Latest news with #SantoDomingo
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
How To Spend Two Days In Cuzco
The gateway to Machu Picchu has its own magnificence. The Peruvian city of Cuzco is the typical starting and ending point for trips to Machu Picchu, as it has the closest airport to the world-renowned attraction. Yet there's plenty to do in this historic city itself that makes it a worthwhile stopover. You'll want to explore Cuzco slowly. It's set high in the Andes Mountains at a breath-sucking altitude of more than 11,000 feet. Fortunately, if you base yourself at the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, a beautifully restored heritage property built around the 16th-century colonial Convent of San Agustín in the heart of the city, you can acclimate with a welcoming cup of mate de coca, an herbal tea used throughout the region to combat the effects of high altitude. Even better, the property pumps extra oxygen into each of its 153 guest rooms, making it a little easier to breathe. The hotel is a short walk from the Plaza de Armas — this main square is anchored by the grand Cusco Cathedral — and numerous museums, cafés and places to eat. Here's how to make the most of your time in that area and other parts of the city. JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is a beautifully restored heritage property. After a generous buffet breakfast at the luxury hotel, walk a few blocks through Cuzco's narrow streets to Qorikancha, where the ruins of a once-grand, sacred Incan temple are visible beneath the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, which the Spanish constructed in the 1500s atop the Incan site. Several Inca-era rooms are visible on the edges of the colonial courtyard, while paintings throughout the building document both Incan and Spanish heritage. Take time to wander the gardens, too. Your next stop is Mercado San Pedro, Cuzco's central market. Browse the crowded aisles for everything from fresh fruit juices to spices to religious objects. Enjoy a leisurely lunch nearby at Chicha, the Cuzco outpost of celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, where Andean ingredients appear in innovative preparations. You might sample cuy (guinea pig), served in the style of Peking duck, atop a purple corn pancake with a 'hoisin' sauce made from rocoto peppers. Or try alpaca carpaccio, the rich meat brightened with a pesto-style sauce. Mercado San Pedro, Cuzco's central market, is filled with fresh flavors. In the afternoon, you can visit two museums that will help you prepare for your Machu Picchu visit. The Museo Inka has informative exhibits about Incan culture while Museo de Machu Picchu, which claims the world's largest collection of Machu Picchu artifacts, takes you through the history of the site's 'discovery' during American explorer Hiram Bingham's famous 1911 expedition that brought Machu Picchu into the world spotlight. Both museums have captions in English and Spanish. Make sure you're back at the hotel in time for a late-afternoon lesson on crafting a pisco sour, Peru's best-known cocktail, or a tour of the property, which takes you through its restoration, its history as a convent and its even earlier heritage, visiting pre-Inca ruins visible on the Marriott's lower level. For a light supper, take a short walk to Organika, where many of the ingredients in the salads, soups and plates, such as quinoa with grilled vegetables, are sourced from their own Sacred Valley gardens. The tiradito de trucha, made with local trout and paired with sweet potato chips, is an excellent choice. The hotel courtyard hosts demonstrations and photo opportunities. The next morning, after breakfast, stop into the hotel courtyard, where women from the Sacred Valley community of Chinchero offer demonstrations of traditional textile weaving techniques. You can also snap your photo with Panchita, the resident baby alpaca. Afterward, take an Uber or taxi — or book a guided tour — to Sacsayhuamán, an impressive archeological site built in the 1400s at an elevation of more than 12,000 feet. Allow at least a couple of hours to properly explore the multiple areas. Its walls and gates were constructed of massive stone blocks, fit together precisely without the use of mortar. From several vantage points around the site, you'll have expansive views across the entire Cuszo region. When you finish, walk down the stone staircases and through the narrow lanes lined with colorful street art to the San Blas neighborhood. At Green Point, you can lunch in the garden on plant-based dishes that might range from vegetarian quinoa soup to the 'Vegan Cusco Grill,' consisting of stuffed rocoto pepper, grilled oyster mushrooms, fresh greens and local potatoes in a creamy golden huancaína sauce, made from aji amarillo peppers. Be sure to try one of the fruity kombuchas or opt for the tangy, slightly fermented purple corn variety. Sacsayhuamán is an amazing archeological site built in the 1400s. Nearby, refresh with a coffee or a rich dark hot chocolate at Xapiri Ground, an art gallery/café close to the Plaza San Blas that shows work by contemporary artists from the Peruvian Amazon. Head back to the hotel for a rest or to lounge in the relaxation pool in the lower-level spa. As dusk approaches, visit Planetarium Cusco, a family-run star-gazing site, for an informative presentation that explores the Incas' view of the cosmos. You'll hear the Incan names for various constellations, learn some of the differences between the skies in the Northern and Southern hemispheres and, weather permitting, look through a telescope to spot celestial bodies. The planetarium offers presentations in English and provides transportation to and from the city center. When you return to town, a pisco sour in the JW Marriott's bar makes for a fitting finale to your two days of Cuszo adventures.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Owner of Dominican nightclub where 236 people died in roof collapse appears in court
A new criminal indictment claims the owners of the Jet Set nightclub in the Dominican Republic knew the building's roof was shoddy and refused to act. The collapse killed 236 people. Nearly 200 people were also injured. As the owners appeared in court for the first time Wednesday, one victim's sister told CBS News New York she doubts they will ever be held accountable. "Nothing's going to fill that void" Among those killed was 24-year-old Jennifer Contreras. "That was my best friend. We were really, really close," her sister Luz Contreras said. "Nothing's going to fill that void. I'm going to forever miss my sister." An aerial view of the Jet Set nightclub days after its roof collapsed, killing more than 200 people, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Friday, April 11, 2025. Matias Delacroix / AP The criminal indictment against the Espaillats says the roof collapse was the result of "complete disregard for building and safety laws." It goes on to say they operated the famous club with systematic and gross negligence which put hundreds of lives at risk. Antonio Espaillat entered the courtroom surrounded by armed officers. He was followed by his sister Maribel. Prosecutors blame the Espaillats, who owned and managed the nightclub, for April's collapse. Dozens of families showed up at court Wednesday, including the sister of merengue singer Rubby Perez, who was killed while performing the night of the collapse. Prosecutors say because of the country's outdated legal framework, involuntary homicide was the highest charge they could pursue. The attorney for the Espaillats calls the charge appropriate, saying the family had no ill intent. If convicted, the Espaillats face 3 months to 2 years in prison, and a small fine. "OK, two years and a fine? That's not fair, because you changed everybody's life. Hundreds of people's lives you changed. That's what you did," Luz Contreras said. "He'll probably get away with house arrest. You're living in the comfort of your own home. The comfort of my home has changed. My sister lived with us. Her room is empty now." The Espaillats also face at least 109 lawsuits filed on behalf of victims and their families.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Trial for suspended Rays shortstop Wander Franco to resume Monday in Dominican Republic
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial of suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes, will resume on Monday in the Dominican Republic. The court announced the move Tuesday. After five hearings in which prosecutors and defense attorneys presented their evidence, the judges decided to suspended the trial. The closing arguments and conclusions from each side will be presented in court on June 23. Franco, who was charged in July 2024 and is on supervised release, could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. 'I'm going to feel good, because everything is in God's hands now,' the 24-year old Franco said while leaving the hearing. The judges explained that the adjournment for so many days is to analyze everything presented by the parties in order to make a decision. 'The Public Prosecutor's Office has evidence and will present its findings next Monday, June 23, and request the appropriate sentence for each of the accused,' prosecutor Claudio Cordero said at the end of the hearing. Teodosio Jáquez, Franco's lawyer, insisted that there is no evidence linking the player to the crimes for which he is accused. 'That young man's future is being cut short, simply because of comments on social media,' Jáquez added. Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos ($17,000) to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to the purported abuse. The mother of the minor has been charged with money laundering and is under house arrest. Franco also has been charged with sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking. Franco was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. He is currently on Major League Baseball's restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave. ___ AP MLB:
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Tragic cause of nightclub roof collapse that killed 236 revealed as owners are accused of ignoring warning signs
The owners of a Dominican nightclub where a roof collapsed, killing 236 revelers, had ignored warning signs that a tragedy could strike, according to a new government report investigating the horror accident. Antonio and Maribel Espaillat, the sibling owners of Jet Set nightclub, were arrested last week, two months after the rooftop of the iconic club collapsed during an event, killing 236 attendees and injuring 150 more. The Public Prosecutor's Office in the Dominican Republic has sought preventative detention for Antonio and house arrest for his sister, according to Dominican Today. The prosecutors allege the duo's 'chain of actions and omissions... demonstrates a systematic pattern of irresponsibility and negligence.' Citing examples of such actions, a report from the office alleges the duo failed to get proper permits for the work they conducted on the nightclub, and conducted 'structural modifications without a technical basis, overloading the roof, deficient 'repairs' and disregard for danger warnings.' Prosecutors accused the Espaillats of trying to intimidate or manipulate company employees who could have been used as witnesses in the case. Antonio Espaillat is considered a powerful businessman in the Dominican Republic; he owns upscale entertainment centers and dozens of local radio stations. The Public Ministry claimed in the report that on the night of the tragedy, Maribel 'was aware of a falling debris incident hours before the collapse.' She was asked to suspend the planned party for that evening but 'refused to do so.' In her refusal, Maribel allegedly 'cited the absence of Antonio... and the impossibility of stopping the party, prioritizing economic gain over the safety and lives of people.' The report stated the tragedy 'would have been entirely avoidable if the defendants had acted according to the law and valued life over money.' The nightclub owners allegedly overloaded the roof of the club with technical booths, six air conditioning units weighing between 15 and 20 tons each, and water tanks. They did this 'without conducting any study to guarantee the structure's capacity to support such weight,' the report stated. Additionally, 'the nightclub, originally a movie theater, underwent a change of use that involved an inadequate structural adaptation,' prosecutors stated. 'A key column in the structure was subsequently removed, significantly affecting the roof's stability, without any professional assessment or permit to support the modification, demonstrating high-risk behavior.' Other changes which took place without oversight included installing a stage, lighting systems, bars, and VIP areas, prosecutors stated. Prosecutors allege the duo were completely aware that the roof was having problems and had received 'visual reports (photos and videos)' as well as 'communications from their employees.' In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, first responders worked through rubble and debris to find survivors. Crews worked for 53 hours nonstop after arriving on the scene in Santo Domingo shortly after midnight on April 8, rescuing 189 survivors. Once that was done and all the bodies were removed, the Public Ministry directed teams to preserve the debris to be inspected as part of the investigation. The victims included singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof caved in, and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of Montecristi province and sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was former MLB pitcher Octavio Dotel, who was pulled from the debris but died in hospital, and Dominican baseball player Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera. Other victims include a retired U.N. official, New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco, an Army captain who left behind four young girls, and three employees at Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. The relatives of several survivors have filed lawsuits against Antonio Espaillat. The club, which had operated for nearly five decades, was known for its Monday night merengue parties that attracted international celebrities and high-profile Dominicans. Miguel Valerio, the Espaillats' attorney, said earlier this week: 'This is an involuntary homicide. Nobody wanted that to happen.'
New York Times
4 days ago
- New York Times
Owners of Doomed Nightclub in Dominican Republic Knew Roof Was Shoddy
It was 2:23 p.m. on a Monday in Santo Domingo, 379 tickets had already been sold for a big show that night at the Jet Set disco, and the club's reservations manager, Gregorio Adames, was getting worried: Chunks of the roof were falling, knocking down ceiling panels. Panels had come loose before, but he suddenly realized that the damage was more dangerous than anyone thought. The trouble wasn't the panels: It was the roof itself. 'Sir, there's an important issue that needs to be reviewed at the disco,' he wrote in a WhatsApp message to his boss, Antonio Espaillat, the club's owner and a radio station mogul, according to a 126-page criminal indictment released this weekend. When another chunk came down at 11:40 p.m., bruising a customer, Mr. Adames urged his boss to cancel the show, prosecutors said. But Mr. Espaillat was out of town, and his sister, Maribel Espaillat, who also managed the club, said she wasn't authorized to make big decisions without him. At 12:44 a.m. on the morning of April 8, the decades-old roof of the building, Santo Domingo's most popular nightclub, came crashing down, ultimately killing 235 people and injuring nearly 200 more. The victims came from nine countries; five were from the United States. One hundred and thirty children lost parents, with 15 losing both parents. The dead ranged in age from 17 to 71. The Espaillats face involuntary homicide charges and have been jailed pending a bond hearing this week. Prosecutors are asking for Mr. Espaillat to be held without bail and for his sister to be under house arrest. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
