Daily Headlines: June 29, 2011 (Updated)

* Americas: A Brazilian court gave the approval for the country’s first gay marriage, while some homosexual couples of Latin American background in New York are rejoicing the state’s recently signed same-sex marriage law.

* South America: The Mercosur economic bloc could soon grow from four to six members with the inclusion of Bolivia and Ecuador.

* Ecuador: Six ex-police officers including the former head of security for Ecuador's congress were convicted for their actions in a supposedly failed coup attempt against President Rafael Correa.

* Mexico: According to Rev. Alejandro Solalinde, a Mexican priest who runs a migrant shelter in Oaxaca, at least eighty Central American migrants were kidnapped by “masked gunmen.” Update: The Mexican government said that there is not enough evidence to support Solalinde's claims.

Image – BBC News
Online Sources- Herald Sun, New York Times, AFP, The Independent, BBC News

Maximum sentence against Marcelo Lucero killer

The teen convicted in the death of an Ecuadorian immigrant in New York will have 25 years in jail to contemplate his crime.

Nineteen-year-old Jeffrey Conroy gave a tearful apology to the family of Marcelo Lucero- the man Conroy was accused of killing during a November 2008 evening of “beaner-jumping” with several other teens. Nevertheless state Supreme Court Justice Robert W. Doyle declared that "the proof was overwhelming" against Conroy and imposed the maximum sentence weeks after Conroy was convicted of manslaughter as a hate crime last month. Though Conroy was acquitted of murder Doyle emphasized that Conroy was guilty of “senseless and brutal crimes” including having assaulted other Latino immigrants on Long Island.

The judge’s decision brought out strong emotions among some of the relatives of both the attacker and the victim:

After the sentence was imposed, Conroy's father, Robert Conroy, shouted an expletive, saying his son was only 17 at the time of the attack. 



The killing shone a national spotlight on race relations on Long Island.



After Conroy was convicted, Lucero's mother, Rosario Lucero, said through a translator that she had forgiven Conroy and would pray for him.

Today’s sentencing comes days after a sixth teen pleaded guilty to hate crime charges related to Lucero’s death. Christopher Overton admitted he accompanied Conroy and five others on the night Lucero was slain and was previously signaled by Conroy as the one who killed Lucero.

In the meantime, police in nearby Peekskill are investigating whether the “brutal beating” of another Ecuadorian represents a hate crime. Much like the community where Lucero was killed, Peekskill has enjoyed a growth in its Latino population in recent years.

Image- New York Times (“Jayson Llivicura, 7, put money into a donation box at a memorial for Marcelo Lucero” back in 2008.)
Online Sources- CNN, The Latin Americanist, Long Island Press, Canadian Press, New York Times, CBS News

Daily Headlines: May 24, 2010

* Dominican Republic: Rest in peace Jose Lima; the Dominican-born former Major League pitcher died of an apparent cardiac arrest yesterday at the age of 37.

* U.S.: Another Ecuadorian migrant has been brutally attacked in New York in what could be classified by police as a hate crime.

* Peru: No major damages or casualties have been reported after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake shook southern Peru yesterday.

* Mexico: Based on his family’s request police have stopped the search for missing ex-presidential candidate Diego Fernandez de Cevallos.

Image – Los Angeles Times (This image of Jose Lima was taken less than 48 hours before he passed away).
Online Sources- CNN, New York times, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC,

Weekend Headlines: May 15-16, 2010

* Puerto Rico: On the one hand the man accused in the brutal murder of Jorge Steven López Mercado changed his plea to guilty and immediately received a 99-year prison sentence.

* U.S.: On the other hand a New York jury declared a mistrial for the second defendant in the killing of Jose Sucuzhanay.

* Colombia: Presidential candidate Antanas Mockus said that if he were elected he would try to normalize trade with Venezuela but also warned “if Venezuela becomes another Cuba, it would be sad for everyone.”

* Mexico: The bodies of seven men kidnapped on Monday were found dead in Chihuahua on Wednesday.

Image – Pink News (Jorge Steven López Mercado was killed in November by a man who claimed to hate gays but “offered the victim cocaine to have sex with him.”)
Online Sources- Towleroad.com, Gothamist, Americas Quarterly, LAHT

World Watch: Panic in the streets of Athens

* Greece: The Greek government signed off on an austerity plan yet at least 50,000 people went on strike and there have been violent protests in Athens.

* Nigeria: Acting president Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Nigeria’s new leader after his predecessor, Umaru Yar'Adua, died on Wednesday.

* Thailand: Anti-government protests continued in Thailand though a reconciliation deal proposed by the country’s Prime Minister could ease tensions.

* U.S.: The man supposedly behind a failed bomb attack in Times Square has reportedly been cooperating with investigators but has yet to reveal his precise motive.

Image – Guardian UK
Online Sources- BBC News, Guardian UK, Reuters, MSNBC

Weekend Headlines: April 10-11, 2010

* Mexico: Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez became the first Mexican player to sign with prestigious English soccer side Manchester United.

* U.S.: While the Marcelo Lucero trial nears its end on Long Island four suspects were arrested in an alleged bias attack in nearby Staten Island.

* Cuba: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed that the Cuban government doesn’t want to normalize relations with the U.S. since the Castro regime “would then lose all their excuses for what hasn't happened in Cuba in the last 50 years.”

* Costa Rica: China and Costa Rica signed a free trade pact on Thursday that should provide the Central American economy with greater access to the Asian market.

Image – Sky Sports
Online Sources- AFP, LAHT, New York Times, NY1, The Telegraph

Daily Headlines: February 10, 2010

* Central America: Last year it was Honduras. Could the next Central American coup occur this year in Nicaragua?

* U.S.: New York State Sen. Hiram Monserrate will be expelled from office roughly three months since being convicted of assaulting his girlfriend.

* Chile: The country’s future finance minister has pledged the daunting task of doubling Chile’s annual growth rate.

* Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez declared a 60-day electricity emergency that will include rewards to individuals and businesses that conserve energy.

Image – El Espectador (2007 image of Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega)
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, Bloomberg, CNN

Daily Headlines: July 29, 2009

* Argentina: The personal wealth of Argentina’s power couple has come under increased scrutiny as the country’s economic woes worsen.

* Nicaragua: Nicaraguan Ernesto Cardenal won the Pablo Neruda Ibero-American Poetry Prize and used his award speech to blast President Daniel Ortega.

* Mexico: Mexicans could soon be obligated to carry a national ID card which will include fingerprints and a retina scan.

* U.S.: Health authorities in New York warned against the use of certain beauty products imported from the Dominican Republic that contain dangerous chemicals but are popular in Latino neighborhoods.

Image- BBC News (Argentina’s president and First Husband in happier times).
Online Sources- Guardian UK, Xinhua, LAHT, UPI

Will Monserrate, Espada affect NY gay marriage bill?

On Monday, New York State Senators Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada, Jr. defected to the GOP and ousted Democratic control of the chamber. It’s unknown as to how exactly the new Republican control of the NYS Senate will affect several issues like gay marriage.

Espada became the new acting state Senate President as a result of his defection and in the past he has supported the gay marriage initiative. Espada recently said that he would allow the Senate to vote on the gay marriage proposal even though he was unsure if there are sufficient legislators to approve the bill.

Joining Espada on the gay marriage issue is Joe Bruno- the Republican former Senate leader who still has plenty of influence in Albany. "It's time. Now. For the government to back off, let people make their own life decisions...." said Bruno in a sudden about-face from his past views on the issue.

But could the proposal be doomed due to the Senate coup? Espada’s predecessor- Sen. Malcolm Smith- had put the vote on hold citing insufficient support and he has been unwilling to handover the reins to Espada. Both Monserrate and Espada are mired in controversy; the former for awaits trial for supposedly beating-up his girlfriend and the latter for allegedly using a nonprofit health-care as his personal piggy bank. One of the top Latino politicos in the state senate- Rubén Díaz Sr.- is an evangelical preacher who is vehemently against the bill.

In the meantime, the Senate has been literally deadlocked while they continue with their political power struggle. Hopefully they’ll figure something out soon (ha!) and get on with the business of leading the state.

Image- New York Daily News
Online Sources- Towleroad, New York Daily News, AP, NPR, Reuters, newsday.com, Gothamist

Notable Quotable: Heaven on Earth

"It truly frustrates me to hear those who attack us constantly talking about God, and what the bible does or doesn't allow…We are not asking anything from God. We are asking for our legal rights here on the earth. He'll decide up there what we do or don't get."

--- Alfonso Guerrero- half of the first gay Latino couple to legally marry in California last June- provides a sensible explanation on the needlessly contentious issue of gay marriage.

On Tuesday, California’s top court voted 6-1 to uphold a ban on gay marriage (via Prop 8) but recognized the legality of those unions that took place before the measure was approved last year in a statewide referendum. As this report shows, the court’s Solomon-like solution seemingly pleased nobody:

The debate of gay marriage has also manifested itself in the state of New York where Latinos participated in competing pro-gay marriage and anti-gay marriage rallies two weeks ago. Expect Latinos to be increasingly targeted as both sides campaign for their respective causes; one group against gay marriage has prominently featured photos of happy-looking Latino families in the web ads.

Online Sources- Blabbeando, Reuters, Indecision Forever, OC Weekly

Beyond Borders: Thirteen dead at N.Y. immigration center

Details continue to be a little sketchy but the latest reports say that at least thirteen people have been killed in a shooting today at a Binghamton, N.Y. immigration center.

The gunman entered the front door, blocked the back door, and firing upon occupants at the American Civic Association (ACA). The attacker held over forty hostages and may've possibly died of a self-inflected gunshot wound. At least 26 people have been reported as wounded including five taken to local hospitals.

As part of their preliminary investigation police are examining if the attacker had a possible accomplice. Furthermore, police said that suspect was a 42-year-old man who lived in upstate New York and some sources claimed that he was of Asian background.

Nothing has yet been reported in terms of possible motives for today’s action. Thus, it’s unknown if there’s a connection to the activities at the ACA. (People had been studying for their citizenship exam before today’s tragic shooting).

Image- AP (”In this photo rendered from video and released by WBNG-TV in Binghamton, N.Y., authorities remove a person on a stretcher, Friday, April 3, 2009, in Binghamton, N.Y.”)
Online Sources- New York Times, Bloomberg, ABC News, Los Angeles Times, UPI, MSNBC

Adolfo Carrion under fire

Recently chosen White House urban affairs director Adolfo Carrion has come under controversy for several actions during his time as Bronx borough president.

Local prosecutors are examining the circumstances behind Carrion not paying architect Hugo Subotovsky for renovating his home in 2007. While that may seem like small potatoes, eyebrows have been raised since Subotovsky was also working at the time on a major housing development in the Bronx.

In addition, Carrion has been accused of accepting thousands of dollars in donations from developers in return for approving or funding their projects.

A watchdog group has admonished Carrion’s possible conflict of interest:

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder in response to several Daily News reports about Carrión's dealings while he was Bronx borough president.

"If the era of pay-to-play politics is over, Adolfo Carrión did not get the message," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the Democrat-leaning CREW.

Carrion- who is of Puerto Rican background- oversaw the construction of over 40,000 new housing units as Bronx borough president. The former urban planner was accused of being heavy-handed, however, in helping push the plan to build a new Yankee Stadium.

Image- newsday.com
Online Sources- newsday.com, Latina, MSNBC, New York Times, New York Daily News

Today’s Video: Cool and cooler (revisited)

Generally I hate to repeat videos that have been recently shown. But with sub-zero temperatures and nearly a foot of snow outside The Latin Americanist HQ I can think of no better music video than this one of Los Amigos Invisibles:

Speaking of Los Amigos Invisibles, the Venezuelan funksters will be playing at New York’s Bowery Ballroom this Friday night. If you can dig your way out of the snow then go see them live and on stage!

(Hat tip: Brooklyn Vegan).

Online Sources- Los Amigos Invisibles, Brooklyn Vegan, IHT, Bowery Ballroom, The Latin Americanist

Sen. Gillibrand changes tune on immigration?

Kirsten Gillibrand- New York’s newest senator- has announced that she will ease her hard-line stance on immigration.

As we mentioned last month, Gillibrand came under fire from immigrants rights groups over her conservative views on immigration during her time in the House of Representatives.

After meeting with several New York City Latino politicos yesterday, Gillibrand said that she would change her mind and oppose mass raids and deportations of illegal immigrants. In addition, she announced that she would be in favor of a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants and would back funding for the DREAM Act.

Gillibrand has not changed her mind on all issues regarding immigration, however; she said that she would keep pushing for English to become the official language of the U.S.

Gillibrand’s apparent about face was met with cautious optimism by pro-immigrants groups and local Latino leaders. "I'm not saying that I'm convinced…She is asking for a chance to demonstrate where she is going to be when it comes to immigration" said Assemblyman Peter Rivera after meeting with her yesterday.

An editorial in New York City’s largest Spanish-language daily expressed hope that Gillibrand’s words turn into actions:

Gillibrand showed a willingness to engage communities that have not been on her radar. She also understands the doubts people have about her. The best way to get people over that skepticism is for her to deliver on the pledges she made and stand firmly for vulnerable families.

Image- New York Daily News (“Vice President Joe Biden swears in Kristen Gillibrand as the junior senator from New York in a mock ceremony.”)
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, New York Daily News, NY1, WNYC, newsday.com, El Diario/La Prensa

Follow-up: Kirsten Gillibrand named to Senate

On Wednesday, we looked into the chance that Rep. Nydia Velazquez could be named to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. Velazquez was a dark horse candidate though her odds improved when Caroline Kennedy dropped her bid.

New York Governor David Paterson officially unveiled Clinton’s replacement earlier today: Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Despite being praised by some leading New York Democrats her centrism may clash with others in the party. Her status as a “Blue Dog” Democrat has also raised eyebrows among several interest groups representing areas like gun control and immigration. “Now that she will be representing a far broader and more diverse constituency, Senator-Designee Gillibrand must reconsider her positions on immigration” read part of a statement from the head of the New York Immigration Coalition.

Despite qualms over her views on immigration Gillibrand seems like a good choice; her mostly moderate views will likely coincide with Gov. Paterson and President Obama’s policy. If she plays her cards right she can serve in Congress beyond the 2010 and 2012 elections and spare the Empire State the possibility of a Senator Rudy Giuliani.

Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, CBS News, MSNBC, politico.com, New York Times, CNN

Could Nydia Velazquez fill Clinton’s Senate seat?

By a 94-2 vote, the Senate this afternoon confirmed Hillary Clinton's nomination to be the next Secretary of State. Thus, Clinton will have to vacate her Senate seat representing New York. Could her replacement be a Latina?

One of the most prominent names bandied around over the past few weeks to replace Clinton was that of Caroline Kennedy. But several reports circulated tonight that she withdrew her bid citing concerns over the health of her uncle- Senator Ted Kennedy. She has also faced strong criticism over her lack of political experience as well as her troubled relationship with the local press.

[Update: Kennedy officially withdrew her bid for the Senate shortly after midnight.]

Thus, the door opens for other high-profile local politicos like New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Governor David Paterson could make a dark horse pick, however, to fulfill the remaining two years before a special election. Rep. Nydia Velazquez- the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress- could be a tempting choice for Paterson.

As the New York Daily News observed last November:

Velazquez offers the tantalizing possibility of killing two political birds with one stone by appealing to Hispanics and women - both critical voting blocs.

"They think she's a twofer," said the source close to Paterson, who would get to pick Clinton's replacement. "She's a woman and a Latina and therefore a home run. He's feeling tremendous pressure in western New York, which he has to win to win the general election. But the closer pressure he's feeling right now is from the Hispanic community."

Image- daylife.com (“Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008.”)
Online Sources- BBC News, New York Daily News, Gothamist, AFP, CBS News

Beyond Borders: Plane crashes into Hudson River

An experienced pilot and quick-thinking rescuers are being cited as two of the main reasons why 155 people survived an icy plunge into New York’s Hudson River on Thursday afternoon:

"We've had a miracle on the Hudson," New York Gov. David Paterson said after confirming that everyone survived the U.S. Airways Flight 1549 accident. Though his remarks may seem like superlatives, there have been only two other occasions in the past fifty years where a commercial airline landed in the water without fatalities.

With some residents still jittery over an airline crash in this post-9/11 era, Federal Aviation Authority investigators ruled out terrorism and claimed that the plane’s engines shutdown after hitting a flock of birds.

According to one of the flight’s survivors:

Alberto Panero, said: "I want to say thank you to that pilot. It was as good a landing as you can make in a river." He said that passengers had begun ¬praying as it came in low over the river, but all had remained calm.

Online Sources- New York Daily News, Reuters, AFP, IHT, Guardian UK

Happy Three Kings Day! (Now go shopping)

Today is the Christian feast of the Epiphany were it's said that God revealed Himself in the form of Jesus Christ. This day is celebrated in several Latin American countries as Three Kings Day. Particularly in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, the holiday is celebrated with the giving of sweets and gifts to children (instead of on Christmas Day).

Much like the commercialization of Christmas, Three Kings Day has gradually turned into an occasion for shopping. Wal-Mart has led the push this year with a nationwide promotional campaign. Yet smaller retailers are also trying to recoup losses in the midst of a recession as well as take advantage of Latino consumers:

"It used to be that after Christmas, everything was pretty much dead," says Ignacio Hernandez, CEO of MexGrocer.com, which began offering the traditional Rosca de Reyes (King's cake) five years ago. "Now it's still busy.”

For the first time, actors dressed as the three wise men began wandering through Florida Mall in Orlando on Sunday and posing with children for photos on a repurposed Santa display. "Now we have three thrones," laughs general manager Brian Peters.

If you're in New York City and not in the mood for crass shopping the 32nd Annual Three Kings Day Parade will be held in East Harlem. Several prominent politicos will be there honing their broken Spanish but more importantly it will be a celebration with floats, festivities, and even camels.

The Three Kings Day Parade starts at 11 a.m. at 106th Street and Third Avenue. The parade’s “three kings”/grand marshals will be New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez, Hispanic Federation founder Luis Miranda, and Nuyorican poet Jesus “Papoleto” Melendez.

Image- daylife.com (“Men with large masks representing kings lead the annual Three Kings Day Parade (Dia de los Reyes), 05 January 2006, in the East Harlem section of New York.”)
Online Sources- Gothamist, El Museo del Barrio, New York Daily News, USATODAY.COM MyDesert.com, elboricua.com, Wikipedia

Daily Headlines: December 22, 2008

* Ecuador: Amidst much grief and sadness, the body of hate crime victim Jose Sucuzhanay was buried in his hometown of was buried in his native Cuenca, Ecuador.

* Latin America: What is the world's most southernmost city - Tierra del Fuego, Argentina or Puerto Williams, Chile?

* Mexico: A gruesome discovery was made in the city of Chilpancingo when the decapitated heads of nine men were found in a plastic bag.

* Latin America: "The expansion of ties with Latin America is a priority of Iran’s foreign policy," reportedly declared Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davoudi.

Image- AP (“Relatives of Jose Oswaldo Sucuzhanay carry his coffin draped with Ecuador's flag during his funeral in Cuenca, Ecuador, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.”)
Online Sources- New York Daily News, Times Online, Xinhua, Monsters & Critics

Daily Headlines: December 20, 2008

* Ecuador: The body of Jose Sucuzhanay was returned to his native Ecuador from New York nearly two weeks after he was targeted in an anti-Latino, homophobic attack.

* Mexico: Mexico joined Canada in an official World Trade Organization complaint against the U.S.

* Cuba: Pentagon officials said that they are pursuing the death penalty against an accused defendant of the USS Cole bombing who is detained at the Guantanamo Bay prison.

* Haiti: First lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will donate about $330,000 in sales of her latest album to Haitian children's charities.

Image- AFP (“Airport workers unload a box containing the body of slain Jose Osvaldo Sucuzhanay which arrived from New York at the Mariscal Sucre airport in Quito, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008.”)
Online Sources- miamiherald.com, washingtonpost.com, AFP, AP, The Latin Americanist