NationStates Jolt Archive

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - FBI agents in Puerto Rico on Friday searched five homes and a business to thwart what the agency said was a "domestic terrorist attack" planned by militants favoring independence for the U.S. island territory.

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The alleged attack would have involved explosives directed at "privately owned interests" and the public in Puerto Rico, according to Luis Fraticelli, special agent in charge of the FBI on the island.

Fraticelli's statement did not disclose details about the alleged attack or the investigation, which the FBI earlier said was focused on the pro-independence People's Boricua Army.

FBI spokesman Harry Rodriguez said there were no arrests, but declined to provide details.

The People's Boricua Army, also known as the Macheteros or "cane cutters," was accused of bombings and attacks in the 1970s and 1980s. The group was among three to claim responsibility for a 1979 attack in which gunmen opened fire on a U.S. Navy bus, killing two U.S. sailors.

In September, FBI agents shot and killed Filiberto Ojeda Rios, a leader of the Macheteros who was wanted for the 1983 robbery of an armored truck depot in Connecticut, after he allegedly opened fire when they came to arrest him at a farmhouse in a western town on the island.

Hundreds of protesters staged a demonstration late Friday outside the federal building in San Juan, accusing the FBI of persecuting the pro-independence movement.

They burned an American flag and chanted, "If the Yankees don't leave, they'll die in Puerto Rico!"

"I believe that this is an act of abuse and an act of persecution," said Alberto Jesus, known for leading protests against U.S. Navy bombing exercises on Vieques island. "We have here a foreign country that puts the label of terrorist on us."

As word spread of the FBI operation early Friday, protesters and reporters gathered outside an apartment building in San Juan as it was searched by agents.

A local television station broadcast images of federal agents using pepper spray on reporters and protesters.

Fraticelli said agents used "non-lethal force" when protesters and the media tried to cross a law enforcement perimeter. The move was necessary "to protect members of the media, the public and the law enforcement officers executing this lawful search warrant."

Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila denounced the incident, saying in a statement that there was "no justification for the excessive use of force."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060211/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/puerto_rico_militants;_ylt=AhBHADvg4U7EbI_xeM8XmsdvaA8F;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

I think it's time for the yankees to leave.:sniper:

:rolleyes: If more then 50% of Puerto Ricans want independence, save us the bloodshed and grant it... what the hell is so hard about that?

I think there was a poll a few years back about it and most didn't want independence. As it stands, Puerto Rico gets all the benefits of being a state and none of the downsides.

I’m all for getting rid of Puerto Rico whether they like it or not. They draw welfare, but don’t pay federal income taxes.

Puerto Rico holds votes periodically to decide if they should stay in their current arrangement, become a US state, or become independent. They always vote to maintain the status quo. Anyone who thinks that these Puerto Rican independence morons are freedom fighters rather than really stupid and arrogant criminals isn't too bright.

These terrorists are dumb enough to think that they can fight against both the US government and the will of their own people. They're arrogant enough to think that their own people are too stupid to vote in their own best interests. Basically the people pushing for Puerto Rican independence through crime and violence are thugs and the scum of the island.

Seems to me if the majority of the population want to remain united with the US, then they should do so. If polls show they do, then the country shouldn't bow down to a minority.

Puerto Rico holds votes periodically to decide if they should stay in their current arrangement, become a US state, or become independent. They always vote to maintain the status quo.

no they don't. the one thing puerto ricans are united on is disliking the status quo.

Like Yoda speaking are we?

no they don't. the one thing puerto ricans are united on is disliking the status quo.
How do you explain the results of the votes then?

How do you explain the results of the votes then?


the last vote had 50.3% voting 'none of the above' because the pro-statehood party that was in charge at the time made the ballot say 'territorial commonwealth'. the pro-commonwealth side doesn't want full independence (look how far that's gotten their neighbors), but they do campaign for what they call an 'enhanced commonwealth'.

the last vote had 50.3% voting 'none of the above' because the pro-statehood party that was in charge at the time made the ballot say 'territorial commonwealth'. the pro-commonwealth side doesn't want full independence (look how far that's gotten their neighbors), but they do campaign for what they call an 'enhanced commonwealth'.
Most people in Puerto Rico recognize that remaining part of the USA is in their best interests. They make money from welfare programs that would not be available if they were independent, they get money sent home from Puerto Ricans who move to the USA to find jobs, and they have no barriers to the lucrative trade with and tourism from the USA.

Only an estimated 5 percent of Puerto Ricans think independence is the way to go.

http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2003/vol7n13/OnceYouGetThere-en.shtml

Yeah, it's pretty clear that Puerto Rico wants independence.:rolleyes:

Most people in Puerto Rico recognize that remaining part of the USA is in their best interests. They make money from welfare programs that would not be available if they were independent, they get money sent home from Puerto Ricans who move to the USA to find jobs, and they have no barriers to the lucrative trade with and tourism from the USA.

yup. and that's part of why they don't want full independence - at least not immediately. but they largely want greater autonomy for themselves too and do not view themselves as being a territory. the sentiment there is one of anticolonialism, and it exists in all three of the parties with representation.

yup. and that's part of why they don't want full independence - at least not immediately. but they largely want greater autonomy for themselves too and do not view themselves as being a territory. the sentiment there is one of anticolonialism, and it exists in all three of the parties with representation.
Well my original point stands. Puerto Ricans by and large don't want independence. The few who do want independence in spite of the will of the vast majority of their neighbors and are willing to resort to crime and violence to get it are arrogant thugs who think they know better than the rest of their people. If they think that the few are so much wiser than the many I wonder what kind of government they'd support after independence?

The crazy thing about it is that the Congress would grant PR independence in a heartbeat. Puerto Rico is an economic ball and chain on the US, and a political sore.

Actually, I heard a rumour that the next time it comes up for a vote, remaining a territory isn't going to be on the ballot. PR will have to either choose independence or statehood.

I’m all for getting rid of Puerto Rico whether they like it or not. They draw welfare, but don’t pay federal income taxes.
Cut 'em loose, sez I.

I think it should become state along with Guam, and any other territory too. It would help the U.S. seem less imperilisitc and get Americans more pride. W need some more flavor.

The crazy thing about it is that the Congress would grant PR independence in a heartbeat. Puerto Rico is an economic ball and chain on the US, and a political sore.

Actually, I heard a rumour that the next time it comes up for a vote, remaining a territory isn't going to be on the ballot. PR will have to either choose independence or statehood.

Now how do you put 51 stars on the flag?

Now how do you put 51 stars on the flag?
Do away with the stars altogether. Here's my suggestion for a new flag.

http://www.moderndrunkardmagazine.com/images/wallpaper/mdm-flag-640%20.jpg

The crazy thing about it is that the Congress would grant PR independence in a heartbeat. Puerto Rico is an economic ball and chain on the US, and a political sore.

Actually, I heard a rumour that the next time it comes up for a vote, remaining a territory isn't going to be on the ballot. PR will have to either choose independence or statehood.
So they get to choose between being Haiti or Hawaii? Hmmm....