FACT SHEET ON Vieques, Puerto Rico
Posted 11/15/99
Vieques is an island municipality of Puerto Rico, separated from it by 6-8
miles of sea. It measures 21 by 4 miles, with an area of 33,000 sq. acres.
Population: 9,400 inhabitants who live in the narrow, middle strip of land
sandwiched between two U.S. large Naval facilities.
Since the 1940’s, when the Pentagon forcibly removed thousands of
Viequenses, and took control of 2/3 of the island, the U.S. Navy has been using
it for the training of U.S., NATO, South American and CARICOM allied forces.
Not only is it used by the Navy, but also by the Marines, Army and Air Force.
There, they conduct amphibious landing exercises, special forces parachute
drops, close air support, artillery and small arms firings, naval gunfire
support, missile shoots, air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air shootings,
naval "war at sea" exercises, and surface, air, and submarine
maneuvering and drills. Besides the eastern third of Vieques, they also use
195,000 sq. miles of open ocean and airspace for their training. In the western
part, the Navy stores ammunition, which it both uses in the exercises and sells
to other countries.
The U.S. has practiced in Vieques before invading Guatemala in 1954, Cuba in
1961, Santo Domingo in 1965, Chile in 1973, Granada in 1983, Panamá in
1989. Also against El Salvador, Nicaragua, Viet Nam, and Iraq. Eighty per cent
of the U.S. ships and airplanes that participated in the US/NATO war against
Yugoslavia, trained in Vieques.
This military occupation has devastated the lives of the people in Vieques.
There is 50% unemployment, the cancer rate is 27% higher than in Puerto Rico,
health needs are serviced only by an outpatient clinic, with the nearest
hospital 18 miles away, by sea! With almost 60 years of constant pounding with
live ammunition, including Depleted Uranium, Napalm and other toxic chemicals,
the environment is highly polluted, affecting the area’s rich
ecosystem.
But the history of Vieques has also been the struggle of its inhabitants.
Since the very beginning of the U.S. expropriations, the courageous people of
Vieques have been opposing the U.S. military in many ways and fronts. Small
boats from the Fishermen Association have surrounded giant battleships in an
effort to stop war maneuvers.
Last April 19, two 500# bombs dropped by an F-18 US fighter plane in a
training "exercise" prior to the invasion of Yugoslavia, killed a
civilian guard, David Sane, and injured 4 others. The outrage of the people of
Vieques and Puerto Rico has since forced the Pentagon to stop all exercises as
people started camping in the Navy bombing restricted zone, risking their
lives, and demanding the ouster of the Navy.
The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, a local grouping of
activists and fishermen has been organizing widely and have taken on the task
of forcing the U.S. Navy out. There is united opposition to the Navy from all
Puerto Ricans, regardless of political affiliation. The Pentagon wants to
resume the practices with live ammunition before December. President Clinton
formed a panel that recommended the Navy to leave Vieques…in 5 YEARS.
This is completely unacceptable to the people of Vieques and Puerto Rico. They
want the Navy out now and ask for the solidarity of justice and peace loving
people everywhere.
HISTORY of VIEQUES
1514-Cacimar and Yaureibo, Vieques’ last Taíno Native chiefs,
fight to the death against Spanish invaders.
1688 and 1717- British subjects from nearby islands attempt to colonize
Vieques. Ousted on both occasions by the Spanish military.
1811- Don Salvador Meléndez, governor of Puerto Rico, sends Juan
Roselló to begin systematic colonization of Vieques.
1816- The great Simón Bolívar lands on Vieques for a visit.
1874- Rebellion of workers on sugar mill Hacienda Playa Grande, more than 70
jailed.
1898- U.S invades P.R. and Vieques. Both islands become colonies of the
U.S.
1915- Militant strike by sugar cane workers demanding a wage raise from 50
cents/day per 14 hr of work, to $1/day for 8 hr of work. Sugar mill owners
respond with police brute force, killing and wounding several strikers. The
people, outraged at the massacre, started uprising to the point that the bosses
had to send for additional police forces from P.R. in order to suppress it. One
hundred were imprisoned. They won a small wage increase and a reduction of work
hours.
1922-1927- Closure of several sugar mills.
1930- U.S. Economic depression brings crisis to Vieques, thousands migrate
to St. Croix in search of work. Don Albizu Campos and Don Antonio Corretjer,
from the P.R. Nationalist Party hold meetings in Vieques. First Puerto Rican
Nationalist Women’s Section organized in Vieques.
1940’s- U.S. Navy takes over 72% of Vieques territory.
1947- U.S. Interior Department plans to relocate Vieques entire population
to St. Croix, USVI, prevented only by mass opposition.
1961- President John F. Kennedy and the Defense Department prepare plan to
abolish the municipality of Vieques and hand it over to the Navy, again
prevented by mass opposition.
1964- Organized opposition stops Navy’s attempt to expropriate
remaining south coast.
1978-79- The Fishermen Association and supporters block Naval maneuvers and
bombardments in protest of environmental destruction and restrictions on use of
fishing areas. The Crusade for the Rescue of Vieques is founded. On May 1979,
21 activists were arrested for civil disobedience in the "restricted"
bombing area. One person, Ángel Rodríguez Cristóbal, was jailed
in Tallahase, Florida, where he was eventually murdered.
1980- After investigating the Navy’s activities in Vieques and the
effect on its people, U.S. Congress recommends Navy leave Vieques.
1983- U.S. Navy and then PR governor, Carlos Romero Barceló sign
agreement canceling the case "Romero vs. Navy", in exchange of
promises by the Navy to protect the environment and help in the economic
development of the island.
1989- The Navy tries, unsuccessfully, to expropriate land from a poor
family, arguing that it is located in the limits of the Navy’s
"property". Hundreds of residents organize and rescue portions of the
land controlled by the Navy since the 40’s. On September, Hurricane Hugo
passes through Vieques causing enormous destruction. The Navy uses this tragedy
and re-takes land that the people had rescued before.
1992- During 2 weeks of maneuvers, the Navy dropped 20 tons of live
ammunition, including Napalm. The struggle against the Navy continues.
- The Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, CPRDV, is founded.
They submit a resolution to the City Council, asking for the closure of the
naval bases and the devolution of the land to Vieques. PR Senate and the House
of Representatives also approve it.
- 1995-99 Mass demonstrations in Vieques and Puerto Rico against the Navy and
the building of the Over the Horizon Radar (ROTHR). Members of the CRDV
participate in international orums; many mass actions take place in Vieques and
Puerto Rico.
- April 19, 1999- Two 500# bombs Mark-82 kill civilian guard David Sane and
injure 4 other people.
- April 21, 1999- Vieques and Puerto Rican people in unison demand the
immediate oust of the Navy. Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Roselló sends
letter to President Clinton demanding an end to the Navy military
practices.
- April - November 1999- Three days after Sane’s death, fishermen from
Vieques plant a cross in his memory in the exact point where he died. Soon,
people start camping in these restricted areas in an effort to stop all
military exercises. These encampments have effectively stopped the bombings to
this day. These actions, together with the active participation in mass
demonstrations, forums, petitions, etc. of people both in Vieques and in P.R.
(who formed a support group rightly named "All Puerto Rico With
Vieques"), prompted several U.S. Congressional hearings and forced
President Bill Clinton to form a panel to look into the issue.
The presidential panel created in June, consisting of 3 militaries and one
ex-congressman, recommended in October, that the Navy resume exercises,
although decreased by 50% and completely leave the island in 5 years. This is
unacceptable to the people in Vieques whose demands are: complete ouster of the
Navy, return of the land to the people, and the decontamination and development
of the island. Even though the Pentagon wants to evict them, the activists who
are camping in the restricted area are determined to stay until the Navy leaves
once and for all.
The CPRDV is asking for your support in their struggle. Mass actions and
continued exposure is needed. Among other things, they are asking that you call
the White House to tell Pres. Clinton to "Cease all Military Operations
and Get The Navy Out of Vieques Now!" at (202) 456-1111, Monday through
Friday, from 9AM-5PM EST.
Bibliography:
1. Encyclopedia Brittannica
2. Arraiza Navas, Fermín: "P.R. in the Decolonization Decade
1990-2000", Revista del Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico. 3. Fact Sheet
from the Museum Fort Count Mirasol, Vieques, PR 4. Statement of the Rear
Admiral Ernest E. Christensen, Jr. before the Insular and International Affairs
Subcommittee of the House Committee on Natural Resources, October 4, 1994 5. El
Nuevo Día Newspaper, lunes 2 de agosto de 1999. 6. Rabin, Robert:
"Historia de Vieques: Cinco Siglos de Lucha de un Pueblo
Puertorriqueño".
Philadelphia International Action Center
813 S 48th St.
Phila, PA 19143
Tel.: (215) 724-1618
Fax: (215) 724-8513
E-mail: usnov@hotmail.com
Postal Addresses of the Vieques'
Political Prisoners, in jail for opposing the U.S. Navy bombing of their
island:
1- Prisoner's name, number & unit:
Alberto de Jesús (Tito Kayak) - 19580-069 Unit 1C
Antonio Guarionex Torres Peña - 21566-069 Unit 4B
Eduardo Questell - 24437-069 Unit 4B
Félix Rodríguez - 21439-069 Unit 4B
Ismael Guadalupe -- 19520-069 Unit 4B
Justo Echevarría - 21434-069 Unit 4B
Luis A. Olivera - 21569-069 Unit 4B
Pablo O'Leary -- 21550-069 Unit 4B
Rubén Berríos Martínez- 21440-069 Unit 4B
Samuel Soto - 20107-069 Unit 4B
Tomás Vargas - 21436-069 Unit 4B
2- Address:
MDC Guaynabo
PO BOX 2147
San Juan, PR 00922-2147
Remember that all the mail is read by the prison authorities. Don't
write anything confidential
