
Accused Guatemalan drug trafficker wanted in US is captured in Mexico
Guatemala Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez said the capture of Aler Baldomero Samayoa Recinos on Tuesday was carried out in cooperation with Mexico and the United States. He said Samayoa Recinos negotiated drug shipments through Guatemala with Mexican cartels.
Guatemala also has a case against Samayoa Recinos, so it wasn't immediately clear if that case would have to proceed before his extradition would be considered. He was expected to appear in court in Guatemala on Wednesday.
A U.S. federal indictment against Samayoa Recinos was unsealed in Washington in 2022 for alleged cocaine trafficking.
Guatemalan authorities say that Samayoa Recinos leads an organized crime group called 'Los Huistas.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
25 minutes ago
- New York Post
Erik Menendez denied parole in crushing defeat for celebrity killer
Erik Menendez should not be granted parole 36 years after murdering his parents, the California Board of Parole Hearings has decided. The decision to deny Menendez parole eligibility for three years came after a Thursday hearing conducted over video conference. It was a crushing defeat for Menendez after a long, winding legal battle in which his attorneys and family members had insisted he had been rehabilitated after more than three decades behind bars. Lyle Menendez will have his own parole hearing on Friday; he may win the board's recommendation for parole where his brother failed. 7 Mugshots of Erik (left) and Lyle Menendez. AP 7 Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit in Beverly Hills Municipal Court in 1990. AP 7 Protestors holding signs advocating for the release of Erik and Lyle Menendez. Barbara Davidson If the board decides to recommend Lyle for parole, it will have 120 days to conduct a legal review before submitting the recommendation to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will have 30 days to affirm or deny it. As for Erik, not all hope is lost: Newsom could still grant him clemency despite the Board's lack of a recommendation. Defense attorneys for the brothers argued years of sexual abuse by their father, with the abetment of their mother, the pair to purchase shotguns and kill Jose and Kitty Menendez execution style in the living room of their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989. Attorneys also insisted that Erik and Lyle had been model prisoners, pointing out Erik's work cofounding a support group for prisoners in hospice care and Lyle's work as an advocate for victims of childhood sexual abuse. But Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman did everything in his power to keep the brothers in jail, calling their self-defense claim an outright lie that proved they showed no 'insight' into their crimes — a key requirement for parole eligibility. Insight means taking full responsibility for a crime and understanding the factors that led you to commit the crime, such as anger, inability to handle stress, and substance abuse, said Michael Beckman, a lawyer specializing in parole hearings. Erik had also been cited for several rule violations, including possessing a cell phone and fights with inmates in 1997 and 2011. 7 Family portrait of Jose, Lyle, Kitty, and Erik Menendez. 7 Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who opposed freedom for the brothers. Getty Images 7 Diane Vanderbilt, cousin of Lyle and Erik Menendez, speaks on behalf of the brothers at a press conference. David Buchan/New York Post Lyle was also cited for having a cellphone several times in 2024, Hochman's office revealed. 'The board is really big on the philosophy that if you can't follow the rules in prison, you can't follow the rules in free society,' Beckman said. 'Add to that that cellphones are one of the three big bad rule violations along with violence and substance abuse.' Ultimately, Beckman noted that parole decisions come down to individual commissioners, who might weigh the brothers' cases based on factors like their celebrity status or family members' support. 7 Black and white photo of Erik (left) and Lyle Menendez sitting on steps. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The brothers have had celebrity status since their two high-profile trials in the 90s, but a Netflix documentary about the case brought them back into the spotlight last year. Former District Attorney George Gascón filed a formal motion to resentence them, citing new evidence of sexual abuse, including a handwritten note from Erik to a cousin — dated before the murders — that detailed his father's actions.


San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Car bomb and helicopter attack in Colombia kill at least 13, including police officers
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A car bomb and a separate attack on a police helicopter in Colombia killed at least 13 people on Thursday, according to authorities. President Gustavo Petro attributed both incidents to dissidents of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, commonly known as FARC. Petro said on X that eight police officers died in the helicopter attack and noted that the aircraft was transporting personnel to an area in Antioquia, in northern Colombia, to eradicate coca leaf crops, the raw material for cocaine. Antioquia Gov. Andrés Julián said on the same social media platform that a drone attacked the helicopter as it flew over coca leaf crops. Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez said that preliminary information indicates the attack caused a fire in the aircraft. Authorities did not immediately provide details of the conditions of the eight people who were injured in the helicopter attack. Meanwhile, authorities in the southwest city of Cali reported that a vehicle loaded with explosives detonated near a military aviation school, killing 5 people and injuring more than 30. The Colombian Aerospace Force did not immediately provide additional details of the explosion. Petro initially blamed the Gulf Clan, the country's largest active drug cartel, for the helicopter attack. He asserted that the aircraft was targeted in retaliation for a cocaine seizure that allegedly belonged to the group. FARC dissidents, who rejected a peace agreement with the government in 2016, and members of the Gulf Clan operate in Antioquia. Coca leaf cultivation is on the rise in Colombia. The area under cultivation reached a record 253,000 hectares in 2023, according to the latest report available from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. ____


Time Business News
2 hours ago
- Time Business News
Crime Concerns in Texas and the Need for Defense Attorneys
Texas faces several significant crime-related challenges that drive demand for criminal defense representation across the state. Violent Crime Trends Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin consistently rank among areas with elevated violent crime rates. Homicides, aggravated assaults, and armed robberies remain persistent concerns, particularly in urban centers. Drug-related violence and gang activity contribute substantially to these statistics. Property Crime Issues Burglary, theft, and vehicle theft rates remain high across both urban and rural areas. The state's proximity to the Mexican border creates unique challenges with smuggling operations and related property crimes. Rural areas face particular issues with cattle theft and equipment theft from agricultural operations. Drug-Related Offenses Texas serves as a major corridor for drug trafficking due to its extensive border with Mexico. This results in high rates of drug possession, distribution, and manufacturing charges. The state has also seen significant increases in fentanyl-related cases, creating both public health and criminal justice challenges. White-Collar Crime Major metropolitan areas see substantial white-collar criminal activity including fraud, embezzlement, and financial crimes. The state's large business sector and oil industry create opportunities for complex financial crimes that require specialized legal expertise. Why Texans Need Criminal Defense Attorneys Harsh Sentencing Guidelines Texas is known for aggressive prosecution and lengthy sentences. The state maintains some of the strictest penalties in the nation for various offenses, making skilled legal representation crucial for anyone facing charges. Complex Legal System Texas has intricate criminal codes and procedures that vary significantly between jurisdictions. Local practices in Harris County differ substantially from those in rural counties, requiring attorneys with specific regional knowledge. High Stakes Consequences Criminal convictions in Texas carry severe collateral consequences including employment barriers, housing restrictions, and loss of professional licenses. The state's approach to repeat offenders under habitual offender statutes can result in disproportionately harsh sentences. Resource Disparities Many defendants lack the resources to navigate the complex legal system effectively. Public defender offices are often overwhelmed, leading individuals to seek private counsel when facing serious charges. The combination of high crime rates, aggressive prosecution practices, and severe consequences creates a environment where competent legal representation becomes essential for protecting individual rights and achieving fair outcomes in the Texas criminal justice system. TIME BUSINESS NEWS