DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

BROWNSVILLE, Texas—Some 1,000 trucks a day arrive from Mexico at a border checkpoint here near the southern tip of Texas. Their first stop is a white-and-yellow painted metal portal where energy beamed at the trucks produces X-ray images to try to spot fentanyl and other contraband. Across the southern border, most U.S.-bound trucks and nearly all passenger vehicles are generally scanned selectively if they are pulled aside. Mexican cartels have long profited from these odds while smuggling fentanyl and other narcotics. Their illicit trade propelled the U.S. to a record of nearly 107,000 fatal overdoses in 2021, the most recent year of full data.

☆ Mexico Indicts Five Men in Kidnapping, Deaths of Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Juan Montes | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The vehicle in which four Americans from South Carolina drove into Matamoros, Mexico, from Brownsville, Texas, and were attacked by armed men, according to Mexican authorities. MEXICO CITY—A Mexican judge has indicted five men turned in by a drug gang in the abduction of four Americans, two of whom were killed, in the violence-plagued city of Matamoros, said the top prosecutor in the border state of Tamaulipas. Prosecutors in Tamaulipas, where Matamoros is located, formally arrested the five men Friday. They had been left tied up the day before on a Matamoros street with a sign claiming they were responsible for kidnapping and killing the Americans.

☆ Mexican Drug Gang Turns In Members It Blames for Americans’ Deaths
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Juan Montes | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

People attended a vigil in Scranton, S.C., on Wednesday to mourn the deaths of two of four Americans caught in a shootout in Matamoros, Mexico. MEXICO CITY—A faction of Mexico’s Gulf Cartel left five men tied up on a Matamoros street with a sign claiming they were responsible for kidnapping four Americans and killing two of them and a Mexican woman who was hit by a stray bullet, officials said Thursday. Tamaulipas state Attorney General Irving Barrios said the five men, who were left near the city’s principal plaza in the early morning hours, were in custody and being questioned.

☆ Americans Kidnapped, Killed in Mexico Were Victims of Violent Border City
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Juan Montes | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

MEXICO CITY—The four Americans who came to the border city of Matamoros last week looking for medical treatment stumbled into a city under the control of powerful factions of the historic Gulf Cartel that extort businesses, traffic migrants and smuggle fentanyl and other drugs across the Rio Grande. Matamoros, a city of 500,000 on the border with Brownsville, Texas, is a key commercial hub in the state of Tamaulipas, and has in recent years drawn Americans in search of affordable medical treatment and low-cost surgeries. It is also the birthplace of the Gulf Cartel, one of Mexico’s oldest and most powerful criminal organizations, and home to a recent rise in armed violence between drug gangs, Mexican authorities and security analysts say.

☆ Americans Kidnapped, Killed in Mexico Stumbled Into Violent Border City
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Juan Montes | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ Four U.S. Citizens Missing After Being Abducted in Mexican Border City
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( José De Córdoba | Anthony Harrup | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Matamoros, pictured in 2019, has recently become a battleground between two heavily armed gangs. Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped in northern Mexico after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle shortly after they crossed the border into Matamoros from Brownsville, Texas, U.S. officials said late Sunday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Antonio division said it was seeking help in locating the four individuals, who were abducted on Friday. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to their return or the capture of those responsible.

☆ Four U.S. Citizens Missing After Being Abducted in Matamoros, Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( José De Córdoba | Anthony Harrup | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Matamoros has recently become a battleground between two heavily armed gangs. Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped in northern Mexico after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle shortly after they crossed the border into Matamoros from Brownsville, Texas, U.S. officials said late Sunday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Antonio division said it was seeking help in locating the four individuals, who were abducted on Friday. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to their return or the capture of those responsible.

☆ Four U.S. Citizens Missing After Being Kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( José De Córdoba | Juan Montes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The FBI and Mexican army soldiers are mounting a search effort for the four individuals. Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped in northern Mexico after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle shortly after they crossed the border into Matamoros from Brownsville, Texas, U.S. and Mexican officials said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Antonio division said Sunday it was seeking help in locating the four individuals, who were abducted on Friday. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to their return or the capture of those responsible.

☆ Pablo Escobar and the real story behind 'Cocaine Bear'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Chris Dalby | Insight Crime | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"Cocaine Bear" depicts an ursine rampage through Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The film is a fictionalization of a real event involving a bear finding cocaine thrown from a drug-laden airplane. Plenty has been written on the film's fictionalization of a real event involving a bear finding cocaine thrown from a drug-laden airplane. The real bear, which found packets of cocaine in the forest in 1985, never got a chance to go on a murder spree. The companyFor all its insanity, Cocaine Bear screenwriter Jimmy Warden does include elements of the real story.

☆ Argentina reports new cases of bird flu in its territory
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Argentina confirmed on Saturday two new cases of bird flu detected in wild birds, three days after reporting the first findings of the disease in the South American region. Argentina, along with Uruguay - two important international agricultural producers - this week declared a state of sanitary emergency due to the first cases reported last Wednesday. Avian flu, which has reached new corners of the globe, has become endemic for the first time in some wild birds that transmit the virus to poultry, experts said. Several countries in South America, including Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, have already found cases of bird flu in their territory. Brazil, the world's biggest chicken exporter, has never reported a case but is on alert.

☆ Nicaraguan Bishop Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A Nicaraguan court tried and sentenced a Catholic bishop to a 26-year prison term Friday, just one day after President Daniel Ortega disparaged the cleric for refusing to leave the country with other political prisoners. Judge Octavio Rothschuh read the sentence on government-affiliated media, condemning Msgr. Rolando Álvarez, 56, on charges of undermining the state, spreading false news and resisting authority, among others.

☆ Nicaragua Releases 222 Political Prisoners, U.S. to Take Them In
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( José De Córdoba | Andrew Restuccia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Nicaragua has released more than 200 political prisoners, many of whom have been held in harsh conditions since their arrest two years ago, and the U.S. agreed to take them in, U.S. officials said Thursday. The 222 prisoners, who include former presidential candidates and leading journalists as well as student, labor and business leaders, were put on a chartered flight in Managua. They were expected to land in Washington around midday.

☆ How Budweiser Tackled a Beer-Free World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Katie Deighton | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +9 min

In the end, the brewer found a way to navigate the World Cup beer-free and roll with the media attention that the alcohol ban generated. Soccer’s 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar ran from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. World Cup sponsors Kia and Adidas similarly maintained their reputational scores, according to the Morning Consult data. Budweiser doesn’t pay a reported $75 million for the official beer sponsorship of the World Cup just to serve beer at stadiums. But the ban on alcoholic Budweiser undermined the impetus for being at the World Cup, Mr. Marcondes said.

☆ Planeload of Freed Nicaraguan Political Prisoners Arrives in U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( José De Córdoba | Andrew Restuccia | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Nicaragua has released 222 political prisoners, many of whom had been held in harsh conditions since their arrest two years ago, and the U.S. agreed to take them in, U.S. officials said Thursday. The prisoners, who include seven former presidential candidates, leading journalists and student, labor, opposition and business leaders, were deported and put on a chartered flight in Managua after they were stripped of their citizenship, Nicaragua’s government said. They landed at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, where they were met on Thursday by joyful family members.

☆ Factbox: Renault, Nissan detail joint projects to revive alliance
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LATIN AMERICAThe four projects to be considered in Latin America include:A new half-ton pick-up, developed by Renault Group and shared with Nissan in Argentina. Renault Group would produce the pick‑ups in Cordoba (Argentina) for both Renault and Nissan. In Mexico, Nissan would produce a new model for Renault Group, making it the first Renault vehicle to be produced there in 20 years. INDIAFor India and export, Renault Group and Nissan would collaborate on several new vehicle projects including new SUVs shared by both Renault Group and Nissan, and a New Nissan car derived from the Renault Triber. Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure: Renault Group and Nissan are considering jointly deploying charging infrastructure in Europe at both Renault Group and Nissan dealerships.

☆ Four Suspects in Haitian President’s Slaying Transferred to U.S. Custody
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The late Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was honored in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after his assassination. The U.S. filed criminal charges and took custody of four key suspects detained in connection with the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse , the Justice Department said on Tuesday. The four men, three Haitian-Americans and a Colombian, had been in a Haitian prison since the July 2021 killing of Mr. Moïse and were transferred into U.S. custody in Miami. The slaying plunged the impoverished nation into social and political turmoil.

☆ Violence in Colombia falls in first month of ceasefire
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BOGOTA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Colombia's ceasefire with four armed groups has led to significant reductions in violence during its first month, Interior Minister Alfonso Prada said on Monday, with fewer murders and attacks on armed forces. Homicides in provinces heavily affected by conflict and where one or more of the groups participating in the ceasefire are active fell by up to 68%, he said, without giving absolute figures. The Pacific province of Choco saw the 68% reduction, followed closely by Arauca, on the Venezuelan border, which saw murders fall by 66%. In Cordoba homicides were down 52%, while in Magdalena they fell 37%, Prada said. Prada did not give figures for members of illegal armed groups killed this month, but the country's navy said earlier on Monday at least nine rebels from the ELN died in fighting last weekend close to Buenaventura.

☆ Mexico’s Former Top Cop Goes on Trial in New York for Alleged Aid to Drug Cartel
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( James Fanelli | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Mexico’s former top law-enforcement official is set to go on trial Monday in a Brooklyn federal court, accused of helping one of the world’s most powerful drug cartels smuggle over 50 tons of cocaine into the U.S. in exchange for tens of millions of dollars in bribes. Genaro García Luna , 54, headed Mexico’s federal investigation agency and served as the country’s minister for public security from 2006 to 2012 under then-president Felipe Calderón .

JESÚS MARÍA, Mexico—In the predawn hours of Jan. 5, hundreds of Sinaloa cartel gunmen raced to this dusty town to try to rescue their boss from Mexican soldiers who had laid siege to his ranch, according to residents, gang members and Mexico’s military. But the small army of gunmen proved no match for Mexico’s military, which used gunships to strafe the convoy of pickup trucks rigged with makeshift armor and high-caliber guns in the capture of Ovidio Guzmán, the son of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, witnesses said.

☆ Blackstone is predicting steady growth for its real-estate business, which could be bad news for its tenants
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Now imagine if your landlord wasn't just some mom-and-pop family that owned your building, but the world's largest private-equity firm. And while it's received a fair share of scrutiny over it, the performance of one of its real-estate funds has reignited criticism. But the Blackstone executives' comments indicated the firm could also be planning to raise rent and evict tenants, which includes those in affordable housing and student housing. Click here to read more about how Blackstone's real-estate strategy is setting the stage for an ugly battle with tenants. Top executives at Davos share their thoughts on how bad things might get in 2023.

☆ Messi headlines shortlist for FIFA Best Men's Player award
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Messi, along with his Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City's Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist. Sarina Wiegman, who led England to last year's European Championship title, is joined on The Best FIFA Women's Coach shortlist by Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Aston Villa's Martinez are among the nominees for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award. FIFA also announced an 11-player shortlist for this year's Puskas Award for the "most beautiful" goal of the year, with Mbappe's spectacular volley against Argentina in the World Cup final among the nominees.

☆ Mexico Boosts Military Presence After Son of Drug Kingpin ‘El Chapo’ Is Captured
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( José De Córdoba | Anthony Harrup | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

MEXICO CITY—Mexico bolstered its military presence in western Sinaloa state on Friday after Sinaloa Cartel gunmen went on a rampage following the capture of Ovidio Guzmán, the son of former kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Defense Secretary Gen. Luis Crescencio Sandoval said 10 military personnel were killed in Thursday’s operation, including seven where the younger Mr. Guzmán was arrested when armed gang members tried to free him near the state capital Culiacán. Another 35 soldiers were wounded, Gen. Sandoval said at a press conference.

☆ Mexico Captures Son of Drug Kingpin Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Santiago Pérez | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Ovidio Guzmán, here in a still image from a 2019 video, was captured in the Sinaloa state capital Culiacán. MEXICO CITY—Mexico’s security forces captured Ovidio Guzmán, the son of former Sinaloa cartel boss Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, in antidrug raid in the Sinaloa state capital Culiacán, a senior government official said Thursday. The operation by Mexico’s federal government prompted cartel members to go on a statewide rampage, burning buses and trucks and blocking entrances and exits to Culiacán.

☆ Cubans Spend Thousands to Flee to the U.S. Through Nicaragua
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

HIALEAH, Fla.—Ferrying Cubans to the U.S. in the past year has become a billion-dollar business involving airlines, charter operators and travel agents working from strip malls in Florida to airports across Central America and the Caribbean. Immigration figures show a quarter of a million Cubans have arrived in the U.S. in the past year. Many of them paid thousands of dollars each to get away from the communist island and its crumbling economy, flying to Nicaragua and then paying coyotes, or migrant smugglers, to guide them across Mexico to the U.S. border.

Chevron Corp. scored a reversal of fortunes in Venezuela last weekend after the U.S. government allowed it to pump oil there again, but its new license to operate carries considerable risk. The oil giant will have to partner with an authoritarian regime accused of crimes ranging from human-rights violations to sprawling corruption to state-sponsored narcotics trafficking.

Search resuls for: "CORDOBA"

25 mentions found