These could include statehood, full independence, a free association status like that of independent former U.S. colonies like Palau and the Marshall Islands, or an enhanced commonwealth status, in which Puerto Ricans would gain the right to elect congressional representatives and the president while maintaining some degree of national sovereignty. Even Florida Sen. Rick Scott, long on record backing statehood, has been backing away from that stance, saying the territorys debt issues should be resolved first. At night here, its almost as if we had no curfew," Lpez told WKAQ. An official website of the United States government. The U.S. has governed Puerto Rico under various arrangements since invading it during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Puerto Ricans have had U.S. citizenship since 1917, but werent able to elect their own government until 1948. Marshal Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra. First Federal Law Enforcement Agency. Carmona Serrano was subsequently featured as one of the Some co-conspirators would routinely possess, carry, brandish, and use firearms to protect themselves and their drug trafficking organization. Investigators said Lopez-Alameda fled Puerto Rico after the April 2019 homicide, obtained a stolen social security card and assumed the identity of Radames Negron Gonzalez.. Abraham Angulo Wanted for the following alleged federal violations: The following alleged Federal Drug Violations:Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Conspiracy to distribute Cocaine; Continuing Criminal Enterprise; Conspiracy to launder Monetary Instruments; Laundering of Monetary Instruments. Being just a two-hour flight from Miami, it's easy to get to. The indictment alleges that from in or about the year 2016, to the date of the return of the indictment, the drug trafficking organization distributed cocaine base (commonly known as crack), heroin, cocaine, and marihuana, within 1,000 feet of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Public Housing Project (PHP), and other areas in the municipality of Mayagez, all for financial gain and profit. Send me updates about Slate special offers. Unless otherwise stated, photos Big Stock Photography Dreamstime Photos Google Maps Thompson Reuters. The defendants had access to different vehicles to transport money, narcotics, and firearms. Puerto Rico enacted strict Covid measures. In the case of D.C., statehood also aligns with the clearly expressed preference of the place in question. It paid off, and it's a lesson for the mainland. 130 residents in Old San Juan met Thursday, Police Commissioner Antonio Lpez Figueroa said, Merchants Association of La Placita de Santurce said. But when it comes to Covid-19, the two places have little in common. While Florida, like many states in the South, has seen high infection rates and troubling death counts, Puerto Rico has been . It seems like were not responding to the incidents, but we truly are, Police Commissioner Antonio Lpez Figueroa said days earlier about the situation. Marshals Office of Public Affairs (703) 740-1699 U.S. If you look at the actual data, Puerto Rico is genuinely a swing state, says Laws Garca. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. News is my Business was born in November 2010 out of a desire to provide no-nonsense, straightforward, English-language news relevant to Puerto Ricos business community, in an all-digital format. That's more than 2.3 million people. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. . She reports, writes and produces stories for NBC Latino and NBCNews.com. We are committed to dismantling and removing the threat posed by these criminal organizations flooding our communities with dangerous narcotics and violence., This case exemplifies that those involved in the distribution of narcotics and other contraband will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted, said Ivn J. Arvelo, special agent in charge for HSI San Juan. Until the federal government takes its regulatory role seriously and uses the big stick that it has, corporations will attempt to self-regulate Why CT waits for $95 million from OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, HUSKY Health is helping immigrants. Some who support independence. Required fields are marked *. On Feb. 17, 2011, a Puerto Rico court accused Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez, in absentia, for attempted murder and illegal use of a weapon on February 17, 2011, allocating a $ 750K bond. SEVP is a part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be students. En la @CTPuertoRico estamos comprometidos con continuar apoyando los esfuerzos que llevan acabo las agencias de ley y orden, el aeropuerto y el sector privado de velar por el cumplimiento de medidas de seguridad y protocolos del COVID-19. One thing the islands factions can probably agree on, from the strongest statehood supporters to the most ardent nationalists, is that framing Puerto Ricos future in terms of what it means for partisan control of Congress is not exactly helpful. - See 419 traveller reviews, 35 candid photos, and great deals for San Juan, Puerto Rico, at Tripadvisor. If thats true, it workedbut just barely. Thats exactly what statehood advocates are trying to do now. What is clear, both from the anti-Rosell movement and from the strong performance of third parties in the 2020 election, is that it has led to widespread frustration at the status quo. During the meeting, residents said they witnessed instances in which the police "did not say anything" to misbehaving tourists or saw tourists continue to ignore Covid-19 protocols after police confronted them. Without the strong backing of figures like Scott and Rubio, the bill has almost no chance of getting 60 votes in the Senate. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Democratic voters dont need convincing: 76 percent of them now support Puerto Rico statehood, according to a recent Data for Progress poll, a 7 percentage point increase since last year. Pedro Pierluisi. Experts and residents worry that tourists unwillingness to follow Covid-19 measures could reverse the island's successful efforts at containing the virus. Combating cross-border criminal activity is a critical component of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico On March 29, 2021, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six-count indictment charging 25 gang members with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting in the possession/distribution of controlled substances, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. But to Velzquez, the main point is that Congress should not be privileging one status option over another when its still a live debate on the island. It was the sixth time a vote on the islands status had been held, but this one differed from its predecessors by only including two optionsyes to statehood, or no. In 1989, President George H.W. Additional Violent Crimes. DEA and our federal, state and local partners have not let our guard down. But that doesnt mean it would stay that way forever. In 48 hours, they received $10,000. Tour San Juan for shopping and sightseeing alongside colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. CT proposal causes confusion, concern. Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez faces charges of shooting the security guard in a San Juan nightclub. Numerous left-leaning analysts, looking at the long-term disadvantages Democrats face in the House and even more so the Senate, where sparsely populated, rural, red areas are overrepresented, have concluded that it is imperative that the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, presumably blue, be added as states as soon as possible. This story was written by our staff based on a press release. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. On October 14, 2019 a drug related shootout took place in the Ramos Antonini public housing project where five people were shot and killed. So whether Puerto Ricos four House members and two senators would even be guaranteed Democrats is not as obvious as it might seem. On March 2, Rep. Darren Soto, a Democrat from Florida, and Jenniffer Gonzlez, Puerto Ricos nonvoting congressional representative and a PNP member who caucuses with the Republicans, introduced a statehood bill with 49 co-sponsors. . (This was at least an improvement over the 2017 referendum, which was boycotted by the opposition and only got 23 percent turnout.) An official website of the United States government. Anyone who says Puerto Rico is automatically a Democratic state is just not being honest and probably just doing a dog whistle for their base.. It is an unincorporated US territory. In Puerto Rico, however, things are more complicated. The .gov means its official. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico On March 10, 2021, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 30 violent gang members with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting in the possession/distribution of controlled substances, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The individuals indicted are: Miguel ngel Santiago-Jimnez, a/k/a Miguelito, Joseph Vlez-Mondessi, a/k/a El Negro/Joe, Eduardo Rodrguez-Rodrguez, a/k/a Edward, William F. Vlez-Borrero, a/k/a El Negro, Nelson Rosario-Snchez, a/k/a El Menor/Nelsito. This is because the question of Puerto Ricos final status has long been the main dividing line in Puerto Rican politics. 02.28.2023 The US wanted Puerto Rico specifically to build a strong naval military presence in the Caribbean (which continues to this day), and to ease access to the then in-progress Panama Canal (which would be completed in 1914). Abraham Villasenor Landa The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, no passport is required for travel to US Citizens. Episode 5: What's it like to be a special agent with HSI? Puerto Rico authorities after he shot at a police officer during a Puerto Rico authorities after he shot at a police officer during a. traffic stop. continue to work closely with our state local law enforcement partners Thats not quite how it turned out in the long run. In the song, iLewho lent her voice to protests in 2021 that led to the resignation of Puerto Rico's governorsings: "Everybody who attacks me I devour / Like a lioness hunting / I'm fed . It is a popular vacation spot for people in the US & Canada. Unemployment remains high in Puerto Rico. Within its first six months, the campaign reached 36 million households, resulting in an increase in travelers' familiarity and positive perception of Puerto Rico, leading to record visitation numbers, lodging income, tax revenue and jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector in 2022. Especially on the weekends, people go on until 1, 2, even 3 a.m. The island currently has a midnight curfew. to make our streets and communities safer.. U.S. Marshals from the Violent Fugitive Task Force and Hartford police arrested Jeffrey Lopez-Alameda Thursday morning in the 200 block of Hillside Avenue. Please try again. . "Yes, everyone is welcome, but what we do warn everyone is that there is an executive order that must be followed and it applies to everyone, from visitors to residents.". Along with our main office in San Juan, we have five satellite offices, known as resident agencies, in the area. Puerto Rico. It was the sixth time a vote on the island's status had been held, but this one differed from . Download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Elected Democrats generally know better than to express their support for statehood in blatantly partisan terms, but some Republicans have gone ahead and expressed their opposition that way. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Collazo. Opinion has been divided between those who wanted to retain the existing arrangements for governing locally - known as . Then, in 2020, came a deadly earthquake. The island has. Democrats face a structural problem in national politics: A good-sized majority of American voters support the party, but that currently translates into a tenuous hold on government. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), PGA Tours 15th Puerto Rico Open kicks off, Iberia to promote Puerto Rico, add flights to route, Sounds like Puerto Rico series nominated for 5 Emmy Awards, Op-Ed: Under Deans inspiring leadership, DMO guides islands tourism boom. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. In the summer of 2021, Padilla Dalmau and Graulau launched 9 Millones' crowdfunding platform with a call for donations to support a story Graulau wanted to produce about overdevelopment in Puerto Rico that was endangering natural resources. Most of the tourists in Old San Juan and Condado act aggressively at night, dont wear their masks and leave their trash behind., Another resident who lives across from an Airbnb apartment in Old San Juan, Evelyn Lpez, said tourists staying there often have loud music, speak loudly and engage in altercations.. As a member of Congress, I should not interfere with that process. He also dismisses the enhanced commonwealth idea, which would probably require a constitutional amendment, as a Mickey Mouse Fantasy Land.. Illegal appropriations are the most common property crimes in Puerto Rico. The co-conspirators of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. Its main rival, the Popular Democratic Party, or PPD, advocates continuing as a commonwealth with enhanced self-governance. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection collaborated during the arrests. All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Gov. Information developed by New York investigators indicated Carmona Serrano was residing in Puerto Rico, acting as a leader of a drug trafficking organization operating out of several public housing projects in the San Juan metro area. WKAQ-TV (channel 2) is a television station in San Juan, Puerto Rico, serving as the U.S. territory's dual Telemundo and NBC outlet. We are not guilty for the lack of guidance and the bad behavior of the tourists, the Merchants Association of La Placita de Santurce said in a Facebook post. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. That frustration, however, does not necessarily mean an end to the stalemate over Puerto Ricos status. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Firearm Possession; Gang Membership; Narcotics, Immigration Authority Delegation Program 287(g). Most people speak both English & Spanish. If passed, the bill, modeled on the admission process for Hawaii and Alaska, would trigger one last in/out referendum in Puerto Rico, whichif it passedwould create the 51st state. If we deny the capacity of the people of Puerto Rico to move forward in the process, what you have is a minority imposing a continued territory that everyone on the island recognizes as dysfunctional and undemocratic, he says. Leslie Adames, director, Estudios Tcnicos Economic Analysis and Policy Division. Published by Teresa Romero , Jun 22, 2022. Question settled? If you have information about the whereabouts of these fugitives, immediately contact your local ICE office or call the national hotline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE as soon as possible! I have seven brothers and sisters. Get FBI email alerts According to PRTC, the growth in Puerto Rico tourism seen in 2021 has been bolstered by a 24% increase in lodgings, with 4,306 registered on the island as of late-September 2021, compared to 3,471 registered in 2020. 2021, San Juan, Puerto Rico The Distrito entertainment complex opened in August 2021 as a . Marshals and CBP Agents transfer a Puerto Rico's 10 Most Wanted Along with our main office in San Juan, we have five satellite offices, known as resident agencies, in the area. from S/NY, the PRVOTF assumed the lead on the investigation. Violent Crimes - Murders. At this point, the better question may be whether it can get 50 votes, from Democrats. of Carmona Serrano in the town of Trujillo Alto, where he was placed "We can say that we have experienced one of the most fruitful stages in the history of tourism in Puerto Rico," said Carlos . HSI thanks our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their significant cooperation in dismantling this drug trafficking organization.. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myriam Fernndez, Chief of the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Linet Surez are in charge of the prosecution of the case. Carmona Serrano was charged June 3, 2020, with attempted murder by. FBIs Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team, Two Individuals and a Healthcare Management Company Indicted for Bankruptcy Fraud, Money Laundering, PPP Fraud, and Bank Fraud, St. Croix Man Sentenced 150 Months' Incarceration on Home Invasion and Carjacking Conviction, FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice, Municipalities covered: Aguada, Aguadilla, Aasco, Cabo Rojo, Camuy, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Isabela, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Maricao, Mayaguez, Moca, Quebradillas, Rincon, Sabana Grande, San German, and San Sebastin, Municipalities covered: Arroyo, Ceiba, Culebra, Fajardo, Humacao, Juncos, Las Piedras, Luquillo, Maunabo, Naguabo, Patillas, Rio Grande, San Lorenzo, Vieques, and Yabucoa, Municipalities covered: Adjuntas, Aibonito, Barranquitas, Coamo, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Orocovis, Peuelas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, Villalba, and Yauco, Territory covered: St. John, St. Thomas, and Water Island. He encouraged residents recording the incidents to contact the police immediately to ensure officers can respond to the scene. HARTFORD A city man concealed his identity for more than a year after he committed a homicide in Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. We wanted our promotion to go beyond the sand and beaches and for visitors to have an authentic cultural experience that would inspire them to explore the whole island, our food, our cocktails, our music, and our dancing. Lopez-Alameda got a Connecticut license using the stolen social security card and had been living in the state under the stolen identity for over a year, officials said. organization (DTO) wanted in the Southern District of New York. That's more than 2.3 million people . The leaders had final approval authority as to disciplinary action to be imposed upon residents of the Franklin D. Roosevelt PHP and the members of the conspiracy to maintain control of the drug trafficking activities in the area. A large amount of U.S. currency Even as Puerto Rico has lingered in the stasis of commonwealth status, it has been through an extraordinarily tumultuous few years materially and politically. JC was simply amazing and very patient and knowledgeable. U.S. The following year, however, another tendency in the party emerged when proto-Trumpian figure Pat Buchanan began publicly opposing statehood for Puerto Rico, which he portrayed as packed with welfare recipients and political radicals, not to mention Spanish speakers who would bring a fundamental change in the character of our union. Anticipating McConnell two decades later, Buchanan argued that Puerto Ricos liberal representatives and senators would overturn the Reagan revolution. As recently as 2016, the Republican Party platform explicitly backed making Puerto Rico a state, but Buchanans arguments still did their job: Only 30 percent of Republicans support the idea. About twice as many Puerto Ricans participated in the Democratic primary as the Republican one in 2016the last time both parties had a competitive race. at http://www.usmarshals.gov. Most Wanted Captured Abreu, Cesar Leonidas Controlled Substance Possession Agzamov, Sandjar Harboring Aliens; RICO Antunez-Sotelo, Mario Human Trafficking Archaga Caras, Yulan An Firearm Possession; Gang Membership; Narcotics Captured Ayala-Martinez, Robin Al Removal Bocanegra-Lupian, Julian Immigration Violations De La Trinidad Ramirez C Officials said he was wanted in connection with a 2019 homicide in Puerto Rico. Not quite. Two New York representatives of Puerto Rican descentVelzquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezare about to introduce their own competing bill, the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act. We encountered an issue signing you up. Congress is unlikely to act without a clear and unambiguous signal from the island, but such a signal is unlikely unless Puerto Ricans see clear and unambiguous support from Congress. We share the mission of taking violent criminals off the streets and enhancing community-wide efforts to make Puerto Rico a safer place.. A series of viral videos have shown tourists violating the islands midnight curfew, mask mandate and physical distancing guidelines, among other restrictions. This arrest operation spotlights the hard work and dedicated partnership between federal and state law enforcement agencies, said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Reviewed 30 August 2021 . No portions of this website may be reproduced, retransmitted, copied, or republished without expressed written consent from Shore News Media & Marketing, LLC. Ned Lamont and General Assembly leaders to to focus on offsetting a potential property tax Armageddon. One straightforward solutionsome sayis to restructure things by adding more states. . Your email address will not be published. We will continue working closely with our state local law enforcement partners to make our streets and communities a safer one" said U.S. The Live Boricua campaign has conveyed some of the islands culture to potential visitors worldwide, resulting in an economic boost for the islands visitor economy. With much of the worlds travel limited, Puerto Rico is becoming a popular destination for mainland Americans. He was transported to police headquarters and is awaiting extradition to Puerto Rico. Working in conjunction with investigators from S/NY, the PRVOTF assumed the lead on the investigation. In 2020, on the same day as the U.S. presidential election, Puerto Rico held a statehood referendum. Tara O'Neill was formerly a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Puerto Rico was one of the first U.S. jurisdictions to issue a mask mandate and currently has the longest pandemic-related curfew compared to any state. Demonstrators outside the Capitol in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Aug. 2, 2019. The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the conspiracy, to wit leaders, enforcers, runners, sellers, and facilitators. Americas Then in 2017 came Hurricane Maria, whose initial devastation was followed by indifference and neglect from the mainland, leading to prolonged suffering and mass death. Then, in December 2019, an earthquake sequence began shaking southwest Puerto Rico, destroying homes and devastating a region with some of the island's poorest towns, and displacing residents . You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Carmona Serrano was subsequently featured as one of the "Top 10" most wanted in the District of Puerto Rico. St. Croix Man Sentenced 150 Months' Incarceration on Home Invasion and Carjacking Conviction. The accolade, which in the past has been awarded to notable companies such as SpaceX, Warner Media and Microsoft, is specifically for the success of the destination marketing organizations Live Boricua campaign in promoting Puerto Rican culture as a unique selling point of the island. I Close-Read the 113-Page Complaint Trying to Ban the Abortion Pill in Texas. According to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), the main suspect was Juan Sierra Jimenez. Nicole Acevedo is a reporter for NBC News Digital. Other videos show disorderly tourists getting into fights, dancing on top of moving vehicles, and destroying private property around Puerto Ricos metropolitan area, including well-known tourist spots. Thats for the people of Puerto Rico to determine, she says. Crimes Against Children. Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activityReport Crime, Learn facts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Think Youre Smarter Than a What Next Producer? With two new bills in Congress that seek to resolve Puerto Ricos status in very different ways, the debate is likely about to heat up, and it may break down along some unusual ideological lines. Not again.". Top 10 most wanted in the District of Puerto Rico. Were seeing a chaotic situation, something we havent seen before, Oscar Medina, a San Juan resident, told WKAQ, the local TV news station from NBC's sister network Telemundo in Puerto Rico. The 29-year-old, a nurse and mother of three girls, just wanted to be safe. (Hes not as open-minded about D.C.). The way I see it, whenever Puerto Ricans are faced with the question of making a final decision, most people walk away from it. Marshal shotand killed suspect during warrant execution in D.C. It is owned and operated by the Telemundo Station Group subsidiary of NBCUniversal.WKAQ-TV's studios are located on Franklin Roosevelt Avenue in San Juan near Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and its transmitter is located on Cerro la Santa in Cayey near the Bosque Estatal . Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Report Waste, Fraud, Abuse or Misconduct to the Inspector General, USAO Monitor Selection for Corporate Criminal Enforcement.