The Puerto Rico Monitor Endorses Bernie Sanders For President

The Editor

The Democratic Party Presidential nomination primaries in Puerto Rico take place on March 29th, 2020. 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. He is also for instituting common-sense government programs that nearly every other industrialized country already has: universal health care and free access to state colleges.

Unlike his primary opponents, Bernie Sanders is not owned by the financial industry, and does not take their money. Also unlike others, he is against involving the US (and Puerto Rico) in more unnecessary wars. Senator Sanders is the only candidate  that makes sense, both for the mainland and for its largest colony. A vote for Sanders can spare us more of the insanity and instability of Donald Trump, and also the calculating corruption of the other prospective Democratic nominees. He is truly a people's candidate 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://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-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/.

Puerto Rico News Digest for June 28, 2018

PUERTO RICAN SOCIALIST HEADED TO CONGRESS?

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Tuesday night victory over congressman Joe Crowley in the Democratic Party primary election for New York's 14th House District puts the young victor of Puerto Rican descent within striking distance of becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ocasio-Cortez, who was outspent by Crowley during the campaign by a ratio of 10 to 1, has espoused democratic socialist ideas and was able to garner strong grassroots support in the 14th district, which includes parts of The Bronx and Queens. As her congressional district is solidly Democratic, Ocasio-Cortez is the favorite to win the seat in November's general election.

MAN SHOT TO DEATH FOUND IN OROCOVIS

As reported by El Vocero, a murder was reported shortly before 10 PM last night on road PR-156, in the Las Marianas sector of the mountain town of Orocovis. A 911 call alerted police to the shooting, and upon arriving, they found the body of 35 year old Edwin López Rosario, who was a local resident. The victim had been shot several times in different parts of his body.

NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS DROPS BY OVER 12K

From El Nuevo Dia:

"In one year, the number of public servants in Puerto Rico was reduced by 12,033 workers, according to the most recent Registry of Occupied Positions prepared by the Office of the Comptroller. This figure  represents a 6 percent decrease in the government's workforce..."

LAW 80 FIGHT CONTINUES BETWEEN GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE

From Caribbean Business:

"Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said Thursday that dialogue over the repeal of Act 80 of 1976–on compensation for dismissals without just cause–remains open. “I want to reach a resolution that benefits the people of Puerto Rico. And I will use all the mechanisms that are available: Call for an extraordinary session,  dialogue or whatever to be able to find a solution that can comply with the agreement [with the island’s fiscal oversight board]. I hope all colleagues are willing to have that conversation,” the governor told the media..."

TRANSPORTATION DEPT TO OFFER SERVICES THROUGH APP

From News Is My Business:

"The Puerto Rico Department of Transportation has launched the CESCO Digital Mobile application to enable users to conduct transactions that until Monday could only be done in person at Driver Services Centers (CESCO,) the Treasury Department or via complicated websites. The tool was developed by students from the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló confirmed upon unveiling the new mobile technology..."

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..."

Puerto Rico 2016 Primary Results

All results provided by the State Electoral Commission.


Democratic Primary

Updated 6/8/16

President

Hillary Clinton                51,862 votes       59.66%

Bernie Sanders              32,946 votes       37.90%

Rocky De La Fuente          300 votes         0.35%

96.42% of units reporting



Popular Democratic Party

Resident Commissioner

Hector Ferrer               88,487 votes      57.70%
Angel Rosa                  64,881 votes 42.30%


New Progressive Party

Governor

Ricardo Rosello               230,034 votes 51.08%
Pedro Pierluisi                 220,279 votes      48.92%


Resident Commissioner

Jenniffer Gonzalez               315,120 votes       70.56%
Carlos Pesquera                  131,469 votes       29.44%

The Puerto Rico Monitor Endorses Bernie Sanders For President

The Editor

The Democratic Party Presidential nomination caucuses 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/.

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 News Digest For April 26, 2016

HHS CHIEF TO VISIT PR, ADDRESS ZIKA

From The Washington Times:

"President Obama’s top health official will visit Puerto Rico this week to
get a firsthand look at how the island is combating the Zika virus, a trip
that coincides with Senate efforts to partially fund President Obama $1.9
billion request for emergency funding to stave off the mosquito-borne ill-
ness. On a two-day trip, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Ma-
thews Burwell will meet with Puerto Rican Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla,
tour a blood bank and personally urge pregnant women and those of child-
bearing age to protect themselves against mosquito bites that could lead to
infection..."

PIP DENOUNCES DNA TESTING OF ACTIVISTS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The vice president and secretary general of the Puerto Rico Independence
Party (PIP) María de Lourdes Santiago and Juan Dalmau, respectively, con-
demned late last week the arrest of independence party activists by the FBI
to take DNA samples from them... The denunciation from both PIP leaders
came after reports circulated through social and mass media of the arrests of
Orlando González Claudio and Norberto Cintrón Fiallo after federal José Fus-
té issued orders against 16 independence activists to provide their DNA..."

TREASURY PAYS VENDOR, PRIMARIES TO PROCEED

From Caribbean Business:

"State Election Commission President Liza M. García announced that the
Treasury Department has paid its $1.6 million balance with Dominion Vo-
ting Systems, which is providing electronic vote count equipment for Puerto
Rico’s Ju- ne 5 primaries. Dominion Voting machine“We are pleased with
[Secretary] Juan Zaragoza’s engagement with suppliers and because the two
checks emitted have settled the remaining balance with Dominion Voting
Systems for this fiscal year,” the official said..."

PR RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS IN JUNE

From News Is My Business:

"The 5th edition of “Puerto Rico Restaurant Week” will take place June
1-11, when premier restaurants will offer specially designed three course
dinner and/or lunch menus at a fixed price. These “prix fixe” menus are
the cornerstone of the event, that seeks to get foodies to try new establish-
ments and revisit old favorites, enticed by affordable multiple course me-
nus. The menu is set at either $28 or $38 for dinner and $20 for lunch, ex-
cluding beverages, tax, and tip. There are no tickets for the event, but re-
servations are required and must be booked directly with participating
restaurants.."

Puerto Rico News Digest For April 21, 2016

LACK OF FUNDS JEOPARDIZE PRIMARIES

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"With local primary elections less than three months away, State Elections
Commission (SEC) President Liza García warned on Monday that if the
Treasury Department doesn’t pay the suppliers that provide the ballots there
is no guarantee the June primaries can be held. García said she needs a $1.9
million disbursement to be made “yesterday” for the initial payment on the
ballots. “What we need, with urgency, is for the Treasury Department to pay
the suppliers to make sure that the primaries are not in doubt,” García said in
a radio interview, adding that the total cost of the ballots is some $4.2 million..."

SUAREZ: GOVERNOR WILL FILL GDB VACANCIES

From Caribbean Business:

"The executive director of the newly established Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency
& Financial Authority, Victor Suárez, announced Wednesday that the gover-
nor will shortly fill the vacancies in the Board of Directors of the Government
Development Bank (GDB) to ensure the bank’s continuing operations. Recen-
tly, bankers Fermín Contreras and Iván Méndez resigned from the GDB board,
effective April 21. Shortly before that, Treasury Secretary Juan Zaragoza resig-
ned as well, citing a potential conflict of interest. Remaining on the board are
GDB President & Chairwoman Melba Acosta and Economic Development Se-
cretary Alberto Bacó Bagué..."

PRASA SELLS PROPERTIES TO RAISE CASH

From News Is My Business:

"The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has identified and will
be selling three properties in San Juan, Guaynabo and San Juan worth a
combined $2.8 million to inject cash into its coffers, agency Executive
Director Alberto Lázaro said Tuesday. One of the properties, known as
the former McCraken warehouse and garage in San Juan, will be sold to
the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Co., which has asked PRASA to
use the $2.72 million from the transaction to pay down a debt with Honey-
well, he said..."

FL MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN TOA BAJA

From Bay 9 News:

"A suspect wanted in a homicide in St. Petersburg has been arrested in Puerto
Rico...in the murder of Shermaun Akins. Akins, 32, was found dead in the par-
king lot of the Alta Mar at Broadwater Apartments on April 7...Akins reported-
ly died of upper body trauma. Jimenez was arrested on Monday evening in the
city of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, at a family member's residence..."

Puerto Rico News Digest for April 4, 2016

BOXER DE JESUS KILLED IN HATO REY

Boxer Alex 'El Pollo' De Jesus was murdered at approximately 5:46 AM on
Sunday on Belmonte Street, located in the San Jose neighborhood of Hato
Rey, as reported by Metro PR. Police came to the area after receiving calls
reporting gunshots in the area. When they arrived, they found De Jesus's bo-
dy, which showed several bullet wounds. The motive and perpetrators are so
far unknown. De Jesus was 33 years old and left prison in 2014 after serving
four years for a domestic violence conviction.

UNION PREZ ALLEGES GDB PRIVATIZATION

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"The president of the Independent Union of the Government Development
Bank of Puerto Rico, María Teresa Rodríguez, said Thursday that an orches-
trated agenda has existed since last year to privatize the bank with a “delivery
of accounts of the Government Development Bank to Banco Popular.” “The
Government Development Bank [GDB] is one of the most important public
corporations in the country and a motor of economic development on the is-
land,” Rodríguez said in a press release. “The GDB was always a profi table
and sustainable corporation. But the operational part of the bank has been
neglected to such a degree that it has fallen into a liquidity problem because
it has $6.5 billion in accounts receivable and lines of credit to agencies and
corporations as of December 31, 2015...”

SANDERS CAMPAIGN HAS FIRST PR MEETING

From Caribbean Business:

"The first meeting in Puerto Rico of campaign volunteers for Democratic
presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders was held Saturday night with the
presence of hundreds of supporters from all over the island. During a pre-
sentation led by Betsy Franceschini, regional director for Voto Latino Ber-
nie 2016, a video on Sanders’ campaign principles was played. “As a Bori-
cua, I am proud to return to the island for this campaign. We have been im-
migrants and have learned to fight to protect our rights. For Puerto Rico, San-
ders represents the struggle for a just economy, with the creation of jobs, rai-
sing the minimum wage, health care excellence and educational opportunities
for all,” Franceschini said. She said Sanders “has financed his campaign with
funds from ordinary people, not special interests. The average donation is $27
per donor. That shows who is Bernie...”

PR AGRICULTURE SECTOR A BRIGHT SPOT

From News Is My Business:

"Mired in recession and awaiting a fix for its huge debt crisis, Puerto Rico has
one bright spot in the local economy: Agriculture. With help from the govern-
ment, this sector is contributing new jobs, income, and agricultural products
that are boosting the island’s tenuous food security. Gross agricultural income
rose 24 percent from $739 million in Fiscal Year 2012 to $919 million in Fiscal
2014, the highest income ever reported, according to Secretary of Agriculture
Myrna Comas Pagan. In 2015, “we reached 8,000 new jobs in agriculture. That
sets a precedent,” she said..."

Bernie Sanders Represents Real Hope for Puerto Rico

Huffington Post

Adrian Brito


If you are Puerto Rican, whether you live in the continental U.S or in
the island, you are probably paying close attention to the Democratic
primaries. If you haven’t, now it’s very important that you do. Why?
Because one of the candidates just released the most comprehensive
and detailed plan on Puerto Rico so far in the race for the White House.
That candidate is Bernie Sanders.

Senator Bernie Sanders, the underestimated underdog turned serious
contender for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party, just
released an impressive plan to address not one, but virtually all of the
Puerto Rico’s main issues. Sanders’ Plan for Puerto Rico is so wide-
ranging and complete that some could say it’s unprecedented for a
presidential hopeful...[CONTINUE READING]

Marco Rubio Wins PR Republican Primary

SAN JUAN (PRM) -- Florida Senator Marco Rubio won Puerto Rico's
Republican presidential primary election yesterday by a wide margin,
giving the embattled presidential candidate all of the island's 23 dele-
gates to the Republican convention. Rubio won with 25,513 votes,
which translates to over 71% of votes cast. Business magnate Donald
Trump received 4,610 votes for 12.86%, while Texas Senator Ted
Cruz nabbed 2,996 votes for 8% and Ohio Governor John Kasich
received 473 votes for 1.32%.

Approximately 25,000 voters participated in Sunday's primary, down
sharply from the 2012 vote. The island's Republican establishment
threw its support behind Rubio, a fact which surely contributed to the
Senator's landslide victory in Puerto Rico. Besides this contest, Rubio
has only won one other primary during this cycle, and that was last
week in Minnesota.

Letter To The Editor

We the people are fed up with the lies and deceit of the greedy
politicians who think more of themselves than the people they
represent.  They are a group of self-righteous individuals who
capitalize on every opportunity to benefit themselves.  Our voice
is being heard loud and clear.  Politicians, you will mistreat us no
more.  We will elect a person who is not a politician and cannot be
bought.  One who is on a mission to take this country back and res-
tore the greatness that it once had.  We will elect a one Donald J.
Trump.  And so it shall be.

George Devine
Kokomo, Indiana

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 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.