International
Dominican prosecutors seek five-year prison term for MLB player Wander Franco in sexual abuse case
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Dominican Republic requested on Monday a five-year prison sentence for Major League Baseball player Wander Franco during the trial against him for sexual abuse of a minor, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.
In addition, according to a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office, Franco is also facing a fine and the payment of legal costs.
The trial, held at the Collegiate Court in Puerto Plata (northern region), also involves the minor’s mother, who is charged with sexual exploitation and money laundering. The Public Prosecutor demands a 10-year prison sentence and a fine for her.
Authorities are also requesting the confiscation of seven assets seized from the mother, including a 600-square-meter plot of land, a vehicle, 2.1 million Dominican pesos (around $35,000 USD), and amounts of $68,500 and 800,000 pesos (over $13,000 USD). Additionally, confiscation of mobile phones and all funds in the accused’s frozen accounts is requested, along with payment of legal costs.
During the ongoing trial, where the defense is presenting its arguments and conclusions, the Prosecutor’s Office submitted 165 pieces of evidence, which it considers sufficient to issue a guilty verdict. It stated that the trial established the defendants’ involvement in the case.
According to the accusation, Franco allegedly lived with the minor for several days and provided her with large sums of money to prevent her from reporting the incident to her mother. The mother allegedly used those funds to acquire vehicles and other assets.
The indictment states that the conduct of Wander Franco and the minor’s mother violates several articles of the Dominican Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, the Dominican Penal Code, the Law on Illicit Trafficking of Migrants and Human Trafficking, and the Law on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing.
Wander Franco was the starting shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball and signed an $182 million contract over 11 years with the team in 2021.
International
Ecuador’s government says indigenous leaders refuse dialogue as protests enter third week
Ecuador’s Minister of Government, Zaida Rovira, stated that the leaders of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) have shown no willingness to engage in dialogue, as protests against rising diesel prices and other demands entered their third week on Monday.
Rovira clarified that although the nationwide strike was called across the country, it has mostly affected a few provinces —with Imbabura being the most impacted. She explained that the government managed to hold talks with certain Indigenous groups in recent days, but not with Conaie’s leadership.
“Our position remains open to dialogue, but we cannot allow an entire province (Imbabura) to be held hostage, nor can we allow them to move into another province (Pichincha),” Rovira said in an interview with Teleamazonas, referring to the threat by Conaie President Marlon Vargas to march on Quito, the capital of Ecuador and the province of Pichincha.
“If the government doesn’t listen, we are ready to take Quito. We can’t continue enduring this situation,” Vargas declared during a community meeting last Friday.
Rovira added that the government has made efforts “to engage in dialogue with all Indigenous organizations,” but “unfortunately, we have not received any positive response —only threats.”
“In such a scenario, it becomes very difficult to establish dialogue, even when we seek every possible mechanism,” she concluded, stressing that “there has been no opportunity to discuss or review Conaie’s proposals.”
International
Venezuela warns U.S. of alleged extremist plot to target embassy in Caracas
Caracas issued a warning to the United States on Monday about an alleged plan by “extremists” to place explosives at its embassy in Caracas, amid growing tensions between the two countries over Washington’s military deployment in the Caribbean.
Diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the United States have been severed since 2019, after Washington refused to recognize Nicolás Maduro’s first re-election. Since then, the embassy has been staffed by a limited number of employees.
“Through three different channels, we have alerted the U.S. government to a serious threat,” said Jorge Rodríguez, head of Venezuela’s delegation for dialogue with the United States.
“Through a false-flag operation orchestrated by local right-wing extremists, lethal explosives are being placed at the U.S. embassy. (…) We have reinforced security measures at this diplomatic facility, which our government respects and protects,” Rodríguez added. He also serves as president of the National Assembly.
The Venezuelan government frequently denounces conspiratorial plans, which it attributes to the opposition, aimed at overthrowing it and creating violent scenarios in the country. The warning was also conveyed to a European embassy, which Rodríguez did not specify, to inform Washington of the alleged plans.
International
Mexican president condemns violence during october 2 march, calls for investigation
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the violent incidents during the October 2 march in Mexico City and called for an investigation into masked groups who, she said, sought to “provoke” the police to create a narrative of repression.
“First, a lot of provocation. What is the point of this violence? There were even Molotov cocktails. What is it for? Who benefits from it? That is what we must ask ourselves. What was this group, covering their faces, trying to achieve?” the president questioned during her morning press conference.
Every October 2, thousands of people, mainly students and social collectives, march in Mexico City to remember the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre, when the Mexican government violently suppressed a student demonstration.
Although most marches are peaceful, Thursday’s protest ended in clashes between masked individuals and police, leaving 16 officers hospitalized, three in serious condition, and marking one of the most violent events in recent years.
Sheinbaum stated that the incidents were part of a strategy to portray her government as repressive.
“They wanted to suggest that the Fourth Transformation government represses like the government of ’68,” she said.
Sheinbaum stressed that she will “never” support violent demonstrations, “especially in a city of freedoms, like Mexico City, in a country of freedoms, like ours.”
Ecuador’s government says indigenous leaders refuse dialogue as protests enter third week
Venezuela warns U.S. of alleged extremist plot to target embassy in Caracas
Mexican president condemns violence during october 2 march, calls for investigation
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
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