The Consular Agency also performs notarials and receives applications for U.S. passports and consular reports of birth abroad (CRBAs). Passport and CRBA applications are forwarded to the U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara (the Consular Agency's supervisory post) for processing.

Kelly Trainor has been the Consular Agent since November 1998. She is assisted by a staff of three employees.

U.S. Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta

With Enrique Peña Nieto’s first congressional session just starting, expectations are high. Between now and April 30th, when the sixty-second Congress will adjourn, many hope the administration will tackle the deep seated structural issues that hold the nation back.

Mexico’s Congress has much going for it, as momentum for reform—lacking for years—is there. This new Congress began its tenure last September (working with President Felipe Calderón), and during its first go round, it passed a labor reform that enables greater flexibility in hiring and firing workers and an education reform that changes the way teachers will be hired, evaluated, and promoted. Though some deemed the reforms as watered-down, these significant pieces of legislation represent a break from the gridlock of the past.

Another advantage lies in the congressional leadership. The heads of the PRI delegations—the largest in both houses—are adept political operators. Senator Emilio Gamboa Patrón brings over thirty years experience working in a multitude of government positions to the table. Even stronger is Manlio Fabio Beltrones in the lower house, recognized by supporters and critics alike as one of Mexico’s most gifted politicians. Their developing agenda complements much of the PAN’s, where they may find willing partners.

Finally, Mexico’s three main political parties have already identified the substantial common ground on what needs to be done. The Pacto por Mexico is comprised on five central areas (constructing a law-based society, promoting economic growth, employment and competitiveness, improving security and justice, enhancing transparency, and furthering democratic governance) and includes ninety-five proposals that address everything from breaking up monopolies to investing more in science and technology. Though moving from principles to details is always difficult, this underlying consensus provides a starting point missing in the past.

So what will be on 2013’s agenda? The Pacto por Mexico lays out complete first and second semester schedules that can be found here and here, but the items to watch are fiscal and energy reforms. On the tax side this will mean changes that both increase contributions and better collection. On energy it means reforms that open up the sector in some capacity to foreign involvement, bringing in the needed technology, expertise, and investment to make sure oil and gas exploration and production grows. Changes in telecommunications—to increase competition, strengthen regulation, and boost investment—are also vital, as this sector is both more expensive and less efficient than those of many other emerging economies, including Brazil, South Korea, and China. As important are judicial and political reforms to foster greater transparency and accountability more broadly.

How successful the Peña Nieto administration is in 2013 will determine not only the legacy of his six year term, but also in no small way Mexico’s future. The president and his team need to take advantage of the political capital and parties’ consensus before midterm politics emerge (which will occur in 2015 ). The next ten months will decide whether the optimism is warranted.

[readon1 url="http://www.latintelligence.com/2013/02/05/mexico%E2%80%99s-congressional-agenda-for-2013/"]Source:ww.latintelligence.com[/readon1]

The Educational Fair Students Moving Forward is of great importance for the students of Puerto Vallarta to choose the best option for their professional future.

So that the students  vallartences  know the educational offers that the city has in the medium superior and superior levels, Thursday the Educational Fair  Students Moving  Forward  2013 was inaugurated ,   an important guidance tool  so that the youth  can select the steps to follow for their formal education.

To the opening of said event  attended the Dean Mari a Guadalupe Anaya, president of the Board of Education, who in representation  of first  council  Ramon Guerrero Martinez pointed out that this event  unites the  different universities and pre-universities  of the municipality, giving the youths opportunities to plan their future without  leaving  the city in search of careers, not knowing  that the information  is available here.

Emphasizing again the priority that this municipal government has in different levels of education, being this reason to provide variety of supports in different colleges, also to back up through other social programs both students and parents.

Attorney Hugo Cesar Becerra Zepeda from the Educational Regional Delegation in the north coast (DRSE) likewise remarked that without doubt the fact that these youth can and have options within their community to choose any professional career gives this fair an additional value.

Activities like the one organized by City hall, are fundamentals, reasons why  invite, teachers and advisors, to come and learn  these different  educational offers, the final purpose being that in our lives we can choose the correct professional  career, it brings satisfaction both professionally and personally.

Among those offering this professional offer are:  Conalep, C.E.C.A.T.I., UNE, College Juana de Asberg, CU., UNIVA, IDEF, there are more.

This event is being held at Parque Hidalgo until Saturday Feb 2, hours 9 .m. till 6 p.m.

[readon1 url="http://www.vallartaopina.net/index.php?mod=sec;cat=loc;ele=20419"]Source:www.vallartaopina.net - Translation by: Ms Martha E.Hassan[/readon1]

The government of Jalisco said Friday that they are not 1.400 but 3.200 million pesos are needed to cover debts generated by the celebration of the Pan American Games which hosted the state in 2011.

Emilio González Márquez the governor of Jalisco, sent Thursday  loan credit application for 3.200 million pesos to settle the liabilities generated by the Games

González Márquez proposed a 20-year loan, which would imply that the debt would be inherited at least to the next three state administrations

The governmen state leader of the National Action Party (PAN), will conclude his term on March 1, when Jorge Aristoteles Sandoval Institutional Revolutionary Party(PRI) receive the entity with debt in excess of 26,000 million pesos

In 2011, the state government had to step out to these commitments and  asked for a Bank credit Interactions amounting of 1,400 million pesos, which had to be settled on December 21  2012. If not paid on 21 this month, state finances fall in nonperforming loans, according to the state Finance Minister, Martin Mendoza Lopez

Besides credit with the bank, the state government used money  to fund current spending. Other 1.400 million pesos that were needed for the organization of the sporting event and still owes 400 million pesos to suppliers, which generated "gap "of 3.200 billion pesos now missing, the official said Friday in a press conference.

The 2011 Pan American Games cost 8.672 million pesos, of which more than 4.681 were provided by the State of Jalisco, you could say nearly 61% 1.683 million by the federal government and rest between Guadalajara municipal government, sponsors, ticketing and tax benefits, according to a document distributed Friday by the Ministry of Finance

Of the total cost of the games, over 3,000 million for sports infrastructure 1.097 million to the construction of the Pan American Village, 1,700 million logistics development event, 1.428 million in equipment and infrastructure around the sports complex and the rest in promotion, operating expenses, security, aviation and studies and projects.

Local congressional lawmakers cited before the plenary, on Saturday at 11:00 hours (local time), the Secretary of Finance to justify the loan application.

[readon1 url="http://mexico.cnn.com/nacional/2013/01/11/jalisco-revela-que-el-adeudo-por-juegos-panamericanos-es-de-3200-mdp"]Source:mexico.cnn.com-Translate:By Santini BrachoSilvia Giachello [/readon1]

According to federal authorities the wife of President Enrique Peña Nieto Angelica Rivera, and Laura Vargas Carrillo

wife of Secretary the Interior, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong  respectively occupy the chair of the Citizens Advisory Council and the leadership of the National System for the Integral Development Family (DIF),

Leticia Arana
Guadalajara, Jalisco

Since operating 19 new life centers in 13 health regions of the state of Jalisco, the prevention of drug and alcohol addiction has decreased up to 85%. The National council against addictions (CECAJ) Salvador Rivera clarified that even the rehabilitation has been a success. A national survey on drug abuse records  has been realeased stating that the drug abuse has declined up tp 50% since 1991. compared to other states .

He mentions that Jalisco has resources, infrastructure, and trained personnel in this field-there national recognition, as it has doubled the number of those who take specialty courses in addiction-to address the problem mainly youth. Regarding gender nine out of ten addicts are men.

Details that Jalisco is the first state that has accredited its 19 Centers New Life Quality Process. THE CECAJ, supports federally subsidized hospitalization and outpatient treatment for those who require it. This OPD, adds that it has an annual budget of 73 million pesos, of this 33 percent is to operate and the rest is for staff salaries.

[readon1 url="http://www.prensaglobal.com/notas/35081.html"]Source:www.prensaglobal.com-Translator: by Suyapa M Ajuria[/readon1]

Carolina Gomez Aguiñaga
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Samuel Pelayo was appointed manager of the Municipal Treasury Office of Puerto Vallarta, although the mayor advancement that will also be proposed the full council to take  the position formally

In an interview, the mayor said Samuel Pelayo had not been working since the beginning of this administration, but that just made the invitation.

"He worked in the Ministry of Finance for two years, also worked in the Jalisco State Congress, was my representative on the Finance Committee and is now incorporated as Treasurer," said Guerrero.

For its part, pledged Pelayo to the media to provide monthly reports on the finances of the municipality as n the regulations.

Samuel Pelayo will be the third person to take charge of protest in the City Treasurer, after Gabriela Reyes and Benito Carranco quit the post, the first after a month and the second a few days after starting the administration

[readon1 url="http://www.prensaglobal.com/notas/34881.html"]Source:www.prensaglobal.com-Translator: by Suyapa M Ajuria[/readon1]

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico City lawmakers have approved prison terms for animal cruelty, previously considered a civil offense sanctioned with fines and detentions.

The capital's legislative assembly unanimously agreed that people who intentionally abuse and cause animals harm will face up to two years in prison and pay up to $500. If the animal is killed, they can face up to four years in prison and a $2,000 fine.

Antonio Padierna, president of the assembly's law enforcement and justice committee, said late Friday that if animals are killed for food, the death must be quick and not cause pain.

The lawmakers agreed current administrative laws weren't doing enough to end animal cruelty. In Mexico City, animals are sometimes killed by being burned, beaten or shot.

[reaon1 url="http://noticierostelevisa.esmas.com/df/542349/maltrato-animal-sera-castigado-con-carcel-df/"]Source: noticierostelevisa.esmas.com - Translation by Suyapa M Castro[/readon1]

Juan Jose Cuevas Garcia, deputy chairman of the Commission for Social Rehabilitation Congress of Jalisco, presented to the plenary of the LX Legislature two bills, the first states that will ask the Executive Branch of State financial resources that were intended to pay for federal crimes inmates in state prisons and have already moved or will soon be moved to federal prisons, are applied to improve the conditions of local prisons, the second initiative proposes that the name be changed Legislative Commission on the Social Rehabilitation of Social Reintegration Commission.

The legislator said in its preamble that there are more than 16,000 inmates, distributed in the 13 prisons in the state of Jalisco, which are exceeded in some capacity to over 100%, with a total deficit of more than 7000 spaces, ie, prison overcrowding is in the range of 79%, of which 206 are 3000 inmates who committed crimes under federal jurisdiction.

Cuevas Garcia said the actions that federal and state governments are doing to the depressurization of the prison population, internal transfers to federal CEFERESOS, noting that the November 22, Jalisco has a population of three thousand and five federal inmates, of which 427 are processed one thousand and one thousand 578 sentenced, knowing that this program does not bring down a whole facing prison overcrowding Jalisco, so it requires the implementation of more concrete actions.

The initiative is consistent with the increase in the inmate population and the lack of resources for creating spaces that maintain a state of latent security risk, health, among others, and prevent from a hotel worthy inmates as according to the United Nations Organization (UNO), an overcrowding rate of over 20% is considered cruel and inhuman treatment, what happens in the prisons of Jalisco, is nothing more than a humanitarian crisis, says the legislator Vallarta.

With this movement of inmates from state prisons to federal, will free resources that can be allocated to county jails (whatever name called) to try to provide more humane conditions for those who must be detained therein.

The second initiative presented by Juan Jose Cuevas together with Rep. Sanchez Victor Manuel Orozco, notes that before the changes made in Justice Reforms since 2008 forced to change the name of the Legislative Committee for the Social Rehabilitation of Reintegration Commission reforming Social Articles 73 and 98 of the Organic Law governing the legislature.

[readon1 url="http://www.nuestrasnoticias.net/2012/12/16/presenta-dos-iniciativas-el-diputado-juan-jose-cuevas-garcia/"]Source: www.nuestrasnoticias.net - Translation by Suyapa Ajuria[/readon1]

The simple truth is very hard to live with these memories live every day thinking that we're through all my colleagues and me," said a survivor of the explosion.

With the impact of fire and heat, death came.

"View beaten fellow classmates charred companions never really thought of them that way is hard to relive all those images to see," said one of the survivors of the explosion

After watching the video of the moment of the explosion, which shows the workers running desperately trying to escape the flames, employees feel again expressed despair that lived that day.

"If it was an explosion that almost was gained ground and was reaching multiple partners in different areas and it was very difficult to see that they ran and the flames and explosion reaching them is a very big helplessness and not being able to see this actually do much" said another survivor of the explosion

Relatives of the victims were shaken to see the pictures and know the size of the devastating explosion.

"I was very surprised by the explosion that was, of course if I shivered myself much. A very sad thing last night we were watching the video again and if it is a very sad thing," said Omero de la Fuente de los Santos, the father of a deceased worker during the explosion

The great explosion prevented the implementation of the protocols established by civil protection and fire and Petróleos Mexicanos.

The scale and speed of events prevented any security measure.

"It was an explosion that split-second situation there was the survival instinct that helps many people to leave the place. Despite having all the knowledge and experience could not stop or immediate arrest," said Carlos Leal, director of Civil Protection of Reynosa.

Authorities in Reynosa, Petróleos Mexicanos insisted that extreme security measures to prevent tragedies like the one on September 18 at the receiving natural gas from the Burgos basin, the day of the big bang.

[readon1 url="http://noticierostelevisa.esmas.com/estados/536709/hablan-sobrevivientes-explosion-pemex-reynosa/"]Source:noticierostelevisa.esmas.com-Translation by Suyapa Ajuria  [/readon1]

The Finance Committee of the House of Representatives unanimously approved, in general and in particular, the opinion of the Revenue Act of the Federation 2013.

With the adjustments made to the initiative, there is an increase of 25.072 million pesos in revenue compared to what was originally estimated by the Federal Executive.

In addition, Members of the commission adjusted upwards the price of a barrel of oil from 84.9 to $ 86, which is intended to capture 4,800 million pesos.

In the approved document, asks the federal government more efficient collection tax and non-tax, in order to capture another 18,000 million pesos.

After a break of more than six hours, the chairman of the Finance Committee, José Isabel Trejo, explained in detail the changes made to the proposal sent by the federal government.

Revenues 956,361.6 pass 3 trillion pesos instead of the 3 billion pesos 931,289.5 million initially proposed.

This increased income will consist of a 2% increase in oil revenues and 5.7% in the non-oil, he said.

The opinion was estimated ceiling 7,000 million for foreign borrowing and 415.000 million pesos for detainees. In addition, they endorsed a debt ceiling 5,000 million pesos for the Federal District in 2013.

The resolving of the Finance Committee will be submitted to the full House of Representatives for discussion next and where appropriate, approval.

[readon1 url="http://www.cnnexpansion.com/economia/2012/12/12/la-ley-de-ingresos-avanza-en-el-congreso"]Source:www.cnnexpansion.com - Translation by Suyapa Ajuria [/readon1]

The U.S. State Department's Nov. 20 update to its travel warning on Mexico was notable more for the lack of hue and cry that has attended every alert since 2008,