La Fortaleza News – Virgin Islands Free Press

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi concedes defeat in surprise primary upset by Jenniffer González

SAN JUAN (AP) — Puerto Rico congressional representative Jenniffer González defeated Gov. Pedro Pierluisi in a surprise upset during a primary election held Sunday by their pro-statehood party. The two…

John McCarthy June 3, 2024

Breaking News Caribbean News Environmental News

Puerto Rico declares state of emergency after heavy flooding, landslides

SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico’s governor has declared a state of emergency following heavy rains, widespread flooding and landslides in the U.S. commonwealth. One person has been reported missing. Governor Pedro…

John McCarthy May 12, 2024

At VIFreep Breaking News Government House News

USVI and Puerto Rico Governments Team Up To Recover Missing Plane, Pilots

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The Governments of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are working together to locate two men and their aircraft that went missing late on August 4th as…

John McCarthy August 10, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

Puerto Rico Governor’s 2 Cousins Guilty In Embezzlement Case

SAN JUAN (AP) — Two cousins of Puerto Rico’s Gov. Pedro Pierluisi pleaded guilty Thursday for embezzling an estimated $3.7 million in federal funds earmarked for the management of public…

John McCarthy April 14, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

As Bankruptcy Ends, Board Seeks To Boost Puerto Rico’s Economy

SAN JUAN (AP) — As Puerto Rico emerges from a drawn-out bankruptcy process, a federal control board that oversees the island’s finances announced Wednesday that it will focus on growing the…

John McCarthy April 6, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

Puerto Rico Governor Unveils Solar Energy Plans In Address

SAN JUAN (AP) — Gov. Pedro Pierluisi announced new solar energy initiatives on Tuesday during his annual state of the territory address, a speech viewed by many as critical as…

John McCarthy March 30, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

U.S. Ships Mega Generators To Puerto Rico To Ease Outages

SAN JUAN (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Friday that the U.S. government has shipped three mega generators to the island to help stabilize the U.S. territory’s rickety electric grid…

John McCarthy March 18, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

Top Court Ruling Unleashes Permit Upheaval in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN (AP) — A ruling by Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court has thrown into limbo hundreds of thousands of business and construction permits issued by a U.S. territory already struggling…

John McCarthy March 17, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

Puerto Rico to Pursue Abusers of Lax Tax Credit System

SAN JUAN (AP) — Puerto Rico announced today that it will start cracking down on those who abuse the U.S. territory’s tax credit system, an opaque and long unregulated sector…

John McCarthy January 17, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Crime News

Former Puerto Rican Governor Vazquez Arrested For Accepting Political Favors

SAN JUAN — Authorities announced criminal charges against former Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vazquez, who was in office from 2019 to 2021, for alleged corruption during her 2020 election campaign. The…

John McCarthy August 6, 2022