Blogamole › Photos

By Daniela Capistrano

A lot has changed for Cuban teen Elian Gonzalez. Ten years ago, he was a 5-year-old asylum-seeker, caught between two worlds and a symbol of the struggle against Fidel Castro's communist regime.

Gonzalez taken by U.S. immigration officials in 2000 (AP Photo)

The Cuban immigrant community in Florida rallied behind the boy's family in Miami while they fought for custody, but ultimately U.S. immigration officials insisted that the he be returned to his father in Havana. The subsequent raid on Elian's home and the boy's frightened image struck a cord with many.

A decade later, the Cuban government has released new photos of a (nearly) grown-up Elian Gonzalez.

image via AP Photo/Ismael Francisco

Now a member of the Young Communist Union, the stoic-looking 16-year-old can be seen with a closely cropped haircut and an olive-green military school uniform.

According to The Newsroom, the Cuban government press released the images under the none-too-subtle headline "Young Elian Gonzalez defends his revolution in the youth congress."

Since Elian's return to Cuba ten years ago, the Castro regime has closely monitored the boy and his father. In his homeland, Elian Gonzalez is hailed as a national hero who embodies the triumph of Cuba over the United States. Every few years, the Cuban government has floated news updates and photographs trumpeting Elian's progress as a model young citizen of the Castro regime.

Castro has been known to show up at Elian's birthday parties and school graduation ceremonies. In 2005, in an interview with CBS' Bob Simon for "60 Minutes," Elian referred to Castro "not only as a friend, but also as a father."

Despite the propaganda, many aren't convinced by their sentiments. After the latest batch of photos went public Monday, Elian Gonzalez has been a trending topic on Twitter.

The American Thinker has released this statement:

"If Elian had been granted asylum, today he would be a teenager preparing to go to college with every opportunity for success ahead of him. Instead, on the cusp of adulthood, Elian poses for propaganda photos sandwiched between Cuban army soldiers attending the Union of Young Communists congress in Havana...

The youthful Gonzalez should have been wrapped in the America flag. Instead a boy who once represented the quest for the God given right to be free, waves a Cuban flag symbolizing poverty, oppression, authoritarianism and misinformation."

Tr3s Comunidad, how do you feel about Elian's life in Cuba? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Cuban, Elian Gonzalez, grown up, Photos, teen

By Daniela Capistrano

George Lopez may not be physically appearing in "The Smurfs" (he'll lend his voice to Grouchy Smurf) but we couldn't resist imagining what that would look like if he did ...

Reuters confirmed that Katy Perry will be "turning blue" as well: she’ll be playing Smurfette in the hybrid live-action and animated 3D film.

Here are other confirmed cast members:

• Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf
• Alan Cumming as Gutsy Smurf
• Kevin James as Hefty Smurf
• Hank Azaria as Gargamel

Modern Family's sexy Colombian actress Sofia Vergara will be playing Odile — a powerful executive at a high-end French cosmetics company who is Johan's boss. MTV Movies Blog confirmed that Neil Patrick Harris had joined the cast of "The Smurfs" as the live-action lead. He'll play Johan and Jayma Mays will play his wife.

“The Smurfs” is being directed by Raja Gosnelland is set to hit theaters August 3rd, 2011.

Tr3s Comunidad, what do you think about the "Smurfs" voice cast? Who would you have picked? Tell us in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags casting, George Lopez, Katy Perry, sofia vergara, The Smurfs

In honor of Women's History Month, we spent the entire month thinking of who the most influential and inspiring mujeres Latinas through the years have been.  We dug deep into la historia, across the entertainment industry, politics, y la cultura to come up with a solid list of 24 mujeres we think have made a huge impact. 

From Frida Kahlo to Salma Hayek, and Jennifer Lopez to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, see who made our list by clicking on the photo below!

Photos via Getty Images

Tr3s Comunidad, who's your pick for most inspirational mujer Latina?  Tell us in the comments below or @MTV3!

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Frida Kahlo, Jennifer Lopez, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Mujeres Latinas, Salma Hayek, Women's History Month

Some sexy Dominicanas were in attendance at the Latina Magazine launch party last week, in which Arlenis Sosa's March cover was revealed.

Arlenis, una bella Dominicana who's been making waves in the modeling world since being discovered in Santo Domingo in 2008, is currently the spokesmodel for Lancôme.  The makeup company hosted the event, which was also attended by Kat DeLuna, MTV's own Julissa Bermudez, and Latina Mag editor, Mimi Valdes.  Que mujeres tan hermosas, verdad?

We're loving Kat's stylish vestido and intense black eyeliner.  She looks smoking!

We LOVE seeing hot Latina women succeeding en el mundo de la moda!

Photos via Patrick McMullan

Tags Arlenis Sosa, Julissa Bermudez, Kat DeLuna, Latina Magazine, launch, Mimi Valdes, Photos

Want to hear the sounds of women going absolutely locas?  Bueno, well just in case, here you go...

People En Español surprised us esta mañana by posting these very... um, tasty photos of nuestro favorito bombón de telenovelas, William Levy.  Is it hot in here, or it just the intensity of William Levy's sombrero gaze?  According to People En Español, these shots were outtakes from a steamy underwear ad from two years ago, but are just being released now.  Gracias, underwear photographer gods!

Quieres más?  Take a peek behind the cut for one more! And then do yourself a favor and drink a nice glass of cold water.  [People En Español]

Read more...

Tags desnudo, Naked, photo, pictures, William Levy

Shakira's new video "Gypsy" features super HOT tennis champ, Rafael Nadal. Steamy!

The single, available in both English and Spanish, will hit radio next week. Judging from this behind-the-scenes pic, the video with this duo is sure to be heart-racing. Could this be the next "La Tortura?" You'll have to check MTV Tr3s in coming weeks to watch it!

Check out more behind-the-scenes photos after the jump!

Read more...

Tags Gypsy, Music Video, photo, Rafael Nadal, Shakira

Que que?  Shakira vs. Wisin y Yandel?  De que estamos hablando?

Bueno -- en la lucha to be the ULTIMATE Latin music superstar, who would win?  We're picturing a Celebrity Deathmatch of epic proportions, pero con sabor latino.  Tell us, who is the bigger superstar?

Is it Shakira, the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time, humanitarian, Grammy-Award winner and belly-dancing, hip-shaking stunner?

OR, is it Wisin y Yandel, one of the hottest Puerto Rican duos out of Cayey and 50 Cent's right-hand Reggaetoneros?

YOU TELL US!!

Watch music videos by both artistas aquí!

And make sure you don't miss the show down, starting este Sábado a las 2pm EST, solo por MTV Tr3s!

Tags La Loba Vs. Los Extraterrestres, Latin Music, Música, Shakira, superstar, Tr3s shows, Wisin y Yandel

Rihanna graces the January issue of GQ wearing not much more than a pair of short shorts!

This isn't the first time la hermosa cantante has gone topless... earlier this year some nudie pics of the R&B star were allegedly leaked by her ex-novio, Chris Brown. Check out more photos from the sexy spread after the jump!

Um... que cuerpazo, no? [Rihanna Daily]

Photos via Rihanna Daily

Read more...

Tags Chris Brown, GQ, Magazine, Photos, photoshoot, Rihanna

Jennifer Lopez covers the January issue of Allure magazine and we must say she's looking quite FIERCE! Inside, the former Jenny from the Block dishes about past loves, sus gemelos Max y Emme, dealing with crazy paparazzi, and how she stays slim and trim.

Here's some of what la Lopez had to say in her entrevista:

On past (bad?) romances:

"It’s a business. Once they stop making money off…of you they stop coming around.”

On her twins:

“To a certain extent, having children did change me, but it made me want to look at the places that I wasn’t great and learn to love myself and take care of myself more.”

On the paparazzi:

"It’s cool for awhile. You’re happy because it’s part of knowing you’re successful…and then, finally it becomes destructive.”

On her workout regime:

“Part of my business is about being in shape and looking good. You can’t lie to yourself about it. But I’m not the monster I used to be in the exercise department.”

Check out more photos from the shoot after the jump!  [Bossip]

Photos via Allure

Read more...

Tags Jennifer Lopez, jenny from the block, magazine cover

The results are in for los Premios People En Español.  Ganadores in the various categories included Best Telenovela: 'Mañana es Para Siempre' y como Mejor Actriz, Edith González de 'Doña Bárbara' y Fernando Colunga como Mejor Actor en 'Mañana es Para Siempre.'  Mejor Cantante Pop went to Luis Fonsi, who also won awards for Best Album and Song of the Year.  Nailing Mejor Artista Tropical were bachateros Aventura, while Best Urban Artist went to Daddy Yankee.

We had our eyes peeled on the red carpet though, to see who had el mejor look de la noche.  Take a look at our faves below!

Lili Estefan looked good enough to eat (we think Raúl de Molina agreed!), as she showed off her famosas piernas con un vestido corto.

Miguel Varoni y Catherine Siachoque get definite props for being la pareja con más estilo de la noche.  Check out her super sexy heels!

We're digging the asymmetrical necklines on los vestidos de Dominican beauty Amelia Vega, news maven  Maria Elena Salinas and the age-defying Charytin.

Our eyes were drawn to these ladies who looked listas para las fiestas de navidad in their festive vestidos.  Canela Ferro parece un regalito with the oversized bow detail on her dress, 'Primer Impacto' host Bárbara Bermudo made un impacto in her dazzling silver dress, y actriz Colombiana Maritza Rodriguez rocked a classy true blue vestido with black lace detalles.

Get more Premios People En Español winner info, chisme, photos y más at peopleenespañol.com!  [People En Español]

Photos via Getty Images and People En Español

Tags Amelia Vega, Aventura, Barbara Bermudo, Candela Ferro, Catherine Siachoque, Charytin, Daddy Yankee, Edith Gonzalez, Fernando Colunga, Lili Estefan, Luis Fonsi, Mañana Es Para Siempre, Maria Elena Salinas, Maritza Rodriguez, Miguel Varoni, People En Espanol, photo, Photos, Raul De Molina