Madres Contra la Guerra (Mothers against War) has organized protests against the possible return of U.S. military to the Roosevelt Roads naval base. This 20 year old organization mobilizes against military recruitment in schools and advocates for peaceful resolution of international issues and against war. Like most of us, they do not want to see a war on U.S. soil, including the Island.
El Vocero is conducting an interactive poll on the subject, asking “Do you support the return of military activity to Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba?” Its current results — 75.9% in favor — are consistent with other polls. Commenters point out that Puerto Rico has always been very important to U.S. security, and that U.S. defense is important for Puerto Rico’s security as well.
Roosevelt Roads
Roosevelt Roads was once the largest U.S. Navy base in the world. Protests against the Navy, sparked by the accidental death of a civilian, led to the closure of the naval base in 2003. As with other bases from the early and mid 20th century, the installation left dangerous and toxic environments behind. The Department of Defense cleanup of Vieques and Culebra are ongoing.
Since that time, there have been attempts to make use of the land. Developments have been planned but have stalled. About 40% of the property is now a wetlands preserve, and part of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Parts of the old base have been transferred to the territorial government and parts are for sale.
In the past few weeks, though, military aircraft, ships, vehicles, and personnel have reappeared at the parts of Roosevelt Roads that still belong to the federal government.
Hopes and fears
While there are people in Puerto Rico who are fearful that redeployment of the U.S. military in Puerto Rico could put the Island in the crosshairs if the United States goes to war with Venezuela, most Puerto Ricans see the current activity as a chance for greater security from drug traffickers and gang violence. Most violent crime in Puerto Rico revolves around the drug trade, and leaders have been asking for more security at the Caribbean border of the United States for decades.
The closure of the naval base also meant the end of about 3,500 civilian jobs and a loss of an estimated $300 million to local communities. An article by Ken Oliver-Mendez in Caribbean Business at the time estimated the total cost of the closure at $1 billion per year. Local people and government leaders hope that increased activity at the site could provide not only greater safety but also an economic boost.
Responsibility
Puerto Rico has a proud tradition of military service. The U.S. military in Puerto Rico has been key to national security since before Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory, and Puerto Rico’s sons and daughters have supported the services ever since Puerto Rico gained citizenship in 1917.
What’s more, the statehood movement has always clamored for both the rights and the responsibilities of statehood. Equal rights calls for equal responsibilities as well.
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