Uvalde Victims' Families Sue Meta, Game Maker Over School Shooting Influence
This is a summary of the top news at the U.S. - Mexico border
Families of Uvalde shooting victims suing gun manufacturer, Instagram, video game company
By Pooja Salhotra and Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune.- Families affected by the Uvalde school shooting have filed lawsuits against gun manufacturer Daniel Defense, Meta (parent company of Instagram), and video game publisher Activision. They claim these companies marketed to the underage gunman, facilitating his access to an AR-15-style rifle and influencing his actions. The lawsuits, filed in Texas and California, argue these firms played roles in the tragic event that left 19 children and two teachers dead, demanding accountability for their marketing strategies. Lawyers allege the shooter was targeted by aggressive advertising that glamorized violence and weaponry, contributing to the deadly outcome of the attack.
U.S. Extradites Notorious Sinaloa Cartel Assassin to Face Charges
The Associated Press, Washington.- Néstor Isidro Pérez Salas, a high-ranking assassin for the Sinaloa cartel known as “El Nini,” has been extradited from Mexico to the United States to face serious charges, including drug trafficking, gun crimes, and witness retaliation. Pérez Salas, allegedly a key security leader for the sons of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, was involved in the cartel's fentanyl distribution operations to the U.S. His arrest last November in Culiacan, Sinaloa, was part of a broader U.S. crackdown on drug lords, highlighted by a $3 million DEA reward for his capture. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland underscored Pérez Salas's role in violent crimes against cartel rivals and witnesses. President Joe Biden acknowledged the cooperation of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in the extradition, emphasizing ongoing bilateral efforts to combat the synthetic drug epidemic.
Ex-Border Patrol Agent Sentenced for Bribery and Drug Trafficking
Summary: By Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune Former Border Patrol agent Hector Hernandez was sentenced to over seven years in prison for accepting bribes to smuggle drugs and people across the U.S.-Mexico border. The 56-year-old admitted to several instances of misconduct, including opening a border gate for what he believed were undocumented migrants and transporting drugs in his agency vehicle while on duty. The sentencing in San Diego highlighted his breach of trust, with the judge condemning his actions as a betrayal of the agency and the nation. Hernandez's case came to light after an informant's tip led to a sting operation where he was caught transporting a duffel bag filled with drugs. The investigation also revealed Hernandez's struggles with cocaine addiction and financial difficulties, which he claimed led him to commit these crimes.
Violence Mars Mexico's Elections: 36 Candidates and 14 Relatives Killed in a Year
Summary: By Emiliano Rodríguez Mega & Simon Romero, The New York Times In Mexico's most violent election cycle, 36 candidates have been assassinated since last summer. The murders, including that of mayoral candidate Gisela Gaytán in Celaya, highlight the dangerous influence of cartels in local politics. Cartels are targeting candidates and their families, compromising the safety and integrity of the electoral process. The situation is particularly severe in states like Guanajuato, where Gaytán was killed. The Mexican government, under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, faces criticism for its inadequate response to the escalating violence, which threatens the very foundation of the country's democratic system.
Samuel García Claims Tax Credits from Property Gifts; SAT Records Show No Evidence
Summary: By Daniel Reyes, Monterrey, México Governor Samuel García claimed that Grupo Gentor gifted him a 17.6-hectare property in an exclusive area of Nuevo León as payment for saving the company over 20 billion pesos in fiscal credits through his law firm. However, records from Mexico's Tax Administration Service (SAT) and the Federal Court of Administrative Justice show no trace of such tax credits or fiscal demands made to Grupo Gentor. The lack of public records supporting García's claims raises questions among tax experts regarding the transparency and legitimacy of the transactions. This controversy follows previous disclosures about García's acquisitions of luxury properties, allegedly gifted by Grupo Gentor. These have significantly boosted his and his father’s company's revenues since his political career began.
ACLU Report Criticizes $11 Billion Spent on Low-Level Arrests by Operation Lone Star
Steve Clark, Brownsville Herald.- Operation Lone Star, initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2021 with a budget of $11.2 billion, has been primarily used for making low-level misdemeanor arrests, claims a new ACLU report. This initiative, intended to enhance border security by deterring illegal crossings and drug trafficking, has instead focused on minor offenses like trespassing, which constitute nearly 70% of the cases processed. Surprisingly, U.S. citizens and nationals, not migrants, make up about 75% of all proceedings related to more severe charges such as weapons offenses and drug trafficking. The ACLU highlights this discrepancy as evidence of racial profiling and ineffective use of substantial state funds, suggesting that the funds could be better allocated to community infrastructure and border management improvements.
Senate GOP Blocks U.S. Border Security Bill Amid Political Standoff
The Associated Press.- In Washington, Senate Republicans once again halted a bill to tighten asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the GOP for its continued resistance to the bipartisan proposal, which had previously been linked to foreign aid funding. This rejection comes as immigration remains a critical issue in this year's elections, with Democrats attempting to counter Republican critiques led by Donald Trump. The bill, seen as a measure to address border security concerns, failed to advance in the Senate, highlighting the political divisions ahead of the upcoming legislative focus on reproductive rights.
Pastors Group Urges Removal of 'Inappropriate' Books from Valley Schools Under New Law
Fernando Del Valle, The McAllen’s Monitor.- In Harlingen, Texas, a pastors' group led by Pastor Luis Cabrera of Latino Faith and Remnant Alliance demands that several Rio Grande Valley school districts remove books they deem inappropriate. The group, citing a new state law, House Bill 900, threatens legal action if their demands are unmet. The list includes around 600 titles that allegedly contain graphic sexual content. So far, Cabrera claims success in Harlingen and Brownsville, where school boards have begun evaluating and potentially removing the books. The pastors argue that the material harms children's moral and psychological development, a stance that has stirred significant controversy and debate about censorship and educational freedom in the community.