Puerto Rico News Digest For January 9, 2019

PR FBI CHIEF: ISLAND FACES "CRISIS OF VIOLENCE"

From CBS News:

"The top FBI official in Puerto Rico said the island is facing a "crisis of violence" and has asked the agency for more personnel and resources from the U.S. mainland. In an interview with local radio station NotiUno630 Wednesday morning, Special Agent in Charge Douglas Leff said no other agency field office in the country is facing what his San Juan office is facing in terms of crime..."

GONZALEZ TO INTRODUCE NEW STATEHOOD BILL

From El Nuevo Dia:

"Resident Commissioner in Washington Jenniffer González plans to introduce a new pro-statehood bill in the House. However, for the legislation to be addressed during this Congress, the government of Puerto Rico would have to hold a "statehood: yes-or-no" referendum this year..."

AGRITEK GETS POT LICENSE

From News Is My Business:

"Agritek Holdings Inc., a real estate investor for the cannabis sector in the United States and Canada, announced that its licensee and partner, 1919 Clinic, has received its final approval from the Puerto Rico Department of Health to begin operations under the medicinal cannabis program..."

NY TIMES NAMES PR TOP TOURIST DESTINATION

From Caribbean Business:

"Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares was pleased Wednesday with the New York Times(NYT) having selected the island as its top recommended travel destination this year. “Once again, we see rewarded the effort we have made to present Puerto Rico to the world as a world-class destination, to present the attractions of our beautiful Island, as well as highlighting the resilient nature of Puerto Ricans..."

TEACHER SHORTAGE ON HORIZON AS MANY RETIRE

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"About 65 percent of local public school teachers are near the average age for retirement, yet there are not enough qualified candidates in the island to replace them, Teachers Association President Ada Diaz said Tuesday..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For June 20, 2017

CANNABIS DISPENSARY OPENS IN OCEAN PARK

From News Is My Business:

"A new health and wellness alternative, the b.well Healing Center, opened its doors in the area of  Condado and Ocean Park becoming the first medical cannabis dispensary in San Juan. The facility,  which entailed a $300,000 investment, will offer medicinal cannabis treatments..."

GOVERNOR SEEKS TO CUT ELECTORAL FUND MONEY

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Gov. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares announced Monday that he sent a bill to the Legislative Assembly that eliminates the governmental contribution to the Electoral Fund, from which the political parties draw monies to pay administrative expenses..."

SENATE TO CONSIDER GENDER EQUALITY IN SCHOOLS

From Caribbean Business:

"Despite opposition from New Progressive Party (NPP) senators to the bill that proposes to implement  education with gender perspective in Puerto Rico’s public school system, the bill will be voted on  this week, Senate Majority Leader Carmelo Ríos said..."

PR DECLARES HOMESCHOOLING A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT

From HSLDA:

"Puerto Rico is now the first among U.S. states and territories to recognize homeschooling as a fundamental right, thanks to a law signed by Governor Ricardo Rossello Nevares on June 7..."

School District of Lee County coming to Puerto Rico

CORRECTION: Please note there has been a change in location for 
the March 6 event. The event will now be held at the Hilton Ponce 
Golf & Casino Resort in Ponce.

Press Release

District hiring for the 2017-18 school year

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2017) – The School District of Lee County is 

coming to Puerto Rico to speak with prospective educators during a series

 of hiring events offered March 6, 8 and 9. Those interested in pursuing a 

career in education can interview with representatives from the District via 

pre-scheduled interviews at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce, the Uni-

versity of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras and the Hyatt House in San Juan. Inte-

rested applicants can apply for an interview at www.leeschoolspuertorico.

com.

On March 6, interviews will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University 

of Puerto Rico in Ponce in Building F, Room F-1. On March 8, interviews 

will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio 

Piedras in Room 368 of the Faculty of Education building. On March 9, int-

erview opportunities will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hyatt 

House in San Juan.

The School District of Lee County is currently hiring to fill a range of tea-

ching positions, and representatives from the District will be in attendance 

to conduct interviews and hire educators for the upcoming 2017-18 school

year. The recruitment events are open to current teachers and graduating 

college students. To qualify for an interview, candidates must hold at least 

one of the following: a Professional teaching certificate from Puerto Rico, 

a Florida Statement of Eligibility, be a current College of Education stud-

ent or hold a bachelor’s degree.

The District offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation plan 

for its employees, and provides teachers with access to support and reso-

urces that promote success. The starting compensation package of $52,984 

encompasses salary, medical coverage and life insurance, pension and in-

vestment plan contributions, and social security and Medicare employer

contributions. Relocation reimbursement is also available to assist with 

moving to the area. Additional benefits and earning opportunities are also 

available via advanced degree supplement, summer school, athletic coa-

ching and more. Upon hire, a personal benefits selection process will be 

made available to eligible employees.

For more information on applying to the School District of Lee County, 

call 239-337-8640 or email careers@leeschools.net.

About The School District of Lee County: Lee County Public Schools is 

the ninth-largest district in Florida and the 33^rd-largest district in the United

States. The District educates more than 93,000 students in grades K-12 and

is a model for others in the state and around the nation. With approximately 

10,000 full- and part-time employees, the District is one of the county’s lar-

gest employers. As the District builds new schools and renovates and exp-

ands existing facilities to accommodate the unprecedented growth experien-

ced in the last several years, the District has become one of Southwest Flo-

rida’s largest developers.

Pierluisi Announces $34 Million in Federal Funds for Six Puerto Rico Universities

Press Release

Sept. 27, 2016

Funds will be provided over next five years and will be used to help 

students in fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics

Washington, DC—Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi announced today 

that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded a total of $34 million in 

federal funding, to be provided annually over the next five years, to assist stu-

dents at six universities in Puerto Rico.  The funding is being provided pursu-

ant to the Hispanic Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering and 

Mathematics (HSI STEM) program, which aims to increase the number of His-

panic and low-income students who attain a four-year or two-year degree in 

STEM fields. 

Specifically, the Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Baya-

món; Universidad del Este; Universidad Central de Bayamón; and Universidad 

Politécnica de Puerto Rico-San Juan will each receive approximately $1.2 milli-

on annually, or $6 million over five years; Humacao Community College will 

receive approximately $1.1 million annually, or $5.5 million over five years; 

and Dewey University-Carolina will receive nearly $1 million annually, or ab-

out $5 million over five years.

“Improving access to STEM programs for university students in Puerto Rico is 

of paramount importance.  It is critical that our nation’s most valuable asset, na-

mely our talented young men and women, continue to earn degrees in these com-

petitive fields, which are more relevant than ever before.  This significant fede-

ral funding will help our students to compete successfully in the global job mar-

ket,” said Pierluisi. 

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 29, 2016

TWO MURDERS REPORTED THIS MORNING

As reported by El Nuevo Día, two separate murders were registered in Puer-

to Rico this morning, with the first one occuring at around 12:52 AM at the 

Placita de Santurce in San Juan. After callers reported shots heard in the vic-

inity, Police found the body of 44-year old Mario Díaz Pérez, whose body was 

riddled with bullets. The second killing occured at around 8:11 AM this morn-

ing in the Barahona sector of Morovis, on Road PR-633. Police have yet to id-

entify the victim or release any other information. 

TROPICAL WAVE TO BRING WEEKEND RAIN

From Caribbean Business:

"The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami says a tropical wave, loca-

ted about 1200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles is moving westward at about 

25 mph. The associated shower activity is poorly organized, “and given the 

fast motion of the system any development should be slow to occur..." The 

chance of it forming into a tropical cyclone through the next 48 hours is low 

at 20 percent. Its formation chance through five days is still considered low 

but rises to 30 percent..."

PIP CANDIDATE DEFENDS PUBLIC EDUCATION

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) gubernatorial candidate María de
Lourdes Santiago said Wednesday that as part of her electoral proposal, pu-
blic education must become the great democratizing element  and the most
important investment of a society in which public schools are faced with a
systematic campaign of discrediting and abandonment. “The public Depart-
ment of Education has been the object of a systematic campaign of discredi-
ting to pave the way for privatization,” Santiago said in a press conference
at PIP headquarters in Hato Rey, in which she told of a shortage of materials
and books despite a $3.2 billion budget..."

TREASURY REPORTS 2% REVENUE INCREASE

From News Is My Business:

"The Puerto Rico Treasury Department collected some $9.1 billion in reve-

nue for the General Fund during Fiscal 2016, exceeding Fiscal 2015 numbers 

by $214.4 million or 2.4 percent, agency Secretary Juan Zaragoza-Gómez said. 

The increase was much greater considering that last year, there were revenues 

from legislative measures of nearly $468 million that were not recurrent for FY 

2015-16, he said. When comparing the revenue registered for the year to the re-

vised total estimate of $9.2 billion, the government achieved a 98.7 percent co-

llections rate..." 

Puerto Rico News Digest For February 23, 2016

FBI MAKES ARRESTS FOR EDUCATION FRAUD

From Caribbean Business:

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was carrying out Tuesday mor-
ning 20 arrest warrants, of which more than 50 percent were conducted, in
relation to fraud in the Puerto Rico Education Department’s tutoring pro-
gram. FBI spokesman Carlos Osorio confirmed it is part of the second pha-
se of the agency’s “Bad Grade” operation, for which, on Sept. 9, 2015, a fe-
deral grand jury returned a 74-count indictment charging Rocket Learning
LLC and 31 individuals with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud,
theft of government money and property, and aggravated identity theft..."

366,000 LEAVE PR FROM 2006 TO 2014

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"The net migration of Puerto Ricans to the mainland United States between
2006 and 2014 was around 366,000 people, according to a report issued late
last week by the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey’s Census Information Cen-
ter. Since Puerto Rico’s economic depression began in 2006, some 609,000
people moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland U.S. through 2014, while
243,000 people moved from the U.S. to Puerto Rico, according to Inter News
Service..."

DUNKIN' DONUTS TO OPEN 50 STORES

From News Is My Business:

"Less than two years after a court-ordered shutdown of all of it’s local Dun-
kin’ Donuts stores, Dunkin’ Brands announced Monday it is looking for
a franchisee to re-enter the market to develop 50 restaurants throughout
the island in the next seven years. The Mass.-based coffee and baked goods
chain is looking to recruit a franchisee with experience operating multi-unit
foodservice concepts in Puerto Rico as well as acquiring and developing lo-
cal real estate..."

WRITER ROSARIO FERRE DEAD AT 77

From The New York Times:

"Rosario Ferré, a formidable figure in Puerto Rican letters who wrote no-
vels in both Spanish and English, and who was a finalist for the National
Book Award in 1995 for the family epic “A House on the Lagoon,” which
she translated herself from the original Spanish, died on Thursday at her
home in San Juan, P.R. She was 77. Her son Benigno Trigo said the cause
had not been determined..."

Rhodes Scholarships To Open Applications To Puerto Rico

Press Release


The Rhodes Trust is pleased to announce that effective 2016, all U.S.
citizens and certain legal permanent residents of the United States who
 attend universities within the U.S. Territories (American Samoa, Guam,
Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will
become eligible for the first time to participate in the U.S. Rhodes Scho-
larship competition. Previously, the United States Rhodes Scholarships
were only available to students who either resided in or attended univer-
sity in one of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.

Starting in 2016, all students and institutions within U.S. states and terri-
tories will be able to observe the same rules and guidelines in place for
U.S. applicants. More information regarding the scholarships and the new-
ly implemented rule change will be made available on our website at: www.
rhodesscholar.org

Elliot Gerson, American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust said, “I am deligh-
ted that the Rhodes Trustees have agreed to this change in our rules of eli-
gibility. Our former policy originated because the Last Will and Testament
of Cecil J. Rhodes assigned his scholarships to the states of the United Sta-
tes and not to the United States as a whole.”

Hila Levy, the only Puerto Rican resident to receive a Rhodes Scholarship,
thanks to her attendance at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, was
excited to work with the Trust for this rule change. Now back at Oxford for
doctoral studies following service in the active duty Air Force, she stated,
“Though I knew of the rule limitations for territory residents in applying,
when I was elected in 2008, I was truly surprised and honored by the mile-
stone I was achieving. Now, years later, I am thrilled to see a push for equal
opportunity in higher education forged by the Trustees and the American Se-
cretary.”


About Rhodes Scholarships

Established in 1902, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigi-
ous international graduate scholarship program in the world. A class of 89
Scholars is selected each year from 32 countries, representing men and wo-
men from diverse backgrounds who show potential to be leaders for the wor-
ld’s future. The Rhodes Trust provides full financial support for Rhodes Sch-
olars to pursue a degree or degrees at the University of Oxford in the United
Kingdom in partnership with the Second Century Founder, John McCall Mac
Bain and other generous benefactors. Selection committees in each Rhodes
constituency are comprised of Rhodes alumni and distinguished non-Scholar
members of the community. Per the Will of Cecil Rhodes, applicants will be
selected based on (but not limited to) outstanding scholastic achievement,
moral force of character, leadership, and commitment to service.


Contact

To learn more about this announcement, please contact

The Rhodes Trust
Office of the American Secretary
8229 Boone Blvd, Suite 240
Vienna, Virginia 22182
Office: (703) 821-5960
Email: admin@rhodesscholar.org

Puerto Rico Relaxes School Uniform Rules for LGBT Students

From ABC News:

By DANICA COTO
ASSOCIATED PRESS


Students at public schools across Puerto Rico for the first time can 
choose to wear pants or skirts as part of their uniform regardless of 
their gender without being punished, a move that has unleashed a 
debate in this socially conservative island.

Education Secretary Rafael Roman said Monday that the new regu-
lation he recently signed is meant to be inclusive of gay, lesbian and 
transgender students. He added that teachers will no longer be allow-
ed to discipline students who prefer to wear pants instead of skirts or 
vice versa.

"No student can be sanctioned for not opting to wear a particular pie-
ce of clothing ... that he or she does not feel comfortable with," he told 
reporters...[CONTINUE READING]

31 Arrested For Defrauding Department Of Education

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Puerto Rico

Press Release

On September 9, 2015, a Federal grand jury returned a seventy-four count 

indictment charging Rocket Learning, LLC and 31 individuals with conspi-

racy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, theft of government money and pro-

perty, and aggravated identity theft, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vé-

lez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Department 

of Education- Office of Inspector General, the FBI and ICE-HSI are in char-

ge of the investigation. The indictment was unsealed earlier today.

The indictment alleges twenty six-counts of mail fraud, a violation of Title 

18, United States Code, Section 1341, related to payments caused to be made 

via the U.S. Mail to Rocket Learning, Inc., for twenty six fraudulent invoices 

submitted  from 2011 - 2013 to the Puerto Rico Department of Education; one 

count of theft of public money, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sec-

tion 641, related to the approximately $954,297.00 in stolen Title I Federal Fun-

ds; and forty-five counts of aggravated identity theft, a violation of Title 18, 

United States Code, Section 1028A(a)(1), related to the use of means of identi-

fication of another person by using the name and signature of real students, in 

relation to the theft of public money charged in the indictment.

“Individuals and businesses who choose to illegally enrich themselves at the ex-

pense of our students and the U.S. taxpayer, instead of providing the educational 

services invoiced, will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted by the Depart-

ment of Justice,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for 

the District of Puerto Rico. “These arrests demonstrate the combined federal co-

mmitment to combating fraud, waste and abuse. The investigation continues”.

“Supplemental Education Services program funds provide critical resources for 

deserving students who seek to improve their academic performance.  Today’s 

actions allege that these 31 individuals and the corporation they worked for, bill-

ed and retained SES payments for students who did not receive the tutoring ser-

vices. That is unacceptable,” said Yessyka Santana, Special Agent in Charge of 

the U.S.Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Southeastern Re-

gional Office.  “Tracking down those who would cheat this important program is

a priority of our office.”

The defendants are:

Rocket Learning, LLC

Brenda Pérez García – SES Director

Juan Nieves Rivera Rivera –Director of San Juan Region

José Acevedo Rivera –Director of Caguas Region

Lynnette Asencio Plaza –Director of Ponce Region

Héctor Baez Villanueva –Director of Arecibo Region

Kay Pagán Rivera – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Karenie Laborde Muñiz – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Annerys Rodríguez Aponte – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Lis García Medina – Program Manager in Caguas Region

Edjeledeira Meléndez-Rivera – Jr. Program Manager in Caguas Region

Jonathan Morales Febus – Operation Coordinator in Caguas Region

Jeannette Ramírez-Zapata – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Francisco Sánchez Zayas – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Yamaris Torres Ortiz – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Sayra López Torres – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Anita Ortiz Rodríguez – Program Manager in Ponce Region

Sheila Pagán Carrasquillo – Operation Coordinator in Ponce Region

Elba Yanira Jiménez Pérez – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Gretchen Román Soto – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Milliam Centeno Soto – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Emmanuel Cruz Martínez – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Katia Tapia Torres – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Noraima Mercado Vázquez – Program Manager in Arecibo Region

Nayra Alicea Delgado – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Eileen Gutiérrez Stone – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Glorymar Rodríguez Casiano – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Minerva Mendoza Acevedo – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Suhayl Méndez Reyes – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Javier Reyes López – Program Manager in San Juan Region

Luisa García Arriaga – Program Manager in San Juan Region

José Sánchez Bauzá – Program Manager in San Juan Region

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Erbe 

and the Chief of the Financial Fraud and Corruption Unit, José Capó-Iriarte. If 

found guilty, defendants are facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and 

two additional years for each aggravated identity theft count. Indictments contain 

only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be inno-

cent unless and until proven guilty.

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 10, 2015

PUERTO RICO BRACES FOR BUDGET CUTS

From AP / WINK News:

Puerto Rico is bracing for widespread spending cuts after the government
released a long-awaited fiscal reform plan on Wednesday that would redu-
ce much of the island’s $72 billion public debt and calls for restructuring
the remainder at the expense of bondholders. The five-year plan proposes
that the government cut subsidies to municipalities and the University of
Puerto Rico, offer early retirement and reorganize or merge state agencies.
It also calls on the government to extend until 2021 legislation that would
freeze new hires, salary increases and collective bargaining agreements.
Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla acknowledged in a televised address that
Puerto Ricans already have had to endure new taxes, an increase in utility
bills and layoffs during a nearly decade-long economic stagnation.

FINANCIAL CONTROL BOARD TO BE ESTABLISHED

From Caribbean Business:

A five-member, independent financial control board will be tasked with
ensuring that the recently released Fiscal & Economic Growth Plan (FE
GP), once approved, is followed, and would have the necessary powers
to ensure compliance, particularly if subsequent administrations decide
to do away with the final plan. It would be in place for the five-year pe-
riod of the plan, after which further extending its term would be conside-
red. Moreover, the board would have the authority to approve the plan,
as well as the power to force budgetary cuts, among other corrective ac-
tions, which will be part of draft legislation to be submitted to the Legis-
lature for its establishment. It has yet to be revealed when the Economic
Recovery Working Group will deliver its proposed legislation to Puerto
Rico lawmakers for their necessary approval.

WATER RESERVOIR LEVELS FOR TODAY

Carraizo is on the far left, while La Plata is immediately to its right.
Users served by both reservoirs are currently subject to water ratio-
ning. Some rain has fallen over the area this morning, with more ex-
pected over the next two days, as two low pressure systems pass over
the area.

SCHOOLS MAY RETURN TO NORMAL SCHEDULE

From The San Juan Daily Star:

If the water levels at the Carraízo and La Plata reservoirs continue in-
creasing, the Education Department may change the policy implemen-
ted at the beginning of the school year and return to normal school days
and hours -- offering classes Monday to Friday or extending school hours
 at those public schools where class periods have been reduced due to wa-
ter rationing. In a radio interview Tuesday, Education Secretary Rafael
Román said the rationing plan has cost the agency close to $1 million in
the purchase of water cisterns and water storage containers for the sch-
ool’s cafeterias, among other facilities, in order to supply water at the
affected schools. Román said that toward the end of the week he will be
discussing the state of the reservoirs and the changes made in the ratio-
ning plans.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGES FLOWN TO PR

From Yahoo! News:

Officials say Carnival Cruise Lines is flying 770 passengers to Puerto
Rico after their ship caught in fire in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The
president of the company that manages the dock where the ship is ber-
thed says six chartered flights were headed Wednesday to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico News Digest For August 10, 2015

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL UNDER RATIONING

Classes started in public schools all over Puerto Rico this morning in
the wake of an announcement by Education Secretary Rafael Román
that schools in areas affected by water rationing will have a shortened
schoolday. Students in 476 schools affected by rationing will only att-
end class from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 1:15 PM. Some
of the schools involved actually have running water, but it was deci-
ded to include them in the new schedule to avoid problems with coor-
dinating transportation among schools that are in the same municipa-
lity. Schools in the following municipalities will operate under the sh-
ortened schedule: Bayamón, Naranjito, Corozal, Toa Baja, Toa Alta,
Cataño, Caguas, Salinas, Coamo, Canóvanas, Juncos, Loíza, Río Gra-
nde, San Juan, Carolina, Trujillo Alto and Guaynabo. Also included
are Pablo Suárez Ortiz School in Luquillo, Emilio Casas in Santa Isa-
bel, Alfonso López O’Neill in Aguas Buenas and Jaguas in Gurabo.
Román added that only 25 percent of schools will offer breakfast to
students.

AGP COULD FACE REELECTION CHALLENGE

From The San Juan Daily Star:

Although Popular Democratic Party Secretary General Jorge Colberg
recently dismissed the possibility that Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla
could be challenged for reelection in a primary, Isabela Mayor Carlos
Delgado Altieri said otherwise on Thursday. Delgado Altieri said the-
re could be primaries in the PDP for the gubernatorial nomination be-
cause of the lack of communication between Garcia Padilla and the
rest of the party’s organs. The STAR learned that the mayors of San
Juan, Carolina and Caguas are trying to topple Garcia Padilla and will
be searching for an alternate candidate.

PR GETS $10 MILLION TO FIGHT DRUGS

From Caribbean Business:

Puerto Rico's representative in Congress says the U.S. territory is slated
to receive $10 million in federal funds to help fight drug trafficking, boo-
st security and respond to natural disasters.Pedro Pierluisi said Saturday
the Federal Emergency Management Agency will allocate the money un-
der four separate grants.

RETAIL ACTIVITY PICKING UP

From News Is My Business:

Retail activity is picking up at several local malls, with new store open-
ings in San Juan, Caguas, Ponce and Barceloneta next month, this media
outlet confirmed. One of the retailers expanding will be Bath & Body
Works, which will open two new stores in Plaza del Caribe in  Ponce
and Las Catalinas Mall in Caguas, on Sept. 22 and Oct. 20, respectively,
store officials confirmed. Meanwhile, The Mall of San Juan will receive
seven new tenants in coming weeks, several of which are new to the mar-
ket.

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 February 12, 2015

WINNING POWERBALL TICKET SOLD IN PR

One winning ticket for last night's $564 million Powerball drawing
was sold in Puerto Rico, while two other winning tickets were sold
in Texas and North Carolina. Puerto Rico only joined the Powerball
lottery last October, and this is the first time the island has sold a
winning ticket.

The unidentified winner is from Ponce's Cotto Laurel neighborhood,
and is expected to receive $188 million. The  ticket was sold at a Shell
gas station.

PARENTS OF OBESE CHILDREN MAY BE FINED

From NBC News:

Lawmakers in Puerto Rico are debating a controversial bill that 

would fine parents of obese children up to $800 if they don't make 

efforts to improve their child's health.

"That child is a health issue and can become an economic burden 

because he/she could develop heart disease, diabetes and other 

illnesses," Senator Jose Luis Dalmau said to El Nuevo Día, Puerto 

Rico's largest newspaper.

If the bill is approved, public school teachers would flag potential 

obesity cases and report them to social workers and counselors. The 

Health Department would then get involved and work with parents 

to determine if the child's obesity is due to poor eating habits or 

other health problems.

PR MURDER SUSPECT CAUGHT IN MASS.

From The Boston Herald:

The suspect in a 2006 double slaying in Puerto Rico has been 

captured in Massachusetts. Police say 36-year-old Luis Carras-

quillo-Lizardi was arrested  Wednesday in New Bedford in a 

third-floor apartment where he had been living under an alias.

He was arraigned on a fugitive from justice charge later Wed-

nesday in New Bedford District Court and held without bail.

SOME DRUGS IN SHORT SUPPLY IN ISLAND

From The San Juan Daily Star:

Hospital patients in Puerto Rico should be aware that there is a 

shortage of critical drugs that are used to treat them during a  

medical emergency. Island hospitals are only getting 40 percent of 

the drugs needed because of lower production by U.S. manufacturers,

which are limiting purchases. New Progressive Party Rep. Gabriel 

Rodríguez Aguiló urged Health Secretary Ana Ríus to obtain a waiver

from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so island hospitals 

can buy the critical drugs from manufacturers that are not from U.S. 

jurisdictions.