What Is Vieques? ˇ
  • Vieques is part of Puerto Rico and lies off the east coast of the main island.
  • Its population is 9,400 people.
  • Since the Second World War, the US Navy has expropriated 3/4 of the land to carry out its military practices and maneuvers.
  • The Navy agreed that it has used toxic substances such as degraded uranium and napalm.
  • The Navy invites the armed forces of other countries to carry out joint military practices in Vieques.
  • An average of 77 war ships bombard Vieques each year.

    What Problems Has the Navy Brought to Vieques?

  • It forced a massive emigration of the residents, and has hampered their development as a people.
  • Tremors caused by the bombing have cracked houses and buildings.
  • The destruction of resources and of marine areas limits the means of support of families and fishermen.
  • 45% of the population suffers from chronic effects of contamination with mercury.
  • There is proof that crustaceans, plants and soil are contaminated with heavy metals.
  • 72% of the population lives below the poverty level.
  • The unemployment rate is 60%.
  • The cancer rate is 26% higher than in the rest of Puerto Rico.
  • The land has suffered destruction, deforestation and contamination.
  • The mortality rate is 40%, compared to the rest of Puerto Rico.

    What Are We Doing?

  • Our goal is for the Navy to return the land to the people of Vieques, clean and free. To achieve this
  • Many civil disobedience camps have been erected in the restricted target area of the Navy since April 1999. (they were cleared by the NAVY on May 3rd, 2003... but they did their purpose)
  • The civil disobedience campaign continues: thousands of people have been arrested in Puerto Rico and the numbers are increasing.
  • This includes members of the legislature, fishermen, artists, labor and religious leaders, and business people, among others.
  • Civil disobedience has taken place in Washington, DC, New York, and other cities in the United States.
  • A march of more than 200,000 protesters, the largest in Puerto Rico, was held in February, 2000, to demand Peace for Vieques.
  • Lobbying groups of civil society are being organized to inform USA Congress of the reality in Vieques.
  • Links with the Puerto Rican and Latin American communities in the United States have been established.
  • Medical and environmental research has been carried out to evaluate the impact of the Navy exercises on Vieques.
  • Links have been established with international communities in the United States, Spain, Argentina, Korea, and Japan, among others.
  • At present there are several court cases against the Navy for violations of civil rights and damage to the environment. Federal judjes are still sitting on top of those cases.
  • Puerto Rico elected a new government administration on November 2000 based on its promise to pursue the end of bombings and to have US Navy leave the island.
  • The new mayor of Vieques won over 62% of the votes based on his promise to have the US Navy end the bombings and leave Vieques.

    Who Are We?

  • Todo Puerto Rico con Vieques is a civil organization, committed to the defense of human rights in Vieques. Its spokespersons are José Paraliticci, PhD., Atty. Josefina Pantoja, and Pilar Beléndez, PhD.

    Taken from documents published by "Todo Puerto Rico con Vieques".