Abraham Villasenor Landa That's more than 2.3 million people. During the last election cycle, thenSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell described adding the two new states as an example of full-bore socialism. Arizona Senate candidate Martha McSally warned that if the new states were added, Republicans might never get the Senate back.. At night here, its almost as if we had no curfew," Lpez told WKAQ. Puerto Rico. 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 . Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. No portions of this website may be reproduced, retransmitted, copied, or republished without expressed written consent from Shore News Media & Marketing, LLC. Visit FBIJobs.gov for information on current hiring and recruitment opportunities, including internships and collegiate hiring. All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. The Marshals will Business magazine Fast Company has recognized Discover Puerto Rico in the Travel and Hospitality category of its Worlds Most Innovative Companies ranking for 2023. It does seem likely that Puerto Rico would be a mostly blue state for the time being. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Mayagez Strike Force investigated the case. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. 2008-2023 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd. Co. All rights reserved. Some who support free association. . The overall unemployment rate in Puerto Rico in April 2021 was 8.4 percent, and since May 2020 has ranged between 8.3 - 9.3 percent of the labor force. 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. Discover Puerto Ricos chief executive officer, Brad Dean, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the organizations desire to showcase the islands unique culture to visitors. The 29-year-old, a nurse and mother of three girls, just wanted to be safe. Some co-conspirators collected the profits from the drug trafficking sales and traveled within the municipality of Mayagez and other areas nearby to deliver the proceeds to the leaders of the organization. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Violent Crimes - Murders. On October 14, 2019 a drug related shootout took place in the Ramos Antonini public housing project where five people were shot and killed. Pedro Pierluisi. A CT bill would expand it fur, Is CT recycling going into the trash? . Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Carmona Serrano was subsequently featured as one of the Marshals from the Violent Fugitive Task Force and Hartford police arrested Jeffrey Lopez-Alameda Thursday morning in the 200 block of Hillside Avenue. CT proposal causes confusion, concern. 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. If you look at the actual data, Puerto Rico is genuinely a swing state, says Laws Garca. 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. Sierra Jimenez was on supervised release at the time of the incident. The indictment alleges that from in or about the year 2017, 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 Manuel Hernndez Rosa, commonly known as Candelaria, Rafael Hernndez, also known as Kennedy, and El Carmen Public Housing Projects, and other areas in the municipality of Mayagez, all for financial gain and profit. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Mayagez Strike Force investigated the case. 140 Carlos Chardon AvenueHato Rey, PR 00918(787) 987-6500, Municipalities covered: Aguas Buenas, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Bayamn, Caguas, Canovanas, Carolina, Catao, Cayey, Ciales, Cidra, Comerio, Corozal, Dorado, Florida, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Loiza, Manati, Morovis, Naranjito, San Juan, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, and Utuado. 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. The administration plans to release $1.3 billion that was meant to help Puerto Rico rebuild after Hurricane Maria in 2017, and will remove restrictions on another $4.9 billion. Get information about how to check in with your local ICE Office here. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. Puerto Rico is a large island located in the Caribbean. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. As part of the conspiracy, the members of the drug trafficking gang established drug points that moved within different areas inside the public housing project to avoid police detection. 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. An official website of the United States government. It is a popular vacation spot for people in the US & Canada. 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. Israel Melndez Ayala, 34, a longtime resident of Old San Juan, saw many tourists without masks when he and his partner went out to walk their dog this week. On May 31, 2019, authorities in Puerto Rico issued an . Two Individuals and a Healthcare Management Company Indicted for Bankruptcy Fraud, Money Laundering, PPP Fraud, and Bank Fraud, 02.23.2023 San Juan, PR The U.S. Marshals-led Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force arrested a suspected leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) wanted in the Southern District of New York. They have a sense of entitlement and apathy I don't understand. The population is just over 3-million people, with an additional 4-million tourists . No Thanks The .gov means its official. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company announced this week that it launched an English-language educational campaign to alert tourists of the island's Covid-19 restrictions and the consequences of not following the rules. The U.S. has governed Puerto Rico under various arrangements since invading it during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Marshals Office of Public Affairs (703) 740-1699. Marshal Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra announces the arrest of Juan Sierra Jimenez, a dangerous fugitive and main suspect of a shooting that left five people dead. The site is secure. The .gov means its official. Even Joe Manchin, the Senates swing vote and previously a Puerto Rico statehood skeptic, now at least says hes open to the idea. Since the start of the pandemic, at least 1,079 have been arrested for violating Covid-19 restrictions put in place by executive orders, Lpez Figueroa said last week, adding that Puerto Rican police have received at least 3,689 complaints over Covid-19 violations. Still, most Republicans dont seem in a hurry to take a chance. "This is a clear statement to all fugitives from the law," said U.S. and the White House had issued a controversial report saying the federal government could do anything it wanted with Puerto Rico, including selling it to another . Being just a two-hour flight from Miami, it's easy to get to. HUNG TIEN PHAM. History of the FBI's San Juan, Puerto Rico Field Office. Because of the cheap flights, were receiving tourists were not used to seeing," said Dr. Victor Ramos, president of Puerto Rico's physicians association and part of groups of science experts advising Gov. I Close-Read the 113-Page Complaint Trying to Ban the Abortion Pill in Texas. During the debate over statehood for Alaska in the 1950s, the assumption was that the state would be Democratic, and indeed its first two elected senators were Democrats. That's more than 2.3 million people . Discover Puerto Rico's 'Live Boricua' campaign highlights Puerto Rican culinary delights such as the 'bacalaito,' or cod fritter. "Top 10" most wanted in the District of Puerto Rico. 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. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. And as far as beaches go, it doesn't get better than the sands of Isla de Viequesparticularly Mosquito Bay, where at night, the water glows blue-green thanks to . The candidates from the pro-commonwealth PPD, the Citizens Victory Movement, and the Independence Party combined for a little less than 60 percent of the vote, which also suggests that support for statehood is not exactly overwhelming. This is He also notes that in Alaska and Hawaii, support for statehood increased dramatically after Congress officially put statehood on the table, making it a viable and realistic option. One of the major damages that colonialism does to you is the fear of making final decisions, says journalist and historian Pedro Reina-Prez. "We are doing people-powered journalism. First Federal Law Enforcement Agency. 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. Marshal shotand killed suspect during warrant execution in D.C. But Puerto Rico has not seen an uptick in cases since December, reporting its lowest positivity rate in February (5.2 percent) since Covid-19 deaths rose around Thanksgiving. 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 An AK-47, Glock pistol, narcotics and a large amount of U.S. currency was also found in the residence. Why Ketanji Brown Jackson Split With the Courts Liberals in a 54 Decision. Marshals Office of Public Affairs (703) 740-1699 U.S. 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. Not again.". 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. We're still living in the middle of a pandemic, and people can't come here and act as if the virus doesn't exist. A large amount of U.S. currency and several firearms were confiscated at the residence. Gov. As Puerto Rico continues to reopen and welcome more tourists, experts and residents worry that travelers unwillingness to follow Covid-19 protocols could reverse some of the progress theyve made so far. Statehood advocates like Laws Garca dismiss this proposal as unnecessarily convoluted and argue that Puerto Rican voters have already had their say via their elected representatives. HSI thanks our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their significant cooperation in dismantling this drug trafficking organization.. Report Waste, Fraud, Abuse or Misconduct to the Inspector General, USAO Monitor Selection for Corporate Criminal Enforcement. emailStay Connected Officials said he was wanted in connection with a 2019 homicide in Puerto Rico. Episode 5: What's it like to be a special agent with HSI? Marshal District of Puerto Rico San Juan, PR (939) 475-2962 U.S. 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. Marshals took place. The currently dominant New Progressive Party, or PNP, favors statehood. Part of the argument for admitting Hawaii at the same time was that it was more Republican-leaning and would balance things out. But when it comes to Covid-19, the two places have little in common. Unless otherwise stated, photos Big Stock Photography Dreamstime Photos Google Maps Thompson Reuters. 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. DEA and our federal, state and local partners have not let our guard down. 2021, after a year-long investigation the PRVOTF located the residence Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez faces charges of shooting the security guard in a San Juan nightclub. Some who support independence. But George Laws Garca, executive director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council, a D.C.-based advocacy group, argues that the majority has spoken, and that its time to move forward. 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. The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the conspiracy, to wit leaders, enforcers, runners, sellers, and facilitators. WASAJU: Stunning views and amazing guide! 2021 News is My Business. Please try again. Her death was the first femicide of 2021 in Puerto Rico, where violence against women is a longstanding problem. Theres a sister or two who support statehood. - See 419 traveller reviews, 35 candid photos, and great deals for San Juan, Puerto Rico, at Tripadvisor. A series of viral videos have shown tourists violating the islands midnight curfew, mask mandate and physical distancing guidelines, among other restrictions. leader of a DTO operating out of several public housing projects in the Thats for the people of Puerto Rico to determine, she says. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. While police increase their presence, local business owners in Santurce said in a statement they are worried that the issues around tourist behavior and the ensuing crackdown will impact their businesses. "This is another significant arrest since the new initiative led by the U.S. Whether Puerto Rico actually wants to be a state is still an open question. Discover Puerto Ricos marketing campaigns showcase the islands beaches and popular attractions such as Old San Juan, the El Yunque rainforest and bioluminescent bays as well as highlight Puerto Rican cultural traditions such as bomba dancing; the vejigantes tradition of folkloric characters who make an appearance at festivals; Puerto Rican music; culinary delights such as bacalaitos, empanadillas and mofongo; and cocktails like the pia colada, which is widely believed to have originated in Puerto Rico. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has backed statehood in the past, but recently changed his tune, saying that the 2020 referendum process was not fair and tying his objections to a controversial law critics say is aimed at turning the island into a tax haven. Puerto Rico is a large Caribbean island of roughly 3,500 square miles located in the West Indies. According to Discover Puerto Ricos Visitor Profile study, the warm climate, scenic beauty and Puerto Rican culture are the top factors that influence travelers to choose the island as their destination. In 2020, on the same day as the U.S. presidential election, Puerto Rico held a statehood referendum. If you have information about the whereabouts of these fugitives, immediately contact your local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office or call the national hotline at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE as soon as possible. PEDRO SANTAMARIA. Americas One straightforward solutionsome sayis to restructure things by adding more states. Carmona Serrano was charged June 3, 2020, with attempted murder by It is alleged that on February 15, 2021, officers in Puerto Rico conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with expired registration tags that Rodriguez-Maldonado was driving and during the encounter, Rodriguez-Maldonado led officers on a high speed pursuit and shot at two officers. . Marshals Service said. Puerto Ricans in the U.S. territory have avoided overwhelming their already fragile health care system during the pandemic so far, mainly because of extraordinary measures the local government put in place early on and peoples willingness to comply with them. 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 They provided no additional information about the homicide. He took what we wanted to see and incorporated the most thorough . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Carmona Serrano was subsequently featured as one of the "Top 10" most wanted in the District of Puerto Rico. 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. Americas First Federal Law Enforcement Agency, Have a question about government services? Reviewed 30 August 2021 . and several firearms were confiscated at the residence. But neither is the support for any other option. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. The islands government was mired in a grinding debt crisisthe result, in large part, of federal economic policieswhich the Obama administration responded to in 2016 by setting up an oversight board to manage Puerto Ricos finances; the board is widely despised on the island as an unelected colonial imposition. Carmona Serrano was charged June 3, 2020, with attempted murder by Puerto Rico authorities after he shot at a police officer during a traffic stop. The site is secure. Puerto Rico enacted strict Covid measures. Opinion has been divided between those who wanted to retain the existing arrangements for governing locally - known as . 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. In 48 hours, they received $10,000. ", Those visits have an impact on our economy," Pierluisi said. Who am I to tell any of my family whats right for them? she says. An AK-47, Glock pistol, narcotics and a large amount of U.S. currency was also found in the residence. It seems like were not responding to the incidents, but we truly are, Police Commissioner Antonio Lpez Figueroa said days earlier about the situation. The Republican opposition to Puerto Rican statehood is a little ironic. Think Youre Smarter Than a What Next Producer? pic.twitter.com/FwPuP9Rjvr, At the same time, Puerto Rico's governor said Thursday he sees the anticipated rise in tourism as something positive. At different points during the conspiracy the leaders provided members of the organization with different types of firearms to protect themselves, the narcotics, and their proceeds. On March 10, Puerto Rico Perform a free Puerto Rico public warrant search, including warrant records, checks, lookups, databases, inquiries, lists, and bench warrant searches. This is the first part of a series where youll get an inside look at USERTfrom their rigorous training to tools of the trade. ABIOLA AYORINDE KAYODE. Just last weekend, the police issued over 500 fines, including 110 for not wearing a mask, Lpez Figueroa said. 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. Send me updates about Slate special offers. 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. Thats not quite how it turned out in the long run. But that doesnt mean it would stay that way forever. Then, in 2020, came a deadly earthquake. 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. Required fields are marked *. In 2020, on the same day as the U.S. presidential election, Puerto Rico held a statehood referendum. For Democrats, the idea has obvious appeal: Democrats can support congressional representation for long-underserved populations and boost their own electoral odds at the same time. Nicole Acevedo is a reporter for NBC News Digital. I have seven brothers and sisters. San Juan, PR U.S. Marshals Service can be found You can also submit a tip electronically at tips.fbi.gov. In most municipios it has remained at or below 10 percent, but in many interior mountain areas it is a whopping 10-20 percent. Tara O'Neill was formerly a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group. As a member of Congress, I should not interfere with that process. Additional information about the U.S. firearms violations. As part of the conspiracy, the members of the drug trafficking gang established drug points that would move within different areas inside the public housing projects in order to avoid police detection; and operated during the day and night, at times operated 24 hours a day. Without the strong backing of figures like Scott and Rubio, the bill has almost no chance of getting 60 votes in the Senate. 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. The co-conspirators of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated. Up to 8,041 crimes classified as illegal appropriations were recorded in the . QuickFacts provides statistics for all states and counties, and for cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or more. 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. U.S. (This was at least an improvement over the 2017 referendum, which was boycotted by the opposition and only got 23 percent turnout.) The smaller Independence Party advocates for a complete break from the U.S. (A newly formed left-wing party, the Citizens Victory Movement, aims to distinguish itself by intentionally downplaying the statehood question.). continue to work closely with our state local law enforcement partners 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 2090 2100 Year 4.0M 3.5M 3.0M 2.5M 2.0M 1.5M 1.0M 500k 0.0 Population Population, 1990-2100. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The credit union industry continues to perform very well and figures for the financial stability index show a stable behavior.. U.S. They provided no additional information about the homicide. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. This means a process held outside what she calls the territorial cloth. The bill would set up a status convention, with delegates elected by Puerto Rican voters, that would develop a long-term solution for Puerto Ricos status. Get FBI email alerts Hike the massive El Yunque rainforest to explore waterfalls and wildlife. An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Firearm Possession; Gang Membership; Narcotics, Immigration Authority Delegation Program 287(g). President Joe Biden has been vague but certainly does not seem opposed to the idea. Along with our main office in San Juan, we have five satellite offices, known as resident agencies, in the area. Working in conjunction with investigators from S/NY, the PRVOTF assumed the lead on the investigation. U.S. territory have avoided overwhelming their already fragile health care system, riding a scooter in the middle of a busy highway. 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. The 30 co-conspirators acted in different roles in order to further the goals of their organization, to wit: four suppliers and 26 sellers. Housing units, July 1, 2021, (V2021) X: Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2017-2021: 68.0%: Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2017-2021: $111,800: Puerto Ricans have had U.S. citizenship since 1917, but werent able to elect their own government until 1948. Hartford police worked with U.S. Additional information about the U.S. 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. 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. San Juan, PR The U.S. Marshals-led Puerto Rico Violent 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.
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