Connect with us

INTERNACIONAL

Dem congressional candidate’s police employment record reveals suspensions over stolen gun, insubordination

Published

on



Johnny Garcia, a candidate for Congress in Texas’ newly redrawn 35th District, faced a pair of suspensions for «job performance,» «insubordination» and «conduct or action that would seriously impair job effectiveness» during his time with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, records show.

In the first suspension in 2009, Garcia brought a cellular device into a secure area against repeated instruction. The second, in 2020, arose when Garcia left a gun in an unsecured location, where it was later stolen.

Advertisement

In both cases, Garcia was suspended without pay.

The suspensions, discovered through a public records request, put new scrutiny on a law enforcement career that Garcia has made a central part of his campaign as he wages a race against Republican candidate Carlos De La Cruz, an Air Force veteran. 

The race to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, is expected to be significantly more competitive in the upcoming midterms than in years past.

Advertisement

POLL: IT’S A LONE STAR SENATE SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TALARICO AND PAXTON

The first suspension came in 2009 when Garcia carried his cellphone into a secured jail area, something he had been told repeatedly not to do.

«You have been instructed multiple times not to bring cellular phones or electronic equipment into the secured area and that doing so is a violation of policy. You stated you had been informed several times during Roll Call that cellular phones are not permitted in the secured area,» a notice of suspension reads.

Advertisement

«You are hereby notified that the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department is suspending you without pay for a total of three days … for insubordination [and] conduct or action that would seriously impair job effectiveness.»

The second suspension, according to the disciplinary record, came in 2020, when Garcia left his Glock firearm, four magazines and his badge — items that were later stolen — in his car. 

«Your equipment was not properly secured and was kept temporarily in your vehicle against Bexar County Sheriff’s policy. This negligent behavior has seriously impaired your job effectiveness and is a clear violation of the policies and procedures of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office,» a report read.

Advertisement

Garcia received a five-day suspension without pay for «job performance,» according to the county’s records. The firearm was eventually recovered after Garcia reported it was missing.

The sheriff’s office did not address questions about additional context on the suspensions, how frequently such suspensions are imposed and what other kinds of discipline the office would consider ahead of a suspension. Instead, it confirmed that Garcia had not faced any other forms of discipline as a result of the two incidents.

TRUMP-BACKED AIR FORCE VETERAN WINS GOP RUNOFF IN NEWLY-REDISTRICTED HOUSE DISTRICT

Advertisement

«The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office handles all policy violations in strict accordance with Civil Service Commission guidelines. Deputy Johnny Garcia served a 3-day unpaid suspension for bringing an electronic device into a secure facility and a 5-day unpaid suspension for failing to properly secure county issued equipment. The disciplinary actions were the agency’s final decision of the incidents,» Deputy Noel Diaz said in a statement to Digital.

«All deputies are required to maintain complete knowledge of the Civil Service Commission policies. Disciplinary actions are handled independently on single incidents.»

Garcia, who has not held elected office before, faces considerably steeper election odds than other Democrats who have run in Texas’ 35th District.

Advertisement

Casar, a progressive, last won re-election in the old district with a 67.4% to 32.6% victory in 2024. But Republicans targeted that electoral advantage through redistricting changes passed last year, prompting Casar to seek re-election in the state’s neighboring 37th district.

«Trump and Abbott just rammed through maps designed to kick people like me out of office. They don’t want me in Congress because they don’t want us to be heard. But we’re not going anywhere,» Casar said in a post explaining his move.

To overcome that shift in political advantage, Garcia has brought a centrist message to voters, highlighting his service with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, a post he joined at the age of 21. He would go on to work with the county jail and then as a hostage negotiator.

Advertisement

On his website, Garcia lists border security as a top priority in addition to issues like affordability and protecting government programs like Social Security. He said he had faced border weakness firsthand, stating that he had seen «how Biden failed us on the border.»

«An old school Democrat … he believes true public safety means more than tough talk,» his website states.

SUPREME COURT HANDS GOP A REDISTRICTING WIN BY STRIKING DOWN LOWER COURT BLOCK ON TEXAS MAP

Advertisement

When asked about the two suspensions, Garcia’s campaign pointed back at his record of safety as a law enforcement officer.

«As a sheriff’s deputy, I’ve spent nearly two decades putting my own safety on the line to protect my community to keep violent criminals off our streets. These politicized claims are Republicans’ desperate attempts to distract from the fact that tariffs and his war in Iran have made everything more expensive for working families,» Garcia said in a statement to Digital.

Having cleared his party’s primary in May, Garcia heads to the state’s general election on Nov. 3.

Advertisement

politics, texas, house of representatives, midterm elections

Advertisement

INTERNACIONAL

Michelle Bachelet vuelve a la política chilena: busca unir a la oposición a José Antonio Kast y ya piensa en su candidatura para 2029

Published

on


A los 75 años, Michelle Bachelet está de vuelta. Después de su fallida postulación a la Secretaría General de las Naciones Unidas, la expresidenta socialista de Chile busca no solo liderar a la oposición al gobierno derechista de José Antonio Kast, sino también volver al poder.

Si bien faltan más de tres años para las próximas elecciones presidenciales, Bachelet dejó sentado que piensa competir por un tercer mandato después de sus dos anteriores de 2006-2010 y 2014-2018.

Advertisement

“¿No hay segunda sin tercera?”, le preguntó un periodista de TVU de la Universidad de Concepción. Bachelet respondió: “Yo creo que sí. Yo creo que sí”.

Primer paso: liderar la oposición

Su fracaso diplomático le hizo cambiar de planes. Por su experiencia previa como directora ejecutiva de ONU Mujeres y como Alta comisionada para los Derechos Humanos, pensaba convertirse en la primera mujer en dirigir las Naciones Unidas. Pero fracasó en el intento.

“A quienes pensaban que después de esto me iba a ir para la casa, les tengo una mala noticia. Esto no va a pasar. Voy a seguir aquí, aportando, trabajando y apoyando a Chile como lo he hecho siempre”, dijo en un acto reciente en Santiago.

Advertisement
Una simpatizante muestra un cartel de respaldo a Michelle Bachelet durante un acto reciente en Santiago (Foto: REUTERS/Pablo Sanhueza)

Como primera medida, convocó a los líderes de seis partidos de la oposición para iniciar un proceso de articulación y coordinación de las fuerzas progresistas de Chile.

La iniciativa incluyó al Partido Socialista (PS), el Partido por la Democracia (PPD), el Partido Liberal, el Frente Amplio del expresidente Gabriel Boric, el Partido Comunista (PC) y la Democracia Cristiana (DC).

Un sondeo de la consultora Criteria reveló que el 44% de los consultados votaría hoy por Bachelet, aunque el 52% del electorado rechaza su figura.

Advertisement

Otra encuesta, realizada por Cadem, señaló que el 41% de los chilenos considera a Bachelet como la mejor candidata de la izquierda, seguida de lejos por Boric con un 24%.

Bachelet

Advertisement
Continue Reading

INTERNACIONAL

Fatalities, injuries reported at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta after ‘incident’ that sparked fire

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Canadian officials confirmed fatalities and injuries following a serious incident that sparked a major fire at one of the country’s busiest military bases Saturday.

Advertisement

Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty confirmed the incident at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, a major Army training installation.

He did not immediately specify how many people were killed or injured.

«I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,» McGuinty told reporters.

Advertisement

AT LEAST 1 KILLED, 34 FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS WORKERS INJURED IN ‘MAJOR’ STATEN ISLAND SHIPYARD EXPLOSION: FDNY

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed condolences after a serious incident sparked a major fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta. (REUTERS/Carlos Osorio)

McGuinty said the fire was still burning Saturday evening.

Advertisement

«I cannot recall an incident like this in recent memory,» he added.

The municipality of Wainwright said the fire had spread beyond the military base’s perimeter into the surrounding area.

FAST-MOVING SANDY FIRE BURNS HUNDREDS OF ACRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, FORCING EVACUATIONS IN SIMI VALLEY AREA

Advertisement
A sign that reads

A sign that reads «Freedom» with Alberta flags in rural Alberta. (REUTERS/Todd Korol)

However, local officials said no evacuation orders had been issued.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the incident in a post on X.

«A serious incident creating a major fire has occurred at CFB Wainwright, in Alberta,» Carney wrote. «Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected.»

Advertisement

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the incident in a post on X as a «significant and tragic fire» that affected military personnel at the base.

The Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local emergency personnel were responding to the incident, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

AMTRAK FIRE NEAR PENN STATION TRIGGERS MAJOR NYC COMMUTER DISRUPTIONS, NJ TRANSIT AND LIRR CANCELLATIONS

Advertisement
Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke out against the name change. (AFP via Getty Images)

«The Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, partners across the federal government, including public safety, are working with the government of Alberta and municipal governments to mobilize all necessary support,» McGuinty said.

Canadian Forces Base Wainwright is located roughly 130 miles east of Edmonton and had approximately 1,310 military and civilian personnel stationed there in 2021, according to census figures cited by Reuters.

The nearby town of Wainwright has a population of approximately 6,600.

Advertisement

It was not immediately clear what caused the incident.

Reuters contributed to this report.



world, canada, fires disasters, disasters us, military

Advertisement
Continue Reading

INTERNACIONAL

Protestas en Francia: el Gobierno pidió a fiscales medidas “extremadamente firmes” para los culpables de los destrozos

Published

on



El ministro de Justicia de Francia, Gérald Darmanin, ordenó a las fiscalías que soliciten prisión provisional para los responsables de ataques contra policías, bomberos, edificios públicos y comercios durante las protestas registrados el sábado. La jornada que dejó más de 1.200 detenidos y graves disturbios en al menos seis ciudades.

“Hoy se han producido y continúan produciéndose en este momento actos de violencia urbana de una gravedad inaudita (…). He reiterado a todos los fiscales generales y fiscales la necesidad de ofrecer una respuesta judicial extremadamente firme, a la altura de la violencia que ha azotado a nuestro país”, afirmó Darmanin en redes sociales.

Advertisement

El ministro pidió prisión “para aquellos que han atentado contra las fuerzas del orden, los bomberos, los edificios públicos y los establecimientos comerciales”. Su mensaje coincidió con una reunión de crisis en la sede del Ministerio del Interior, a la que asistieron el primer ministro, Sébastien Lecornu, y el ministro del Interior, Laurent Núñez. El titular del ministerio sostuvo que las fuerzas de seguridad respondieron con rapidez ante los ataques: “Quiero elogiar la rápida respuesta de las fuerzas de seguridad interna”.

Núñez afirmó que los episodios fueron “muy difíciles de contener”, aunque los agentes “realizaron una labor encomiable, evitaron daños generalizados y efectuaron numerosas detenciones”. A su vez, precisó que “la gran mayoría de los detenidos son adultos”.

El recuento de las cadenas TF1 y LCI contabilizó 270 saqueos a comercios en toda Francia. Entre los edificios atacados figura el ayuntamiento de Limoges, que quedó destruido por un incendio.

Advertisement

La líder de la extrema derecha Marine Le Pen acusó a la extrema izquierda de promover la violencia durante las movilizaciones por el costo de vida en Francia. La referente de Agrupación Nacional (AN), y candidata presidencial de cara a los comicios que se celebrarán en seis meses, sostuvo que los sectores cercanos a Jean-Luc Mélenchon “han vuelto a arruinar las manifestaciones del 17 de octubre en defensa del poder adquisitivo”.

“Saquear, destruir, atacar a las fuerzas del orden: los alborotadores han vuelto a arruinar las manifestaciones del 17 de octubre en defensa del poder adquisitivo”, escribió Le Pen en su cuenta de X.

La dirigente afirmó que “las reivindicaciones sociales legítimas han sido una vez más tomadas como rehenes por la extrema izquierda y los discursos de los diputados de Jean-Luc Mélenchon, que, al legitimar la violencia, al considerar el orden como una opresión y el desorden como un derecho, buscan precipitar al país en el caos”.

Advertisement

La líder de la extrema derecha francesa Marine Le Pen (REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/Archivo)

Le Pen vinculó el escenario de las protestas con la campaña para las elecciones presidenciales francesas, cuya primera vuelta está prevista para el 18 de abril de 2027. La candidata pidió a sus seguidores “resistir unos meses más”.

Según la líder de AN, los franceses están “atrapados entre la austeridad y el matraqueo fiscal del poder y los activistas de la insurrección”. “Los liberaremos de las políticas tóxicas macronistas y los protegeremos de la violencia de la extrema izquierda”, cerró Le Pen.

El presidente de Francia, Emmanuel Macron, advirtió que los responsables de los ataques contra edificios públicos, comercios y ayuntamientos serán perseguidos y castigados.

Advertisement

Las movilizaciones ocurrieron mientras el Gobierno busca respaldo parlamentario para los presupuestos de 2027, que contemplan un ajuste fiscal de 54.000 millones de euros con el objetivo de sanear las cuentas públicas.

El mandatario también pidió apoyo para las fuerzas de seguridad y defendió el derecho a las manifestaciones pacíficas. “Haremos todos un frente unido frente a los sembradores de caos, que solo buscan derribar nuestras instituciones e impiden que aquellos que expresan pacíficamente sus reivindicaciones lo hagan”, sostuvo.

Manifestantes enmascarados arrojan objetos, provenientes de un establecimiento vandalizado, a una barricada en llamas en París, Francia, 17 de octubre de 2026 (REUTERS/Jack Taylor)

La convocatoria “Amarillos y Jóvenes” reunió entre 550.000 y 800.000 personas, de acuerdo con las cifras divergentes que difundieron las autoridades y los organizadores de las protestas. Los convocantes calcularon una asistencia de 800.000 participantes en todo el país, mientras que las autoridades situaron la cifra en 550.000.

Advertisement

La movilización, difundida a través de redes sociales, congregó a chalecos amarillos, jóvenes, agricultores, docentes, activistas climáticos y jubilados.

(Con información de Europa Press)

Civil Conflict,Demonstrations,Riots,Europe,Civil Unrest

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Tendencias