ACLU Asks Feds To Intervene In Human Rights Abuses in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging it to intervene in serious human rights and civil liberties abuses reported to be occurring against the people of Puerto Rico at the hands of the territory’s government. The ACLU asked that DOJ conclude its ongoing investigation of allegations of serious incidents of police violence and the suppression of free expression – including numerous reports of violent attacks against peaceful protesters and racially motivated police abuse – and take action to end these egregious practices.

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Posted by Sylvia Lopez

Puerto Rico's Economic Recovery Outlook Not Great

The recession here has been deeper than the downturn on the mainland. By mid-2010, total employment in Puerto Rico had fallen by 13 percent or 138,000 jobs from its peak in 2005. This is almost double the 7 percent job loss on the mainland from the employment peak to its trough. Furthermore, the recession in Puerto Rico has lasted about five years—three times as long as the mainland downturn. The recovery has also lagged that of the mainland. While the mainland’s economy began to recover in mid-2009, Puerto Rico’s economy continued to decline for another year.

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Posted by Sylvia Lopez

Violence Against Student Strike in Puerto Rico Escalates With Police Brutality and Rubber Bullets

More than 150 students practicing civil disobedience have been arrested thus far in Puerto Rico and riot police on Thursday escalated violent repression of a university strike with brutal arrests and rubber bullets during a sit-in demonstration at the capitol building. As President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for governmental prudence during a historic revolt in Egypt, the most basic free speech rights are under attack with apparent impunity in this U.S. territory of nearly four million U.S. citizens still grappling with a century-old colonial relationship with the United States.

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[Posted by Ariana Hernandez]

Puerto Rico signs 20 year deal with Bacardi

The Puerto Rican government has reached a deal with Barcardi Ltd to ensure the production of rum will stay on the island for the next 20 years.

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My analysis of what this means for the future of the island.

This is a critical move for the government to make because it a sign to future business that the island is a serious player for companies that considering places to produce their product. Furthermore, this gives merit to the future of the island in terms of its recent proposal to be included in US-Spain double taxation treaty because it shows that island is a very resourceful place for production. Hopefully in light of this recent news, Spanish companies will begin to consider the island for production of their products and we will see the island thrive in the years to come.

Orginal article by Yahoo Finance.

Article by Jordan Rodriguez

Puerto Rico Wants Inclusion in US-Spain Double Tax Treaty

Last week Governor Luis Fortuño announced that he has asked US officials to include Puerto Rico into the already existing double-taxation treaty between the United States and Spain. Fortuño thinks that by being included in the treaty that this will encourage Spanish companies to being investing in the island and that it will "add to all the elements that Puerto Rico already has to offer that make it an ideal place...to invest."

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Article posted by: Jordan Rodriguez
Original posted on: Puerto Rico Daily Sun