Puerto Rico News Digest For August 16, 2016

PUERTO RICO ZIKA CASES SEE BIG JUMP

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Health Secretary Ana Ríus announced Friday that for the epidemiological week
number 30 some 1,914 new cases of Zika were confirmed in the island, for a total
of 10,690 accumulated cases since the virus first arrived in Puerto Rico. The new
data includes 134 pregnant women for a total of 1,035. In addition, two more peo-
ple have been hospitalized for a total of 90 and there are three new cases of Guilla-
in-Barré syndrome for a total of 30 confirmed cases in laboratories. “We have in
our hands the necessary tools to avoid being infected with the Zika virus,” Ríus
said in a written statement. “Even if we don’t feel sick, we need to protect our-
selves..."

MURDERS IN AGUAS BUENAS & LAS PIEDRAS

As reported by El Nuevo Dia, a man between 20 and 25 years of age was murde-
red on road PR-173 in Aguas Buenas. The killing was reported at around 2:50 AM
this morning, and police found the body 15 minutes later. The man, of approxima-
tely 140 pounds, with black hair and beard, has yet to be identified. A second mur-
der was reported at approximately 5:50 AM on road PR-916 in Las Piedras. A 911
call alerted police to a bleeding person in the area. Police found the body minutes
later.

DONAHUE GETS $6.7M CONTRACT EXTENSION

From Caribbean Business:

"On the heels of what was described as a rather drawn-out meeting punctuated
by several sticking points, the Puerto Rico Electric Authority’s (Prepa) board vo-
ted to extend the contract of AlixPartners, headed by Lisa Donahue, to the tune
of $6.713 million. The contract, which was due to expire Aug. 15, will be exten-
ded through Dec. 15. “The deal is broken down with half the money for restruc-
turing-related work and the other half for operational related improvements,” said
one source with knowledge of negotiations. The restructuring work involves ma-
naging and reporting cash, working out all of the structure for the Special Purch-
ase Vehicle (SPV) and Prepa rate cases, continued implementation of creditor
deals and potential negotiations..."

MEDICAL POT INDUSTRY GROWS IN PR

From News Is My Business:

"...Already, more than two-dozen companies have applied for operational licen-
ses and others are expected to follow suit. One potential job creation opportunity
on the horizon is a high-tech system for “safe and consistent” cannabis cultivat-
ion that a U.S. firm is developing with the idea of possibly carrying out the pro-
duct assembly on the island, according to César Cordero Krüger, CEO of Grow-
blox Sciences Puerto Rico, LLC, a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Growblox Sci-
ences, Inc., which is spearheading the technology..."

First Case of Zika-Related Microcephaly Reported In Puerto Rico

Caribbean Business


SAN JUAN – Puerto Rico Health Secretary Ana Ríus announced Friday
the first local case of microcephaly, a severe birth defect in which babies
are born with abnormally small heads. The unborn fetus’ condition inclu-
ded severe calcification and enlargement of the brain lobes and the pres-
ence of the Zika virus. The analysis was conducted by the Health Depart-
ment “on the product of an unconcluded pregnancy.” The virus was not
found in the pregnant woman’s body...[CONTINUE READING]

Puerto Rico News Digest For April 1, 2016

ZIKA KILLS HUNDREDS IN PUERTO RICO

The zika virus, until now thought to only be dangerous to pregnant women,
but mild or even symptomless for most people, has suddenly taken a turn for
the worse, as up to 500 people have seemingly died due to complications from
the virus over the last week. Large numbers of unusual deaths were reported
starting about eight days ago, all across Puerto Rico. The only common thread
among the  otherwise unexplained deaths was that all of the victims had recently
tested positive for the Zika virus, which indicates that the virus may have recent-
ly mutated. "This is definitely a game-changer", said PR Health Secretary Ana
Rius. "Experts from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control] are on their way to
the island right now to investigate. We encourage all residents not to panic, but
to please stay indoors 24 hours a day, without exception. We have also discove-
red that certain invididuals with Zika who rubbed their bellies while simultane-
ously drinking an Old Colony pineapple soda were able to avoid being killed
by the virus." After concluding her remarks, Rius promptly ran outside and
threw herself onto highway traffic, being struck by several cars. She was de-
clared dead at the scene.

GARCIA PADILLA ENDORSES TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT

In a surprise announcement this morning, Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro
Garcia Padilla endorsed controversial Republican Presidential candidate Do-
nald Trump. During a press conference at La Fortaleza, Garcia Padilla stated
to shocked members of the press that he believes a Donald Trump presidency
would be best for the United states, and therefore for Puerto Rico. "Este queee,
ay zink that Mister Tromp is best deelmaiker in da werld and he can help os ne-
gochiate da debt. Plos, he has lots of moni and can meybee help os out wif a
loan or somsink", declared the governor to the bewildered reporters. "Plos,
dose steaks of hiz are pritti delichous."

PEDRO PIERLUISI: 'FUCK STATEHOOD'

Puerto Rico's sole non-voting congressional representative, Resident Commi-
ssioner and NPP gubernatorial candidate Pedro Pierluisi, expressed disillusi-
onment towards his long-held ideal of Puerto Rican statehood today during
remarks to The Puerto Rico Monitor. "Look, let's just be honest here, okay?",
said the tired-looking Pierluisi, immediately before taking a long drag from
a cigarrette and then slowly exhaling the smoke upward, a bitter look on his
face. "This statehood shit's not going to happen. It's just not. It never will. I
work in Congress, remember? They're the ones who can make it happen. And
they don't give a shit. You think they care what I think? I can't vote. Most of
the time these people mistake me for the janitor, or the guy delivering lunch."
Pierluisi went on, looking as if he were on the verge of tears, "We're broke,
why would they make us a state now? You know what? Fuck statehood. Jesus.
I've wasted my goddamn life." Having said that, the Resident Commissioner
spat on the ground, turned around and walked away.

April Fool's!

Puerto Rico News Digest For February 11, 2016

RIUS ENCOURAGES CONDOMS FOR ZIKA

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Health Secretary Ana Ríus insisted Tuesday on the use of condoms to pre-
vent infection by the Zika virus and added that she does not endorse San
Juan Archbishop Roberto González’s comments made earlier in the day re-
jecting the use of contraceptives to prevent the spread of the dangerous vi-
rus. “I am very Catholic, but I have to differ with the Archbishop,” Ríus said.
“You must use condoms and it is recommended  by the Centers for Disease
Control [CDC] and the Health Department that pregnant women use condoms
as well, and any person who has the virus needs to use condoms,” Ríus said
in an interview with Radio Isla..."

NPP SEN. WARNS SANDERS CAMPAIGN OVER SOVEREIGNTY

From Caribbean Business:

"Sen. Carmelo Ríos is warning presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders’ campaign
about the support it is receiving from Puerto Rico sectors of the Popular Demo-
cratic Party (PDP) that seek sovereignty. Specifically, Ríos referred to the en-
dorsements of Rep. Manuel Natal, Rep. Luis Vega Ramos and Sen. Maritere
González, who he said have campaigned and supported legislation against hol-
ding presidential primaries in Puerto Rico. Ríos said he will contact Sanders’
campaign team in Washington to inform it that if it counts on the support of
those PDP sectors, he would campaign with pro-statehooders against his pre-
sidential candidacy..."

RETAIL SALES 3% DROP IN OCTOBER 2015

From News Is My Business:

"Puerto Rico retail sales for the month of October 2015 — the most recent
available from the government — showed a 3 percent drop in comparison to
the same month in 2014, to $3.1 billion. In its latest report, Puerto Rico Trade
and Export confirmed the island’s activity shrank by $96.7 million in October
in comparison to the $3.2 billion on record for October 2014. The establishments
showing the biggest sales drops were gasoline stations (-18.2 percent), jewelry
stores (-5.6 percent), electronics stores (-4.03 percent) and hardware stores
(-3.02 percent), said agency Executive Director Francisco Chévere..."

MAN GOES TO COPS WITH BODY, CONFESSES MURDER 

From Virgin Islands Daily News:

"Authorities in Puerto Rico say a man drove a dead passenger to a police station
and confessed to killing him. Police in the popular tourist town of Rincon said
Wednesday that 28-year-old Juan Gabriel Camacho said he argued with the vic-
tim before allegedly shooting him. Police did not identify the victim but said he
was a 46-year-old government employee..."

Zika Virus Reaches Puerto Rico

From Latin Post:


Earlier this month, news broke out that the Zika virus which cause micro-
cephaly in newborn babies reached Puerto Rico. As per Inquisitr, Puerto
Rico's representative in congress, Pedro Pierluisi released a statement re-
garding Zika fever.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first Zika
virus case in Puerto Rico. The said virus already infested Puerto Rico's neigh-
boring countries such as Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Paragu-
ay and Mexico. Puerto Rico's Health Secretary, Ana Rius, was the one who
confirmed that the Zika virus that hit the Puerto Rican victim was acquired
from a local mosquito after a thorough investigation considering the fact that
the patient has not traveled recently.

As per Pierluisi, though the virus may have reached Puerto Rico, residents
should not panic as it is only a single case. He did however warn the public
to make necessary precautions such as wearing long pants and using insect
repellents...[CONTINUE READING]