SENTRI users to get new border-crossing cards
UNION-TRIBUNE
7:41 a.m. June 4, 2008
SAN DIEGO: Participants in the SENTRI trusted-traveler program will soon receive new border-crossing cards with security features intended to foil counterfeiters.
The cards are being sent by mail.
The new cards are equipped with radio frequency chips, already used in SENTRI cards that have been issued to recent applicants, and other security features. Participants are being urged to update their contact information online so cards are mailed to the correct address; once delivered, holders will have 30 days to activate them at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov
Old cards will be automatically invalidated.
Find this article at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/tijuana/20080604-0740-1bo04sentri.html
viernes, junio 20, 2008
jueves, junio 19, 2008
Cave paintings at Sierra de San Francisco, Baja California
Marisa with her “baby” Rupestre
Marisa Molina, Director of FRAO (Foreign Residents Assistance Office in Playas de Rosarito) and a good friend to many of us, together with her friend Estela Morales decorated their cow with cave paintings taken from the Sierra de San Francisco in Baja California.
Rupestre can be seen at the Cow Exhibition in Tijuana
miércoles, junio 18, 2008
Establishing a presumption of innocence in Mexico
On June 17, 2008, President Felipe Calderón signed legislation designed to establish oral trials and create a presumption of innocence for criminal defendants. This legislation is probably one of the most significant developments in Mexican jurisprudence since the implementation of the Napoleonic Code.
Until now, guilt or innocence consisted of a series of fact-gathering hearings. The record of the proceeding was not available to the public. The trial was accomplished behind closed doors by a judge relying on written evidence. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will now argue their cases in court, and judges must explain their decisions to defendants.
“This is perhaps the most important reform to the criminal system that Mexicans have had in a long time,” Calderón said after signing the amendment. Mexico now faces the long process of implementing the changes, which must be in place by 2016, according to the law that is expected to go into effect tomorrow.
That includes training thousands of lawyers and judges across the country on the logistics of holding a trial. Even courthouses must be modified to make room for Mexicans who will be able to attend trials for the first time.
All trials will be open unless a judge decides a case must be closed because of national security reasons or to protect a witness or a minor.
Such a reform had been in the works for more than a decade, but the two previous presidents had been unable to get it through Congress.
Prosecutors can now hold organized crime suspects without charge for up to 80 days, and properties seized by law enforcement will automatically belong to the state unless the accused proves they were acquired through legal means. Before, criminals could fight in court for their properties to be returned even if they were illicit.
Miguel Sarre, a law professor at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico, who applauds most aspects of the law, called the 80-day period “a very dangerous tool.” Under the measure, defendants could be held without probable cause, Sarre said.
This article was edited from a San Diego Union Tribune article at URL: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080618/news_1n18mexico.html
On June 17, 2008, President Felipe Calderón signed legislation designed to establish oral trials and create a presumption of innocence for criminal defendants. This legislation is probably one of the most significant developments in Mexican jurisprudence since the implementation of the Napoleonic Code.
Until now, guilt or innocence consisted of a series of fact-gathering hearings. The record of the proceeding was not available to the public. The trial was accomplished behind closed doors by a judge relying on written evidence. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will now argue their cases in court, and judges must explain their decisions to defendants.
“This is perhaps the most important reform to the criminal system that Mexicans have had in a long time,” Calderón said after signing the amendment. Mexico now faces the long process of implementing the changes, which must be in place by 2016, according to the law that is expected to go into effect tomorrow.
That includes training thousands of lawyers and judges across the country on the logistics of holding a trial. Even courthouses must be modified to make room for Mexicans who will be able to attend trials for the first time.
All trials will be open unless a judge decides a case must be closed because of national security reasons or to protect a witness or a minor.
Such a reform had been in the works for more than a decade, but the two previous presidents had been unable to get it through Congress.
Prosecutors can now hold organized crime suspects without charge for up to 80 days, and properties seized by law enforcement will automatically belong to the state unless the accused proves they were acquired through legal means. Before, criminals could fight in court for their properties to be returned even if they were illicit.
Miguel Sarre, a law professor at the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico, who applauds most aspects of the law, called the 80-day period “a very dangerous tool.” Under the measure, defendants could be held without probable cause, Sarre said.
This article was edited from a San Diego Union Tribune article at URL: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080618/news_1n18mexico.html
lunes, junio 16, 2008
Trece muertos y 62 detenidos en México en actos criminales domingo 15 de junio
12:41 PM
(Scroll down for English translation)
México, 15 jun (EFE).-
Trece personas murieron en circunstancias violentas en México en las últimas 24 horas, presuntamente a manos del crimen organizado, y 62 fueron detenidas con un alijo de dos toneladas de marihuana, informaron hoy fuentes oficiales y periodísticas.
Entre los asesinados hay un policía municipal de Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua, norte del país), acribillado frente al Tribunal de Menores de la urbe. En el estado se registraron dos muertes violentas más, de acuerdo al diario El Universal.
Un enfrentamiento entre presuntos narcotraficantes rivales en Torreón (Coahuila, norte) se saldó con la muerte de cuatro personas, dos de las cuales murieron en el hospital.
En Tijuana (Baja California, frontera noroeste), dos hombres fueron asesinados ante una tienda de comestibles. En la capital del estado, Mexicali, una pareja perdió la vida por disparos de arma de fuego cuando dos personas entraron a su domicilio.
Otras dos personas fallecieron en la capital del estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, en el centro del país, en sendos ataques de comandos armados.
Uno de ellos tuvo lugar contra una empresaria local y su hijo de cuatro años cuando paseaban, saldándose con la muerte de su chófer.
El otro se registró cuando tres presuntos sicarios atacaron a dos hombres, matando a uno de ellos.
Las 62 detenciones se registraron en Baja California como consecuencia de una operación del Ejército y la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública federal (SSP), informó la institución.
El operativo se desarrolló en los almacenes un empresa envasadora de verduras en el municipio de Ensenada, en Baja California, donde se hallaron 2,05 toneladas de marihuana, distribuidas en 381 paquetes.
Las fuerzas de seguridad se incautaron de un yate, 62 vehículos -incluyendo 30 tráilers, un minibús escolar y un tractor- una escopeta y dinero en efectivo en moneda mexicana y estadounidense por valor cercano a los 4.700 dólares.
Los detenidos, de entre 18 y 62 años, fueron puestos a disposición del Ministerio Público de la Federación.
En lo que va de año, la cifra de asesinatos del crimen organizado en México supera los 1.600, según reportes periodísticos.
----------------------------------------------------------
Thirteen killed and 62 arrested in Mexico for criminal acts Sunday June 15
12:41 p.m.
Mexico, June 15 (EFE)
Thirteen people died in violent circumstances in Mexico in the last 24 hours, allegedly at the hands of organized crime, and 62 were arrested, in addition to a cache of two tons of marijuana, official and journalistic sources reported today.
Among the killed there was a municipal policeman of Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua, north of the country), shot in front of the Juvenile Court of the city. In the state there were two more violent deaths, according to the newspaper "El Universal."
A clash between rival suspected drug traffickers in Torreon (Coahuila, in the north) resulted in the deaths of four people, two of whom died in the hospital.
In Tijuana (Baja California, northwest border), two men were murdered in front of a grocery store. In the state capital, Mexicali, a couple was killed by shots from a firearm when two people entered their home.
Two other people died in the state capital of Hidalgo, Pachuca, in the centre of the country, in two separate attacks by armed commandos.
One of the attacks took place against a local businesswoman and her four-year old son when it happened, resulting in the death of her chauffeur. The other occurred when three suspected hired killers attacked two men, killing one of them.
The 62 arrests were recorded in Baja California as a result of an operation of the army and the federal Public Security Secretariat (SSP), according to the Secretariat office.
The operation took place in warehouses of a vegetable packing firm in the municipality of Ensenada, in Baja California, where they found 2.05 tons of marijuana, distributed in 381 packages.
The security forces seized a yacht, 62 vehicles-including 30 trailers, a school minibus, a tractor, a shotgun, and cash in Mexican and U.S. currency worth close to $ 4,700.
The detainees, between 18 and 62 years old, were released to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
So far this year, the number of killings of organized crime in Mexico exceeds 1,600, according to newspaper reports.
12:41 PM
(Scroll down for English translation)
México, 15 jun (EFE).-
Trece personas murieron en circunstancias violentas en México en las últimas 24 horas, presuntamente a manos del crimen organizado, y 62 fueron detenidas con un alijo de dos toneladas de marihuana, informaron hoy fuentes oficiales y periodísticas.
Entre los asesinados hay un policía municipal de Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua, norte del país), acribillado frente al Tribunal de Menores de la urbe. En el estado se registraron dos muertes violentas más, de acuerdo al diario El Universal.
Un enfrentamiento entre presuntos narcotraficantes rivales en Torreón (Coahuila, norte) se saldó con la muerte de cuatro personas, dos de las cuales murieron en el hospital.
En Tijuana (Baja California, frontera noroeste), dos hombres fueron asesinados ante una tienda de comestibles. En la capital del estado, Mexicali, una pareja perdió la vida por disparos de arma de fuego cuando dos personas entraron a su domicilio.
Otras dos personas fallecieron en la capital del estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca, en el centro del país, en sendos ataques de comandos armados.
Uno de ellos tuvo lugar contra una empresaria local y su hijo de cuatro años cuando paseaban, saldándose con la muerte de su chófer.
El otro se registró cuando tres presuntos sicarios atacaron a dos hombres, matando a uno de ellos.
Las 62 detenciones se registraron en Baja California como consecuencia de una operación del Ejército y la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública federal (SSP), informó la institución.
El operativo se desarrolló en los almacenes un empresa envasadora de verduras en el municipio de Ensenada, en Baja California, donde se hallaron 2,05 toneladas de marihuana, distribuidas en 381 paquetes.
Las fuerzas de seguridad se incautaron de un yate, 62 vehículos -incluyendo 30 tráilers, un minibús escolar y un tractor- una escopeta y dinero en efectivo en moneda mexicana y estadounidense por valor cercano a los 4.700 dólares.
Los detenidos, de entre 18 y 62 años, fueron puestos a disposición del Ministerio Público de la Federación.
En lo que va de año, la cifra de asesinatos del crimen organizado en México supera los 1.600, según reportes periodísticos.
----------------------------------------------------------
Thirteen killed and 62 arrested in Mexico for criminal acts Sunday June 15
12:41 p.m.
Mexico, June 15 (EFE)
Thirteen people died in violent circumstances in Mexico in the last 24 hours, allegedly at the hands of organized crime, and 62 were arrested, in addition to a cache of two tons of marijuana, official and journalistic sources reported today.
Among the killed there was a municipal policeman of Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua, north of the country), shot in front of the Juvenile Court of the city. In the state there were two more violent deaths, according to the newspaper "El Universal."
A clash between rival suspected drug traffickers in Torreon (Coahuila, in the north) resulted in the deaths of four people, two of whom died in the hospital.
In Tijuana (Baja California, northwest border), two men were murdered in front of a grocery store. In the state capital, Mexicali, a couple was killed by shots from a firearm when two people entered their home.
Two other people died in the state capital of Hidalgo, Pachuca, in the centre of the country, in two separate attacks by armed commandos.
One of the attacks took place against a local businesswoman and her four-year old son when it happened, resulting in the death of her chauffeur. The other occurred when three suspected hired killers attacked two men, killing one of them.
The 62 arrests were recorded in Baja California as a result of an operation of the army and the federal Public Security Secretariat (SSP), according to the Secretariat office.
The operation took place in warehouses of a vegetable packing firm in the municipality of Ensenada, in Baja California, where they found 2.05 tons of marijuana, distributed in 381 packages.
The security forces seized a yacht, 62 vehicles-including 30 trailers, a school minibus, a tractor, a shotgun, and cash in Mexican and U.S. currency worth close to $ 4,700.
The detainees, between 18 and 62 years old, were released to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
So far this year, the number of killings of organized crime in Mexico exceeds 1,600, according to newspaper reports.
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