on the person, she said, that could be swimming or chair yoga. But she also sees value in encouraging older people to push themselves, as long as they are careful.

One Greysteel member, Dr. Walter Sahijdak, 62, suffered a muscle tear soon after starting at the gym — “a squat that went bad” — but he has continued the program.

“Being a desk jockey can really wear you down,” he said. “I just feel better when I’m doing this.”

At 98, John Claassen is the oldest lifter at Greysteel; he uses a walker to approach the barbell.

When he was diagnosed with a potentially fatal gallbladder condition two years ago, he said his strength helped convince his surgeon he could survive an operation to remove it. He said lifting also helped him recover after the procedure.

“I consider everything since then bonus years,” Claassen said.

Training at Greysteel has given him a sense of direction and community. The members exchange birthday cards and keep tabs on one another’s illnesses, surgeries, vacations and personal records.

“We’re like brothers and sisters,” he said. “You feel regenerated by the unity of purpose we have.”

John Rosengren, 76, builds back after a spinal surgery at Greysteel Strength and Conditioning gym, in Farmington Hills, Mich., on June 20, 2025. (Brittany Greeson/The New York Times)

Sandy Hupp, 71, trains at Greysteel Strength and Conditioning gym, in Farmington Hills, Mich., on June 20, 2025. Greysteel, a gym outside Detroit, teaches barbell lifting for older people. Some are well into their 80s and 90s. (Brittany Greeson/The New York Times)

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 15

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA DE CAGUAS

MINERVA

ROLON GARCIA

Peticionaria

EX-PARTE

Civil Núm.: CG2025CV01406.

Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO. EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S.

A: CUALQUIER PERSONA QUE PUDIESE TENER INTERÉS Y TODA PERSONA A QUIEN PUDIERA PERJUDICAR LA INSCRIPCIÓN SOLICITADA.

POR LA PRESENTE se le notifica que ha sido presentada en este Tribunal por la parte peticionaria, una petición de expediente de dominio solicitando la inscripción del inmueble que se describe en dicha petición a nombre de dicha peticionaria. La peticionaria, Minerva Rolón García es hija de Dona Isabel García García, fallecida en Cidra, Puerto Rico, el 21 de noviembre de 1990, habiéndose constituido su Sucesión a tenor con la Resolución expedida por el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Caguas, en el caso civil número EJV91-746. La peticionaria obtuvo la posesión de dicho terreno por cesión o donación de su madre, Isabel García García, quien lo adquirió desde hace muchos años pero no cuenta con documento alguno que acredite dicha cesión. Antes de ésta fallecer, le cedió en vida a la parte peticionaria todo derecho sobre la propiedad inmueble antes descrita. Sin embargo, desde que ocurrió dicha cesión la peticionaria ha estado poseyendo el inmueble como dueña por mas de 30 años. La descripción exacta del bien inmueble objeto del procedimiento es el siguiente: RÚSTICA: Solar radicado en la Carretera #734 KM 4.0, sito en el barrio Arenas del término municipal de Cidra, Puerto Rico, identificado en el plano de mensura con el número Lote 3A, con una cabida superficial de 347.5448 metros cuadrados, equivalentes a 0.0880 cuerdas. En lindes al Norte, en 8.7269 metros con un camino público; al Sur en 12.5461 metros con la Carretera #734; al Este en 29.1243 metros con Ana D. Rolón García; y al Oeste, en 30.3946 metros con la Sucn. Luis Rolón. Se le notifica que deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Adminis-

tración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaria del Tribunal Superior de Puerto Rico, Sala de Cidra y enviando copia a la representación legal de la parte peticionaria: LCDO.

VICTOR M. RIVERA TORRES, con dirección en la Avenida Fernández Juncos 1420, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00909, teléfono 787-727-5710. Se le advierte que este edicto se publicará en un periódico de circulación diaria general en tres (3) ocasiones dentro del término de veinte (20) días, a fin de que cualquier persona interesada pueda comparecer ante el Tribunal, dentro del término de veinte (20) días a contar de la fecha de la última publicación del edicto, a fin de alegar lo que al derecho de estos convenga. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en Caguas, Puerto Rico, a 23 de mayo de 2025. IRASEMIS DÍAZ SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. RUTH N. PEDRAZA ALEJANDRO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

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

Demandante Vs. ALEXANDER FEBUS MEDINA, NELLY MARIZA DOMÍNGUEZ

TAVERAS T/C/C NELLY DOMINGUEZ TAVERAS Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: SJ2019CV02086. Sala: 604. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA (VÍA ORDINARIA). EDICTO DE SUBASTA. El Alguacil que suscribe por la presente CERTIFICA, ANUNCIA y hace CONSTAR: Que en cumplimiento de un Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que le ha sido dirigido al Alguacil que suscribe por la Secretaría del TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN, 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 26 DE AGOSTO DE 2025, 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 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: APARTAMENTO 103, CALLE ERNESTO CERRA 627, SAN JUAN, PR 00926 y que se describe a continuación: URBANA:

Propiedad Horizontal: Apartamento número ciento tres (103). Apartamento residencial de forma irregular localizado en la primera planta del edificio marcado seiscientos veinte y siete (627) que está situado en Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. El área aproximada del apartamento es de quinientos cuarenta y uno con cuarenta y siete centésimas de pies cuadrados (541.47 p/c), equivalentes a cincuenta metros cuadrados con tres mil veinticinco diezmilésimas de metros cuadrado (50.3025 m/c). Sus linderos son los siguientes: Por el NORTE, con el patio interior y estacionamiento; al SUR, con solar de Gregorio Dimas; al ESTE, con el apartamento número ciento cuatro (104); y al OESTE, con el apartamento ciento dos (102). La puerta de entrada de este apartamento está situada en su lindero Norte. Consta de dos (2) habitaciones dormitorios, un baño, sala, comedor, cocina, patio interior con laundry. La sala, comedor y cocina están combinados. Le corresponde al apartamento ciento tres (103) el estacionamiento marcado número cuatro (4), sin techar, localizado en el primer nivel con una superficie de trece con cuatro centésimas (13.04 m/c). Este colinda por el Norte con la Iglesia Católica, por el Sur, con patio del estacionamiento, por el Este con el estacionamiento marcado número cinco (5); y por el Oeste con número tres (3). Este apartamento tiene una participación equivalente a siete punto cinco mil ciento noventa y ocho por ciento (7.5198%) en los elementos comunes del Edificio. La propiedad antes relacionada consta inscrita al Folio 108 del Tomo 391 de Santurce Sur, bajo la finca número 21,849, en el Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Primera. El tipo mínimo para la primera subasta del inmueble antes relacionado, será el dispuesto en la Escritura de Hipoteca, es decir la suma de $45,900.00. 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 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2025, 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 $30,600.00. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA en las oficinas del Alguacil que suscribe el 10 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2025, 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 $22,950.00. La hipoteca a ejecutarse en el caso de epígrafe fue constituida mediante la escritura de hipoteca 1093 otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 19 de septiembre de 2003, ante el Notario Julio Francisco Fernández Rodríguez, inscrita al folio 109 del tomo 391 de Santurce Sur, inscripción tercera (3ra), finca número 21,848, Registro de la Propiedad de San Juan, Sección Primera. 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 $33,235.86 por concepto de principal, desde el 1ro de mayo de 2020, más intereses al tipo pactado de 7.95% anual que continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación; los cargos por demora equivalentes a 5.00% de la suma de aquellos pagos con atrasos en exceso de 15 días calendarios de la fecha de vencimiento; los créditos accesorios y adelantos hechos en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca; y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $4,590.00. 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 SAN JUAN, SALA SUPERIOR durante las horas laborables. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación del inmueble y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere, al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio de remate. La propiedad no está sujeta a gravámenes anteriores y/o preferentes según las constancias del Registro de la Propiedad. 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. (A) Hipoteca en garantía de un pagaré a favor de La Autoridad para el Financiamiento de la Vivienda de Puerto Rico, o a su orden, por la suma principal de $15,000.00, sin intereses, vencedero el día 19 de septiembre de 2011, constituida mediante la escritura número 1094, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 19 de septiembre de 2003, ante el notario Julio Francisco Fernández Rodríguez, e inscrita al folio 108 del tomo 391 de Santurce Sur, finca número 21,849, inscripción 2da. Sujeta a Condiciones Restrictivas bajo el “Programa La Llave para tu Hogar” por el término de 8 años. Subordinada la hipoteca de la inscripción 2da, en beneficio de la hipoteca de la inscripción 3ra, para que esta última tenga rango preferente, según la escritura número 413, otorgada en San Juan, Puerto Rico, el día 23 de septiembre de 2009, ante el notario Félix Xavier Santiago García, e inscrita al folio 109 del tomo 391 de Santurce Sur, finca número 21,849, inscripción 4ta. (B) Aviso de Demanda de fecha 6 de marzo de 2008, expedido en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de San Juan, en el Caso Civil número KCD2008-0934, sobre Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca, por la Vía Ordinaria, seguido por Doral Bank, versus Alexander Febus Medina, Nelly Mariza Domínguez Taveras y la Sociedad Legal de Bienes Gananciales compuesta por ambos, por la suma de $44,191.00 más intereses y otras sumas, anotado al folio 1802 del tomo 412 de Santurce Sur, finca número 21,849, inscripción 4ta. (así surge), como Asiento Abreviado extendida las líneas el día 5 de febrero de 2018, en virtud de la Ley número 216 del día 27 de diciembre de 2010. (Fue presentado el día 27 de junio de 2008 al Asiento 215 del Diario 1087). Por la presente se notifica a los acreedores conocidos y desconocidos que tengan inscritos, no inscritos, presentados y/o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante o acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca del actor y a los dueños, poseedores, tenedores de o interesados en títulos transmisibles por endoso o al portador garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito del actor que se celebrarán las subastas en las fechas, horas y sitios señalados para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les conviniere o se

les invita a satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, otros cargos y las costas y honorarios de abogado asegurados quedando subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. La propiedad objeto de ejecución y descrita 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 San Juan, Puerto Rico, hoy día 23 de julio de 2025. PEDRO HIEYE GONZÁLEZ, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN, SALA SUPERIOR. LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2018-HB1

Demandante Vs. SUCESION EDWIN HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ

COMPUESTA POR JOSE MANUEL HERNANDEZ TORRES, EDWIN HERNANDEZ TORRES, ANA MARIA HERNANDEZ TORRES, JOHNNY HERNANDEZ, EDWIN HERNANDEZ; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; CENTRO DE RECAUDACION DE INGRESOS MUNICIPALES

Demandados Civil Núm.: CA2024CV03973. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: LA PARTE DEMANDADA, AL (A LA) SECRETARIO(A) DE HACIENDA DE PUERTO RICO Y AL PÚBLICO GENERAL:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Carolina, en el caso de epígrafe, venderé en pública subasta y al mejor postor, por separado, de contado y por moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América y/o Giro Postal y Cheque Certificado, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 25 DE AGOSTO DE 2025, A LAS 9:45 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación: “URBANA: Solar marcado con el número 19 del bloque “O” del plano de inscripción de la Urbanización Loma Alta Turnkey MCI-2 y MCI-2ª, radicada en el Barrio Martín González del término municipal de Carolina, Puerto Rico, con una cabida superficial de 270.00 metros cuadrados y con las siguientes colindancias: por el NORTE, en 10.80 metros con la calle denominada 16 del mencionado plano; por el SUR, en 8.30 metros con el solar 9 y en 2.50 metros con el solar 10, ambos del bloque “O” del mencionado plano; por el ESTE, en 25.00 metros con el solar número 20 del bloque “O” del mencionado plano; y por el OESTE, en 25.00 metros con el solar 18 del bloque “O” del mencionado plano. Enclava una casa.” Inscrita al folio 196 del tomo 1105 de Carolina Sur, finca 48109, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, Sección II. La Hipoteca Revertida consta inscrita al folio 75 del tomo 1502 de Carolina Sur, finca 48109, Registro de la Propiedad de Carolina, inscripción 4a. Propiedad localizada en URB. LOMA ALTA, 361 CALLE GRAVA, CAROLINA, PR 00987. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas anteriores o preferentes: Nombre del Titular: N/A. Suma de la Carga: N/A. Fecha de Vencimiento: N/A. Según figuran en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por las siguientes cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante: Nombre del Titular: Secretario de la Vivien-

da y Desarrollo Urbano. Suma de la Carga: $177,000.00. Fecha de Vencimiento: 23 de noviembre de 2096. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo de mínima subasta la suma de $177,000.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 2 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2025, A LAS 9:45 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $118,000.00, 2/3 partes del tipo mínima establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $88,500.00, la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Carolina, el 9 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2025, A LAS 9:45 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente la suma de $70,492.43 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $69,722.51 en intereses acumulados 13 de febrero de 2025 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 5.060% anual hasta su total y completo pago; más la sumas de $19,583.93 en seguro hipotecario; $3,049.45 de seguro de la propiedad; $760.00 de tasaciones; $870.00 de inspecciones; $1,440.00 de adelantos de honorarios de abogado; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $17,700.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado. A tenor con la Regla 44.3 de Procedimiento Civil se condena a la parte demandada a pagar intereses aplicables sobre el importe de la presente sentencia incluyendo costas y honorarios de abogado, desde esta fecha y hasta que sea satisfecha. La venta en pública subasta de la referida propiedad se verificará libre de toda carga o gravamen posterior que afecte la mencionada finca, a cuyo efecto se no-

GARCIA, YERRYNES

MALDONADO GARCIA, FULANO DE TAL COMO

POSIBLE HEREDERO

DESCONOCIDO DE WANDA IVELISSE

MALDONADO DIAZ, FULANA DE TAL COMO

POSIBLE HEREDERO

DESCONOCIDO DE WANDA IVELISSE

MALDONADO DIAZ, SUTANO DE TAL COMO

POSIBLE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO DE JUAN GERARDO

MALDONADO DIAZ, SUTANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLE HEREDERO DESCONOCIDO DE JUAN GERARDO MALDONADO DIAZ.

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

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 21 de julio de 2025, 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 07 de agosto de 2025. Notas de la Secretaría: SE ENMIENDA SEGUN ORDEN DEL JUEZ. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 07 de agosto de 2025. KANELLY ZAYAS ROBLES, SECRETARIA. IDA L. FERNÁNDEZ RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA DE QUEBRADILLAS

SALA SUPERIOR UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Demandante V. CARMEN VARGAS REILLO POR SÍ Y LA SUCESIÓN DE FRANCISCO CUSTODIO RUIZ COMPUESTA POR CARMEN VARGAS REILLO, FRANCISCO CUSTODIO, Y FULANO Y

FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS

Demandados Civil Núm.: QU2025CV00076. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO Y MANDAMIENTO DE INTERPELACIÓN. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. A LA PARTE

DEMANDADA: CARMEN VARGAS REILLO POR SÍ Y COMO MIEMBRO DE LA SUCESIÓN DE FRANCISCO CUSTODIO RUIZ A SU ÚLTIMA DIRECCIÓN CONOCIDA FÍSICA: URB. VILLA NORMA E2 CALLE 4

QUEBRADILLAS PR 00678-2848; POSTAL URB. VILLA NORMA E2 CALLE 4 QUEBRADILLAS PR 00678-2848; PO BOX 1301 QUEBRADILLAS PR 00678; PO BOX 42 CAMUY PR 00627.

Por la presente se le( s) notifica que se ha radicado en la Secretaría de este Tribunal una Demanda en Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca en su contra, en la cual se alega que adeuda a la parte demandante la suma de $45,669.05 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 6.875% anual desde el 23 de julio de 2013. Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Además, la parte demandada adeuda a la parte demandante las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $4,480.00 y cualesquiera otros adelantos que se hagan en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca número 97, otorgada ante el Notario Angel Reyes Hernández, el día 28 de agosto de 1989, sobre la finca número 7797 inscrita al folio 201 del Tomo 147 del Registro de la Propiedad de Arecibo, Sección Segunda. Este Tribunal ha ordenado que se le(s) cite a usted(es) por edicto que se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general. Se le(s) emplaza y requiere que dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto excluyendo el día de la publicación de este edicto conteste(n) la demanda. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal. Si com-

parece por derecho propio y no radica por SUMAC debe enviar copia de la Contestación de la Demanda a las oficinas de MARTÍNEZ & TORRES LAW OFFICES, P.S.C. ATENCIÓN a la Lcda. Vanessa M. Torres Quiñones vtorres@martineztorreslaw.com P.O. Box 192938, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-2938; Tel (787) 767-8244, Fax (787) 767-1183, Abogado de la Parte Demandante. Se le(s) advierte que si dejare(n) de contestar la Demanda en el periodo de tiempo antes mencionado, podrá dictarse contra usted(es) Sentencia en Rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado sin más citarle(s) ni oírle(s). Se ordena a los herederos de los causantes, a saber: Carmen Vargas Reillo como miembro de la Sucesión de Francisco Custodio Ruiz (en conjunto “los herederos”), a que dentro del mismo término de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este edicto excluyendo el día de la publicación de este edicto, ACEPTEN O REPUDIEN la participación que les corresponda en la herencia. Se les apercibe a los herederos antes mencionados que de no expresarse dentro de ese término de treinta (30) días en torno a su aceptación o repudiación de herencia, se tendrá por aceptada. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y con el Sello del Tribunal. DADA hoy 7 de agosto de 2025, en Hatillo, Puerto Rico. VIVÍAN Y. FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA. SUHAIL SERRANO MOYA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE ARECIBO SALA SUPERIOR UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Demandante V. LA SUCESIÓN DE DAVID RAMOS RAMOS T/C/C DAVID RAMOS COMPUESTA POR POR MICHELLE RAMOS ROMÁN T/C/C MICHELLA RAMOS, EDGAR RAMOS ROMÁN T/C/C EDGAR

RAMOS; LA SUCESIÓN DE DAISY ENID ROMÁN

BÁEZ T/C/C DAISY ENID ROMÁN T/C/C DAISY, ROMÁN COMPUESTA

POR MICHELLE RAMOS

ROMÁN T/C/C MICHELLE

RAMOS Y EDGAR

RAMOS ROMÁN T/C/C EDGAR RAMOS

Demandados Civil Núm.: AR2025CV01022.

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

EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO Y MANDAMIENTO DE

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

A LA PARTE

DEMANDADA: EDGAR RAMOS ROMÁN T/C/C EDGAR RAMOS A SU ÚLTIMA DIRECCIÓN CONOCIDA 4319 EMPORIA AVE., CHESAPEAKE VA 23325. Por la presente se le(s) notifica que se ha radicado en la Secretaría de este Tribunal una Demanda en Cobro de Dinero y Ejecución de Hipoteca en su contra, en la cual se alega que adeuda a la parte demandante la suma de $24,949.46 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 9.000% anual desde el 3 de mayo de 2011. Dichos intereses continuan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Además la parte demandada adeuda a la parte demandante las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $3,900.00 y cualquiera otros adelantos que se hagan en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca número 57, otorgada ante el Notario Carlos Roure Sierra, el día 3 de mayo de 1988, sobre la finca número 9,737 inscrita al folio 10 del Tomo 147 del Registro de la Propiedad de Manatí. Este Tribunal ha ordenado que se le(s) cite a usted(es) por edicto que se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general. Se le(s) emplaza y requiere que dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto excluyendo el día de la publicación de este edicto conteste(n) la demanda. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal. Si comparece por derecho propio y no radica por SUMAC debe enviar copia de la Contestación de la Demanda a las oficinas de MARTÍNEZ & TORRES LAW OFFICES, P.S.C. ATENCIÓN a la Lcda. Vanessa M. Torres Quiñones vtorres@martineztorreslaw. com P.O. Box 192938, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-2938; Tel. (787) 767-8244, Fax (787) 767-1183, Abogado de la Parte Demandante. Se le(s) advierte que si dejare(n) de contestar la Demanda en el periodo de tiempo antes mencionado, podrá dictarse contra usted(es) Sentencia en Rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado sin más citarle(s) ni oírle(s). Se ordena al heredero de los causantes, a saber: Edgar Ramos

Román t/c/c Edgar Ramos (en conjunto “los herederos”), a que dentro del mismo término de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este edicto excluyendo el día de la publicación de este edicto, ACEPTEN O REPUDIEN la participación que les corresponda en la herencia de los causantes David Ramos Ramos t/c/c David Ramos y Daisy Enid Román Báez t/c/c Daisy Enid Román t/c/c Daisy Román. Se les apercibe a los herederos antes mencionados que de no expresarse dentro de ese término de treinta (30) días en torno a su aceptación o repudiación de herencia, se tendrá por aceptada. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y con el Sello del Tribunal. DADA hoy 7 de agosto de 2025, en Manatí, Puerto Rico. VIVÍAN Y. FRESSE GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. CARMEN J. ROSARIO VALENTÍN, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL. LEGAL NOTICE

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

HHI-HUD 2025-2, LLC

Demandante V. LA SUCESIÓN DE NILDA IRIS COLÓN RAMOS Y OTROS

Demandado(a)

Caso Núm.: BY2025CV02124. (Salón: 507). Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA: PROPIEDAD RESIDENCIAL. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

VANESSA M. TORRES QUIÑONESVTORRES@MARTINEZTORRESLAW. COM. A: LA SUCESION DE NILDA IRIS COLON RAMOS COMPUESTA POR FULANO Y FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de julio de 2025, 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 07 de agosto de 2025. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 07 de agosto de 2025. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA. MARILYN COLÓN CARRASQUILLO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE PONCE SALA SUPERIOR LLACG COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND

Demandante V. LA SUCESIÓN DE CARMEN LYDIA VÉLEZ PIETRI T/C/C CARMEN L. VÉLEZ PIETRI T/C/C CARMEN LIDIA SEDENO T/C/C CARMEN L. ROBLES T/C/C CARMEN LYDIA ROBLES T/C/C CARMEN LYDIA CEDEÑO COMPUESTA POR FULANO Y FULANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS; LA SUCESIÓN DE FÉLIX CEDEÑO MEDINA COMPUESTA POR MENGANO Y MENGANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS Y ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA

Demandados Civil Núm.: YU2025CV00065. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO Y MANDAMIENTO DE INTERPELACIÓN. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO. A LA PARTE DEMANDADA: LA SUCESIÓN DE FÉLIX CEDEÑO MEDINA COMPUESTA POR MENGANO Y MENGANA DE TAL COMO POSIBLES HEREDEROS DESCONOCIDOS A SU ÚLTIMA DIRECCIÓN CONOCIDA FÍSICA: G-23 7 ST. VILLAS DEL CAFETAL DEV., YAUCO PR 00698 POST AL G-23 7 ST. VILLAS DEL CAFETAL DEV., YAUCO PR 00698; VILLAS DEL CAFETAL, G-23 CALLE 7, YAUCO, PR 00698; PO BOX 928 YAUCO PR 00698. Por la presente se le(s) notifica que se ha radicado en la Secretaría de este Tribunal una Demanda en Ejecución

de Hipoteca en su contra, en la cual se alega que adeuda a la parte demandante la suma de $151,922.79 por concepto de principal, más intereses al tipo pactado de 5.060% anual des de el 10 de julio de 2023. Dichos intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el pago total de la obligación. Además, la parte demandada adeuda a la parte demandante las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado equivalentes a $15,075.00 y cualquiera otros adelantos que se hagan en virtud de la escritura de hipoteca número 21, otorgada ante el Notario Gary E. Biaggi Silva, el día 25 de enero de 2013, sobre la finca número 8,069 inscrita al folio 164 del Tomo 238 del Registro de la Propiedad de Ponce, Sección Segunda. Este Tribunal ha ordenado que se le(s) cite a usted(es) por edicto que se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general. Se le(s) emplaza y requiere que dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto excluyendo el día de la publicación de este edicto conteste(n) la demanda. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Administración y Manejo de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired. ramajudicial.pr/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaria del tribunal. Si comparece por derecho propio y no radica por SUMAC debe enviar copia de la Contestación de la Demanda a las oficinas de MARTÍNEZ & TORRES LAW OFFICES, P.S.C. ATENCIÓN a la Lcda. Vanessa M. Torres Quiñones vtorres@martineztorreslaw.com P.O. Box 192938, San Juan, Puerto Rico 009192938; Tel (787) 767-8244, Fax (787) 767-1183, Abogado de la Parte Demandante. Se le(s) advierte que si dejare(n) de contestar la Demanda en el periodo de tiempo antes mencionado, podrá dictarse contra usted(es) Sentencia en Rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado sin más citarle(s) ni oírle(s). Se ordena a los herederos de los causantes, a saber: Fulano y Fulana de Tal como posibles herederos desconocidos y Mengano y Mengana de Tal como posibles herederos desconocidos (en conjunto “los herederos”), a que dentro del mismo término de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la fecha de la publicación de este edicto excluyendo el día de la publicación de este edicto, ACEPTEN O REPUDIEN la participación que les corresponda en la herencia de los causantes Carmen Lydia Vélez Pietri t/c/c Carmen L. Vélez Pietri t/c/c Carmen Lidia Sedeno t/c/c Carmen L. Robles y Félix Cedeño Medina respec-

tivamente. Se les apercibe a los herederos antes mencionados que de no expresarse dentro de ese término de treinta (30) días en torno a su aceptación o repudiación de herencia, se tendrá por aceptada. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y con el Sello del Tribunal. DADA hoy 7 de agosto de 2025, en Ponce, Puerto Rico. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA. JANICE N. SEGARRA ROSADO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR. LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE ARECIBO BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO, POR SÍ, COMO CUSTODIO DE LOS EXPEDIENTES DE DORAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION (HOY CERRADO POR EL FDIC) Y EN REPRESENTACIÓN DE AIXA IBETH PADILLA VÁZQUEZ T/C/C AIXA IVETH PADILLA VÁZQUEZ, AIXA I. PADILLA VÁZQUEZ, AIXA IVETTE PADILLA VÁZQUEZ, AIXA PADILLA VÁZQUEZ Y COMO AIXA PADILLA

Demandante Vs. FIRSTBANK DE PUERTO RICO, COMO CUSTODIO DE LOS RÉCORDS DE DORAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION (HOY CERRADO POR EL FDIC); JOHN DOE Y RICHARD DOE Demandado Civil Núm.: AR2025CV01368. Sobre: CANCELACIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: JOHN DOE, RICHARD DOE. Quedan ustedes notificados que la demandante de epígrafe ha radicado en este Tribunal una Demanda contra ustedes como co-demandados, en la que se solicita la cancelación vía judicial de un Pagaré Hipotecario extraviado ante el Notario Público Reinaldo Segurola Pérez, bajo affidávit número 8,024, a favor de Doral Mortgage Corporation, o a su orden, por la suma de $46,200.00, con intereses al 7 1/2% anual y vencedero el 1ro de marzo de 2006, suscrito el día 21 de febrero de 1996, garantizado por hipoteca constituida en virtud de la Escritura Número 85, otorgada en Arecibo, Puerto Rico, ante el Notario Público Reinaldo Segurola Pérez, inscrita al Folio 185 vuelto del Tomo 448 de Arecibo, Registro de la Propiedad, Sección Primera (I) de

Sudoku

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

Sudoku Rules:

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Crossword

What can MLB learn from the Savannah Bananas? A

baseball.” They play a fast-paced, backflipping brand of the sport called Banana Ball, which has taken the sports world by storm, generating millions of fans and seemingly growing at warp speed.

“I get it now,” said Buck Showalter, a former Orioles manager, who served as an honorary coach in the Aug. 2 game against an opposing team called the Firefighters. He added, “My son said it was like a Caribbean World Series game on steroids.”

Most MLB teams open their gates 90 minutes before night games, though select games or groups may get in two hours early. Most of the time, the home team is done with batting practice by then, and there is little going on, if anything, other than a video blaring on an outfield video screen. Fans may catch the end of the road team’s batting practice, but for young fans, there is virtually no chance of seeing their favorite players or having any pregame interactions with them.

lot, it turns out.

everyone dances.

Be creative with rules

Blowouts do not keep fans engaged, so Cole tweaked the rules to make sure the ninth inning would always matter (a team gets an individual point for winning each of innings one through eight, but in the ninth, runs are unlimited). It sounds crazy, but it works, providing more thrilling late-game heroics. There is also a two-hour game clock, though games are often done before then.

By BRITTANY GHIROLI / THE ATHLETIC

The capacity crowd of more than 45,000 fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards stood, celebrating a walk-off home run. There had been a buzz at the Baltimore stadium all night. It started hours before first pitch, as fans packed merchandise booths and waited in food lines as soon as the gates opened. They were the kinds of lines typically seen on opening day and in October.

The game, last Saturday night, was closely contested. When it was over, the fans reluctantly headed to their cars.

They were not here to see an Orioles game (the Orioles had trouble selling out their two home playoff games last year) or even an MLB game.

They were here to see the Savannah Bananas, an independent barnstorming group of professionals who have, in their founder Jesse Cole’s words, “removed the friction in

While some of Banana Ball’s rules would be tough to envision implementing in MLB — for example, foul balls caught by spectators in the stands count as outs — there are lessons about the fan experience and growing the game that the commissioner’s office and MLB’s 30 teams might want to consider.

Fans first

That is the actual name of Cole’s company, which more than lives up to its namesake. Cole has turned down what he says are “stupid numbers” from outside investors, as well as a seven-figure offer from a ticket broker. Instead, the Bananas use an internal system for everything from tickets to merchandise and pay their own fees and taxes on those items, meaning a $35 ticket is actually $35.

Yes, it costs Cole money, but he said the decision was a no-brainer.

“I’m not trying to make a billion dollars,” he said. “I want a billion fans.”

Make pregame an event

In Banana Ball, the gates open 2 1/2 hours before first pitch, and there is a steady stream of player and fan entertainment that encourages people to get to the ballpark hours before first pitch (and potentially buy food and merchandise).

In Banana Ball, players go into the stands during the game (Cole does, too). And while it would be borderline irresponsible to ask Bryce Harper to mingle in the upper deck between innings, why can’t stadiums open early enough for home fans to watch batting practice? Why can’t players on the injured list who are with the team be required to spend a half-hour pregame signing baseballs? This is how you create meaningful fan interaction and ensure loyal customers for life, which leads to our next lesson.

Market players better I attended the Aug. 2 game and was struck with how popular many of the players were. Fans were wearing jerseys with names on their backs I had never heard of. (Despite 15 years covering MLB, I’m a Banana newbie.)

My 9-year-old nephew waited more than two hours at a Dunkin’ Donuts that morning just to meet two Bananas and two Firefighters. Impressed, I checked TikTok, where Jackson Olson of the Bananas has 2 million followers (more than MLB stars Harper and Mike Trout combined), as well as deals with Reebok and Gatorade. The Bananas have 10.5 million followers on their TikTok account, which is more than MLB’s official account (8.3 million).

They will play in more than a dozen MLB ballparks this year, and they are selling out NFL stadiums, too. All four Fans First teams — in addition to the Bananas and Firefighters, there are the Party Animals and Texas Tailgaters — are made up of players who are recruited and paid to play at salaries higher than the minor leagues. All players on Fans First teams are selected for talent, playing ability and makeup. The latter is perhaps the most important.

Everyone on the Bananas truly wants to be there, and they do not complain about making trick plays or signing autographs. Cole says dancing was initially met with trepidation by all but a handful of players — until they saw how wildly popular it was. Now,

Under Commissioner Rob Manfred, MLB implemented the pitch clock to cut out the sport’s dead time, a move that has received almost universal praise. Last year, he noted the sport was considering more rule changes, including the golden at-bat, which got some buzz at the owners’ meetings. That is a page right out of Cole’s playbook. In Banana Ball, the Golden Batter rule allows a team to send any hitter to the plate in any spot once per game.

The pitch clock was just the beginning. MLB has been open to many rule changes and adjustments, and it should be. In an era of three true outcomes (walk, strikeout, home run), getting the ball in play and showcasing the players’ athleticism, speed and defense are exciting.

Remember your mission

Some readers probably view the Bananas as the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball. (That comparison irks Cole, who points out that his players are competitive on the field and that every night is a different show.) But the Bananas have more than 3 million fans who have submitted information to the team’s ticket waitlist, so MLB should be paying attention.

Some of what the Bananas are doing is impossible to replicate. Everyone wants to see the show when it is in town only one or two nights a year.

But baseball may be barreling toward another lockout. MLB’s current collective bargaining agreement with its players expires after the 2026 season. Manfred has been meeting with players about a potential salary cap, and the relations between players and the league are contentious. If it is not careful, MLB may find that fans have moved on, perhaps in favor of another brand of the game that’s a little lighter on the wallet.

Banana Ball is wacky, but it is also a competitive brand of baseball that prioritizes fun and the fan experience. Isn’t that what professional sports were supposed to be about?

Jesse Cole, center in yellow tux, the owner of the Savannah Bananas, in the dugout for a road game with the Kansas City Monarchs, in Kansas City, May 7, 2022. (Shawn Brackbill/The New York Times)

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Answers to the Sudoku and Crossword on page 21