Mid-Term Election Endorsements

The Puerto Rico Monitor endorses the following candidates in today's election:

Andrew Gillum for FL Governor
Bill Nelson for FL US Senate
Stacey Abrams for GA Governor
Beto O' Rourke for TX US Senate
Janna Lynn Sanchez for TX US House
Alexandra Ocasio Cortez for NY US House
Julia Salazar for NY State Senate

Puerto Rico General Election Results

Winners for each race will appear in bold. Check back throughout the evening for
updates. Results are from the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico.

Updated as of: 11/09/16,  10:12 AM AST
97.32% of precincts reporting



Governor                                                            Total Votes     Percentage    Rank  

Rafael Bernabe (Working People's Party)                 5,336                 0.3              6  
David Bernier (Popular Democratic Party)             605,646               38.9             2
Manuel Cidre (Independent)                                   89,051                5.7              4
Alexandra Lugaro (Independent)                            172,882              11.1             3
Maria de Lourdes Santiago (PR Ind. Party)             33,173                2.1              5
Ricardo Rossello (New Progressive Party)         649,569               41.8             1

Voter participation rate: 55.10%


Resident Commissioner                                     Total Votes     Percentage    Rank  

Hector Ferrer (Popular Democratic Party)             685,361                47.2             2
Jenniffer Gonzalez (New Progressive Party)     706,964                48.8             1
Mariana Nogales (Working People's Party)             18,691                  1.3             4
Hugo Rodriguez (PR Indepedence Party)               39,056                  2.7             3


Mayor of San Juan                                            Total Votes     Percentage    Rank  

Antonio Carmona (Working People's Party)                1,298               0.9                 4
Leo Diaz (New Progessive Party)                             65,163            43.7                2
Adrian Gonzalez (PR Independence Party)                4,196             2.8                  3
Carmen Yulin (Popular Democratic Party)            78,366             52.6                1




US Presidential Election                                       % of Popular Vote   Electoral Votes

Hillary Clinton (Democratic Party)                                  47.5                          218
Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party)                                     3.3                              0
Jill Stein (Green Party)                                                   1.0                              0
Donald Trump (Republican Party)                               47.7                          279

Puerto Rico News Digest For June 7, 2016

AIR AMBULANCE PROVIDER SHUTS DOWN

From Caribbean Business:

"Aeromed, the only air ambulance company active in Puerto Rico, announ-
ced Tuesday that it ceased operations effective June 3. The company said it
could no longer continue operations without a commitment from the govern-
ment of Puerto Rico to pay the existing debt and offer acceptable fees that
could guarantee long-term service. According to Aeromed, since November
2013 it has unsuccessfully tried to resolve this situation with the government..."

ELECTIONS COMMISSION TOOK DAY OFF

From ABC News:

"It will be a little while longer before final vote totals are known in Puerto Ri-
co's Democratic presidential primary, because the U.S. territory's election co-
mmission workers took the day off on Monday. Officials will resume manually
counting votes on Tuesday and expect to issue a final certification later that
day, Roberto Prats, the island's Democratic Party chairman, told The Associa-
ted Press. He said officials worked until nearly dawn counting results of both
the presidential primary and a local primary in which voters narrowed their
choice for the island's next governor, legislators and mayors..."

PENSION SYSTEM HEADED FOR INSOLVENCY

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"A recent Retirement Systems Administration audit revealed that the island’s
largest retirement plan will run out of money by 2017, according to a news re-
port published by Bloomberg late last week. The report adds that if contributi-
ons to the retirement system do not increase, the Retirement Systems Adminis-
tration will become insolvent.The audit...indicates that the Retirement Systems
Administration only has 0.27 percent of funds to cover $30.2 billion it has pro-
mised to current and future retirees..."

BEAUTY QUEEN'S MOTHER IS MURDERED

From New Delhi Times/AP:

"A former Puerto Rican beauty queen is calling on the public to help police find
those responsible for the shooting death of her mother. Police said that Elena San-
tos Agosto, a 59-year-old nurse, died Friday night in her living room in Puerto Ri-
co after being struck by gunshots to the head and chest that were fired into her re-
sidence from a passing vehicle. “This crime cannot go unpunished, a crime with-
out cause, without reason. Those responsible have to pay,” ex-Miss Puerto Rico
Alba Reyes said in a statement Saturday..."

The Puerto Rico Monitor Endorses Bernie Sanders For President

The Editor

The Democratic Party Presidential nomination primaries in Puerto Rico take
place on June 5th. While residents of Puerto Rico can't vote in the Presidential
election, they can at least have a say in who gets to be the nominee for each of
the two major parties. Those Puerto Ricans who are planning on voting in the
Democratic primary would do well to use that voice to tell the Democrats that
Bernie Sanders needs to be their nominee.

Senator Sanders is the only candidate who is calling for real help for Puerto Rico
as it goes through its devastating financial crisis,and is also the only one who has
committed to really following through on the desires of the Puerto Rican people
regarding the island's relationship with the U.S., whether that turns out to be state-
hood or independence. He is also for instituting common-sense government pro-
grams that nearly every other industrialized country already has: universal health
care and free access to state colleges.

Unlike his primary opponent Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders is not owned by the
financial industry, and does not take their money. Also unlike Clinton, he is agai-
nst involving the US (and Puerto Rico) in more unnecessary wars. Senator Sand-
ers is the only candidate that makes sense, both for the mainland and for its lar-
gest colony. A vote for Sanders can spare us the insanity and instability of Donald
Trump and the calculating corruption of Hillary Clinton. He is truly a people's can-
didate who stands up for the little guy and the working class. His career in Congress
more than proves that.

“When people are suffering and hurting, you don’t continue to squeeze
them. We cannot allow Puerto Rico’s budget to be balanced on the backs
of the most vulnerable people – working families, veterans, the elderly,
children and the poor. It is not only morally wrong, it is also economically
unsustainable.”   — Bernie Sanders

For more information on Bernie Sanders' positions on Puerto Rico, go to https://berniesanders.com/issues/puerto-rico/. And for information on how to
participate in the Democratic caucus, email partidodemocratapr@gmail.com
or go to https://www.facebook.com/dpcpr/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/PRFor
Sanders/.

Puerto Rico's Super Sunday

The Atlantic

VANN NEWKIRK


Puerto Rico is not a state. It has no electoral college votes for president,
no senators, and no representatives. After the grind of the 2016 primary
season and the fireworks of post-convention campaigning, November
ballots in Puerto Rico will not feature the names of those running for
America’s highest offices. However, as one of the most important finan-
cial and political crises in Puerto Rico’s recent history unfolds, it is still
primed to make a statement in the presidential race.


Like all other inhabited territories of the United States—Guam, the Uni-
ted States Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Sa-
moa—Puerto Rico is part of the primary process for both the Republican
and Democratic parties...[CONTINUE READING]

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..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For December 21, 2015

RIVERA SCHATZ TO ANNOUNCE RUN ON TUESDAY

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"New Progressive Party (NPP) Sen. Thomas Rivera Schatz will make
a televised announcement about his political future on Tuesday. The
announcement was confirmed by his press spokeswoman, Wanda Na-
zario, who declined to confirm whether he will run for governor. “As
you know, neither the senator nor I are answering that if there is an
announcement Tuesday,” she told the STAR. Sources, however, say
Rivera Schatz, who is known as the “White Shark,” will announce his
bid for governor. The announcement will air on WAPA television..."

GOVERNMENT TO PAY CHRISTMAS BONUS

From News Is My Business:

"With an estimated $700 million in the Government Development Bank’s
coffers and a Treasury Department that reported $488.6 million in revenue
collections in November, Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla announced Sun-
day public sector employees will receive their Christmas bonuses, as esta-
blished by law. The payment represents a disbursement of $120million,
and will be made within three days, through Tuesday. The compensation
required by Law 34 of 1969, was due by Dec. 20 and the administration
made the announcement a few hours before the deadline expired..."

SEN. ROSA TO RUN FOR RESIDENT COMMISSIONER

From Caribbean Business:

With the certainty that his candidacy is something new in the political
arena, Sen. Ángel Rosa of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) has offi-
cially filed his candidacy for resident commissioner in Washington, D.C.,
for the 2016 general election. While formalizing his candidacy at PDP
headquarters in San Juan, the legislator and political analyst said his de-
cision is due to the fact that honest and capable officials are needed that
do not only offer the people someone to cheer for during the campaign
period..."

MISS PR SUSPENDED OVER MUSLIM COMMENTS

From CNN:

Miss Puerto Rico 2015 has been suspended indefinitely for posting a se-
ries of anti-Muslim messages on Twitter. Destiny Velez tweeted filmmaker
Michael Moore last week after he launched a campaign that encouraged peo-
ple to make signs saying "We are all Muslim" and post photographs of them-
selves holding the signs online. Her Twitter page has since been taken down,
and Velez has apologized. CNN obtained a screen grab of the page, and am-
ong the messages she originally sent were: "Muslims use our constitution to
terrorize USA & plant gas stations," "there's NO comparison between Jews,
Christians & Muslims. Jews nor Christians have terrorizing agendas in their
sacred books, and "all what Muslims have done is provided oil & terrorize
this country & many others!!!!!!..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 23, 2015

LA PLATA LEVELS LOOKING BETTER

Water levels at the La Plata reservoir, which serves several towns including
parts of the San Juan metro area, increased by 74 centimeters overnight due
to yesterday's rains. Puerto Rico's water utility, AAA, expects that once the
reservoir rises another 1.28 meters, the water rationing plan that La Plata
users are currently subject to will go from two days without water to only
twenty four hours of interruption at a time. More rains are expected for the
area this afternoon. According to AAA's President, Alberto Lázaro, ration-
ing for the La Plata zones can come to an end entirely once the reservoir rea-
ches 40 meters. La Plata serves Bayamón, Guaynabo, Toa Baja, Toa Alta
and Cataño, as well as parts of San Juan, Corozal, Naranjito and Dorado.

NPP CANDIDATES VOW TO PUSH STATEHOOD

From The San Juan Daily Star:

A group of New Progressive Party (NPP) aspirants to legislative seats made a
commitment Monday to file legislation in the upper or lower chamber to enable
an admission process for Puerto Rico as the 51st state, as proposed by NPP Pre-
sident Pedro Pierluisi. The aspirants also closed ranks in support of Pierluisi’s
run for the NPP’s gubernatorial candidacy. Among the candidates for seats in
the House of Representatives who support Pierluisi’s aspirations and legislative
agenda are Jackeline Rodríguez (District 25), Carlos Flores (District 20), Hiram
Torres (District 4), Roberto Soto (District 17), Mari Carmen Mas (District 19),
Samuel Pagán (District 35), and Ramón Ramos (District 21).

US SENATE TO HOLD HEARINGS ON PR

From Caribbean Business:

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee is reportedly expected to hold a hearing on
Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis. According to Bond Buyer, committee Chairman Orrin
Hatch (R.-Utah) said Tuesday a public hearing will take place Sept. 29 to discuss
the “dire financial situation” in Puerto Rico. On July 17, Hatch asked U.S. Trea-
sury Secretary Jacob Lew for the Obama administration’s take on various Puerto
Rico-related issues, such as the island’s fiscal and economic woes.

PREPA RESTRUCTURES $700M IN DEBT

From News Is My Business:

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority announced Tuesday it has reached
an agreement in principle regarding the economic terms of a restructuring of
approximately $700 million in matured debt with all of its fuel line lenders.
Under the deal, the fuel line lenders will have the following two options: Con-
vert existing credit agreements into term loans, with a fixed interest rate of 5.
75 percent per annum, to be repaid over six years in accordance with an agr-
eed upon schedule; or Exchange all or part of principal due under existing cre-
dit agreements for new securitization bonds to be issued on the same terms as
PREPA’s agreement with the Ad Hoc Bondholder Group announced on Sept.
1, 2015 (including a 15 percent principal reduction and five-year principal ho-
liday.)

GROUPON SHUTS DOWN IN PUERTO RICO

From Int'l Business Times:

Groupon, the daily deals and e-commerce site, is all set to shut down its
operations in six countries as well as Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Chica-
go, Illinois, and co-founded by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Eric Lefko-
fsky, Groupon will reportedly lay off 1,100 jobs mainly from the sales and
customer service operations of the company. Groupon Chief Operating Offi-
cer (COO) Rich Williams revealed this restructuring in a blog post stating,
“We believe that in order for our geographic footprint to be an even bigger
advantage, we need to focus our energy and dollars on fewer countries. So,
we decided to exit a number of countries where the required investment and
market potential don’t align.”

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.

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.

Alexandra Lúgaro Unveils Plan for the Future

Feature

Latin Post

Latin Post presents "Turnout," a series that features leading 

Latino politicians, government leaders and advocacy groups 

discussing and debating the most important issues facing the 

Latino voting bloc. 

Alexandra Lugaro wants to change things in Puerto Rico and break 

free from the shackles of a dysfunctional two-party system that 

has brought the island to its knees. Lugaro, a 33-year-old attor-

ney and businesswoman, is running as the first independent for 

governor of Puerto Rico. The candidate's lack of party affilia-

tion places her outside the political circles, but she aims to 

inject new life, hopes, and ideas into the territory's government.

Born into a family that struggled economically, Lugaro credits 

education for her success, saying it offered her the tools to 

improve herself. She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Busi-

ness Administration at the University of Puerto Rico and later a 

Juris Doctor at the same school...[CONTINUE READING]

Puerto Rico News Digest For April 15, 2015

JEB BUSH TO RAISE FUNDS IN PUERTO RICO

As reported today by El Nuevo Dia, former Florida Governor and potential
Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush will visit Puerto Rico on April
28. Bush will participate in a $1,000-a-plate fundraising luncheon at a Repu-
blican Party delegate's house in Caparra, as well as a public town hall meet-
ing in Bayamón. The former Governor is a Spanish speaker, and is married
to a Hispanic woman, which is expected to help him in the island's Republican
primaries next year. Bush has yet to officially announce his 2016 presidential
candidacy.

PUERTA DE TIERRA HOUSING PROJECT DEMOLISHED

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The demolition of seven buildings that housed 336 residential units in the
former Puerta de Tierra public housing project in San Juan kicked off Monday
morning, Housing Department Secretary Alberto Lastra and Public Housing
Administrator Gabriel López announced in a joint statement. “The final stage
of  the transformation of Puerta de Tierra community begins today,” Lastra
said. “This demolition makes way for the construction of new housing units
that will enable the integration of diff erent social components to create new
spaces according to contemporary demands. With this new concept, residents
will be empowered in their own urban environment.”

COURT DELAYS PR GAY MARRIAGE CASE

From The Washington Blade:

A federal appeals court has delayed oral arguments in a lawsuit challen-
ging Puerto Rico’s same-sex marriage ban. A one paragraph  ruling the
1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston released  on Tuesday states
“it is premature to set an oral argument date  at this time” because of the
four marriage cases that are currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.

COAST GUARD SEARCHES FOR CRUISE PASSENGER

From Yahoo! News:

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a missing cruise ship passenger
from Ireland suspected of going overboard near Puerto Rico. Spokesman
Ricardo Castrodad said Tuesday that 67-year-old Dominic William O'
Carroll is believed to have gone missing just south of the Puerto Rican
island of Vieques.

PREPA: EXTEND FORBEARANCE AGREEMENTS

From Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) announced Tuesday that
it has offered to extend the existing forbearance agreements by another
15 days pending ongoing discussions. Late Monday, after canceling a dili-
gence meeting scheduled among Prepa and the bondholders’ advisers, a group
of bondholders proposed a 30-day extension of the forbearance agreements.
Among other things, this extension would have required Prepa to set aside
$122.5 million from its debt service reserve fund and also pay a $1 million
amendment fee to the forbearing bondholders. In addition, Prepa would have
been required to work on a plan to pay the bondholders’ obligations, and
to appoint a third-party monitor to review and process the bondholders’
information requests and publish confidential information that would allow
the forbearing bondholders to buy and sell Prepa bonds.

Fox News Latino Interviews Alexandra Lúgaro

Feature

Fox News Latino

At just 33-years-old, Alexandra Lúgaro, a lawyer and business owner, is
causing a big stir in Puerto Rico – becoming the first person to run as
governor of the island as an Independent.

If elected, she would become the youngest to ever hold the island's highest
office and her ideas reflect her millennial sensibilities. She wants to legalize
marijuana, same-sex marriages, and tax the island's churches.

Lúgaro, a married mother to a 4-year-old daughter, believes it’s time for
Puerto Ricans to get away from the two-party system – where voters in the
commonwealth cast their ballots based on where the party stands on the issue
of Puerto Rican statehood --  instead of voting...[CONTINUE READING]

Puerto Rico News Digest For March 18, 2015

PR GETS 1ST INDEPENDENT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE

Lawyer and businesswoman Alexandra Lúgaro, age 33, has declared
her intention to run for Governor of Puerto Rico in 2016 as an inde-
pendent candidate. This makes her the island's first ever gubernatorial
contender who does not belong to or publicly identify with any political
party. Lúgaro is in favor of gay marriage, abortion rights and marijuana
legalization, and has also expressed a desire to tackle issues such as
income inequality. Lúgaro is currently finishing a doctorate in Madrid
and is the founder of a student tutoring company in Puerto Rico.

LAURENS HIGLER'S FRIENDS' TOUCHING LETTER

The travelling companions of deceased Dutch globetrotter Laurens 

Higler, who was killed last week in a hit and run accident,  wrote a 

moving letter to the people of Puerto Rico regarding the recent 

tragic events:

LEGAL ISSUES SEEN WITH IVA RECEIPTS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Justice Department said Monday that Puerto Rico could
be held liable if merchants are banned from separating the
value added tax from the final price of items on receipts.
“The restriction against merchants separating the IVA [the
Spanish acronym for the value-added tax] from the final
price could be challenged in the courts because it interferes
with free speech rights,” Assistant Justice Secretary Rafael
Ortiz said. The proposed tax reform measure leaves it to the
Treasury secretary to decide whether the IVA should be dis-
played separately.

14 ARRESTED, 1.1 TONS OF COCAINE SEIZED

From Fox News Latino:

Agents of the United Rapid Action Forces, or FURA, of the
Puerto Rican police, seized 1.1 tons of cocaine and arrested
14 Dominicans, most of whom were waiting for the drug to
arrive from a boat off the northern coast of the Caribbean island,
officials said. Puerto Rican Police Chief Jose Caldero said
the boat had sailed to the estuary of Rio Grande de Loiza river
and that the drug had a street value of some $32 million.

PUERTO RICO UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 12.4%

From Caribbean Business:

Puerto Rico Labor Secretary Vance Thomas announced that the
unemployment rate for January stood at 12.4%, representing the
lowest figure since 2008. "Data from the recent employment survey
show that the unemployment rate adjusted for January fell to 12.4%,
making it the lowest reported since August 2008, when it was 12.2%,"
Thomas said Tuesday. He added that the rate is 1.3% lower when
compared with December 2014 (13.7%) and 2.5% down from
January 2014 (14.9%).

UPR AGUADILLA PROVIDES TAX SERVICE

From News Is My Business:

The University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla announced Tuesday
it will be offering free help to low and middle-class residents
to fill their federal income tax return, Saturdays from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. at the campus library through April 11. The UPR-Agua-
dilla Virtual Center for Assistance to Taxpayers (known in
Spanish as the VITA Center) is part of an alliance  with the
UPR-Mayagüez western region VITA Center.



More headlines on our Twitter feed.

Puerto Rico News Digest For November 4, 2014

.

NPP CANDIDATE WOULD BEAT PADILLA

According to a new poll from El Nuevo Dia, either of the top two 

likely gubernatorial nominees from the pro-statehood New Progre-

ssive Party would defeat sitting PDP Governor Alejandro Garcia

Padilla, if the election were held today. In a hypothetical match-

up against Ricky Roselló, AGP would get 24% of the vote, with 

Roselló getting 43%, while current Resident  Commissioner Pedro

Pierluisi would garner 37% of the vote versus the Governor's 23%. 

In either scenario, PIP candidate Juan Dalmau would receive

about 6% of the vote.

PR JOINS GLOBAL TREND WITH IVA TAX

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"The value-added tax (IVA by its Spanish acronym) that 

the Puerto Rico government is slated to implement

hovers at around 14 percent, but with the repeal of 

income taxes for many taxpayers and exemptions that

will be part of the proposed tax reform, officials do 

not expect it to have a negative impact..."

VIOLENT WEEKEND LEFT 14 DEAD

From Fox News:

"Fourteen people were killed over the weekend in Puerto 

Rico, to make it the second most violent so far this year, the 

Caribbean island's police told Efe on Monday..."

PR MANUFACTURING INDEX SLIDES

From Caribbean Business:

"A gauge of Puerto Rico’s manufacturing industry backed 

off in September, posting a fifth drop in six months 

below the growth threshold. The Purchasing Managers Index 

(PMI) for Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector slid to 48.4 

in September..."

PR TO HOST 96 CONVENTIONS THROUGH JAN.

From News Is My Business:

'Puerto Rico has been selected to host 96 events including, 

conferences, annual meetings and sports activities for 

this winter season. This represents an estimated 40,894 

room nights and a total direct spending of $23 million 

into the local economy, Meet Puerto Rico President Milton 

Segarra said Monday..."