Police in Peru say gang members killed people to drain their fat for cosmetics

Gang members in Peru face charges of killing people and draining their fat for use in cosmetics, police said today.

Police showed journalists two bottles of fat that authorities said were recovered from two suspects and a photograph of a rotting head believed to be of a male victim. The suspects allegedly told police the fat was worth $60,000 per gallon.

Police Col. Jorge Mejia said three suspects who confessed to five killings told authorities the fat was sold in Lima, the capital. One suspect said the gang severed body parts and then suspended the torsos, collecting  fat in tubs placed underneath, Mejia said.

Police named the group the “Pishtacos” after a Peruvian myth dating to pre-Columbian times of men who killed to extract human fat, quartering their victims with machetes, the Associated Press reported. The gang, which has several suspected members who are not yet in custody, allegedly operated in the Huanuco province, police said.

Several medical experts said fat has cosmetic uses, but the idea of an international black market for human fat was hard to believe.

 “I can’t see why there would be a black market for fat,” said Dr. Adam Katz, a professor of plastic surgery at the University of Virginia medical school, according to AP. “It doesn’t make any sense at all because in most countries we can get fat so readily and in such amounts from people who are willing and ready to donate that I don’t see why there would ever be a black market for fat, of all tissues.”

-- Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Mexican authorities predict fewer Mexican immigrants will be back home for Christmas

Mexican authorities predict a decline in the number of Mexican nationals returning to their country during the holiday season due to the current economic crisis and the necessity of having a passport to re-enter the United States, according to Cecilia Romero Castillo, Commissioner of Mexico’s National Institute of Migration.  “According to our estimates, approximately 850,000 individuals will return this year, whereas last year the number was more than 1 million,”  she said.

Romero Castillo was in Los Angeles this week to attend the opening of the Feria Paisano, which was founded 20 years ago to educate Mexican and foreign nationals on the regulations for entry into Mexico. The commissioner emphasized that, thanks to new controls the Mexican government has imposed, both extortion attempts and abuses of immigrants have diminished. According to statistics, authorities received approximately 370 complaints between 2008 and 2009. The issue receiving the greatest number of complaints, more one-third, is extortion.

“Additionally,” added Romero Castillo, “the majority of complaints, 28%, have been against state and local police departments, with the state of Tamaulipas receiving the greatest number.” 

The Mexican government is also attempting to improve the situation of Central American immigrants in Mexico on their way to the United States, according to Romero Castillo. “We ask the U.S. government for fair treatment of our citizens, and we are working to do the same for Central Americans who enter our country. For example, we now have an identification card for Guatemalan citizens which can be presented to the police to prevent abuses.”

Romero Castillo said that the Mexican government is also working with their states to bring the so-called “brains of the operation” (human trafficking), known as “coyotes,” to justice.

-- Paula Diaz/HOY

To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, go to www.vivelohoy.com

Movie has 2012 wrong, says Canadian archaeologist

Kenneth Turan reviews "2012," the latest disaster movie portraying the end of the world. The movie is directed by Roland Emmerich, who seems to be stuck on the same theme, after movies like "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Independence Day."

"2012" is based on a premise apparently laid out in an ancient carved monument found in the Mayan region, which covers the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and parts of Central America. The region has been home to the indigenous Maya people since 900 BC.

But Canadian archaeologist Kathryn Reese-Taylor, who teaches at the University of Calgary, says in a statement that although the monument, called the Tortuguero Monument Six, refers to the date Dec. 21, 2012, it is not an end-of-the-world prophecy. She says the translation of the text essentially says that something will occur on Dec. 21, 2012 and that it will be similar to something that occurred on another date in the past.

"We don’t know what that past occurrence was or what the future occurrence will be. At no point do any of the Maya texts actually prophesize the end of the world," she said. Reese-Taylor says that the prophecy has never meant the end of the world among the Maya people and that it is North Americans who have created this interpretation.

“The idea of a Maya prophecy emerged in the 1970s when North American journalists and writers began to cherry-pick ideas from the Maya, Aztec and Hopi cultures and created what they now call the Maya prophecy.”

Looks like Hollywood's creative license is at work again.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Mexico's reaction to economic crisis has been weak, says Nobel winner Stiglitz

Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, thinks Mexico's reaction to the global economic crisis has been one of the worst anywhere. 

"Statistics showing growth have been very weak and pessimistic" for Mexico, Stiglitz said. "The combination of a very weak recovery in the United States and a fiscal policy that doesn't stimulate the Mexican economy is worrying." Stiglitz spoke to attendees of an event organized by Grupo Mexicana and Grupo Posadas, two major Mexican companies.

El Universal newspaper reported that Stiglitz said Mexico's position in the face of this crisis was "unusual."

"In contrast, countries such as Australia, which was the first country in the developed world to emerge from the recession," Stiglitz said, "applied strong measures through a packet of well-defined incentives."

Although Mexico is dependent on the U.S economy, that represents a risk, he warned.

"Many people hope that a recovery in the U.S will be the solution," he said. "But Mexico needs an alternative."

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Immigrants in the U.S suffering more than native-born workers from economic downturn

Immigrants in the United States surpassed native-born workers in several key ways from the mid-1990s through 2007, recording higher employment and lower jobless rates.

But that trend was reversed with the onset of the current recession, according to the latest report from the Migration Policy Institute.

The report titled  "Tied to the Business Cycle: How Immigrants Fare in Good and Bad Economic Times" analyzes employment and unemployment patterns over the last 15 years and two recessions. It shows that economic measurements for immigrants began deteriorating before the current recession officially began in December 2007, tracing immigrants' declining fortunes largely to the housing bust that began in spring 2006.

Immigrants now comprise 13% of the U.S. population and a slightly larger share -- more than 15% -- of the labor force. The report goes on to say about immigrants from Latin America:

"The fact that Latino immigrants have particularly cyclical labor market outcomes is interesting because several forces exacerbate cyclicality while others smooth outcomes among this group. The relatively low education levels among Latin American immigrants increase their vulnerability to the business cycle. Unauthorized immigration also plays a role. Over half of Mexican immigrants are in the United States illegally, and the number of workers illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border changes quickly in response to shifts in employment conditions in the United States. This illegal immigration tends to increase the cyclicality of Latin American immigrants' employment and unemployment rates because many unauthorized immigrants enter only when they can find work," says the report.

Click on the links to the report above to find out more about the research.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

YouTube partners with Univision to offer Spanish-language programs; creates citizen journalism service

The largest Hispanic media company in the United States has agreed to feature short and full-length programs on YouTube, including new and archived programs from the Univision, TeleFutura and Galavision networks, Reuters and AFP report.

The agreement is the latest in several YouTube ventures with major entertainment partners, reports the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas. Revenue will come from ads featured around the programs, and Univision will receive most of it, Reuters says.

YouTube has also created a citizen journalism tool, YouTube Direct, which allows news organizations to request and rebroadcast YouTube clips directly from users. You can read about it here on the YouTube blog.

Read more on this story here.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Hondurans in Los Angeles prepare to vote in presidential election

Members of the Los Angeles-area electoral board that will oversee local voting in the Nov. 29 Honduran presidential election have been sworn in by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Honduras. There are 10 people on the board, with representatives from six Honduran political parties.

“We’re working to organize the entire election process in Los Angeles,” said Zulma Gutierrez, president of the board and a member of the Christian Democratic Party. “Currently we’re passing out ID cards to people who applied for them more than two months ago."

The tribunal gave the board 1,029 identification cards for the upcoming election.  Gutierrez said Hondurans are particularly interested in voting in this election "because they want change.”

Honduran national Noemi Xiomara Sabillon, who came to the board’s office in downtown Los Angeles to pick up her registration card, said, “I’m very happy to have this because ... it gives me a voice in my country. We need to return peace and democracy to Honduras.”

The Central American country has been plagued by unrest since the June 28 coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Polling places in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans and Washington will be open to Hondurans registered to vote.

--Paula Diaz/HOY

Photo: Noemi Xiomara Sabillon receives her voter identification card from a member of the Los Angeles-area electoral board.  Credit: Paula Diaz

To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

Peru says air force officer confessed to spying for Chile

Peru today pressed accusations that Chile is assaulting its sovereignty, saying an air force officer has confessed to passing national security secrets to its South American neighbor.

The proof of espionage includes an Internet address allegedly used by the Peruvian officer to provide information to Chile and money transfers, Peru's chief Cabinet Minister Javier Velasquez told America Television. Chilean military officers are among others suspected in a spy ring, Velasquez said.

The Velasquez comments followed those by Peruvian President Alan Garcia, who on Monday said Chile was buying national security secrets.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet responded today by calling Garcia's comments "offensive and haughty" and saying they "do not contribute to the integration and cooperation that neighbors should enjoy," according to Reuters.  The Chilean government has denied any involvement in the alleged spying.

Late last week, a judge in Peru ratified charges against Victor Ariza, 45, and an unidentified member of the air force for allegedly revealing national secrets, espionage and money laundering, according to media reports.

— Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Marriage license granted to gay couple in Argentina

A gay couple received a marriage license in Buenos Aires today, a victory in their legal battle to become "man and man" during World Aids Day on Dec. 1.

A judge ruled last week that a ban on gay marriage violates Argentina's constitution and then granted the couple, Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre, permission to wed.

“On December 1st we will become man and man,” a teary-eyed Di Bello said as a clerk gave him the documentation, according to the Associated Press.

Freyre and Di Bello sued the city after they were denied a marriage license earlier this year. Judge Gabriela Seijas ruled that the nation's provisions for equality may not be violated by restrictions allowing only heterosexual marriages.

World Aids Day features efforts around the globe to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

-- Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to join airborne scientists seeking rain

Venezuela's efforts to combat severe drought conditions may include President Hugo Chavez going airborne with scientists as they try to generate rain from clouds.

Chavez has said a team of Cuban scientists are in Venezuela to fly aircraft with special equipment designed to influence weather patterns, specifically to bring on much-needed precipitation.

“I’m going in a plane; any cloud that crosses me, I’ll zap it so that it rains,” Chavez said late Saturday, according to Reuters.

Though Chavez did not explain what method would be tried in Venezuela, many countries have attempted to influence weather through what is often referred to as cloud seeding. The practice involves shooting substances into clouds, such as silver iodide, salts and dry ice, that bring on the formation of large raindrops, triggering a downpour. 

Meteorologists in China actually used similar "weather modification" techniques to try to prevent rain during the 2008 Summer Olympics by reducing the size of raindrops and delaying any rainfall.

The drought in Venezuela has resulted in water rationing and government calls for residents to do whatever they can to save water, including taking shorter showers.

-- Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Photo: Venezuelan President Chavez greets supporters at a recent protest in Caracas against installation of U.S. military bases in Colombia.  Credit: Reuters

Former guerrilla Cesare Battisti on hunger strike in Brazil

Former leftist guerrilla Cesare Battisti may be ready to die of hunger in a Brazilian prison rather than face multiple murder charges in Italy, his home country.

Battisti, who is wanted in Italy on four murder charges, reportedly went on a hunger strike and gave Brazilian Sen. Jose Nery a letter addressed to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva saying he favors death in Brazil.

“I am ready to die if I have to but never at the hands of my executioners,” Battisti's letter said, according to Reuters.

The 54-year-old Battisti denies responsibility for the deaths, which occurred in the 1970s when he belonged to a group called Armed Proletarians for Communism.

Battisti's judicial fate is in the hands of Brazil's Supreme Court, which is expected to make a decision on whether to extradite him.

Earlier this year Lula granted Battisti political refugee status, but Italy considers him a terrorist. He escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 and lived in France for years, then fled when his extradition was approved in 2006, Reuters reported. He was on the run when he was arrested in Brazil.

-- Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Mexico Decries Forbes' Powerful People

MEXICO CITY — Mexico decried Forbes magazine’s decision to name the country’s most-wanted drug lord to its “World’s Most Powerful People,” calling it an insult to the government’s bloody struggle against drug cartels.

 A spokesman for the Interior Department — which oversees domestic security — described the listing of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman as No. 41 of the 67 most powerful people as “a justification of crime.”

 “(This) is a mockery of the struggle the government is waging against organized crime,” Luis Estrada said. “This not only goes against the efforts of the Mexican government, but the international fight to eliminate mafias and organized crime.”

Marc and Jennifer are not in crisis

Photo courtesy Fanny Garcia/Designing Digital Pixels

 

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s relationship is not in crisis, as was reported everywhere recently.

New rumors surfaced when Jennifer was seen walking alone on the red carpet for the premiere of Michael Jackson's movie "This Is It" a few weeks ago, leaving some to wonder: Where is Marc?

But Wednesday night, Jennifer was sitting front row enjoying her husband’s concert at the Gibson Amphitheater. The famous actress, singer, model and entrepreneur looked happy and in love.

Marc dedicated the song "Valio La Pena" and blew kisses to her several times during the show.

Too bad we couldn’t get pictures of the Puerto Rican Diva. The Gibson´s security team was instructed that anyone approaching JLo should be escorted out, apart from confiscating the camera card.

On Friday, November 13th, Marc will hold another concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim and surely Jennifer will be in the front row.

It seems it will be a family Thanksgiving and Christmas after all for the Muñiz-Lopez couple and their children, Max and Emme, at their Long Island, New York mansion.

--Tommy Calle/Hoy

To read this and other stories in Spanish, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

Jenni Rivera and Alejandro Fernandez leave their fans, and press, waiting

The 11th annual Los Premios de la Radio concert Tuesday at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles drew thousands of people hoping to see their favorite Mexican regional singers.

But two much awaited stars, Jenni Rivera and Alejandro Fernandez, left hundreds of fans and the media disappointed when they stayed off the red carpet at the LA Live venue.

It’s amazing how celebrities’ attitudes appear to change for different events, even at the same location. A few weeks ago, Michael Jackson fans, dressed like him packed the venue for the premier of "This Is It." On Tuesday night, fans had donned hats and cowboy boots.

Some stars who walked the red carpet then, included Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Love Hewitt and many more who did not shy from shaking hands with fans and posing for photos.

Meanwhile, at Los Premios de la Radio, which for the last 10 years was held at the Gibson Amphitheater, both "El Potrillo" and "La Diva de la Banda" refused to speak with the media or  fans.

But others who did oblige by walking the red carpet Tuesday night were Vicky and Marisol, members of Los Horoscopos de Durango, Lupillo and Juan Rivera and Los Tucanes de Tijuana. Also on hand were some telenovela actors, and the host of the show, Adal Ramones.

The difference in star attitudes for "This is It" and "Los Premios de la Radio" appear to show the big distinction between how they treat English and Spanish media. Despite the presence of hundreds of television, print and cable outlets at the latter, some celebrities did not find it important to give them, or their fans, a few minutes of their time.

— Tommy Calle/HOY

 
To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit vivelohoy.com/losangeles

 

Consuls from Latin America nations will help with the census

U.S. Census officials met with the consuls of several Latin American nations to ask for their support in spreading the word about the 2010 Census and the importance of being counted and to allay any concerns that immigrant communities may have.

“It is vital that every person living in the United States takes part to assure accurate representation and funding for vital services”, said Marycarmen Moran, promoter of the 2010 Census, adding that the consuls agreed to do all they can to make the census a success.

Census officials need the consuls' cooperation because Latino immigrants, mainly undocumented, have expressed concern regarding the confidentiality of the information obtained during the process, consulate officials said.

“The immigration status of the individual is an issue that has generated some fear among immigrants,” said Eddie Bedon, Ecuador’s consul general. “The Office of the Census has assured us that the confidentiality of the information will be safeguarded, and the census is being conducted irrespective of immigration status.”

“For Ecuador,” Bedon continued, “the information gleaned from the census will be very important. The statistics regarding the number of Ecuadoreans who live and work here will help us meet their needs, and defend their rights and interests.”

William Jarquin, consul of El Salvador, said his government was also committed to working with the census. “For Salvadorans it is extremely important because we need to know just how many of us are out there.”

Pablo Cesar Garcia, consul general of Guatemala, said: “Immigrants need to understand that when they cooperate with the census, they are helping to create statistics that will then be used to obtain more community investment because, based on these statistics, the city of Los Angeles will receive more [federal] funds for education and health.”

In addition to the consuls from Guatemala, El Salvador and Ecuador, consuls from Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, Bolivia, Mexico and the Dominican Repúblic, among others, attended the meeting with Census officials.

— Paula Diaz/HOY
 

To read this story in Spanish on Friday, visit www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

A shakeup expected at Chivas USA

It was a sad view: An empty clubhouse, only one player in the locker room. It was no accident that the weeping player was Yamith Cuesta, the Colombian defender whose foul on Mike Magee inside the box resulted in the converted penalty shot by Landon Donovan for the only score of the game, a brutally intense playoff MLS game in the Home Depot Center on Sunday night.

L.A. Galaxy's 1-0 victory (an aggregate of 3-2 in the two-leg match) gave the team, led by Donovan and David Beckham, a ticket to the Western Conference championship game on Friday (Nov. 13) in Carson. It also left Chivas USA with the sour taste of loss for the fourth straight postseason — it lost each time in the first round.

A cleanup should be coming to the Chivas USA team, one with the most connections to Mexico in the MLS. The team owners are Mexican and the fans, for the most part, are also Mexican. However, it is perceived and certainly seen, that the coach, Preki Radosavljevic, prefers to play the non Mexican players. For instance, Eduardo Lillingston, the Mexican forward who led the team in goals this season, played only the last 15 minutes of 180 against Galaxy on Sunday.

Along with the unhappy clubhouse, there is uncertainty about the future of so many players, including Claudio Suárez, Lillingston, Mariano Trujillo and Jesús Padilla, all Mexican. Jorge Flores, a promising Mexican American player, should be back for 2010.

— Ricardo López/HOY

Look for the dramatic video footage taken by HOY of the L.A. soccer battle in the Home Depot Center at www.vivelohoy.com/lagalaxy

Honduran civil leaders denounce intimidation and fraudulent elections

Honduran labor and civil leaders embarked today on a “Honduran Justice Tour” around Los Angeles to decry the human rights violations, threats and violence they say the de facto government of Roberto Michelletti is inflicting on those who support President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted June 28th in a military-backed coup.

“There’s a lot of fear. For me there is no normal life,” said Iris Munguia, coordinator of women’s programs with the Coalition of Latin American Banana Unions, who was arrested and detained by police for several hours after taking part on one of the many massive demonstrations held in support of Zelaya.

Munguia and the rest of the leaders visiting Los Angeles, all part of the Coordination of the Movement for Dignity and Justice, say they are asking for a boycott of the Nov. 29th presidential elections, which they call a “farce.”

“These are not legitimate elections because they happen in the middle of a coup,” said lawyer Sarah Janet Aguilar, another member of the movement.

Aguilar says the elections would only “legitimize” the unconstitutional removal of Zelaya as president.

The week-long visit to Los Angeles takes place just days after a deal to end the crisis fell through.

— Francisco Castro/HOY

To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

 

Pacquiao thanks Latinos for their support

Just days before his highly anticipated fight against Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao looks a little distracted this time. 

Pacquiao’s fans, most of them Filipino, filled the Montalban Theater in Hollywood in a send-off for their idol organized by Nike. Pacquiao also took the stage to sing with Melissa R.

Before going on stage, Pacquiao told HOY that he understands the responsibilities of his worldwide fame. The interview took place in a small room with his trainer, Freddie Roach, and about 20 others, including some family members.

The ‘Pacman’ thanked Latino fans for their support. “Les quiero agradecer a los mexicanos” (I want to thank Mexicans), he said in Spanish, when asked about his growing popularity in this community.

Pacquiao said he’s not surprised that so many Latinos admire him, even though nine of his last 10 victories were against Mexican fighters, including greats such as Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Márquez and Erik Morales.

— Ricardo Lopez/HOY

To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

Salvadorans in Los Angeles ready to lend their country a hand

 

Two women embrace in the midst of devastation. Photo by EFE.

Salvadoran community organizations in Los Angeles have mobilized to help their country after a tropical storm over the weekend left at least 130 people dead in the small Central American nation.

Groups including Clínica Monseñor Romero, the Central American Resources Center [CARECEN] and the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund [SALEF] are already collecting donations and there are plans for more fundraising activities over the weekend.

In the meantime, the Salvadoran Consulate in Los Angeles reports receiving dozens of calls since Monday morning from people looking for information about their relatives and how to help their country in this time of need.

Reports from El Salvador call for more rains tonight and the arrival of a cold front that would further dampen the rescue efforts along the Chichontepec volcano, where a landslide destroyed many homes. The states more affected are San Salvador, Cuscatlan and San Vicente.

Paula Diaz

To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles.

Beck will reach out to Latinos

Charlie Beck, the mayor’s nominee to head the Los Angeles Police Department, told Hoy Newspaper he will make a particular effort to reach out to Latinos through community meetings and by conducting news conferences and any other police function in English and Spanish.

“I need to get the concerns of all the communities in Los Angeles and some communities have more problem communicating with me than others,” Beck said.

He will also maintain Special Order 40, which prevents LAPD officers from inquiring about people’s immigration status.

“Special Order 40 is part of the core values of LAPD and that will continue as is,” noted Beck, who has also designated Michoacan, Mexico-born captain Rigo Romero to be his Special Agent for the Latino Community.

“Rigo is not just a Spanish speaker. Rigo’s personal history ties him deeply to the immigrant community. He and I are going to work very closely making sure that the police message goes out just as clearly in Spanish as it does in English,” Beck said.

“Rigo knows me, he knows my philosophy. He can tell you what it is that I think because he and I have that kind of relationship,” he said.

-- Francisco Castro/Hoy

To read the full story in Spanish, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles