Rampant Crime
Puerto Rico paradise plagued with pollution
(eTN) - “Just Think” is a new copy line launched by the Office of Tourism for Puerto Rico (PR). Mario Gonzalez-Lafuente, Executive Director of the PR Tourism Company, is also asking us to Discover Why Puerto Rico Does It Better. Why PR tourism executives really want us to think very deeply about their commonwealth and to consider what the destination does better is a mystery to me.
Just Think: PR Highest Murder Rate in US
A press release issued by Annie Rodriguez, the Director of Communications and Public Relations for PR Tourism stated, “Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s Gonzalez: Puerto Rico is Safer Than Ever” (November 29, 2010). Even a cursory look at PR crime statistics challenges this statement.
Crime is so out of control in the commonweath that in October 2010, 750 FBI personnel were flown into PR to carry out raids and make arrests. According to Eric Holder, the US Attorney General, more than 1,000 FBI personnel participated in Operation Guard Shack, which was the largest crackdown on police corruption in the FBI’s 102-year history. In February 2010, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuno, activated 1,000 members of the National Guard to battle crime in this US territory.
In the past 8 years there have been 25 slayings of transgender people. Rose Ellen in a CNN iReport told the story of a 19-year-old gay Puerto Rican who was found on November 14, 2009 burned, dismembered, and decapitated, with arms, legs, and head torn off before the body was dumped. According to Ellen, the insensitivity of the police response demonstrated a prejudice against the gay community claiming that, “...people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen.”
Because PR is a US territory, the brutal murder is a hate crime (signed into law by President Barack Obama). Fortunately the killer was recently apprehended and is spending 99 years in jail. Finally acknowledging the serious nature of hate crimes, in June 2010, Guillermo Somoza-Colombani, the Attorney General for PR, convened a special committee to investigate. The committee includes the US Attorney’s office in San Juan, police officials, and the island’s civil rights commission.
The Center for the Prevention of Young Hispanic Violence of the University of PR conducted a study (2006) that revealed that between 1999 and 2003, homicide was the number one cause of death in the PR among young people between the ages of 15 and 29. The study concluded that in the years between 1990 and 1999, the risk of death by homicide in PR was one of the highest in the world, with a rate of 213.2 percent homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants, in contrast with the global rate of 10.7 percent for every 100,000 residents.
The locations with the highest crime rates include San Juan, Ponce, as well as Loiza and Catano. PR also has a massive marijuana problem as noted by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) and puntos de drogas, or drug points, can be found throughout Puerto Rican nightclubs, restaurants, bars, and city streets.
Fevers and Chills
PR is not the healthiest destination and in February 2010 PR declared a dengue fever epidemic with 210 dengue and three hemorrhagic dengue cases confirmed by Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez. Dengue, a tropical virus spread by mosquitoes for which there is no vaccine, causes fever, headaches, and extreme joint and muscle pain.
Moody’s Lowers Rating
In August 2010, Moody’s Investor Services lowered its outlook on PR to negative (specially A3 – just four notches above junk status), citing the likelihood that the government will have to incur significant debt to support the public pension system, as well as the country’s high unemployment, low workforce participation, and high poverty levels.
In PR It Does Not Stop
• To add other woes, there is concern with the public water supply reservoirs as they are filling with sand and other sediment reducing the storage capacity by as much as 60 percent over the last 50 years. The decline in capacity combined with population expansion presents a problem for long-term water supplies.
• Years of sand-mining from beaches and dunes have caused serious erosion, creating flooding and storm damage problems for coastal PR communities.
• According to attorney Cindy Badano, Animal Rights Special Committee President, dead animals are littering the roads, and their decomposition is creating a loss of US$15 million yearly as animal rights tourists are boycotting the island and refuse to return to see the pitiful scenes.
• On October 30, 2010, Governor Luis Fortuno lifted a ban on new construction for resorts and is permitting large-scale development inside the 3,200-acre parcel of land immediately north of El Yunque - the only tropical rain forest in the US National Forest system.
• Governor Fortuno is supporting a new coal-fired power plant and garbage facilities, alarming environmentalists.
• According to Camilla Feibelman of the Sierra Club, PR has many Superfund sites where the EPA is overseeing contaminant cleanup.
• Exposure to air pollutants from large ships includes nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter and can cause respiratory illnesses, such as lung disease, asthma, and heart disease. The Port of San Juan in Puerto Rico moves approximately 11 million metric tons of goods on nearly 3,800 vessel trips annually. It is also a major destination for over one million cruise ship passengers. It was reported in the States News Service (December 7, 2010) that because of the pollution caused by cruise lines and container vessels there is a proposal for these vessels in “emission control areas” to use much cleaner fuel or install better pollution control technology.
• On October 26, 2010, President Barack Obama declared the commonwealth and surrounding areas as qualified to receive a federal aid supplement to assist local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides associated with Tropical Storm Otto during the period of October 4-8, 2010.
• On September 29, 2010, the EPA approved a list of 593 instances in which a pollutant caused impairment in the PR water body that keeps it from supporting its designated use for drinking water, swimming and recreation, fishing, or other activities specified by the commonwealth. The most common pollutants causing impairment include pathogens, arsenic, and dissolved oxygen.
• In June 2010, the Red Cross declared the areas from Arecibo to Dorado and surrounding areas as Disaster Areas.
• Workers in PR earn half the per capita income of the poorest US state (Daily Herald, May 23, 2010).
• In 2009, 9 beaches were closed due to excessive levels of bacteriologicals: enterococci and fecal coliforms (from human waste contamination). The beaches included Cerro Gordo en Vega Alta, La Monseratte en Luquillo, Boqueron en Cabo Rojo, and Rincon (60 colonias).
• In a 2009, PR Asthma Surveillance Report, “...our population suffers from the highest asthma morbidity and mortality of all states and territories of the United States of America.” The CDC showed that PR had a significantly higher overall prevalence of lifetime (19.6%) and current (11.6%) asthma in the US. In a Wessex Institute study of PR air quality, it was found that on average the urban districts presented higher particulate matter concentrations than the rural area. The study also revealed that particulate matter concentrations at some areas and at certain time periods were above the US National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
• In addition, the global recession has hit PR tourism in its tourism pocket, showing a 4.7 percent decline in 2009.
Private Sector Supersized
The Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuno, is offering a 30-percent tax cut for businesses plus a five-year property tax holiday. PR is also waiving most fees for many real estate transactions. This robust public-private partnership program cuts capital gains for new housing proposals along with caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractices cases and a crackdown on frivolous laws.
What is Better
There are many optimists among the public and private sector executives in the PR, and it is likely that the economy, safety, security, employment, water safety, pollution, etc. for the country will improve overtime. However, in a Paradise Lost study by John M. Hunter and Sonia I. Arbona in the Journal of Social Science and Medicine, it was found that while “...rapid industrialization...” transformed PR, creating employment opportunities and raising living standards, “...in its wake is widespread pollution resulting in a landfill crisis, a heritage of toxic dumps, and an advancing tide of pollution…” The authors call upon “...inter-sectoral political leadership” to reverse the trend “...towards environmental deterioration.”
In most situations, countries wait for the worst conditions to be eliminated before making an announcement or at least hedging their bets by stating the problems and proposing solutions (Iceland and the volcano situation is an example). It is rare for a locale to call attention to its many shortcomings and publicly declare that “it is does it better” until it has found remedies that address the challenges and in fact are “doing it better.”
Perhaps the “Just Think” marketing campaign should “think” about the serious reality of the situation in the PR and “think” about a turnaround plan prior to drawing global attention to the many issues it faces.
Click here to read a response by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Comments
I hope Puerto Rico is doing better now with regards to all these negative news about them.
Puerto Rico is a US territory but not a State? What's the difference between a US territory and a State?
This post is not going to do good for Puerto Rico's tourism industry. People will think twice now before visiting the country.
maiby the case but pr is the size of tampa and orlando pute together maiby even less soo its bout one us city and if u dont beive the horrenduse things it says here u can look any paper of pr and see it 4 ur self imagine thise weekend 30 people were killed over 9 in 1 day that is impresive and its not like every one says in the housing projects its everywhere rarly at tourist areas but get out of the touridt area of sanjuan and ur dead!!!
im a local and i can tell that if u get out of the tourist zones u WILL see that pr isnt how u think right know the leader for many years of a community called la perla in san juan was arrested for being the leader of a drug cartel that was the most powerfull in the island i exort u to go to places like carolina,loiza or none turist areas of san juan includin rio piedras,hato rey and bayamon and santurces but remember enter the none tourist areas and look for more info on pr and u will see why just 3 days ago pr was officialy the crime capital of the world it is not how u think and if u go to places none tourist and enter u will get in trouble soo if u dont believe me ask any tourist!!
Ramon, US companies want to invest. But they are not going to because labor laws are against companies...workers have all the rigts and privileges.
Imagine, companies are compelled by LAW to pay a 6% Xmas bonus to most workers!!
Electric rates are sky high
(more than 60.000 residents pay a minimum fee for electricity)
Workers are NOT very productive, compared with other countries
Discipling workers is very difficult
The legislators in PR have to have a dsifferent mentality. They will do anything for vote.... forget the economy, forget business, only VOTE S
I agree with you. I have visited Puerto Rico for about half a dozen times and the reason I keep going back is because of the people. We even drove around the island at one visit and I'm still here and was not a victim of any crime. Puerto Rican's are very friendly and warm people. It seems they always make time to talk with you to either answer a simple question or to give advise on tourist areas.
I have visited Hawaii one time and I didn't think they were as open or friendly people.
That is why I keep going back to Puerto Rico. Hawaii is cleaner and the beaches are more pristine but after all they get a lot more help from the Government, since they are a state. Puerto Rico does not!!!
This article portrays a doomed island. While P.R. is not the paradise many say it is, it is not represented in this article.
Yes, the biggest concern for tourists is crime. People get killed everyday including innocent people. This is mainly a drug trafficking problem that the federal agencies that have jurisdiction over our borders are to blame. They can care less about it unless drugs are transported to the U.S. but they are not. They stay in P.R. Therefore, they can care less.
The environmental issue was caused by the U.S. corporations dumping waste in our soil. EPA picks and choose which companies it wants to follow its laws. Moreover, EPA laws are applied selectively.
Animal rights are almost non-existent here. Dogs, cats, etc. are killed and abused like nothing. Humane societies exist here but punishment is not severe enough to make people think twice about their acts. Well, they don't even have respect for humane life, let alone would they have it for animals, sadly.
Lastly, the government in P.R. has a different agenda. It does not concern itself with these issues that stem from the socioeconomic crisis in P.R. Every four years some John Doe is elected to represent his party and carry out its agenda...which is either make P.R. a state or keep the status quo. Politicians spend more time arguing with each other than coming up with ideas for our problems and carrying out solutions. The population is unmotivated in change due to political fanaticism and welfare benefits that only make them survive on a daily basis. Therefore, the government can carry out its agenda, make us get into more debt, and slave us in its hegemony. This corrupt government is the main cause of P.R.'s demise...a likely result of all the disparate policies and lack of proactive work.
Having moved my business headquarters to Puerto Rico three years ago for a tax grant, I can say hands down that I enjoy living within Puerto Rico much more than living within the continental United States.
Most US mainland cities have obstacles as does the island however I have found the people of Puerto Rico to be very welcoming and friendly. Sure things move a bit slower in Puerto Rico but unlike the US you will never get a camera speeding ticket for driving 3 miles over the speed limit.
Most crime takes place within housing projects and is not experienced by tourist. Also living in the heart of Condado I get a chance to mingle with the tourists that visit the island on a daily basis. In the 3 years I have only heard joyful stories of appreciation for the Island and its happy go lucky residents.
Puerto Rico has Sunshine, beautiful beaches, the only US rainforest, exotic cuisine, enormous cave systems, incredible night life, strong character and a little music constantly playing in the hearts of its fine people. All this is available on a short flight from many US cities. No passport needed.
All The Best’
John H
Sir,
Flint, MI and the other cities named did not have close to 1000 murders!
Thank You sir for being honest!
Sir,
The article is simply telling the truth. Puerto Rico is a failed territory. I lived there for three years and it simply was a nightmare on many levels. I would love for Puerto Rico to be a paradise however, it's just not true. For the people who have only lived in Puerto Rico it is paradise because it's the only placed they've lived. In my opinion the U.S. could cut its fiscal deficit by allowing PR to become an independant nation. In Puerto Rico mediocrity is the norm on many levels.
I was stunned to read your recent article in which the author suggests that the Island is an abject failure – a wasteland of crime, environmental disaster, government neglect, and social disarray. As other jurisdictions and all major cities we face challenges that I’m proud to say we deal in a very lawful and diligent matter at all levels, state and federal.
Where does one begin to rebut when accuracy doesn’t make an appearance in the article until the very end, and then only fleetingly, when the author writes: “There are many optimists among the public and private sector executives” in Puerto Rico.
As chairman of the board of directors of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, I am one of those optimists. And I have good reason to be. As a business leader on the Island for 17 years and chairman of a major association of other business leaders here, the picture painted in the article bears little resemblance to the Puerto Rico that I and millions of Island inhabitants and traveling Americans know well.
Indeed, contrary to the author’s point-of-view, Puerto Rico is a vibrant economic engine in the Caribbean that continues to serve as a top vacationing locale and a prime business investment locale.
The World Bank and International Finance Corp., in their annual worldwide “Doing Business” assessment, ranked Puerto Rico No. 5 among Latin American countries for ease of doing business – and first among other Caribbean islands.
That ease of business is evident in the hotel and leisure industry. For example, a number of leading hotel properties, such as the Sheraton Convention Center, the W Retreat & Spa in Vieques, the Condado Lagoon Villas, and the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort have opened in the last 18 months.
In addition, the Condado Vanderbilt and the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach Resort & Spa are opening soon. The Ritz-Carlton facility in particular highlights the Island’s viability among investors, who are investing over $340 million to develop what is being hailed as the Island’s first ultra-luxury six-star hotel.
In a vote of confidence about our Island, financing has been provided by Puerto Rico's Government Development Bank, with the joint participation of FirstBank, UBS Financial Services Inc., Popular Securities, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Development Fund.
At the same time, Puerto Rico already is recognized by many leading travel authorities as a premier destination. For example, Fodor’s has recognized Puerto Rico as the top travel destination in the Caribbean, while Arthur Frommer’s called Puerto Rico one of the top nightlife locales in the Caribbean.
All of which is to say that Puerto Rico is on the ascent. It is a safe and beautiful place, great tourism sites powered by a skilled and highly capable workforce, offering investors immense opportunity -- something that the business and tourism community recognizes fully.
Some here say Puerto Rico has the highest GDP in Latin America, this only tells half the story. Puerto Rico is at #69 while Chile is at #76 and Argentina #80 (CIA factbook). The difference between these 2 sovereign countries and the colonial regime of Puerto Rico is only $2,300 dollars, not very much. Chile and Argentina, both have a constant unemployment rate that is lower than 9% while Puerto Rico has right now a huge 17% and growing.
http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=14092&ArticleId=360782
In Puerto Rico the cost of living is much higher, San Juan is one of the most expensive cities, health cost, rent, groceries, energy, all are 3 times more expensive in Puerto Rico than in Chile or Argentina. Chile and Argentina do not have a murder rate of 26 per 100,000 habitants like Puerto Rico has. Puerto Rico is the crime capital of the caribbean and latin america, only Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras have more crime and homicides per capita than Puerto Rico.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37670735/ns/us_news-life/
The Economist named Puerto Rico the country with the worst GPD forecast in the globe for 2011. A negative -4.2%, 5 years of economic contraction. Puerto Rico has the worst economy forecast in the entire world.
http://media.economist.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/original-size/...
Other sovereign caribbean islands have a higher GNP and do not have the frightening social crisis of Puerto Rico. For instance Trinidad and Tobago is at #59 and the difference in GNP with Puerto Rico is $5,000, Barbados at #58, The Bahamas is at #47 and the difference in GNP with Puerto Rico is $12,000. None of these 3 sovereign islands have a 60% poverty rate like Puerto Rico, none of these islands have a 25 per 100,000 homicide rate, none of these islands are imprisoned by a colonial regime and their citizens are free in their own country.
Puerto Rico is a collapsing colony, a colonial regime in bankruptcy.
This article clearly reflects a political agenda to cause damage to our tourism. I think that the slogan Puerto Rico does it better has bothered the writer. Its just a slogan directed to potential visitors to illustrate the capacity of our people to bend over backwards to service, please and wellcome all visitors and tourist to our beloved island.
Many tourist who have visited other destinations always complaint about the treatment received not only by the hospitality industry personnel but also by the locals at large.
Even though the criminality might by high compare to ONLY A FEW destinations the readers must understand that crimes in PR for the most part stays in the housing projects. The tourist destinations in PR are very safe.
Also, the GNP of PR is low compare to other states in the union but our GNP is the highest in all of the Latin
America, just go to the CIA countries section and compare. PR has the highest college grads per capita and one of the highest in terms of exports. Practically have of all the medicines consume in the USA are manufactured in PR.
I dont understand why a publication concerning travel has to include our bond rating. Why does the bond rating which by the way is wrong because it has been upgraded to positive, has to do with tourism.
Obviously there is tremendous amount of bias toward PR so I found it extremelly dishonest.
The writing in this article is horrendous! I have trouble giving any credibility to a publication whose writers can't write!
Alexis C: where do you get your facts that Puerto Rico has a higher poverty rate than any Latin Republic...... P.R. has a per capita higher than any Latin Republic country.
Why dont you get out more and travel to Central and South America and see what is real poverty.
You are young and naive sucking off U.S. FEDERAL funds that pays your college tuition bad mouthing the hands that feeds you.
This article is definitely written by a person who has a hidden agenda against tourism in our island, either by competing with Puerto Rico tourist or for some reason do not justify a smear campaign like this against any country. I do not understand a relationship with the tourism people die of asthma or the bad economy. Where people do not die of asthma or the economy is good?. The crime is high as any other country at this time. Dengue if there as in any tropical country. None of this should be so important for a tourist as some details that the person forgot to mention in this article because just wanted to tarnish the image of our Country, but I want mention that Puerto Rico has an enviable climate fresh and pleasant , summer all year, we have some beautiful beaches include Vieques and Culebra islands beaches that have been recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the top 10 worldwide, have wonderful food, our people are very hospitable , we have a beautiful luxury hotels, we are one of the ports receives more tourists in the Caribbean on cruise ships and ours port are the basis of other more where they start and end enviable Caribbean vacation cruise. And do not write more reasons for tourists to visit our country because it would hurt the fingers of both write. In summary Puerto Rico does it better! Visit our island will not be disappointed!
It is a shame that your being a resident you dare to give the reason for someone who just read statistics and do not live here. If it is true that there is a high incidence of crime and disease but it exists in any country at this time we are living. Obviously this person who wrote it has hidden behind a campaign of this article. How you give a reason as ridiculous as this article that dares to mention that PR is not an good option for tourism because the economy is bad! Please who is financially well at the moment!? And you know it the crimes that you mention that they kill a person for a parking lot are isolated incidents! And you live in a gated community as prisoners of fear,I am very sorry that you are so unhappy, but not the reality of all Puerto Ricans.
I am a puertorrican living in the island. I have also lived abroad and traveled extensively, hold a PhD and earn a respectable living. All I can say about Dr. Garely's article is that it is spot on. We puertorricans may not like it, but it is accurate. I never encourage friends from the US to travel to PR, simply because it is unsafe. It doesn't matter if you try to keep yourself away from drugs or married people. Innocent people get killed ALL THE TIME. You can get caught in a shooting in a major city road - at noon, broad daylight - and be an innocent casualty, or be strolling with your spouse in the Old San Juan and be caught in a gang shooting. Or, better yet, go to the mall (again, in broad daylight) and get shot by someone who decided that your parking space was theirs. These have happened, and continue to happen. Even if it is a 5% ocurrence, would you risk being in that 5%??? And 5% of 4 million is 200,000 - not insignificant... My family and I live like virtual prisoners, we do not go out at night, live in a controlled access community, and try not to look over our shoulders every time we go out. I could go on and on, but I guess you get the idea.
Also, note that Dengue is potentially fatal, not just a fever, and many people have died misdiagnosed by the health professionals in the island. The entire health system is collapsed and doctors are leaving the island in hordes, looking for better working conditions and quality of life.
And did I mention that the employment participation rate is at 30%? Yes, 70% of the population able to work do not have a job. Many (too many) by choice, and many others because the economic policies of past and present governments have provoked their displacement.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to move to the mainland (family, health, financial reasons). But we can't hide the facts. And the blatant lies that our govenment feeds us are really despicable. Economic growth??? Read any article by The Economist that involves contracting economies and you'll see the truth. Even local private (non government) economists agree that the economy is still in contraction. Sorry for the long post. Just trying to make sure people are clear on what the reality of PR is, not what a paid government agency with a political agenda is pushing to portray.
In my opinion, anyone who thinks Puerto Rico is safer and enjoys a better quality of life than the rest of Latin America is living in lalaland. A 17% unemployment rate is unheard of in Costa Rica, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Venezuela, Panama, parts of Mexico, parts of Colombia. Puerto Rico's poverty rate is also higher than in other parts of Latin America. The murder rate in Puerto Rico is off the charts, in 2010 close to 1,000 were killed, that is simply scandalous in an island of 4 million people that has only 9,500 square kilometers. Puerto Rico is the unsafest place in Latin America. No other place has more murders per square mile than Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's violent situation, in my opinion, resembles Colombia during the 90's or Ciudad Juarez today, if you do not believe me you can check any newspaper from Puerto Rico online and see it for yourself, it is a war zone.
Also the absurd colonial status is bringing the island down, Puerto Rico is not free to trade with other nations like China or European Union and their economy is the worst, a recession that has lasted five years and counting, people are desperate and bankrupt, the largest supermarket Grande went bankrupt last year, unemployment is rampant, the historic district is full of drug addicts begging for money in every corner, i have even seen them with open scars and wounds walking around San Juan's tourist zone and nobody does anything, the police looks away, they are in every corner. You never see that horror show in major capital cities like Santiago Chile, Montevideo Uruguay or in Bogota Colombia. Also dead dogs and hungry stray cats are everywhere. Believe The Economist when it placed Puerto Rico dead last in their 2011 GDP forecast, the worst GDP growth in the world with a negative -4.2%, no other place comes close to that economic horror story.
Also Puerto Rico's gov. does not care to beat students and dissidents, student's passive protests are being now outlawed.
This happened at the Sheraton Hotel in Puerto Rico last year, right in the middle of the tourist zone and convention center www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RV8nzlyOFA&feature=related
also http://www.phillyimc.org/en/puerto-rico-beatings-sheraton
In Puerto Rico's capital, violent repression against students is dime a dozen, i have never seen or heard anything like that happening in Cuba or Dominican Republic, this happened last year in another tourist zone
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkJCMSRkrE0&feature=related
Puerto Rico is a lost paradise indeed. I agree with the article.
This article uses a number of problems, some of which are real, some of which are exaggerated, and most of which are common to other locations, to discredit Puerto Rico as a travel destination. NONE of the political or economic problems described in the article affect visitors in any way.
In addition, it contains a number of gross inaccuracies. The cities with the highest murder rates in the US are Flint, Michigan; Detroit, New Orleans (does this discourage tourists?), Irvigton NJ, and Philadelphia. No Puerto Rican city is even in the top 20 list.
It is evident this "article" is a smear job paid by some competitor. Your publication should remove this biased and bigoted article, and terminate any relationship with its author.
Puerto Rico is an illegal colony of the United States of America where the most important things the U.S. government directs.
- Setting the record straight -
PRTC's LaFuente's letter to ETN is a sad excuse for a response to the original article that prompted his follow up clip. Still, as a Puerto Rican living in the island, I may be able to do what the rest of us islander must do every day, do the government’s job, and get it done right.
The original article brings the house down and all Mr. La Fuente can say is that our inexperienced and perhaps inept governor is tough on crime. LaFuente misses the point of the article and forgets to address the author’s main claim: that Puerto Rico is a dangerous tourist trap wrapped in a dishonest tourist marketing campaign.
First, the fact that the PRTC campaign is dishonest does not erase the fact that Puerto Rico is indeed an extremely beautiful and diverse island. Crime is indeed a problem, but not for tourists as in competing destinations such as Jamaica, Mexico, and other countries in Central America. Puerto Rico may also be an expensive destination when compared to Central or South America destinations, but it is still the best bang for your buck when compared to the rest of the Caribbean, except for the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Haiti. Still, Puerto Rico offers something the rest of the Caribbean lacks: a sophisticated and extravagant nightlife that features a safe environment for most tourists, including a gay-friendly scene--notwithstanding the horror story highlighted in the original article. Please consider for a second that poor police response and lack of sensitivity towards crimes targeting minorities or gay populations is not a problem affecting Puerto Rico only. The fact that the U.S. government had to make such crimes a hate offense at federal level shows that this was a historical problem of national proportions in the U.S. The original article also fails to point out that most Caribbean islands lack a gay-friendly scene. For instance, two men holding hands in Jamaica may be a fatal miscalculation whereas in Puerto Rico there are dozens of openly gay clubs, bars, and gay friendly hotels operating in the island.
Puerto Rico also offers a diverse friendly population not found in any other island except for Cuba. Still, the freedoms enjoyed by Puerto Ricans can only be found in the United States itself. There are no restrictions on where anyone can travel or when.
Regarding the economic woes discussed in the original article, while it is true that Puerto Rico is not an exception to the global economic crisis, the island features a real middle class and an economic mobility that could very well be the envy of the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America, and a true measure of our pride as a nation. Most native populations found in the rest of the Caribbean lack the means to interact with visitors as their role and participation in the economic development of their respective islands is limited to low-skill jobs at hotels or serving visitors. The original article also highlights the fact that many American companies are reducing their investments in the island, but it fails to understand that the Puerto Rico economy is a complex affair and not entirely dependent on the investment of American corporations. We have a proud diverse native industry and perhaps the best colleges in the Caribbean. Although hand in hand with foreign investment, mostly from the United States, Puerto Rico has the tools to engineer its future and the know how to do it. For instance, University of Puerto Rico, although suffering from unprecedented funding cuts by the current governor, is one of the best in Latin America and rivals similarly situated schools in the United States, such as UNC, UVA, and UPEN.
Regarding the current governor’s attempt to dismantle the environmental protections in place to create the tropical equivalent of South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach, please note that there is a very well organized front fighting the governor’s plans. Although many laws and regulations have been modified or overruled to put the governor’s plan in place, any actual change in the environment is yet to take place. There are also dozens of non-governmental organizations dedicated to cleaning beaches, rivers, lagoons, and preserving the natural wonders of Puerto Rico.
In short, although the original article rightly measures the dishonesty of the PRTC campaign, if fails to understand that such dishonesty is not rooted on any lack of amazing offerings that Puerto Rico puts before its visitors, but merely a trait of our inexperienced and perhaps inept governor, Luis Fortuno.
So as a Puerto Rican I welcome you to consider visiting our amazingly beautiful island. We are a proud, complex, and tourist-friendly bunch willing to take the time to share a rum and coke while giving you directions to the nearest tropical wonder. Puerto Rico is as real as steel.
Todo lo que se dice en este articulo es correcto. Narco Rico es una anarquia de ultra derecha donde solo trabaja un 30% de la fuerza trabajadora y el resto vive del mantengo , las drogas y la economia subterranea.Un 60% de la poblacion carece de la educacion fundamental de convivencia y carecen de las valores y principios que hasta el 1970 este pueblo ostento. Col la llegada de los cupones la moral se fue perdiendo y ya nadie quiere trabajar por eso la economia se esta hundiendi y estamos en una contraccion de un 4.2% y una inflacion de un 2.4% . No hay vuelta atras no hay quien salve a esta Macondo.
PD. Seijo tienes la mitad dew la razon pero se te falto decir que quien usan las armas y la droga son nuestros compatriotas , OK?
GOOGLE AUTOMATIC TRANSLATION:
All that is said in this article is correct. Narco Rico is a right-wing anarchy where only works 30% of the workforce and keep the rest of lives, drugs and the economy subterranea.Un 60% of the population lacks basic education and lack of coexistence values and principles until 1970, this village is. Col arrival stamp was lost morale and nobody wants to work so the economy is hundiendi and are in a contraction of 4.2% and inflation of 2.4%. No turning back No one can save this Macondo.
PD. Seijo dew have half the reason but to say that I miss who use weapons and drugs are our compatriots, OK?
Puerto Rico is freaking awesome. "Dr" Garely is just another poser with a PhD from a crappy University with a clear agenda against Puerto Rico. Her article is fraught with inaccuracies and should be dismissed by most relatively intelligent human beings.
Puerto Rico is definitely one of the best travel/tourist destinations under US jurisdiction. With an almost-perfect weather all year long, Puerto Rico is by far one of the coolest places on the planet and its beaches are drop-dead gorgeous. People are extremely nice and welcoming and the night life is freaking great, that is if you are kind of cool(unlike the "Dr" who wrote this mediocre article.
As for the crime, locals do not mess with tourists--- this is a fact. 90% of the homicides take place among drug gangs and are confined to housing projects, where tourists never go.
As for the island's credit rating, STFU "Dr" -- not only are your comments wrong, but what tourist gives a darn about PR's credit???
Just visit Puerto Rico. Trust.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but I am neither blind or biased. Many of the situations the author mentions are true, especially the one related to animals. A lot of people get rid of their pets dumping them at the beach or just anywhere. Animal carcasses can be found in roads throughout the island. It really breaks my heart. People drive like madmen, showing a lack of courtesy and consideration towards others. Cars' signal lights are unheard of, you have to be psychic to know when people are going to change lanes. Puerto Ricans are obsessed with noise, loud music, TVs, cars, doesn't matter which just as long as there is noise. It seems like they cannot be in silence with just their thoughts. Discipline is a word that does not exist in their vocabulary. They just do whatever they want, especially drivers. They lack a conscience whenever they litter and do not recycle. They simply do not care. God, it is obvious how frustrated and tired I am of living in Puerto Rico, especially after traveling to more civilized places. Wish I could leave, but personal circumstances make it impossible for me to move someplace where people are more thoughtful and discliplined.
DR. TRASH: For Your Info: The drugs smugling are under de jurisdicton of US DEA; Fire arms (used to kill people in PR; the USA and world wide)are under USA ATF: Customs are controled by US CUSTOMS; the Control of the borders is under US BORDER PATROL. There are no cocaine plantations or fire arms factories in Puerto Rico, so every drugs or fire arm that arrive at the Island is US Manufactured or imported by US firms. To get to PR they most get thruout US CUSTOMS, US BORDER PATROL, US ATF, US Homeland Security, US NATIONAL GUARD and the unofficial Goverment of Puerto Rico at 'The CARTEL DE LA CHARDON" where Federal Judges and Fiscales Federales and last but not least, by the FBI quarter themselves. So we have to conclude that is all is as bad as you mentioned in your article you should blame the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and not the Puertorrican people or the Tourist Industry. In that case what you have to do is : GIVE US LIBERTY OR GIVES DEATH!
This is pure garbage...an obviously biased article that has nothing to do with travel and everything to do with this woman's distorted view of Puerto Rico. It is nothing more than a summery of all the headline news in Puerto Rico. Obviously there are problems here, and obviously people are here working on those problems. That's everywhere, anyway. But half this article addresses issues that have nothing to do with tourism! Tourists come to Puerto Rico and have a great time on pristine beaches. They are not harmed or harrassed. To the contrary, most go home talking about how warm and inviting the culture is here. They eat the food and drink the water without problems! The webmaster of this site needs to review their own ethics in allowing this kind of slander to be published on their site!!!
Really? Bonds have some fundamental impact on a tourist's decision to visit Puerto Rico? Wow!
Of course bonds have no fundamental impact on a tourist's decision to visit Puerto Rico. And any individual slightly informed about world matters, knows that NONE of the items cited by "Dr." Garely are issues impacting tourists visiting the island.
Those items might be issues, although not in such a dramatic way as portrayed by the good "Dr.", that we Puertorricans have to deal with as part of our development. Just as New York or Chicago or San Francisco, etc., have all those SAME issues to contend with on a daily basis. Just because those SAME issues take place within the continental US does not mean they are somehow not the same or are better dealt with up north. They are not. I would not be caught dead in some US destinations.
And one has to wonder, where is this hidden agenda coming from? Who is behind this idiocy or is it just plain, good old fashioned hatred? This outburst happens just as the Shania Twain paradise wedding pictures of Rincón, Puerto Rico were hitting the stands and the Internet. Pictures that had everyone raving about the island's natural beauty; pictures that have the world wanting to visit us!
We do not know what motivated the article, which came after the peak holiday season for traveling to Puerto Rico was over. Which rules out as a motive wanting to "protect" tourists.
What we do know is that a reputable industry expert, the industry in this case being tourism, would not include bond's ratings in a tourism evaluation. And since tourism is one of our island's major industries, we are not allowing and we are not standing for defamatory, emotionally charged and pedestrian evaluations.
The great thing accomplished by the "Dr.'s" article is that it is a great window of opportunity to talk about 100 beautiful, enticing and unforgettable things Puerto Rico is known for. For that, thank you Dr.
I will start the list with one and I am sure there will be no problem with having 99 other individuals state one beautiful, enticing and unforgettable thing about Puerto Rico.
The one beautiful, enticing and unforgettable thing about Puerto Rico I treasure most is: ITS PEOPLE. We are kind, warm, hospitable, cheery, family and friends oriented, thoughtful, creative and given to solidarity and once we become your friend, it is forever.
Again, thank you Dr.
Post new comment