Puerto Rico News Digest For March 6, 2019

PUERTO RICO UNDER DROUGHT WATCH

Puerto Rico's water utility (AAA) has indicated that the municipalities of Adjuntas, Caguas, Coamo, Lares and Naranjito could be facing water rationing in the near future if the current dry pattern prevails over the area, according to AAA Vice-President of Operations Doriel Pagán. However, the agency has stated that this is not likely to happen in the immediate future, and that no date for water rationing has so far been set.

The US Drought monitor has placed 30% of Puerto Rico's territory in the moderate drought category, while 80% of the archipelago is said to face atypical drought conditions.

CULEBRA REELS FROM TRANSPORT INTERRUPTIONS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Fortunato Vizcarrondo, a resident of Culebra, denounced on Tuesday that in the island municipalities they are currently living “as if in the hurricanes”, due to the problems with the Maritime Transport Authority (ATM) ferries, which have caused a shortage of products and goods, including gasoline."

LESS MONEY FOR PAN PARTICIPANTS

From El Nuevo Dia:

"1.35 million Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) participants in Puerto Rico are getting smaller checks, and in some cases that represents a third of what they usually received..."

BOARD OKAYS CONVERSION TO NATURAL GAS

From Caribbean Business:

"The Financial Oversight and Management Board and the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau have given the  green light to a contract with New Fortress Energy LLC for the supply of liquefied natural gas 
(LNG) and conversion of units 5 and 6 of the San Juan Combined Cycle Power Plant..."

TOURISM CO. LAUNCHES PLAN TO BOOST TRAVEL

From  News Is My Business:

"Looking to strengthen the island’s tourism industry, the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. has launched a educational campaign to inform the public about the benefits provided by agency-certified travel agencies certified when planning trips or vacations..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For March 27, 2015

LUGARO'S OFFICE RAIDED BY AUTHORITIES

El Nuevo Dia

The Truillo Alto offices of América Aponte & Associates, the educational
company led by independent gubernatorial candidate and  lawyer Alexandra
Lúgaro, has been raided this morning by agents  from the FBI, ICE and the
Department of Education. The action is part of 17 such raids being conduc-
ted today on businesses across the island, and may have to do with a fraud
investigation involving companies that provide services to the Department
of Education. An FBI spokesman would not specify what the exact reason
for the raids was.

Lúgaro, who had  announced her candidacy on March 17, stated that she
was willing to cooperate with law enforcement: "I've always acted within
the law. They can take everything. I don't have anything. I've done things
correctly."

Follow our Twitter feed, @ThePRMonitor for the latest developments.

TRAFFIC HEADACHES ON PR-52 THIS MORNING

Photo: @portotay (Twitter)

The reversible lane on Luis A. Ferré Expressway (PR-52) from Caguas
to San Juan is closed this morning, causing massive traffic jams on that
stretch of road. Drivers are advised to take Road PR-1 as an alternate
route. The reason given by the Roads & Transportation Authority for
the closure was that a part in the equipment that moves the barriers to
change the lane's direction is broken. However, the agency's director
also admitted this morning that they owe money to the company that
manages the expressway, although she added that the financial issues
have "nothing to do" with today's situation. No exact time has been
given for the lane's reopening.

NPP REP: LISTEN TO MAYORS ON IVA OPPOSITION

From The San Juan Daily Star:

New Progressive Party (NPP) Rep. Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló on
Wednesday called on Gov. Alejandro García Padilla to “use his
conscience” after mayors of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP)
who oppose the 16 percent value-added tax met with him Tuesday
at La Fortaleza and were left unconvinced by the governor on
why the tax should be implemented and why it would be good for
the salaried middle class. “I invite the governor and the PDP
majority to set aside the improvisation and work on the economic
issues with seriousness and moderation,” Rodríguez Aguiló said.

COAST GUARD SEIZED 1,100 LBS OF COCAINE

From Latin Post:

The U.S. Coast Guard last week seized a shipment of about 1,100
pounds of cocaine worth some $16 million off the coast of Puerto
Rico, Miami ABC affiliate WPLG reported. The USCGC Tahoma on
March 18 intercepted a suspicious go-fast, which had been detected by
a Joint Interagency Taskforce South maritime patrol aircraft and was
heading towards the U.S. territory, Fort Myers' Fox 4 detailed. Once
the Tahoma seized the contraband,  Coast Guardsmen arrested three
citizens of the Dominican Republic,  who were later transferred into
the custody of Drug Enforcement  Administration special agents in
Puerto Rico and are now facing charges.

PR TO RECEIVE WORLD'S TWO BIGGEST CRUISES

From UT San Diego/AP:

Puerto Rico is preparing to welcome the world's two largest cruise ships
for the first time next year. The executive director of the island's Tourism
Company says Royal  Caribbean's Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas
will bring an estimated 60,000 passengers to San Juan in 2016. Next year's
visits are expected to generate an estimated $6.4 million in revenue.

Puerto Rico News Digest For January 22, 2015

SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE CONVICTED BY FEDS

From the FBI:

A current Puerto Rico Superior Court Judge was convicted
yesterday by a federal jury in Puerto Rico of accepting bribes
to acquit a businessman of vehicular homicide charges.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice
Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia
Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico and Special
Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the FBI’s San Juan Division
made the announcement.

Puerto Rico Superior Court Judge Manuel Acevedo-Hernandez,
62, was convicted late yesterday following a one-week trial of
conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery and receipt of
a bribe by an agent of an organization receiving federal funds.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2015, before Chief U.S.
District Judge Aida Delgado-Colon of the District of Puerto
Rico.

According to evidence at trial, Acevedo-Hernandez presided over
a case involving Lutgardo Acevedo-Lopez, 39, a certified public
accountant in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. On June 30, 2012, a car
driven by Acevedo-Lopez collided with another car, resulting
in the death of the other car’s driver. Acevedo-Lopez was charged
with criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the incident.
Acevedo-Hernandez, a supervisory superior court judge in the
Aguadilla judicial region of Puerto Rico, acquitted Acevedo-Lopez
of all charges.

DTOP GRANTS CONTRACT TO PDP DONOR

El Nuevo Dia has reported that the company that was recently
granted a contract for facilities to be used by the Department
of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) in Carolina,
Educon Management, is owned by a group that includes promi-
nent donor to the Popular Democratic Party Agustín Crespo
Rivera. Crespo Rivera's father Johnny has also been a  long-
time PDP donor. Governor Padilla's administration has denied
any conflict of interest, and has stated that the contract was
vetted by the courts and will save taxpayers money.

COP MASTURBATION PICS BEING INVESTIGATED

El Vocero reports that Police Superintendent José Luis
Caldero López has said that he will suspend an unidentified
female police officer that has allegedly appeared in pictures
seemingly masturbating with a police baton while wearing a
Police shirt. The pictures -- in which the woman's face
is digitally altered -- have made the rounds of social
media, and it has been said that the photos were taken
in a Carolina-area Police station.

ENDANGERED PUERTO RICAN PARROTS RELEASED

From  The Fresno Bee:

A group of scientists opened a cage at dawn on Wednesday and
reintroduced 15 endangered Puerto Rican parrots into the wild as
part of a conservation program. The birds flew away without
hesitation as they disappeared into a forest near Puerto Rico's
north coast, according to Natural Resources Secretary Carmen
Guerrero.

It was the ninth release at the Rio Abajo Nature Preserve since
2006. Another 204 parrots remain at the preserve, and an estimated
57 to 108 parrots are believed to live in the wild nearby, she
said.

Puerto Rico News Digest For Dec. 4, 2014.

SENATE APPROVES OIL TAX INCREASE

El Vocero is reporting that the Puerto Rico Senate last night 

approved the bill that would increase the island's tax on each 

barrel of oil to $15.50, after negotiations between Governor
Garcia Padilla and the Senate leadership. Most Popular
Democratic Party members voted in favor of the measure,
although a few PDP Senators voted against. The entire New
Progressive Party delegation voted against the bill, as did one
Independence Party member. If the tax increase is made into
law, gasoline prices on the island are expected to see a marked
increase in the coming year.

BOMB SCARE AT GOVERNOR'S MANSION

According to El Nuevo Dia, an anonymous invidual phoned
the Governor's mansion, La Fortaleza, and made a death threat

directed at Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. The caller

also claimed that there was an explosive device inside the

mansion grounds. Security personnel activated emergency

protocols and the gubernatorial residence was immediately

evacuated. No explosives were found, and work at La Fortaleza

continues as normal today.

FBI RAIDS PR ROAD AUTHORITY, ARRESTS TREASURER

From Reuters:

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the offices of 

Puerto Rico's Highways and Transportation Authority (HTA) on 

Wednesday, taking documents and arresting the organization's 

treasurer for alleged bribery in programs using federal funds.

The treasurer, Silvino Cepeda Ortiz, was arrested at his place 

of work "without incident" in connection with a bribery-for-

payment scheme involving three unnamed HTA contractors, the 

U.S. Attorney's office said

The raid was the second against one of Puerto Rico's indebted 

public corporations in little over a week. On Nov. 25, the FBI 

seized documents and computer equipment at the offices of the 

Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (ASA). No arrests were made. The 

recent enforcement activity raises questions over governance at 

the corporations that have accumulated over $20 billion in debt. 

LAST GOODBYE FOR MUSIC EXEC TOPY MAMERY 

Various loved ones and celebrities paid their last respects to 

acclaimed Puerto Rican music and media executive Carlos "Topy"

Mamery yesterday morning at Ehret Funeral Home in Rio Piedras,

as reported by El Nuevo Dia. Mamery unexpectedly died of a heart 

attack on December 2nd at age 54. He is survived by his wife, 

singer Yolandita Monge and daughters Tania and Roxana. 

FIRST PUERTO RICAN CONGRESSMAN DEAD AT 85

From NBC News:

Herman Badillo, a trailblazer who went on to serve four terms as 

the first member of Congress born in Puerto Rico, died Wednesday 

in New York City. Badillo, who was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico 

in 1929 became an orphan by the age of 5 and was eventually sent 

to  live with family in East Harlem. 

Badillo served as a Democratic congressman representing the South 

Bronx from 1971 to 1977 and championed antipoverty programs, 

bilingual education, voting rights, as well as expanded rights and 

benefits for Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens. But Badillo's 

political ideology did not stay unchanged - he went from liberal 

Democrat to a Republican conservative who served as education 

adviser to Republican mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Puerto Rico News Digest for Nov. 20, 2014

PUBLIC TRANSPORT COULD HALT BY DEC. 1

As reported by El Nuevo Dia, the President of the Integrated Transport 

Authority of Puerto Rico, Alberto Figueroa,  has warned that the dire 

financial situation faced by the Metropolitan Bus Authority, the Urban 

Train and the Maritime Transport Authority could mean that mass 

transit could cease operating as soon as December 1st. The fusion of 

different transport agencies, as well as rate hikes for commuters, have 

done little to improve the situation. Figueroa also indicated that if the 

controversial oil tax hike that is currently stuck in the legislature does 

not pass, other funding alternatives will have to be found.

MASSACRE SUSPECTS FACE DEATH THREATS

The two men accused of killing a retired soldier and his family in 

Guaynabo several days ago are currently under heavy guard at the 

Bayamon regional jail, after numerous inmates have threatened to 

kill the pair. The two accused killers, Christopher Sánchez Asencio 

and José Bosch, are being constantly monitored by tactical operations 

officers, according to El Vocero. A judge has set bail for each of the
men at  $8 million. Bosch is reportedly cooperating with Police, while
Sanchez Asencio has received the most threats. Both men are expected
to be transferred to other penal facilities soon. The massacre of the
family has shaken the crime-wracked island, and may have had a
dispute over rent as its motive. Only the family's 13-year-old son
survived the killings, after being left for dead.

NO MORE FREE RUM AT BACARDI DISTILLERY

From Yahoo News:

"The drinks are no longer on the house at Casa Bacardi in Puerto 

Rico. Foreigners will now have to pay $12 and residents $6 to visit 

one of the most popular tourist attractions in the metropolitan San 

Juan region, officials said Tuesday. The seaside rum distillery was..." 

COAST GUARD UPDATING PR FLEET

From Caribbean Business:

"The U.S. Coast Guard is moving to modernize its fleet of vessels in San 

Juan over the next two years. Specifically, the Coast Guard  will replace

Sector San Juan’s six 110-foot Island Class Patrol  Boats with six new 

154-foot Sentinel Class Patrol Boats, which  are far more advanced 

and should substantially improve interdiction  capabilities. The first of 

these new cutters will arrive in Puerto Rico in the spring of 2015..."