Puerto Rico News Digest For July 31, 2015

GURABO ON FIRE, 1,000 ACRES BURNT

Largest Reported Forest Fire In PR History

A large forest fire broke out in an area of Gurabo on Wednesday, and is still
producing large amounts of smoke, as firefighters and the Puerto Rico Natio-
nal Guard continue their efforts to extinguish it, drawing water from the Gu-
rabo River to do so. PR Firefighters spokesman Angel Crespo told El Nuevo
Día that the fire is under control, but there are still isolated spots where it might
still be burning, and that the possibility exists for the main fire to reignite. Near-
ly 1,000 acres have been scorched on lands extending from the Police Academy
in Gurabo to the Caguas Expressway Motors dealership in nearby Caguas. Mo-
torists driving along highways PR-30 and PR-52 (Luis A. Ferré Expressway)
are being advised to drive carefully through the area today, as the haze and smo-
ke have reduced visibility. Slight rain registered over some of the island last ni-
ght did not reach the fire area. According to the authorities, the Gurabo fire is
the largest forest fire ever reported in Puerto Rico.

GOV'T CASH CRUNCH THREATENS PAYMENTS

From Caribbean Business:

"As the first month of the fiscal year comes to an end, the Puerto Rico govern-
ment continues to face significant fiscal challenges, facing several debt-servi-
ce payments that are due in August, as it maneuvers to avoid defaulting on
them amid a severe cash crunch. In all, the debt-service tab for the next mon-
th totals about $667 million..."

LA PLATA CUSTOMERS TO GO TO 2-DAY RATIONING

From The San Juan Daily Star:

As the days pass and no rain falls on the island, the drought that has hit Puerto
Rico continues to worsen and water levels at the reservoirs continue to drop.
For this reason, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has
no other choice than to extend the water rationing plan by mid-August..."

ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO PR

From Music Times:

Ultra Music Festival continues its outward expansion with a new announce-
ment that it will host a new one-day this fall in Puerto Rico. This will be the
first festival for the global electronic music festival brand in the Caribbean.
The move to Puerto Rico will take place on October 2..."

The End Of The "Populares"

Opinion

Pedro Vega

The Popular Democratic Party as we have known it may very well soon
cease to exist.

Since the middle of the last century, the PDP has been the standard bearer
of Puerto Rico's colonial status. Creating and then defending the Common-
wealth has long been the party's main objective. Besides their colonial mi-
ssion, the populares played the role of the island's main left-of-center party,
and borrowed much from social democratic ideas in the formulation and
execution of government policy. It could be said that during most of the
latter half of the 20th century, the PDP actually did a decent job of growing
Puerto Rico's economy and building a social safety net. But the party's work
in those areas has been unraveling over the last 30-plus years.

The Puerto Rican economic 'miracle' of the 1950s to the 1970s was largely
built on a foundation of lavish tax breaks for corporations (allowed by the
colonial master, of course). In tandem with corporate welfare, the PDP turned
towards the public sector, creating  "jobs" for scores of new government em-
ployees who in many cases seemed to do next to nothing. For the most part,
the opposing New Progressive Party simply continued these policies when-
ever they were in power. Eventually, though, the colonial administration
could no longer keep all of the plates spinning in the air.

The first plate to come crashing down and break was Section 936, which
allowed for the corporate tax breaks. The US Congress took away that option,
and many stateside employers promptly packed up and left; those still left
probably have their days in Puerto Rico counted. With less employers around,
and workers falling more into poverty, tax revenues decreased. Add to that a
large, mismanaged government and tons of corruption, and you have a go-
vernment which is desperately bleeding money.  And what of all of those
make-work government jobs? The money to pay those workers began to
evaporate. So the next band-aid was taking advantage of the triple-tax exempt
status of Puerto Rico government bonds to borrow eye-watering sums of mo-
ney. Inevitably, the house of cards was bound to collapse, as no one wants to
lend Puerto Rico money anymore,  recognizing the fact that more debt won't
bring the island out of the debt it already has. Puerto Rico has seemingly no
good way out. The island can't declare bankruptcy or take other independent
steps, since we're not a state, but also not a sovereign nation.

While both major political parties share the blame for the current situation,
this rickety house was built on the defective foundation that the Popular Demo-
cratic Party laid down. With the colonial Commonwealth status now thoroughly
discredited and  Puerto Rican society in a state of slow-motion collapse, the
PDP has not only nothing left to offer, but also no real reason for being. The
Commonwealth is doomed; no sane person can now believe that there is a fu-
ture for the island under its current political status. The drive for decolonization
is gradually strengthening, and will eventually be unstoppable. The party is dea-
ling with its imminent irrelevance by fragmenting, engaging in infighting and
making bad decision after bad decision. The choice of a lightweight like Ale-
jandro Garcia Padilla  to be the party's standard bearer was one notable symptom
of their disorientation. The recent fights within the party over tax reform, the
debt and other issues may be creating fissures that cannot be repaired. The pro-
sovereignty wing of the PDP may well go off on its own at some point, leaving
the party gutted and moribund. But the bottom line is that the PDP no longer
has anything useful to offer on seemingly any front.

Would handing things over to the pro-statehood New Progressive Party again
be an improvement? Only if having people in power who have made extreme
corruption into an art form can be considered an improvement. And it's not as if
they have made any headway in moving Puerto Rico towards decolonization; if
anything, they have hindered and tarnished the push for statehood. The NPP is
not the answer. The Puerto Rican people need to stop being hypnotized by party
labels and colors and start getting more involved in who is handling their govern-
ment and their economy. It is time to vote for those who are most qualified and
have the best, most innovative ideas. There are good candidates out there...you
just have to do a little homework.

Is it time for a new, mass political party on the center-left? Without a doubt, it is.
Something will have to fill the vacuum after the PDP completely loses all rele-
vance. But only time will tell when this particular patient will die, and what new
entity will grow out of its grave. Whatever that may be, it had better have a real
reason to exist, and something to fight for, as well as the willingness to really
fight for it. May it all be for the best.

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Puerto Rico News Digest For July 29, 2015

DOOR OPEN FOR EXTENDED WATER RATIONING 

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has already outli-
ned long term plans based on a future scenario in which the island will remain
under drought conditions through the beginning of 2016, which could make
water rationing plans even stricter and extended to more towns. PRASA Sou-
thern Region Director Juan Rodríguez said Monday that the public corpora-
tion has not ruled out a wider water rationing plan than the one currently in
 place for consumers that receive their water supply from the Carraízo and
La Plata reservoirs, and the southern towns of Coamo, Santa Isabel and Sali-
nas. Guaynabo is also on water rationing, going one day with water and one
day without.

MAN MURDERED IN CANOVANAS

An unidentified male was murdered early this morning in the Parcelas Campo
Rico area of Canóvanas, according to Puerto Rico Police and El Nuevo Dia. At
around 6:36 AM, gunshots were  heard in the neighborhood. When police offi-
cers arrived, they found the bullet-riddled body on the grounds of a  residence.
This is the 313th murder to be reported in Puerto Rico so far this year.

SHERATON OLD SAN JUAN CASINO TO CLOSE

From Caribbean Business:

The casino at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, in the historic sector 

of Puerto Rico's capital, is slated to close its doors sometime in September, in-

dustry sources told Caribbean Business. An official announcement on  the matter  

is expected later today.

LATINO LEADERS URGE FEDS TO HELP PR

From News Is My Business:

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 39 of the U.S. main-

land’s largest Latino advocacy organizations, held a press conference Tuesday 

with Congressional, Puerto Rican, and labor leaders today calling on President 

Obama and Congress to take action “to save Puerto Rico from economic disaster.”

As Puerto Rico continues to endure a growing economic crisis that includes a $72 

billion debt, major unemployment, and population drain, Puerto Ricans and Lati-

nos on the mainland are “growing impatient with Washington as leaders have fai-

led to step up to assist millions of American citizens living on the island,” group 

representatives said.

Puerto Rico Unable to Make August Debt Payback

TeleSur

The Caribbean island owes US$73 billion to creditors. Analysts warn the 
crisis in Puerto Rico could be worse than Greece’s. 

Puerto Rico will not pay off its US$93.7 million debt installment due Aug. 1 to
the Puerto Rico Public Financing Corporation (CFP), the Caribbean island’s chief
of staff announced Monday. Victor Suarez told journalists in San Juan that the Pu-
erto Rican government was looking into the possibility of obtaining some US$400
million through raising gasoline prices, in order to pay back the US$73 billion debt
owed to creditors. "We are trying to achieve a smaller transaction with reasonable
terms of some $400 to $500 million," Suarez said, according to Reuters. Suarez a-
dded that the island would do everything possible to guarantee the debt due to be
paid to the CFP, a subsidiary of the U.S. territory's Government Development
Bank. The small island...[CONTINUE READING]

UTILITY LABORERS WANTED IN MISSOURI

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Work Location: Central and Eastern Missouri – United States

Compensation: Competitive hourly rate / Overtime after 40 hrs.

• Lodging provided for duration of project and travel provided during work days to 

   and from job site(s). Roundtrip airfare will be provided for those staying the duration

   of the project (July – December).

Purpose of job:

• To prepare utility poles for Ground Line inspection and treatment.

Key Knowledge, Skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of all safety policies and procedures

• Understanding of all components attached to utility poles

• Ability to walk up to 10 miles per day through rough terrain

• Ability to excavate and backfill dirt around utility poles by means of hand digging

• Ability to read and follow paper maps

• Ability to work as a team and follow foreman’s orders

• Ability to work overtime when workload increases from time to time

Description:

Ground Line Laborers excavate dirt around base of utility poles in preparation for Ground 

Line inspection and treatment. Laborers manually dig and refill earth material for each utility 

pole on given power circuits. Laborers generally work 40-60 hours a week. A typical work 

week is Monday through Friday, 7:00 am- 5:00 pm with a 1 hour lunch break, however the 

ability to work OT is a must.

For more information or to apply, contact Patricia at 615-915-3119 or 

patricia@telforcegroup.com.

Trabajador de utilidad

Lugar de trabajo: Central y del este de Missouri, Estados Unidos

Compensación: Salario competitivo y horas extras después de 40 horas.

• Alojamiento para la duración del proyecto y viaje durante días de trabajo y del sitio 

de trabajo. Se proveerá pasaje aéreo de ida y vuelta para los que se quedan la duración

del proyecto (julio – diciembre).

Propósito del trabajo:

• Para preparar postes para tratamiento e inspección de la línea de tierra.

  Principales conocimientos, habilidades y capacidades:

• Conocimiento de las políticas de seguridad y procedimientos

• Comprensión de todos los componentes conectados a postes para uso general

• Capacidad de caminar hasta 10 millas por día a través del terreno áspero

• Capacidad para excavar y rellenar suciedad alrededor de postes por medio de la 

   excavación de la mano

• Capacidad de leer y seguir el papel de los mapas

• Capacidad para trabajar en equipo y seguir las órdenes del capataz

• Capacidad de trabajar tiempo extra cuando la carga de trabajo aumenta de vez en 

  cuando

Descripción:

Tierra línea obreros excavar suciedad alrededor de la base de postes para uso general 

en preparación para la inspección de la línea de tierra y tratamiento. Trabajadores ma-

nualmente cavan y llenan material de tierra de cada poste de utilidad en dado circuitos 

de potencia. Obreros trabajan generalmente 40-60 horas a la semana. Una semana típica 

de trabajo es del lunes al viernes de 7:00 -17:00, con un almuerzo de 1 hora romper, sin 

embargo la capacidad de trabajo OT es una necesidad.

Para mas informacion o para aplicar, contacte a Patricia al 615-915-3119 o via 

email: patricia@telforcegroup.com.

Hedge funds tell Puerto Rico: lay off teachers and close schools to pay us back

Report commissioned by 34 hedge funds says government had been ‘massively 
overspending on education’ despite spending only 79% of US average per pupil

The Guardian

Rupert Neate


Billionaire hedge fund managers have called on Puerto Rico to lay off teachers
and close schools so that the island can pay them back the billions it owes.

The hedge funds called for Puerto Rico to avoid financial default – and repay its
debts – by collecting more taxes, selling $4bn worth of public buildings and dras-
tically cutting public spending, particularly on education.

The group of 34 hedge funds hired former International Monetary Fund (IMF)
economists to come up with a solution to Puerto Rico’s debt crisis after the is-
land’s governor declared its $72bn debt “unpayable” – paving the way for bank-
ruptcy.

The funds are “distressed debt” specialists, also known as vulture funds, and se-
veral have also sought to make money out of crises in Greece and Argentina, the
collapse of Lehman Brothers and the near collapse of Co-op Bank in the UK.

The report, entitled For Puerto Rico, There is a Better Way, said Puerto Rico could
save itself from default if it improves tax collection and drastically cuts back on pu-
blic spending...[CONTINUE READING]

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 27, 2015

DIVIDED NPP OUT OF ELECTION FUNDS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The New Progressive Party (NPP) has barely enough money to operate. But for
NPP gubernatorial hopeful Ricardo Rosselló, fundraising activities have not been
affected by the fiscal crisis at all. The NPP’s finances, however, have been hit hard,
mainly because of the dispute over who will be the party’s candidate for governor.
A document from the State Elections Commission (SEC) Comptroller’s Office sho-
ws that as of June 30, the NPP had only $175 left in its electoral fund out of the $
400,000 the party receives each year for administra-tive costs. Meanwhile, the Po-
pular Democratic Party (PDP), as of June 30, had left some $171,000 left in its fu-
nd, and the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) had some $260,000. Accordi-
ng to the Electoral Law, it won’t be until January 2016 that the political parties
will have access to another $600,000 for election year expenses.

AGP CALLS FOR UNITY DURING CONSTITUTION DAY

From Caribbean Business:

The unity of the Puerto Rican people was the central idea put forward by Gov.
Alejandro García Padilla in his message commemorating the 63rd year of the Co-
mmonwealth of Puerto Rico's Constitution, while people in the vicinity of the
Sabana Grande public square shouted, "Four more years!" The governor addressed
the crowd, saying Puerto Ricans should "celebrate that unity of purpose to cre-
ate an autonomous constitutional government signed in 1952." In his speech Sa-
turday, the governor spoke of former Gov. Luis A. Ferré, who ran under the Repu-
blican Statehood Party, and don Lino Padrón Rivera, of the Puerto Rican Socia-
list Party. "Without renouncing their ideals, they were able able to affix their
signatures on a document that, without a doubt, they certainly believed imperfect.
They must have known the consequences; the political and electoral risk they fa-
ced in supporting the agenda of their opponent," Luis Muñoz Marín.

CANADA BEATS PR IN PANAM VOLLEYBALL

From National Post:

Canada won its first medal ever in men’s indoor volleyball at the Pan American
Games on the final day of competition Sunday. Canada beat Puerto Rico 3-1 (25-11,
25-12, 23-25, 25-18), in front of a sea of red and white at the Exhibition Centre
to snatch the bronze medal, the 70th such medal for Canada in these Games. The
bronze also happens to be Canada’s only medal at any of the indoor or beach volley-
ball competitions. The program’s previous-best finish in men’s volleyball came in
1979 and 1999, where Canada ended up in fourth place.

TODAY'S WATER RESERVOIR LEVELS

From AAA:

Carraízo stands at 35.13 centimeteres, while La Plata is registering a 37.06 cm
level this morning. NO significant rain is expected for the next several days.

Activities For This Weekend Across Puerto Rico

From Discovering Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 24, 2015

'SUPERACUEDUCTO' PIPE BURSTS IN ARECIBO

A breach in a pipe of the 'Superacueducto' water transport system, which brings
water from the center of the island to the San Juan metro area, is causing prob-
lems this morning on kilometer 69.7 of  the José de Diego Freeway. The rupture
was reported in the Domingo Ruiz district, and brigades from the Autoridad de
Acueductos y Alcantarillados were on their way to the site, according to AAA's
spokesperson Norma Muñoz. It is unknown how or if the broken pipe would aff-
ect water service. Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are going through their worst
drought in two decades.

UPDATE: AAA has stated that the malfunction has to do not with a pipe, but
with an air escape valve that is part of the Superacueducto. Water service to
the San Juan metro area will supposedly not be affected. Repairs are expected
to be done within six hours.

SALINAS AND GUAYAMA UNDER 'EXTREME DROUGHT'

From Caribbean Business:

The U.S. Drought Monitor has increased its classification of Puerto Rico as under
extreme drought when it introduced a new area Thursday, the municipalities of
Salinas and Guayama. Caguas, Juncos, Gurabo and San Lorenzo are also classi-
fied as experiencing extreme drought. The federal Drought Monitor indicates
that 2.66% of the island is under extreme drought (D-3), 17.95% in severe drou-
ght (D2), 24.26% in moderate drought (D-1), 32.46% unusually dry (D-0), and
22.68% is not affected.

PAULSON BUYS SAN JUAN BEACH HOTEL FOR $20M

From News Is My Business:

Hedge fund investor Paulson & Co. has bought the San Juan Beach Hotel in
Condado for $20 million, and plans to renovate the beachfront property that
shuttered earlier this year after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The most recent investment by Paulson & Co. is added to other hotel and real
estate properties the company has picked up in recent years, representing a to-
tal investment of some $2 billion that include the Vanderbilt Hotel, the St. Re-
gis Bahía Beach Resort, La Concha Resort and several office buildings in the
Hato Rey sector of San Juan.

DRAFT OF MEDICAL POT REGULATION AVAILABLE

From The San Juan Daily Star:

Medical marijuana will most likely be legally prescribed in Puerto Rico by
doctors to patients with certain conditions within the next few months, after
Health Secretary Ana Ríus announced Wednesday that a draft of the new
regulation on the use, possession, cultivation, manufacturing, production,
fabrication, dispensation and investigation of medical marijuana is officia-
lly available for citizens to review and offer comment and suggestions before
public hearings begin in late August. Ríus said those interested in presenting
comments have 30 days to do so (starting Wednesday) and must submit their
suggestions at the Health Department’s Legal Office at the former Psychiatric
Hospital at the Río Piedras Medical Center in San Juan, Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, public hearings will be held in the same
building in the Guillermo Arbona Room at 9 a.m. on Aug. 27-28. Comments
and suggestions can also be emailed to mayramaldondado2@salud.pr.gov.

Maps For All Water Rationing Zones

Carraízo


These zones are under 48-hour rationing (running water is on for one day, off for
two days). Zone A is shaded in green. Zone  B is shaded in blue. PF Canóvanas
is in purple.



Rationing calendar



La Plata


These zones are under 24-hour rationing (water off every other day). North Zone is
in orange, South Zone is in yellow.



Rationing calendar



Guaynabo


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone
is in pink.





Corozal / Naranjito


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone is
in pink.





Eastern Puerto Rico

These zones are under 24-hour rationing. Caguas North Zone 1 is in blue, Zone
2 is green. Caguas South Zone 1 is yellow, Zone 2 is pink. Juncos Zone 1 is in
orange and Zone 2 in burgundy.




Río Grande, Loíza and Luquillo; high areas are in yellow.






Coamo, Salinas and Santa Isabel

These zones are under 12-hour rationing. Zone A is in green and Zone B is
in blue.




All information is from Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.

Feds Bust 'Rompe ONU' Gang, 105 Charged With Crimes

One of the Largest RICO cases in the history of the Department 

of Justice

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office / District of Puerto Rico

July 22nd, 2015

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A nine (9) count federal indictment was unsealed today 

in the District of Puerto Rico charging one hundred and five (105) defendants with 

racketeering, drug trafficking, drive-by shooting murders and related firearm offenses, 

announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico 

Police Department (PRPD)- San Juan and Carolina Strike Forces were in charge of the 

investigation, with the assistance of PRPD’s Major Crimes Unit.

The indictment alleges that the defendants are part of a criminal organization known 

as “La Rompe ONU.” Through its criminal activities “La Rompe ONU” enriched its 

members and maintained and increased the power of the organization. Members of “

La Rompe ONU” would sell crack, cocaine, heroin, and marihuana in public housing 

projects, including: Jardines del Paraíso, Villa Andalucía, Alturas de Cupey, Jardines 

de Cupey, Brisas de Cupey, Los Claveles, Nuestra Señora de Covodonga, Los Lirios, 

Jardines de Monte Hatillo, Jardines de Campo Rico, Jardines de Berwind, San Martín, 

Monte Park, and Villa Lomas Verdes Public Housing Projects; as well as El Polvorín 

Ward, Mango Sector and other surrounding areas within the municipalities of San Juan, 

Trujillo Alto and Carolina, PR. Moreover, members of the organization used violence 

and intimidation, including murder, to increase the power, territory, and profits of “La 

Rompe ONU.”

Members of “La Rompe ONU” had different roles in order to further the goals of the 

enterprise. As alleged in the indictment, there were thirty-five (35) leaders/drug point 

owners/drug point administrators, who directed and supervised the organization’s cri-

minal activities; twenty-five (25) enforcers; eight (8) suppliers; eleven (11) runners; 

twenty-five (25) sellers; and one (1) drug processor.

According to the indictment, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, the organization 

committed twelve (12) murders, including three (3) massacres. Enforcers of “La Rom-

pe ONU” carried out the murders of the following individuals:

On February 8, 2011, enforcers shot and killed David González-Reyes, aka “Chispa.”
On May 10, 2011, enforcers shot and killed Ricco Luis Dávila-Díaz. On June 25, 2011, 

during a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Edwin Díaz-Cruz, Hervin Val-

carcel-Martínez, aka “Prieto,” Javier Catala-Bermúdez, and Orlando Meléndez-Ville-

gas. This massacre is known as the “Tortuguero Massacre.”On July 20, 2011, during

a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Santos Díaz-Camacho, aka “Joel Ba-

zooka,” Juan Rosario-Mercado, aka “Toñito,” and Kevin Soto-Román, aka “El Gor-

do.” This massacre is known as the “Paseos Massacre.”On August 28, 2012, during a 

“drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Luis Ojeda-Andino, aka “Pollo,” Luis 

Velázquez-Aquino, aka “Urraca,” and José Ayala-García. This massacre is known 

as the “Jardines de Cupey Massacre.”

According to the indictment, sixty-nine (69) of the one hundred and five (105) defen-

dants are charged with using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug tra-

fficking crime. Thirty-two (32) firearms were seized from the defendants during the 

investigation, and they face a forfeiture allegation of eighty-two million dollars ($82,

000,000).

“The historic indictment unsealed today shows our continued efforts to dismantle dan-

gerous criminal organizations operating in our communities. We remain undeterred in 

our commitment to ensure safety and seek justice for victims of violent crimes in Puer-

to Rico,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto 

Rico. “‘La Rompe ONU’ will no longer terrorize law abiding citizens in Puerto Rico. 

We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to build solid cases against these 

individuals, and bring them to justice.”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate law enforcement’s commitment to dismantle violent drug 

trafficking gangs that are affecting the quality of life of our law abiding citizens in the 

community. The key to this fight is bringing the resources of all levels of government to 

empower law enforcement to target organized groups of violent criminals with enhanced 

punishment and criminal penalties through the utilization of federal statutes, such as, the 

Violent Crime in Aiding and Abetting Racketeering statute. This sends a clear message 

that our community will not tolerate the heinous activity perpetrated by gangs like ‘La 

Rompe ONU,’ and evidences our commitment to work together to dismantle violent 

street gangs,” stated Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Miami Field Divi-

sion.


The defendants are: Josué Vázquez-Carrasquillo, aka “Mayito/Mayo/El Father”; Pedro 

Vigio-Aponte, aka “Pedrito/Pedrito He-Man/Pello/Pedrito Trauma”; Frankie Rosa-Cal-

derón aka “Anky/El Negro/Frank”; Luis F. Alicea-Colón, aka “Trenza/Enano/Luis Tren-

za”; Miguel Vázquez-Martínez, aka “Miguelo/Radio/Miclo/Bj”; Rubén Cotto-Andino, 

aka “Rubén El Negro”; Ernesto Morales-Castro, aka “Nestor/Los Gorditos”; Christian 

Morales-Castro, aka “Bimbo/Los Gorditos”; Reyfrank Quiñones-Carrión, aka “Pelotero”; 

Kelvin D. Morales-Cintrón; Ismael Méndez-Arroyo, aka “Bolillo”; Michael Muñiz-Sán-

chez; Jonathan Pérez-Rodríguez, aka “Perra/Perreke”; José L. Ortiz-Aguirre, aka “Cheo

/Cheo Cedeño”; Reinaldo Rodríguez-Martínez, aka “Pitbull”; William Ortiz-Aguirre, 

aka “Playa/Play”; Kidanny Figueroa-Osorio, aka “Sony/Sonata”; José L. Soto-Rivera, 

aka “Luisito/Scary”; José E. Mojica-Robles, aka “Papito Mojica”; Victor M. Rodríguez-

Torres, aka “Cuca/Cucaracha/Papotin”; Rafael Andino-Ojeda, aka “Rafa/Rafa Colgate/

Boca Chula”; Myles J. Román-Adorno; Guillermo Sánchez-Mora, aka “Guillo”; Emanuel 

Zabala-Pérez, aka “Punky/Dalmata”; Alexander Rivera-Carrión, aka “Lechon”; David E. 

Rodríguez-Castro; Rafael Hiraldo-Alejandro, aka “Bolillo”; Alexis Cartagena-Gerena, 

aka “Pollo”; Ángel L. Soto-Ramos, aka “Huesito”; Oscar A. Calviño-Acevedo, aka 

“Alex”; Jesús De-Jesús-Colón, aka “Romulo”; José L. Méndez-De-Jesús, aka “Sonso/

Nariz”; William Zambrana-Sierra, aka “W/Willito”; Edgar González-Rivera, aka “Eggy”; 

Arnaldo Alicea-Colón, aka “Naldito”; Xavier Castro-Vega, aka “Raton”; Carlos M. 

Guerrero-Castro, aka “Carlitos El Negro/Marcel”; Analdi Tanco-Moreno, aka “Kimbito”

; Orlando J. Santana, aka “Fino”; Luis F. Rodríguez-Márquez, aka “Cheykin”; Jesús E.

 Montalvan-Díaz, aka “Luis Garcia-Diaz/Willy Wonka”; Amaury Méndez-Rosado, aka 

“Boty”; Luis Yanyore-Pizarro, aka “Kimbo/Bauncer/Jose Boria-Millan”; FNU LNU, 

aka “Eziel”; Luis Martínez-Nieves, aka “Raya/Trenza”; Michael Rivera-Rodríguez; 

Alvin A. Cabezas-Cintrón, aka “Ardilla”; Jaime M. Semiday-Pérez; Kenny O. Pacheco, 

aka “Keny/Bolin”; Roberto Fuentes-Pacheco, aka “Junito Parcha”; Roger Falu-Diaz, 

aka “Gua”; Félix A. Malave-Torres, aka “Cholon”; Edgardo Luna-López, aka “Piri/

Enano”; Jessy J. Meléndez-Hernández, aka “Koby/El Negro/Lely”; Denzel Rodríguez-

Caraballo; Abimael Cruz-Rodríguez; aka “Lindo/Feo/Metra”; Ángel L. Cotto-Negrón; 

aka “Quija/Kija”; José E. Rivera-Maldonado, aka “Camon”; FNU LNU, aka “Gaby”; 

José D. Resto-Figueroa, aka “Tego”; Orlando Padilla-Ayala, aka “Oreo/Willito/Angel

 M. Santiago-Ayala”; Kernis Rodríguez-Rivera, aka “Sosa”; Walter D. Muller-Colón, 

aka “Vampy/Bolo”; Wilfredo Ruiz, aka “Freddy”; Carlos E. Brioso-Collantes, aka 

“El Barber/Wiso El Barber”; Carlos Velázquez-Fontanez, aka “Pirin”; Jonathan Figue-

roa-Catinchi, aka “Katinchi”; Iram I. Santander-Zulueta, “Cubano”; Charlie J. Fournier-

Collazo, aka “Chiry”; Edgardo R. Ruano-Chévere, aka “Masacre/Masa”; Francisco J. 

González-Camacho, aka “Lento”; Nestor R. Concepción-Rivera, aka “Nesti/Kilate”; 

Ivette Vázquez-Droz, aka “Ive/Precious Moments”; Billy Villanueva-Carrasquillo, aka 

“Meca/Billy Meca”; Jayfrank Quiñones-Carrión; Félix Rodríguez-Rodríguez, aka “Correa/Baloncelista/El Indio”; Daniel O. Martínez-Vélez, aka “Berto”; Luis F. Díaz-

Tineo, aka “Pipen/Pipe”; Josué O. Figueroa-Rodríguez; Ramón Vicenty-Rivera, aka 

“Poke”; Luis E. Guadalupe-Camacho, aka “Yaya/Yayi/Ardilla”; Julio N. Matos-Sán-

chez, aka “Julio Maraña”; Reynaldo González-Zayas, aka “Cuto”; Bryan Martínez, aka 

“Fat Boy”; Damian Fernández-Jorge; José A. Fournier-Collazo, aka “Semilla”; Kevin 

Castro-Vega; Juan Guadalupe-Delgado, aka “Bocao”; David García-Franco, aka “Da-

vid Nota”; Giovani Justiniano-Díaz, aka “Zegueta”; Christian Vázquez-Hernández, aka 

“Chapa”; James Steele-Torres, aka “Negro Steele”; Nilda Santiago-Espinosa, aka “Ka-

ty”; Alex Santiago-Crespo, aka “Papo Swing/Ale”; Francisco Vargas-Sánchez, aka “Ma-

raña”; Carlos Miranda, aka “Eo”; Ramón Andino-Peguero, aka “Mono”; Victor Alfonso

-Jorge, aka “Nano”; Héctor J. Cruz-Vargas, aka “Punky”; Yamil Arrizmendi-Santana, 

aka “El Mono”; Robert D. Pérez-Núñez, aka “Minino”; Anthony Espada-Colón, aka “

Oreo/Apu”; Daniel De-Jesús-Díaz, aka “Paleta”; Luis E. Espada-Colón, aka “Zona”; 

and Astrid J. Martínez-Valentin, aka “La Jefa.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández 

are in charge of the prosecution of the case. They were assisted by Attorney from the 

United States Department of Justice’s Capital Crimes Section and Organized Crime 

and Gang Section. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF),

and Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) were in charge of the investigation. App-

roximately seven-hundred (700) agents from federal and Commonwealth authorities 

participated in the arrests.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison. Eighteen (18) of the defendants 

who participated in the murders included in the indictment are eligible for the death 

penalty. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants 

arepresumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 22, 2015

WATER RATIONING COMES TO THE SOUTH

Puerto Rico's water utility, Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados  (AAA), 

has announced the implementation of a water rationing program for sectors of the 

municipalities of Coamo, Santa Isabel and Salinas, as the island's worst drought in 

decades threatens underground aquifers in the region. Twelve-hour rationing, where

water flow is cut off to users for 12 hours at a time, begins Thursday, July 23. The 

rationing area is divided into two zones, A and B (see the map above to find out

which neighborhoods are in which zones). Zone A will be the first to see the water

stop flowing at midnight tonight. Water will be reestablished at noon, and then Zone

B will have its water cut off for 12 hours. AAA will not run water oases in these towns,

as rationing will initially only be 12 hours. 

PREPA APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

From Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) announced Tuesday the designa-

tion of Javier Quintana Méndez as the new executive director of the financially trou-

bled utility, effective Aug. 3. "The successful transformation of Prepa is crucial for 

Puerto Rico and its citizens. The Governing Board of Prepa selected Dr. Quintana as 

executive director at this important moment, because we believe that his experience 

and background in the energy field will help Prepa reach its goal of becoming a self-

sustaining corporation. Now is the time for the crucial decisions that require great lea-

dership," said Harry Rodríguez, chairman of the utility’s board. Quintana Méndez, 

who has been vice president of Prepa’s board for the past two years, is currently the 

dean of the engineering school at Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Baya-

món campus, and a member of the Interamerican Board of Energy Resources Direc-

tors. Moreover, he is a former executive director of the Solid Waste Authority (2005-

2008).

TWO MORE SENATORS BACK CHAPTER 9 BILL

From News Is My Business:

Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi announced Tuesday that Senator Patrick Leahy 

of Vermont, the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, will cosponsor S. 

1774, the identical companion bill in the Senate to HR 870, the Puerto Rico Chapter 9 

Uniformity Act, which Pierluisi introduced in the House of Representatives in February.

Senator Leahy’s office advised Pierluisi’s office and Leahy will be formally added as a 

cosponsor. In addition, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a moderate who sits on the 

Senate Banking Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, has also agreed to co-

sponsor S. 1774, which was introduced last week by Senator Richard Blumenthal of Co-

nnecticut, Senator Charles Schumer of New York, and 10 other U.S. Senators, including 

Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

PR BASKETBALL TEAM LOSES PAN AM OPENER

From The Courier-Journal:

Rick Pitino's international coaching debut on Tuesday morning was an forgettable 

one. Pitino, coaching Puerto Rico's national team at the Pan Am Games here in Ca-

nada, saw his squad fall behind by 25 points in the first quarter, shoot 33 percent 

and lose 92-59 in a lopsided opener against Brazil at the Mattamy Athletic Centre 

on Ryerson University's campus. The 33-point loss matched a 2009 U of L loss at 

Notre Dame for the worst defeat by a Rick Pitino-coached team in at least the last 

15 years.

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 15, 2015

WATER RATE HIKES BEING CONSIDERED

From Caribbean Business:

The executive president of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority (Prasa), 
Alberto Lázaro Castro, reinterpreted a statement made Monday by Jim Millstein, 
of Millstein & Co., during the Puerto Rico government’s meeting with its credi-
tors, where he alluded to a possible increase of the water bill. Although water ra-
tes are expected to rise beginning in 2018 as part of the utility’s long-term opera-
tional plan, a sooner-than-expected hike could be seen if Prasa fails to finalize a 
bond deal for much-needed liquidity to fund its capital improvement program, 
among other needs. According to Lázaro, what Millstein said at the Government 
Development Bank (GDB) meeting with investors had to do with Prasa's "finan-
cial model, which in agreement with its bondholders and its own organic law, in-
cludes possible rate adjustments." He added that "this is done in all offer docu-
ments to show what would happen if projections are not met."

PR WARNS CREDITORS AGAINST LITIGATION

From The San Juan Daily Star:

Puerto Rico government officials told creditors Monday that a lengthy litigation
process against the commonwealth will have a negative effect on the economy
that will hurt tax collections, which are the source of debt payments. “We are
trying to pre-empt that with an open transparent process with you all,” one of
the government advisers told creditors during a question-answer portion of Mon-
day’s meeting with creditors as part of the process to convince them to renego-
tiate new debt repayment terms for the $72 billion debt.The event was live-strea-
med from a Government Development Bank (GDB) link. GDB President Melba
Acosta, former World Bank chief economist and former International Monetary
Fund (IMF) deputy director Anne Krueger, as well as economist and American
University Prof. Andrew Wolfe briefed members of the investment community
on Krueger and Wolfe’s recently published report on Puerto Rico’s fiscal condi-
tion.

JOURNALISTS SUE OVER HEDGE FUNDS

From News Is My Business:

The Center for Investigative Journalism filed a civil suit Monday against the go-
vernment over its refusal to provide the names of the hedge funds that are getting
ready to renegotiate or demand complete payment of Puerto Rico’s public debt. The
lawsuit filed in San Juan Superior Court names Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla and
Government Development Bank President Melba Acosta as defendants and asks the
court to order them to turn over documents and information about the hedge funds,
the amount of bonds they hold, the names of the investors who make up the so-ca-
lled Ad Hoc group negotiating with the government, as well as certain other docu-
ments. In the nine-page document, the CPI, as the nonprofit is known by its initials
in Spanish, details how it has spent the last four months unsuccessfully requesting
information from the government, including lawmakers, about the identity of the
groups behind Puerto Rico’s $73 billion debt.

SCORES OF DEAD SARDINES AT LA PLATA

From Fox News Latino:

Almost 7,000 sardines have died over the last two days in a reservoir in northern
Puerto Rico due to the drought that has been shrinking the water supply for two
months, making this the third massive dying off of this fish species in less than
two weeks. The secretary of the Natural and Environmental Resources Department,
Carmen Guerrero Perez, reported the situation Tuesday in a statement that said the
fish perished in the Wildlife Refuge of La Plata Reservoir in Toa Alta. "We ask ci-
tizens not to consume or come in contact with these dead fish, since they decompose
rapidly and can put their health at risk," Guerrero said.

In Drought, Puerto Rico Rations Water, Setting Off a Collection Frenzy

New York Times

By LIZETTE ALVAREZ


SAN JUAN, P.R. — On an island that is flirting with default, fending off
comparisons to Greece and losing its people to the mainland, the biggest
problem most people face is something more elemental — one of the worst
droughts in Puerto Rico’s history.

There has been so little rain here that two months ago the government was
forced to start rationing water on the populous eastern side of the island, in-
cluding in many San Juan neighborhoods. Carraizo, the major reservoir ser-
ving parts of the city, has dropped nearly 18 feet in recent months, shrinking
so noticeably that people can now fish off its sandy shores. The last time wa-
ter rationing was ordered on the island was two decades ago.

For 160,000 residents and businesses on the island, water is turned off for 48
hours and then back on for 24 hours, sending people into a frenzy of water co-
llection. Another 185,000 are going without water in 24-hour cycles, and 10,
000 are on a 12-hour rationing plan...[CONTINUE READING]

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 13, 2015

PR IN TENSE TALKS WITH BONDHOLDERS 

From Bloomberg:

If you thought Greece’s negotiations with its creditors were ugly, just wait for
the reception Puerto Rico officials will receive after saying they want to re-
structure their $72 billion debt load.More than 300 participants ranging from
institutional investors to hedge funds to bond insurers are scheduled to attend
Monday’s presentation in New York explaining why the Caribbean island can-
not repay all of its obligations on time. Complicating matters is a push by co-
mmonwealth officials to seek federal assistance and even changes in bankrup-
tcy laws. “It will be a very protracted battle given Puerto Rico lacks a mecha-
nism for restructuring like Chapter 9,” Peter Hayes, head of municipal debt at
BlackRock Inc., which manages $114 billion of the securities, including Puerto
Rico debt, said in an e-mail. “There is likely to be a multitude of lawsuits given
the unlikely event creditors are acceptable to terms to be proposed by Puerto
Rico.”

PR TO APPEAL RECOVERY ACT RULING

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico government will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court sometime
over the next 90 days the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that declared a
local bankruptcy law for public corporations unconstitutional because it was
pre-empted by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Justice Secretary César Miranda
announced Thursday that after a thorough evaluation, the agency decided to
file a request for certiorari to have Law 71 validated. “Puerto Rico has the
power to legislate on the matter of bankruptcy because Congress excluded the
island from the protection of the Bankruptcy Law,” the agency said in a state-
ment.

PIERLUISI CRTICIZES LACK OF PRIMARY FUNDS

From Caribbean Business:

On Sunday, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi called it "an
attack on democracy," the decision by the Alejandro García Padilla adminis-
tration not to allocate funds to political parties for primary elections. The New
Progressive Party (NPP) president and governorship candidate also said the
NPP will go to court if the government does not resolve the situation in the
coming weeks. "Clearly, the Popular Democratic Party [PDP] administration
wants to restrict participatory democracy, specifically against the party which
I preside. It is completely illegal to try to prevent primary elections, which by
law are scheduled for June 2016. If the PPD does not believe in democracy,
the NPP will enforce it," Pierluisi said, while adding that it is another act of
political persecution against minorities and opposition.

LATEST WATER RESERVOIR LEVELS

Carraizo's level is slightly up, at 35.44 cm, while La Plata is down to 38.15

cm as of the morning of July 13. Click the graphic to enlarge.