Tepoztlán, Mexico
Singing in the raid: Mexican soldiers who raided a drug cartel’s Christmas party last week were surprised to discover that a popular Grammy-winning performer was the night’s entertainment. Texas-based accordionist Ramón Ayala and his band were playing for members of the Beltrán-Leyva cartel when troops burst in. The ensuing shootout left three gunmen dead. Eleven suspected cartel members were arrested and a cache of automatic rifles was seized. Ayala, who has released more than 100 albums and has won two Latin Grammys, was held for questioning but released because authorities said they had no grounds to hold him. Ayala declined to comment.
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Buenos Aires
‘Dirty war’ trial: A former naval officer accused of involvement
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