Latest news with #Cordero
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tariffs Stall Long Beach Imports, Marking Slowest May Since Pre-Covid Era
The Port of Long Beach saw its slowest May for inbound cargo volumes since before the Covid-19 pandemic as tariffs rattled trans-Pacific trade entering the U.S. Imports at the San Pedro Bay port decreased 13.4 percent to 299,116 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May, and are only 2.9 percent up over 2019 levels of 290,568 TEUs. More from Sourcing Journal US Companies Take Trump Tariff Suit to Supreme Court Majority of Americans Believe Tariffs Threaten Their Finances Exclusive: Over One-Third of Retail Execs Say They Will Adjust Pricing In the Face of Tariffs Total cargo handled, when including exports and empties, dipped 8.2 percent to 639,160 TEUs. This marked the lowest monthly number handled since the 578,249 containers moved at the port in July 2023. A series of country-specific tariffs levied by President Donald, including duties that had went up to 145 percent on Chinese goods, put importers in a bind throughout April, resulting in mass cancellations of bookings and a decline in sailings of cargo across the Pacific Ocean. The low import numbers were largely in line with the 'more than 10 percent drop-off' in inbound cargo forecasted by Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero last month. The month followed a record April for the L.B. port as shippers front-loaded goods ahead of the tariffs, as well as 11 consecutive months of increases in cargo. The Long Beach port saw a bigger impact from the tariffs than its sister gateway, the Port of Los Angeles, which had a 9 percent decline in imports in May. 'We remain cautiously optimistic that import cargo will rebound at the end of June and into July just in time for the peak shipping season, when retailers stock the shelves with back-to-school supplies and begin preparations for the winter holidays,' said Cordero, in a statement. Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka already said there would likely be higher prices and fewer selections for both the back-to-school and Halloween seasons. In June and July, analysts are expecting a bounce back in West Coast cargo as import bookings again accelerated in the wake of the 90-day tariff rollback the U.S. and China agreed to in May. The temporary tariff relief was followed up in June with an assertion between the countries that they agreed on a new deal. That agreement consists of a 55 percent tariff on goods from China, and a 10 percent duty on goods out of the U.S. It's still under debate as to whether the coming import surge will overwhelm the West Coast ports. Across the U.S., ports are still expected to see inbound cargo declines of 6.2 percent and 8.1 percent in June and July, according to Global Port Tracker projections released earlier this month. While Cordero didn't go into expectations for the coming months, his L.A. counterpart, Seroka, said import projections for the second and third weeks of June were 'pretty average for where we should be.' According to the Port of Long Beach, 19 vessels are expected to arrive at the port for the week of June 15-21, up from 17 in the same week last year. Over the next two weeks, 44 ships are projected to dock in Long Beach, up from last year's 38. The upcoming increase in cargo into would at least help dockworkers at the ports collect regular payments. While the Los Angeles port saw half of its longshoremen go without work for a two-week stretch, Long Beach dockworkers had similar issues since it had a larger import drop in May. Long Beach Harbor Commission president Bonnie Lowenthal said the group is monitoring the development of the new trade policies and the effects on dockworkers and others across the supply chain. 'We are staying in close contact with our customers and other port stakeholders as they work to handle the ongoing changes in trade,' said Lowenthal in a statement. Cordero also pointed out that although uncertainty remains for the business sector, 'the Port of Long Beach is continuing to invest in rail and terminal improvements to move cargo efficiently, safely and sustainably,' referring to the port's Pier B on-dock rail support facility project. That $1.6 billion project is designed to help the port move more containers by on-dock rail and aims to reduce truck traffic. The plan, which began construction in 2024, is expected to more than triple the volume of on-dock rail cargo the port can handle annually, from 1.5 million TEUs to 4.7 million TEUs. Exported containers exiting the Port of Long Beach in May decreased 18.6 percent to 82,149 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the port rose 3.2 percent to 257,895 TEUs. The port has moved 4,042,228 TEUs during the first five months of 2025, still up 17.2 percent from the same period in 2024.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ecuador passes controversial laws to fight organized crime
SANTIAGO, Chile, June 16 (UPI) -- President Daniel Noboa's administration won legislative approval for two key laws aimed at strengthening its response to rising organized crime and violence in Ecuador. However, the limited debate surrounding the passage of the Intelligence Law and the National Solidarity Law has drawn criticism. Noboa has defended both laws as essential tools to fight drug trafficking, but some legal experts disagree with the measures. "Even if Noboa's actions are well-intentioned, both laws must be reviewed to ensure the fight against drug trafficking doesn't violate the Constitution," legal expert Pablo Encalada said. The Intelligence Law aims to combat organized crime, protect civilians and support economic recovery in violence-plagued areas. But Ana Belén Cordero, Ecuador's former secretary for Anti-Corruption Public Policy, called the law authoritarian. "It violates every principle of the rule of law by granting enormous power to the head of the intelligence system, bypassing prosecutors and judges," she said. The new law also would expand the authority of the Strategic Intelligence Center, or CIES, allowing it to collect personal data, conduct wiretaps and carry out raids without a court order. The National Solidarity Law would create a legal framework for Ecuador's national intelligence and counterintelligence system. It allows funds seized from drug traffickers to be transferred to security forces without oversight or reporting requirements. "It makes sense for the state to have confidential funds for intelligence operations, but there must be accountability to the National Assembly on how those resources are used," Cordero said. The law would allow security forces to receive real estate, equipment and other contributions from domestic or international organizations. Donors would be eligible for tax breaks. "This opens the door to massive leaks of both public and private funds," said Luis Córdova, a researcher at the Ecuadorian Conflict Observatory (Llamas), in an interview with local outlet Primicia. He also raised concerns about a proposal to increase penalties for juvenile offenders. While Cordero acknowledged the need to address youth involvement in crime, she argued that minors should not face the same penalties as adults. She emphasized that the state's absence in the country's poorest areas drives many young people to join drug gangs. Because the Intelligence Law has faced criticism from human rights organizations, which argue it violates constitutional protections, it must be reviewed by Ecuador's Constitutional Court before it can take effect. In 2024, Ecuador recorded an average of 38 homicides per 100,000 people -- the highest rate in Latin America, according to Insight Crime and other sources. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
5 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Ecuador passes controversial laws to fight organized crime
Ecuador's Intelligence Law would expand the authority of the Strategic Intelligence Center, allowing it to collect personal data, conduct wiretaps and carry out raids without a court order. That law and another measure face review by reviewed by Constitutional Court before taking effect. Photo by Carlos Duran Araujo/EPA-EFE SANTIAGO, Chile, June 16 (UPI) -- President Daniel Noboa's administration won legislative approval for two key laws aimed at strengthening its response to rising organized crime and violence in Ecuador. However, the limited debate surrounding the passage of the Intelligence Law and the National Solidarity Law has drawn criticism. Noboa has defended both laws as essential tools to fight drug trafficking, but some legal experts disagree with the measures. "Even if Noboa's actions are well-intentioned, both laws must be reviewed to ensure the fight against drug trafficking doesn't violate the Constitution," legal expert Pablo Encalada said. The Intelligence Law aims to combat organized crime, protect civilians and support economic recovery in violence-plagued areas. But Ana Belén Cordero, Ecuador's former secretary for Anti-Corruption Public Policy, called the law authoritarian. "It violates every principle of the rule of law by granting enormous power to the head of the intelligence system, bypassing prosecutors and judges," she said. The new law also would expand the authority of the Strategic Intelligence Center, or CIES, allowing it to collect personal data, conduct wiretaps and carry out raids without a court order. The National Solidarity Law would create a legal framework for Ecuador's national intelligence and counterintelligence system. It allows funds seized from drug traffickers to be transferred to security forces without oversight or reporting requirements. "It makes sense for the state to have confidential funds for intelligence operations, but there must be accountability to the National Assembly on how those resources are used," Cordero said. The law would allow security forces to receive real estate, equipment and other contributions from domestic or international organizations. Donors would be eligible for tax breaks. "This opens the door to massive leaks of both public and private funds," said Luis Córdova, a researcher at the Ecuadorian Conflict Observatory (Llamas), in an interview with local outlet Primicia. He also raised concerns about a proposal to increase penalties for juvenile offenders. While Cordero acknowledged the need to address youth involvement in crime, she argued that minors should not face the same penalties as adults. She emphasized that the state's absence in the country's poorest areas drives many young people to join drug gangs. Because the Intelligence Law has faced criticism from human rights organizations, which argue it violates constitutional protections, it must be reviewed by Ecuador's Constitutional Court before it can take effect. In 2024, Ecuador recorded an average of 38 homicides per 100,000 people -- the highest rate in Latin America, according to Insight Crime and other sources.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Council votes to widen surveillance at city parks
A one-year pilot program to install more video monitoring at city-owned parks prone to high crime was recently approved by the Hono lulu City Council. The Council voted unanimously to pass Resolution 128, which seeks to authorize the use of overt video surveillance at Oahu's public parks to deter crime and provide 'a safe environment for city residents, visitors and employees.' Introduced in April by Council member Radiant Cordero, the resolution says the Honolulu Police Department and other city agencies 'are currently utilizing video surveillance cameras and installing additional video surveillance cameras at various locations within the city, including but not limited to Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, East Oahu, and west side city parks.' The legislation also seeks to quell violent crime at city parks. 'There are multiple reports of violent crimes occurring in parks operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, the most recent being reports of gunfire on April 20, 2025, at Ala Moana Regional Park, which is one of the busiest parks on Oahu and is frequently visited by tourists, ' the legislation states. Resolution 128 underscores HPD's vacancy of over 450 police officer positions as well. HPD 'is currently dealing with a staffing shortage that would impact the department's ability to maintain a physical presence at city parks in order to detect and deter criminal activity, ' the legislation says. To aid policing efforts, the resolution urges the city to implement 'a one-year pilot program, in order to achieve the legitimate public purposes and legitimate law enforcement objectives … including the detection and deterrence of criminal activity and ensuring the safety and security of the general public and its property.' It says the pilot program is authorized for 'at least one city park per Council district, to be identified by the Council member assigned to that Council district based on a pattern of high criminal activity or ongoing public safety concerns for the respective park.' The legislation states 'overt video monitoring devices authorized under this resolution must be overt and clearly visible, with appropriate public signage to inform the public as set forth pursuant to (city laws ).' Cordero—whose Council District 7 spans Kalihi Kai to Waimalu Kai—previously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that her resolution 'was prompted by a series of break-ins at one of my district parks, highlighting the urgent need for stronger security.' 'The need for video surveillance in Oahu's city parks is driven by growing concerns over public safety and rising violent crimes, ' she said. 'Notable incidents include gunfire at Ala Moana Regional Park, two break-ins in a District 7 city park, and the recent fire at the Wahiawa District Park Playground.' 'By testing this approach through a pilot program, we can assess its effectiveness and make data-driven decisions for future expansion, ' she added. Cordero said the projected cost of her park surveillance program was not determined. Before the Council's vote on June 4, Cordero noted a major amendment to her resolution—that video monitoring devices placed at parks must not face private property. During public testimony, Hawaii Kai resident Natalie Iwasa opposed Resolution 128. 'I think there's a segment of our population that is particularly sensitive to video monitoring, and that is the immigrants and legal nationals here, especially given the ICE actions, ' she told the Council. 'So we need to be cognizant of that.' Iwasa said surveillance cameras may not deter crime either. 'When you put cameras in one location it seems logical to me that crime is going to move right around the corner where the cameras are not visible, ' she asserted. 'So how does the placement of the cameras in certain areas impact crime in the neighboring areas ?' Chandra Kanemaru, an Aliamanu-Salt Lake-Foster Village-Airport Neighborhood Board member, backed the resolution. 'With the alarming increase in damage and break-in reports at our local district parks and the recent arson fire at the Wahiawa District Park, it is clear that our city's public facilities are under threat, ' she said via written testimony. 'We must act swiftly to protect and monitor these facilities and prevent the rising wave of vandalism and destruction affecting our community, particularly our youth.' Kanemaru added 'the destructive actions of these crimes are not just damaging property and costing thousands in funds to repair and replace equipment ; they are penalizing the youths who rely on these parks, pools, and municipal building structures for a safe outlet to exercise and participate in organized team sports activities.' DPR spokesperson Nate Serota confirmed there are currently 165 surveillance cameras installed at 16 city parks on Oahu. 'There have been cameras in city parks for well over a decade under a variety of initiatives, ' he previously told the Star-Advertiser. 'Our most recent batch of surveillance cameras installed included 25 new surveillance cameras within Ala Moana Regional Park.' Cameras are installed and maintained with in-house city staff, while costs depend on the particular cameras used as well as who paid for them, he said. Organizations, like the Hawai 'i Tourism Authority, sponsored 75 cameras, including at Kapiolani Regional Park. He added the 'footage from these cameras is not continuously monitored.' As far as park vandalism is concerned, Serota said the parks department will 'spend between $300, 000 to $400, 000 annually addressing vandalism through in-house maintenance.'
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In Depth: Long Beach Green Port
Hal talks to Mario Cordero, the CEO of the port of Long Beach about the progress that has been made in the past 20 years since he made the commitment to making the port a "green port." Cordero says that while there is a ways to go before the port is at zero emissions, that it has come a long way. He credits innovations that have allowed the port to transition to electrical power in its trucks, cranes and rail lines as well as shore power. Manager of Air Quality Practices, Leela Rao explains to Hal how the port monitors emissions and posts it on their website in real time for public awareness. Otis Cliatt II joins Hal to talk about the Joule, the electric train that runs on the Pacific Harbor Line, which, in addition to the alternative fuel locomotives, is vastly reducing emissions. Cordero returns in segment three as we take a tour of the Port on a boat to see the new infrastructure and discuss the impact of recent political policy changes, such as tariffs and how they are affecting traffic at the Port and making it challenging for companies to plan for imports and orders.
