Renewed Military Presence โคin Puerto Rico โSparks outcryโข and Revives Viequesโฃ Trauma
The resurgence ofโ military activity in โคPuerto Rico, linked to escalating tensions with Venezuela, is triggering protests and reigniting long-held anxieties stemming from decades of US Navy presence, particularly on the island of Vieques. Recent developments, including the reactivation of Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and a preventative FAA advisory, have raised fears of a return to the extensive militarization Puerto Rico experienced for much of the 20th century.
Roosevelt Roads, originally conceived as an extension of the โฃNavy’s operations, was shuttered following the tragic death of David Sanes, a 35-year-old Vieques security guard. Sanes was killed in 1999โฃ when Navy โordnance accidentally struckโ a surveillanceโ post where he worked. This incident became a focal point in the widespread protests that ultimately lead to the Navy’s departure from Vieques after 60โ years of use as a bombing range and training ground.
However, the legacy of that military presence continues to plague Viequenses. The US government has yet to fully remediate the unexploded ordnance left behind, posing โฃongoing safety risks. Furthermore, โคstudies indicate disproportionately high levels of toxic metals โข- including mercury, uranium, and arsenic โข- in โขthe hair and urine of Vieques residents. These residents also experience substantially higher rates of cancer, heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, and infant โคmortality compared to other Puerto Ricans.
The recent authorization allowing the military to store ammunition inโ Vieques, beginning in January, has intensified these concerns. Juan Dalmau, a prominent figure with the Puerto Rican Independence Party โฃ(PIP) who placed second in the last gubernatorial election, has publicly condemned the move. In a letter addressed to Governor Pedro Gonzรกlez,Dalmau accused the US Navy of failing to address the environmental damage caused by decades of bombing and criticized the currentโค management forโค passively allowing Vieques to be used as a “military dumping ground.”
Governor Gonzรกlez has responded by stating that Vieques was not considered inโ discussions regarding the military deployment in Puerto Ricoโ and the Caribbean related โto the situation with Venezuela, and wasโข not slated for exercises. Sheโ also โnoted military presence in Aguadilla andโ Camp Santiago, in Salinas.
Adding to the heightened alert, the FAA issued a preventative advisory forโ all Puerto Rican airspace, effective from November 18, 2025, to February 16, 2026, citing a “possibly dangerous situation” due to increased military operations.
The renewed militarization is facing โopposition from both political leaders and citizens. New York Congresswoman Nydia velรกzquez, the highest-ranking puerto Rican in Congress, voiced her concerns in a recent interview, criticizingโค the โฃuse of Puertoโข Rico “as a platform to attack Venezuela.” Demonstrations have also taken place across the island, with protesters carrying signs demanding “gringos out of the Caribbean!” -โค a clear expression ofโค the deep-seated resentment and fear surrounding theโ return of โa โฃmeaningful US military presence.
