VOA News: Americas

Possible Guantanamo Detainee Transfer Questioned

VOA News — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 18:13:11 GMT

A new U.S. congressional report says the United States cannot ensure that former detainees at the Guantanamo Bay military prison will not become involved in insurgent activities.

The report by the oversight panel of the Republican-led House Armed Services Committee says 27 percent of the 600 detainees transferred out of Guantanamo were confirmed or suspected to be presently or previously engaged in terrorist activities.

The report comes as the Obama administration is considering transferring some Taliban inmates from the prison to Qatar, in an effort to engage the Taliban in peace talks.

Democrats on the subcommittee called the report incomplete and issued a dissent.

The top Democrat on the subcommittee, Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee, said the report seems to be politically motivated and aimed at scaring Americans during an election year, instead of being a comprehensive, bipartisan look at former detainees.

Then-president George W. Bush set up the prison at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, after U.S.-led forces went to war in Afghanistan against terrorists behind the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. soil.

Last month, on the 10th anniversary of the prison's opening, United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay voiced deep disappointment that the U.S. government has failed to close the facility, as President Obama pledged to do when he took office three years ago. Pillay said that prisoners remain arbitrarily detained indefinitely, in what she called a clear breach of international law.

In 2009, in one of his first acts as president, Obama promised to close the prison, but his efforts have been met with broad opposition from Congress, including on transferring prisoners from Guantanamo into the U.S. for trial or jailing.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

40 Dead After Boat Sinks Near Dominican Republic Coast

VOA News — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:42:57 GMT

At least 40 people are dead after a boat crowded with migrants sank in the waters off the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, last week.

According to authorities, search crews recovered at least 20 more bodies Wednesday near the coast of Sabana de la Mar. The overloaded vessel sank last Saturday during a voyage to Puerto Rico.

At least a dozen passengers were rescued from the disaster, which officials say is the Caribbean nation's worst maritime accident in memory.

Dominican migrants routinely crowd rickety boats and illegally sail to Puerto Rico to escape economic hardship.

Video footage from the scene

Haitian Prime Minister Visits Washington

VOA News — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 22:08:47 GMT

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, who is visiting Washington for talks on his country's post-earthquake reconstruction efforts.

The prime minister told journalists one purpose of the visit was to discuss progress his country has made since the deadly January 2010 quake and issues related to the slow pace of reconstruction.

The 7.0-magnitude temblor killed at least 200,000 people and left parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, in ruins. Officials in Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country, say an estimated 550,000 people remain without homes, down from 1.5 million after the disaster occurred.

Earlier this week, Conille participated in what he called "constructive" talks with partners in the Caribbean nation's reconstruction: USAID, the Organization of American States, the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and International Monetary Fund.

In a related development, the World Bank's new vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, Hasan Tuluy, is visiting Haiti this week on his first official visit to the region since assuming the post last month. Tuluy said in a recent statement that his trip reflects the priority the bank gives Haiti and that, in spite of many challenges, much has been achieved through joint efforts of Haitians and international partners.

Obama Campaign Returning Funds Linked to Mexican Fugitive

VOA News — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:16:55 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign says it is returning some $200,000 in donations made by the family of a Mexican casino owner who fled drug and fraud charges in the U.S.

The campaign announced Tuesday that it was refunding all contributions linked to Chicago brothers Carlos and Alberto Rojas Cardona after The New York Times raised questions about them.

The newspaper reported Monday that the two Cardonas are the brothers of casino owner Juan Jose Rojas Cardona, known as Pepe, who disappeared after jumping bail in Iowa in 1994 and has since been linked to violence and corruption in Mexico.

The Cardona brothers began raising money for the Obama campaign and the Democratic National Committee last year. Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said the campaign will return the contributions from the Cardonas and any other donors they brought to the campaign. LaBolt said more than 1.3 million Americans have made donations, which he said are constantly reviewed for any issues.

The New York Times cites prosecutors in the state of Iowa as saying Carlos Cardona arranged last year for the former chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party to seek a pardon for his brother Pepe from the governor. The report said no pardon was granted.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

Mexico Nominates First Major Female Presidential Candidate

VOA News — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 02:37:15 GMT

Josefina Vasquez Mota has become the first female presidential candidate from any of Mexico's major political parties.

Vasquez Mota won the ruling National Action Party primary Sunday night. The 59-year-old is hoping to revitalize support for her party in a country weary of corruption and drug violence. That violence is blamed for more than 47,000 deaths since President Felipe Calderon came to office.

Many in Mexico say they are ready for a change after 12 years under the National Action Party, and Vasquez Mota will have to convince voters her presidency would not be a continuation of Mr. Calderon's legacy. In her favor, Calderon and the party establishment had backed another candidate.

Vasquez Mota, a one-time journalist and economist, has served in the government as a legislator, as education secretary, and as the country's first female social development secretary. She also was Mr. Calderon's campaign manager.

She will face opposition candidate Enrique Pena Nieto, from the Institutional Revolutionary Party. Despite holding a wide lead in polls, the 45-year-old Nieto has stumbled on the campaign trail, and some in Mexico say they are not ready to hand power back to his party, which ruled Mexico for more than 70 years.

Also running is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, from the Democratic Revolutionary Party. The 59-year-old former Mexico City mayor finished a close second in the 2006 presidential election, just behind President Calderon.

US Lawmakers: Iran's Latin America Ties Pose Threat to US

Cindy Saine — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 23:06:12 GMT

Members of a U.S. congressional panel expressed concern Thursday that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's ties to several Latin American leaders could pose a threat to U.S. national security. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs that senior Iranian officials are "now more willing to conduct an attack in the United States." He said Iran is trying to penetrate and engage in the Western Hemisphere.

The chairwoman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, said some people might question whether the Iranian-Latin American connection is a threat, but she said there is cause for concern.

"Iran’s [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad recently returned from his ‘Tour of Tyrants’ trip to visit Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador. Media reports have indicated an increased presence of Iran’s Quds Force in these countries and offices of Iran’s intelligence services surfacing throughout the region," said Ros-Lehtinen. "The fact that the military arm of a state-sponsor of terrorism has its operatives within multiple countries in our hemisphere is certainly cause for alarm and merits congressional focus."

Obama administration officials say the United States is keeping a close watch on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's ties to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. During Ahmadinejad's recent visit to Venezuela, he and Chavez praised each other and joked about concerns in the West about Iran's relations with Latin America.

The United States and Europe have been tightening sanctions on Iran in recent months because they say Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Democratic Representative Gary Ackerman of New York said that given Iran's actions, Tehran can expect increased international isolation.

"Ahmadinejad can rack up all the frequent flyer miles he wants, and he can figure out how to convince the people that tyranny would be better and that the waste of war is superior to the fruits of peace. He will continue to find welcome only in the most marginal and radical of states," said Ackerman.

Michael Shifter, president of the Washington-based public policy group Inter-American Dialogue, agreed. He said that unlike in 2009, it is important to note that Ahmadinejad did not visit Brazil during his recent Latin American tour.

"Iran is trying to expand its support in the region, and Ahmadinejad did visit four countries on his recent visit to reinforce the few ties he still has in the world. But his efforts have not been successful. And the four countries he visited, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador are less and less relevant to regional politics," said Shifter.

Also on Thursday, the Senate Banking Committee approved tough new sanctions on Iran, which now will have to go to the full Senate floor.

US Attorney General Faces Renewed Criticism Over Mexico Gun Operation

VOA News — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 20:34:19 GMT

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has faced a new round of Republican criticism over a controversial tactic in which U.S. authorities allowed gun buyers to move arms into Mexico, destined for drug cartels.

In testimony to Congress Thursday, Holder said "Operation Fast and Furious" was flawed, and that allowing arms to "walk" - under any circumstance - is unacceptable.

"The tactic of not interdicting weapons, despite having the ability and legal authority to do so, appears to have been adopted in a misguided effort to stem the alarming number of illegal firearms that are trafficked each year from the United States to Mexico," Holder said. "Now, to be sure, stopping this dangerous flow of weapons is a laudable and critical goal, but attempting to achieve it by using such inappropriate tactics is neither acceptable nor excusable."

Holder told lawmakers on the committee Thursday that he never authorized the operation, and ordered it to stop after he found out about it.

Republicans charge that the Justice Department has not provided enough information to them.

The head of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, California Republican Darrell Issa, has accused Holder of protecting staff, deceiving the public and obstructing the panel's investigation.

At the hearing Thursday, he warned of possible congressional action to force the Justice Department to provide information to the committee.

"Mr. Attorney General, you have, the Executive Branch has, executive privilege," said Issa. "It’s narrow. It’s well-defined. There is case law. If you do not find a legitimate basis to deny us the material we’ve asked for, we will seek the remedies necessary to compel."

U.S. authorities lost track of hundreds of weapons they were supposed to be monitoring. Many weapons eventually were recovered from crime scenes. Two were found at the scene where U.S. border agent Brian Terry was shot and killed in 2010.

Holder said the Justice Department is building its case and is close to making announcements regarding arrests and holding those responsible for the agent's death and the flawed operation.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

Colombia's FARC Rebels Put Off Plans to Free Hostages

VOA News — Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:01:58 GMT

Colombian rebels say they are putting off plans to free six hostages held for more than 10 years because of what they say is military activity in the area.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said Wednesday it will make another attempt to free its captives as soon as what it calls the president's "insanity" abates.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos says nobody knows where the hostages are being held. He appealed to the rebels to stop what he says are tricks and deceptions, and free the hostages now.

FARC is Colombia's largest rebel group. Its fight with the government has killed tens of thousands of people over the past 50 years.

The government says FARC murdered four other hostages in November when troops attempted a rescue.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

Mexican Ambassador Seized, Then Freed, in Venezuela

VOA News — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:10:53 GMT

The Mexican ambassador to Venezuela and his wife are free after being kidnapped in the latest high-profile abduction in that country, where crime is soaring.

Authorities say four armed men seized Ambassador Carlos Pujalte and his wife at around midnight Sunday as they left a reception near the capital, Caracas. The two were released a few hours later in a slum.

Mexican officials said Pujalte and his wife were both in "good health" and thanked Venezuelan security forces for their efforts to free the couple overnight. He said the two gave statements to Venezuelan authorities Monday.

Few details were given about the kidnappers or whether a ransom had been demanded.

Caracas is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world, with a high rate of murders and violent crimes.

Two months ago, a Chilean diplomat in Caracas was abducted, beaten, and shot before being released two hours later. And Major League Baseball star Wilson Ramos was seized during a visit to his parents in late 2011, and held for two days before security forces freed him.

Earthquake Strikes Peruvian Coast

VOA News — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:23:31 GMT

The U.S. Geological Survey says an earthquake with a 6.4 magnitude has hit the coast of central Peru.

The Survey says the quake happened Monday shortly after midnight local time, 15 kilometers southeast of Ica and 280 kilometers south-southeast of Lima, at a depth of 39 kilometers.

Officials said nearly 100 people suffered minor injuries. There were no reports of deaths or major damage.

In 2007, Ica was devastated by an 8.0 earthquake.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

Death Toll Rises to 17 in Brazil Buildings Collapse

Donna Evans — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:42:02 GMT

The death toll from the collapse of three buildings in Brazil has risen to at least 17 people.

Officials say rescue workers pulled more bodies from the rubble Saturday, three days after the office buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

At least seven people remain missing. Authorities say they do not expect to find more survivors.

The three buildings that fell were between four and 20 stories high. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said the collapse appeared to be caused by structural problems and not a gas leak as first suspected.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like an explosion Wednesday evening, and then, with a rumble, the top floors of the buildings began collapsing, covering nearby vehicles with a thick dust.

Officials say the buildings were for commercial, not residential, use.

The incident comes as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and two years later, the Summer Olympics.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP.

Chavez Hopes for Better Relationship With US

VOA News — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says that he hopes for a better relationship with the United States if U.S. President Barack Obama is reelected.

During a news conference at the presidential palace in Caracas late Friday, Mr. Chavez said he hoped that if Mr. Obama is re-elected, the two leaders could shake hands and have "a great relationship."

The Venezuelan president also referred to an interview Mr. Obama gave to to the Spanish language television network Univision this week.

"Obama said he would give more importance to Latin America. He has not done this. I think it is one of the big mistakes he has committed," Chavez said. "He speaks about mistakes in his interview. One of the big mistakes that government has committed is to not communicate with Latin America and to delegate that communication to non-diplomatic entities like the U.S. Southern Command. The roles that should be assumed by him or by his secretary of state are filled by war mongers, by the CIA."

Mr. Chavez also denied reports published in a Spanish newspaper that said he was dying. He told reporters he was as strong as as ever, and the Spanish media simply wishes he would die.

Like Mr. Obama, Mr. Chavez is running for re-election this year, in his case, to a third term. Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been tense since President Chavez was first elected in 1998.

Guatemala to Try Ex-Dictator for Genocide

VOA News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:41:19 GMT

A judge in Guatemala has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to try former dictator Efrain Rios Montt on charges of genocide during his time in power from 1982 to 1983.

The judge ruled Thursday in Guatemala City that Montt should answer to charges of responsibility for mass killings of thousands of indigenous people in their villages. The killings were part of a counterinsurgency effort aimed at leftist rebels in Guatemala's 36-year civil war that ended in 1996.

Montt has been placed under house arrest until further proceedings.

Montt lost his seat in Congress last year, and with it, the immunity from prosecution granted public officials.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

US Immigrant Restaurateurs Share Dishes of Mexican State

Mike O'Sullivan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:35:31 GMT

Los Angeles is home to people from many countries who share their culture, and their food, with their neighbors. We talk with a family with roots in southern Mexico that is preserving and teaching others about their culinary traditions.

Gilberto Cetina Jr. and his father are conducting a special class to teach high school students about the food of Yucatan, their native state in southern Mexico. The food is distinctive, with marinades made from tropical spices and citrus.

Chef Cetina says his restaurant, called Chichen Itza after an ancient city of the Mayan people, appeals to people of all ethnicities. “We try to show our culture to the world,” he said.

Gilberto Cetina Senior worked for 20 years as an engineer. But for the past 11 years, he and his son have run this small restaurant in a Los Angeles marketplace. Critics have praised their cooking and included Chichen Itza on lists of the top Latino restaurants in the country.

Some of the food is standard Mexican fare, including tortillas, the ubiquitous Mexican flatbread. Other dishes have roots in the cultures of southern Mexico: the ancient Mayans and the more recent Lebanese immigrants. When they settled in Yucatan a century ago, they introduced a popular treat called kibis, fried patties of meat, bulgur wheat, mint and spices. Dutch merchants brought gouda cheese, which is now a local staple.

The signature dish, called cochinita pibil, is pork simmered in spices and wrapped in banana leaves.

The lives of Mexican immigrants revolve around family -- often extended families whose members live in both the United States and Mexico. Son Gilberto Cetina Junior was raised on both sides of the border. “So I really got to experience the culture, the food. I was very involved with our family and obviously, anything that involves family with us involved cooking,” he explained.

The Cetinas have shared their family recipes in a cookbook called Sabores Yucatecos, or Yucatan Flavors. Most of the recipes come from Gilberto Cetina Senior’s mother and had never been written down.

Coauthor Katharine Diaz says the Yucatan peninsula, although a part of Mexico, remained somewhat isolated after the Spanish conquest 500 years ago. “And so it’s always maintained a bit of independence. Hence, its food is very different as well,” she stated.

Members of this immigrant family take pride in sharing their cuisine and traditions with their neighbors.

Haiti Warned to Expect More Major Earthquakes

VOA News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:40:31 GMT

Experts are warning Haiti to brace for more strong earthquakes over the next several decades.

A study by the Seismological Society of America says the magnitude 7 quake that wrecked much of Port-au-Prince two years ago was centered in the same place as a 6.6 quake in 1701.

That was followed by three more powerful earthquakes in 1751 and 1770, before 240 years of quiet that preceded the 2010 quake.

The experts say the 2010 earthquake may be the start of a new period of strong seismic activity. They say earthquakes are impossible to predict, but they call on Haitians to prepare by putting up stronger buildings.

The 2010 earthquake killed 250,000 people. Parts of Port-au-Prince are still in ruins.

Scientists say the Caribbean island of Hispanola, which is divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, was one of the earliest European colonies and has extensive seismology records dating back more than 500 years.

Irregularities in Nicaragua Election Prompt US Aid Review

VOA News — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:33:41 GMT

The United States says Nicaragua's recent elections were "a setback to democracy" and warned it would now review aid to the country.

In a statement Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the November 6 re-election of President Daniel Ortega was marred by significant irregularities.

The statement said the process was not transparent or impartial, and undermined the ability of Nicaraguans to hold their government accountable.

Clinton said the U.S. and other countries must therefore look for ways to hold Nicaragua accountable - such as applying "aggressive scrutiny" to project loans at the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank. She said the U.S. will oppose any project that doesn't meet the "high standards" of the banks or provide adequate development impact.

The comments follow the final report of the Organization of American States election observation mission.

Ortega won more than 60 percent of the first-round vote in November, enough to avoid a runoff. A onetime Sandinista revolutionary, Ortega is the first Nicaraguan president to serve back-to-back terms since the end of the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.

He first came to power in 1984 after earlier leading a movement to overthrow the country's dictator Anastasio Somoza. He lost his re-election bid in 1990, but regained power in 2006.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

5 Dead in Brazil Buildings Collapse

VOA News — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:14:15 GMT

Rescue workers in Brazil have pulled at least five bodies from the rubble of three collapsed buildings in downtown Rio de Janeiro. At least six people were injured and 15 others are still missing.

Emergency crews found the five bodies Thursday as they used search dogs and heavy machinery to sift through the wreckage of the buildings that collapsed late Wednesday.

"We really hope to find survivors," said police officer Julio Cesar Mafia. "That is why we are carrying out the debris removal very carefully, to be sure that we won't harm any survivors.''

The three buildings that fell were between four and 20 stories high. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said the collapse appeared to be caused by structural problems and not a gas leak as earlier suspected.

"We won't speculate about the accident's causes, but we have ruled out the possibility of a gas explosion," he said. "What has probably happened was a structure failure in the tallest
building that led to the collapse of the three structures.''

Authorities told Brazil's Globo television network that construction was being carried out on one of the buildings and could have contributed to the collapse.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like an explosion Wednesday evening, and then with a rumble, the top floors of the buildings began collapsing, covering vehicles with a thick dust. One unidentified witness likened the scene to that of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

"At first I thought someone was throwing rubble, that it was nothing serious," he said. "Then I started to take some steps back and all of a sudden the building collapsed. It came down completely."

"I was walking on the path when all of a sudden the building collapsed," said Rio de Janeiro resident Aloisio Pereira. "It was connected to this other building here and it just collapsed so we ran out. We tried to see if there was anyone inside, but we could not tell."

Officials say the buildings were for commercial, not residential, use. Television reports say police have cordoned off the area around the destroyed buildings, and that electricity has been cut off over concerns of a possible gas leak.

The infrastructure problems come as Brazil makes improvements before hosting the 2014 World Cup and the Summer Olympics two years later.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Argentine President Returning to Work After Thyroid Surgery

VOA News — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:28:45 GMT

Argentine officials say President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will return to work Wednesday following a cancer scare that led to the removal of her thyroid earlier this month.

Vice President Amado Boudou, who has been filling in for President Fernandez, says she will be returning "in full form."

The 58-year-old president was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just before Christmas and underwent surgery January 4. Later tests on the tissue revealed the initial diagnosis was wrong and the nodules found on her thyroid were benign.

President Fernandez took office in December 2007. She was re-elected last October.

Ms. Fernandez is the first woman elected president of Argentina.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

US Senator Seeks Release of American Jailed in Cuba

VOA News — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:49:53 GMT

A high ranking member of the U.S. Senate is in Cuba trying to gain the release of an American accused of spying.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin arrived on the island Wednesday for high level talks with Cuban officials.

He is urging Cuba to release Alan Gross, a USAID contractor, who is serving a 15-year sentence.

Gross has been jailed since 2009 after he was found guilty of spying.

The U.S. says Gross is not a spy and that he was arranging Internet service for a small Jewish community on the island.

Before leaving Cuban, Durbin will also hold talks on Cuba's plans for an off shore drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. concern has been elevated by last year's British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the southwestern United States coast.

An explosion on a oil rig caused the subsequent spill, creating one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Following his meetings in Cuba, Senator Durbin will travel to Haiti for discussions with government leaders on the recovery efforts following last year's devastating earthquake that left at least 300,000 dead.

Haitian officials say an estimated 550,000 people are still without homes, down from 1.5 million after the earthquake struck.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

New York Wins Close Super Bowl Over New England

Parke Brewer — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 06:49:19 GMT

The New York Giants are this season’s champions of American football, beating the New England Patriots in the NFL’s Super Bowl 46, 21-17, played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

These same two teams met in the Super Bowl four years ago when the New York Giants scored a surprising 17-14 upset, preventing the New England Patriots from completing a rare undefeated season.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning had led his team to a touchdown in the closing minute, and that is just what he did again against the Patriots here at Lucas Oil Stadium before a capacity crowd of nearly 70,000.

And also like in 2008, Manning connected on a long pass to a receiver who made an outstanding catch during the winning scoring drive. The Giants later got a short touchdown run from Ahmad Bradshaw with 57 seconds left to give them the 21-17 comeback victory over New England.

In all, Manning completed 30 of his 40 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown and was named the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player.

He was also the MVP four years ago, but he did not wish to address his individual award, which also comes with a new sports car.

Manning said, “You know, I’m just excited to win a championship; excited for my teammates. We have a number of guys, this is there first one, obviously some other ones who are getting their second and more. I’m excited for them. I’m excited for coach (Tom) Coughlin, all the coaches, the Giants organization. This isn’t about one person. It’s about one team coming together and getting this win.”

Toward the end of the regular season the Giants were struggling at seven wins-seven losses, but won their final two games to barely make the playoffs. Then they kept winning under head coach Tom Coughlin, who said this Super Bowl victory is special.

“You know each one is very unique and this is just as exciting, probably more so because of the kind of year we had,” said Coughlin.

Giants fans Mike Tarloff and wife Lisa made the trip from New York to Indianapolis the day before the game hoping they would find resale tickets they could afford. They found two online for $1,700 apiece and said it was worth it.

He said, “It’s unbelievably outstanding. You know the team has been magical all season. You know I said to my wife there is 3:50 to go or thereabouts, and you know we need a Super Bowl winning drive and the team’s coming through. Eli has led them many times. And, the team came through and it was awesome.”

His wife Lisa told VOA how much witnessing her Giants win the Super Bowl meant to her. “Absolutely amazing. I tell my husband seeing the Hollywood sign in California was the thrill of my life, but now next to marrying him, this is the next best moment.”

For losing quarterback Tom Brady, who has won three Super Bowls in his career and had guided New England to an impressive 13-3 regular season, it was a huge disappointment.

Brady said, “You know we just came up a little bit short and I think there were some missed opportunities out there. Everybody feels we could have done more. I’ll keep coming to this game and keep trying. I’d rather come to lose than not get here, so hopefully we’ll be back at some point. We had a great year. We just didn’t make enough plays today.”

So, the New York Giants are back on top of the American football world, claiming Super Bowl 46, 21-17.

New York Giants Beat New England Patriots to Win Super Bowl

VOA News — Mon, 6 Feb 2012 03:58:51 GMT

The New York Giants used a last-minute touchdown to beat the New England Patriots, 21-17, and win the championship of the U.S. National Football League - the Super Bowl - the country's biggest sporting event.

Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw erased a two-point Patriots lead with a 5-yard touchdown run that lifted the Giants to victory in Super Bowl 46.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who led a nine-play, 80-yard drive that put the Giants ahead for good, was named the game's most valuable player.

New England had one more possession after Bradshaw scored, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw a long pass on the game's final play that fell incomplete in the end zone.

It was the fourth Super Bowl win in the history of the Giants, who also beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 42 in 2008 and won NFL championships in 1987 and 1991. Manning was also named most valuable player of Super Bowl 42.

The Giants stood 7-7 at one point in the season but won their last six games. Their last loss came to the Washington Redskins on December 18.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters, AFP, AP.

Romney Wins Nevada Caucus

Mike O'Sullivan — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 07:44:34 GMT

U.S. presidential contender Mitt Romney decisively won Republican Party caucuses in the western state of Nevada Saturday, confirming his lead in the race to choose his party's nominee for the presidential election in November.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich placed second in the Nevada race, and Texas Congressman Ron Paul came in third. The former senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum trailed the group.

Nevada's Republican preference vote is the first in the western United States, and takes place in a state that is likely to be a key battleground in November.

As the votes were counted in caucuses around the state, Romney cruised to victory in the Nevada contest, helped in part by an estimated one-in-four Republican caucus voters who share his Mormon faith. Network polls show that more than 90 percent of Mormon caucus voters supported Romney.

Romney's win follows his decisive victory in Florida Tuesday, and was his third in the presidential party preference votes.

Polls indicate the economy was the major concern among caucus-goers. In his victory speech to supporters, Romney noted that Nevada has the nation's highest rate of unemployment and home foreclosures, and that President Barack Obama had promised to help.

Romney said, “I've walked in Nevada neighborhoods blighted by abandoned homes where people wonder why Barack Obama failed them. Well Mr. President, Nevada has had enough of your kind of help.”

Caucus voter Michael Dugan supported Romney because of the candidate's business experience. He said, "We need somebody who has done something in the private sector and knows how to get things done. More importantly knows how to bring people together, not tear them apart."

Caucus voter John Ryan is less enthusiastic, but believes Romney would make an acceptable president. "I voted for Mitt Romney. My opinion he was the least worst choice. I just don't see Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul as presidential material," said Ryan.

Candidate Newt Gingrich called a news conference late Saturday, saying he wanted to quell rumors that he plans to quit the race. Gingrich promises to keep campaigning until the Republican nominating convention in Tampa, Florida, in late August.

The forner House speaker said, “I am a candidate for President of the United States. I will be a candidate for President of the United States. We will go to Tampa.”

Gingrich says he could catch up with frontrunner Romney by April.

Ron Paul and Rick Santorum, who finished third and fourth in the Nevada contest, concentrated their efforts Saturday on Minnesota and Colorado, which have Republican caucuses, and Missouri, which has a non-binding Republican primary election, all on Tuesday.

Cuban Prisoner Dies After Hunger Strike

VOA News — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:13:46 GMT

Cuban human rights activists say jailed dissident Wilman Villar Mendoza has died following a seven-week-long hunger strike.

The activists say the 31-year-old Villar, who had been suffering from pneumonia, died Thursday in a Santiago hospital, where he had been transferred. Last November, Villar was arrested after taking part in a march. A few days later, he was tried and sentenced for crimes including disobedience and resisting arrest. The activists say he had stopped eating to protest his sentence.

U.S. President Barack Obama's press secretary says the chief executive's thoughts and prayers are with Villar's family. A White House statement says the senseless death highlights the ongoing repression of the Cuban people.

The human rights group Amnesty International said in a statement Friday that the responsibility for Villar's death in custody lies squarely with Cuban authorities, who Amnesty said "summarily judged and jailed him for exercising his right to freedom of expression." Amnesty also said Cuban authorities "must stop the harassment, persecution, and imprisonment of peaceful demonstrators as well as political and human rights activists."

The government in Havana has not commented on his death.

Two years ago, Cuba drew international condemnation when another imprisoned dissident, Orlando Zapata Tamayo, died following an 85-day hunger strike his supporters say was staged to protest prison conditions. Zapata's mother blamed Cuban officials for his death in February 2010.

Peruvian Vice President Resigns

VOA News — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:20:49 GMT

Peruvian Vice President Omar Chehade resigned Tuesday due to corruption charges. However, Chehade kept his congressional seat.

The resignation came just ahead of a vote on recommending moving forward with impeachment proceedings against him.

Chehade maintains his innocence and told members of congress he did not want to cause Peruvian President Ollanta Humala any harm with the corruption charges.

President Humala took office in July promising to fight political corruption.

The Peruvian government has two vice presidential positions, both largely ceremonial. Chehade had been vice president for three months.

The charges against Chehade include allegations that he asked the police to help remove workers from a cooperative sugar plantation to clear the way for a corporate takeover.

Peruvian law prohibited President Humala from firing Chehade from his administration.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

French Judge Seeks Access to Guantanamo Prison

VOA News — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:20:35 GMT

A French judge has requested permission from the United States to visit the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to investigate claims by former French inmates that they were tortured.

Judge Sophie Clement said Tuesday she wants access to all documents relating to the arrest and transfer of three Frenchmen who were held there.

The three men, Nizar Sassi, Mourad Benchellali and Khaled Ben Mustapha, were arrested in late 2001 on the Afghan-Pakistani border and transferred to Guantanamo. They were sent back to France in 2004 and 2005 and later released.

The men told the judge during questioning in France that they were subjected to violence, including torture and sexual abuse, during their detention.

The U.S. detention center at Guantanamo became a prison for suspects in the war on terror in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Supporters say the facility is vital to the war effort, while critics say allegations of harsh interrogation procedures have severely damaged America’s reputation.

Days after his January 2009 inauguration, U.S. President Barack Obama issued an executive order to close Guantanamo within one year. But the detention center remained open after Congress blocked the transfer of prisoners from Guantanamo to the U.S. for trial in civilian courts.

Many lawmakers want foreign terrorism suspects tried before military commissions, where they would not have the rights given to defendants in civilian courts.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

Venezuela Says Consulate Officials in US Threatened

VOA News — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:27:51 GMT

Venezuela says it is withdrawing its personnel from its consulate in the U.S. city of Miami because the staff there have been threatened.

The moves comes shortly after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered the closure of the consulate in Miami in an escalating diplomatic dispute.

President Chavez said on Friday he was closing the consulate in response to a U.S. decision to expel a Venezuelan diplomat.

Venezuela's consul general in Miami, Livia Acosta Noguera, was ordered out of the United States recently amid reports she discussed possible cyber attacks on the U.S.

The allegations were made in a documentary aired by the Spanish-language media outlet, Univision.

President Chavez has described the expulsion as "unfair," saying there is no proof that the diplomat was engaged in espionage.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

Retired General Sworn in as Guatemalan President

VOA News — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:11:35 GMT

Retired general Otto Perez has been sworn in as Guatemala's new president.

In his inaugural address Saturday in Guatemala City before a crowd that included more than a dozen heads-of-state, Perez appealed to Mexico and the United States to help Guatemala fight drug trafficking.

Drug cartels from neighboring Mexico have occupied large sections of Guatemala, bringing with them a surge of violence that has pushed the country's murder rate to one of the highest in the world.

President Perez told the crowd Saturday "change has begun" and said that he and his administration "are committed to peace and integral security."
He succeeds Alvaro Colom and inherits a government tough financial straits.

Perez is the first military officer to lead the Central American country since the military turned the government over to civilians 25 years ago.

Perez won over voters in part because of his tough stance against corruption, drugs and crime.

President Perez was reminded of the challenges ahead when a prospective member of his administration, a congressman, Valentin Leal Caal, was gunned down outside the campaign headquarters of the ruling party on Friday.

Police have not announced an arrest in the murder.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Dutchman Gets 28 Years in Peruvian Woman's Death

VOA News — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:18:19 GMT

A Dutchman suspected in the disappearance of an American woman has received a 28-year prison sentence from a Lima court for the killing of a 21-year-old Peruvian woman.

The court sentenced Joran van der Sloot Friday, two days after he pleaded guilty to killing business student Stephany Flores in May 2010. The 24-year-old Dutch citizen was also ordered to pay about $74,000 in civil damages.

Flores died exactly five years after 18-year-old Natalee Holloway disappeared after spending time with van der Sloot on the Caribbean island of Aruba.

Van der Sloot Wednesday told a panel of three judges that he was sorry for Flores' death and "felt very bad." He earlier told police he became angry and strangled Flores in his Lima hotel room after he caught her looking up information about him on his laptop computer when the case of the missing American woman came up.

Van der Sloot's lawyers argued he was suffering from "post-traumatic stress" caused by inquiries into his possible ties to Holloway's disappearance.

Friday's sentencing comes one day after a judge in Alabama declared Holloway dead.

Van der Sloot was taken into custody in 2005 and later released following the Alabama teenager's disappearance during a high school graduation trip. He has never taken responsibility for Holloway's disappearance and her body has never been found.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

Guyana Man Gets Life Sentence on Failed US Terror Plot

VOA News — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:44:31 GMT

A United States judge has sentenced a Guyana man to life in prison for his role in an unsuccessful plot to set off a bomb at a New York airport.

Prosecutors say Kareem Ibrahim provided operational support for the plot to blow up fuel tanks and pipelines at John F. Kennedy airport in 2007.

Ibrahim was found guilty of conspiracy last year after a four-week trial.

Two other co-defendants also got life sentences. They include a former Guyana parliamentarian Abdul Kadir,and a U.S. citizen, Russell Defreitas, who used to work as a cargo handler at the airport.

Prosecutors say the former airport worker initiated the plan. Authorities say the attack was aimed at avenging what they considered the mistreatment of Muslims worldwide.

The fourth co-defendant, Abdel Nur, a Guyana militant was given 15 years for providing material support.

The case against the men based on informant information and surveillance of the former airport cargo handler in which they boasted about their plan.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

Venezuela Closes Its Miami Consulate

VOA News — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:28:46 GMT

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered the closure of the country's consulate in Miami, days after the United States expelled a Venezuelan diplomat.

In a speech to the National Assembly Friday, Chavez said he was taking the move in response to what he called an "unfair" action by the U.S.

The United States said Sunday it was expelling Venezuela's consul general in Miami, Livia Acosta Noguera, amid reports she discussed possible cyber attacks on the United States.

The allegations were made in a documentary aired by the Spanish-language media outlet, Univision.

Chavez said there is no proof that the diplomat was engaged in espionage

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.