Russian President Vladimir Putin likely masterminded an assassination attempt against an ex-intelligence official on US soil 10 years after the double agent fled Moscow for Miami — a deed that would have been an extraordinary breach of American sovereignty.
Kremlin officials in early 2020 pressured a Mexican scientist to track down the former spy, Col. Alexander Poteyev, who had served for decades in Russia’s SVR intelligence service before he betrayed a ring of 10 Russian spies — including the notorious Anna Chapman — and defected to the US, the New York Times reported Monday.
But the scientist, Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, botched the assassination plot and was caught by US authorities with a picture of Poteyev’s license plate on his phone, which he planned to pass on to Russian intelligence.
The US retaliated by imposing sanctions and expelling 10 Russian diplomats from Washington, DC — including the top intelligence official stationed there.
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Kremlin officials in 2020 pressured a Mexican scientist to track down the former spy, Col. Alexander Poteyev, who had served for decades in Russia’s SVR intelligence service.EAST2WEST NEWS The scientist, Hector Alejandro Cabrera Fuentes, botched the assassination plot and got caught by US authorities.YouTube/math2me
At the time, President Biden said the penalties were a response to Putin’s alleged interference in the 2020 election and the SolarWinds hack on US federal agencies.
“We cannot allow a foreign power to interfere in our democratic process with impunity,” Biden said at an April 15, 2021, White House press briefing.
Putin retaliated by banishing 10 US diplomats from Moscow, including the local CIA station chief.
“We cannot allow a foreign power to interfere in our democratic process with impunity,” Biden, 80, said at an April 15, 2021, White House press briefing.AP
The Times reported that the failed assassination of Poteyev has been confirmed by US intelligence officials and is also recounted in historian Calder Walton’s newly published book “Spies: The Epic Intelligence War Between East and West.”
The Kremlin forced Fuentes to participate in the plot by exploiting his double life — which included a bigamist marriage to a Russian woman living in Germany.
Fuentes, who had a clean record and lived in Oaxaca with his Mexican wife, had earned his doctorate from the University of Giessen, where his Russian wife lived with her two daughters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin retaliated by banishing 10 US diplomats from Moscow, including the city’s CIA chief.AP
Following a trip to Russia, however, Fuentes’ wife was prohibited from returning to Germany in 2019.
A Russian official informed Fuentes that he could “help” his family out in exchange for information about Poteyev, who had been convicted in absentia of treason and desertion in 2011.
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Fuentes rented a condo north of Miami Beach under an associate’s name and learned in February 2020 during a trip to Moscow where he could find Poteyev’s vehicle, though the Kremlin official discouraged him from taking a photograph.
The US officials then searched Fuentes’ phone and discovered the picture of Poteyev’s vehicle.YouTube/math2me
The scientist and his Mexican wife later tailgated a resident at the complex where Poteyev lived to try to gain entry, but were held up by security.
Somehow Fuentes’ wife was able to take a picture of Poteyev’s license plate before they left the complex, but the couple was detained by US Customs and Border Protection two days later on their way back to Mexico.
The US officials then searched Fuentes’ phone and discovered the picture of Poteyev’s vehicle, and the scientist later confessed details of the plot to federal investigators.
In 2018, Russian agent Alexander Petrov poisoned another ex-Kremlin official, Sergei V. Skripal, who was convicted in 2006 for disclosing secrets to UK intelligence.Metropolitan Police via Getty Images
A former US intelligence official told the Times Fuentes had been unaware of the significance of his mission in trying to obtain the information.
Fuentes pleaded guilty in February 2022 and was later sentenced to four years in federal prison. He will be deported to Mexico upon his release.
In 2018, Russian agent Alexander Petrov poisoned another ex-Kremlin official, Sergei V. Skripal, who was convicted in 2006 for disclosing secrets to British intelligence.
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Poteyev escaped Russia in 2010 through Belarus after having outed 10 Kremlin “moles” who disguised themselves as everyday Americans, including the model Anna Chapman.AP
Skripal had been released as part of a prisoner exchange resulting from Poteyev’s defection — and his poisoning also led to diplomatic expulsions.
Poteyev escaped Russia in 2010 through Belarus after having outed 10 Kremlin “moles” who disguised themselves as everyday Americans, including the fiery-haired Chapman.
In 2016, Russian news reports surfaced that Poteyev had died, but the double agent purchased a fishing license and registered as a Republican the same year in Miami.
Two years later, BuzzFeed News shared both facts in a report that revealed Poteyev was still alive and living in Florida.
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – Rescue crews took a 15-year-old girl to the hospital after, police said, she became the victim of a shooting in Northwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade Police and Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the incident at the McDonald’s at Northwest Seventh Avenue and 95th Street, at around 10:15 p.m. on Friday.
Investigators said the teen was wounded in the shoulder while at the fast food restaurant.
Paramedics brought the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
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Detectives are questioning one person. They believe the shooting was accidental.
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French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten might be known for his culinary empire, but now the famous chef is expanding his reach with his first-ever residential project: Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences.
Vongerichten partnered with developers Terra and Lion Development Group to launch the 48-story tower, which will house 329 condos ranging from one to four bedrooms. The building will have 41,000 square feet of amenity spaces, including landscaped gardens, a swimming pool with cabanas, a private rooftop restaurant, and a podcast recording studio. The ground floor of the building will have 27,500 square feet of high-end retail space. New York-based design firm Yabu Pushelberg is responsible for all of the interior spaces and Arquitectonica did the architecture. It’s located in the bustling Design District, known for its ultra-luxe stores, impressive art galleries, public art, and historic architecture.
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The terraces.
Jean-Georges
“Yabu Pushelberg’s timeless design in the homes and spaces throughout the building is simultaneously serene and vibrant,” says David Martin, CEO of Terra. “The goal was to create a multi-layered experience. From the entrance to the residences, every detail reflects Yabu Pushelberg and Jean-Georges’ joint vision of fine living and entertaining.”
Previously, Vongerichten worked with Yabu Pushelberg to design The Fulton by Jean-Georges in New York, a waterfront restaurant within the city’s Seaport District. Unlike most of Miami’s white box interiors with stark-white walls and floors, Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences is infused with plenty of color that reflects the surrounding nature found in Miami. The interiors feature deep green hues, plenty of spectacular greenery. Walking through the entrance of the building is like walking through a garden oasis, with soaring green tiled walls and tropical plant-flanked walkway.
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The spa.
Jean-Georges
“We integrated shades of green, natural woods, and stones found in the tropics as a nod to Miami’s lush environment, allowing the surrounding flora and fauna to influence the interiors,” George Yabu, co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg tells Forbes. “We also layered in bold, playful textures throughout the project and added vibrant commissioned art to pay homage to the culture of Miami’s Design District.”
The residences feature warm textures and hues, with warm wood, and rose-colored tiling in a few of the kitchen layouts, and a living room with colorful furniture with yellow and green hues. Each residence is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors that open to a terrace with incredible views of the city and water. There are two color palettes: dawn, reflecting the delicate hues of early morning light, and dusk, featuring evening-inspired hues. The kitchens in the dawn color palette features Crema Marfil marble countertops and an orange-brown ceramic tile backsplash, warm champagne metal accents, and Italian wood cabinetry with a Beachwood finish. Meanwhile, the dusk kitchens have Green Diabaz stone countertops, dark-blue ceramic tile backsplash, rubbed metal accents, and Italian wood cabinetry in a dark finish. One of Vongerichten’s primary focuses was creating a versatile and ergonomic kitchen. He helped select materials and appliances and wanted the island to be the focal point of each kitchen.
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A bathroom.
Jean-Georges
“Our friendship with Jean-Georges naturally evolved from being neighbors in the West Village to creative collaborators,” says Glenn Pushelberg, the other co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg. “Introducing him to this project felt like a perfect fit—not only as a friend but as a visionary whose charisma and wisdom bring energy to every project. Our first collaboration, The Fulton restaurant, embraced the rich history of New York’s Pier 17, and with Miami Tropic, we drew similar inspiration from Miami’s vibrant surroundings, bringing to life the vision of the city we all dream of. Partnering with Jean-Georges to reimagine Miami living felt like a natural next step.”
While this is Vongerichten’s first residential project, it’s not his first foray outside of the restaurant space. This year, he helped open New York’s latest members’ club, Chez Margaux.
A masterplan has been unveiled for a coastal neighborhood in Bahrain which is partly inspired by the U.S. city of Miami.
Bilaj Al Jazayer Beach will span just over two miles of length along Bahrain’s coastline. According to an official release, the mixed-use district will draw inspiration from Miami’s low-rise Art Deco buildings combined with traditional local design.
The walkable locale will feature new homes, hotels, and retail options in addition to public green spaces and “state-of-the-art” amenities.
The city is designed around three main streets, which will be lined with native trees and are intended to encourage walking and cycling across the district.
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In this rendering, a vehicle drives down a street reminiscent of those in Miami. Miami’s low-rise Art Deco buildings were part of the inspiration behind the waterfront neighborhood. In this rendering, a vehicle drives down a street reminiscent of those in Miami. Miami’s low-rise Art Deco buildings were part of the inspiration behind the waterfront neighborhood. Foster + Partners
The site will be flanked by two large hotels, with smaller, boutique hotels positioned at 500-meter intervals throughout, and residential communities nestled in between.
Neighborhoods will incorporate shaded green courtyards and alleyways that the city’s designers say are inspired by Bahrain’s traditional design principles to create cool outdoor spaces.
An overview of Bilaj Al Jazayer Beach. It could span just over two miles along Bahrain’s coastline. An overview of Bilaj Al Jazayer Beach. It could span just over two miles along Bahrain’s coastline. Foster + Partners
At the heart of the development will lie a public surf park, featuring wave-generation technology to simulate the experience of a natural ocean environment on land.
The beach links to a network of piers stretching into the sea, forming protective coves to safeguard the shoreline, and a green park will serve to separate the beachfront from the main road.
A second overhead of the beachfront development. The beach links to a network of piers stretching into the sea, forming protective coves to safeguard the shoreline. A second overhead of the beachfront development. The beach links to a network of piers stretching into the sea, forming protective coves to safeguard the shoreline. Foster + Partners
“We are creating a green and walkable community on the beach, which offers a range of crafted experiences for residents and visitors,” said Gerard Evenden, head of Studio ar Foster + Partners, the firm behind the designs.
“The permeable development features tree-lined streets, shaded courtyards, and a spectacular public park that directly connects with the waterfront. Needless to say, the west-facing district will also offer some of the best sunset views in Bahrain,” Evenden added.
Newsweek has contacted Foster + Partners for comment via email form.
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In this rendering, the neighborhood’s streets are lit as the sun sits low in the sky. The city is designed around three main streets, which will be lined with native trees and are intended to… In this rendering, the neighborhood’s streets are lit as the sun sits low in the sky. The city is designed around three main streets, which will be lined with native trees and are intended to encourage walking and cycling across the district
Foster + Partners
Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is a small island nation in the Persian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
With a population of around 1.5 million, its economy primarily relies on oil, financial services, and tourism.
In neighboring Saudi Arabia, the first project for the country’s Neom megacity recently opened.
Known as Sindalah, the opening of the “luxury island destination” represented a significant milestone for the project, which has become the world’s biggest construction site as part of an effort by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to diversify the nation’s economy.
However, a recent report from human rights organization ALQST warned that companies working with the biggest construction projects in Saudi Arabia, which includes several American firms, run the risk of “political and reputational risks” as the projects face allegations of dangerous conditions and abuse of migrant workers.
The report came amid allegations that thousands of migrant construction workers have died or gone missing since 2017.
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