ENTERTAINMENT : Singer Guerra Back in Groove After Surgery

Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra, recovered from recent eye surgery that forced him to cancel several concert appearances, has introduced his new album, “Areito,” his first recording in two years. Although Guerra insists that he has no political aspirations, one of his songs, “El costo de la vida,” contains a strong political/humanitarian message. Guerra’s last album, “Bachata Rosa” won the Grammy award for Best Tropical Record of 1991, and launched the international career of Guerra and his group, 4:40.

Edward James Olmos, Sonia Braga and Maria Conchita Alonso will head the the cast of “Roosters,” a film to be directed by Marcus de Leon (director of “Kiss Me a Killer”). The project, to start shooting next month in Arizona, is based on Milcha Sanchez-Scott’s play about the return home of a “macho” man after serving a seven-year jail term.

After the birth of her daughter and an 18-month absence from the limelight, singer Marisela is promoting her new record, “Adios amor,” her initial venture as a producer. With her career comeback in full swing, Marisela is planning a tour of Latin American cities.

Peruvian director Luis Llosa’s film, “Sniper,” set for release Feb. 5, stars Tom Berenger as a Marine sniper hired to eliminate a Colombian drug lord in the jungles of Panama. Llosa, who began his career as a film critic, is the cousin of writer Mario Vargas Llosa and has directed both TV and feature films.

Paul Rodriguez’s production company has signed a deal with HBO Independent Productions to generate programming aimed at the Latino population. Under the arrangement, HBO will get the first look at material from Rodriguez’s company, which is also responsible for the weekly “El Show de Paul Rodriguez,” seen nationally on Univision. The actor-comedian has appeared on HBO’s Comic Relief specials.