Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Jailed ex-governor, wife divorce after charges of fraud, embezzlement

After 20 years of marriage, the jailed ex-governor of Veracruz, Javier Duarte, and Karime Macías Tubilla have finalized their divorce — giving her a tidy alimony payment every month.

Currently fighting extradition in England, MacĂ­as filed for divorce in May of last year. She is wanted in Veracruz for her alleged participation in a 112-million-peso (US $5.9-milion) embezzlement scheme.

Duarte is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence for money laundering and links to organized crime. He conceded custody of their three children to MacĂ­as, who is living in the exclusive Chelsea neighborhood in London after being released on bail in October.

He also committed to a monthly alimony payment of 180,000 pesos (US $9,600), which will be guaranteed by a mortgage on a property in Veracruz for 2.16 million pesos, corresponding to one year of the provision. Duarte acquired the property before the two were married.

In addition to the charges of fraud brought by the Veracruz Attorney General’s Office for which Macías faces extradition, the government’s Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) has filed new charges against her for the embezzlement of 228 million pesos.

She is accused of having diverted funds from the Veracruz family services agency (DIF) to as many as 26 shell companies during her husband’s term as governor.

Duarte was arrested in Guatemala in April 2017 and extradited to Mexico three months later.

He and MacĂ­as allegedly built a multi-million-dollar real estate empire made up of over 90 properties in Mexico, the United States and Spain.

MacĂ­as will appear before a judge in London in November to hear a ruling on her extradition case.

Sources: Milenio (sp), Debate (sp)

Monarch butterflies landed on plants

Good news! Monarch migration is up in Michoacán

2
The migrating monarchs got to Mexico late this year, but their numbers are up, say caretakers at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve.
Accompanied by cabinet ministers including Ebrard and Finance Minister Rogelio RamĂ­rez de la O, Sheinbaum outlined 12 specific goals of Plan MĂ©xico to an audience that included government and business sector representatives.

Sheinbaum wants to make Mexico 10th largest economy in the world with ‘Plan MĂ©xico’

3
Sheinbaum said that there is already US $277 billion in the investment pipeline.
A wildfire in Mexico

Wildfire report: Mexico saw a 60% increase in destruction from forest blazes in 2024

0
Mexico’s National Forestry Commission (Conafor) reported that the total area destroyed — 1.67 million hectares — was the most recorded since it began keeping records in 1998.