Oficial de policía es asesinado tras responder a un tiroteo en un hospital de Pensilvania

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22/02/2025

Oficial-de-policía-es-asesinado-tras-responder-a-un-tiroteo-en-un-hospital-de-Pensilvania — El fiscal del condado de York, Timothy J. Barker, reacciona durante una rueda de prensa sobre el tiroteo en el Hospital UPMC Memorial de York, Pensilvania, el sábado 22 de febrero de 2025. (Foto: AP/Matt Rourke)

Pensilvania, EE. UU. — Un hombre armado con una pistola y que llevaba bridas entró en la unidad de cuidados intensivos de un hospital de Pensilvania el sábado y tomó como rehenes a miembros del personal antes de ser abatido por la policía en un tiroteo que también dejó muerto a un oficial, informaron las autoridades.

Tres empleados del hospital UPMC Memorial, incluyendo a un médico, una enfermera y un conserje, así como dos agentes más, recibieron disparos y fueron heridos en el ataque, dijo el fiscal del distrito del condado de York, Tim Barker. Un cuarto miembro del personal resultó herido durante una caída.

Los disparos estallaron después de que los agentes fueron a enfrentar al tirador, a quien Barker identificó como Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, de 49 años. Dijo que Archangel-Ortiz tenía a punta de pistola a una empleada que tenía las manos atadas con bridas cuando la policía abrió fuego.

“Esta es una gran pérdida para nuestra comunidad”, dijo Barker en una conferencia de prensa tras el tiroteo. “Está absolutamente claro, y fuera de toda duda, que los agentes actuaron de forma justificada utilizando la fuerza letal”.

Barker agregó que, aunque la investigación está en sus primeras etapas, parece que Archangel-Ortiz había tenido contacto previo con la UCI del hospital a principios de la semana por “un propósito médico que involucraba a otra persona” y que intencionalmente apuntó a los trabajadores allí.

El agente que murió en el tiroteo fue identificado como Andrew Duarte del departamento de policía de West York Borough.

“Todos tenemos el corazón roto y estamos de luto por su pérdida”, dijo Shawn Mauck, gerente de West York Borough, a The Associated Press.

Duarte era un veterano de las fuerzas del orden que se unió al departamento de policía de West York Borough en 2022 después de cinco años con el departamento de policía de Denver en Colorado, según su perfil de LinkedIn. Dijo haber recibido un “premio al héroe” en 2021 de Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Madres contra la conducción bajo los efectos del alcohol) por su trabajo en la aplicación de la normativa sobre conducción bajo los efectos del alcohol en el estado de Colorado.

“Tengo una personalidad tipo A y me gusta tener éxito en todo lo que hago” , decía su perfil de LinkedIn .

El gobernador de Pensilvania, Josh Shapiro, describió el ataque a los policías y trabajadores de la salud como “el acto de un cobarde».

“Que no se pierda de vista el acto de extraordinaria valentía y coraje de los trabajadores de la salud aquí, de los profesionales de la ley… que corrieron hacia el peligro para mantener a la gente a salvo ”, dijo Shapiro.

UPMC Memorial es un hospital de cinco pisos y 104 camas que abrió en 2019 en York, una ciudad de aproximadamente 40.000 personas conocida por la creación de las York Peppermint Patties en 1940.

Una persona camina por la entrada del Hospital UPMC Memorial en York, Pensilvania, el sábado 22 de febrero de 2025. (Foto: AP/Matt Rourke)

El tiroteo es parte de una ola de violencia armada en los últimos años que ha afectado a hospitales y centros médicos en Estados Unidos, los cuales han enfrentado dificultades por adaptarse a las crecientes amenazas. Tales ataques han contribuido a que la atención médica se convierta en uno de los campos más violentos del país, con trabajadores que sufren más lesiones no fatales por violencia en el lugar de trabajo que los trabajadores de cualquier otra profesión, según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de Estados Unidos.

En 2023, un pistolero mató a un guardia de seguridad en el vestíbulo del hospital psiquiátrico estatal de Nueva Hampshire antes de ser abatido por un oficial estatal. En 2022, un hombre mató a dos trabajadores en un hospital de Dallas mientras estaba allí para presenciar el nacimiento de su hijo. En mayo de ese año, un hombre abrió fuego en la sala de espera de un centro médico en Atlanta, matando a una mujer e hiriendo a cuatro. Y solo un mes después, un pistolero mató a su cirujano y a otras tres personas en una oficina médica en Tulsa, Oklahoma, porque culpaba al doctor de su dolor persistente tras una operación.

Officer killed after a gunman took hostages at a Pennsylvania hospital

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Por

Associated Press

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22/02/2025

YORK, Pa.— A man armed with a pistol and carrying zip ties entered a Pennsylvania hospital’s intensive care unit Saturday and took staff members hostage before he was killed by police in a shootout that also left an officer dead, authorities said.

Three workers at UPMC Memorial Hospital, including a doctor, a nurse and a custodian, and two other officers were shot and wounded in the attack, York County District Attorney Tim Barker said. A fourth staffer was injured in a fall.

Gunfire erupted after officers went to engage the shooter, whom Barker identified as Diogenes Archangel-Ortiz, 49. He said Archangel-Ortiz was holding at gunpoint a female staff member who had her hands bound with zip ties when police opened fire.

“This is a huge loss to our community,” Barker said at a press conference following the shooting. “It is absolutely clear, and beyond any and all doubt, that the officers were justified in taking their action using deadly force.”

Barker added that while the investigation is in its early stages, it appears Archangel-Ortiz had previous contact with the hospital’s ICU earlier in the week for “a medical purpose involving another individual” and he intentionally targeted the workers there.

No one answered the door Saturday at an address in York believed to be that of Archangel-Ortiz.

The officer who died was identified as Andrew Duarte of the West York Borough Police Department.

“We all have broken hearts and are grieving at his loss,” West York Borough Manager Shawn Mauck told The Associated Press.

Duarte was a law enforcement veteran who joined the department in 2022 after five years with the Denver Police Department, according to his LinkedIn profile. He described receiving a “hero award” in 2021 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his work in impaired driving enforcement for the state of Colorado.

“I have a type A personality and like to succeed in all that I do,” his LinkedIn profile said.

Duarte also worked as a patrol officer in Denver, was highly regarded for his work and was close friends with other officers, the department there said in a statement.

At a makeshift memorial on the front steps of the West York Borough Police Department, Linda Shields dropped off roses Saturday and dabbed tears as she thought of her son, a police officer in Maryland.

“He was so young,” Shields said of Duarte. “It makes no sense at all.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro called the attack on police and health care workers s “the act of a coward.”

“Let it not be lost on anyone the act of extraordinary bravery and courage by the health care workers here, by the law enforcement professionals … who ran toward danger to keep people safe,” Shapiro said.

UPMC Memorial is a five-story, 104-bed hospital that opened in 2019 in York, a city of about 40,000 people known for its creation of York Peppermint Patties in 1940.

The shooting is part of a wave of gun violence in recent years that has swept through U.S. hospitals and medical centers, which have struggled to adapt to the growing threats. Such attacks have helped make health care one of the nation’s most violent fields, with workers suffering more nonfatal injuries from workplace violence than workers in any other profession, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2023, a shooter killed a security guard in the lobby of New Hampshire’s state psychiatric hospital before being fatally shot by a state trooper. In 2022, a man killed two workers at a Dallas hospital while there to watch his child’s birth. In May of that year, a man opened fire in a medical center waiting room in Atlanta, killing one woman and wounding four. And just one month later, a gunman killed his surgeon and three other people at a Tulsa, Oklahoma, medical office because he blamed the doctor for his continuing pain after an operation.

3 politicians are accused of faking mail-in ballots in a 2021 mayoral race in a Philly suburb

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Por

Associated Press

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21/02/2025

MILLBOURNE, Pa.— Three politicians in a small municipality near Philadelphia were indicted this week on charges they tried to fraudulently win the mayoral race in 2021 by producing about three dozen false mail-in ballots.

A federal grand jury accused Mohammed Nurul Hasan, Mohammed Munsur Ali and Mohammed Rafikul Islam of conspiring to register people who live outside 1,200-population Millbourne as borough residents, to have mail-in ballots sent to themselves and then to return the completed ballots to the Delaware County elections board.

Hasan was serving as vice president of the borough council and had lost the Democratic mayoral primary in the heavily Democratic area. Ali had won the Democratic primary for borough council but Islam lost the Democratic primary that year in seeking to be reelected to the council.

The alleged voter fraud involved Hasan’s ultimately failed pursuit of the mayorship as a write-in candidate in fall 2021. He lost the mayoral race in the general election, 165 to 138.

The grand jury accused Hasan and Ali of telling friends who lived outside Millbourne “that they would not get in trouble as long as they did not vote in another election in November 2021,” according to the indictment. Others were allegedly registered as Millbourne voters without their knowledge.

The men are accused of forging voter signatures on return envelopes. The charges against the men are conspiracy, false information in registering and fraudulent voter registration. Hasan and Ali did not have lawyers listed in the court docket. A message seeking comment was left for them at the borough office.

Islam’s lawyer, Robert C. Keller, said Friday the charges against his client involve only three of the allegations. “At best, or worst, he’d be liable for three of the issues,” Keller said. Islam has no prior record, is a married U.S. citizen with children and is employed, his lawyer said.

Four Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Prison for Mailing, Distributing Methamphetamine and Cocaine Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania

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PR/CP

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21/02/2025

PHILADELPHIA – Acting United States Attorney Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., announced that four members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that mailed methamphetamine and cocaine to, and distributed it throughout, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, including in Reading, Quakertown, Bensalem, Plymouth Township, Coopersburg, and elsewhere, have been sentenced to prison by United States District Court Judge Joshua D. Wolson.

In January 2024, the defendants were charged by indictment with drug trafficking offenses. They entered guilty pleas late last year.

Aived Abel Garcia, aka “Nephew,” 26, of Chula Vista, California, was sentenced today by Judge Wolson to 70 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for his involvement in the drug trafficking organization.

Miguel Aliaga, aka “Migz,” 37, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, and Avrian Haywood Mack, aka “The Kid,” 22, of Reading, Pennsylvania, were both sentenced earlier this month to 60 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

The DTO’s leader, Michael Sanchez, aka “West Coast,” 33, of Los Angeles, California, was sentenced in January to 14½ years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Members of the DTO mailed the drugs from California to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where members of the organization would then pick up the packages for subsequent distribution to their dealers.

Sanchez organized and managed the DTO, overseeing the drug shipments. Garcia would travel from California to Pennsylvania to pick up the packages of narcotics, collect money owed to the DTO, and deposit it into a bank account. He, Mack, and Aliaga then distributed bulk amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine for the organization.

“These defendants took part in a cross-country conspiracy that brought significant amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine from California to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thayer. “This office and our law enforcement partners at every level will continue to investigate and prosecute such traffickers, as we work to take illegal drugs off the street and make our communities safer.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia’s El Dorado Task Force, HSI Allentown, HSI Los Angeles, HSI San Diego, HSI LAX, Bucks County District Attorney’s Office Drug Strike Force, Quakertown Borough Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Richland Township Police Department, Liberty Mid-Atlantic High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Berks County Detectives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Bensalem Police Department, Montgomery County Detectives, and the Orange County Probation Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lizmar Bosques and Special Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Gannon, specially assigned from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Luigi Mangione draws crowd for first court hearing since arraignment in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing

Por

Associated Press

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21/02/2025

NEW YORK— The defendant wore a bulletproof vest and shackles. A woman in the crowd wore a “Free Luigi» scarf. Outside, throngs of people cheered and chanted his name.

So it went Friday at a court hearing for Luigi Mangione, the man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4.

Mangione, who has become something of a cause célèbre for people upset with the health insurance industry, made his first court appearance since his Dec. 23 arraignment on state murder and terror charges.

Mangione, 26, didn’t speak at the hearing. Judge Gregory Carro ordered him to remain handcuffed, calling it a security measure. Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, argued that the sight of Mangione in shackles in the closely watched case was robbing him of his presumption of innocence.

Carro set another hearing for June 26 but didn’t schedule a trial date.

Mangione’s state case is slated to go to trial before a parallel prosecution on federal charges that carry the possibility of the death penalty. The maximum sentence for the state charges is life in prison without parole.

Friedman Agnifilo told Carro that the dual prosecutions were complicating defense preparations. Federal prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty, she said.

Mangione also faces charges in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Dec. 9.

“We’re talking about there are three separate prosecutions that are happening about one event,» Friedman Agnifilo said, renewing her complaint that Mangione is treated differently because of the notoriety of the crime.

Among her grievances: New York City Mayor Eric Adams and a top police official making time to talk to an HBO film crew about a key piece of evidence — a notebook in which Mangione purportedly expressed hostility toward the health insurance industry — that she said has yet to be turned over to the defense.

“One of the issues here is that the two theories of prosecution are opposite and inconsistent with one another,» Friedman Agnifilo told Carro, urging him to hold off on setting deadlines for pretrial court filings. “By defending ourselves in state court we are potentially providing fodder for the federal case.”

Manhattan prosecutors said they have turned over more than 800 gigabytes of evidence, including surveillance video, police body camera footage and data from DNA testing.

Carro ordered Mangione’s lawyers to file pretrial requests, known as motions, by April 9 and told prosecutors to file their responses by May 14. Friedman Agnifilo said she would seek to suppress some evidence seized during Mangione’s arrest.

“I don’t know about any other case in federal court or anywhere else. I’m dealing with this case,» Carro said, telling Friedman Agnifilo: “The sooner we order the hearings, the sooner you’ll have your suppression hearing.”

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism.

The killing of Thompson as he walked to an investor conference sent shock waves through the corporate world, rattling executives who say they saw a spike in threats.

Mangione has attracted a cult following as a stand-in for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills. A poll taken in the wake of the shooting showed most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share blame.

About two-dozen people who showed up to support Mangione filed into the back of the courtroom gallery behind several rows of reporters. Among them: former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who served about seven years in prison for stealing classified diplomatic cables.

Dozens more — mostly women in their 20s or 30s — queued in the hallway and cheered as Mangione’s defense team walked up. Court officers admonished some for taking photos or video, which isn’t allowed outside designated areas. One Mangione supporter sported a green “Luigi” hat from the “Mario Bros.” video game franchise and many wore green, the character’s color, as a symbol of solidarity.

Mangione, who wore a dark green sweater under the bulletproof vest, said in a recent statement on a website for his legal defense: “I am overwhelmed by — and grateful for — everyone who has written me to share their stories and express their support. Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions.”

Although the state case is slated to be tried first, Mangione is being held in a Brooklyn federal jail alongside high-profile defendants including Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried.

Carro questioned that arrangement, which Friedman Agnifilo said has hampered defense preparations.

“Is there even an indictment in the federal case?” Carro asked.

“No,” Friedman Agnifilo said.

“So they’re holding him on a complaint,» the judge asked.

“With the defense’s consent,» prosecutor Zachary Kaplan said.

“When they’re hanging the death penalty over your head, you have no choice but to consent,» Friedman Agnifilo responded.

City of Philadelphia Provides Recovery Effort Update on Services for Residents and Businesses Following Medical Aircraft Crash

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Por

PR/CP

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21/02/2025

Citizens Should be Aware of Upcoming Deadlines to Apply for Assistance

PHILADELPHIA. — The City of Philadelphia is encouraging residents and businesses to be aware of important deadlines approaching for some of the recovery support services that have been offered since the airplane crash in Northeast Philadelphia almost 30 days ago on January 31, 2025.

The City has been operating an emergency services mobile center at 2301 Cottman Avenue since the tragedy and will begin to transition the center today, Friday, February 21 at 4 p.m. While the mobile unit is moving from the current location, services will continue to be available at the City’s Neighborhood and Community Action Center located at 7374 Edmund Street. The center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The City has established a hotline for ongoing case management and support. Anyone needing resources or follow-up can call 215-586-3400. The online blog, which includes a Resource Assistance Directory, will continue to be updated.

Since many people are still seeking services for trauma and other mental health issues, the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services has mental health supports available 24/7. If you’re in immediate crisis, call or text 988. If you are seeking behavioral health support and services, visit healthymindsphilly.org.

The City’s Office of Licenses & Inspections advises any residents still concerned about structural damage to call 311 or contact the Department’s Contractual Services Unit (CSU) directly at (215) 686-2480 (7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily). Inspectors will visit homes in the affected area free of charge.

TWO IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

Red Cross’ Case Deadline

Support services are still available through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) by Wednesday, February 26, 2025 to open a case and see if you are eligible for financial assistance in addition to other services.

Small Business Support

Small businesses can apply for up to $20,000 in grant support through The Merchants Fund Emergency Relief Grants – established in partnership with the Department of Commerce – to help alleviate economic hardship caused by the plane crash disaster. The application deadline to apply is February 28, 2025. Learn more about eligibility criteria and apply.

The Mayor’s Business Action Team continues to provide personalized assistance by holding in-person office hours. Staff can assist with questions, operational challenges, financial support program applications, and share resources. Upcoming dates are today, Friday February 21, Tuesday February 25, and Friday February 28 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Northeast Regional Library 2228 Cottman Avenue, 19149. Find more details here.

One Philly Fund Assistance

The One Philly Fund, established by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the Parker administration in partnership with the Philadelphia City Fund, was created to directly support survivors of disasters that occur in Philadelphia. The fund continues to accept monetary donations from individuals and businesses that go directly to those affected by the aircraft crash incident. Click here to learn more about eligibility and to apply for financial support.

Executive Order

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker signed Declaration of Disaster Emergency Executive Order 2-25 which recognizes the impact of the medical aircraft crash on City infrastructure, property damage, business losses, trauma experienced by the community and enables the City to pursue all eligible public assistance and grants to aid in recovery.

Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians That They Can Use Their Tax Return to Support PA’s Military, Veterans, and Their Families

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Por

PR/CP

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21/02/2025

Donations Support DMVA Grant Programs

Annville, PA – Pennsylvanians filing their 2024 personal state income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel, veterans and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP) and/or Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF). Both programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), which provides resources and assistance to veterans, military members, and their families in the commonwealth.

Pennsylvanians interested in donating should refer to the 2024 Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Return Instructions (PA-40 IN).

“Pennsylvanians are always supportive of our veterans and that shines through every year with the many donations received in support of DMVA’s grant programs,” said Brig. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “We are thankful to everyone for their generosity. Without proper funding for these programs, many of our veterans and their families would not receive much-needed assistance in times of unforeseen crisis.”

Military Family Relief Assistance Program:

The MFRAP helps Pennsylvania service members and their families by providing financial assistance to those with a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

Examples of how MFRAP grants helped service members in 2024 include the following:

A service member was on active duty overseas while their spouse and minor child remained at home. The home was damaged by a severe storm causing immediate, costly repairs to the roof. A grant was approved for $3,500 to assist with the repairs.

A service member was on active duty, deployed overseas. The spouse, home with a 5-year-old child, was injured at work and receiving only 60% pay. The unexpected gap in family income caused significant financial strain. A grant was approved for $5,000.

A service member with a spouse and six children had recently been ordered to active duty. The family vehicle experienced engine trouble leaving the spouse with no family transportation. The need for repairs created severe financial strain. A grant was approved for $4,168.

Members of the armed forces who are residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance while they are serving on active duty for 30 or more consecutive days with the Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Space Force or the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard.

All members of the armed forces who were discharged for medical reasons are also eligible to apply for assistance up to four years after a medical discharge.

Reserve component service members (including Pennsylvania National Guard members) and their families may be eligible for a grant for a period of up to three years after release from a qualifying active-duty tour.

The program also applies to certain family members of eligible service members. Applicants must show that they have a direct and immediate financial need because of circumstances beyond their control.

Since the MFRAP began in 2006, individuals have donated more than $2.23 million through private donations or when filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns. As of 2025, more than $1.05 million in donations has been granted out to service members and their families in need.

In addition to a donation on the state Personal Income Tax form, contributions can be made directly by sending a check to DMVA-MFRAP, Building 9-26 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003, or online at www.pa.gov/dmva/donate. Donations are tax deductible to the extent authorized by federal law.

To learn more, visit MFRAP Grants.

Veterans’ Trust Fund:

The VTF provides funding to assist and support Pennsylvania veterans and their families. The VTF will issue grants to statewide charitable organizations that assist veterans, veterans service organizations and county directors of veterans affairs. The fund can assist veterans in need of shelter and with necessities of living.

Since the VTF grant program began in 2013, a total of $8.17 million has been awarded to organizations across Pennsylvania.

The VTF is funded by generous Pennsylvanians who voluntarily donate when applying for or renewing driver’s licenses, photo IDs or motor vehicle registrations, purchasing Honoring Our Veterans standard and motorcycle license plates, purchasing Honoring our Women Veterans standard and motorcycle license plates, or making private donations.

Private donations can be made online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov or mailed to: DMVA-Veterans’ Trust Fund, Bldg. 9-26, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002.

To learn more, visit Veterans’ Trust Fund Grants.

You can also learn more about the DMVA by following us at www.facebook.com/padmva, https://www.instagram.com/pa.dmva, https://www.linkedin.com/company/padmva/ or https://x.com/padmva.

El Gobierno de Trump no ha descongelado la ayuda exterior de EE. UU. pese a orden judicial

Por

EFE

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21/02/2025

El Gobierno de Donald Trump no ha descongelado la ayuda exterior de Estados Unidos pese a que hace una semana un juez le ordenó pausar ese bloqueo de los fondos requerido por el presidente, según señaló este jueves el mismo magistrado.

El juez del Distrito de Columbia Amir Ali ordenó el 13 de enero paralizar temporalmente una orden ejecutiva de Trump que congelaba casi toda la ayuda exterior estadounidense después de que dos ONG de salud que usaban esos fondos en su labor interpusieran una demanda.

Este jueves, Ali emitió una nueva orden que reitera la anterior, y en la que sugiere que Gobierno de Trump mantiene congelada la ayuda mientras revisa contratos y consulta con autoridades para dar con «una nueva racionalización» sobre la «suspensión en masa» de los fondos.

El juez, que respondía a una moción de las denunciantes sobre la situación, confirmó que la Administración «no está cumpliendo» su dictamen pero rechazó declararla en desacato porque ha asegurado que lo hará pronto.

Trump firmó a finales de enero una orden ejecutiva que suspendía durante 90 días toda la ayuda humanitaria de Estados Unidos, canalizada principalmente a través de la Agencia para el Desarrollo Internacional (Usaid), para poder revisar en qué se invierte ese dinero.

Después, el secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, a quien Trump puso a cargo de la Usaid, emitió una directiva en la que frenó toda la asistencia exterior, con excepción del apoyo para Israel y Egipto, y mantuvo solo el envío de alimentos en situaciones de emergencia extrema.

La orden de Trump ha tenido como ramificaciones la suspensión de los fondos y el recorte de la Usaid, y ha desatado el pánico en ONG de todo el mundo que dependen de contratos con EE. UU. para seguir operando.

Según la orden del juez Ali de hace una semana, el Gobierno de Trump no puede suspender o cancelar la ayuda exterior que ya había sido aprobada antes de que el político asumiera el mandato, el 20 de enero.

Agencias federales en Puerto Rico investigan presunta explotación laboral migratoria

Por

EFE

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21/02/2025

San Juan.– Varias agencias federales en Puerto Rico llevan a cabo este viernes una orden de allanamiento en una compañía de sonido buscando posible evidencia de presunta explotación laboral de indocumentados en la isla.

Según explicó a Telenoticias (Telemundo) la jefa de la Oficina de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI, en inglés), Rebecca González, la orden de allanamiento se lleva a cabo en las oficinas centrales y en almacén de Music Wave, en San Juan.

«Lo que estamos haciendo es buscando evidencia sobre posible explotación laboral de personas que no tienen estatus migratorio en Estados Unidos», detalló González.

«No hay nadie detenido ni nadie bajo arresto» al momento, afirmó la funcionaria.

Igualmente, indicó que «se entrevistó a alguien muy cooperador» para continuar con la pesquisa.

«Estamos buscando cualquier evidencia de documento que establezca que las personas que están trabajando en esta compañía tengan estatus migratorio o legal en Estados Unidos», enfatizó González.

En la intervención colaboran agentes del FBI, el Servicio de Alguaciles federal, la Administración para el Control de Drogas, el Negociado de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos, entre otras dependencias federales.

Desde principios de febrero, las agencias federales en Puerto Rico han llevado a cabo diversos operativos con la intención de detener a inmigrantes indocumentados, especialmente en la zona de Barrio Obrero, en San Juan, la zona más poblada de dominicanos en la isla.

Según los datos del Instituto de Estadísticas de Puerto Rico, hay alrededor de 60.000 dominicanos en la isla, que tiene poco más de 3 millones de habitantes, lo que representa el 60 % de la población inmigrante.

La mayoría de los dominicanos atraviesa el mar que separa a las dos islas en las llamadas ‘yolas’, arriesgando su vida en busca de un futuro mejor en Puerto Rico, adonde cada vez llegan también en estas débiles embarcaciones más haitianos.

El interés expansionista de Trump olvida a Puerto Rico, pendiente de cambiar su estatus

Por

EFE

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21/02/2025

San Juan.- El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha incrementado sus pretensiones expansionistas con su retórica de convertir Canadá en el estado 51 pero se ha olvidado de Puerto Rico, que está bajo dominio estadounidense desde 1898 y busca definir su futuro estatus político.

La situación colonial de Puerto Rico es uno de los principales debates en la isla, que está dividida entre aquellos que optan por la ‘estadidad’ (anexión a EE. UU.), los que abogan por la independencia y los que prefieren mantener el estatus actual de Estado Libre Asociado.

Para el gobernante Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP), cuyo objetivo es la estadidad, el silencio de Trump sobre Puerto Rico mientras muestra interés por Canadá e incluso por adquirir Groenlandia, territorio autónomo de Dinamarca, es un jarro de agua fría.

«Si miramos desde 1898, resulta evidente que en todas las ocasiones en las que cualquiera de las tres ramas de Gobierno de Estados Unidos ha tenido la oportunidad de expresarse oficialmente, han demostrado el interés inequívoco de que Puerto Rico ni se convierta en un estado de la unión ni se convierta en un país soberano», explicó a EFE Jorge Schmidt, profesor de Ciencia Política de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR).

El politólogo afirmó que a Estados Unidos «nunca le interesó» ni a nivel económico ni geopolítico definir un estatus diferente al de Estado Libre Asociado para la isla y que la intención al dar a los puertorriqueños la ciudadanía en 1917 fue mantenerlos «permanentemente bajo la bandera estadounidense», pero no como estado de pleno derecho.

Mayor hándicap: dependencia económica

En opinión del analista, el mayor impedimento para que Puerto Rico sea un estado es la gran población bajo un umbral de pobreza que depende de los fondos federales, así como las diferencias etnolingüísticas y culturales que tiene la isla caribeña con el país norteamericano.

«En estos tiempos con Donald Trump esto se ha exacerbado, inclusive están deportando personas que precisamente se parecen al perfil nuestro», sentenció el politólogo, haciendo referencia a las deportaciones masivas de migrantes latinos.

El Estado Libre Asociado, que para Schmidt es un eufemismo de «colonia», establecido en 1952, da a Puerto Rico cierto grado de autonomía y un Gobierno y Parlamento locales, pero deja bajo el control de EE. UU. áreas como defensa, fronteras y relaciones diplomáticas.

Las ventajas para EE. UU. del estatus actual

La abogada y senadora del Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP), María de Lourdes Santiago, aseguró a EFE que los estadounidenses «se benefician enormemente de esta condición ambigua en el Estado Libre Asociado».

«Se le puede dar un tratamiento contributivo distinto a residentes de EE. UU. y eso aplica para individuos con la Ley 22 y también para corporaciones multinacionales al amparo de los decretos de exención contributiva», denunció.

Además, la senadora independentista lamentó que la isla caribeña es «un gran consumidor» de bienes provenientes de EE. UU. que llegan por virtud de la Ley Jones, que regula el tráfico marítimo y es conocida como ley de cabotaje.

Santiago también criticó la aprobación por Washington en 2016 de la Junta de Supervisión Fiscal (JSF), que considera «un ejercicio de una dictadura» porque «desapareció la autonomía fiscal de Puerto Rico».

Dudas sobre el cambio de estatus

La senadora opinó que el interés por Canadá de Trump es «más un acto de fanfarronería que el reflejo de una intención legítima» y que el hecho de que no mencione a Puerto Rico muestra que «la anexión de la isla no responde a ningún interés de ese país».

«Es un proyecto político que no tiene ninguna posibilidad de futuro», subrayó, al contrario de lo que opina el PNP y la gobernadora Jenniffer González, quien es además partidaria de Trump y ha intentado restar importancia a esta situación.

En esa línea, José Aponte, senador del PNP, dijo a EFE que «todo hay que trabajarlo día a día» y que las autoridades federales «deben dar respaldo al 58,6 % de votos a favor de la admisión de Puerto Rico como estado» del último plebiscito local, no vinculante, de 2024.

Al nulo interés de Trump por convertir a Puerto Rico en estado, se sumó recientemente la incertidumbre por un memorando que circula supuestamente entre las élites políticas de Washington y que propone que Puerto Rico sea independiente en un plazo de dos años.

Mayor hándicap: dependencia económica

Las ventajas para EE. UU. del estatus actual

Dudas sobre el cambio de estatus

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