Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has called off a planned election protest scheduled for today, fearing it could trigger violent clashes. Seven government supporters were killed after Sunday’s protests. Officials with soccer’s world governing body said security will be stepped up for the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil because of the Boston bombings. Service agents, police officers, and the military will all be part of security. Lawyers for 18 Mexican nationals convicted of money laundering and organized crime in Nicaragua filed appeals. The Mexican citizens were arrested after trying to cross the border carrying more than 9 million dollars. And many Brazilians are eager to look like the Pope when he visits the country in July. A Brazilian mask maker recently began to produce latex masks based on a likeness of Pope Francis.

Cruz will be honored by Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of the oldest and largest youth mentoring organizations in the United States, for his community service. Wendy DeMarco, Chief Marketing Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters New York City, said that Cruz was selected to receive the Sports Award.

“Since joining the NFL, he has shined on and off the field, taking parts in service events in New York City and in New Jersey,”  DeMarco says. “He’s been active with the NFL’s Play 60 initiative designed to encourage kids to get active for 60 minutes a day and that goes along with our mantra of being physically active.”

RELATED: [VIDEO] What will Victor Cruz be up to this Super Bowl? 

In addition to the Play 60 campaign, the star football player has served lunch to the hungry at food pantries in partnership with Campbell’s Soup. Cruz will be presented with the award at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City’s 32nd annual Sidewalks of New York Gala.

But he’s not being presented with the award by just anyone: 11-year-old Little Brother Tamauri will get the chance of a lifetime to give the NFL receiver his award. Tamauri and his Big Brother, Eric DeLillo, will speak in front of a crowd of over 1,000 people at the Waldorf Astoria where the dinner is taking place.

RELATED: New York City Giants’ Victor Cruz visits of Newtown victim 

DeMarco says Cruz met Tamauri and Eric just last week when he got to spend time with the Giants player at NFL headquarters. The two talked about the mentors that Cruz had throughout his life and the things that he learned from them.

“Tamauri really looks up to him not just as a professional athlete but also for how he gives back to the community. What struck Tamauri was how Cruz said to work hard — even when the odds seem stacked against you,” DeMarco says.

Cruz will receive the award on April 22nd.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the brutal rape of an American tourist in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend. The men forced passengers off the bus and then raped the woman in the back of the van. Four people were killed and seventeen were hurt in two separate bar shootings in Guadalajara, Mexico. The shootings are similar to attacks blamed on drug cartels in the region. Today marks the official start of Venezuela’s presidential campaign. Both candidates are bringing the fight against violent crime to the top of their agendas with opposition candidate Henrique Capriles leading a march against violence with of thousands of his supporters. And new records released today show that soccer legend Pele was one of thousands probed under Brazil’s military rule. According to the documents, regime leaders kept meticulous records in order to identify and suppress possible opponents.

Thousands marched in Chile to support gay rights and called for equal rights to marriage in the traditional catholic country. The demonstration marks the first anniversary of the death of a young man who was attacked for being gay. Bolivia opened a controversial fishery near the Chilean border this weekend amid rising tensions between the two neighboring countries. Bolivia, which lost sea access years ago, is preparing to file a suit against Chile in the international court of justice. Police in Argentina have arrested San Lorenzo keeper Pablo Migliore on charges that he aided and abetted an alleged murderer. Migliore has yet to comment on the case, though his lawyer denied any links between Migliore and the suspected killer. Mexican drug cartels are sending some of their most trusted agents to live and work inside the United States. Authorities say that the cartels’ move into the country could make it harder than ever to get drug cartels out of the country.

“It’s a sad situation for the kids,” says Sylvia Romero, the president of the East Los Angeles Bobcats, the youth football program that had been using the park for 48 years.

“We need to come up with a solution on how we can keep our program going,” says Romero, who has been asking for a meeting with the Los Angeles County so they can come up with an agreement were the kids can go back to their park.

East Los Angeles is known as a place with gang activity and Ruben F. Salazar Park is located in a center that is surrounded by four different gangs on each corner. This park, surrounded by violence and gangs, has become a location where kids 6 to 14 years of age can come and be kids — playing, being involved in sports and cheering their friends on.

“Gangs are a way of living around here but programs like this are a way out. Many kids in gangs die or are in jail; we don’t want that for our kids, we want [them] out of the streets,” says Alva Diaz, mother of a current Bobcat member.

The program keeps 250 kids off the streets each year by focusing them on academics and sports which helps the children stay away from gangs.

In the past 48 years that the Bobcats have existed, an incident that was gang related involving the organization has never occurred.

On October 6th the Bobcats, family, friends and fans gathered at Shakey’s Pizza in Monterey Park after a game. At the pizza parlor, adult Bobcat fans got into an argument with another group, the Bulldogs, who are a newer youth football league also based in East L.A.

A fight broke out, and someone from the Bulldogs was stabbed and died. The victim and the suspect, both in their early 20s, were affiliated with rival gangs, officials say.

On October 16th the Los Angeles County suspended the Bobcats’ permit to practice at Salazar Park because of a threat of more violence if the youth programs continued playing.

Romero says that the Los Angeles County wants the Bobcats’ equipment out of the park by April 1st.

If the Bobcats want to play in the park again, a list of conditions must be followed such as adding extra protection, changing the youth league’s name and changing their blue and white colors.

The Bobcats have to pay as much as $774 a day for four added sheriffs that will be required to be on site before and after practices and league activities for five days a week if they want to be allowed back in the park.

The league would have to pay about $3,800 weekly, which is an amount the organization can’t afford.

“We are willing to change the name; we might drop the Bobcats and just keep East Los Angeles, but we can’t afford to pay the fee,” says Romero.

Romero says that the organization is willing to compromise on changing the name if Los Angeles County helps them with the fee.

“We will keep fighting until the Bobcats name is cleared and that the organization is not gang related,” says Romero.

Los Angeles County supervisor Gloria Molina covers the East Side district, including Salazar Park, and continues to stand firm on banning the Bobcats from the park.

In a statement Chief Deputy Director Department of Parks and Recreation County of Los Angeles John Wicker said, “The Bobcats permit was cancelled for safety reasons.”

Wicker was asked if they were considering changing their minds and allowing the Bobcats back in the park and he wrote, “We’ve sent the Bobcats team a letter saying what issues they need to address to get their permit reinstated. We hope they do. The safety of the team and all county park visitors is our top priority – and the Sheriff’s Department says there is an active homicide threat against the Bobcats team.”

The Bobcats, their families, friends and community members are unhappy about the situation. In a community where parents work all day, they need a place to keep their children safe and the Bobcats youth program has become a second family for many kids.

Many of these families are single parents or families that don’t make a lot of money and if the organization raises their fees to be able to pay the added security, many of these families won’t be able to keep participating in the league.

The community, friends and families are sticking together for one cause — the Bobcats kids.

A picnic at Ruben F. Salazar park was put together by the organization and people from the community who want the park for the joy and benefit it brings the children of East L.A.

Eliseo Montoya General of Brown Beret National Organization planned the picnic to show the community knows that sports in a neighborhood like East L.A. is a way to keep kids off the wrong path.

“The kids are upset because something was taken away from them” but “we are not gonna end until we win,” says Montoya. Their next step will be to petition and they say they are not going to give up until the Bobcats are back in Salazar Park.

Hank Castro and Niteowl supporting the Bobcats youth program.

Chicano artist Niteowl was present and said he was “back for the kids” because he started out in the same park.

Former lead singer of Midniters Hank Castro said that he played baseball in South Central back in the day and “if it hadn’t been for baseball I would have been in a gang.”

“The program helps keep kids out of trouble and the streets… these kids need to remain here,” says Bobcat’s Athletic Director Monica Ramos.

“The program pushes kids to do well in school because in order to be eligible to play they need to have a 2.0 GPA and if they have a 3.0 or higher GPA they are part of the scholastic program,” says Ramos.

Many current and former Bobcats are sad about what has happened to their program. Playing flag football or cheering was one of their favorite thing many of these kids looked forward to and now about 250 kids are running out of time to join the upcoming season. Sign-ups started in March and end May 1st but many of these athletes and cheerleaders doubt they will play another season since a decision regarding the Bobcats permit won’t be made until May 15th.

Dominic Pralo has been part of the Bobcats for four years.

Dominic Pralo, 11 years old, suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

He has been playing flag football with the Bobcats for the past four years and wants to play in Salazar Park again. “I’m sad because I like this park and this is the only place where I would play football,” Pralo says.

Pralo’s mother said that playing football has been great for him because it has helped him stay focused in school in order to be eligible to play.

Right to left: Mathew Bribiesca 11 years, Joseph Troncoza 11 years and Efrin Vargas 13 years, all Bobcats members.

Thirteen-year-old Efrin Vargas has played for the Bobcats for four years. “I like the community because everybody is like a family and I like the coaches but I’m sad because I can’t finish my career playing football here,” says Vargas.

Ruben Hernandez Jr, 14, has been playing for the Bobcats for the past seven years.

“Being involved in the program is keeping me out of trouble and keeping my grades up in school so I can play,” says Hernandez. If the season doesn’t begin, Hernandez won’t play football again because his high school doesn’t offer football.

“I’m kind of mad because (the incident) is not related to us because none of the kids here are involved in gangs,” he says.

Visit our @unicef #Babyshower to see the 1st pic of my 2 angels & help underprivileged babies uni.cf/baby Shak

— Shakira (@shakira) February 4, 2013

Shakira, who has been a UNICEF global ambassador since 2003, created “Shakira & Gerard Piqué’s World Baby Shower to Help UNICEF Save Children’s Lives,” as a way to raise charitable donations for needy children worldwide. The philanthropic project allows donors to choose from a number of “Inspired Gifts,” which include a baby scale ($37), polio vaccine ($10) or even a $5 malaria net, all of which will be donated to poverty-stricken children in honor of Milan’s birth.

New arrival Milan Piqué Mebarak wearing an oh-so-cute pair of sneakers.

The singer — who also has her own non-profit, the Barefoot Foundation – has been laying low since her son’s arrival two weeks ago, while Piqué has already headed back to soccer training. The 25-year-old FC Barcelona star dedicated his first goal to the new baby and even tweeted out an oh-so-adorable photo of Milan wearing a pair of custom sneakers. The new dad hasn’t been shy about expressing pride over his first son, admitting to reporters outside the Barcelona hospital where Milan was born that he cried with happiness during his birth.

“It is a unique moment,” the 26-year-old soccer star told reporters. He also said that the baby shares his good looks, telling the media, “they said he has my lips but we will see.”

As for the significance of Milan’s name, it means ”dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification,” the couple of two years explained in a statement via Shakira’s website.

And while Shakira seems to be focusing on her charity work and on being a new mother, it won’t be long before the crossover star will be on stage. She’ll be joining Usher, Adam Levine and Cee-Lo on the upcoming season of NBC’s “The Voice” in March.

“Glee” star Naya Rivera kicked off the evening with her oh-so-funny M&M’s commercial. The brunette singer-dancer takes her love affair with chocolate to a new level, flirting with the chocolate treat as he sings to Meat Loaf’s “I’d Do Anything For Love”– just to cut him off as she tries to dig into candy. Sometimes love hurts …right?

And if you blinked, you might have missed Zoe Saldana’s sultry appearance in a Bud Light commercial starring famed singer Stevie Wonder. The beer commercial had a decided New Orleans feel, starring Wonder as a voodoo practitioner who helps some determined fans reverse the magical effects of a favorite chair. And by his side? Saldana – but we’d recommend you stop the video around the .35 second mark to check out the “Star Trek” starlet in action.

It’s long been official: everyone loves tacos. But in a tongue-in-cheek commercial by fast food chain Taco Bell, senior citizens may be the ones who really know how to “Live Mas.” The ad follows a rowdy group of elderly taco lovers as they break out of The Glencobrooke Retirement home for a crazy night that includes skinny dipping, vandalism, clubbing and of course, a run to the nearest Taco Bell – all to a Spanish version of the fun hit “We Are Young.” Titled “Viva Young,” this is one commercial that definitely made its point: Tacos, at any time of day, are always welcome.

Chunky avocado guacamole .

Guacamole

Creamy, savory guacamole is always a crowd pleaser, and alongside crispy tortilla chips, is an oh-so-yummy party ready finger food. Click here for the recipe.

Salsa de xoconostle/cactus fruit salsa

Cactus fruit salsa

This isn’t your supermarket jarred salsa: instead, this salsa makes use of cactus plant fruit, smoky garlic and chipotle peppers for a dip that’s complex and flavorful. Click here for the recipe.

Spinach and cheese-filled empanadas.

Spinach and cheese empanadas

Empanadas are a Latino party staple and our cheese-filled empanadas are actually healthy, thanks to a whole wheat crust and the addition of baby spinach. Click here for the recipe.

A toasty Cuban sandwich.

Cuban sandwiches

These Cuban sandwiches are hearty and filling, filled to overflowing with pork, ham, Swiss cheese and of course, crispy pickle slices. Click here for the recipe.

Tender pork tinga piled high on a crispy tostada.

Pork tinga tostadas

Here’s a tip: prepare your pork tinga ahead of time and heat up just before you plan to serve the meat, piled high on crispy corn tortillas with a plethora of yummy toppings like cotija cheese, romaine lettuce, radishes and Mexican crema. Click here for the recipe.

Creamy arroz con pollo.

Arroz con pollo

Easy to whip up by the pot, arroz con pollo – creamy rice with flavorful, tender chicken – is satisfying enough to serve as a main dish for a crowd. Click here for the recipe.

Savory chile on carne.

Chile on Carne

Chile con carne – the Latin version of meaty chili – is perfect for a Super Bowl spread. Make a large batch, and set out a toppings bar with avocado chunks, shredded cheese, warm tortillas, diced fresh tomatoes and chopped scallions for a fun game day meal. Click here for the recipe.

Margaritas

Rare is the person that doesn’t love margaritas and the version made popular by East Coast eatery Dos Caminos includes sweet passion fruit juice for a fun variation on a classic cocktail. Click here for the recipe.

Perfect red wine sangria, served up at The Barclay Bar in New York City.

Sangria

The secret to being a great party host is to make entertaining seem effortless. With that in mind, there’s no better cocktail for serving at a party than sangria, which is best made in advance and made in large quantities. Click here for the recipe.

“We are happy to announce the birth of Milan Piqué Mebarak,” wrote the singer on her website. Baby Milan was born in Barcelona, Spain where Shakira and soccer star Gerard Piqué currently reside.

Milan Piqué Mebarak shakira.com/post/412280894…—
Shakira (@shakira) January 22, 2013

It’s also worth noting that the newborn – who weighed approximately 6lbs, 6 ounces at birth, confirmed the hospital – has also joined his father’s world-renowned soccer team.

“Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth,” reads the press release.

As for new arrival’s name, “the name Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn), means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification,” says the statement on Shakira’s website.

The news of Shakira’s delivery follows the release of several semi-nude photos of the photogenic couple – who met in 2010 on the set of her music video for the South Africa World cup theme song “Waka Waka” – in conjunction with a new charity initiative encouraging fans to send donations to poverty-stricken children.

The philanthropic project, coined “Shakira & Gerard Piqué’s World Baby Shower to Help UNICEF Save Children’s Lives,” allows donors to choose from a number of ““Inspired Gifts,” which include a baby scale ($37), polio vaccine ($10) or even a $5 malaria net, all of which will be donated to children in need.

And while a new baby and numerous charitable projects will keep the 35-year-old Colombian musician busy, Shakira won’t have much of a maternity leave. In March, she’ll be joining Usher, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine on the third season of NBC’s “The Voice.”

Opposition leaders in Venezuela said President Hugo Chavez is no longer fit to govern and new elections should be held. The ailing leader has not been seen for almost a month as he recovers from surgery in Cuba. His inauguration takes place on Thursday. Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto announced reforms for 2013 in a televised address yesterday.  He promised to address education, improve the economy and create jobs. Five Americans and two Peruvians are dead after a helicopter crashed in the Amazon jungle in Peru. The people on board worked for an oil exploration firm.  The cause of the crash is unknown. Argentinean soccer player Lionel Messi won the Balloon d’Or World Player of the Year award for a fourth year running. Only 25, the Barcelona player earned a world record in 2012 for scoring 91 goals in one year.