The Problem
Vieques, PR is an island community of over 8,000 US citizens who do not enjoy the privileges of self-determination. Laws and regulations are enacted by the US Congress and administrative agencies, while we have no vote. We are small and removed from the government of Puerto Rico who controls and exploits us, treating our inhabitants as inmates. Our needs are overshadowed by powerful special interests on the main island. The PR government does NOT govern for or with us, but rather does unto us whatever it wishes. Our schools are the worst of the worst, our medical care is dismal, our infrastructure decayed, our crime rate horrible, and access to services on the main island is restricted by the collapsed government run ferry service.
Vieques is a colony of a colony, and perhaps we should strive to become an independent country, as the US has repeatedly offered to PR as an option. The efforts we’ve made over the many decades within the system to improve our condition have failed to improve the community have been stifled by the Commonwealth or Federal governments. It’s time to think and act outside of the box.
There is an abundance of opportunity awaiting us. The possibilities are exciting to envision, but most concepts flounder in a sea of funding uncertainty. Fortunately, we have a plan to leverage government obligations to make us financially and environmentally sustainable as an independent country.
A Viable Transition Funding Plan
Our general plan could be “10:50:350”:
10: A ten-year transition into an independent, decolonized nation;
50: An annual $50,000,000 transfer payment to Vieques for 10 years;
The US gives a net of $20 billion to Puerto Rico every year, which averages about $5,700 per person. With 9,200 Vieques residents, that’s the equivalent of $50M.
350: Cash payments to Vieques totaling $350,000,000 by the US Navy;
The Superfund cleanup of the east end bombing range is slated to require 10 more years, cost well in excess of $250M, and leave 2% of the island unsafe and uninhabitable. The Navy has approved this funding already for Vieques.
This Discussion Guide is provided by Vieques-Libre Corp. to foster open communication and consensus building within the community to determine our mutual goals, discuss options, and to create a plan to reach them. The material presented is NOT the solution but merely a starting point for residents to consider. Active participation of citizens, young and old, is essential.
We can do this – with a lot of help from our friends! 