Wednesday Mar 4, 2026

When Talks Stall ...

2 GOOD MORNING

The San Juan Daily Star, the only paper with News Service in English in Puerto Rico, publishes 7 days a week, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday edition, along with a Weekend Edition to cover Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Dignity Project assails amendments to Electoral Code Reform

By THE STAR STAFF

The Dignity Project (Proyecto Dignida) on Tuesday expressed its extreme concern at the adoption of the recent amendments to the Electoral Code Reform of Puerto Rico, particularly those related to voting by mail and early voting mechanisms.

The group warned that the amendments, far from strengthening public trust, amplify vulnerabilities in a system that has already been the subject of multiple accusations for lack of rigorous controls and effective supervision.

“The rules of the electoral process cannot modify themselves with their backs turned to the legitimate demand for transparency of the people,” Dignity Project President Nilda Pérez Martínez said. “Any reform must strengthen the security of

the vote, not weaken it.”

The political party announced that it has sent an official communication to Gov. Jenniffer González Colón requesting her attention to vulnerabilities that persist in voting by mail. A letter of similar intent was sent to U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), to examine the situation of Puerto Rico within the framework of the federal discussion on electoral integrity.

The party stressed that the legislative reform in Puerto Rico is not consistent with HR 7296, recently approved in the U.S. House of Representatives, which establishes significant restrictions on voting by mail as a measure to strengthen electoral integrity. Dignity Project anticipates that the federal legislation will be considered and eventually passed in the Senate, also applying to Puerto Rico as a federal jurisdiction.

New solar system strengthens community kitchen in Ponce

By THE STAR STAFF

n a collaborative effort to strengthen community resilience in southern Puerto Rico, the nonprofit organization

Empowered by Light has partnered with El Pesebre Inc., Planet Solar and the New Jersey Commission for Puerto Rico (attached to the New Jersey Department of State) to install a solar power and battery storage system in El Pesebre’s (Nativity Scene) communal dining room and kitchen, located in Ponce’s Cantera community.

The installation was made possible by a $25,000 grant from the New Jersey commission, a donation from Planet Solar -- which also designed and installed the system -- and contributions from individual donors.

El Pesebre Inc. is a vital organization serving the Cantera community and surrounding areas in Ponce. From its facilities, the organization operates a family shelter that can house up to 250 people, provides support trained in search and rescue during emergencies, and offers classes and community workshops. Its communal kitchen plays a central role in the disaster response efforts, providing food to 18 communities in times of crisis.

During the 2020 earthquakes, El Pesebre sheltered 475 people under tents while continuing to prepare and distribute food. After the passage of Hurricane Fiona, the organization served some 1,500 plates of food daily. Electricity is essential for El Pesebre to continue helping its community in times of need; however, network instability has made it increasingly difficult to prepare and store food safely during emergencies.

With the installation of a 6-kilowatt solar photovoltaic

system along with 19.9 kilowatt-hours of battery storage, the kitchen at El Pesebre now can operate during blackouts and grid failures caused by disasters or the current fragility of the island’s electrical infrastructure. The system will power essential kitchen equipment, refrigeration and lighting, ensuring that meals continue to be prepared and served when it is most needed.

“We are grateful to the State of New Jersey for its generous donation, which allowed us to strengthen the capacity of El Pesebre to support families during crises,” said Moira Hanes, CEO and co-founder of Empowered by Light. “Renewable and reliable energy is the solution to improve both the resilience and sustainability of the communities across the island.”

With the installation of a 6-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system along with 19.9 kilowatt-hours of battery storage, the kitchen at El Pesebre now can operate during blackouts and grid failures caused by disasters or the current fragility of the island’s electrical infrastructure.

PRASA workers to go on midweek stoppage over salary hikes

By THE STAR STAFF

The Authentic Independent Union (UIA by its initials in Spanish), which rep resents employees of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), announced Tuesday that its members will halt work today and Thursday after failing to secure a long‑sought salary increase.

UIA representative Iván Vargas Muñiz said the stoppage comes in response to what the union describes as PRASA’s refusal to negotiate despite instructions from the Fi nancial Oversight and Management Board.

“We will be paralyzing work between Wednesday and Thursday after not receiv ing the salary increase,” Vargas Muñiz said, emphasizing that PRASA “does not want to negotiate with the union, even though the Board requires it.”

He noted that the situation particularly affects older workers who, he says, “do not receive benefits,” while other employees earn very little.

of avoiding negotiations. A 2024 report by Es Noticia PR, for example, detailed internal conflicts within the UIA related to negotiations over incentives and the agen cy’s Classification and Retribution Plan, illustrating broader discontent with stalled or limited progress at the bargaining table.

Similarly, media reports have high lighted repeated labor actions, including protests, work stoppages and disagreements over wage adjustments. Those incidents reflect long-standing tensions, with em ployees pushing for better pay and work ing conditions while PRASA officials and union leaders struggle to reach durable agreements.

With this week’s announced stoppage, union leaders insist they are taking action only after exhausting dialogue channels.

demonstrated our openness to dialogue and mediation,” González Delgado said in a written statement. “Just this morning, representatives from the Authority partic ipated in a meeting with the UIA, along with a mediator from the Department of Labor and Human Resources, to advance the negotiations, but the Union did not respond favorably.”

The PRASA chief said he will personally meet with the UIA leadership on Thursday at authority headquarters to hear their de mands and discuss the issues raised. He noted that the meeting demonstrates the agency’s willingness to engage in dialogue.

The dispute comes amid a history of tense labor relations between the union and the public corporation. In recent years, UIA members have staged demonstrations, filed complaints, and accused PRASA leadership

“But on top of that, the changes apply to everyone those who receive and those who do not receive salary adjustments,” he added.

Later on Tuesday, PRASA Executive President Luis González Delgado rejected the strike called by the UIA and defended the dialogue process regarding the classi fication and compensation plan.

“We don’t understand the reason for the strike call when we have repeatedly

Regarding the classification and com pensation plan, González Delgado said it is a technical and administrative process requiring structured analysis, compliance with applicable regulations, and formal validations. He added that the plan, which has already taken effect for a group of em ployees, was discussed and approved with the previous UIA board and subsequently evaluated and approved by PRASA’s gov erning board and the oversight board.

Ports to file notices to charge passenger facility fees for airport project financing

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) is filing

multiple notices of intent (NOIs) with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose and use passenger facility charges (PFCs) to fund infrastructure projects in several airports.

PFCs in Puerto Rico vary by airport, but major com mercial hubs currently charge the federal maximum of $4.50 per flight segment, according to the FAA. The fees are integrated into the airline ticket price and used for

airport improvements such as safety, security and capac ity projects. The PRPA intends to seek the $4.50 fee and will not exempt any carrier from collecting it.

The fee will help pay for major improvements in air ports such as the Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport in Culebra, Eugenio María de Hostos Airport in Mayagüez and Mercedita Airport in Ponce.

At Rafael Hernández Airport one of Puerto Rico’s busiest regional airports and a major commercial and cargo hub PRPA is proposing to impose and use

$7.125 million in PFC revenue to support three initia tives, most notably the reconstruction and relocation of Runway 8 26.

The new 11,000 by 150 foot runway will be built south of the existing alignment and designed to accom modate large aircraft, including the Boeing 747 400. Engineering assessments conducted in 2016 rated much of the existing runway pavement as “very poor”, confirm ing the need for full reconstruction.

The project will be phased to maintain continuous airport operations during construction.

Governor has not agreed to reduction of promised tax relief checks

By THE STAR STAFF

Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano asserted Tues day that the government has not agreed to reduce the proposed tax relief checks promised by Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, emphasizing that discussions with the Financial Oversight and Management Board are ongoing. Peña Payano said certain comments from the governor were made in response to a general inquiry about potential fiscal scenarios, rather than an indication of any official modification to the proposal. He said the governor’s fis

cal team comprising AAFAF, the Treasury Department, and the Office of Management and Budget -- remains in continuous communication with the oversight board.

The La Fortaleza official referenced a recent letter from the oversight board as evidence of an active exchange of information and negotiations. Peña Payano pointed out that during last week’s oversight board meeting, members reiterated that dialogue with the administration continues, even as discrepancies over fiscal projections persist. He reaffirmed that the government’s priority is to ensure the relief begins after April 15, once the current tax cycle

concludes, in accordance with the governor’s public commitment.

Peña Payano described the current process as a standard component of the broader legislative review that has taken place since the establishment of the federally mandated oversight board. He emphasized that once new laws are approved and signed, exchanges of data and evaluation between the board and government fiscal officials routinely follow. In this case, he added, public attention has intensi fied because the discussions involve a highly anticipated tax relief measure.

By THE STAR STAFF

District 14 (Arecibo and Hatillo) Rep. Edgar Robles Rivera expressed serious concern Tuesday regarding what he said was the severe administrative instability and improvisation plaguing the Northern Region of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), which between Feb. 25 and March 3, has unexpectedly experienced three changes in its leadership.

The situation is occurring while the towns in the region face numerous complaints about delays in new water connections, constant service interruptions, and leaks reported in various sectors, disrupting life for thousands of customers and numerous families who depend on the service for their homes, businesses and schools.

“What’s happening is not normal. We can’t have constant turnover in such a sensitive region, since it depends on filtration plants that are not easy to operate,” said Robles Rivera, who chairs the Consumer Affairs Committee in the lower chamber. “While our families face prolonged water outages and leaks everywhere, the PRASA administration keeps passing the buck. How is it possible that the Northern Region has had three changes in leadership in less than three weeks and, to this day, still doesn’t have a real work plan? Administrative stability is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

The legislator recalled that, after the withdrawal of an appointment, no official information was initially offered, and that, later, the towns of the Northern Region learned through a press release that a new executive director for the Northern Region was being

evaluated. Furthermore, the person who was directing operations in the area that directly impacts Arecibo was moved to another region, once again leaving the administrative structure serving the towns of the region in uncertainty.

“We are not against the appointments,” the lawmaker said. “What we demand is clarity, stability, and a concrete plan. You can’t improvise in a region that manages critical infrastructure, thousands of subscribers, and multiple active operational situations. The public needs immediate answers and solutions, not more improvised changes that only generate delays and frustration.”

“Where do they get the idea that to stabilize one region you have to destabilize another?” Robles Rivera asked. “What is the short- and long-term plan to resolve the current situations in the Northern Region?”

FICPRO: Contributions of long-term care centers often go unrecognized Lawmaker: Administrative instability in PRASA’s Northern Region is ‘not a luxury’

By THE STAR STAFF

“Long-term care facilities in Puerto Rico are not a problem. They are part of the solution for thousands of families in Puerto Rico who need a safe and dignified place for their elderly relatives,” stated Jonathan Morales Adorno, president of the Federation of Long-Term Care Institutions (FICPRO by its acronym in Spanish).

Morales Adorno’s remarks came in response to a resolution filed in the island House of Representatives to investigate the cost structure and fees imposed by daycare centers and long-term care facilities in Puerto Rico.

“Before discussing exorbitant rates, it’s important to recognize that households are sus-

taining a system that the government itself has often neglected,” Morales Adorno said. “We are addressing the neglect and lack of protection for senior citizens in Puerto Rico.”

He reiterated that FICPRO favors transparency and dialogue and is available to participate in any legislative process or public hearing, provided that all parties are heard and the full reality of the long-term care system is analyzed.

“For years, long-term care homes have assumed a responsibility that the state itself has often failed to meet,” Morales Adorno said. “They have been the answer to abandonment, lack of family support, and the vulnerability of thousands of senior citizens. We solve a social problem every day, but unfortunately, we are often singled out without

recognition of the essential service we provide.”

The FICPRO president noted that long-term care homes provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including full board; continuous supervision; medication administration; assistance with daily activities; care for bedridden residents or those with chronic conditions; security; maintenance; and regulatory compliance. Providers include nurses, therapists, caregivers, cooks, maintenance staff, physicians, and security personnel, among many other roles, he said.

Morales Adorno stressed that long-term care centers routinely “step in” when “a family can no longer care for their elderly relative or when someone is abandoned.”

“This includes providing clothing and es-

Company challenges fuel supply contract award

By THE STAR STAFF

Novum Energy Trading Inc. has filed a petition for certiorari with the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the award of Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 236096.

The procurement process, conducted by Genera PR LLC on behalf of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), resulted in a contract valued at roughly $1 billion for the supply of some 12 million barrels of No. 6 fuel

oil to the island’s San Juan, Palo Seco, Aguirre and Costa Sur power plants.

The company asserts that its bid -- priced at $2.67 per barrel -- was significantly more competitive than the $4.75-per-barrel proposal submitted by Puerto Rico Energy LLC (PRE), the firm selected for the contract. According to Novum, the price disparity represents an estimated $12 million additional cost to Puerto Rico’s public funds.

In its petition, Novum argues that the award process was marred by procedural and

substantive irregularities. The company contends that the award notification issued by Genera PR was defective and lacked the information required for the company to file a meaningful request for reconsideration.

Novum also states that the contract with PRE was executed while its reconsideration request was still pending, a move it says violated proper procedural norms.

Additionally, the company challenges what it describes as inconsistencies and contradictions in the technical evaluation phase,

sential items without receiving payment from the government or their families,” he said. “However, the government rarely takes into account the effort, the real costs, and the responsibility we assume.”

noting discrepancies when compared with earlier assessments. Novum further objects to what it characterizes as efforts to enforce advance waivers of judicial remedies -- provisions it argues are contrary to public policy and undermine transparency in public contracting. The company emphasized that its decision to seek Supreme Court review is grounded not only in the protection of its rights as a bidder, but also in the broader interest of ensuring fairness, equal treatment, and objectivity in Puerto Rico’s public procurement system. In its filing, Novum is asking the court to overturn the award to PRE, invalidate the executed contract, and order a new competitive process in which all proponents are evaluated under equal conditions.

The San Juan Daily Star Wednesday, March 4, 2026 5

In plunging into a Mideast conflict, Trump gambles his presidency

By TYLER PAGER

Six American service members were killed, and U.S. military jets were shot out of the sky. Investors are bracing for market turmoil, fearing prolonged disruption to oil supplies. President Donald Trump said the military campaign against Iran could extend for weeks, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that “the hardest hits are yet to come from the U.S. military.”

With his decision Friday to authorize war against Iran, Trump is taking the biggest gamble of his presidency, risking the lives of American troops, more deaths and instability in the world’s most volatile region, and his own political standing.

Trump, facing declining approval ratings and staring down the possibility that Republicans will lose control of Congress in the midterms, plunged the United States into what is shaping up to be its most expansive military conflict since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In just over a year since taking office, Trump has authorized military action in seven nations, even after he repeatedly promised American voters that he would end, not start, wars. During his inaugural address, he said his “proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker.”

Even as he has struggled to provide a clear endgame for the military campaign, Trump has portrayed the operation as a resounding success. He has acknowledged the U.S. casualties as a cost of war but has spent more effort on boasting about the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, the destruction of military targets across the country, and his commitment to keeping Iran from ever being able to produce a nuclear weapon.

But interventions in the Middle East have bedeviled generations of American presidents. Conflicts there scarred the legacies of Presidents George W. Bush, who led the country into lengthy wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that came to be deeply unpopular, and Jimmy Carter, whose failed operation in 1980 to rescue U.S. hostages in Iran has been top of mind for Trump.

Now it is Trump who is orchestrating a rapidly expanding military effort in a region whose history and religious and factional politics make it an especially complex battleground.

“Presidents are reluctant to engage in these situations unless we are provoked, attacked directly,” said Barbara Perry, a presidential historian at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. “Then there is usually a rally around the flag effect. You’re not going to have that now.”

While a handful of prominent voices in his movement have publicly denounced the decision to go to war, Trump’s base appears to be standing by him, for now. Still, some

of the president’s allies privately worry that there is little political upside to the attacks on Iran and huge downsides, particularly the loss of U.S. troops and rising cost of oil.

Democrats have seized on the strikes to paint Trump as more focused in foreign intervention than addressing Americans’ economic worries at home.

“Trump sold voters on a ‘pro-peace’ vision of himself as an America First candidate, yet in under 13 months, he has ordered strikes on seven foreign nations and plunged our country into more open-ended conflict using taxpayer dollars,” Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement. “While he’s distracted by foreign conflicts and shiny ballrooms, Trump has failed to deliver on his promise to bring costs down for working families, who are paying more every day because of Trump’s actions.”

Early polling after the attacks show most voters are not in favor of them. A CNN poll found 59% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s decision to launch strikes against Iran, and Reuters-Ipsos poll found that only 27% of Americans approve of the military campaign.

Should the conflict go badly or Iran descend into turmoil, it could leave Republican candidates in the midterm elections faced with difficult choices about whether to distance themselves from Trump on the issue.

And the war poses challenging questions for those looking to lead the party in the future, complicating the “America First” ideology at the core of the movement.

Still, Matthew Boyle, the Washington bureau chief of Breitbart News, said he received almost no questions or comments from listeners during his weekly three-hour

radio program Saturday, hours after the strikes. The program, he said, provides a good window into the issues animating Trump’s base.

Boyle said he discussed the war extensively and played Trump’s early morning video announcing the attacks. Listeners, he said, were more interested in other topics. He said that was a stark contrast to the program he hosted after the United States captured Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, a topic many listeners wanted to discuss.

This time, he said listeners were much more interested in the economy, immigration and crime. But he warned that could change depending on how the operation unfolds.

“It all comes down to the results,” he said.

Sensing some of the fractures among Trump’s base, the White House on Monday started to respond directly to criticism on the right. Matt Walsh, a conservative commentator and a prominent voice among Trump’s supporters, posted on social media that Trump’s messaging on the U.S. objectives in Iran “is, to put it mildly, confused.”

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, responded to Walsh with a lengthy statement. She declared Trump put out “clear objectives” that would bring the end to Iran’s “brutal attacks and threats.”

Walsh seemed less than satisfied.

“This operation seemed like a bad idea to me before it happened, and I said so,” he wrote after Leavitt’s response. “Now that it is happening, I’m not going to suddenly change my tune. It still seems like a bad idea to me. I hope I’m wrong. But that’s how I see it.”

The Iran strikes are far from the first time that the president has tested his base’s capacity to support actions that violate his campaign promise to stay out of foreign conflicts. When he faced questions over whether his supporters would protest after U.S. forces attacked Venezuela, Trump had a succinct reply.

Andeno Co

Tasa mínima, promedio ponderado, y máxima para préstamos personales pequeños otorgados para la semana que terminó el sábado, 28 de febrero de 2026

Supreme Court sides with religious parents, blocking California’s trans student policy

By ANN E. MARIMOW

The Supreme Court on Monday sided with a group of religious parents, temporarily blocking California from using policies that generally bar public-school teachers from outing transgender students to their parents.

A group of Christian teachers and parents asked the justices to intervene on an emergency basis, contending that the state had adopted a policy that requires public schools to hide students’ transgender status from their own parents and to facilitate their social transition, even over their parents’ objections.

California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, countered that the challengers had misconstrued state law and policy. He told the court in a filing that California’s policies did not prohibit the disclosure of information about students’ gender identities, and in some cases required disclosure when there was a risk of serious harm to the student.

But for many students, he wrote, “the consequences of compelling the disclosure of confidential information about their gender identity would be irreversible.”

In its order Monday, the court’s conservative majority granted the emergency request of the parents with religious objections, saying they were likely to succeed in their legal challenge to California’s policies. As a result, the justices said the rules could not remain in place while litigation continued.

The parents have “sincere religious beliefs about sex and gender, and they feel a religious obligation to raise their children in accordance with those beliefs,” according to the unsigned order. California’s policies, the majority added, “violate those beliefs” and impose a burden on the parents’ religious rights.

In addition, the majority said that a broader set of parents beyond those with religious objections have a separate right to “not be shut out of participation in decisions regarding their children’s mental health” and that the state’s policies most likely violate their rights to direct the upbringing of their children.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented. Justice Elena Kagan criticized her conservative colleagues for being hasty, essentially prejudging a significant issue on an emergency basis and without full briefing or oral arguments. The court also acted before the appeals court had

formally resolved the matter.

“The court is impatient: It already knows what it thinks, and insists on getting everything over quickly,” Kagan wrote. She adding that the majority could not claim “that thought and care are not needed” in a case involving thorny legal questions.

“If nothing else, this court owes it to a sovereign state to avoid throwing over its policies in a slapdash way,” she wrote.

Three of the justices in the majority pushed back on the dissent, insisting the temporary order is “not a sign of the court’s ‘impatience.’”

Instead, they wrote, the order reflects the risk of harm if parents are excluded from “participating in consequential decisions about their children’s health and well-being.” The concurrence was written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

The case involves the rights of parents to information about their public-school children and the privacy interests of students. The order comes as the justices have for weeks been considering at a series of private conferences whether to review similar claims in cases from Massachusetts and Florida.

The justices have not yet announced whether they will hear the cases. But the court has turned away other related cases, with several conservative justices expressing an interest in considering the issue.

In the California schools matter, parents and teachers sued in 2024, challenging a set of state laws and policies that they said violated their rights to free speech and the free exercise of religion. Monday’s order grants relief only to parents, but the effect of the ruling is to block the

state’s policies while the case plays out in the lower courts.

Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, which is helping to represent the parents, said in a statement that the court’s “groundbreaking ruling will protect parents’ rights to raise their children as they see fit for years to come.”

The California attorney general’s office called the ruling a disappointment.

“We remain committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming school environment for all students while respecting the crucial role parents play in students’ lives,” the office said in a statement.

The policies, the opponents said in court filings, violate the due process rights of parents by requiring teachers to get the consent of students before disclosing their transgender status or that they have begun to use pronouns at school that do not match their birth certificates.

There is deep disagreement over what the California Constitution and state law actually require. In January 2025 the state’s Legislature passed a law prohibiting policies that require school employees to disclose the sexual orientation or gender identity of students without their consent.

In court filings, the attorney general’s office has taken the position that policies requiring disclosure — rather than allowing it at times — are a form of sex discrimination because school employees would be required to notify parents when a student identifies as transgender, but not when a student identifies as cisgender. Instead, the state backs policies that encourage students to inform their parents and provide counseling and support for those discussions.

In December, a U.S. District Court judge in Southern California barred state school officials from keeping information from parents and from abiding by a student’s request to be addressed by a particular name or pronouns over the objection of a parent.

The judge, Roger T. Benitez, relied in part on a Supreme Court decision last year in the case Mahmoud v. Taylor in holding that parents have the right to be told before a school socially transitions their child and to opt out of the process. In last year’s case, the court sided with religious parents who wanted to withdraw their young children from class sessions with LGBTQ+-themed story books.

The judge in California acknowledged the state’s interest in protecting vulnerable children from harassment and discrimination, but said the state’s “parental exclusion policies” were harmful to parents, teachers and the children.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put Benitez’s order on hold, finding it overly broad because it covered every parent of millions of students and every public-school employee. The panel said the judge misread the state’s policy, which “does not categorically forbid disclosure of information about students’ gender identities.”

Trump and Netanyahu are doing the free world a favor

By BRET STEPHENS

President Donald Trump is being criticized from many quarters for his decision to join Israel in a war to topple the Iranian regime, which Saturday yielded the killing of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The reasons vary.

It’s “a betrayal of the American people,” says Elizabeth Warren, who warns that the intervention risks dragging “yet another generation into a forever war.” It’s a betrayal of MAGA principles, says Marjorie Taylor Greene, who denounced Trump for putting “America last.” It’s unconstitutional, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, because it’s being conducted without authorization from Congress. It’s unnecessary, according to writer Andrew Sullivan, who (quoting me, albeit misleadingly) thinks that Iran isn’t much of a threat and the war is being waged for Israel’s sake.

And so on. But one country where the United States and Israel are garnering broad support is the same country that’s being bombed.

“Everyone is joyful; it is one of the best days of probably 95% of Iranians’ lives,” one Iranian resident of the city of Karaj told The Wall Street Journal about Khamenei’s death. “We bolted outside and shouted from the top of our lungs and laughed and danced with our neighbors,” a woman in Tehran named Sara told The New York Times. A doctor who lost his son when Iran’s Revolutionary Guard mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane in 2020 wrote on social media, “We will endure the winter, spring is near.” In the city of Shiraz, videos showed people “joined to-

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gether in a cheer that is typically reserved for weddings, symbolizing pure joy.”

It is also true that scores of civilians have been killed, and there was public mourning for Khamenei. But those mourners didn’t have to emerge under the threat of the regime’s guns.

There was a time when American hearts could be moved by moments like these — when free nations, having endured years of provocations and attacks from tyrants, band together to administer justice and supply hope. We’re a different country now, less naive but considerably more pessimistic and cynical, and thus likelier to ask: What’s in it for us?

Let me try to answer that question.

First, it’s a mistake to say that Trump got America into war Saturday. What he did was respond to a war that Iran has been waging against the United States since 1979.

It waged war when it seized our embassy in 1979, murdered (via proxy) hundreds of our service members in Beirut in 1983 and supplied the IEDs, or roadside bombs, that killed or maimed more than 1,000 of our troops during the war in Iraq. It waged war when it sought to assassinate former senior U.S. officials, including John Bolton, Mike Pompeo and, according to a 2024 report in Politico, Trump himself. One reason Iran behaved as it did is because it drew the lesson that it would pay no great price. No more.

Second, Tehran had an opportunity to change course in June, after its 12-day pummeling by Israel and an overnight strike by the United States. Instead, it set out to begin reconstituting its nuclear capabilities while rapidly rebuilding the missile force that is now terrorizing civilians in Tel Aviv, Israel; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Manama, Bahrain; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and targeting U.S. military assets in the region.

Would the United States, the Arab world or Israel have been safer if we had waited a year or two for Iran to build several thousand more missiles? Or after Russia had supplied the regime with thousands of advanced shoulder-fired air defense missiles, as The Financial Times reported last week that it had agreed to do?

Third, Iran does not exist in a geopolitical vacuum: With Russia and China, it is a core member of the axis of autocracies that threaten the democratic world broadly.

The same liberals who fault Trump for not vigorously opposing Vladimir Putin should at least consider that it’s Tehran that has given Russia the drones and drone technology that have destroyed so much of Ukraine. And the same conservatives who fault Trump for diverting military resources away from the Pacific for the war in Iran should also note that Iran covertly supplies China with much of its oil as part of a promised 25year, $400 billion strategic partnership. If Tehran falls out of the axis, our remaining adversaries can only be weaker.

Fourth, it is impossible to imagine anything like Mideast peace without the end of this regime.

It isn’t simply that Iran has been the principal backer of the so-called axis of resistance that includes every terrorist group that sought to wipe Israel off the map. It’s also that no Israeli government will ever agree to a Palestinian state that could fall into Iran’s orbit. Paradoxically, the government

A man holds a portrait of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as people mourn his killing at a rally in Tehran, Iran, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, a day after he was killed in coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. (Arash Khamooshi/ The New York Times)

of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face a much tougher time fending off international pressure for Palestinian statehood if the Tehran regime falls and Saudi Arabia offers peace with Israel.

Fifth, even if the United States and Israel don’t force regime change in Iran, they can achieve strategically significant goals.

The United States is stronger when anti-American dictators have solid reasons to fear our wrath: It restores deterrence and, in doing so, makes diplomacy more effective. Israel and the Arab world are safer when Iran is weaker: Notice that, at least so far, Hezbollah, fearing for its position in Lebanon, has not joined the war against Israel. Finally, even if the regime doesn’t fall, it will be under heavy internal pressure to modify its behavior as a pragmatic concession to reality, much as Venezuela has under Delcy Rodríguez, its (hopefully) interim president.

That may not be the optimal outcome. But it’s considerably better than what came before.

Finally, the United States and Israel have taken considerable military and political risks to do the right thing. And that’s no small thing.

They have rid the world of an odious tyrant and of several layers of his equally odious deputies. It’s odd that the same people who fault Trump for divorcing U.S. foreign policy from its democratic values now fault him for going to war for the sake of advancing democratic values. Still, millions of ordinary people around the world — not just in Tel Aviv or Tehran or Tehrangeles but also, perhaps, in Taipei and Tallinn — will notice that the United States, for its many warts, still stands for freedom.

My column has never been shy about denouncing either Trump or Netanyahu. It won’t be shy to criticize them in the future. But Saturday this much-maligned duo did the free world a courageous and historic favor. It will be remembered long after the petulant criticism dies down.

DACO intensifica inspecciones ante alza leve en gasolina

POR CYBERNEWS

SAN JUAN – El secretario del Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor, Hiram Torres Montalvo, informó el martes que la agencia intensificó las inspecciones en estaciones de gasolina tras registrarse una leve alza en el precio del combustible en medio de la situación en el Medio Oriente.

“La operación militar que nuestra nación, los Estados Unidos, lleva a cabo en el país de Irán ha levantado preocupación sobre posibles aumentos en el precio del litro de la gasolina en Puerto Rico. Ante esto, el DACO activó a los inspectores de hidrocarburos, quienes ya se encuentran en la calle monitoreando el precio en la bomba y realizando requerimientos de información a las gasolineras para garantizar transparencia y cumplimiento con la ley”, dijo Torres Montalvo en declaraciones escritas.

El funcionario confirmó que el miércoles sostendrá una reunión con el presidente de la Asociación de Detallistas de Gasolina, Luis Rafael Guietis, para evaluar el comportamiento del mercado local y reforzar los meca-

nismos de monitoreo y fiscalización.

Torres Montalvo explicó que ordenó la realización de un estudio de mercado para contar con información actualizada sobre el comportamiento de los combustibles en la Isla. Señaló que Puerto Rico recibe su gasolina de los Estados Unidos continentales, particularmente de estados como Texas y Oklahoma.

“En noviembre y diciembre de 2025 se extrajeron aproximadamente 133,000 barriles de petróleo menos por día en esos campos, para un promedio de 13.66 millones de barriles diarios. Esto significa que existe potencial de aumentar significativamente la producción, lo que podría mitigar cualquier efecto directo de lo que ocurre en el Medio Oriente”, expresó.

Indicó además que el barril de West Texas Intermediate cerró recientemente en 71.19 dólares, luego de haber alcanzado un máximo de 76.87 dólares.

Secretario entiende que para la próxima semana puede acabar epidemia de Influenza

POR CYBERNEWS

SAN JUAN – El secretario del Departamento de Salud, Víctor Ramos Otero anunció el martes que, si continúa la baja en los casos de Influenza, se declara el final de la epidemia.

“Lo importante es no bajar la guardia. Si seguimos en este patrón, probablemente la semana que viene, que la cuarta semana podamos decir que sea el final de la epidemia. Pero seguimos con campañas de vacunación. Lo importante es no bajar la guardia. Si seguimos en este patrón, probablemente la semana que viene, que es la cuar-

ta semana, podamos decir que sea el final de la epidemia. Pero seguimos con campañas de vacunación”, dijo el secretario en conferencia de prensa.

Durante la Semana Epidemiológica 7 (15 al 21 de febrero de 2026), se reportaron 1,893 casos nuevos, para un total acumulado de 54,606 casos en la temporada. Aunque la Isla se mantiene bajo el umbral epidémico, el virus continúa circulando con más de 1,800 casos esta semana.

Actualmente, el 48.1por ciento de los casos corresponde a la población pediátrica (0 a 19 años). El porcentaje de hospitalización esta semana fue de 4.1 por ciento.

Se han confirmado 166 muertes asociadas a influenza durante la temporada, incluyendo cuatro muertes añadidas recientemente y cinco bajo investigación.

El secretario destacó que el 94.6 por ciento de las personas fallecidas no tenían vacuna registrada y que el 78.3 por ciento de las defunciones corresponden a personas mayores de 70 años.

De otra parte, Ramos Otero celebró que durante visita del personal del Centro de Control de Enfermedades (CDC) les informaron que la isla en la primera jurisdicción en número de vacunación pediátrica de todo Estados Unidos.

ATI activa plan especial de movilidad para el World Baseball Classic 2026

SAN JUAN – La Autoridad de Transporte Integrado (ATI) anunció que será el transporte oficial del World Baseball Classic 2026, evento internacional que se celebrará en el Estadio Hiram Bithorn del viernes, 6 de marzo al miércoles, 11 de marzo de 2026.

Como parte de una iniciativa colaborativa para apoyar la movilidad de fanáticos, residentes y visitantes, ATI implementará un servicio especial de transporte colectivo que conectará, de manera directa, la Estación Roosevelt del Tren Urbano con el Estadio Hiram Bithorn durante los días del evento.

El servicio especial iniciará operaciones dos (2) horas antes del comienzo de cada juego y se extenderá hasta una (1) hora luego de finalizado cada partido. La ope-

ración será ajustada conforme a la demanda y al calendario oficial del evento, con el propósito de garantizar un traslado eficiente, seguro y accesible para todos los asistentes.

Para asegurar la puntualidad y fluidez del servicio, ATI implementará un plan operacional que incluye un carril dedicado en la Avenida Roosevelt para agilizar el tránsito de las unidades, coordinación con la Policía de Puerto Rico y la habilitación organizada de áreas de espera en la Estación Roosevelt para facilitar el flujo adecuado de pasajeros.

“El World Baseball Classic posiciona a Puerto Rico ante el mundo como sede de grandes eventos deportivos, y en ATI asumimos con responsabilidad el compromiso de garantizar una movilidad organizada, segura y eficiente para nuestra ciudadanía y los miles de visitantes que

llegarán a la Isla”, expresó Josué Menéndez Agosto, director ejecutivo de la Autoridad de Transporte Integrado.

‘Sinners’ and the price of artistic freedom

By SALAMISHAH TILLET

“Sinners” arrived at a time when Hollywood needed it the most.

Amid a maelstrom of videos generated by artificial intelligence, uncertain mergers, budget cutbacks, wildfires and runaway production, studios have become ensnared in the biggest economic crisis they have faced in almost half a century.

In this context, the nearly yearlong success of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” a vampire-themed segregation-era movie, seems even more extraordinary. Arriving last April, it was an immediate box-office hit — its $48 million openingweekend in domestic sales made it the biggest debut for an original film in six years — and a critical darling. Nine months later, it set a record with a historic 16 Oscar nominations, including one for best picture.

Nevertheless, the film’s greatest accomplishment might be more meta: For as much as “Sinners” is about the embattled musical soul of the young bluesman Sammie (Miles Caton), it is really, in terms of plot, aesthetic and film ownership rights, about the pursuit and price of artistic freedom, not just for its characters, but also for moviemaking itself.

The blues are central to that sense of freedom. That Coogler chose to base his emancipatory tale on the sound is not happenstance but an extension of a longer African American literary tradition. Author Ralph Ellison once wrote that the blues were “an impulse to keep the painful details

and episodes of a brutal experience alive in one’s aching consciousness, to finger its jagged grain, and to transcend.” Works by him and many others, including Zora Neale Hurston, Albert Murray, Alice Walker and August Wilson, have all heralded blues singers as the ultimate heroes, using their life stories to reveal, then resist the oppressive conditions of the Jim Crow South.

Opening at a plantation under the sweltering sun in Clarksdale, Mississippi, “Sinners” also begins with the idea of overcoming suffering through the liberatory impulse of the blues. After meeting his cotton-picking quota for the day, Sammie goes to his father’s church to get a guitar, an object that provides a reprieve from his servitude as a sharecropper. “Been working all week, Pop,” he implores the preacher. “Wanna be free of all this for one day.”

As the movie unfolds, Sammie’s songs, as well as the juke joint where he performs — the one owned by his cousins, Smoke and Stack (both played by a remarkable Michael B. Jordan) — enable him to actualize his desire for autonomy even more. Not just for himself, but also for his fellow Black residents of Clarksdale, who gather there and experience camaraderie, ecstasy and release together. This all culminates in the movie’s most breathtaking scene: Sammie, surrounded by a West African griot, a hip-hop DJ and his fellow revelers, shows how Black music has evolved throughout history. Once the white vampires, including a former Klansman, attack the club, and either kill or turn most of its Black patrons into vampires, this sense of relief is destroyed. The impermanence underscores how preca-

rious and meaningful the space was in the first place.

At the end of the movie, a much older Sammie (played by guitarist and singer Buddy Guy) can be found in a blues club decades later in Chicago, where he confesses to Stack, “Before the sun went down, I think that was the best day of my life.” To which his cousin soberly adds, “And just for a few hours, we was free.”

That line stayed with me as I pondered whether that sentiment belonged to Coogler’s characters alone, or if it was extended to us in the audience. Upon its release, the film felt like an antidote to the increased censoring of accounts of racial injustice in the United States, and as a celebration of Black culture at a time when organizations around the country were beginning to dismantle longfought-for diversity initiatives.

Like so many others, I derived pleasure from “Sinners” as sheer entertainment, a seamless blend of science fiction, horror and historical drama filled with Easter eggs that kept us guessing about what we were actually seeing. At the same time, it was a work of art with a sharp racial allegory at its heart. That uncanny combination had audiences spreading the word, ensuring that it was a mustwatch on repeat.

Coogler’s potent deal with Warner Bros. became the talk of Hollywood. Much as the fictional twins’ purchase of the building for their juke joint gave them economic and cultural power typically denied to African Americans at the time, Coogler’s contract gave him unique proprietorship: He negotiated for a percentage of gross ticket sales, final cut and full rights to the movie after 25 years. The setup is a blueprint of sorts for maintaining creative control in perpetuity.

For some Hollywood executives, these terms alone were enough to set off a new panic, even though, as Coogler has pointed out, his negotiation was not without precedent: Quentin Tarantino struck a similar deal in 2017 for “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” and George Lucas, Peter Jackson and Richard Linklater have all negotiated such terms. “I’ve been in the industry long enough to know what kind of deals are possible,” Coogler has said.

Coogler has noted that “Sinners” is his most personal story to date and that it was inspired by his grandfather, whom he never knew, and his uncle, who was born in Mississippi and imparted in Coogler his love for the blues.

In so doing, he also gave Hollywood a new freedom narrative, for just a few hours, and for a lifetime, too.

Stocks

Investors make a dash for cash as Iran crisis upends markets

Cash became king in global ⁠markets ⁠on Tuesday as an escalation in the Middle East ⁠conflict dragged down gold, bonds and stocks synchronously, upending the normal interplay between safe and riskier assets and driving up volatility.

The turnaround in market sentiment, which just a day earlier was premised on a swift end to the conflict, came as Israel attacked Lebanon, and Iran responded with strikes against energy infrastructure in Gulf countries and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s energy passes.

Aside from higher oil prices and the U.S. dollar, most major stock markets, Treasuries and other bonds and even safehaven gold were sold.

“What is ⁠happening is a classic ⁠response to an event that has a lot of uncertainty,” said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Investment Management in Boston.

The decline in gold prices - they were down 4% after being at four-week highs on Monday - showed the indiscriminate nature of the selling, Arone said.

“Oil, and the dollar, are the only two things that people want to own right now,” he said.

Brent crude gained nearly 7%, while the U.S. dollar posted sharp gains, hitting multi-month peaks against the euro, sterling and yen.

Bonds and stocks moved in sync. Wall Street’s main indexes fell more than 2% on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 hitting its lowest in over two months, while the two-year U.S. ⁠Treasury ⁠yield hit 3.599%, its highest since late ⁠January.

Market analysts pointed to a host of factors driving the derisking behaviour, including complacency about the conflict, extreme positioning in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s attacks on Iran, and the hit to bonds from the inflationary impulses higher oil would ⁠generate.

“History tells us that, in periods of stress, the correlation of cross-asset volatility tends towards one,” said George Adcock, head of trading and the deputy portfolio manager of Kohinoor Strategy at 36 South Capital Advisors.

Developments in the Middle East had caused investors to price various outcomes in markets, leading to a spike in volatility and pressure on extended positions in assets such as oil, gold and the dollar, Adcock said.

“During January we observed entrenched negative nar-

tuabogadapr@outlook.com

ratives, extreme positioning and subdued volatility. These factors are now unwinding reflexively that is leading to a significant VAR and correlation ⁠shock across many portfolios,” he said.

A VAR or value-at-risk shock typically occurs when selling is contagious across market sectors, breaking down the inverse ⁠correlations that had diversified risks and protected parts of investor portfolios.

LSEG Lipper data showed global money market funds received $47.9 billion in inflows, the highest since February 17, as investors sought refuge in short-term cash-like instruments.

By contrast, investors reduced exposure to equities, pulling $9.6 billion from U.S.-focused equity funds, while global equity funds witnessed an outflow of $9.1 billion on Monday, the highest in more than two months.

Trump says strikes killed leaders US saw as successors in Iran

By JIM TANKERSLEY, SHAWN McCREESH, ANTON TROIANOVSKI and JOE RENNISON

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that officials the United States had eyed as potential new leaders of Iran had been killed in the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign. As the war in the Middle East widened, he said the worst outcome would be that whoever takes over Iran could be “as bad” as their predecessors.

Speaking to reporters at the start of a White House meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, Trump claimed that Iran had been about to attack its neighbors and Israel, and he made the decision to go to war to preempt that action. Officials with access to U.S. intelligence have said Trump has exaggerated the immediacy of any threat Iran posed to the United States.

When asked about a worst-case scenario for the future of Iran, Trump said that it would probably be “you go through this and in five years you realize you put somebody in who’s no better.”

In a legally mandated notification to Congress sent later Tuesday, Trump said the strikes

on Iran were carried out to protect the homeland and U.S. forces in the region, advance U.S. national interests and “in collective selfdefense of our regional allies, including Israel.” He also said “it is not possible at this time to know the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary.”

The prospect of a widening conflict in the Middle East saw global stock markets tumble and the price of oil surge, sending a shudder through the world economy. With Iran retaliating for ongoing strikes by the U.S. and Israel, the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia warned of imminent drone and rocket attacks in Dhahran, the eastern city that is home to Saudi Aramco, the government-controlled oil producer, threatening to put more pressure on global oil supplies.

More than 800 people have been killed in the conflict across the Middle East since Saturday, when the United States and Israel launched their opening attacks on Iran and killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Here’s what we’re covering:

— Hezbollah attacks: Fighting escalated between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said it

had targeted weapons storage facilities in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, as Hezbollah said it had fired attack drones at Israel. Israel’s advance in southern Lebanon prompted fears that it could be weighing a wider ground assault there.

— Iran succession: Asked who he would like to take over Iran, Trump gave a strikingly blunt answer. “Most of the people we had in mind are dead,” he said. “Now we have another group, they may be dead also, based on reports. So you have a third wave coming. Pretty soon we’re not going to know anybody.”

— U.S. advisory: The State Department urged Americans to depart immediately from 14 Middle Eastern countries. The advisory cited “serious safety risks” and included Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, along with Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Syria, Yemen and the Palestinian territories. The U.S. embassies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait City and Beirut were closed until further notice.

— Death toll: Iran’s Red Crescent Society, the country’s main humanitarian relief organization, said Tuesday that the death toll had risen to 787 since the start of the U.S.-Israeli at-

Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), right, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) confer behind a sheet of paper during testimony from Elbridge Colby, the undersecretary of defense for policy, during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

tacks on Saturday. The Pentagon said six U.S. service members had been killed in the conflict and the Lebanese Health Ministry said at least 31 people had been killed in fighting. In Israel, at least 10 people have been killed, and in the Persian Gulf, there have been six deaths since Saturday, according to authorities.

Israel advances in Lebanon and seizes more land, as Hezbollah fight escalates

By AARON BOXERMAN and CHRISTINA GOLDBAUM

Israel said Tuesday that its military had seized areas of southern Lebanon as part of its escalating conflict with Hezbollah as the Iran-backed armed group fired small volleys of drones at the country in a second day of fighting.

Israeli forces “moved forward and took over strategic areas” in Lebanon while ordering nearby Lebanese towns to evacuate, expanding the Israeli military’s zone of control close to Israel’s northern border, said Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the Israeli military spokesperson.

Israel already controlled five military outposts inside Lebanon, close to the border, from which its forces had refused to withdraw after reaching a ceasefire with Hezbollah in November 2024 following a year of fighting. Defrin said Tuesday that the new advance was intended to better defend Israeli towns near the Lebanese border.

But military analysts said that Israel could

be weighing a wider ground assault in Lebanon similar to the one it launched during the war in 2024.

Hezbollah was badly weakened by that conflict and sat out the 12-day war last year between Israel and Iran, its main patron. But after the U.S.-Israeli military campaign assassinated Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, Hezbollah fired a small number of rockets at Israel, prompting Israeli retaliation.

Analysts say the Hezbollah attack gave Israeli leaders a pretext to escalate their fight against a battered Hezbollah. Although the rockets did not cause casualties, the Israeli military seized the opportunity to press its advantage against a longtime foe.

Israeli forces have launched successive waves of airstrikes across Lebanon, including near the southern edge of the capital, Beirut, a traditional bastion of support for Hezbollah.

At least 52 people have been killed in Lebanon in the attacks since fighting escalated Monday, according to the country’s Health Ministry. The fighting — combined with Israe-

li orders for people in southern Lebanon to evacuate dozens of towns — has also forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.

Nearly 30,000 people in Lebanon have been formally registered at shelters, said Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency. He added that many more were likely sleeping in cars or staying wherever they could.

Many in southern Lebanon have fled their homes, taking their belongings with them. Lacking formal shelters, displaced people sought safety in schools and mosques.

Hezbollah officials insisted Tuesday that they had no intention of backing down. The group claimed another drone attack at northern Israel in the morning, setting off air-raid sirens, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.

“The phase of patience has ended, leaving us with no option but to return to resistance,” said Mahmoud Qamati, a senior Hezbollah official. If Israel wants an open war, he added, “then let it be an open war.”

Under pressure from Trump, Cuban leader calls for ‘urgent’ economic change

By LUIS FERRÉ-SADURNÍ and DAVID C. ADAMS

President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba called on Monday for an “urgent” transformation of the country’s economic model, according to Cuban state media, as Cuba confronts an oil blockade by the Trump administration that has deepened a humanitarian crisis on the island.

Díaz-Canel spoke of the need to give municipalities and the Cuban private sector more autonomy, urged more foreign investment in the energy sector and called for a “resizing of the state apparatus,” according to state media.

“We must focus immediately on implementing the most urgent and necessary transformations to the economic and social model,” DíazCanel said in a speech to the Council of Ministers, the highest body of the government, according to state media.

Díaz-Canel’s calls for change, which were vague and light in details, appeared to be a direct response to the United States’ increased pressure on the communist regime and a stark acknowledgment of the toll the U.S. oil blockade has inflicted on Cuba, which is facing one of its most severe economic and humanitarian crisis in decades.

Cuban leaders have long promised to reform the inefficient and centrally controlled economy, before backtracking over fears of losing political control. Those proposals have become more urgent as

at U.N. headquarters in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. (Chang W. Lee/The New York Times)

the 67-year-old communist government confronts an existential crisis, according to experts who expressed skepticism about Díaz-Canel’s speech.

This year, the Trump administration blocked fuel shipments from Venezuela to Cuba, once the island’s main source of foreign oil, and announced tariffs on any country that shipped oil to Cuba, largely cutting off the island from oil imports and worsening an already painful energy

shortage.

The U.S. blockade has contributed to blackouts that have virtually paralyzed the economy. The Cuban government has cut back on school hours, called off surgeries at hospitals, reduced public transportation and limited gasoline sales, leaving many residents to bike or walk to work. Food prices have shot up as tons of imported food shipments have been held up at ports.

promote investments from Cubans living abroad. He also called for a ramp-up in food production, after a staggering drop in domestic production in recent years left the country increasingly dependent on a growing but heavily restricted private sector.

Cuba has been undergoing a tentative opening of the private sector since 2021, with the creation of hundreds of private small-to-medium businesses limited to 100 employees each. More recently, the private sector grew after a series of reforms allowing private ownership of a wide range of businesses, including construction, clothing, food production, software development, small hotels, bars, restaurants and private taxi services.

But experts have questioned whether the country can achieve more farreaching change without a greater dismantling of the state’s control over the economy.

“This is not a genuine reflection on much-needed and long overdue change,” said Ricardo Torres, a Cubanborn economist at American University. He described the Cuban president’s proposals Monday as “change so that everything remains the same.”

Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes, a businessman and member of Cuba’s legislature, said in a Facebook post that Díaz-Canel’s speech was “necessary,” but lacked a clear plan to bolster the private sector.

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After the United States led military attacks on Venezuela and Iran, two of Cuba’s closest allies, Trump hinted that bringing down the Cuban government may be next, leading to divergent views from Cubans who are afraid of a military intervention, but also want to see the communist government toppled.

“Maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump told reporters last week, adding that his government was in talks with the Cuban government.

Díaz-Canel called Monday for a “macroeconomic stabilization” of the economy, according to state media, encouraging municipalities to increase partnerships with the private sector and

“Beyond the speech, what is needed is an implementation program with clear priorities, defined responsibilities, deadlines and popular control,” he wrote.

The comments by Díaz-Canel came a week after Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants with a hard-line stance against the island’s communist regime, said the United States was open to seeing gradual economic and political change on the island.

“Cuba needs to change,” Rubio said last week on Saint Kitts and Nevis. “And it doesn’t have to change all at once. It doesn’t have to change from one day to the next. Everyone is mature and realistic here. We’re seeing that process play out, for example, in Venezuela.”

Global economy is facing the prospect of another profound shock

By PETER S. GOODMAN

In the most hopeful scenario for the global economy, the latest war in the Middle East ends within a few weeks. The region continues to produce oil and gas. Shipping resumes in the Strait of Hormuz, preventing a shock to the world’s energy supplies. Fear of inflation subsides.

But experts cautioned against any hasty sense of reassurance. The American and Israeli bombing of Iran, and Iranian reprisals throughout the region, set dangers in motion that pose a substantial threat to global economic fortunes.

The most alarming fears centered on the possibility that the Iranian government — pushed to the brink of elimination — might unleash more aggressive retaliation, accepting the near-certainty of the intensified bombing of its own territory as the cost of fighting another day. The Iranians would presumably seek to damage the capacity to produce oil and gas in regional powers including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Any event that extends the conflict or threatens sources of oil and gas is likely to lift energy prices to levels that would sow inflation. That could prompt central banks worldwide to raise interest rates, pushing up the costs of mortgages, car loans and other borrowing. And that would choke off consumer spending and business investment — a classic pathway to a downturn.

“We’re in a very precarious period,” said Kenneth S. Rogoff, a former chief economist at the International Monetary Fund and a professor at Harvard University.

A chess grandmaster and a student of history, Rogoff was skeptical of the consensus that the conflict will be short-lived. He cited the assassination of the presumptive heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire more than a century ago — an episode that set off a global conflagration.

“It’s a little bit like asking, when the Archduke Ferdinand got killed, what the macroeconomic consequences would be, and having no idea what was next,” Rogoff said. “When World War I started, everyone thought it would end in a month.”

At the center of concern for the moment is the fate of energy produced in the Middle East, source of 30% of the world’s oil and 17% of its natural gas. Any disruption to that flow would almost certainly trigger trouble in the world’s largest im-

porting nations — major economies in East Asia and Europe.

Whenever the world confronts fresh reasons to worry about access to Middle Eastern oil, comparisons turn to the 1970s, when the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries delivered a series of shocks. As the oil cartel cut supply to lift prices, Americans had to submit to a previously unthinkable indignity: waiting in long lines at gas pumps for rationed sales, and paying record prices to keep their enormous sedans on the road.

Then as now, attention focused on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that borders Iran and is a maritime conduit between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the channel, much of it destined for Asia.

Pressure on transit through the strait was especially intense in 1979, the year the American-backed Shah of Iran was toppled by a revolution that delivered to power the extremist government that has ruled since.

Yet there the historical parallels diverge. The cartel now known as OPEC+ has already pledged to increase production to compensate for any stocks imperiled by the war. Thanks in part to steep increases in American production, the world’s supply of oil generally exceeds demand.

For many countries, the oil shocks

of the 1970s, and the Persian Gulf conflict that followed, prompted the pursuit of greater energy self-sufficiency. Recognition that oil and gas entail perpetual geopolitical risks — to say nothing of climate change — has also driven a shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. China and Europe have led the way, investing heavily in wind and solar power.

But the crisis at hand underscores the stubborn reality that the world remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. If passage through the Strait of Hormuz is impeded for more than a few weeks, and if Iranian missiles damage refineries, that will outweigh any immediate gains from cleaner sources of power.

And if refineries are taken out, that will eventually limit production of petrochemical products, including fertilizers. That could increase the cost of growing food, threatening malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

“Oil and gas are still extremely important,” said Kjersti Haugland, chief economist at DNB Carnegie, a Nordic investment bank based in Oslo. Whatever the merits of the green energy transition, she added, “there’s still a very long way to go.”

Oil prices spiked more than 10% on Monday, a clear expression of concern about access to global energy supplies. But prices slid later in the day, an apparent recognition that concern was limited to

the ability to export oil and gas from the Middle East.

China, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy and Spain — all significant exporters of factory goods — are already contending with the trade war pursued by President Donald Trump. They are navigating tariffs and increased costs for raw materials like steel. Now, they are staring at the possibility that the price of fuel might soar as well, if the war in the Middle East does not quickly yield to diplomacy.

“The most vulnerable parts of the world are Europe and East Asia, given that they are dependent on imported energy,” said Adnan Mazarei, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.

A sense of the stakes emerged Monday when Qatar’s state-owned oil company announced that it was shutting down production of liquefied natural gas, given the dangers of transporting its wares through the Strait of Hormuz. That sent the price of natural gas in Europe soaring by 50%.

The United States may appear more insulated, given its status as the world’s largest producer of crude oil and biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas. But while American fossil fuel companies are poised to profit from an extended increase in the price of oil and gas, American consumers would almost certainly wind up paying more for gasoline. The price of fuel filters through the rest of the economy, nudging prices higher.

This is the reality that prompts many experts to assume that Trump will seek to end the conflict before higher energy prices have a chance to exacerbate rising costs for consumer goods.

He owes his office in part to public unhappiness over the price of groceries. It could be politically perilous to head into November’s congressional elections amid higher gasoline prices.

Yet, longer term, the impacts of the unfolding conflict will tend to increase inflation, Rogoff, the Harvard economist, said. The United States will need to replenish its stock of weapons, adding to the national debt.

“We’re going to end up spending a lot more on the military, and it’s going to have implications for interest rates and inflation,” Rogoff said. “That’s baked in the cake.”

Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?

By SHANNON SIMS

With spring break just weeks away, and snowbirds looking to dodge a blustery winter, the recent unrest in Mexico has left travelers concerned about whether visiting the country is safe right now.

While tourism is usually unaffected by cartel violence, which is often restricted to local communities, this time was different. Flights in and out of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara were scrapped, and incidents near other popular tourism areas — including Cancún and Playa del Carmen — prompted temporary “shelter in place” warnings from the U.S. government.

“Although the situation will likely stabilize in the coming days, this marks a new phase in cartel reactions to high-level enforcement actions,” said Kent Webber, a former Pentagon officer and a senior manager at Global Rescue, a U.S.-based travel safety organization. “No travel to Mexico is ever risk-free,” he said, adding that the environment can shift quickly when senior cartel figures are killed or captured.

Here’s what travelers with plans to visit Mexico in the coming weeks should know:

What’s the latest with the cartels?

On Sunday, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, or El Mencho, the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed in Jalisco state, setting off a spate of violence and unrest, including gunfights, fires and roadblocks. Mexican officials said they had arrested 70 people and killed 34 people suspected of being cartel members, while 25 members of the National Guard have been killed.

As of Tuesday, “shelter in place” advisories by the U.S. government for its citizens had been lifted, including in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Ciudad Guzmán, and the unrest had waned. Security alerts by the U.S. Mission to Mexico also noted that flight schedules had returned to normal in Guadalajara, that there were no reports of road closures, and that public transportation and businesses were returning to normal operations.

Nearly 10,000 Mexican troops have been deployed to quell the unrest, according to the Mexican government. President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico said on Monday that “the country is at peace.”

How have tourists been affected?

The unrest has rattled travelers headed to Mexico, where visitors on Sunday and Monday reported canceled flights and hotel lockdowns and had posted videos of fires at supermarkets. Other travelers said few businesses were open and roads had been blocked.

Still, experts say that tourists are usually insulated from cartel violence.

Historically, the Mexican drug cartels have largely left tourists and expatriates alone to avoid inviting unwanted government scrutiny. But as larger cartels fragment into smaller and more opportunistic factions, that restraint can erode, Webber said. “Decentralization increases unpredictability, and unpredictability elevates incidental risk,” he said. Since tourism powers many of Mexico’s local econo-

mies, the government applies a heavier security presence in major tourist zones. Many resorts also employ their own private security.

Robert J. Bunker, the director of research and analysis at C/O Futures, a security consulting group, said he doubted that cartel members would target American citizens. “But this cartel is very much a wild card,” he added, referring to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization.

“I think there will be an initial lash-out at authorities,” said Bunker, who has studied Mexican cartels since the 1990s and has written a dozen books on the topic. “But it wouldn’t make sense to attack tourists.”

What about other parts of Mexico?

As is generally true, the security situation in Mexico varies widely. Some states, like Campeche and Yucatán, are currently under a Level 1 advisory of “exercise normal precautions” from the U.S. State Department. Others — including Sinaloa, Zacatecas, Tamaulipas and Michoacán — are under a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory. Most areas popular with tourists, including Mexico City and the states of Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo, are under a Level 2 advisory of “exercise increased caution.”

Travelers planning a trip to Mexico should look closely at their destination’s security situation.

Cancún, the most popular spring break destination, and its surrounding destinations — Cozumel, Tulum, Playa del Carmen — are all located outside the Jalisco cartel’s historic footprint of violence and are on the other side of the country from Puerto Vallarta.

“If it was my family, I sure as heck wouldn’t want them in Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara in the near term,” Bunker said. “But I wouldn’t cancel a spring break trip to Cancún.”

Bunker said he expected this latest spate of unrest “to have died down by spring break,” adding that he would remain wary and vigilant and would advise checking the U.S. State Department advisories before traveling.

Other destinations like Los Cabos, at the southern tip of Baja California Sur, have been unaffected by the recent car-

nearly empty

The center of Guadalajara is mostly empty in Mexico, Feb. 23, 2026. A wave of unrest after the killing of a cartel leader has rattled tourists at popular destinations in Mexico, prompting travelers to reconsider their plans. (César Rodríguez/The New York Times)

tel violence. For Mike Ballard, the director of intelligence at Global Guardian, a travel-risk management company, Cabo San Lucas, a resort city there, would be a place he’d comfortably advise clients to visit now — as long as they monitor the news. “But as we have seen, this can all go sideways quickly,” he added, “so you want to be paying attention to what is going on before departing.”

Mexico City was also largely unaffected this week, according to Ballard, who said that “most crime groups don’t want to stir things up in Mexico City.” For that reason, his firm is still recommending that people proceed with travel plans to Mexico City, while utilizing secure transportation. What can travelers do to reduce their risk?

Travelers should keep an eye on the State Department’s travel advisory page for Mexico for the most up-to-date information, which may be changing by the hour. They should also register with the U.S. Department of State’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP. If possible, speaking with friends or family members on location at the destination can also give a sense of a location’s specific security situation.

Hotels often face a conflict of interest during situations of heightened risk: They want travelers to keep their reservations, but they also don’t want travelers to show up and experience danger or distress. Visitors should reach out to hotel providers to find out about their safeguards, but it’s also wise to get a second opinion from a more neutral source.

Travelers should also pay special attention to their safety beyond the hotels or resorts where they are staying. Visitors can also minimize outings away from those bases.

Bunker also recommends that travelers work with their hotels or resorts. “They will have either their own resort transport or their own trusted agents as far as taxis and everything else,” he said. “You don’t want to just say yes if someone comes up to you and offers you a cab ride.”

Travel insurance can help reduce the financial risk, but be sure to read the fine print. You may need a costly upgrade known as a “Cancel for Any Reason” plan to be covered for a broader range of disruptions.

In the end, if you assess the risk and decide to continue with your trip, try your best to relax and enjoy your vacation. “As long as you do your due diligence, I think you’ll be OK,” Bunker said.

The San Juan Daily Star

Wednesday, March 4, 2026 15

Norway’s centuries-long watch on the northern lights

By ALEXA ROBLES-GIL

The world’s first permanent northern lights observatory occupies a small stone building atop Mount Halde in Alta, Norway. Built in 1899 by Kristian Birkeland, a physicist and Arctic explorer, the observatory was an aerie from which scientists of the early 20th century could study the auroras that shimmered and blazed across the Arctic skies at night.

Norway is widely regarded as the birthplace of auroral research; it was there that auroras were scientifically observed, analyzed and photographed. As Danish writer Erik Johan Jessen wrote in 1763: In Norway, “the northern lights in great measurement have their home.”

Living on the windswept Halde in winter was arduous, and in 1926 research was shifted west to Tromso, where measurements of solar events and Earth’s magnetic field continue.

But this summer, a century after the original observatory closed, a sophisticated new radar system is expected to begin operating in Skibotn, a town partway between Tromso and Halde, where an array of 10,000 antennas will probe Earth’s upper atmosphere to try to provide a detailed understanding of auroras and space weather.

Peak aurora

A field station of the Tromso Geophysical Observatory and the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association, or EISCAT, project outside Tromso, Norway, Jan. 21, 2026. Norway’s northern region has led the scientific quest to understand the aurora borealis, with a 10,000-antenna radar system expected to begin the next phase of exploration this summer. (Michal Siarek/The New York Times)

In the far north, the mystery of the northern lights was explained through myriad tales, like dancing maidens and the spirits of dead children. Sailors at sea often returned to land rather than risk being grabbed and whisked off by the spectral lights.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Birkeland developed and tested the first solid scientific theory. As charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field, they collide with atoms in the atmosphere, which release energy in the form of light.

Different colors result depending on the particles involved; green and red come from oxygen atoms, for instance, while purple comes from nitrogen.

Birkeland and his assistants conducted measurements of auroras at the observatory on Halde, estimating their altitude by triangulating between the observatory and a nearby mountain. They found that they typically occur at 50 to 300 miles high.

After Birkeland left Halde, he continued testing his theories through lab experiments, simulating Earth’s magnetosphere on a small magnetized ball known as a terrella.

In World War II, German forces destroyed the observatory; restoration began in the 1980s. “History lives on our premises,” said Hakon Haldorsen, the founder of

Friends of Haldetoppen, a historical society. “If we don’t take care of the building, no one will find the story.”

Arcs, curtains and coronas

Northern Norway is ideal for studying auroras, not least because it sits above the auroral oval, a ring-shaped region centered on Earth’s magnetic north pole where solar particles tend to concentrate.

When research moved to the Auroral Observatory in Tromso (later renamed the Tromso Geophysical Observatory), scientists mapped hundreds of aurora colors, from eerie green to dawnlike red, and categorized the phenomenon’s many forms, including arcs, curtains and coronas.

The cupboards in the basement of the Tromso observatory are filled with old magnetometers, glass plates of aurora photographs and folders of geomagnetic data. Njal Gulbrandsen, a space physicist at the observatory, sees these relics as a legacy. “When I do my work,” he said, “I have to think of whoever comes after me.”

Scientists in Tromso maintain a decades-long database of magnetic measurements. “It’s the job of the observatory to maintain the long time series,” said Magnar Gullikstad Johnsen, the head of the observatory.

The same measurements are also vital in helping scientists predict space weather, when solar events can disrupt Earth’s upper atmosphere and scramble communications and damage power grids.

In the 1980s, the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association, or EISCAT, began operating large radar

systems near Tromso to precisely measure the ionosphere, the part of the upper atmosphere ionized by solar radiation.

Today, the general physics of the northern lights is widely accepted, said Asgeir Brekke, a space physicist at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromso. What is less clear, he added, are “the details,” including what accounts for variations in particle density and for the aurora’s motions.

Plasma in 3D

Along the Northern Lights Route, a winding road that traverses 300 miles of northern Norway, sits EISCAT 3D, one of the world’s most advanced scatter radars and the trailblazing younger sibling of the radar site near Tromso. A 300-foot-wide array of 10,000 antennas will study Earth’s ionosphere by transmitting radio waves and measuring how they are scattered by free electrons there.

The radar will coordinate with two similar sites in Finland and Sweden. Scientists can control the direction of the radio waves beamed from the antennas and illuminate the whole sky in seconds. With the data gathered, they can create three-dimensional images of plasma, or ionized gases, that arise from disruptive space weather and create spectacular auroras.

Johnsen likened auroral science to microscopy: the better the instrument, the better the magnification. As scientists zoom in on Earth’s protective sheath, they get ever closer to grasping the microphysics that make it work.

Auroras envelop the sky, and they have varying features, like big waves and tiny curves, he said, adding, “To understand the physical nature of things is to understand what happens on the very basic levels.”

Ultra-high-frequency radar data printouts on a wall at a northern lights research station outside Tromso, Norway, Jan. 21, 2026. (Michal Siarek/The

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA REGIÓN JUDICIAL DE UTUADO

SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESION DE ANGELA

FERNANDEZ RIVERA Y LA SUCESION DE EUGENIO MENDEZ

ROSARIO COMPUESTA POR REYNALDA

MENDEZ FERNANDEZ, EUGENIO MENDEZ

FERNANDEZ, JOSE LUIS

MENDEZ FERNANDEZ Y MARTA MENDEZ

FERNANDEZ T/C/C

MARTHA MENDEZ

FERNANDEZ; FULANO DE TAL, FULANA DE TAL, ZUTANO DE TAL, ZUTANA DE TAL, A, B Y C COMO HEREDEROS

DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESIÓN DE SUCESIÓN DE EUGENIO MENDEZ

ROSARIO; SECRETARIO DE HACIENDA Y SECRETARIO DE JUSTICIA DEL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO

Demandado

Civil Núm.: UT2025CV00117. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. AVISO DE VENTA EN PÚBLI-

CA SUBASTA. Yo, ELIEZER MOLINA SÁNCHEZ, Alguacil de la División de Subastas del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Utuado, a la demandada y al público en general, les notifico que, cumpliendo con un Mandamiento que se ha librado en el presente caso, por el Secretario del Tribunal, con fecha 22 de octubre de 2025 y para satisfacer la Sentencia por la cantidad de $20,282.20 de principal; dictada en el caso de epígrafe el el 27 de agosto de 2025 y la cual fue notificada por edicto el 28 de agosto de 2025, publicada en el periódico “The San Juan Daily Star” el 5 de septiembre de 2025 y notificada el 10 de septiembre de 2025, procederé a vender en pública subasta, al mejor postor en pago de contado y en moneda del curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América, todo derecho, título e interés que haya tenido, tenga o pueda tener la deudora demandada en cuanto a la propiedad localizada en el: Municipio de Utuado, Puerto

Rico, los bienes inmuebles se describen a continuación: Urb. Jesús M Lago K15, calle Utuado, PR 00641. URBANA: Solar marcado con el numero quince (15) del bloque “K” de la Urbanización San Jose, del proyecto PRR guion cinco guion ciento siete “PRR-5-107” radicado en el barrio Salto Abajo del termino municipal de Utuado, con una cabida superficial de trescientos ocho punto cincuenta y tres (308.53) metros cuadrados, en lindes: al Norte, con solares “K” guion cinco (K-5), “K” guion seis (K-6) y “K” guion siete (K-7) en tres porciones con un largo total de catorce punto once (14.11) metros; al Sur, con la calle veinte (20), con dos arcos y una recta con un largo total de doce punto sesenta y dos (12.62) metros; al Este, con el solar “K” guion catorce (K-14) en distancia de veintitrés punto sesenta y cuatro (23.64) metros y al Oeste, con solar “K” guion dieciséis (K-16) en distancia de veintidós punto treinta y siete (22.37) metros. En este solar enclava una vivienda de hormigón conteniendo sala-comedor, cocina, tres habitaciones, un cuarto de baño, balcón y marquesina. Finca #17,279, inscrita al folio 71 del tomo 371 de Utuado. Registro de la Propiedad de Utuado. Con el importe de dicha venta se habrá de satisfacer a la parte demandante las cantidades adeudadas, según la Sentencia dictada en el caso de epígrafe, por el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Utuado, cuyas cantidades ascienden a 20,282.20, de principal, intereses a razón de 8.5% los cuales continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda; más las contribuciones, recargos de $73.08 por demora y primas de seguro adeudados, los cuales continuaran en aumento hasta el saldo total de la deuda; más costas, gastos y honorarios de abogados. El tipo mínimo para la subasta será la suma de tasación pactada, la cual es $35,000.00 para la propiedad descrita. Si no produjere remate o adjudicación la primera subasta, se procederá a una segunda subasta y servirá de tipo mínimo la cantidad de $23,333.33. Si tampoco hubiere remate ni adjudicación en esta segunda subasta, se procederá a una tercera subasta, en ésta el tipo mínimo será la cantidad de $17,500.00. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta se dará por terminado el procedimiento, pudiendo adjudicarse a opción del demandante. Para el lote descrito, la PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el día 7 DE ABRIL DE 2026, A LAS 1:30 DE LA TARDE. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a efecto una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 14

DE ABRIL DE 2026, A LAS 1:30 DE LA TARDE. De no comparecer postor alguno se llevará a cabo una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 21 DE ABRIL DE 2026, A LAS 1:30 DE LA TARDE. La subasta o subastas antes indicadas se llevarán a efecto en mi oficina, localizada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Utuado. Del Estudio de Título realizado el 27 de octubre de 2025, no surgen gravámenes posteriores. Se le advierte a los licitadores que la adjudicación se hará al mejor postor, quien deberá consignar el importe de su oferta en el mismo acto de la adjudicación en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, giro postal o cheque de gerente a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal y para conocimiento de la parte demandada y de toda(s) aquella(s) persona(s) que tengan interés inscrito con posterioridad a la inscripción del gravamen que se está ejecutando, y para conocimiento de los licitadores y el público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general, una vez por semana durante el término de dos (2) semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, y para su fijación en tres (3) lugares públicos del municipio en que ha de celebrarse la venta, tales como, la Alcaldía, el Tribunal y la Colecturía y se le notificará además a la parte demandada vía correo certificado con acuse de recibo a la última dirección conocida. Se les advierte a todos los interesados que todos los documentos relacionados con la presente acción de ejecución de hipoteca, así como la de la subasta, estarán disponibles para ser examinados en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titulación y que las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes, si los hubiere al crédito de ejecutante, continuarán subsiguientes entendiéndose que el rematante los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores, previa orden judicial dirigida al Registrador de la Propiedad de la sección correspondiente para la cancelación de aquellos posteriores. Y para conocimiento de la demandada, de los acreedores posteriores, de los licitadores, partes interesadas y público en general, expido el presente Aviso para su publicación en los lugares públicos correspondientes. Librado en Utuado, Puerto Rico, a 22 de enero de

2026. ELIEZER MOLINA SÁNCHEZ, ALGUACIL #433. ***

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE FAJARDO VMF HOLDING, LLC

H/N/C RENAISSANCE

VILLA MARINA H/N/C

VILLA MARINA

Demandante V. HÉCTOR MOYANO

RIVERA, NEYSA

CALDERÓN GONZÁLEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD DE BIENES GANANCIALES

COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: FA2025CV01121. Sala: 301. Sobre: SENTENCIA

DECLARATORIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO

LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: HÉCTOR MOYANO RIVERA, POR SÍ Y EN REPRESENTACIÓN DE LA SOCIEDAD

LEGAL DE BIENES

GANANCIALES

COMPUESTA POR HÉCTOR MOYANO

RIVERA Y NEYSA

CALDERÓN GONZÁLEZ; NEYSA CALDERÓN

GONZÁLEZ, POR SÍ Y EN REPRESENTACIÓN DE LA SOCIEDAD

LEGAL DE BIENES

GANANCIALES

COMPUESTA

POR AMBOS; Y SOCIEDAD DE BIENES

GANANCIALES

COMPUESTA POR HÉCTOR MOYANO

RIVERA Y NEYSA

CALDERÓN GONZÁLEZ - URB. RIVER GARDENS, CALLE FLOR DE LIRIO M38, CANÓVANAS, P.R. 00729.

Mediante la presente se le notifica que ha sido presentada en este Tribunal una Demanda en su contra en el pleito de epígrafe. La abogada de la parte demandante son, Lcda. Amarys Bolorin Solivan, Lugo Mender Group, LLC, 100 Carr. 165 suite 501, Guaynabo, P.R. 009688052; Tel: (787) 707-0404 / Fax: (787) 707-0412. Por este medio se le emplaza y se le advierte que este edicto se publicará en

un (1) periódico de circulación general una (1) sola vez. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración y de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder por el portal cibernético del Poder Judicial www.poderjudicial.pr, bajo el Tribunal Electrónico, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Si no comparece a contestar dentro del término de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la Rebeldía y se dictará Sentencia en su contra, concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle, disponiéndose además, que en los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto se le dirigirá por correo certificado con acuse de recibo una copia del Emplazamiento por Edicto y de la Demanda presentada a sus últimas direcciones conocidas en: Urb. River Gardens, Calle Flor de Lirio M38, Canóvanas, P.R. 00729. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal, en Fajardo, Puerto Rico, a 20 de febrero de 2026. WANDA I.

SEGUÍ REYES, SECRETARIA. SHEILA ROBLES HERNÁNDEZ, SUB-SECRETARIA. LEGAL NOTICE

TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE FAJARDO LUZ EVETTE MOTTA ROSA Demandante V JUAN DEL PUEBLO, John Doe Demandado

Civil: LU2025CV00232. Acción Civil PAGARÉ. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.

A: JUAN DEL PUEBLO, JOHN DOE - DIRECIÓN DESCONOCIDA.

LIC. EDMUNDO AYALA OQUENDO Nombre del abogado de la parte demandante 8072

Número ante el Tribunal Supremo P.O BOX 1135 Fajardo PR 00738 (787) 603-4277 edmundoayala_129@gmail.com POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando

la siguiente dirección electrónica https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del tribunal el 13 de enero de 2026. WANDA I. SEGUÍ REYES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. NERYSA ALEXANDRINO ROSARIO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE AGUADILLA

EFRAIN CORDERO HERNANDEZ Y MARGARITA ALONSO SOTO Parte Demandante Vs. SUCESION ISODORO CORDERO HERNANDEZ Y SUCESION DOMINGA GERENA, SUCESION ANA CORDERO GERENA COMPUESTA POR ANA ISABEL CORDERO CORDERO, MYRIAM

CORDERO CORDERO, ELSIE CORDERO CORDERO, FABIAN

CORDERO CORDERO, WILFREDO CORDERO

CORDERO, FRANCISCO CORDERO CORDERO Y CELESTINO CORDERO, SUCESIÓN JOSÉ ANTONIO CORDERO GERENA COMPUESTA POR JOSÉ ANTONIO

CORDERO RODRÍGUEZ, BIONETTE CORDERO RODRÍGUEZ, IVELISSE CORDERO RODRÍGUEZ, IVONNE CORDERO RODRÍGUEZ, ANIDELL

CORDERO RODRÍGUEZ Y ANA G. RODRÍGUEZ AYALA, ELOGIO

CORDERO GERENA, SUCESIÓN TOMAS CORDERO GERENA COMPUESTA POR NELSON CORDERO HERNANDEZ Y EFRAIN

CORDERO HERNANDEZ, JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: AG2025CV01859. Sobre: ACCIÓN SENTENCIA DECLARATORIA SOBRE PRESCRIPCIÓN ADQUISITIVA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: SUCESION ANA CORDERO GERENA COMPUESTA POR MYRIAM CORDERO CORDERO, ELSIE CORDERO CORDERO, FABIAN CORDERO CORDERO, WILFREDO CORDERO CORDERO, FRANCISCO CORDERO CORDERO Y CELESTINO CORDERO.

POR LA PRESENTE se les notifica para que comparezcan, si lo creyeren pertinente, ante este Honorable Tribunal dentro de los treinta (30) días contados a partir de la última publicación de este edicto a exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga en la demanda presentada por la parte demandante para sobre expediente dominio contradictorio. Usted deberá presentar su posición a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.poderjudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación en la secretaría del Tribunal. Si usted deja de expresarse dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia, previo a escuchar la prueba de valor de la parte peticionaria en su contra, sin más citarle ni oírle, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la petición, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. El abogado de la parte peticionaria es el Lcdo. DAVID VILLANUEVA MATIAS, PO Box 43, AGUADILLA, PR, 00605; Tel. 787-882-0404. Correo electrónico: lic.davidvillanueva@outlook.com. Este edicto deberá ser publicado en una (1) ocasión dentro del término de treinta (30) días, en un periódico de circulación general diaria, para que comparezcan si quieren alegar su derecho. Toda primera mención de persona natural y/o jurídica que se mencione en el mismo, se identificará en letra tamaño 10 puntos y negrillas , conforme a lo dispuesto en las Reglas de Procedimiento Civil, 2009. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal po-

drá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. En Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, a 23 de febrero de 2026. SARAHÍ REYES PÉREZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. NILDA TORRES ACEVEDO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL. LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE CAGUAS CENTRO MĖDICO DEL TURABO, INC., H/N/C HOSPITAL HIMA•SAN PABLO BAYAMON Y RED MEDICA Demandante Vs. FREDERICK VERA ALMODOVAR, SU ESPOSA FULANA DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE BIENES GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS Demandados Civil Núm.: GR2025CV00279. Sobre: COBRO DE DINEROREGLA 60. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R.

A: FREDERICK VERA ALMODÓVAR, POR SI Y EN REP. DE LA SLG COMPUESTA POR FULANA DE TAL - BARRIO RINCÓN, SECTOR LOS CAYANOS, CARR. 30 RAMAL 932, GURABO, PUERTO RICO 00778.

Por la presente se le notifica que la parte demandante Centro Médico del Turabo, Inc., h/n/c Hospital HIMA San Pablo Bayamón y h/n/c Red Medica ha presentado ante este Tribunal, demanda contra usted, solicitando la concesión del siguiente remedio: COBRO DE DINERO. Representa a la parte demandante el abogado cuyo nombre, dirección y teléfono se consigna de inmediato: Lcdo. José A. Miranda Daleccio Apartado 4980 Caguas, Puerto Rico 00726-4980 Tel. (787) 653-6060

E-Mail: jamiranda@himapr.com

Se le apercibe que si no compareciere usted a contestar dicha demanda dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se le dictará sentencia concediendo el remedio solicitado, sin más citarle ni oírle. EXPEDIDA

BAJO MI FIRMA Y SELLO DEL TRIBUNAL, HOY 6 de febrero de 2026. IRASEMIS DÍAZ SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. VIONNETTE ESPINOSA CASTILLO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE FAJARDO SALA SUPERIOR DE FAJARDO FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. SUCESION DE OLGA ENID DÍAZ DÍAZ T/C/C OLGA ENEIDA DIAZ DIAZ Y OTROS

Demandado(a)

Caso Núm.: CA2025CV03777. (Salón: 307). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO Y OTROS. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

ROBERTO CARLOS LÁTIMER VALENTÍN - LATIMERRC@ LBRGLAW.COM.

A: FULANO Y SUTANO DE TAL COMO

POSIBLES MIEMBROS DE LA SUCESION DE OLGA ENID DIAZ DIAZ T/C/C OLGA ENEIDA DIAZ DIAZ - MANSIONES HACIENDA JIMENEZ, 2

MAGA ST., RIO GRANDE PR 00745 Y/O HC 4 BOX 11761, RIO GRANDE PR 00745-9689; Y/O HACIENDA JIMENEZ, #2 CALLE MAGA, RIO GRANDE PR 00745. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 26 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 26 de febrero de 2026. En Fajardo, Puerto Rico, el 26 de febrero de 2026. WANDA SEGUÍ REYES, SECRETARIA. LINDA I. ME-

TIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA

DINA MEDINA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL. LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN JEANNETTE

RIVERA TORRES Demandante V. MARCOS

RODRIGUEZ RICHIEZ Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: SJ2025RF01567. (Salón: 705). Sobre: DIVORCIO - RUPTURA IRREPARABLE. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO JANICE O. VIVES MEDINAJVIVES@SERVICIOSLEGALES.ORG. A: MARCOS

RODRIGUEZ RICHIEZ. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 26 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 26 de febrero de 2026. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 26 de febrero de 2026. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. ORIA IVETTE SANTANA CARO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC

COMO AGENTE DE FAIRWAY ACQUISITIONS FUND, LLC

Demandante V. EDWIN D MOLINA SANTOS

Demandado(a)

Caso Núm.: CA2025CV03105. (Civil: 408). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO. NO-

POR EDICTO. OSVALDO L. RODRÍGUEZ FERNÁNDEZ - NOTIFICACIONES@ ORF-LAW.COM. A: EDWIN D MOLINA SANTOS.

(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 26 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 26 de febrero de 2026. En Carolina, Puerto Rico, el 26 de febrero de 2026. KANELLY ZAYAS ROBLES, SECRETARIA. KEILA GARCÍA SOLÍS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN WILFREDO GUZMÁN MORENO Peticionario EX-PARTE

Civil #: BY2026CV00542. Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO. COD. 171-030046-10-001. EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: LA SUCESIÓN PRESUNTA Y DESCONOCIDA DE MODESTO GUZMÁN Y FLORENTINA GUZMÁN COMPUESTA

A SABER: AMELIA, LUISA, JUAN, LEONCIA, DAVID, FAUSTO, SALVADOR, VALENTINA Y LAS PERSONAS IDENTIFICADAS

COMO A, B Y C, Y LAS PERSONAS IGNORADAS Y DESCONOCIDAS A QUIENES PUDIERA PERJUDICAR LA

INSCRIPCIÓN DEL DOMINIO A FAVOR DE LA PARTE

PETICIONARIA EN EL REGISTRO DE LA PROPIEDAD DE LA FINCA QUE MÁS ADELANTE SE DESCRIBIRÁ Y A TODA PERSONA EN GENERAL QUE CON DERECHO PARA ELLO DESEE OPONERSE A ESTE EXPEDIENTE.

POR LA PRESENTE: se les notifica para que comparezcan, si lo creyeren pertinente, ante este Honorable Tribunal dentro de las TREINTA (30) días contados a partir de la publicación e este edicto a exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido por la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre la finca que se describe más adelante. Ustedes deberán presentar su posición a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberán presentar su alegación en la secretaría del Tribunal. Si ustedes dejan de expresarse dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia, previo a escuchar la prueba de valor de la parte peticionaria en su contra, sin más citarle ni oírle, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la petición, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. El abogado de la parte peticionaria es el Lic. Jaime Rodríguez Rivera, cuya dirección es #30 Calle Reparto Piñero, Guaynabo, PR 00969-5650, Teléfono 787720-9553. El predio objeto de la Petición se describe a continuación: “RÚSTICA: Parcela de terreno de forma irregular identificada como “Solar 6” en el plano de Mensura, radicada en el barrio Guaraguao del término municipal de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, con un área superficial de DOS MIL CIENTO OCHENTA Y OCHO METROS CUADRADOS CON CUARENTA Y OCHO MILÉSIMAS DE OTRO (2188.048 m/c), equivalentes a CINCO MIL QUINIENTAS SESENTA Y SIETE DIEZMILÉSIMAS DE CUERDA (0.5567 cda). En lindes por el NORTE: en dos (2) alineaciones que suman cincuenta y cuatro metros lineales con veintiocho centésimas de otro (54.28 ml) con Wilfredo Guzmán; por el SUR: treinta y seis metros lineales con cincuenta y cinco centésimas de otro (36.55 ml) con calle municipal; por el ESTE: en seis (6) alineaciones que suman cuarenta y tres metros lineales con treinta y dos centésimas de otro ( 43.32 ml) con calle

municipal; y por el OESTE: en cincuenta metros con noventa y cinco centésimas de otro (50.95 ml) con Marisol Guzmán Moreno. Enclava estructura terrera en hormigón.” Este edicto deberá ser publicado una sola vez, en un periódico de circulación general diaria, para que comparezcan si quieren alegar su derecho. Toda primera mención de persona natural y/o jurídica que se mencione en el mismo, se identificará en letra tamaño 10 puntos y negrillas, conforme a lo dispuesto en las Reglas de procedimiento Civil, 2009. Se le apercibe que de no comparecer los interesados y/o partes citadas, o en su defecto los organismos públicos afectados en el termino improrrogable de treinta (30) días a contar de la fecha de la publicación del edicto, el Tribunal podrá conceder el remedio solicitado por la parte peticionaria, sin más citarle ni oírle. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 12 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL LNTERINA. LUISA I. ANDINO AYALA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN SAMUEL GUZMÁN MORENO

Peticionario EX-PARTE

Civil #: BY2026CV00548. Sobre: EXPEDIENTE DE DOMINIO. COD. 171-030-046-10001. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. EDICTO. A: LA SUCESIÓN PRESUNTA Y DESCONOCIDA DE MODESTO GUZMÁN Y FLORENTINA GUZMÁN COMPUESTA

A SABER: AMELIA, LUISA, JUAN, LEONCIA, DAVID, FAUSTO, SALVADOR, VALENTINA Y LAS PERSONAS

IDENTIFICADAS

COMO A, B Y C, Y LAS PERSONAS IGNORADAS Y DESCONOCIDAS A QUIENES PUDIERA PERJUDICAR LA INSCRIPCIÓN DEL DOMINIC A FAVOR DE LA PARTE PETICIONARIA EN EL REGISTRO DE LA PROPIEDAD DE LA FINCA QUE MÁS ADELANTE SE DESCRIBIRÁ Y A TODA PERSONA EN GENERAL QUE CON DERECHO

PARA ELLO DESEE OPONERSE A ESTE EXPEDIENTE.

POR LA PRESENTE: se les notifica para que comparezcan, si lo creyeren pertinente, ante este Honorable Tribunal dentro de las TREINTA (30) días contados a partir de la publicación e este edicto a exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga en el expediente promovido par la parte peticionaria para adquirir su dominio sobre la finca que se describe más adelante. Ustedes deberán presentar su posición a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberán presentar su alegación en la secretaría del Tribunal. Si ustedes dejan de expresarse dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia, previo a escuchar la prueba de valor de la parte peticionaria en su contra, sin más citarle ni oírle, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la petición, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. El abogado de la parte peticionaria es el Lic. Jaime Rodríguez Rivera, cuya dirección es #30 Calle Reparto Piñero, Guaynabo, PR 00969-5650, Teléfono 787-720-9553. El predio objeto de la Petición se describe a continuación: “RÚSTICA: Parcela de terreno de forma irregular identificada como “Solar 3” en el plano de mensura, radicada en el barrio Guaraguao del término municipal de Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, con un area superficial de OCHOCIENTOS SETENTA Y UN METROS CUADRADOS CON TRESCIENTAS CINCUENTA Y NUEVE MILÉSIMAS DE OTRO (871.359 m/c), equivalentes a DOS MIL DOSCIENTAS DIECISIETE DIEZMILÉSIMAS DE CUERDA (0.2217 cda). En lindes por el NORTE: en cinco (5) alineaciones que suman treinta metros lineales con cinco centésimas de otro (30.05 ml) con Milagros Guzmán Merced; par el SUR: en cinco (5) alineaciones que suman treinta y tres metros lineales con cincuenta centésimas de otro (33.50 m) con Milagros Guzmán Merced; par el ESTE: en trece metros con cincuenta y seis centésimas de otro (13.56 ml) con Félix Guzmán Merced y par el OESTE: en siete (7) alineaciones que suman treinta y nueve metros lineales con noventa y cinco centésimas de otro (39.95 ml) con calle municipal. Enclava estructura terrera en hormigón.” Este edicto deberá ser publicado una sola vez, en un periódico de circulación general diaria, para que comparezcan si quieren alegar su derecho. Toda primera mención de persona natural y/o jurídica

que se mencione en el mismo, se identificará en letra tamaño 10 puntos y negrillas, conforme a lo dispuesto en las Reglas de procedimiento Civil, 2009. Se le apercibe que de no comparecer las interesados y/o partes citadas, o en su defecto los organismos públicos afectados en el termino improrrogable de treinta (30) días a contar de la fecha de la publicación del edicto, el Tribunal podrá conceder el remedio solicitado por la parte peticionaria, sin más citarle ni oírle. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a 12 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. LUISA I. ANDINO AYALA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE MAYAGÜEZ FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO

Parte Demandante Vs. IRIS GLORIA ORTIZ TORRES

Parte Demandada Caso Civil Núm.: MZ2023CV02286. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA - IN REM. ANUNCIO DE SUBASTA. El suscribiente, Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia de Puerto Rico, Sala de Mayagüez, a los demandados de epígrafe y al público en general hace saber que venderá en pública subasta en la Oficina de Alguaciles, sita en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Mayagüez, al mejor postor, en moneda de curso legal de los Estados Unidos de América en efectivo, cheque certificado, o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, el derecho que tenga la parte demandada en el inmueble que se relaciona más adelante para pagar la SENTENCIA por $86,460.60, de balance principal, el cual se compone de un primer principal por la suma de $84,890.84, y un principal diferido por la suma de $1,569.76, mas los intereses sobre la suma de $84,890.84 computados al 5.50% anual hasta su total pago y completo pago desde el primero de julio de 2023; cargos por demora devengados, más la suma de $10,125.00 estipulada para honorarios de abogado pactada en la escritura de hipoteca y cualesquiera otras sumas que por cualesquiera concepto legal se devenguen hasta el día de la subasta. La propiedad a venderse en pública subasta se describe como sigue: RUSTICA: Solar marcado en el plano con el número cuatro (4) compuesto de quinientos ochenta punto cincuenta y uno (580.51) metros cuadrados. Mide al Norte, en cuarenta y cinco punto cero cero (45.00) metros, y colinda con el solar número

cinco (5) a segregarse de la finca principal; al Este, mide trece punto cero dos (13.02) metros, y colinda con Terrenos de la Autoridad de Hogares de Puerto Rico donde actualmente está construido al caserío José A. Castillo; y al Oeste, mide trece punto cero cero (13.00) metros, y colinda con la parcela de terreno cedida para uso público que la separa de la calle San Miguel. Inscrita al folio cincuenta (59) del tomo noventa (90) de Sabana Grande, finca número cinco mil seiscientos treinta y nueve (5,639), Registro de la Propiedad de San Germán. Dirección Física: 26 San Miguel St., Sabana Grande, PR 00637. La PRIMERA SUBASTA se llevará a cabo el día 1 DE ABRIL DE 2026, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y servirá de tipo mínimo para la misma la suma de $101,250.00 sin admitirse oferta inferior. En el caso de que el inmueble a ser subastado no fuera adjudicado en la primera subasta, se celebrará una SEGUNDA SUBASTA el día 8 DE ABRIL DE 2026, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA y el precio mínimo para esta segunda subasta será el de dos terceras partes del precio mínimo establecido para la primera subasta, o a sea la suma de $67,500.00. Si tampoco hubiera remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se celebrará una TERCERA SUBASTA el día 15 DE ABRIL DE 2026, A LAS 9:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y el tipo mínimo para esta tercera subasta será la mitad del precio establecido para la primera subasta, o sea, la suma de $50,625.00. El mejor postor deberá pagar el importe de su oferta en efecto, cheque certificado o giro postal a nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal. Si se declarase desierta la tercera subasta, se dará por terminado el procedimiento, pudiendo adjudicarse el inmueble al acreedor hipotecario dentro de los diez días siguientes a la fecha de la última subasta, si así lo estimase conveniente, por la totalidad de la cantidad adeudada conforme a la sentencia, si ésta fuera igual o menor que el monto del tipo de la tercera subasta y abonándose dicho monto a la cantidad adeudada si ésta fuera mayor. Se avisa a cualquier licitador que la propiedad queda sujeta al gravamen del Estado Libre Asociado y CRIM sobre la propiedad inmueble por contribuciones adeudadas y que el pago de dichas contribuciones es la responsabilidad del licitador. Que se entenderá por todo licitador acepte como suficiente la titulación y que los cargos y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito del ejecutante continuarán subsistentes en entendiéndose que el rematador los acepta y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse su extinción al precio rematante. Todos los

nombres de los acreedores que tengan inscritos o anotados sus derechos sobre los bienes hipotecados con posterioridad a la inscripción del crédito del ejecutante, o de los acreedores de cargas o derechos reales que los hubiesen pospuesto a la hipoteca ejecutada y las personas interesadas en, o con derecho a exigir el cumplimiento de instrumentos negociables garantizados hipotecariamente con posterioridad al crédito ejecutado, siempre que surgen de la certificación registral, para que puedan concurrir a la subasta si les convenga o satisfacer antes del remate el importe del crédito, de sus intereses, costas y honorarios de abogados asegurados, quedando entonces subrogados en los derechos del acreedor ejecutante. La propiedad a ser ejecutada se adquirirá libre de cargas y gravámenes posteriores. Y para conocimiento de licitadores, del público en general y para su publicación en un periódico de circulación general diaria en Puerto Rico y en los sitios públicos de acuerdo a las disposiciones de la Regla 51.7 de las de Procedimiento Civil, así como para la publicación en un periódico de circulación general diaria y en el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas con antelación a la fecha de la primera subasta y por lo menos una vez por semana. Los autos y todos los documentos correspondientes al procedimiento indicado estarán de manifiesto en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante las horas laborables. (Art. 102 (1) de la Ley núm. 2102015). Expedido el presente en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, a 17 de febrero de 2026. HÉCTOR J. HERNÁNDEZ SANTIAGO, ALGUACIL DEL TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, SALA DE MAYAGÜEZ.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO FIRSTBANK

PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. PATRICIA VALENTIN

HERNANDEZ, FULANO DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandado

Civil Núm.: GB2025CV01121. Sobre: INCUMPLIMIENTO DE CONTRATO; COBRO DE DINERO Y REPOSESIÓN. Sala: 201. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: PATRICIA VALENTIN

HERNANDEZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA CON FULANO DE TAL; FULANO DE TAL Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA CON PATRICIA VALENTIN

HERNANDEZ - 22 AVE SAN IGNACIO APT 313, COND PLAZA DEL PALMAR, GUAYNABO PR 00969; PO BOX 231, TOA ALTA PR 009540231. De: FIRSTBANK PUERTO RICO.

Se le emplaza y requiere que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial.pr/index.php/tribunalelectronico/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Este caso trata sobre Incumplimiento de Contrato y Cobro de Dinero en que la parte demandante solicita que se condene al demandado a pagar Al 24 de octubre de 2025, por el préstamo de auto xxxx-xx-70918185 la cantidad de $25,557.46 de principal; más $1,463.32 de intereses acumulados a razón del 9.95% los cuales se continúan acumulando hasta el total y completo pago de la deuda; más $214.93 de cargos por demora, más los que se acumulen hasta el total y completo pago de la deuda; más una suma equivalente al 5% del total adeudado para honorarios de abogados. Al 24 de octubre de 2025, la parte demandada adeuda a FirstBank por la tarjeta de crédito xxxxxx-xxxxx-8355 la cantidad en pérdida de $5,542.07, más una suma equivalente al 10% del total adeudado para honorarios de abogados. Además, se solicita se ordene la reposesión del vehículo en controversia y, de no ser suficiente el producto de la venta del mismo para cubrir la suma total adeudada, se solicita la ejecución de la sentencia que en su día se dicte sobre cualesquiera otros bienes del demandado. Se le apercibe que, si dejare de hacerlo, se dictará contra usted sentencia en rebeldía, concediéndose el remedio solicitado en la demanda, sin más citarle ni oírle. Lcdo. José Antonio Lamas Burgos Número del Tribunal Supremo 16,882

Po Box 0194089, San Juan PR 00919

Teléfono: (787) 296-9500

Correo Electrónico:

jlamas@lvprlaw.com

EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA y Sello del Tribunal, hoy 13 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL INTERINA. SARA ROSA VILLEGAS, SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL CONFIDENCIAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE GUAYNABO CONSEJO DE TITULARES DEL CONDOMINIO VILLAS DE PARKVILLE II

Parte Demandante Vs. GERALDINE M. REYES QUIROS

Parte Demandada Civil Núm.: GB2025CV01225. Sala: 201. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO. EMPLAZAMIENTO

POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS. A GERALDINE M. REYES QUIROS.

POR LA PRESENTE, se le emplaza y requiere para que notifique a: GONZÁLEZ & MORALES

LAW OFFICES, LLC PO BOX 10242

HUMACAO, PR 00792

TELÉFONO: (787) 852-4422

FACSÍMIL: (787) 285-4425

Email: jrg@gonzalezmorales.com abogados de la parte demandante, cuya dirección es la que deja indicada, con copia de su Contestación a la Demanda, copia de la cual le es servida en este caso, dentro de los TREINTA (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este Emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del tribunal. Debe saber que en caso de no hacerlo así podrá dictarse Sentencia en Rebeldía en contra suya, concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMAy el Sello del Tribunal, hoy día 12 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL INTERINA. SARA ROSA VILLEGAS, SECRETARIA DEL TRIBUNAL CONFIDENCIAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL

GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTAN-

CIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. VÍCTOR

ANDINO LLANOS

Demandado

Civil Núm.: CA2025CV04104. Sala: 403. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, S.S. A: VÍCTOR ANDINO LLANOS - 3U APT. PLAZA DEL PARQUE COND., TRUJILLO ALTO, PR 00976; PO BOX 10068, CAROLINA, PR 00988.

La parte demandante ha declarado la totalidad de la deuda que origina la presente causa de acción vencida; y al día 1ro de julio de 2025, la parte demandada le adeuda a la parte demandante las siguientes cantidades: $72,206.47 por concepto de principal; generando intereses a razón de 6.50% desde el 1ro de junio de 2025; cargos por demora los cuales al igual que los intereses continúan acumulándose hasta el saldo total de la deuda reclamada en este pleito, y la suma de $10,494.35 para costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado; y demás créditos accesorios garantizados hipotecariamente. Por la presente se le emplaza y notifica que debe contestar la demanda incoada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación del presente edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial. pr/index.php/tribunal-electronico, salvo que el caso sea de un expediente físico o que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal y notificar copia de la misma al (a la) abogado(a) de la parte demandante o a ésta, de no tener representación legal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el Tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Además, se le apercibe que, en los casos al amparo de la Ley Núm. 57-2023, titulada Ley para la Prevención del Maltrato, Preservación de la Unidad Familiar y para la Seguridad, Bienestar y Protección de los

Menores, entre los remedios que el Tribunal podrá conceder se incluyen la ubicación permanente de un (una) menor fuera de su hogar, el inicio de procesos para la privación de patria potestad, y cualquier otra medida en el mejor interés del (de la) menor. (Artículo 33, incisos b y f de la Ley Núm. 57-2023). Se le advierte de su derecho a comparecer acompañado(a) de abogado(a) en los casos que proceda. Los abogados de la parte demandante son: ABOGADOS DE LA PARTE

DEMANDANTE: Lcdo. Reggie Díaz Hernández RUA Núm.: 16,393 BERMUDEZ & DÍAZ LLP 500 Calle De La Tanca, Suite 209 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 Tel.: (787) 523-2670 / Fax: (787) 523-2664 rdiaz@bdprlaw.com

EXTENDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA y Sello del Tribunal, hoy, 18 de febrero de 2026. LCDA.

KANELLY ZAYAS ROBLES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IDA L. FERNÁNDEZ RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE MAYAGÜEZ

MARLIN SANTOS LUGO

Demandante Vs. IRAMIS SANTOS

CORDERO Y EVEL LUIS BLANCO RAMOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: MZ2026RF00032. Sobre: CUSTODIA Y FACULTADES TUTELARES. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. A: IRAMIS

SANTOS CORDERO28 KIBBE ST., HARLORD CONNECTICUT 06106.

POR la presente se notifica que la parte demandante del epígrafe ha presentado ante este Tribunal una Solicitud de Traslado de Menor en su contra, según surge de las alegaciones de la Solicitud de CUSTODIA Y FACULTADES TUTELARES en el caso de epígrafe. Se le requiere a usted para que notifique con copia de la Contestación a la demanda al abogado de la parte demandante, cuyo nombre, dirección y teléfono son los que se indican a continuación:

LCDA. GLADYS J. RAMOS ROSARIO

Tribunal Supremo Número (R.U.A.) 5039

Edificio Farmacia Central #110

Avenida 21 de Diciembre Suites 12-13

P.O. BOX 789

Sabana Grande, PR 00637

Tel.: (787) 873-2635 / Fax: (787) 873-3990

Email: gramos@servicioslegales.org

Se le apercibe que, si no compareciere usted a contestar dicha demanda dentro del término de 30 días a partir de la publicación del Edicto, excluyéndose el día de la publicación, podrá dictarse sentencia

en rebeldía en su contra concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), el cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se presente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal. EXPEDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y EL SELLO DEL TRIBUNAL, en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, a 17 de febrero de 2026. LCDA. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. NILDA L. IRIZARRY RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE MAYAGÜEZ RELACIONES DE FAMILIA SALA SUPERIOR ODALIZ RODRIGUEZ VELAZQUEZ

Parte Demandante V. ADALBERTO LEYBA VALERA

Parte Demandado Civil Núm.: MZ2026RF00073. Sobre: (DIVORCIO) RUPTURA IRREPARABLE. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. A: ADALBERTO LEYBA VALERA - 1791 WALTON AVE, APARTAMENTO AE, BRONX, NY 10453. POR la presente se notifica que la parte demandante del epígrafe ha presentado ante este Tribunal un Divorcio R/I en su contra, según surge de las alegaciones en el caso de epígrafe. Se le requiere a usted para que notifique con copia de la Contestación a la demanda al abogado de la parte demandante, cuyo nombre, dirección y teléfono son los que se indican a continuación:

LCDA. GLADYS J. RAMOS ROSARIO Tribunal Supremo Número (R.U.A.) 5039 Edificio Farmacia Central #110 Avenida 21 de Diciembre Suites 12-13

P.O. BOX 789 Sabana Grande, PR 00637 Tel.: (787) 873-2635 / Fax: (787) 873-3990

Email: gramos@servicioslegales.org

Se le apercibe que, si no compareciere usted a contestar dicha demanda dentro del término de 30 días a partir de la publicación del Edicto, excluyéndose el día de la publicación, podrá dictarse sentencia en rebeldía en su contra concediendo el remedio solicitado en la demanda o cualquier otro, si el Tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva

a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), el cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.ramajudicial.pr/sumac/, salvo que se presente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal. EXPEDIDO BAJO MI FIRMA Y EL SELLO DEL TRIBUNAL, en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, a 9 de febrero de 2026. LCDA. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MYRNA TORRES GONZÁLEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

LT AUTOMATION, INC.

Demandante V. ORIENTAL BANK Y OTROS

Demandado(a)

Caso Núm.: SJ2025CV10981. (Salón: 602). Sobre: CANCELACIÓN O RESTITUCIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA PR EDICTO. BEATRIZ CAY VÁZQUEZBEATRIZCAYVAZQUEZ@GMAIL. COM.

A: DEMANDADOS

DESCONOCIDOS: “JOHN DOE”, COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES DEL PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 23 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 24 de febrero de 2026. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 24 de febrero de 2026. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. ELSA CANDELARIO CABRERA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN MUNICIPIO AUTONOMO DE SAN JUAN Demandante V. JOSE BALBINO MENDEZ Y OTROS Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: SJ2025CV04230. (Salón: 1003 EXPROPIACIONES). Sobre: EXPROPIACIÓN FORZOSA. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. ANGELISSE ORTIZ CRUZ - LCDA. ANGELISSEORTIZ@GMAIL.COM. JUAN B. SOTO BALBÁSJSOTO@JBSBLAW.COM. PABLO ANDRÉS GUERRERO SANFILIPPOPGUERREROSANFILIPPO@GMAIL. COM.

A: JOSÉ BALBINO MÉNDEZ Y SU ESPOSA

ALDA GARCIA GAYA, CADA UNO POR SÍ Y EN REPRESENTACIÓN DE LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 25 de febrero de 2026. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 25 de febrero de 2026. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA. LORAINE ROSADO PÉREZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN GISELLY

GARCIA GARCIA

Demandante V. IVAN ONIX TORRES

Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: BY2025RF00860. (Salón: 3001 FAMILIA Y MENORES). Sobre: DIVORCIO - RUPTURA IRREPARABLE. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO.

CLARIBEL GASCOT NIEVESCGASCOT@SERVICIOSLEGALES. ORG.

MARICELY APONTE RIVERAAPONTEM@SERVICIOSLEGALES. ORG.

A: IVAN ONIX TORRES. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 25 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 26 de febrero de 2026. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 26 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA. YVETTE RÍOS VÁZQUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE PONCE CARRINGTON

MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC

Demandante Vs. LA SUCESIÓN DE RAMONA CARDONA SANABRIA, TAMBIÉN

CONOCIDA COMO

RAMONA CARDONA COMPUESTA POR LIZZETTE TIRADO

CARDONA; PRISCILA

CASTRO CARDONA; ORLANDO TIRADO

CARDONA; ELIMIRI CARDONA, FULANO DE TAL Y FULANA DE TAL COMO

POSIBLES HEREDEROS

DESCONOCIDOS CON POSIBLE INTERÉS EN

LA SUCESIÓN; CENTRO DE RECAUDACIÓN DE INGRESOS

MUNICIPALES; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA

Demandados Civil Núm.: PO2024CV02183. Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA. EDICTO DE SUBASTA. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: La Parte Demandada, al (a la) Secretario(a) de Hacienda de Puerto Rico y al Público General:

Certifico y Hago Constar: Que en cumplimiento con el Mandamiento de Ejecución de Sentencia que me ha sido dirigido por el (la) Secretario(a) del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala Superior de Ponce en el caso de epígrafe procederá a vender en pública subasta al mejor postor en efectivo, cheque gerente, giro postal, cheque certificado en moneda legal de los Estados Unidos de América al nombre del Alguacil del Tribunal de Primera Instancia, en mi oficina ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 22 DE ABRIL DE 2026 A LAS 11:30 DE LA MAÑANA, todo derecho título, participación o interés que le corresponda a la parte demandada o cualquiera de ellos en el inmueble hipotecado objeto de ejecución que se describe a continuación:

URBANA: Solar marcado con el numero veintinueve (29) del Bloque BS del plano de Urbanización Extensión Santa Teresita radicado en el Barrio Machuelo del término municipal de Ponce, Puerto Rico, compuesto de doscientos dos punto cincuenta metros cuadrados (202.550 m/c); en lindes por el NORTE, en veintidós punto cincuenta metros (22.50), con el lote número treinta (30); por el SUR, en veintidós punto cincuenta metros (22.50) con el lote número veintiocho (28); por el ESTE, en nueve punto treinta y cinco metros (9.35 m) y por el OESTE, en nueve punto cero cero metros (9.00 m) con el lote número diez (10). Enclava una casa. Consta inscrita al folio 97 del tomo 1547 de Ponce, finca número 47,437, Registro de la Propiedad de Puerto Rico, Sección Primera de Ponce. Propiedad localizada en: Ext. Santa Teresita, Calle Santa Mónica 4219 (BS-29), Ponce, PR 00731. La propiedad objeto de ejecución no está gravada por cargas preferentes a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante. Según figura en la certificación registral, la propiedad objeto de ejecución está gravada por cargas posteriores a la inscripción del crédito ejecutante que se describe a continuación: HIPOTECA en garantía de pagaré a favor del Secretario de Vivienda

y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos, o a su orden, por la suma de $133,500.00 con intereses al 5.560% anual y vencimiento 30 de septiembre de 2085. Constituida por la escritura 597 otorgada en Guaynabo el 11 de octubre de 2010 ante el notario María G. Chevere Mouriño. Inscrita el 13 de diciembre de 2010, al folio 91 vuelto del tomo 2103 de Ponce Norte, finca 47437, inscripción 5ª. AVISO DE DEMANDA con fecha 27 de octubre de 2021 seguida en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, en el caso civil número PO2021CV02504, sobre cobro de dinero y ejecución de hipoteca; Reverse Mortgage Solutions, Inc., demandante v. Ramona Cardona Sanabria t/c/c Ramona Cardona; Estados Unidos de América, demandados. Por la misma se reclama el pago de $117,352.14, más otras sumas. Anotada el 27 de febrero de 2022, al Tomo Digital Karibe de la finca 47437 de Ponce Norte, anotación “A”. Se entenderá que todo licitador acepta como bastante la titularidad de la propiedad y que todas las cargas y gravámenes anteriores y los preferentes al crédito ejecutante antes descritos, si los hubiere, continuarán subsistentes. El rematante acepta dichas cargas y gravámenes anteriores, y queda subrogado en la responsabilidad de los mismos, sin destinarse a su extinción el precio del remate. Se establece como tipo mínimo de subasta la suma de $133,500.00, según acordado entre las partes en el precio pactado en la escritura de hipoteca. De ser necesaria una SEGUNDA SUBASTA por declararse desierta la primera, la misma se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce, el 29 DE ABRIL DE 2026 A LAS 11:30 DE LA MAÑANA, y se establece como mínima para dicha segunda subasta la suma de $89,000.00 dos tercios (2/3) partes del tipo mínimo establecido originalmente. Si tampoco se produce remate ni adjudicación en la segunda subasta, se establece como mínima para la TERCERA SUBASTA, la suma de $66,750.00 la mitad (1/2) del precio pactado y dicha subasta se celebrará en mi oficina, ubicada en el Tribunal de Primera Instancia, Sala de Ponce el 6 DE MAYO DE 2026 A LAS 11:30 DE LA MAÑANA. Dicha subasta se llevará a cabo para, con su producto satisfacer a la parte demandante, el importe de la Sentencia dictada a su favor ascendente a las siguientes cantidades: la suma de $60,056.11 por concepto de principal, más la suma de $77,600.69 en intereses acumulados al 3 de septiembre de 2025 y los cuales continúan acumulándose a razón de 5.56000% anual hasta su total y completo pago; y otros gastos acumulados. La suma

global vencida, líquida y exigible incluyendo intereses y otros gastos acumulados es de $166,256.33; más la cantidad de 10% del pagare original en la suma de $13,350.00, para gastos, costas y honorarios de abogado, esta última habrá de devengar intereses al máximo del tipo legal fijado por la oficina del Comisionado de Instituciones Financieras aplicable a esta fecha, desde este mismo día hasta su total y completo saldo, todo ello de acuerdo a los términos de la Sentencia dictada, la cual es final y firme. Se notifica a todos los interesados que las actas y demás constancias del expediente de este caso están disponibles en la Secretaría del Tribunal durante horas laborables para ser examinadas por los (las) interesados (as). Y para su publicación en el periódico The San Juan Daily Star, que es un diario de circulación general en la isla de Puerto Rico, por espacio de dos semanas consecutivas con un intervalo de por lo menos siete (7) días entre ambas publicaciones, así como para su publicación en los sitios públicos de Puerto Rico. Expedido en Ponce, Puerto Rico, hoy día 23 de febrero de 2026. MANUEL MALDONADO, ALGUACIL DE SUBASTAS, TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA, CENTRO JUDICIAL DE PONCE, SALA SUPERIOR. LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE CAGUAS SALA SUPERIOR DE CAGUAS

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF WATERFALL VICTORIA III-NB GRANTOR TRUST

Demandante V. SUCESION JESUS

MARIN CABALLERO DIAZ Y OTROS

Demandado(a)

Caso Núm.: CG2025CV01358. (Salón: 702). Sobre: EJECUCIÓN DE HIPOTECA: PROPIEDAD RESIDENCIAL. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. FRANCES L. ASENCIO GUIDOFRANCES.ASENCIO@GMLAW.COM. A: GRACIELA CABALLERO MIRANDA, ANADELLE CABALLERO MIRANDA, MARY MONSE CABALLERO SANCHEZ, LIZZY CABALLERO SANCHEZ, DARAIZA AGLAEL CABALLERO CARRASQUILLO; JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES MIEMBROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION JESUS

MARIN CABALLERO DIAZ T/C/C JESUS

MARIA CABALLERO

DIAZ; JOHN ROE Y JANE ROE COMO POSIBLES MIEMBROS DESCONOCIDOS DE LA SUCESION VANESSA CABALLERO SANCHEZ. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 21 de octubre de 2025, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 24 de febrero de 2026. En Caguas, Puerto Rico, el 24 de febrero de 2026. IRASEMIS DÍAZ SÁNCHEZ, SECRETARIA. VIONNETTE ESPINOSA CASTILLO, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE JUANA DÍAZ SALA MUNICIPAL CARIBE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Demandante Vs. DALIA PATRICIA RODRÍGUEZ

Demandada

Civil Núm.: JD2026CV00039. Sobre: COBRO DE DINEROREGLA 60. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO.

A: DALIA PATRICIA RODRÍGUEZ.

Queda emplazada y notificada de que en este Tribunal se ha radicado una demanda en su contra sobre Cobro de Dinero. Se le notifica para que comparezca ante el Tribunal dentro del término de treinta (30) días a partir de la publicación de este edicto y exponer lo que a sus derechos convenga, en el presente caso. Se le notifica que

deberá presentar su alegación a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https:// unired.poderjudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Centro Judicial de Juana Díaz, Sala Municipal, y enviando copia a la parte demandante: Lcda. Karina P. Cintrón Narváez; PO Box 193813, San Juan, PR 00919; kcintron@esqlegalpr.com. Se le apercibe y notifica que si no contesta la demanda radicada en su contra dentro del término de treinta (30) días de la publicación de este edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía en su contra y se dictará sentencia en su contra, conforme se solicita en la demanda, sin más citársele ni oírsele. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello del Tribunal a 18 de febrero de 2026. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA GENERAL. CONSUELO ELAINE RIVERA PADILLA, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR DE BAYAMÓN ÁIDELISE HARTBERGER LANDRUA

Demandante V. ADRIAN LAZARO IGLESIAS ORTIZ

Demandado(a)

Caso Núm.: BY2025RF01811. (Salón: 4005 FAMILIA Y MENORES). Sobre: CUSTODIA - MONOPARENTAL O COMPARTIDA Y OTROS. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO ENMENDADA. ELBA DEL POZO ROBLESEDELPOZO@SERVICIOSLEGALES. ORG. A: ADRIAN LAZARO IGLESIAS ORTIZ. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 05 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edic-

to de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 27 de febrero de 2026. En Bayamón, Puerto Rico, el 27 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA. GRENDA VÉLEZ RODRÍGUEZ, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE TOA ALTA

BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

Demandante V. ERNESTO RODRÍGUEZ SANTOS

Demandado Civil Núm.: TO2025CV01331. Sobre: INCUMPLIMIENTO DE CONTRATO; COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECUCIÓN DE GRAVAMEN MOBILIARIO. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: ERNESTO RODRÍGUEZ SANTOS.

Por la presente se le notifica que ha sido presentada en este Tribunal una Demanda en su contra en el pleito de epígrafe. El abogado de la parte demandante es el Lcdo. Jean Paul Juliá Díaz, Rivera-Munich & Hernández Law Offices, P.S.C.; P.O. Box 364908, San Juan, PR 00936-4908; Tel. (787) 6222323 / Fax (787) 622-2320. Se le advierte que este Edicto se publicará en un (1) periódico de circulación general una (1) sola vez y que si no comparece a contestar dicha Demanda radicando el original de la misma a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial.pr/ index.php/tribunal-electronico/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del Tribunal Superior, Sala de Toa Alta, con copia al abogado de la parte demandante, dentro del término de treinta (30) días contados a partir de la publicación del Edicto, se le anotará la rebeldía y se dictará sentencia en su contra concediendo el remedio solicitado en la Demanda sin más citarle ni oírle. En un término de diez (10) días a partir de la publicación de este Edicto, la parte demandante le notificará por correo certificado con acuse de recibo copias del Emplazamiento por Edicto y de la Demanda a sus últimas direcciones conocidas: Bo. Cam-

panilla, Carr. Principal Carr. 872 Km. 0.3, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico 00949; y Bo. Campanillas, Box 46, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico 00951. Expedido bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, a 23 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. NERI A. SANFELIZ RAMOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL I.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

ANTONIO E. FERNÁNDEZ GERENA Demandante V. FRANCISCO JESÚS FERNÁNDEZ ALBINO Demandado SUCESIÓN ANTONIO FERNÁNDEZ VARGAS, COMPUESTA POR: DANERIS FERNÁNDEZ GERENA; YAMILLE FERNÁNDEZ GERENA; LYDIA GERENA; ANTONIO FERNÁNDEZ GERENA Parte con Interés Civil Núm.: SJ2026CV00133. Salón de sesiones: 803. Sobre: CUMPLIMIENTO ESPECÍFICO; SENTENCIA DECLARATORIA; DAÑOS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: LYDIA GERENA RIVERA - 16187 COUPLER LANE BLUFFDALE, UTAH, 84065. POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que se presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial. pr/index.php/triubnal-electronico/, salvo que el caso sea de un expediente físico o que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal y notificar copia de la misma al (a la) abogado(a) de la parte demandante: Lcdo. Alfredo Fernández Martínez TSPR Núm. 10,632

T Mobile Center at San Patricio B7 Calle Tabonuco

alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Expedido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en San Juan, Puerto Rico , hoy 20 de febrero de 2026. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IRIS OLIVO NÚÑEZ, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

ANTONIO E. FERNÁNDEZ GERENA

Demandante V. FRANCISCO JESÚS FERNÁNDEZ ALBINO

Demandado

SUCESIÓN ANTONIO

FERNÁNDEZ VARGAS, COMPUESTA POR:

DANERIS FERNÁNDEZ GERENA; YAMILLE FERNÁNDEZ GERENA; LYDIA GERENA; ANTONIO FERNÁNDEZ GERENA

Parte con Interés Civil Núm.: SJ2026CV00133. Salón de sesiones: 803. Sobre: CUMPLIMIENTO ESPECÍFICO; SENTENCIA DECLARATORIA; DAÑOS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS, EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: YAMILLE ENID FERNANDEZ GERENA16187 COUPLER LANE BLUFFDALE, UTAH, 84065.

POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza para que se presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva dentro de los 30 días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial. pr/index.php/triubnal-electronico/, salvo que el caso sea de un expediente físico o que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal y notificar copia de la misma al (a la) abogado(a) de la parte demandante:

Lcdo. Alfredo Fernández Martínez

TSPR Núm. 10,632

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968 Tel: (787) 274-1414

Fax: (787)-764-8241

Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitado en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Expedido este edicto bajo mi firma y sello de este Tribunal, en San Juan, Puerto Rico , hoy 20 de febrero de 2026. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ COLLADO, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. IRIS OLIVO NÚÑEZ, SECRETARIA DE SERVICIOS A SALA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE AIBONITO SALA SUPERIOR DE BARRANQUITAS ISLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, LLC COMO AGENTE DE ACE ONE FUNDING, LLC Demandante V. DARLEEN HERNANDEZ ORTIZ Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: AI2025CV00232. (Salón: 1). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. NATALIE BONAPARTE SERVERANATALIE.BONAPARTE@ORF-LAW. COM. A: DARLEEN HERNANDEZ ORTIZ. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 25 de febrero de 2026. En Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, el 25 de febrero de 2026. MAYRA L. CABRERA GARCÍA, SECRETARIA.

TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA SALA DE MAYAGÜEZ

JAZZIE

PÉREZ CARDOZA

Demandante Vs JOSÉ A. PALERMO IRIZARRY

Demandado

Civil Núm.: MZ2026RF00102. Sobre: CUSTODIA, PATRIA POTESTAD, RELACIONES

PATERNO FILIALES Y ALIMENTOS. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE.UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE P.R., SS. A: JOSÉ A. PALERMO IRIZARRY - 22 NE 4TH ST, MIAMI FL, 33132 O SEA LA PARTE DEMANDADA ARRIBA MENCIONADA.

LOURDES M. ORTIZ PAGAN RUA: 9103

Dirección: Po Box 593, Cabo Rojo, PR 00623

Tel.: (787) 831-1984 / Fax (787) 833-5118

Correo electrónico: lourdesm_ ortizpagan@hotmail.com

EXPEDIDO POR ORDEN DEL TRIBUNAL, en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico hoy 18 de febrero de 2026. LCDA. NORMA G. SANTANA IRIZARRY, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. MYRNA TORRES GONZÁLEZ, SUBSECRETARIA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA

CENTRO JUDICIAL DE SAN JUAN SALA SUPERIOR DE SAN JUAN

LUIS E TORRES LUGO Y OTROS

Demandante V. JANNA ZOE RUIZ

CARRASQUILLO

CAROLINA SALA SUPERIOR DE CAROLINA ORIENTAL BANK

Demandante V. ROXANA

SANJURJO ALVAREZ

Demandada Civil Núm.: CA2025CV03129. (404). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS. A: ROXANA

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL

GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR DE VEGA BAJA ORIENTAL BANK

Demandante V. NELSON SOTO CRUZ

Demandado

DE PUERTO RICO tribunal

GENERAL DE JuSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE PONCE SALA SUPERIOR DE YAUCO

ORIENTAL BANK

T

CARMEN APONTE FLORES, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL

POR LA PRESENTE: Se le notifica a usted, Sr. José A. Palermo Irizarry, que la parte demandante de epígrafe ha radicado en esta Secretaría una Demanda de Custodia, Patria Potestad, Relaciones Filiales y Alimentos que aquí se menciona. POR LA PRESENTE se le emplaza y requiere para que conteste la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días siguientes a la publicación de este Edicto. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizado la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial.pr, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la secretaría del. Tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra y conceder el remedio solicitando en la demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Además, se le apercibe que, en los casos al amparo de la Ley Núm. 57-2023, titulada Ley para la Prevención del Maltrato, Preservación de la Unidad Familiar y para la Seguridad, Bienestar y Protección de los Menores, entre los remedios que el Tribunal podrá conceder se incluyen la ubicación permanente de un (una) menor fuera de su hogar, el inicio de procesos para la privación de patria potestad, y cualquier otra medida en el mejor interés del (de la) menor. (Artículo 33, incisos b y f de la Ley Núm. 57-2023). Se le advierte de su derecho a comparecer acompañado (a) de abogado (a) en los casos que proceda. Nombre del Abogado:

Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: SJ2025CV10533. (Salón: 903 CIVIL). Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO - ORDINARIO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE

SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. HÉCTOR I. CLAUDIO ROSARIOBUFETEHECTORCLAUDIO@GMAIL. COM.

A: JANNA ZOÉ RUIZ

CARRASQUILLO.

(Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto)

EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 25 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 26 de febrero de 2026. En San Juan, Puerto Rico, el 26 de febrero de 2026. GRISELDA RODRÍGUEZ

COLLADO, SECRETARIA. MILDRED J. FRANCO REVENTOS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL

GENERAL DE JUSTICIA TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE

SANJURJO ALVAREZ. POR MEDIO del presente edicto se le notifica de la radicación de una demanda en cobro de dinero por la vía ordinaria en la que se alega que usted adeuda a la parte demandante, Oriental Bank, ciertas sumas de dinero, y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado de este litigio. El demandante, Oriental Bank, ha solicitado que se dicte sentencia en contra suya y que se le ordene pagar las cantidades reclamadas en la demanda. POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial. pr/index/php/tribunal-electronico/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente, sin más citarle ni oírle. El abogado de la parte demandante es: Jaime Ruiz Saldaña, RUA número 11673; Dirección; PO Box 366276, San Juan, PR 00936-6276; Teléfono: (787) 759-6897; Correo electrónico: legal@jrslawpr. com. Se le advierte que dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación del presente edicto, se le estará enviando a usted por correo certificado con acuse de recibo, una copia del emplazamiento y de la demanda presentada al lugar de su última dirección conocida: Urb. Villa Fontana, HR28 Vía 15, Carolina, PR 00983-3921. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal en Carolina, Puerto Rico, hoy día 28 de enero de 2026. LCDA. KANELLY ZAYAS

ROBLES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL.

Civil Núm.: VB2025CV00925. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO POR LA VÍA ORDINARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: NELSON SOTO CRUZ. POR MEDIO del presente edicto se le notifica de la radicación de una demanda en cobro de dinero por la vía ordinaria en la que se alega que usted adeuda a la parte demandante, Oriental Bank, ciertas sumas de dinero, y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado de este litigio. El demandante, Oriental Bank, ha solicitado que se dicte sentencia en contra suya y que se le ordene pagar las cantidades reclamadas en la demanda. POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://unired.ramajudicial. pr/sumac/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente. Se le advierte que dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación del presente edicto, se le estará enviando a usted por correo certificado con acuse de recibo, una copia del emplazamiento y de la demanda presentada al lugar de su última dirección conocida: Parcelas Carmen, 45ª Calle Reina, Vega Alta, PR 006925806. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal en Vega Baja Puerto Rico, hoy día 28 de enero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA

SANJURJO, SECRETARIA. MARITZA ROSARIO ROSARIO, SUB-SECRETARIA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO

Demandante V. JOSE ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ, DORIS ESTHER GUZMAN CRUZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS

Demandados

Civil Núm.: YU2025CV00565. Sobre: COBRO DE DINERO Y EJECCIÓN DE GARANTÍA MOBILIARIA. EMPLAZAMIENTO POR EDICTO. ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA, EL PRESIDENTE DE LOS EE. UU., EL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, SS.

A: JOSE ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ, DORIS ESTHER GUZMAN CRUZ Y LA SOCIEDAD LEGAL DE GANANCIALES COMPUESTA POR AMBOS.

POR MEDIO del presente edicto se le notifica de la radicación de una demanda en cobro de dinero por la vía ordinaria en la que se alega que usted adeuda a la parte demandante, Oriental Bank, ciertas sumas de dinero, y las costas, gastos y honorarios de abogado de este litigio. El demandante, Oriental Bank, ha solicitado que se dicte sentencia en contra suya y que se le ordene pagar las cantidades reclamadas en la demanda. POR EL PRESENTE EDICTO se le emplaza para que presente al tribunal su alegación responsiva a la demanda dentro de los treinta (30) días de haber sido diligenciado este emplazamiento, excluyéndose el día del diligenciamiento. Usted deberá presentar su alegación responsiva a través del Sistema Unificado de Manejo y Administración de Casos (SUMAC), al cual puede acceder utilizando la siguiente dirección electrónica: https://www.poderjudicial. pr/index/php/tribunal-electronico/, salvo que se represente por derecho propio, en cuyo caso deberá presentar su alegación responsiva en la Secretaría del Tribunal. Si usted deja de presentar su alegación responsiva dentro del referido término, el tribunal podrá dictar sentencia en rebeldía en su contra, y conceder el remedio solicitado en la Demanda, o cualquier otro, si el tribunal, en el ejercicio de su sana discreción, lo entiende procedente, sin más citarle ni oírle. El abogado de la parte demandante es: Jaime Ruiz Saldaña, RUA número 11673; Dirección: PO Box 366276, San Juan, PR 00936-6276; Teléfono: (787) 759-6897; Correo electrónico: legal@jrslawpr.

com. Se le advierte que dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la publicación del presente edicto, se le estará enviando a usted por correo certificado con acuse de recibo, una copia del emplazamiento y de la demanda presentada al lugar de su última dirección conocida: Bo. Cambalache, 10 Sect. San Rafael, Yauco, PR 00698; HC 3 Box 14168, Yauco, PR 006989637. EXPEDIDO bajo mi firma y el sello del Tribunal en Yauco, Puerto Rico, hoy día 29 de enero de 2026. CARMEN G. TIRÚ QUIÑONES, SECRETARIA REGIONAL. DELIA APONTE VELÁZQUEZ, SUB-SECRETARIA.

LEGAL NOTICE

ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO TRIBUNAL DE PRIMERA INSTANCIA CENTRO JUDICIAL DE BAYAMÓN SALA SUPERIOR DE GUAYNABO

BSI FINANCIAL SERVICES Demandante V. JOHN DOE Y OTROS Demandado(a) Caso Núm.: GB2025CV01150. (Salón: 201). Sobre: CANCELACIÓN O RESTITUCIÓN DE PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. NOTIFICACIÓN DE SENTENCIA POR EDICTO. FRANCES L. ASENCIO GUIDOFRANCES.ASENCIO@GMLAW.COM.

A: JOHN DOE Y JANE DOE COMO POSIBLES TENEDORES DESCONOCIDOS DEL PAGARÉ EXTRAVIADO. (Nombre de las partes que se le notifican la sentencia por edicto) EL SECRETARIO(A) que suscribe le notifica a usted que el 24 de febrero de 2026, este Tribunal ha dictado Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución en este caso, que ha sido debidamente registrada y archivada en autos donde podrá usted enterarse detalladamente de los términos de la misma. Esta notificación se publicará una sola vez en un periódico de circulación general en la Isla de Puerto Rico, dentro de los 10 días siguientes a su notificación. Y, siendo o representando usted una parte en el procedimiento sujeta a los términos de la Sentencia, Sentencia Parcial o Resolución, de la cual puede establecerse recurso de revisión o apelación dentro del término de 30 días contados a partir de la publicación por edicto de esta notificación, dirijo a usted esta notificación que se considerará hecha en la fecha de la publicación de este edicto. Copia de esta notificación ha sido archivada en los autos de este caso, con fecha de 24 de febrero de 2026. En Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, el 24 de febrero de 2026. ALICIA AYALA SANJURJO, SECRETARIA. SARA ROSA VILLEGAS, SECRETARIA AUXILIAR DEL TRIBUNAL.

Sudoku

How to Play:

Fill in the empty fields with the numbers from 1 through 9.

Sudoku Rules:

Every row must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Every column must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Every 3x3 square must contain the numbers from 1 through 9

Crossword

Olympic Training Center school teams retain titles at PolyRelays

By THE STAR STAFF

The young athletes from the Eugenio Guerra Cruz Specialized Sports Community School (ECEDAO by its initials in Spanish) at the Olympic Training Center successfully defended their titles in both the girls’ and boys’ divisions of Group I (Superior) at the 70th edition of the PolyRelays track and field meet held this past weekend at Luis F. Sambolín Stadium at the San Germán Campus of Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.

The PolyRelays is one of the most traditional competitions in Puerto Rican school athletics, serving for seven decades as a breeding ground for champions and a development platform for future sports stars.

With an impressive display of talent, discipline and team spirit, ECEDAO dominated the senior-level events in both divisions, solidifying the position of excellence that distinguishes its athletic program. Likewise, in the Intermediate category, the in-

stitution also won the championship in the boys’ division, demonstrating the depth and consistency of its sports program from the youth levels.

One of the highlights of the day was the selection of young Ishael Feliciano Martínez as the most valuable athlete in his category, an award that recognizes his extraordinary performance on the track and his decisive contribution to the team’s victory.

The victory also holds special significance for several members of the senior team, as it represented their last participation in the PolyRelays before beginning their university studies in August. Among them are the national champions in the 200 and 400 meters, Víctor Daniel Alvarado Alvarado and Norian Velázquez de Jesús, respectively, who conclude their school careers leaving an indelible mark of leadership, discipline and competitive excellence.

The victory in San Germán adds to ECEDAO’s recent win at the 4th Taínos Re -

Some members of the victorious ECEDAO girls’ track & field team

lay Invitational, held at the Gurabo Campus of Ana G. Méndez University, solidi-

fying a historic start to the season for the institution.

LVSF opens Week 8 play tonight at Carmen Z. Figueroa Arena in Corozal

By THE STAR STAFF

TA story in the March 3 edition of the STAR said in error that the site of the match was Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Hato Rey.

Today’s contest pits the first-place team, Santurce (14-0), against its closest rival in the standings, second-place Corozal (9-7).

he eighth week of the Women’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSF by its initials in Spanish) season begins today with a lone match on the schedule: the Cangrejeras of Santurce visit the Pinkin of Corozal at historic Carmen Z. Figueroa Arena, starting at 8 p.m.

With challenge system, battle looms at the top of the zone

By ENO SARRIS, DAN HAYES and C. TRENT ROSECRANS / THE ATHLETIC

The robot umpires are here — sort of. Under the automated ball-strike system coming to MLB this year, players will be able to challenge ball-strike calls. Every team gets two challenges per game, and if they get their challenge right, they keep it. Only players on the field get the chance to ask for a review, within two seconds of the call. MLB umpires were generally at their best

last season, collectively hitting all-time lows in wrong-call percentage. That said, there were still more than 15,000 strikes that were called balls and more than 11,000 balls that were called strikes.

The ability to challenge those pitches will make a difference for hitters and pitchers alike, but let’s start by looking at which pitchers might benefit the most from this new system.

We will focus on those called balls that were actually in the strike zone. Where were they?

Low and away is a big hot spot when right-handers throw to right-handers, and that makes sense. A

lot of breaking balls head in that direction. But more than two-thirds of the incorrectly called balls in the zone were fastballs. One analysis of the types of pitches that were hard on umpires found that pitches that start off outside the strike zone but move into the zone by the time they reach the plate were called strikes less often.

That makes sense to Cincinnati Reds starter Brady Singer, at least.

“Any two-seam, sinker, the ball coming back, the umpire might miss that comebacker,” Singer said. “Especially ones low in the zone, too. That super-sink that the catcher pushes down and it might clip that zone and the umpire might not see it.”

But low and away is a known commodity — usually a weakness for a hitter, usually a target for the pitcher. It is likely that the new strikes in the zone down there will affect all pitchers fairly equally.

It is also just one spot across the bottom of the zone where strikes have been called balls. When you look at the top of the zone, it immediately comes into focus that there is a battle forming up there, especially on fastballs.

The players who had the most called balls on pitches in the strike zone last year were Luis Severino (with 22), Quinn Priester (17), Zack Littell (16), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (15), Logan Webb (15), Bryan Woo (14), Dean Kremer (13), Chad Patrick (13), Joe Ryan (13) and Shane Baz (13).

Reds ace Hunter Greene has noticed some of those incorrect calls over the years.

“When I throw up and in to righties, I get more swing and miss than called strikes,” he said. “I’ve never gotten called strikes up and in.”

This might have to do with velocity. FanGraphs once found that higher-velocity fastballs were less likely to be called strikes.

The movement on the high fastballs might also have something to do with it. Many of the pitchers at the top of this list have two fastballs and pepper the top of the zone with different shapes. That is designed to be hard on the hitter, but it can also be challenging for the umpire.

“It’s hard for them to see it’s coming,” Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan said of those high fastballs. “It’s hard for them to see where it’s going to go. The hitter is trying to figure out where it’s going to go so he can make contact, and the umpire is trying to figure out where it’s

going to go so he can call it a strike. That just makes it a challenge.”

There’s going to be a lot of action at the top of the zone this year with the automated ball-strike system.

“Maybe in general it’s just that umpires aren’t very good at calling the top,” Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers surmised. “They’re worse calling the top than the bottom.”

That certainly could be the case. But any pitcher — like Ryan — who is pitching up in the zone will lose those extra strikes even as they gain some strikes on the corners. That, plus the low number of calls that were actually missed for any one pitcher, should be a massive hint that this change will not affect any one player much more than another. Ryan may see 10 more strikes on the corners that were called balls before, and he might lose those 10 strikes on balls that were called strikes middle-up before.

That said, a pitcher who can throw at the top of the zone with command might be in a good position to take advantage of the new way the zone will play once challenges are instituted. The pitchers in the top quartile of the league in throwing high fastballs who also had good command were George Kirby, Tyler Mahle, Nick Pivetta, Shota Imanaga, Zack Wheeler, Webb, Matthew Boyd, Ryan, Luis Castillo and Jacob deGrom.

These pitchers may have the willingness to pitch upstairs and the command to take advantage of the new strikes that might be available at the top corners of the strike zone. For other pitchers, it looks like more of a waitand-see type situation.

“I don’t want to reinvent myself as a pitcher,” Greene said. “I’ll make the adjustments as I go.”

“I hope it’s to my advantage,” Ryan said. “It’ll be fun to play with it. It’s another year to learn something.”

We will certainly see some challenges in all parts of the zone as players adjust to the new reality of how the zone is enforced with the automated ball-strike system. But it also seems like there is a battle looming for the top of the zone.

There once used to be a mantra for pitchers espoused by personnel like Atlanta’s legendary pitching coach Leo Mazzone: “Establish low and away.” This year, the pitchers who can hit the top corners of the zone look like they will see the most benefit from the new realities of the strike zone.

Answers to the Sudoku and Crossword on page 21