Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar and Wife Indicted on Bribery Charges Involving Azerbaijan
A look at the main news from the U.S.-Mexico border
Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar and Wife Indicted on Bribery Charges Involving Azerbaijan
Luke Barr, Benjamin Siegel, and Alexander Mallin, ABC News.- Texas Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, were indicted for conspiracy and accepting nearly $600,000 in bribes from foreign entities. The Justice Department alleges that the couple accepted bribes from an Azerbaijani oil and gas company and a Mexico City-based bank. Imelda allegedly set up sham companies to launder the payments, while Rep. Cuellar used his office to benefit Azerbaijan and influenced U.S. officials for the Mexican bank. The indictment lists several charges, including conspiracy, bribery, and money laundering, with potential sentences ranging from 2 to 20 years in prison per count. Cuellar, a member of Congress since 2005, maintains his innocence. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Cuellar will step down as the ranking member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee pending the case outcome.
Mystery San Antonio Steakhouse Figures in Cuellar Bribery Scandal Over Ties to Azerbaijan, Mexico
Marc Duvoisin, San Antonio Express News.- U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, were indicted on charges of bribery involving $600,000 in payments to advance the interests of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank. The Cuellars claim innocence. The indictment alleges that the Azerbaijani oil company and the Mexican bank funneled bribes to the Cuellars through shell companies and "sham contracts." A significant meeting occurred at a San Antonio steakhouse in 2017, where the couple met with Azerbaijani officials to discuss a consulting deal. The Justice Department contends that the deal paid Imelda for little to no legitimate work while her husband influenced U.S. policy to benefit Azerbaijan and the bank. The indictment details an exchange of text messages between the couple discussing the meeting's location, highlighting the steakhouse's role in the alleged scheme.
Trial Set for Third Defendant in 2022 Murder of Tijuana Photojournalist Margarito MartÃnez
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune.- A third defendant in the murder of Tijuana photojournalist Margarito MartÃnez, known only as Christian, has opted for a trial after rejecting a plea bargain. The prosecution seeks a 60-year sentence for his alleged role in orchestrating the killing on January 17, 2022. Two other defendants, Adrián Ramos and José Ochoa, previously received 25-year sentences for their direct involvement. Christian, accused of ordering the hit under another criminal's command, faces charges of premeditated murder. The case, delayed multiple times, involves evidence from witnesses—one now deceased—WhatsApp texts and data from defendants' phones. The trial date is yet to be scheduled, but Christian's request to include testimonies from Ramos and Ochoa, both imprisoned, has been granted. The murder is linked to a criminal leader known as "El Cabo 20," suspected of targeting MartÃnez over mistaken identity related to media posts. Search for Missing Surfers Intensifies in Mexico; Investigators Detain Suspects
Mexican Authorities Identify Bodies of Two Australians, One American Surfers Killed Over Truck Tires
AP.- In a tragic case, the bodies of two Australian brothers, Jake and Callum Robinson, and an American, Jack Carter Rhoad, were found in a well near the Baja California coast. The trio, on a surfing trip, were allegedly killed by thieves who wanted their truck's tires. Mexican officials identified the bodies after recovering them from a remote well. The Baja California prosecutor stated that the suspects likely shot the tourists when they caught the thieves attempting to steal their truck. Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the case. The site where the bodies were found was near the remote area where the men had been camping. The incident has highlighted safety concerns for travelers, with local surfers and residents expressing their sadness and anger. Authorities are under scrutiny for their swift action in this case, while local disappearances often go unsolved. The trio, all in their 30s and based in San Diego, failed to check into their Airbnb in Rosarito, sparking concerns about their safety. The State Attorney General, MarÃa Elena Andrade, reported that three individuals are under investigation, with one woman already detained for possessing a phone linked to the missing men. Evidence and tents have been discovered near Santo Tomás, where the group was last seen. Efforts included a land and sea search, with assistance from the Mexican Navy and coordination with the FBI and consulate officials from the U.S. and Australia. (With information from Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune.)
Displaced Persons Win Legal Protection for Safe Return to Their Community in Sierra Tarahumara
Oscar Rosales, Raichali.- Displaced individuals from the Sierra Tarahumara in Chihuahua, Mexico, along with supporting NGOs, have secured a legal victory through a protective amparo that mandates enforcing a previously promised protection plan for their community, Coloradas de la Virgen. The judicial ruling, resisted by four authorities—three federal and one state—demands action to provide humanitarian assistance and curb the mass displacement. Initiated in August 2023 due to unfulfilled promises from a protection plan dated November 2022, the amparo aims to secure a safe return for the community members. Despite ongoing challenges in implementation and opposition from several governmental bodies, the community and their legal representatives continue to push for immediate compliance to ensure their safe and dignified return to their homes.
Border Sewage Crisis: Fixing Treatment Plant Key to Tackling Pollution in Tijuana River. Interview with Maria-Elena Giner, Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).
Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune- IBWC is working to resolve the long-standing sewage crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. The IBWC manages water pollution in the Tijuana River and southern San Diego County, but its U.S. section has faced funding and operational challenges. The aging South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant has been discharging partially treated wastewater due to equipment failures and increased intake from Mexico. Giner outlined the agency’s constraints, including its classification under the State Department, which limits its access to domestic funding. Despite budget increases, the IBWC needs nearly $1 billion to repair and expand the treatment plant. Giner has prioritized safety, addressed staffing issues, and initiated an asset management system to improve the agency's effectiveness. The IBWC seeks additional funding to double the plant’s capacity and tackle other critical projects.
San Diego County Advances Long-Term Migrant Center Plan with Federal Funding"
Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune.- San Diego County is moving forward with plans to establish a long-term transfer center and respite shelter for migrants after securing a $19.6 million grant from FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program. This decision follows a vote by the County Board of Supervisors, with a majority favoring the initiative amid ongoing migrant arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border. The funding aims to address the discontinuation of a temporary migrant center that was shut down due to financial constraints, which led to the daily release of migrants at a local transportation center. The county, which had been releasing migrants onto the streets since the temporary center’s closure, sees this new funding as a crucial step in managing the situation more sustainably. Plans to collaborate with community-based organizations are underway to ensure that the services provided meet the needs of the migrants effectively.