Category: Latin America

MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Arrest Woman in Florida Wanted for Money Laundering in Texas Since 2015

Source: US Marshals Service

Corpus Christi, TX – On May 16, 2025, the Cold Case Unit of the U.S. Marshals Service, Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force – Corpus Christi Division and the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) joined to arrest Olga Escamilla for Failure to Appear on a Money Laundering charge originating in Kenedy County, Texas.

On September 19, 2012, Escamilla was indicted for Money Laundering, involving a sum between $20,000 and $100,000, by a Grand Jury in Kleberg County, Texas. While on bond, Escamilla fled to Mexico.

On June 19, 2015, the 105th Judicial District Court for Kenedy County, Texas issued a fully extraditable arrest warrant for Failure to Appear, involving the Money Laundering charge.

Utilizing various investigative methods, along with working with multiple law enforcement partners, the Cold Case Unit was able to determine Escamilla’s location. Investigators collaborated with senior inspectors assigned to the FCRFTF, who arrested Escamilla in Florida.

The Cold Case Unit was formed to devote specialized investigative efforts to capturing fugitives who have been on the run for several years. The United States Marshals Service is committed to expediently investigating the locations of, and ultimately apprehending, fugitives regardless of how many years they have been on the run.

The U.S. Marshals led Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force with base in Corpus Christi, Texas, is integrated by remarkable agents from Texas Department of Public Safety, Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, Aransas County Sheriff, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Corpus Christi Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kleberg County Attorney Office and other partner federal agencies that work together for the protection of our communities.

MIL Security OSI –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former Defense Contractor Pleads Guilty to Tax Crimes

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Defendant Admits to Concealing 50% Ownership of $7B Defense Contracting Business to Evade Taxes

WASHINGTON – Douglas Edelman, 73, a former defense contractor, pleaded guilty today to tax crimes related to a scheme to defraud the United States and evade taxes on income he earned from his contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense.

The sentence was announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter with IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office.

Edelman pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts: conspiracy to defraud the United States, seven counts of tax evasion, and two counts of making a false statement. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly scheduled a hearing on issues related to sentencing on Nov. 17, 2026. Trial on the remaining counts of the indictment will be in 2026.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Edelman founded and owned 50% of Mina Corp. and Red Star Enterprises (Mina/Red Star), a defense contracting business that received more than $7 billion from contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide jet fuel in the United States’ post-9/11 military efforts in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Working with others, Edelman engaged in a lengthy scheme to hide his Mina/Red Star profits to evade U.S. taxes, including by concealing his income in undisclosed foreign bank accounts, creating false documents and making false statements that one of his co-conspirators — a French citizen residing abroad and without U.S. tax obligations — founded and owned Mina/Red Star.

For example, when the company became profitable in 2005, Edelman began taking distributions which he deposited into Swiss bank accounts, primarily at Credit Suisse, in the name of other companies he owned. In 2008, Credit Suisse informed Edelman that he had to either close his accounts or disclose them to U.S. authorities. Rather than come into compliance with his tax and reporting obligations, Edelman closed his accounts and opened new ones at Bank Julius Baer in Singapore in the name of a nominee entity, the beneficiaries of which were purportedly Edelman’s daughters. He then directed the subject income he earned from Mina/Red Star to those bank accounts.

In 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs began investigating allegations of corruption in connection with Mina/Red Star’s contracts with the Department of Defense. As part of this inquiry, the subcommittee became interested in the identity of Mina/Red Star’s owners. At this time, Edelman had not filed U.S. tax returns to report the millions of dollars he had earned from Mina/Red Star and had not paid U.S. taxes on his income.

Rather than disclose his ownership, Edelman caused his attorneys to tell Congress a false story that a French co-conspirator who had no U.S. tax or reporting obligations founded and co-owed Mina/Red Star with another individual. To corroborate the false story, Edelman and a co-conspirator caused false and backdated paperwork to be created.

To continue the scheme, Edelman conveyed the false story about Mina/Red Star’s ownership to other arms of the U.S. government, including to the Department of Defense during contract negotiations in 2010 and 2011, to the IRS in a 2016 application to the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, and to the Justice Department in a 2018 presentation.

In conjunction with his 2016 application to the IRS’s Voluntary Disclosure Program, Edelman filed false tax returns for several prior years that only reported income from gifts or purported consulting payments, continuing to conceal the millions he had earned from his company. On the returns, he also concealed profits he had earned from a separate business to provide internet service to members of the armed forces at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan.

Instead of paying the taxes that he knew he owed, Edelman used the money to fund his lifestyle and additional investments. He invested in a music television franchise in Eastern Europe, a land venture in Tulum, Mexico, and a farm in Kenya, and purchased property around Europe, including a home in Ibiza, Spain, and a townhouse in London.

Edelman faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each of the 10 counts to which he has pleaded. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is being investigated by special agents from IRS-CI’s International Tax & Financial Crimes specialty group, a team based out of Washington, D.C., that is dedicated to uncovering international tax crimes, along with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted in the investigation. His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs of the United Kingdom also provided assistance, as did the Joint Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5), which brings together the taxing authorities of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Guardia Civil of Spain assisted with the arrest.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Gold for the District of Columbia and Assistant Chief Sarah Ranney and Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro of the Tax Division.

24cr239

MIL Security OSI –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Texas Doctor Who Falsely Diagnosed Patients Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment in Connection with $118M in Fraudulent Health Care Claims

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

A Texas rheumatologist was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for perpetrating a health care fraud scheme involving over $118 million in false claims and the payment of over $28 million by insurers as a result of him falsely diagnosing patients with chronic illnesses to bill for tests and treatments that the patients did not need. Jorge Zamora-Quezada M.D., 68, of Mission, also falsified patient records to support the false diagnoses after receiving a federal grand jury subpoena. Following a 25-day trial, Zamora-Quezada was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. In addition to his prison term, Zamora-Quezada was ordered to forfeit $28,245,454, including 13 real estate properties, a jet, and a Maserati GranTurismo.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed his patients with rheumatoid arthritis and administered toxic medications in order to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The fraudulent diagnoses made the defendant’s patients believe that they had a life-long, incurable condition that required regular treatment at his offices. After falsely diagnosing his patients, Zamora-Quezada administered unnecessary treatments and ordered unnecessary testing on them, including a variety of injections, infusions, x-rays, MRIs, and other procedures—all with potentially harmful and even deadly side effects. To receive payment for these expensive services, Zamora-Quezada fabricated medical records and lied about the patients’ condition to insurers.

“Dr. Zamora-Quezada funded his luxurious lifestyle for two decades by traumatizing his patients, abusing his employees, lying to insurers, and stealing taxpayer money,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “His depraved conduct represents a profound betrayal of trust toward vulnerable patients who depend on care and integrity from their doctors. Today’s sentence is not just a punishment—it’s a warning. Medical professionals who harm Americans for personal enrichment will be aggressively pursued and held accountable to protect our citizens and the public fisc.”

“Through the false diagnoses and excessive false billing, Dr. Zamora-Quezada abused both patient trust and public resources,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “It is imperative to investigate and address this form of fraud — not only to protect vulnerable individuals from harm but to uphold the integrity of the federal health care system and safeguard the use of public funds.”

“The FBI is dedicated to working with all of our partners to address health care fraud,” said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office. “This case was not only a concern to us because of the financial loss — the physical and emotional harm suffered by the patients and their families was alarming and profound. We hope this significant sentence will help bring closure to the many victims in this case.”

Evidence at trial established that Dr. Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed patients in order to defraud insurers and enrich himself. Other rheumatologists in the Rio Grande Valley testified at trial that they saw hundreds of patients previously diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis by Zamora-Quezada who did not have the condition, prompting one physician to explain that for “most” it was “obvious that the patient did not have rheumatoid arthritis.” Zamora-Quezada’s false diagnoses and powerful medications caused debilitating side effects on his patients, including strokes, necrosis of the jawbone, hair loss, liver damage, and pain so severe that basic tasks of everyday life, such as bathing, cooking, and driving, became difficult. As one patient testified, “Constantly being in bed and being unable to get up from bed alone, and being pumped with medication, I didn’t feel like my life had any meaning.” One mother described how she felt that her child served as a “lab rat,” and others described abandoning plans for college or feeling like they were “living a life in the body of an elderly person.”

Former employees detailed how Zamora-Quezada imposed strict quotas for procedures, leading to a climate of fear. Zamora-Quezada referred to himself as the “eminencia” — or eminence, threw a paperweight at an employee who failed to generate enough unnecessary procedures, hired employees he could manipulate because they were on J-1 visas and their immigration status could be jeopardized if they lost their jobs, and fired those who challenged him. Testimony also revealed Zamora-Quezada’s obstruction of insurer audits by fabricating missing patient files, including by taking ultrasounds of employees and using those images as documentation in the patient records. Testimony at trial established that Zamora-Quezada told employees to “aparecer” the missing records — “to make them appear.” Former employees also recounted being sent to a dilapidated barn to attempt to retrieve records. There, files were saturated with feces and urine, rodents, and termites that infested not only the records but also the structure.

Zamora-Quezada’s patient file storage facility

Zamora-Quezada used proceeds from his crimes to fund a lavish lifestyle, replete with real estate properties across the country and in Mexico, a jet, and a Maserati.

One of Zamora-Quezada’s luxury properties

Zamora-Quezada’s jet

FBI, HHS-OIG, Texas HHS-OIG, and the Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case, with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.

Principal Assistant Chief Jacob Foster and Assistant Chiefs Rebecca Yuan and Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristine Rollinson handled asset forfeiture. Fraud Section Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell initially handled the prosecution. The prosecution team thanks the Fraud Section’s Data Analytics Team, whose work initiated the investigation, Victim Witness Specialist Olga De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, and the Texas Department of Insurance.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

MIL Security OSI –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC May 21, 2025 2000 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 211947

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0247 PM CDT Wed May 21 2025

Valid 212000Z – 221200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FOR PORTIONS OF
THE OZARKS…

…SUMMARY…
Isolated strong to severe storms remain possible in the Upper Ohio
Valley, parts of eastern North Carolina, North Florida, parts of the
central Plains, and Deep South Texas. Additional, scattered strong
to severe storms are possible in the Ozarks this evening.

…20Z Update…
Severe probabilities have been adjusted based on current
observational/convective trends. A narrow zone in western
Pennsylvania will remain favorable in the short term for a brief
tornado prior to precipitation stabilizing the low levels and
low-level winds veering. Scattered elevated convection is still
expected across parts of the Ozarks later this evening. See the
previous forecast for additional details.

..Wendt.. 05/21/2025

.PREV DISCUSSION… /ISSUED 1131 AM CDT Wed May 21 2025/

…Eastern North Carolina/southern Virginia…
In the wake of early morning convection, air mass
recovery/destabilization will occur today in vicinity of the
eastward-transitioning surface wave and in vicinity of the roughly
west/east-oriented surface boundary located near/south of the
Virginia/North Carolina border. Drying westerly low-level
trajectories will exist to the south of the front and behind the
surface wave, with severe-storm favorable ingredients/potential
development tending to focus across far northeast North Carolina
where moderate buoyancy will be maximized with strong westerlies
aloft (40+ kt effective shear). While severe storm
coverage/likelihood may not be as high as previously thought, some
potential for large hail, damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado
will still exist on an isolated basis.

…Ozarks/Mid-South…
While rich boundary-layer moisture will remain confined across south
Texas and Louisiana, a strengthening low-level baroclinic zone will
focus near the Kansas/Oklahoma border east-southeast into the
Mid-South. Guidance is rather consistent in developing at least
elevated convection to the cool side of this zone by evening. This
will be coincident with an intensifying mid-level speed max.
Forecast soundings depict potentially very strong mid to upper-level
speed shear within the slightly north of west flow regime. Coupled
with steep mid-level lapse rates, this setup could yield a few
elevated supercells capable of large hail and perhaps locally
damaging winds.

…Central Plains…
A mid-level vorticity lobe initially over Wyoming this morning will
dig east-southeastward into the lower Missouri Valley by early
evening amidst west-northwesterly flow aloft. Heating will result in
very steep 0-3 km lapse rates by mid afternoon with several hundred
J/kg SBCAPE. Elongated hodographs will support quick-moving cells
capable of an isolated risk for severe wind gusts during the late
afternoon through around sunset (roughly 20-01z).

…Upper Ohio Valley including PA/OH/WV border region…
A corridor of modest boundary-layer heating is expected ahead of the
primary surface cyclone drifting across northern Ohio toward Lake
Erie. Coupled with cooling mid-level temperatures, weak
surface-based buoyancy is expected by midday into the afternoon.
Deep-layer shear will not be strong given proximity to the mid-level
trough, but should be adequate for weak/transient mid-level
rotation. With numerous thunderstorms expected, small to marginally
severe hail and isolated damaging winds are anticipated. A brief
tornado or two is also possible with storms near the warm front,
before convection weakens as it moves east-northeastward into
less-buoyant surface conditions.

…North Florida and southern Georgia…
Along the southeastward-moving cold front, moderate buoyancy is
expected ahead of the front. A veered low-level wind profile will
limit effective bulk shear, but scattered thunderstorms could yield
multicells and perhaps a transient supercell. Isolated damaging
winds and marginally severe hail are possible with the stronger
storms. For additional short-term details, see Mesoscale Discussion
920.

…Far southern Louisiana/far southern Mississippi…
Sufficient residual elevated buoyancy in the immediate post-frontal
environment may allow for some storms to produce hail to near severe
levels, mostly over just the next few hours this afternoon and on a
very isolated basis.

…Deep South Texas…
A very moist and unstable air mass (2000-4000 J/kg MLCAPE later
today) exists across the region, aside from some higher cloud cover
spreading into the region via a slowly approaching and weakening
convective complex south of the international border. Additional
convection will likely develop in adjacent Mexico over the higher
terrain this afternoon, and some of these storms may spread east
across the lower Rio Grande Valley this evening. Isolated large hail
and severe-caliber wind gusts may accompany these storms.

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 0100Z

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Energy Department to Redirect $365 Million to Support Grid Resilience Efforts in Puerto Rico

Source: US Department of Energy

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced it will redirect $365 million in funding to address Puerto Rico’s grid resiliency and expand access of affordable, reliable, and secure power supply for the people of Puerto Rico. The funding, allocated through the Puerto Rico Resilience Fund (PR-ERF), will be deployed to support practical fixes and emergency activities that offer a faster, more impactful solution to the current crisis, benefiting critical facilities like hospitals and community centers.

Today’s announcement follows U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s decision to issue two emergency orders for Puerto Rico just weeks after the most recent island-wide blackout, underscoring the urgency of deploying immediate solutions for the millions of people who depend on Puerto Rico’s fragile grid to power their homes and businesses.

“With President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is focused on fortifying America’s electric grid and ensuring the reliable delivery of electricity across the country, and nowhere is this more needed than in Puerto Rico,” said Secretary Wright. “By redirecting these funds, we will ensure taxpayer dollars are used to strengthen access to affordable, reliable and secure power, benefiting more citizens as quickly as possible. This strategic shift allows us to address the root causes of the grid’s instability, strengthening the grid’s fragile infrastructure and delivering lasting relief for Puerto Rico.”

“Puerto Rico is facing an energy emergency that requires we act now and deliver immediate solutions. Our communities, businesses, and healthcare facilities cannot afford to wait years, nor can we rely on piecemeal approaches with limited results. Rather than impacting a few customers, deploying these funds for urgent projects that improve the resiliency and reliability of our grid will have widespread, lasting benefits for all 3.2 million Americans in Puerto Rico,” said Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón. “Since day one, President Trump and Secretary Wright have made it a priority to ensure we implement comprehensive solutions to address Puerto Rico’s energy challenges. I look forward to continuing working with them on these efforts.”

This $365 million funding was initially awarded by the Biden administration in December 2024 to support rooftop solar and battery storage installations slated to begin construction in 2026. Today, DOE is reprioritizing these awards and will redirect funding to support technologies that improve system flexibility and response, power flow and control, component strength, supply security, and safety. The redirection of these funds will expand access to reliable power for millions of people rather than thousands and generate a higher return on investment for taxpayers while advancing grid resiliency for Puerto Rico.

DOE is working in close coordination with Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón, Energy Czar Josué A. Colón-Ortiz, Puerto Rico’s energy industry and key community leaders and stakeholders to ensure maximum effectiveness of DOE resiliency funds.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: May 21st, 2025 Heinrich Opening Statement on Hearing to Advance Nominations for Department of Energy and the Interior

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks at a business meeting to consider nominees before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, May 21, 2025.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, voted to support two of four nominations during a business meeting before the Committee.

Heinrich voted to advance the nominations of Mr. Conner Prochaska to be Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, Department of Energy; and Ms. Tina Pierce to be the Chief Financial Officer, Department of Energy.

Heinrich voted no on the nominations of Mr. Jonathan Brightbill to be General Counsel, Department of Energy; and Dr. Ned Mamula to be Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

A video of Heinrich’s opening remarks is here.

A transcript of Heinrich’s remarks as delivered is below:

With considerable reservation, I am going to vote for Mr. Prochaska and Ms. Pierce.

I will be voting no, however, on the other two nominations that we are considering today, Mr. Mamula and Mr. Brightbill.

I am troubled by Mr. Mamula’s track record of spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories, and I do not believe he is the correct choice to lead the USGS, an agency that prides itself on delivering unbiased, impartial, and objective scientific information.

Last week’s nomination hearing, I asked Mr. Brightbill to square the Secretary’s recent decision to roll back energy efficiency standards with prior court orders requiring the Department to update efficiency standards.

Mr. Brightbill’s response failed to provide me with comfort.

I am also troubled by Mr. Brightbill’s past record of defending the Administration’s terrible environmental policies while at the DOJ during President Trump’s first term.

As Republicans work to cut programs that save Americans millions of dollars in utility and energy costs, it is imperative that DOE’s General Counsel advocate for the rule of law as passed by Congress and signed by the president.

I am not convinced Mr. Brightbill will do so.

For this reason, I cannot support his nomination.

Thank you.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: May 21st, 2025 Heinrich, Colleagues Introduce Senate Resolution Denouncing Two-Month Blockade on Food and Medicine in Gaza

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) to introduce a resolution calling on the Trump Administration to use all diplomatic tools at its disposal to bring an end to the blockade of food and life-saving humanitarian aid to address the needs of civilians in Gaza. In their resolution, the senators express grave concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including the imminent starvation of tens of thousands of children.
On March 2, 2025, the Israeli Government began blocking all food and emergency aid —including food, medicine, infant formula, fuel, and other lifesaving humanitarian supplies — from reaching Palestinian civilians in Gaza. In the same month, all 25 World Food Program (WFP)-supported bakeries in Gaza closed, wheat flour and cooking fuel ran out, and food parcels distributed to families — with two weeks of food rations — were depleted. According to the United Nations, about 10,000 children have been identified as suffering from acute malnutrition since January 2025.
“We must deliver critically needed food and medicine to innocent civilians in Gaza facing extreme hunger, death, disease and widespread destruction. While Israel has the right to defend itself, it must follow U.S. and international humanitarian law. Unfortunately, Israel has been and continues to act in direct violation of the requirements mandated under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act,” said Heinrich.
“As we continue to pursue pathways to achieve a two-state solution, which remains crucial both for Palestinians’ sovereignty and self-determination and for Israel’s security in the region, we must work toward a long-term, post-war plan that can achieve lasting peace in the region,” Heinrich continued.
The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.). Alongside Heinrich, the resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
The senators’ resolution is supported by Anera, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, J Street, and Oxfam America.
The full text of the resolution is here.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: May 21st, 2025 Heinrich, Murray, Klobuchar, Merkley Slam USDA for Evasive Response on Wildfire Mitigation Projects, Workforce Cuts, and Funding Freezes
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, is once again pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for answers after receiving a deeply inadequate response to a February oversight letter regarding the Department’s unlawful halt of federal funds needed to mitigate and fight wildfires.

In a follow-up letter sent to USDA Deputy Under Secretary Kristin Sleeper, the lawmakers criticized the USDA’s April response for failing to answer the majority of their questions and demanded a comprehensive and transparent accounting of the agency’s actions under the Trump Administration.

“We write to address your recent response to the letter we sent on February 11, 2025, regarding the disbursement of funds for forest management and restoration projects and the universal hiring freeze under the Department of Agriculture. Our letter outlined ten specific questions, of which only two were addressed in your April 10 response,” the senators wrote.

“Your incomplete response left significant questions unanswered concerning which projects, grants, agreements, and staff have been affected by the Trump Administration’s recent actions. Although the Forest Service has lost approximately 5,000 employees through resignation and early retirement since February, we understand that additional reduction-in-force actions are still planned. Questions remain about the Department’s plan to carry out Congressional directives and, most importantly, protect American communities in danger as they face a daunting fire season,” the senators continued.

“Despite our clear and detailed inquiry, the Forest Service has only answered two of our ten questions,” the senators wrote. “This lack of transparency is unacceptable in the face of ongoing threats to public safety, wildfire resilience, and rural economies across the country.”

The senators requested a response to the questions they originally sent to the USDA, which went unanswered by the Department in their correspondence:
1. Please provide a full list of Forest Service programs for which disbursements were or currently are paused, including any paused under Executive Order 14154 or the now rescinded memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget.
1. Please provide a full list of individual projects, including the location and total award amount, for which funds were obligated but disbursements are now paused. Please include projects carried out by Departmental personnel as well as those carried out through grants, contracts, or agreements. If obligated funds have been paused, what is the legal basis for pausing the disbursement of already obligated funds?
1. Did the agency inform non-federal partners affected by the pause before halting their payments? Has the agency communicated with those same partners concerning the status of the affected projects since the pause was initiated? If so, please provide examples of any communications notifying applicants or current participants of the affected programs.
1. 4. What is the status of agency personnel that were hired under funds appropriated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)? Are those personnel still being paid their salaries? How many of these personnel, if any, have been terminated, furloughed, put on administrative leave, or otherwise notified of future administrative leave?
1. How many Forest Service employees have been terminated, furloughed, put on administrative leave, or otherwise notified of future administrative leave since January 20, 2025? Please provide the job titles and duty stations for each category described above.
1. How many Forest Service employees accepted the deferred resignation offer being offered to federal employees by the Office of Personnel Management? Please provide data broken down by position, grade, and duty station.
1. Does the Department plan to reimburse contractors whose payments are paused but are continuing to act under the terms of their contract with the Department? What is the status of Departmental reviews of these paused projects?
1. Please provide the minimum amount of time the pause on funding could last.
The senators requested additional answers to the following new questions:
1. The spending plan provided by the Forest Service for Fiscal Year 2025 contains no information on agency activity beyond what Congress provided to each mission area. Please provide a thorough spending plan that details the expected changes to each program area for this fiscal year, at least at the level of detail provided in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Justification’s “Detail Tables.”
1. Please provide the years-to-date number of acres treated nationwide for hazardous fuels using funds provided through annual appropriations, IIJA, or IRA compared with the 10-year average.
1. Pursuant to existing law, a reduction-in-force plan must avoid undue interruption to the agency’s work. What is the Forest Service’s statutory authority for pursuing a reduction-in-force despite the loss of more than 15 percent of its total employees that has already resulted a significant decrease in the agency’s work?
1. The President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommends moving Wildland Fire Management programs out of the Forest Service. Has the Administration conducted an analysis of how this proposal would impact the Forest Service’s management of National Forest System (NFS) lands, particularly the Forest Service’s efforts to reduce wildfire risk on NFS lands? For this proposal, did the Administration consult States, Tribes, private sector, and the Forest Service employees’ union?
1. If the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which proposes to cut NFS management funding, were enacted, how many Forest Service recreation sites, ranger stations, facilities, or services would be closed or limited in availability? Has the Forest Service analyzed how the current and additional proposed workforce reductions will impact its ability to maintain safe, sanitary recreation sites?
1. How many Forest Service employees who have left the Forest Service since January 20, 2025 were certified to respond to wildfires? How many Forest Service employees being considered in workforce reduction plans are certified to respond to wildfires?
The senators concluded their letter by underscoring how USDA is required by law to carry out its work as Congress intended, “The Forest Service provides a critical support function for communities across the country, from supporting the nation’s wood products sector to mitigating the threat of catastrophic wildfire. Continuing to carry out this work as Congress prescribed is not only required under the law but essential for our nation’s security.”

Full text of the letter is available here.
MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Graham: Moral Clarity Will Conquer Evil Regimes

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today spoke on the Senate floor about peace through strength and moral clarity during dangerous times.
On moral clarity during dangerous times:
GRAHAM: “Russia is the aggressor. Russia must end this bloodbath. That is my view of [the Russia-Ukraine war]. Let’s look in history and see what happens when you have moral clarity and see what happens when you lose it.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=V0-X6tkjJE_8De10&t=566
GRAHAM: “Hitler told [the world] what he was going to do, he wrote a book. But [former UK Prime Minister] Chamberlain obviously didn’t read the book and he didn’t have the moral clarity to confront the Nazi regime, and a lot of people died. September 30, 1938 [Chamberlain said] ‘I believe it is peace for our time.’ … Less than a year later, the world was on fire.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=9GJNnus0en6x_S6R&t=643
GRAHAM: “‘When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe.’ [President John F. Kennedy] was talking about Berlin. Moral clarity to the Soviet Union. He stood up for freedom and stood against the Soviet empire.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=V0-X6tkjJE_8De10&t=718
GRAHAM: “Ronald Reagan: ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’ How clear could you be? On the other side of this wall is an evil empire. That moral clarity, over time, brought the Soviet Union down to its knees.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=V0-X6tkjJE_8De10&t=749
On President Trump’s leadership:
GRAHAM: “When [President Trump] got in office, one of his top priorities was to fix a broken border. Look what’s happened…He’s turned it all off because he was firm and resolved with Mexico and others. His border policies have worked.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=BaLGLKsqVGj9HRCd&t=363
GRAHAM: “What has [President Trump] said about Iran? ‘You know it’s not a complicated formula. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That’s all there is.’ That’s moral clarity. You can understand that no matter where you’re at on the planet.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=sOxbu_x3XKBdCBOm&t=436
GRAHAM: “I appreciate President Trump’s earnest effort to bring the parties together to find a solution we can all live with, to keep an independent sovereign Ukraine, and end this war sooner rather than later. It is clear to me that after all these months, the earnest efforts by President Trump are not being equally met. I think Zelensky is ready to make concessions to end this war. Putin seems to be [doing] more talking and less acting.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=uQ3IQiEdRV2rPWwG&t=948
On the Graham-Blumenthal Russia sanctions bill reaching over 80 cosponsors:
GRAHAM: “It is now time to increase the cost of this war to Putin. The sanctions package we have put together has [over] 80 cosponsors. Do you know how hard it is to get 80 Senators to agree on anything? Eighty of us – and the number is climbing – are ready to impose sanctions on Russia if Putin does not come to the table and earnestly seek peace.” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=kWOZu-UhJqd0ru3M&t=1009
GRAHAM: “These sanctions are geared toward China. There are tariffs in these sanctions on any nation that buys Russian oil and gas from the shadow fleet. Putin’s war machine is propped up by China and India buying Russian oil at a massive discount…” https://youtu.be/7QdErvIuatE?si=QJy_NDKD5DdPFoUY&t=1036
Click here to watch Graham’s entire speech

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Urges Congress to Preserve Access to Health Care for 9/11 Responders and Survivors

Source: US State of California

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging Congress to take immediate action to address the looming budget shortfall for the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). Established by Congress in 2010, WTCHP provides free medical care and monitoring for first responders, survivors, and families impacted by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Without further congressional intervention, WTCHP is projected to experience a significant funding shortfall as early as Fiscal Year 2026.

“For nearly 15 years, the World Trade Center Health Program has been a lifeline for first responders and survivors impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As a nation, we cannot turn our backs on them — ever,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I’m proud to be joining a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to fully fund this critical program.”

WTCHP has been an essential resource for more than 135,000 Americans exposed to toxic dust and debris following the collapse of the Twin Towers. These include firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMTs, construction workers, volunteers, and community members who were present in the aftermath. Many of them are now suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses, cancers, mental health conditions, and other serious ailments directly linked to their exposure. They live in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.

In the letter, the attorneys general argue that despite being reauthorized in 2015 and 2019 with overwhelming bipartisan support, the program now faces a severe funding shortfall that could result in the denial of care to thousands of current and future enrollees. The program is authorized to run until 2090, but the attorneys general contend that the far-off date is essentially meaningless if the program is not funded during that period.

In sending today’s letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of American Samoa, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Alford Re-Launches Long-Range Strike Caucus

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)

Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced the launch of the Long-Range Strike Caucus for the 119^th Congress. The Caucus provides an informal, bipartisan opportunity to educate Members of Congress on current and future U.S. bomber capabilities, advocate for this essential instrument of national security, and facilitate engagement between Congress, industry, and the Department of Defense. The Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Don Davis (NC-01).

“We’re proud to re-launch the Long-Range Strike Caucus for this Congress,” said Congressman Alford. “As the Congressman for Whiteman Air Force Base—the home of the B-2 Spirit, and soon the B-21 Raider—I have witnessed first-hand the strategic necessity of our long-range strike capabilities. Last October, I was in the Middle East when our heroic airmen showed the world what they can do, striking terrorist lairs in Yemen with pinpoint precision. That’s not just power. It’s a promise that America can reach out and touch anyone, anywhere, at any time when freedom is at stake. I look forward to bipartisan collaboration on how we can ensure America maintains its superior long-range strike capabilities well into the future.”

“As our nation confronts emerging global threats to national security, the Long Range Strike Caucus can play a significant role in our defense and in safeguarding the American people,” said Congressman Don Davis. “Modernizing our long-range strike aircraft, particularly our bombers, is essential to ensuring that the U.S. military continues to be the world’s premier fighting force.”

Background:

The Long-Range Strike Caucus advocates for our nation’s bomber force and the many missions that support our bombers in conducting long-range strikes. This includes active duty, guard, and reserve units that provide fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, air refueling, testing, acquisition, and depot maintenance.

The Air Force bomber fleet provides a unique ability for the U.S. to rapidly strike any target in the world, an essential capability for deterring our enemies and reassuring our allies and partners.

Despite its active use and global presence, our bomber fleet is the smallest and oldest it has ever been. With an average age of more than 40 years old, almost half of our current long-range strike aircraft pre-date the Cuban Missile Crisis. The failure to adequately modernize has impacted our ability operate, especially in potentially contested environments. Therefore, efforts to develop and procure a new generation of Air Force bombers, including the B-21 Raider and refitted B-52J, are critical to the conventional and nuclear national security apparatus.

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Leads Bipartisan Letter to Secretary Rubio Outlining Steps to Address the Visa Backlog Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup, LA28 Olympics
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

WASHINGTON, DC — In anticipation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) led 55 lawmakers in a bipartisan letter to Secretary Rubio inquiring about the State Department’s plans to ensure quick and secure visa processing for the expected influx of visitors coming to the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic Games, and other major international sporting competitions. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Nikema Williams (D-GA) joined as co-leads.

Currently, six countries–Canada, Colombia, Honduras, India, Turkey, and UAE—have at least one U.S. diplomatic post with visa appointment wait times that extend beyond the start of the first FIFA26 game in the United States.

“The Olympics have the potential to bring up to 15 million visitors to the U.S. and produce an estimated $18 billion in economic impact. Over 5 billion viewers are projected to watch the FIFA World Cup, which could bring millions of visitors to the United States across 11 cities and generate an estimated $3.75 billion in economic revenue,” the lawmakers wrote.

They continued, “However, the success of these games hinges on the State Department’s ability to efficiently process the visa applications of spectators, athletes, and media, including providing adequate visa appointment availability and strategically offering visa interview waiver services where appropriate.

“To meet the moment, the State Department must not take a business-as-usual approach. Accommodating the anticipated surge in international visitation will require innovative solutions in the visa adjudication process that will allow us to maintain security safeguards while reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. It is critical to begin preparations now to demonstrate our nation’s ability to welcome the world,” the lawmakers concluded.

The letter also encouraged the Administration to update its current visa process to address visa processing challenges, including strategies to:
- Develop a visa issuance process that maintains necessary security protocols while expediting processing for accredited individuals and entities participating in the games;
- Ensure Consular Affairs is sufficiently resourced to support visa processing offices at overseas posts, disseminate information to Consular Affairs officers regarding games-related visa appointments, and handle the increased demand for visas well ahead of the games;
- Establish protocols for visa issuance and entry from countries that are sanctioned or do not have U.S. consular offices, ensuring that all eligible athletes and support staff can participate in the games; and
- Consider regulatory adjustments or other measures to reduce visa appointment wait times.
The full letter is HERE.

Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Young Kim, Darin LaHood, and Nikema Williams were joined by Reps. David Valadao, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jonathan L. Jackson, Gilbert Ray Cisneros Jr., Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Aumua Amata Coleman, María Elvira Salazar, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson Jr., Pramila Jayapal, Jasmine Crockett, Kweisi Mfume, Ken Calvert, Josh Gottheimer, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Ted W. Lieu, Raja Krishnamoorthi, LaMonica McIver, Eric Swalwell, Frederica S. Wilson, Stephen F. Lynch, Nydia M. Velázquez, Emanuel Cleaver, Don Bacon, William R. Keating, Luz M. Rivas, Kevin Mullin, Dina Titus, Greg Stanton, Rick Larsen, Brendan F. Boyle, Tom Cole, Julia Brownley, Suzan K. DelBene, Michael T. McCaul, Michael V. Lawler, Robert Garcia, Mikie Sherrill, Emily Randall, Gabe Amo, Zoe Lofgren, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam, Pete Aguilar, Dan Goldman, Sylvia R. Garcia, Julie Johnson, Nellie Pou, Derrick Van Orden, Kevin Kiley, Laura Friedman, and Jay Obernolte.

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Mast Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing on FY26 State Department Posture

Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

Media Contact 202-321-9747

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast delivered opening remarks at a full committee hearing titled, “FY26 State Department Posture: Protecting American Interests.”

Watch Here

-Remarks-

Since day one, President Trump and yourself, you’ve taken bold action to clean house, to restore accountability, to slash waste, and to put America—and Americans—first. I would say that this was desperately needed.

In the past two decades alone, the State Department’s budget grew from about $9.5 billion to over $55 billion. And I think we could all easily say: for what? In any way, shape, or form did our foreign policy feel like it was five times more effective under Joe Biden? I think everybody would say no.

Instead, we had a State Department that was literally a slush fund for many far-left bureaucrats, grifting non-government organizations, and foreign adversaries like the Taliban. We had our tax dollars went to things like vouchers for migrants at our southern border, mobilizing elderly lesbians to vote in Costa Rica, as well as drag shows, LGBT comic books, musicals, plays, and operas.

That stuff was not PEPFAR, to say the least. It didn’t make America safer. It didn’t make America stronger. It didn’t bring other countries closer to us, and it didn’t save lives.

Now, many of my colleagues might think that canceling these programs creates an inroad for China. I would say we could only hope that China is stupid enough to spend money in that way.

I want to thank this administration for bringing charges against those who, it appears, were stealing from the State Department and USAID—and, in turn, the American people.

And I want to thank you, Secretary Rubio, for reorganizing the State Department into a lean and effective diplomatic operation.

Let’s give proof of that.

Just this past week alone, President Trump secured more than $2 trillion of investment from the Middle East. That is more than ten times what Joe Biden secured from the Middle East during his entire four years in the White House—which is not entirely surprising, considering under the Biden State Department, millions were spent on programs like trans inclusion in Tunisia. That was the focus in the Middle East.

Now, as you know, Secretary Rubio, the job is not done. Up until now, over 80% of the State Department has been unauthorized. We have bureaus and offices that have grown from thousands of dollars to billions of dollars, and that changes in law when we pass the first comprehensive and stand-alone State Department reauthorization that has occured since 2002.

I look forward to working with the members of this committee. I look forward to working with you, Secretary Rubio, and I look forward to working with Senator Risch, moving forward, to make sure that one thing—and one thing alone—takes place: Every single dollar and diplomat that we authorize and send into the field puts America first.

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Alert: A Possible Perpendicular Planet

Source: NASA

A newly discovered planetary system, informally known as 2M1510, is among the strangest ever found. An apparent planet traces out an orbit that carries it far over the poles of two brown dwarfs. This pair of mysterious objects – too massive to be planets, not massive enough to be stars – also orbit each other. Yet a third brown dwarf orbits the other two at an extreme distance.

In a typical arrangement, as in our solar system, families of planets orbit their parent stars in more-or-less a flat plane – the orbital plane – that matches the star’s equator. The rotation of the star, too, aligns with this plane. Everyone is “coplanar:” flat, placid, stately.
Not so for possible planet 2M1510 b (considered a “candidate planet” pending further measurements). If confirmed, the planet would be in a “polar orbit” around the two central brown dwarfs – in other words, its orbital plane would be perpendicular to the plane in which the two brown dwarfs orbit each other. Take two flat disks, merge them together at an angle in the shape of an X, and you have the essence of this orbital configuration.
“Circumbinary” planets, those orbiting two stars at once, are rare enough. A circumbinary orbiting at a 90-degree tilt was, until now, unheard of. But new measurements of this system, using the ESO (European Southern Observatory) Very Large Telescope in Chile, appear to reveal what scientists previously only imagined.

The method by which the study’s science team teased out the planet’s vertiginous existence is itself a bit of a wild ride. The candidate planet cannot be detected the way most exoplanets – planets around other stars – are found today: the “transit” method, a kind of mini-eclipse, a tiny dip in starlight when the planet crosses the face of its star.
Instead they used the next most prolific method, “radial velocity” measurements. Orbiting planets cause their stars to rock back and forth ever so slightly, as the planets’ gravity pulls the stars one way and another; that pull causes subtle, but measurable, shifts in the star’s light spectrum. Add one more twist to the detection in this case: the push-me-pull-you effect of the planet on the two brown dwarfs’ orbit around each other. The path of the brown dwarf pair’s 21-day mutual orbit is being subtly altered in a way that can only be explained, the study’s authors conclude, by a polar-orbiting planet.

Only 16 circumbinary planets – out of more than 5,800 confirmed exoplanets – have been found by scientists so far, most by the transit method. Twelve of those were found using NASA’s now-retired Kepler Space Telescope, the mission that takes the prize for the most transit detections (nearly 2,800). Scientists have observed a small number of debris disks and “protoplanetary” disks in polar orbits, and suspected that polar-orbiting planets might be out there as well. They seem at last to have turned one up.

An international science team led by Thomas A. Baycroft, a Ph.D. student in astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Birmingham, U.K., published a paper describing their discovery in the journal “Science Advances” in April 2025. The planet was entered into NASA’s Exoplanet Archive on May 1, 2025. The system’s full name is 2MASS J15104786-281874 (2M1510 for short).

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: ICE Lodges Detainer for 24-year-old Illegal Alien Posing as Teenager in Ohio

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security today announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for a 24-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela who posed as a teenager to attend an Ohio high school.

On May 19, the Perrysburg Ohio Police Department arrested and charged Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra with forgery. On May 20, ICE issued a detainer.

Mug shot from Wood County Jail.

“Anthony Emmanuel Labrador-Sierra is a 24-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela who has been posing as teenager and attending Perrysburg High School in Ohio,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Labrador was arrested and charged with forgery by the Perrysburg Ohio Police Department on May 19 for using fake documents to become enrolled in the high school. ICE lodged a detainer to ensure that this criminal illegal alien is removed from this community and no longer able to prey on the students of Perrysburg High School. It is disturbing that a grown man would impersonate a teenager and infiltrate the lives of underage girls and boys to fool them into doing God knows what.”

Labrador has illegally been in the U.S. since March 24, 2020.

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MIL Security OSI –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – AFET ad-hoc delegation to Uruguay and Argentina – 26-05-2025 – Committee on Foreign Affairs

Source: European Parliament

AFET ad-hoc delegation to Uruguay and Argentina © Image used under license from Adobe Stock

A delegation of eight Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), led by Chair David McAllister, will travel to Uruguay and Argentina from 26 to 29 May. Members will engage in high-level discussions regarding the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement which was concluded last December in Montevideo, Uruguay. The findings from this visit will contribute to the preparatory work for the consent procedure on the political and cooperation aspects of the Agreement, for which AFET is responsible.

More broadly, this mission will allow to exchange views on bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation, as well as geopolitical issues such as Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and China’s expanding influence in Latin America.

MIL OSI Europe News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: DG Okonjo-Iweala: MC14 must deliver outcomes on WTO reform

Source: World Trade Organization

Reporting to the meeting in her capacity as Chair of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), the Director-General said that in recent meetings she had with leaders and ministers in Japan and the Republic of Korea, the issue of WTO reform “was front and centre” of the discussions.

“Prime Minister Ishiba (of Japan) and his ministers of trade, foreign affairs and finance, along with virtually every APEC minister that I met in Jeju, have bought into the idea that we must not waste a crisis, and that we need deep and thorough reform of the WTO if it is to remain relevant,” DG Okonjo-Iweala said.

“For a successful MC14, we must act here in Geneva to deliver a package of reform proposals for ministers to consider and bless at MC14,” she added. “Nothing short of this can reposition this organization in the way and form needed.”

The Director-General met with Prime Minister Ishiba and other senior Japanese government officials in Tokyo on 13 May and then attended a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Jeju, Republic of Korea, on 15-16 May.

At their 12th Ministerial Conference in 2022, WTO members for the first time agreed to undertake a comprehensive review of the WTO’s functions in order to ensure the organization is capable of responding more effectively to both the challenges facing the multilateral trading system and the opportunities provided by contemporary developments in global trade.

The Director-General said that while the ministers she met “made clear they value the system, they also admitted it cannot continue the way it is.”

“Members keep sweeping things under the carpet and not solving problems,” she said. “I think what has brought us here is the inability to solve problems when they occur, and this has led to unilateral actions, instead of a cooperative approach to solve these problems.”

“It has taken time for members to admit that things are not working as well as they should, and that they want solutions,” she continued.

The Director-General said she was pleased work is continuing on possible deliverables for MC14, including further work on fisheries subsidies, agriculture, the Investment Facilitation for Development initiative, electronic commerce, and issues pertaining to least developed countries (LDCs). Members will have a chance to assess progress on these issues at the next TNC meeting in July and decide later which packages are ready to take forward to MC14 for decision.

She welcomed the recent progress made on member acceptances of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, noting that 99 members have now accepted the Agreement with only 12 more needed to bring it into force.

Twenty-six delegations took the floor after the Director-General’s intervention, some of them speaking on behalf of groups of members. Many members commented on a suggested road map for MC14 prepared by the WTO Secretariat and highlighted issues of interest, including WTO reform, new disciplines on fisheries subsidies, progress on agriculture, the e-commerce moratorium, and industrial policy, among others.

General Council Chair to initiate MC14 consultations

Under a separate agenda item, the General Council Chair, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), noted that discussions he had with delegations over the past weeks revealed various calls to proceed with work in three key areas, namely: WTO reform; dispute settlement reform; and the process towards preparing a possible MC14 outcome document.

With MC14 taking place in 10 months, “time is not on our side,” he told members. “Accordingly, immediately after this General Council meeting, I intend to consult interested delegations on how to take forward work in each of these areas.”

Investment facilitation for development

On the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) initiative, members were once again unable to reach consensus on the request supported by 126 members to incorporate the IFD Agreement under Annex 4 of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO. This marked the eighth time the proposal has been submitted to members for adoption.

Speaking on behalf of the 126 co-sponsors, the Republic of Korea underlined the urgent need for incorporating the Agreement into the WTO framework in order to help members attract investment, in particular developing and least developed country members. IFD Agreement participants are also actively engaging with non-participating members to build understanding and highlight the Agreement’s benefit, the Republic of Korea said.

Three members reiterated their objections to incorporating the IFD Agreement into the WTO multilateral framework.

Current trade tensions

On behalf of 47 members, Singapore and Switzerland introduced a statement in support of the rules-based multilateral trading system. The statement cites the value and achievements of the WTO since it was established in 1995, underlining how the organization has contributed to the economic development of both developed and developing members by promoting trade liberalization and facilitating economic integration, fostering stability, predictability and consumers’ trust while preserving incentives for innovation. The WTO’s support for developing economies, including LDCs, has lifted millions out of poverty, the co-sponsors said.

China introduced its communication regarding heightened trade turbulence and responses from the WTO. Faced with the current situation of heightened trade turbulence, China said, members should safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. China proposed a “Stability, Development and Reform” (SDR) approach for the WTO and said it stands ready to work with all parties to safeguard the WTO rules system and inject more certainty and predictability into the global economy.

The European Union introduced an item on fragmentation of global trade through tariffs and the global costs. The EU said the item was submitted in response to the economic and trade uncertainty created by recent tariff actions. The EU underlined its support for a rules-based multilateral trading system and highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue on tariffs to assess impacts, monitor trade patterns, and consider systemic effects.

WTO retreat on sustainable agriculture

Brazil expressed its appreciation for the recent WTO retreat on sustainable agriculture and the broad engagement across regions and constituencies. It highlighted trends in agriculture production globally, including towards increased productivity and the search for greater resilience and sustainability. Brazil said it saw value in further discussing this topic in a forward-looking manner as a conversational WTO exercise.

Thirty-six delegations took the floor to comment.

Electronic commerce

Japan, on behalf of the co-sponsors of the Agreement on Electronic Commerce, informed members of the co-sponsors’ recent efforts to gather members’ support for incorporation of the Agreement into the WTO multilateral framework. Japan also reported that the co-sponsors are undertaking work to advance implementation of the Agreement, including a needs assessment survey to better understand priorities for implementation support.

Several members reiterated their concerns about the Agreement and their objections to its incorporation into the WTO multilateral framework.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the General Council is tentatively scheduled for 22-23 July.

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MIL OSI Economics –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Gaza, Haiti & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (Video News)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Haiti
-Secretary-General/ECOSOC
-Syria
-Sudan
-Myanmar
-Libya
-International Days
-4th International Conference on Financing for Development

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that yesterday and today, the Israeli authorities granted us access to Kerem Shalom so that our teams could reach additional humanitarian supplies that crossed into the Strip on Monday and Tuesday, crossed from Israel into Kerem Shalom loading areas. Other critical items such as hygiene products or fuel have not been allowed by the Israeli authorities into Kerem Shalom.
So far, and this is as a few minutes ago, but the situation is obviously fluid, none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area. This is because, by yesterday evening, Israeli authorities had only allowed our teams to go through one area that was highly congested, that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place, given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza since the blockade by the Israeli authorities for over 11 weeks. The UN hopes that will change very soon.  The discussions are ongoing as we speak between our colleagues and the Israeli security authorities.
The UN is continuing to are engage with them to identify the best possible routes out of Kerem Shalom towards Gaza to ensure that the flow of aid is not disrupted or suspended. Partners are in touch with community leaders in Gaza to mitigate the risk of looting and ensure that the supplies entering Gaza reach the people who need them.
However, it is important to underscore that the limited supplies finally being allowed to enter Kerem Shalom are nowhere near enough to meet the needs in Gaza, which are vast, which are tremendous. Much, much more aid needs to get in.
Meanwhile, bombardment and shelling are continuing across the Gaza Strip. Today, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported dozens of people killed in the last 24 hours, and yesterday, it made an urgent call for blood donations for the sick and for those injured.
OCHA is telling us that 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip is now either subject to displacement orders or located in Israeli-militarized zones. These zones require humanitarians to coordinate their movements with the Israeli security authorities. 
UN partners says that over the past few days, almost half of the newly displaced people have fled with none of their belongings. The ongoing displacement of Gaza’s population is putting immense pressure on humanitarian teams, especially when there is no food or any basic items being allowed in.
In Gaza City, our partners report an extreme lack of shelter space: Displacement sites and residential buildings are all very much overcrowded. People are settling in abandoned, unfinished, or destroyed or damaged structures. Some are sleeping out in the open. 
And as we have been saying over, and over and over again, civilians need be protected, including those fleeing or forced to leave through displacement orders or those who remain despite the displacement orders.
Meanwhile, continued attacks on healthcare facilities are ongoing.  Earlier today, Al Awda Hospital, which is the only partially functional hospital in North Gaza governorate, and still treating a dozen patients, was hit. Yesterday, Kamal Adwan Hospital ceased operations.
As of yesterday, UN partners report that about 304,000 daily meals were prepared and delivered through about 70 kitchens. Five kitchens resumed operations, including two in Khan Younis and three that relocated to Gaza City following recent displacement orders from North Gaza. However, five others in Gaza City and Khan Younis were forced to shut down after their supplies were depleted. 
UN partners providing water, sanitation and hygiene services say that the water situation is worsening by the day. For example, the largest desalination plant in the north of Gaza is in an area slated for displacement. This has disrupted access to drinking water for about 150,000 people. 
In southern Gaza, in Al Mawasi, the water situation is also dire, as the area is not connected to the water network and relies heavily on water trucking. This requires both vehicles and fuel to serve the needy population.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=21%20May%202025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o494ZKBFyws

MIL OSI Video –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Gaza, Haiti & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Source: United Nations (Video News)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Haiti
-Secretary-General/ECOSOC
-Syria
-Sudan
-Myanmar
-Libya
-International Days
-4th International Conference on Financing for Development

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that yesterday and today, the Israeli authorities granted us access to Kerem Shalom so that our teams could reach additional humanitarian supplies that crossed into the Strip on Monday and Tuesday, crossed from Israel into Kerem Shalom loading areas. Other critical items such as hygiene products or fuel have not been allowed by the Israeli authorities into Kerem Shalom.
So far, and this is as a few minutes ago, but the situation is obviously fluid, none of the supplies have been able to leave the Kerem Shalom loading area. This is because, by yesterday evening, Israeli authorities had only allowed our teams to go through one area that was highly congested, that we felt was insecure and where we felt looting was highly likely to take place, given the prolonged deprivation in Gaza since the blockade by the Israeli authorities for over 11 weeks. The UN hopes that will change very soon.  The discussions are ongoing as we speak between our colleagues and the Israeli security authorities.
The UN is continuing to are engage with them to identify the best possible routes out of Kerem Shalom towards Gaza to ensure that the flow of aid is not disrupted or suspended. Partners are in touch with community leaders in Gaza to mitigate the risk of looting and ensure that the supplies entering Gaza reach the people who need them.
However, it is important to underscore that the limited supplies finally being allowed to enter Kerem Shalom are nowhere near enough to meet the needs in Gaza, which are vast, which are tremendous. Much, much more aid needs to get in.
Meanwhile, bombardment and shelling are continuing across the Gaza Strip. Today, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported dozens of people killed in the last 24 hours, and yesterday, it made an urgent call for blood donations for the sick and for those injured.
OCHA is telling us that 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip is now either subject to displacement orders or located in Israeli-militarized zones. These zones require humanitarians to coordinate their movements with the Israeli security authorities. 
UN partners says that over the past few days, almost half of the newly displaced people have fled with none of their belongings. The ongoing displacement of Gaza’s population is putting immense pressure on humanitarian teams, especially when there is no food or any basic items being allowed in.
In Gaza City, our partners report an extreme lack of shelter space: Displacement sites and residential buildings are all very much overcrowded. People are settling in abandoned, unfinished, or destroyed or damaged structures. Some are sleeping out in the open. 
And as we have been saying over, and over and over again, civilians need be protected, including those fleeing or forced to leave through displacement orders or those who remain despite the displacement orders.
Meanwhile, continued attacks on healthcare facilities are ongoing.  Earlier today, Al Awda Hospital, which is the only partially functional hospital in North Gaza governorate, and still treating a dozen patients, was hit. Yesterday, Kamal Adwan Hospital ceased operations.
As of yesterday, UN partners report that about 304,000 daily meals were prepared and delivered through about 70 kitchens. Five kitchens resumed operations, including two in Khan Younis and three that relocated to Gaza City following recent displacement orders from North Gaza. However, five others in Gaza City and Khan Younis were forced to shut down after their supplies were depleted. 
UN partners providing water, sanitation and hygiene services say that the water situation is worsening by the day. For example, the largest desalination plant in the north of Gaza is in an area slated for displacement. This has disrupted access to drinking water for about 150,000 people. 
In southern Gaza, in Al Mawasi, the water situation is also dire, as the area is not connected to the water network and relies heavily on water trucking. This requires both vehicles and fuel to serve the needy population.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=21%20May%202025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o494ZKBFyws

MIL OSI Video –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Persecution of the opposition by Xiomara Castro’s communist government in Honduras – E-001287/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

The EU has supported the justice sector, transparency mechanisms, the fight against corruption, electoral reforms, strengthening the national human rights protection system (e.g. ProDerechos[1]) and deployed consecutive election observation missions (EOMs). EU humanitarian assistance, focusing on people displaced, disaster preparedness and food insecurity, is channelled through international non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies implementing projects.

The EU remains ready to support a positive national reform agenda prioritising inclusive and sustainable development. Strengthening governance, rule of law, fighting corruption and protecting human rights are paramount.

The Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027[2] (EUR 163 million) focuses on three priorities (sustainable management of natural resources and climate change; employment, decent work and sustainable growth; rule of law, democratic governance) and allows to maintain applicable oversight mechanisms to ensure funds are directed towards above-mentioned objectives.

Following the primary elections in March 2025, the EU clearly expressed support for the National Electoral Council, a key institution for the organisation of the general elections on 30 November 2025, and called on all state institutions to support its work as stipulated by the Honduran Constitution[3].

In response to the invitation by Honduras to observe the upcoming elections, the EU will deploy an election exploratory mission six to four months before the elections. This mission will evaluate whether deployment of an EU EOM is advisable, useful and feasible. On that basis, the High Representative/Vice-President will decide on the deployment of an EOM.
- [1] Programme ProDerechos Honduras, https://www.proderechos.hn/.
- [2] Multi-annual Indiciative Programme Programme for Honduras 2021-2027, https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries/honduras_en.
- [3] Declaración Local de la Unión Europea en Honduras, 24 March 2025, https://x.com/EUambHN/status/1904281667289641435/photo/1.
MIL OSI Europe News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Torres Proposes Key Amendments to Republican Budget Reconciliation to Protect Working Families and Strengthen Public Services
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
May 21, 2025

Amendments Address Critical Issues facing Californians, including higher taxes, Cuts to Healthcare and food assistance, and dangerous Trump Administration changes to Air Safety Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres introduced targeted amendments to the Republican Budget Reconciliation aimed at protecting working families’ access to healthcare, food assistance, fairness in tax policy, and protecting essential public services. These amendments address critical areas, including healthcare, SNAP, transportation, and infrastructure, ensuring that policies serve the best interests of American workers and communities.

“Republican budget proposals threaten essential programs that millions of Americans depend on,” said Congresswoman Torres. “These amendments are a necessary step to ensure that our tax policies, public services, and infrastructure investments are fair and effective in supporting the American people.”

The proposed amendments aim to address the issues in the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill, which includes cutting healthcare coverage for nearly 14 million people, reducing SNAP benefits by $300 billion, and leaving 42 million Americans facing cuts to their benefits:
- Protect Healthcare and Prevent Medicaid Cuts: Torres is pushing to strike provisions to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid. This amendment would protect the healthcare of millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid for essential health services, including the nearly 340,000 adults and children in the Inland Empire who rely on Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program). Cuts to Medicaid disproportionately harm children, seniors, and people with disabilities. A cut to Medicaid is also a cut to Medicare, as 30% of Medicaid dollars support Medicare enrollees.
- Prevent Harmful SNAP Cuts: Torres is proposing an amendment to prevent $300 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which would endanger the food security of millions of American families, including 112,000 Americans in the Inland Empire. By striking these harmful provisions, nearly 90% of households that participate in SNAP have either a child, a senior, or an individual with disability. Rep. Torres seeks to protect vulnerable working families from losing access to the resources they need to stay healthy and nourished.
- Lift the SALT Deduction Cap: Torres is advocating for the removal of the $10,000 cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions that Trump signed into law in 2017. By limiting the SALT deduction to $10,000, the Trump 2017 Tax bill effectively raised taxes on Californians by eliminating their ability to deduct their state and local tax payments (including state income taxes and local property taxes) from their income for federal taxes. As residents of a state with a high cost of living and high housing costs, hardworking Californians are hit particularly hard by Trump’s cap on the SALT deduction. Californians pay more than their fair share of taxes, contributing $83 billion more in federal taxes than they received in return. Lifting the cap is about fairness and provides Californians with deserved tax relief in Trump’s high-priced economy.
- Protect Aviation Safety and Ensure Fair FAA Staffing Practices: Torres introduced an amendment to keep the flying public safe, protecting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees from unlawful firings. The FAA has fired at least 400 individuals responsible for maintaining air traffic control systems. This amendment will ensure that no funds made available by this Act may be used to terminate a probationary or non-probationary employee unless an individual performance assessment is conducted. This amendment aims to prevent unlawful terminations, ensuring that FAA staff are treated fairly and that safety standards are upheld for the traveling public. This amendment protects local jobs while maintaining air travel safety standards at Ontario International and regional airports.
- Support California’s Critical Infrastructure Needs: Torres is fighting back against the indefensible corruption of this Administration, specifically the newly released U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to help only Republican leaning states, not all Americans equally. Torres is advocating for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to allocate resources for California’s water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and flood management projects. Given California’s challenges with drought, wildfires, and floods, this amendment is designed to strengthen the state’s infrastructure and ensure communities are better protected from environmental and flood-related disasters.
- Remove harmful tax on remittances: Torres is fighting back against this bill’s unjust 5% federal tax on remittance transfers that targets immigrant communities. With Americans sending over $93 billion in 2023 to help families abroad with basic necessities, this tax would devastate economies in countries like Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador, where remittances comprise up to 30% of GDP. This amendment would prevent harmful policies that destabilize regional allies, contradict migration management efforts, and punish those playing by the rules—ensuring our policies support rather than harm immigrant communities and diplomatic partnerships.
“These amendments are designed to protect the well-being of American families, ensure the long-term viability of essential public programs, and support fair policies that address the unique needs of communities across the country,” Congresswoman Torres added. “We cannot afford to let partisan politics undermine the services and resources that our citizens rely on every day.”

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters Thanks EPA Administrator Zeldin for Commitment to Stop Cross-Border Sewage Pollution
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington D.C. – Today, at an Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) thanked Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for touring the U.S.-Mexico border in southern San Diego and for his commitment to address the scourge of cross-border wastewater pollution. This follows a joint announcement from the EPA and U.S. International Border and Water Commission (IBWC) this morning, that both agencies will speed up the first phase of the incremental expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) from two years to 100 days. This phase will increase the plant’s capacity to treat wastewater from 25 to 35 million gallons per day (mgd). The full project to repair and expand the dilapidated plant, for which Representative Peters and the San Diego delegation have secured $360 million in the last 18 months, will double treatment capacity to 50 mgd.

During the hearing, Rep. Peters stated, “I want to thank you for your recent visit to the South Bay and your tour of the Tijuana River Valley. This contamination issue remains, what I believe is one of the worst environmental catastrophes of the hemisphere and we are so encouraged by your commitment to working on a 100% solution… We’ve all worked really hard to get resources here — Republicans and Democrats. You have a partner here, and we’re happy to partner with you.”

During his opening remarks, EPA Administrator Zeldin stated, “[We] have issued immediate action items for Mexico to permanently and urgently end the Tijuana River sewage crisis that has plagued Southern California for decades.”

Last month, EPA Administrator Zeldin toured the South Bay at Rep. Peters’ invitation to see firsthand the ecological, economic, and health harms caused by this crisis.

Further Background:

Representative Peters has, for years, worked to address the cross-border pollution fouling San Diego’s coastal waters, including pushing for additional funding to fix and expand the dilapidated SBIWTP. The following are some recent actions:

2025
1. In March, Rep. Peters introduced legislation to authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to accept funding from federal and non-federal entities for wastewater treatment, flood control projects, or other water conservation efforts.
2024
1. In January, Rep. Peters took to the House floor to demand that the President’s requested $310 million to fix and expand the dilapidated SBIWTP be included in any upcoming spending deal.
1. In February, Rep. Peters joined members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation to ask U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro about the effects of cross-border pollution on Navy operations.
1. In March, Rep. Peters celebrated the inclusion of $156 million, at his request, for the International Boundary and Water Commission’s (IBWC) construction budget in the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bill. The IBWC is the federal agency tasked with operating and maintaining the SBIWTP.
1. In May, Rep. Peters joined Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16) in a bipartisan request for $278 million for the IBWC’s construction budget in the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations bill.
1. In August, Rep. Peters hosted Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma on a tour of the broken wastewater treatment plant.
1. In September, Rep. Peters joined members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation to reiterate their call for a federal state of emergency declaration amid high levels of toxic gases.
1. In December, Rep. Peters and the Congressional delegation successfully fought to include an additional $250 million to fully repair and expand the capacity of the SBIWTP in the government funding bill. This brought the total amount of funds secured to $650 million.
2023
1. In June, Rep. Peters led a letter with other members of the San Diego Congressional delegation to the governor of Baja California urging accountability for the Mexican government’s commitments to build wastewater treatment infrastructure.
1. In July, members of the San Diego congressional delegation requested that the Environmental Protection Agency assist with directing environmental justice funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to help stop the flow of pollutants and urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to tour the broken plant.
1. Also in July, they sent a letter to President Biden and submitted an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, calling on the administration to declare this crisis a federal emergency.
1. In August, he led two letters to the Office of Management and Budget and to OMB and the State Department, calling for urgent additional funding to confront this crisis.
1. In September, he proposed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill to boost U.S.- Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Grant Program funding. Additionally, he proposed two amendments to the Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill to boost annual construction funding to the USIBWC to $100 million.
1. In October, Rep. Peters led a bipartisan letter to the Department of State demanding a complete account of how the SBIWTP fell into such a severe state of disrepair.
1. In December, he led a letter urging leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to include President Biden’s $310 million supplemental budget request to repair the SBIWTP in any upcoming funding package.
In previous years, Peters and colleagues have secured funding, introduced legislation, called for investigations, and arranged a visit by EPA Administrator Regan in response to the wastewater contamination crisis.

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York City, partners arrest illegal alien wanted in home country for homicide

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

NEW YORK — On May 19, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New York City arrested Marlon Josuel Cruz Fernandez, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic wanted in his home country for homicide.

ICE officers and special agents assigned to ICE’s Newburgh office, along with special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations arrested Cruz without incident in New Rochelle pursuant to a warrant of arrest.

“This foreign fugitive mistakenly thought he could exploit our immigration laws to evade arrest in his home country,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director Judith Almodovar. “Let his futile attempt highlight to other criminal aliens we will always collaborate with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to ensure these fugitives are returned to their home countries to face justice.”

The U.S. Border Patrol encountered and arrested Cruz Dec. 11, 2015, in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas after he illegally entered the U.S. Border Patrol officials served him with a notice to appear for violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act and turned him over to ICE for detention placement. ICE Harlingen granted Cruz bond Feb. 1, 2016, which he posted three days later. Cruz failed to appear for his immigration proceedings Jan. 5, 2017, so the immigration judge ordered him removed in absentia from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic.

On Feb. 2, 2018, authorities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, issued a warrant for Cruz’s arrest for the offense of homicide, which went international six weeks later. ICE New York City received notification March 16 this year.

The New Rochelle Police Department arrested Cruz for having improper plates and impounded his vehicle May 17. The New Rochelle Police Department released Cruz on his own recognizance prior to realizing that he was an international fugitive wanted for homicide. Upon receiving this information, the police department immediately notified ICE New York City, which — along with federal partners — arrested Cruz.

Cruz is currently detained in ICE custody pending removal to the Dominican Republic.

Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to increase public safety in our New York City communities on X at @ERONewYork.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Urges Trump Administration to Preserve Affordable Access to Narcan
Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging the administration to protect and expand access to overdose reversal medications, like Naloxone, which are critical tools in combating the fentanyl and opioid crisis.

His letter follows meetings with first responders from across New Mexico and reports that the Department of Health and Human Services may cut funding for programs that distribute Naloxone kits and train first responders in their use.

“Naloxone saves lives—and any move to reduce access to it puts our communities and first responders at greater risk,” said Vasquez. “Instead of cutting these programs, we should be expanding them and making sure cost is never a barrier to saving a life.”

Rep. Vasquez highlighted concerns from first responders across New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, who have witnessed the devastating impacts of fentanyl and are increasingly facing rising costs for the tools they need to respond effectively. Naloxone—commonly known by the brand name Narcan—can reverse opioid overdoses in minutes and is credited with saving thousands of lives each year.

In his letter, Vasquez called on the Trump administration to:
- Reverse course on any proposed funding cuts for Naloxone distribution and training programs;
- Expand access to overdose reversal medications across the country;
- Investigate and curb pharmaceutical price gouging of these lifesaving drugs; and
- Keep Naloxone affordable for first responders.
The Congressman also pointed to a recent DEA-led operation in Albuquerque that resulted in the seizure of more than 400 kilograms of fentanyl pills. While praising law enforcement efforts, he emphasized that enforcement must be paired with strong public health investments.

In the letter, Rep. Vasquez reiterated his willingness to work with the administration on bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, secure the border, and ensure that treatment and prevention remain central to the federal response to the fentanyl crisis.

“After meeting with Congressman Vasquez in March and sharing our concerns about the rising cost and limited availability of Narcan, we appreciate him being proactive and stepping up to urge the administration to protect these lifesaving resources. Our crews are on the frontlines of the opioid crisis every day, and having access to affordable overdose reversal medications is critical to saving lives in our community,” said the Las Cruces Fire Department.

This letter also comes as part of Rep. Vasquez’s efforts to support first responders during National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. This week, he also cosponsored the bipartisan Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Act to allow seniors on Medicare to receive at-home emergency medical services to treat minor medical incidents by creating a model that reimburses EMS providers delivering treatment in place and not just reimburses when Medicare patients are transported to the hospital.

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC May 21, 2025 1630 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

SPC AC 211631

Day 1 Convective Outlook
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1131 AM CDT Wed May 21 2025

Valid 211630Z – 221200Z

…THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA…SOUTHERN GEORGIA/NORTHERN FLORIDA…AND THE
OZARKS…

…SUMMARY…
The most likely areas for severe storms are across parts of far
eastern North Carolina, the upper Ohio River Valley and parts of the
Southeast this afternoon, in addition to the Ozarks this evening.

…Eastern North Carolina/southern Virginia…
In the wake of early morning convection, air mass
recovery/destabilization will occur today in vicinity of the
eastward-transitioning surface wave and in vicinity of the roughly
west/east-oriented surface boundary located near/south of the
Virginia/North Carolina border. Drying westerly low-level
trajectories will exist to the south of the front and behind the
surface wave, with severe-storm favorable ingredients/potential
development tending to focus across far northeast North Carolina
where moderate buoyancy will be maximized with strong westerlies
aloft (40+ kt effective shear). While severe storm
coverage/likelihood may not be as high as previously thought, some
potential for large hail, damaging wind gusts and possibly a tornado
will still exist on an isolated basis.

…Ozarks/Mid-South…
While rich boundary-layer moisture will remain confined across south
Texas and Louisiana, a strengthening low-level baroclinic zone will
focus near the Kansas/Oklahoma border east-southeast into the
Mid-South. Guidance is rather consistent in developing at least
elevated convection to the cool side of this zone by evening. This
will be coincident with an intensifying mid-level speed max.
Forecast soundings depict potentially very strong mid to upper-level
speed shear within the slightly north of west flow regime. Coupled
with steep mid-level lapse rates, this setup could yield a few
elevated supercells capable of large hail and perhaps locally
damaging winds.

…Central Plains…
A mid-level vorticity lobe initially over Wyoming this morning will
dig east-southeastward into the lower Missouri Valley by early
evening amidst west-northwesterly flow aloft. Heating will result in
very steep 0-3 km lapse rates by mid afternoon with several hundred
J/kg SBCAPE. Elongated hodographs will support quick-moving cells
capable of an isolated risk for severe wind gusts during the late
afternoon through around sunset (roughly 20-01z).

…Upper Ohio Valley including PA/OH/WV border region…
A corridor of modest boundary-layer heating is expected ahead of the
primary surface cyclone drifting across northern Ohio toward Lake
Erie. Coupled with cooling mid-level temperatures, weak
surface-based buoyancy is expected by midday into the afternoon.
Deep-layer shear will not be strong given proximity to the mid-level
trough, but should be adequate for weak/transient mid-level
rotation. With numerous thunderstorms expected, small to marginally
severe hail and isolated damaging winds are anticipated. A brief
tornado or two is also possible with storms near the warm front,
before convection weakens as it moves east-northeastward into
less-buoyant surface conditions.

…North Florida and southern Georgia…
Along the southeastward-moving cold front, moderate buoyancy is
expected ahead of the front. A veered low-level wind profile will
limit effective bulk shear, but scattered thunderstorms could yield
multicells and perhaps a transient supercell. Isolated damaging
winds and marginally severe hail are possible with the stronger
storms. For additional short-term details, see Mesoscale Discussion
920.

…Far southern Louisiana/far southern Mississippi…
Sufficient residual elevated buoyancy in the immediate post-frontal
environment may allow for some storms to produce hail to near severe
levels, mostly over just the next few hours this afternoon and on a
very isolated basis.

…Deep South Texas…
A very moist and unstable air mass (2000-4000 J/kg MLCAPE later
today) exists across the region, aside from some higher cloud cover
spreading into the region via a slowly approaching and weakening
convective complex south of the international border. Additional
convection will likely develop in adjacent Mexico over the higher
terrain this afternoon, and some of these storms may spread east
across the lower Rio Grande Valley this evening. Isolated large hail
and severe-caliber wind gusts may accompany these storms.

..Guyer/Jewell.. 05/21/2025

CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 2000Z

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: DOJ Press releases at OCI (Prior Years)

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

05/21/2019
December 10, 2018: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, Former Senior Executive Plead Guilty to Distributing Endoscopes After Failing to File FDA-Required Adverse Event Reports of Serious Infections

03/26/2019
March 30, 2018: KC Paramedic Indicted for Stealing Fentanyl, Morphine from Ambulances

03/26/2019
March 30, 2018: Counterfeit Cigarette Smuggler Sentenced to Prison

03/20/2019
April 4, 2018: Canadian Pharmacist Sentenced for Distributing Counterfeit and Adulterated Botox to Local Doctors

03/20/2019
March 27, 2018: Compounding Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for $10.5 Million Health Care Fraud

03/20/2019
March 27, 2018: Federal Jury Finds Three Guilty in Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

03/20/2019
April 4, 2018: Fences Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar, Multi-State Criminal Theft Operations

03/19/2019
March 30, 2018: Lynn Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Role in Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

03/05/2019
October 1, 2018: AmerisourceBergen Corp. to Pay $625 Million to Settle Civil Fraud Allegations Resulting from Its Repackaging and Sale of Adulterated Drugs and Unapproved New Drugs, Double Billing and Providing Kickbacks

03/05/2019
October 18, 2018: Pharmacist Indicted for Taking Drugs, Carrying Firearm in Violation of Court Order

03/05/2019
October 15, 2018: Leader of Fraudulent Prescription Conspiracy Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

03/05/2019
November 29, 2018: Two Practitioners Sentenced for Drug Crimes in Connection with HOPE Clinic

03/05/2019
December 4, 2018: Medical Device Maker ev3 Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $17.9 Million for Distributing Adulterated Device

03/05/2019
November 20, 2018: Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Counterfeit Cialis and Viagra into the United States

03/05/2019
November 19, 2018: Georgia Man Charged with Social Security and Wire Fraud

03/05/2019
October 22, 2018: Medical Equipment Company Agrees to Pay $5.25 Million to Resolve Allegations of Fraudulent Claims for Compounded Medical Creams

03/05/2019
October 15, 2018: Four Men and Seven Companies Indicted for Billion-Dollar Telemedicine Fraud Conspiracy, Telemedicine Company and CEO Plead Guilty in Two Fraud Schemes

03/05/2019
November 5, 2018: Nurse Sentenced for Taking Fentanyl for Personal Use

03/05/2019
November 28, 2018: Former Vice President of Insys Pharmaceuticals Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Scheme

03/05/2019
October 18, 2018: Grand Jury Returns Superseding Indictment In Shamo Case; Adds Distribution Of Fentanyl Count Resulting In Death

03/05/2019
November 29, 2018: Dietary Supplement Ingredient Importers Arrested in Connection with Large-Scale Smuggling and Money Laundering Scheme

03/05/2019
December 4, 2018: Memphis Man Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Consumer Products

03/05/2019
October 22, 2018: Oklahoma Orthopedic Company to Pay $455,000 to Settle Claims of False Medical Billing

02/25/2019
December 13, 2018: Floridian Pleads Guilty in Complex Fraud Scheme Related to the Processing of Credit Card Payments

02/25/2019
December 13, 2018: Owner and Four Former Employees of New England Compounding Center Convicted Following Trial

02/25/2019
December 7, 2018: VA Nurse Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining and Tampering with Opioid Prescriptions

02/25/2019
December 4, 2018: Des Moines Residents Sentenced for Felony Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Offense

02/13/2019
October 11, 2018: Two Companies Ordered to Pay More Than $7 Million for Adulterated and Misbranded Pet Food Ingredients

02/13/2019
October 4, 2018: Troutdale Doctor Sentenced for Purchasing and Administering Foreign-Sourced Botox and Juvaderm

09/25/2018
September 24, 2018: Board Certified Ophthalmologist Agrees to Civil Fraud Settlement in Medicare Fraud Investigation

09/19/2018
September 19, 2018: Springfield Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Sharing Patient Medical Files

09/17/2018
September 11, 2018: Columbus Pharmacist Sentenced for Health Care Fraud Scheme

09/17/2018
September 8, 2017: Galena Biopharma Inc. to Pay More than $7.55 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Related to Opioid Drug

09/10/2018
September 6, 2018: Cattle Company and Veterinarian Indicted for False Health Certificates on Livestock

09/06/2018
August 31, 2018: Former Home Health Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Patients’ Drugs

09/04/2018
August 30, 2018: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Misbranded Prescription Horse Drugs

08/30/2018
August 28, 2018: Providence Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Oxycodone

08/23/2018
August 22, 2018: Louisiana Pharmacist Convicted of Trafficking and Selling Stolen Medication

08/20/2018
August 17, 2018: Unlicensed Pharmacy Technician Pleads Guilty to Working at New England Compounding Center

08/16/2018
August 16, 2018: Genesee County Physician and Two Others Charged with Health Care Fraud

08/16/2018
August 15, 2018: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Market Dietary Supplements

08/06/2018
August 3, 2018: Northwest ENT Associates, P.C. to Pay Approximately $1.2 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

08/01/2018
July 31, 2018: Three Canadians and their Company Sentenced for Wholesale Distribution of Misbranded Prescription Drugs and Money Laundering

07/31/2018
July 30, 2018: Two People Guilty of Distributing Tramadol Pills

07/30/2018
July 26, 2018: Miami-Dade Resident Charged in Connection with Performance of Illicit Silicone Injections

07/24/2018
July 23, 2018: Springfield EMT/Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Stealing Fentanyl, Morphine

07/19/2018
July 18, 2018: Medical Device Maker AngioDynamics Agrees to Pay $12.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

07/17/2018
July 17, 2018: Former President of Cumberland Distribution, Inc. Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for $50 Million Drug Diversion Scheme

07/12/2018
July 10, 2018: Pawtucket Woman Sentenced for Participation in Opioid Prescription Conspiracy

07/11/2018
July 10, 2018: VA Medical Center Nurse Indicted, Arraigned for Allegedly Tampering with and Stealing Prescription Opioids

07/11/2018
July 10, 2018: Former Des Moines Pharmacy Technician Sentenced for Illegally Tampering with Fentanyl

07/11/2018
July 10: 2018: Former Pharmacy Technician Indicted for Stealing Fentanyl, Morphine

07/09/2018
July 6, 2018: Vero Beach Orthopedic Surgeon Sentenced to Life in Prison Following Conviction for Fentanyl Analog Drug Conspiracy Resulting in Death

07/09/2018
July 6, 2018: Internet Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling $2.3 Million Worth of Non-FDA Approved and Misbranded Botox and Juvederm-Related Products

07/05/2018
July 3, 2018: Canton Man Indicted on Fentanyl and Firearms Charges

06/28/2018
June 28, 2018: Southern District of Florida Charges 124 Individuals Responsible for $337 Million in False Billing as Part of National Healthcare Fraud Takedown

06/22/2018
June 20, 2018: Fitchburg Woman and Saugus Man Sentenced for Roles in Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

06/18/2018
June 15, 2018: Theranos Founder and Former Chief Operating Officer Charged in Alleged Wire Fraud Schemes

06/05/2018
June 5, 2018: Opioid Prescription Conspiracy Leader Pleads Guilty

05/31/2018
May 31, 2018: Notification of Stolen Fertility Drugs: Gonal-f® RFF Redi-ject® and Gonal-f® Multi-Dose

05/21/2018
May 21, 2018: Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Scheme Involving the Reselling of Food Products That Were to Be Destroyed

05/08/2018
May 8, 2018: Notification of Stolen Octagam

04/19/2018
April 13, 2018: Canadian Drug Firm Admits Selling Counterfeit and Misbranded Prescription Drugs Throughout the United States

04/19/2018
April 12, 2018: Chinese Citizen Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Related to Dietary Supplement Scheme

04/19/2018
April 6, 2018: New Hampshire Residents Sentenced for Participating in Scheme to Distribute Misbranded Drugs

03/15/2018
March 14, 2018: Meridian Nurse Practitioner Pleads Guilty to Obtaining Controlled Substances by Fraud

03/14/2018
March 12, 2018: Champaign, Illinois, Resident Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Producing and Selling Over 80,000 Homemade Tramadol Capsules to Customers without Verifying Prescriptions

03/13/2018
March 12, 2018: Pharmacist and Pharmacy Employee Sentenced for Involvement in Over $30 Million Health Care Fraud

03/08/2018
March 6, 2018: Monterey Park Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Injecting Foreign Substance into Woman for Buttocks Enhancement

03/08/2018
March 8, 2018: Four Individuals Indicted for Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods

03/05/2018
March 2, 2018: Woman Sentenced for Injecting Adulterated Liquid Silicone

03/05/2018
February 23, 2018: Lake Charles Veterinarian, Pharmacy Sentenced for In-Race Horse Doping Conspiracy

03/01/2018
February 28, 2018: Two Doctors Arrested Pursuant to Federal Indictment That Alleges Bogus Sleep Studies Helped 1-800-Get-Thin Fraudulently Bill Insurance Programs Over $250 Million Related to Lap-Band Surgeries

02/27/2018
February 27, 2018: Former President of Houston-Based Drug Company Convicted in $50 Million Drug Diversion Scheme

02/22/2018
February 21, 2018: Pharmacy Tech Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Tampering with Opioids for IV Fluid

02/21/2018
February 20, 2018: U.S. Attorney Announces 69-count Indictment Charging Owners, Managers and Physicians Associated with Hope Clinic

02/21/2018
February 14, 2018: Palmer Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs from Pakistan

02/20/2018
August 19, 2016: Pharmacy Owner and Medical Doctor Charged in an Internet Scheme to Dispense Medications to Customers without Valid Prescriptions

02/14/2018
February 14, 2018: Two Indian Citizens and India-based Corporation Sentenced for Conspiring to Smuggle Counterfeit Cigarettes

02/12/2018
February 8, 2018: Queensbury Oncologist and Spouse to Pay $500,000 for Submitting False Claims to Medicare for the Administration of Unapproved Cancer Drugs

02/12/2018
February 9, 2018: Tampa Resident Convicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud Scheme

02/05/2018
February 5, 2018: Pennsylvania Firearms Dealer Sentenced To 100 Months Imprisonment

02/05/2018
November 25, 2018: Nevada Man Indicted for Distribution of Anabolic Steroids and Drug Misbranding

02/05/2018
February 5, 2018: Three Florida Residents Sentenced for Operating an Illegal Steroid and Counterfeit Prescription Drug Lab

01/31/2018
January 31, 2018: New England Compounding Center Pharmacist Sentenced for Role in Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/24/2018
September 25, 2017: U.S. Attorney Charges Pharmacy Tech for Tampering with Opioids

01/24/2018
January 13, 2017: Two Louisiana Men Sentenced for Roles in On-line Pharmacy Scheme

01/24/2018
May 17, 2017: Gardner Man Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/24/2018
December 6, 2016: Two Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/24/2018
September 11, 2017: Knoxville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the FDA

01/24/2018
December 9, 2016: Carroll County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge

01/24/2018
July 18, 2016: Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Illegally Importing Drugs into U.S.

01/24/2018
July 7, 2016: Johnston Resident Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering

01/24/2018
January 7, 2016: Former Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Narcotics from Hospital

01/24/2018
February 15, 2017: Hampton-Based Spice Dealer Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

01/24/2018
July 13, 2017: Four Charged in Counterfeit Body Building Steroid Conspiracy

01/24/2018
December 8, 2016: Pharmaceutical Executives Charged in Racketeering Scheme

01/24/2018
December 2, 2016: Woman Arrested For Injecting Adulterated Liquid Silicone

01/24/2018
September 20, 2017: Registered Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
June 28, 2017: Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
June 27, 2016: Hampton-Based Spice Retailer and Wholesaler Pleads Guilty

01/24/2018
May 31, 2016: Worcester Nurse Indicted on Federal Drug Tampering Charges

01/24/2018
August 7, 2017: Notification of Stolen Sterile Prescription Injectable Products

01/23/2018
January 23, 2018: Two Indian Citizens and India-based Corporation Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Counterfeit Cigarettes

01/17/2018
January 12, 2018: Owner of Seafood Company Charged in Atlantic Blue Crab Scam

01/17/2018
September 22, 2017: Drug Maker Aegerion Agrees to Plead Guilty; Will Pay More Than $35 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges and Civil False Claims Allegations

01/16/2018
June 30, 2017: Bath County Man Sentenced For Misbranding Drugs and Obstructing Justice

01/16/2018
June 21, 2017: Gardner Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/16/2018
August 28, 2017: Costa Rican Defendant Appears in Federal Court to Face Fraud Charges

01/16/2018
July 17, 2017: Leader of $17 Million Health Insurance Fraud Scheme Ordered to Prison

01/16/2018
October 11, 2016: Foreign National Pleads Guilty To International Wire Fraud Scheme

01/16/2018
August 30, 2017: Two Charged in Federal Court with Smuggling Counterfeit Cigarettes

01/16/2018
May 31, 2017: Men Sentenced to Combined 60 Years for Selling Spice in Hampton Roads

01/12/2018
December 20, 2016: New England Compounding Center’s National Sales Director Pleads Guilty

01/12/2018
July 19, 2017: Texas Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
March 13, 2017: Vice-President of SK Labs Found Guilty of Conspiracy, Mail Fraud Charges

01/12/2018
December 27, 2016: Providence Nurse Charged in Connection with Tampering with Oxycodone

01/12/2018
January 20, 2016: Businessman Sentenced for Marketing and Selling Unapproved Remedies for Cancer

01/12/2018
March 2, 2017: Bath County Man Convicted of Obstructing Justice and Selling Misbranded Products

01/12/2018
February 6, 2017: Arizona Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Pet Products with Counterfeit Labels

01/12/2018
January 17, 2017: Tampa-Area Medical Device Salesman Guilty of Selling Expired Lap-Band Devices

01/12/2018
August 1, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
June 2, 2016: Additional Criminal Charges Brought Against Indicted Penn National Horse Trainer

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Gloucester Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Steroids and Launder Money

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Vitamin Shop Owner Guilty of Selling Misbranded Drugs and Controlled Substance

01/12/2018
August 15, 2016: Second Trafficker Convicted of Distributing Dangerous Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/12/2018
July 17, 2017: Gloucester Woman Pleads Guilty to Her Role in Counterfeit Steroid Trafficking Scheme

01/12/2018
October 12, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims Bodies

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Westerly Resident to Plead Guilty to Trafficking Steroids, Money Laundering Charges

01/12/2018
September 22, 2016: Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
September, 22, 2016 Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
August 2, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims’ Bodies

01/12/2018
December 13, 2016: Tampa Resident Indicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud Scheme

01/12/2018
September 5, 2017: New Hampshire Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Involving Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
April 3, 2017: Printing and Packaging CEO Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels and Packaging

01/12/2018
March 14, 2017: Woman Admits to Causing the Death of Another Person by Injecting Her with Liquid Silicone

01/12/2018
April 12, 2017: Former Medical Product Distributor Charged with False Statements about Hormone Shipments

01/12/2018
September 29, 2016: New York Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Illegally Manufacture Designer Steroids

01/12/2018
July 1, 2016: New Hampshire Couple Indicted On Two Counts Of Illegal Distribution Of Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
September 22, 2017:Woman Admits to Illegally Selling Prescription Drugs Not Approved for Use in the US

01/12/2018
June 22, 2016: Former Nurse Sentenced to 82 Months for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications

01/12/2018
June 13, 2017: Cherry Hill Doctor and Son Admit Defrauding Medicare, Agree To $1.78 Million Settlement

01/12/2018
December 19, 2016: New York Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Selling Unsafe Dietary Supplements Online

01/12/2018
September 25, 2017: Pharmacy Manager Pleads Guilty to Illegal Prescription Drug Diversion and Money Laundering

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Tampa Woman Sentenced to Prison For Misbranded Drugs Used in Connection with Buttocks Injection

01/12/2018
March 28, 2017: Former Atlantic County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Smuggling and Dispensing Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
September 12, 2017: Former Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Stealing Pain-killing Drugs, Replacing Vials with Water

01/12/2018
July 29, 2016: Majority Owner of NECC and Husband Plead Guilty to Illegal Cash Withdrawals Following Outbreak

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Printing and Packaging Business Owner Convicted of Trafficking in Counterfeit Veterinary Labels

01/12/2018
July 14, 2017: Senior Executives of Medical Drug Re-Packager Plead Guilty to Defrauding Healthcare Providers

01/12/2018
July 20, 2016: Former Acclarent, Inc. Executives Convicted of Crimes Related to the Sale of Medical Devices

01/12/2018
June 6, 2016: Pharmaceutical Companies To Pay $67 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Tarceva

01/12/2018
February 16, 2017: Atlanta Man Convicted of Illegally Importing and Distributing Male Enhancement Products from China

01/11/2018
January 11, 2018: Former New Hampshire Pharmacist Pleads Guilty for Tampering with Narcotics at Bedford Pharmacy

01/11/2018
July 22, 2016: Medical Device Manufacturer Acclarent Inc. to Pay $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

01/11/2018
November 15, 2016: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to Fifteen Months in Prison for Distributing Contaminated Cheese

01/11/2018
September 25, 2017: Millions of Medicines Seized in Largest INTERPOL Operation Against Illicit Online Pharmacies

01/11/2018
January 3, 2017: Notification of Stolen Reckitt Benckiser Retail, Non-Prescription, Consumer Healthcare Products

01/09/2018
August 1, 2017: Radford Nurse Who Tampered with Liquid Morphine Intended for Nursing Home Patients Sentenced in Federal Court

01/09/2018
November 4, 2016: Two Pakistani Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Ship Pharmaceuticals into the United States

01/09/2018
November 29, 2016: Eight Defendants Convicted For Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Counterfeit 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Three Florida Residents Arrested After Law Enforcement Discover Steroid and Fake Prescription Drug Lab

01/09/2018
June 21, 2017: Counterfeiters Sentenced for Convictions in Nationwide Conspiracy to Distribute Fake 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
May 31, 2017: Drug Trafficking Organization Faces Indictment For Involvment In Manufacturing Fake Prescriptions Drugs With Fentanyl

01/09/2018
July 6, 2016: New Jersey Medical Device Manufacturer Admits Selling Contaminated Ultrasound Gel; Court Orders Permanent Injunction

01/09/2018
June 26, 2017: Owner of New England Compounding Center Sentenced for Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/09/2018
June 21, 2016: Two Pharmacists Sentenced to Prison for Adulteration of Drugs in Connection with Alabama-Based Compounding Pharmacy

01/09/2018
February 14, 2017: Two Miami-Dade Women Charged in Connection with Their Operation of a Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
June 22, 2017: Pharmacy Owner and Director of Compliance Charged with Defrauding United States and Distributing Adulterated Drugs

01/09/2018
April 12, 2017: Owners of Two Los Angeles-Area Drug Wholesale Companies Arrested in $20 Million Federal ‘Structuring’ Conspiracy

01/09/2018
December 2, 2016: Former Police Officer Sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Date Rape Drug

01/09/2018
February 7, 2017: Randallstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers

01/09/2018
August 30, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Operating a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
March 28, 2017: 3 Canadians and their Vancouver Company Charged with Conspiring to Sell Foreign-Made Drugs to Western Pennsylvania Pharmacists

01/09/2018
March 9, 2017: Internet Business Owner Indicted for Selling Non-FDA Approved and Misbranded Versions of Botox and Juvederm Related Products

01/09/2018
June 8, 2017: Houston, Texas Man convicted of Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
February 16, 2017: Oncology Practice, Doctor and Practice Manager Pay $1.7 Million to Resolve Allegations They Billed Medicare for Illegally Imported Drugs

01/09/2018
June 27, 2017: Physician and Wife to Pay $1.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations That They Billed Medicare and Medicaid for Unapproved Drugs

01/09/2018
December 13, 2016: O.C. Man Charged with Selling Pet Meds Without a Prescription, Some of Which Were Not Approved for Distribution in the United States

01/09/2018
September 6, 2017: Bronx Pharmacist Pleads Guilty To Illegally Selling Millions Of Prescription Pills On The Internet And Agrees To Forfeit $9 Million

01/09/2018
November 10, 2016: Nurse Who Operated Spa in Laguna Niguel Agrees to Plead Guilty to Illegally Dispensing Botox Not Approved for Use in United States

01/09/2018
March 30, 2017: Lincoln Mother and Son Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Misbranded Substances, Drug Paraphernalia, and Related Financial Crimes

01/09/2018
January 12, 2017: Baxter Healthcare Corporation to Pay More than $18 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability Relating to Sterile Products

01/09/2018
September 20, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Managing a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
May 23, 2017: Citizen of Pakistan and United Kingdom Sentenced For International Wire Fraud Scheme That Sold False Cures For Multiple Illnesses

01/09/2018
April 18, 2017: SCM True Air Technologies, of Ohio and Kentucky, and Its Former Company President – Guilty of Delivering Misbranded Medical Devices from Unregistered Facilities to a Georgia V.A. Medical Center and Obstructing an FDA Investigation into their Conduct

01/09/2018
November 28, 2016: Iowa Cancer Clinic and Oncologist to Pay More Than $176,000 To Settle False Claims Act Allegations They Recklessly Billed for Cancer Drugs That Were Unapproved, Misbranded, or Counterfeit and Improperly Upcoded Office Visit Claims

01/09/2018
September 9, 2016: Owner of Major Online Colored Contact Lens Business Pleads Guilty in Largest-Ever Investigation of Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lenses in the United States

01/09/2018
November 7, 2016: Medical Device Maker Biocompatibles Pleads Guilty to Misbranding and Agrees to Pay $36 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability and False Claims Act Allegations

01/09/2018
September 26, 2017: Houston, Texas Man Sentenced to 40 Months and a $95,000 Fine for Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
December 7, 2016: GNC Enters Into Agreement with Department of Justice to Improve Its Practices and Keep Potentially Illegal Dietary Supplements Out of the Marketplace

01/09/2018
September 27, 2017: Amerisourcebergen Specialty Group Pleads Guilty to Distributing Misbranded Drugs and is Sentenced to Pay $260 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability

01/09/2018
December 5, 2016: Medical Device Saleswoman Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Charges Relating to the Transport of Stolen Medical Devices and Money Laundering

01/09/2018
May 26, 2017: Florida Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Causing the Death of One Victim and Hospitalization of Others by Injecting them With Liquid Silicone

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Owner of O.C. Pet Products Company Pleads Guilty to Selling Pet Meds without Prescriptions, Some of Which Were Not Approved for U.S. Sale

09/17/2018
September 8, 2017: Galena Biopharma Inc. to Pay More than $7.55 Million to Resolve Alleged False Claims Related to Opioid Drug

01/24/2018
September 25, 2017: U.S. Attorney Charges Pharmacy Tech for Tampering with Opioids

01/24/2018
January 13, 2017: Two Louisiana Men Sentenced for Roles in On-line Pharmacy Scheme

01/24/2018
May 17, 2017: Gardner Man Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/24/2018
September 11, 2017: Knoxville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud the FDA

01/24/2018
February 15, 2017: Hampton-Based Spice Dealer Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison

01/24/2018
July 13, 2017: Four Charged in Counterfeit Body Building Steroid Conspiracy

01/24/2018
September 20, 2017: Registered Nurse Sentenced for Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
June 28, 2017: Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Fentanyl

01/24/2018
August 7, 2017: Notification of Stolen Sterile Prescription Injectable Products

01/17/2018
September 22, 2017: Drug Maker Aegerion Agrees to Plead Guilty; Will Pay More Than $35 Million to Resolve Criminal Charges and Civil False Claims Allegations

01/16/2018
June 30, 2017: Bath County Man Sentenced For Misbranding Drugs and Obstructing Justice

01/16/2018
June 21, 2017: Gardner Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Counterfeit Steroids

01/16/2018
August 28, 2017: Costa Rican Defendant Appears in Federal Court to Face Fraud Charges

01/16/2018
July 17, 2017: Leader of $17 Million Health Insurance Fraud Scheme Ordered to Prison

01/16/2018
August 30, 2017: Two Charged in Federal Court with Smuggling Counterfeit Cigarettes

01/16/2018
May 31, 2017: Men Sentenced to Combined 60 Years for Selling Spice in Hampton Roads

01/12/2018
July 19, 2017: Texas Man Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
March 13, 2017: Vice-President of SK Labs Found Guilty of Conspiracy, Mail Fraud Charges

01/12/2018
March 2, 2017: Bath County Man Convicted of Obstructing Justice and Selling Misbranded Products

01/12/2018
February 6, 2017: Arizona Man Sentenced for Trafficking in Pet Products with Counterfeit Labels

01/12/2018
January 17, 2017: Tampa-Area Medical Device Salesman Guilty of Selling Expired Lap-Band Devices

01/12/2018
August 1, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Gloucester Woman Charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Steroids and Launder Money

01/12/2018
June 15, 2017: Two Kansans Sentenced for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Designer Drug Business

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Vitamin Shop Owner Guilty of Selling Misbranded Drugs and Controlled Substance

01/12/2018
July 17, 2017: Gloucester Woman Pleads Guilty to Her Role in Counterfeit Steroid Trafficking Scheme

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Westerly Resident to Plead Guilty to Trafficking Steroids, Money Laundering Charges

01/12/2018
September 5, 2017: New Hampshire Residents Plead Guilty to Conspiracy Involving Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
April 3, 2017: Printing and Packaging CEO Pleads Guilty to Trafficking in Counterfeit Labels and Packaging

01/12/2018
March 14, 2017: Woman Admits to Causing the Death of Another Person by Injecting Her with Liquid Silicone

01/12/2018
April 12, 2017: Former Medical Product Distributor Charged with False Statements about Hormone Shipments

01/12/2018
September 22, 2017:Woman Admits to Illegally Selling Prescription Drugs Not Approved for Use in the US

01/12/2018
June 13, 2017: Cherry Hill Doctor and Son Admit Defrauding Medicare, Agree To $1.78 Million Settlement

01/12/2018
September 25, 2017: Pharmacy Manager Pleads Guilty to Illegal Prescription Drug Diversion and Money Laundering

01/12/2018
July 28, 2017: Tampa Woman Sentenced to Prison For Misbranded Drugs Used in Connection with Buttocks Injection

01/12/2018
March 28, 2017: Former Atlantic County, New Jersey, Man Charged with Smuggling and Dispensing Misbranded Drugs

01/12/2018
September 12, 2017: Former Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Stealing Pain-killing Drugs, Replacing Vials with Water

01/12/2018
May 15, 2017: Printing and Packaging Business Owner Convicted of Trafficking in Counterfeit Veterinary Labels

01/12/2018
July 14, 2017: Senior Executives of Medical Drug Re-Packager Plead Guilty to Defrauding Healthcare Providers

01/12/2018
February 16, 2017: Atlanta Man Convicted of Illegally Importing and Distributing Male Enhancement Products from China

01/11/2018
September 25, 2017: Millions of Medicines Seized in Largest INTERPOL Operation Against Illicit Online Pharmacies

01/11/2018
January 3, 2017: Notification of Stolen Reckitt Benckiser Retail, Non-Prescription, Consumer Healthcare Products

01/09/2018
August 1, 2017: Radford Nurse Who Tampered with Liquid Morphine Intended for Nursing Home Patients Sentenced in Federal Court

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Three Florida Residents Arrested After Law Enforcement Discover Steroid and Fake Prescription Drug Lab

01/09/2018
June 21, 2017: Counterfeiters Sentenced for Convictions in Nationwide Conspiracy to Distribute Fake 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
May 31, 2017: Drug Trafficking Organization Faces Indictment For Involvment In Manufacturing Fake Prescriptions Drugs With Fentanyl

01/09/2018
June 26, 2017: Owner of New England Compounding Center Sentenced for Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/09/2018
February 14, 2017: Two Miami-Dade Women Charged in Connection with Their Operation of a Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
June 22, 2017: Pharmacy Owner and Director of Compliance Charged with Defrauding United States and Distributing Adulterated Drugs

01/09/2018
April 12, 2017: Owners of Two Los Angeles-Area Drug Wholesale Companies Arrested in $20 Million Federal ‘Structuring’ Conspiracy

01/09/2018
February 7, 2017: Randallstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers

01/09/2018
August 30, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison for Operating a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
March 28, 2017: 3 Canadians and their Vancouver Company Charged with Conspiring to Sell Foreign-Made Drugs to Western Pennsylvania Pharmacists

01/09/2018
March 9, 2017: Internet Business Owner Indicted for Selling Non-FDA Approved and Misbranded Versions of Botox and Juvederm Related Products

01/09/2018
June 8, 2017: Houston, Texas Man convicted of Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
February 16, 2017: Oncology Practice, Doctor and Practice Manager Pay $1.7 Million to Resolve Allegations They Billed Medicare for Illegally Imported Drugs

01/09/2018
June 27, 2017: Physician and Wife to Pay $1.2 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations That They Billed Medicare and Medicaid for Unapproved Drugs

01/09/2018
September 6, 2017: Bronx Pharmacist Pleads Guilty To Illegally Selling Millions Of Prescription Pills On The Internet And Agrees To Forfeit $9 Million

01/09/2018
March 30, 2017: Lincoln Mother and Son Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Misbranded Substances, Drug Paraphernalia, and Related Financial Crimes

01/09/2018
January 12, 2017: Baxter Healthcare Corporation to Pay More than $18 Million to Resolve Criminal and Civil Liability Relating to Sterile Products

01/09/2018
September 20, 2017: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison for Managing a Miami Spa Performing Illicit Silicone Injections

01/09/2018
May 23, 2017: Citizen of Pakistan and United Kingdom Sentenced For International Wire Fraud Scheme That Sold False Cures For Multiple Illnesses

01/09/2018
April 18, 2017: SCM True Air Technologies, of Ohio and Kentucky, and Its Former Company President – Guilty of Delivering Misbranded Medical Devices from Unregistered Facilities to a Georgia V.A. Medical Center and Obstructing an FDA Investigation into their Conduct

01/09/2018
September 26, 2017: Houston, Texas Man Sentenced to 40 Months and a $95,000 Fine for Smuggling Korean Human Growth Hormone Drugs to Local Patients and Professional Wrestlers

01/09/2018
September 27, 2017: Amerisourcebergen Specialty Group Pleads Guilty to Distributing Misbranded Drugs and is Sentenced to Pay $260 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability

01/09/2018
May 26, 2017: Florida Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Causing the Death of One Victim and Hospitalization of Others by Injecting them With Liquid Silicone

01/09/2018
September 11, 2017: Owner of O.C. Pet Products Company Pleads Guilty to Selling Pet Meds without Prescriptions, Some of Which Were Not Approved for U.S. Sale

12/21/2017
December 19, 2017: Senior Executives of Medical Drug Repackager Sentenced for Defrauding Healthcare Providers

12/21/2017
December 20, 2017: Fitchburg Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

12/18/2017
December 18, 2017: Cherry Hill Doctor and Son Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding Medicare

12/14/2017
December 12, 2017: Iserve Technologies, Inc. Pled Guilty in Connection with Guilty Pleas of Former Exec and Manager of Med-Fast Pharmacy Inc.

12/04/2017
November 30, 2017: Lynn Man Pleads Guilty to Counterfeit Steroid Conspiracy

12/04/2017
November 30, 2017: Paramedic Sentenced for Stealing Fentanyl from Ambulance Company

12/04/2017
November 28, 2017: Champaign, Illinois, Resident Guilty of Producing and Selling Over 80,000 Homemade Tramadol Capsules to Customers Without Verifying Prescriptions

12/04/2017
November 29, 2017: Knoxville Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Defraud the FDA

11/27/2017
November 21, 2017: Williamsville Couple Pleads Guilty

11/27/2017
November 22, 2017: Former Pharmacy Compliance Director Pleads Guilty to Introducing Adulterated Drugs into Interstate Commerce and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States

11/27/2017
November 20, 2017: Vitamin Shop Owner Sentenced for Misbranded Drugs and Controlled Substance Conviction

11/21/2017
November 20, 2017:Queensbury Oncologist and Office Manager Plead Guilty in Connection with Administering Unapproved Drugs

11/21/2017
November 16, 2017: Palmer Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Import Prescription Drugs from Pakistan

11/20/2017
November 7, 2017: Federal Jury Convicts Lake Charles Veterinarian, Pharmacy in Race Horse Doping Conspiracy

11/06/2017
November 3, 2017: Vero Beach Orthopedic Surgeon Charged in Drug Conspiracy Resulting in Death

11/06/2017
November 3, 2017: Five Charged in Alleged Opioid Prescription, Healthcare Fraud Scheme

11/06/2017
November 1, 2017: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Misbranded Animal Drugs Containing Steroids

11/01/2017
November 1, 2017: FDA Supervisor and Local Businessman Charged in Bribery Scheme

11/01/2017
November 1, 2017: Pair Sentenced on Federal Conspiracy

10/31/2017
October 31, 2017: South Korean Maker of Contact Lenses, Company CEO Charged with Smuggling Products into U.S. by Failing to Declare Full Value

10/31/2017
March 28, 2017: Oakland Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Conspiracy to Manufacture Counterfeit Drugs

10/30/2017
October 27, 2017: Central Kentucky Pharmacist Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone and Money Laundering

10/26/2017
October 26, 2017: Founder and Owner of Pharmaceutical Company Insys Arrested and Charged with Racketeering

10/26/2017
October 25, 2017: Five Chinese Citizens and Four Chinese Companies Indicted in Scheme to Sell Mislabeled Dietary Supplements

10/26/2017
October 25, 2017: Supervisory Pharmacist of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

10/17/2017
October 16, 2017: Omak, Washington Nurse Sentenced to Federal Prison for Adulterating and Misbranding Pain Medications

10/10/2017
October 4, 2017: Med-Fast Pharmacy Inc. and Former Exec Agree to Resolve Criminal and Civil Charges

10/03/2017
October 2, 2017: Compounding Pharmacy Owner Charged with $10 Million Health Care Fraud

10/02/2017
September 29, 2017: Randallstown Woman Sentenced To 2 Years In Prison For Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone Into The Bodies Of Victim Customers

09/28/2017
September 20, 2017: Pair Plead Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge

08/29/2017
August 28, 2017: Shrewsbury Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Counterfeit Steroid Scheme

08/18/2017
August 18, 2017: Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Steroids, Money Laundering

07/18/2017
July 6, 2017: North Olmsted Man Charged with Selling Misbranded Drugs

07/03/2017
June 28, 2017: Former VA Nurse Re-Sentenced for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications

07/03/2017
June 28, 2017: Distributor of Counterfeit Medications Arrested

06/28/2017
June 23, 2017: Monterey Park Woman Arrested on Federal Charges after Allegedly Injecting Foreign Substances into Woman for Buttocks Enhancement

06/26/2017
June 22, 2017: Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Removing Liquid Fentanyl from Ambulance

06/19/2017
June 16, 2017: Leawood Woman Charged With Importing Misbranded Drugs

06/09/2017
June 9, 2017: Providence Nurse Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Oxycodone

04/24/2017
April 19, 2017: Radford Nurse, Who Tampered with Liquid Morphine Intended for Nursing Home Patients, Pleads Guilty

04/13/2017
April 12, 2017: Six Charged with Trafficking Counterfeit Steroids

04/06/2017
April 5, 2017: Worcester Nurse Sentenced for Drug Tampering

03/30/2017
March 22, 2017: Diamond Bar Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling ED Drugs that Were Sold as ‘Herbal Enhancement’ Products without Prescriptions

03/27/2017
March 22, 2017: Owner of New England Compounding Center Convicted of Racketeering Leading to Nationwide Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

01/19/2017
January 18, 2017: Owner of Major Online Colored Contact Lens Business Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison in Largest-Ever Scheme to Import and Sell Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lenses Prosecuted in the United States

01/19/2017
January 13, 2017: Paramedic Pleads Guilty to Tampering with Drugs

01/17/2017
January 11, 2017: Worcester Nurse Pleads Guilty to Drug Tampering

02/20/2018
August 19, 2016: Pharmacy Owner and Medical Doctor Charged in an Internet Scheme to Dispense Medications to Customers without Valid Prescriptions

01/24/2018
December 6, 2016: Two Sentenced for Trafficking in Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/24/2018
December 9, 2016: Carroll County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Conspiracy Charge

01/24/2018
July 18, 2016: Cincinnati Man Sentenced for Illegally Importing Drugs into U.S.

01/24/2018
July 7, 2016: Johnston Resident Charged with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering

01/24/2018
January 7, 2016: Former Nurse Pleads Guilty to Stealing Narcotics from Hospital

01/24/2018
December 8, 2016: Pharmaceutical Executives Charged in Racketeering Scheme

01/24/2018
December 2, 2016: Woman Arrested For Injecting Adulterated Liquid Silicone

01/24/2018
June 27, 2016: Hampton-Based Spice Retailer and Wholesaler Pleads Guilty

01/24/2018
May 31, 2016: Worcester Nurse Indicted on Federal Drug Tampering Charges

01/16/2018
October 11, 2016: Foreign National Pleads Guilty To International Wire Fraud Scheme

01/12/2018
December 20, 2016: New England Compounding Center’s National Sales Director Pleads Guilty

01/12/2018
December 27, 2016: Providence Nurse Charged in Connection with Tampering with Oxycodone

01/12/2018
January 20, 2016: Businessman Sentenced for Marketing and Selling Unapproved Remedies for Cancer

01/12/2018
June 2, 2016: Additional Criminal Charges Brought Against Indicted Penn National Horse Trainer

01/12/2018
August 15, 2016: Second Trafficker Convicted of Distributing Dangerous Counterfeit Viagra and Cialis

01/12/2018
October 12, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims Bodies

01/12/2018
September 22, 2016: Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
September, 22, 2016 Hoover Man Charged for Marketing Misbranded Male Enhancement Drugs from China

01/12/2018
August 2, 2016: Colombian National Charged for Unlawfully Injecting Silicone into Victims’ Bodies

01/12/2018
December 13, 2016: Tampa Resident Indicted for Involvement with Tricare Health Care Fraud Scheme

01/12/2018
September 29, 2016: New York Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Illegally Manufacture Designer Steroids

01/12/2018
July 1, 2016: New Hampshire Couple Indicted On Two Counts Of Illegal Distribution Of Prescription Drugs

01/12/2018
June 22, 2016: Former Nurse Sentenced to 82 Months for Stealing and Tampering with Patient Medications

01/12/2018
December 19, 2016: New York Man Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Term for Selling Unsafe Dietary Supplements Online

01/12/2018
July 29, 2016: Majority Owner of NECC and Husband Plead Guilty to Illegal Cash Withdrawals Following Outbreak

01/12/2018
July 20, 2016: Former Acclarent, Inc. Executives Convicted of Crimes Related to the Sale of Medical Devices

01/12/2018
June 6, 2016: Pharmaceutical Companies To Pay $67 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Tarceva

01/11/2018
July 22, 2016: Medical Device Manufacturer Acclarent Inc. to Pay $18 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

01/11/2018
November 15, 2016: Miami-Dade Resident Sentenced to Fifteen Months in Prison for Distributing Contaminated Cheese

01/09/2018
November 4, 2016: Two Pakistani Nationals Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Ship Pharmaceuticals into the United States

01/09/2018
November 29, 2016: Eight Defendants Convicted For Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Counterfeit 5-Hour Energy Drink

01/09/2018
July 6, 2016: New Jersey Medical Device Manufacturer Admits Selling Contaminated Ultrasound Gel; Court Orders Permanent Injunction

01/09/2018
June 21, 2016: Two Pharmacists Sentenced to Prison for Adulteration of Drugs in Connection with Alabama-Based Compounding Pharmacy

01/09/2018
December 2, 2016: Former Police Officer Sentenced in White Plains Federal Court to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Date Rape Drug

01/09/2018
December 13, 2016: O.C. Man Charged with Selling Pet Meds Without a Prescription, Some of Which Were Not Approved for Distribution in the United States

01/09/2018
November 10, 2016: Nurse Who Operated Spa in Laguna Niguel Agrees to Plead Guilty to Illegally Dispensing Botox Not Approved for Use in United States

01/09/2018
November 28, 2016: Iowa Cancer Clinic and Oncologist to Pay More Than $176,000 To Settle False Claims Act Allegations They Recklessly Billed for Cancer Drugs That Were Unapproved, Misbranded, or Counterfeit and Improperly Upcoded Office Visit Claims

01/09/2018
September 9, 2016: Owner of Major Online Colored Contact Lens Business Pleads Guilty in Largest-Ever Investigation of Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lenses in the United States

01/09/2018
November 7, 2016: Medical Device Maker Biocompatibles Pleads Guilty to Misbranding and Agrees to Pay $36 Million to Resolve Criminal Liability and False Claims Act Allegations

01/09/2018
December 7, 2016: GNC Enters Into Agreement with Department of Justice to Improve Its Practices and Keep Potentially Illegal Dietary Supplements Out of the Marketplace

01/09/2018
December 5, 2016: Medical Device Saleswoman Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Charges Relating to the Transport of Stolen Medical Devices and Money Laundering

12/15/2016
December 13, 2016: Conagra Subsidiary Sentenced in Connection with Outbreak of Salmonella Poisoning Related to Peanut Butter

12/13/2016
December 9, 2016: Two South Florida Residents Charged with Conspiring to Misbrand and Sell Expired Gastric Banding Systems

11/21/2016
November 18, 2016: Palm Harbor Oncologist Convicted Of Buying Unapproved Cancer Medications From Foreign Sources And Defrauding Medicare

11/08/2016
November 4, 2016: University Hospital Nurse Arrested Following Grand Jury Indictment for Illegally Obtaining and Tampering with Fentanyl and Hydomorphone

10/17/2016
October 11, 2016: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing, Distributing Performance Enhancing Drugs

09/26/2016
September 9, 2016: Medical Device Saleswoman Convicted on Charges of Conspiring to Transport Stolen Medical Devices in Interstate Commerce, Money Laundering and Other Charges

08/19/2016
August 19,2016: North Carolina Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Providing Silicone Buttocks Injections Resulting in the Death of a Client

07/26/2016
July 25, 2016: Three Charged with Manufacturing, Distributing Performance Enhancing Drugs

06/20/2016
June 20, 2016: R.I. Businessman Pleads Guilty to Running International Scheme to Label and Sell Misbranded Drugs

06/08/2016
June 2, 2016: President of Pharmaceutical Companies Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Long-Running Scheme to Sell Misbranded and Unapproved Chemotherapy and Other Prescription Drugs

05/27/2016
May 26, 2016: Owner of “The Wholesale Source” Convicted for Selling Unsafe Dietary Supplements Online

05/27/2016
May 27, 2016: North Carolina Man Admits Receiving and Selling Misbranded Silicone for Buttocks Injections Resulting in the Death of a Client

05/23/2016
May 9, 2016: California Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Unapproved Drug in Rhode Island

05/19/2016
May 18, 2016: Woman Charged with Illegally Administering Silicone Injections

05/16/2016
May 13, 2016: Two Key Players in Illegal Online Pharmacy Scheme Sentenced to Prison

05/16/2016
May 12, 2016: Windsor Mill Woman Indicted for Allegedly Injecting Non-Medical Grade Silicone into the Bodies of Victim Customers

05/09/2016
May 9, 2016: Owner of Bodybuilding Drug Companies Sentenced for Selling Misbranded Drugs

05/09/2016
May 9, 2016: Lodi Oncologist and Office Administrator Pay $300,000 to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

05/06/2016
May 5, 2016: Florida Man Sentenced To Prison For Illegal Diet Pill Scheme

05/05/2016
May 4, 2016: Former Buffalo Nurse Sentenced For Stealing Pain Medications Intended For Patients From Local Hospital

05/04/2016
April 28, 2016: Jury Convicts Former Police Officer For Selling Date Rape Drug

05/04/2016
May 3, 2016: Gainesville Physician Convicted of 162 Counts of Health Care Fraud

05/02/2016
April 29, 2016: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Arrest Of Black Market Distributor Of Diverted HIV Medications Worth Approximately $4 Million

04/20/2016
April 20, 2016: Norfolk Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Distributing Insulin

04/14/2016
April 7, 2016: Former Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Narcotics from Hospital

04/06/2016
April 4, 2016: Former Carlsbad Resident Jailed for Sale of Unapproved “Energy Wave” Medical Devices

03/24/2016
March 23, 2016: Federal Jury Convicts Destrehan Woman in Scheme to Sell Illegal and Mislabelled Diet Pills

03/24/2016
March 23, 2016: Detroit-Area Physician Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison for Role in $5.7 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

03/21/2016
March 18, 2016: Bookkeeper for Online Pharmacy Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Money Laundering

03/11/2016
March 8, 2016: Cincinnati Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Importing Drugs into U.S.

03/08/2016
March 7, 2016: Tehachapi Doctor Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Defrauding Patients and Insurers by Implanting Unapproved IUDs

03/08/2016
March 4, 2016: First of Seven Defendants Who Operated Illegal Online Pharmacy Sentenced to Prison

03/04/2016
March 4, 2016: Mumbai, India, Man Sentenced on Misbranding Charge

03/03/2016
March 1, 2016: Principal of Dietary Ingredient Companies Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar Fraud and Meth Precursor Scheme

02/29/2016
February 26, 2016: Florence Man Sentenced for Smuggling and Distributing Prescription Drugs

02/25/2016
February 17, 2016: Danville Man Pleads Guilty to Manufacturing and Distributing Illegal Dietary Supplements

02/24/2016
February 24, 2016: Former VA Nurse Pleads Guilty To Stealing Controlled Substance From Hospital Syringes

02/24/2016
February 17, 2016: Two Men Sentenced For Involvement in Scheme to Distribute Misbranded Drugs

02/23/2016
February 10, 2016: Las Vegas Resident Indicted For Running Counterfeit and Misbranded Contact Lens Operation

02/19/2016
February 17, 2016: United States And Vermont Doctor Resolve Matter Involving Non-FDA Approved Drugs And False Claims

02/19/2016
February 16, 2016: Swedish Medical Center Surgical Tech/Technologist Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Denver on Charges of Tampering with a Consumer Product and Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Deceit

02/19/2016
February 10, 2016: Owner of Cancer Treatment Clinic Convicted of Providing Fraudulent Medical Treatments to Patients

02/04/2016
January 28, 2016: Federal Criminal Charges Filed Against Two Pharmacists for Adulteration of Drugs in Connection with Alabama-Based Compounding Pharmacy

02/02/2016
February 1, 2016: Pakistani Man Makes Appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver Following Indictment and Arrest for Sale and Distribution of New, Misbranded and Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

02/02/2016
February 1, 2016: Worcester Nurse Sentenced for Stealing Oxycodone from Patients

02/02/2016
January 22, 2016: Counterfeit Cigarette Smuggler Receives Jail Sentence

02/02/2016
January 5, 2016: Two Defendants Sentenced to Prison in Conspiracy to Distribute Over $6.6 Million in Contraband Cigarettes

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrests Dominican fugitive charged with firearms, drug crimes in Massachusetts

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

May 21, 2025Boston, MA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, arrested a 44-year-old Dominican national charged in Boston with fentanyl trafficking and possession of a firearm. Officers with ICE Boston and CBP Boston arrested Julio Soto-Heredia in Boston May 18.

Additionally, Soto-Heredia has been charged by Dominican authorities for firearms trafficking crimes in the Dominican Republic.

“Julio Soto-Heredia attempted to flee justice in the Dominican Republic by hiding out in Boston,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “If that weren’t bad enough, Soto-Heredia apparently illegally armed himself and attempted to peddle poison in our Massachusetts neighborhoods. ICE Boston will not stand idly by while illegal alien offenders victimize the residents of our New England communities. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders.”

Soto-Heredia remains in ICE custody.

Members of the public with information about suspected immigration violations or related criminal activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit information online via the ICE Tip Form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Ambassador meeting with Guatemalan Finance Minister
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story

British Ambassador meeting with Guatemalan Finance Minister

English

Español de América Latina

The British Ambassador to Guatemala, Juliana Correa, met today with the Minister of Public Finances, Jonathan Menkos Zeissig.
They discussed the strong UK-Guatemala relationship, highlighting opportunities of joint work that would help further advancing the transparency agenda, unleash infrastructure development projects, and boost green and sustainable development.

Ambassador Correa expressed appreciation for Guatemala’s commitment to reforms that would encourage private sector investments. The two also discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral economic partnership in strategic sectors with UK expertise, including on electric mobility.

The discussion reaffirmed the shared UK-Guatemala commitment to advancing the fight against corruption and economic prosperity.

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Published 21 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Former Vice President Chen attends inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

May 18, 2025

No. 161

Former Vice President Chen Chien-jen, serving as special envoy of President Lai Ching-te, together with his wife and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu, attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on the morning of May 18. In an audience with the pontiff following the ceremony, Mr. Chen conveyed greetings from President Lai and the sincere congratulations of the government, people, and Catholic community of Taiwan.

Upon arriving for the ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Mr. Chen was received by a ceremonial officer for the Holy See. The inauguration, a grand and solemn occasion, took around two hours. According to statistics released by the Holy See, more than 150 delegations attended. Before the ceremony commenced, Mr. Chen exchanged greetings with Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies Speaker Raúl Latorre; Guatemalan Special Envoy and Ambassador to the Holy See Alfredo Vásquez Rivera; other officials from diplomatic allies; and delegates from the United States, Japan, Europe, and numerous other friendly countries. He also extended felicitations to and shared cordial interactions with several high-ranking members of the Vatican clergy, including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue Monsignor Indunil Janakaratne Kodithuwakku Kankanamalage.

After the inauguration, Pope Leo received the heads of national delegations. Mr. Chen presented the pontiff with a congratulatory letter from President Lai, a commemorative set of postage stamps depicting four of Taiwan’s Catholic churches—St. Joseph’s Church in Jinlun Village, Taitung County; the Holy Family Catholic Church in Taipei City; the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Wanjin Village, Pingtung County; and the Holy Rosary Cathedral Basilica in Kaohsiung City—and a collection of postcards on Holy See artifacts jointly produced by Taiwan and the Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan, highlighting the close connection between the Catholic Church in Taiwan and the Holy See. Mr. Chen also presented Pope Leo with a photo taken in 2020, when the pontiff was serving as bishop of the Chiclayo Diocese in Peru. The picture showed him accepting antipandemic supplies donated by Taiwan. The materials, delivered in cartons labeled “Taiwan Box,” were donated to Cáritas Chiclayo and other Peruvian healthcare and charitable organizations by the Pingtung County Government and Dr. Lai Hsien-yung of Hualien County’s Mennonite Christian Hospital. The government and people of Taiwan provided proactive assistance to the international community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, fulfilling their international responsibilities and demonstrating that Taiwan could help and that Taiwan was helping.

When Mr. Chen arrived at the airport in Rome on May 17, he met with Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, who had also made the trip to attend the papal inauguration. Mr. Chen also attended a mass and prayer service for peace led by Bishop John Lee Keh-mien, President of the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan, at St. Benedict’s Monastery. On May 18, Mr. Chen had dinner with 16 prominent members of the Catholic clergy and several key officials and ambassadors of diplomatic allies, including Special Delegate of the Holy See to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Cardinal Silvano Tomasi and Haitian Special Envoy and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Alrich Nicolas.

Since establishing diplomatic ties 83 years ago, Taiwan and the Holy See have enjoyed a profound diplomatic alliance and shared the core values of religious freedom, human rights, peace, and benevolence. The two sides will build on their existing friendship and solid foundation of cooperation in humanitarian assistance and other domains to further deepen bilateral relations and together make even greater contributions to the world. (E)

MIL OSI China News –

May 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: MOFA sincerely appreciates international support for Taiwan’s bid to participate in WHO and WHA

Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

May 19, 2025

No. 163

The 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) is opening in Geneva on May 19. Following proactive efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and related overseas missions, Taiwan’s bid to participate in the WHA has received staunch and concrete support from the Group of Seven (G7), the executive and legislative branches of government of more than 50 countries, the European Union, the European Parliament, and representative offices of like-minded nations in Taiwan. MOFA expresses sincere appreciation for this support.

Eleven of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, as members of the World Health Organization (WHO), submitted a proposal to the WHO Secretariat to invite Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer, requesting that the proposal be included as a supplementary item on this year’s WHA agenda. Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre personally wrote a letter urging WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to invite Taiwan to attend the WHA. The parliaments of Guatemala, Palau, and Saint Christopher and Nevis adopted resolutions backing Taiwan.

The magnitude of support for Taiwan from like-minded countries has continued to grow. The current US administration has publicly endorsed Taiwan’s international participation more than 10 times. This includes a joint statement issued at the US-Japan leaders’ summit by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in February, which for the first time contained text advocating Taiwan’s meaningful involvement in international organizations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed firm US support for Taiwan’s international participation during his congressional confirmation hearing as well as in interviews and joint statements issued at two meetings with the foreign ministers of Japan and the Republic of Korea. The United States twice spoke up for Taiwan at the WHO Executive Board session held in February. In April, it publicly refuted China’s misuse of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 at the UN Security Council for the first time, reiterating that the resolution did not preclude Taiwan’s participation in the UN system or other multilateral fora. In terms of US congressional support, the House of Representatives passed the Taiwan International Solidarity Act without opposition on May 5. The act urged the US government to resist China’s efforts to suppress Taiwan through mischaracterization of UNGA Resolution 2758. In addition, nine US state legislatures approved resolutions backing Taiwan’s involvement in international organizations.

Furthermore, in a joint statement issued following a meeting in March, the G7 foreign ministers reaffirmed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. On May 15, the European Union expressed a similar stance and recognized the extraordinary contributions Taiwan can make through its digital healthcare capabilities. In February, the European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on the implementation of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, which backed Taiwan’s meaningful participation in relevant world bodies.

High-ranking European officials who publicly spoke up for Taiwan included Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, and Swedish Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed. A total of 534 members of the European Parliament and 29 national parliaments across Europe cosigned a letter of the Formosa Club reaffirming support for Taiwan. The World Medical Association and other professional groups endorsed Taiwan’s participation in WHO and the WHA as they had done in the past.

MOFA thanks the representative offices in Taiwan of the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, and Lithuania for issuing a joint statement for the fifth year prior to the WHA affirming the immense benefits that Taiwan could bring to WHA discussions. The statement also emphasized that there was no legitimate reason for Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHA and that Taiwan’s absence would undermine the spirit of inclusive global public health cooperation and safety that WHO’s founding documents called for.

MOFA points out that these positive developments fully demonstrate that China’s unreasonable obstruction of Taiwan’s participation in WHO has gained little traction or support among nations worldwide. MOFA reiterates that UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 make no mention of Taiwan, have nothing to do with Taiwan, and therefore cannot be cited as a legal basis for precluding Taiwan from participating in WHO or other international organizations or multilateral mechanisms or fora. MOFA asks that the WHO Secretariat listen closely to member countries, stop further condoning political manipulation by China, and instead work to realize WHO’s goals of “Leaving No One Behind” and “One World for Health” so as to fulfill its responsibility to maintain and improve the health and well-being of all people. MOFA also asks that Taiwan be allowed full and unobstructed participation in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities, including the WHA. (E)

MIL OSI China News –

May 22, 2025