The 132 new Puerto Rico Police officers will begin their duties immediately in the areas of greatest need on the island, as they join the 229 officers certified in September. (Facebook via Jenniffer González Colón) 132 new police officers are certified By THE STAR STAFF Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said during the certification of 132 new Puerto Rico Police officers on Monday that the island is ending 2025 with a historic reduction in violent crimes, femicides and suicides.

During the construction period, the Natatorium’s administrative offices will remain operational. However, all pool-related services will be suspended while the improvements are underway, as a safety measure for staff and the public. By THE STAR STAFF San Juan Mayor Miguel A. Romero Lugo announced the start of the remodeling and renovation of the San Juan Natatorium, a project that is part of Phase 3 of the rehabilitation of Dr. Hernán Padilla Central Park. The initiative repr

Several MQ-9 Reaper drones at Aguadilla’s Rafael Hernández Airport point to expanded U.S. surveillance operations in the region. (Benny Villanueva/BennyOnLens) By THE STAR STAFF Several MQ-9 Reaper drones have been spotted at Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, signaling an escalation in U.S. surveillance operations across the Caribbean as Washington intensifies pressure on Venezuela. Footage taken on December 26 shows multiple drones parked and taxiing on the

Conceptual planning of the Esencia project in Cabo Rojo (CPI - Investigative Journalism Center website) By THE STAR STAFF The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) legislative delegation has strongly condemned the decision by the Office of Permit Management (OGPe) to issue an Environmental Compliance Determination for the controversial “Esencia de Cabo Rojo” development project. Senator Adrián González and PIP Secretary General Juan Dalmau joined representatives Denis Márquez

Although MINH maintains that any congressional initiative should explicitly acknowledge independence as a legitimate and viable option, local political consensus remains difficult to achieve. By THE STAR STAFF The Hostosiano National Independence Movement (MINH) has endorsed U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock’s proposal to introduce legislation for a referendum on Puerto Rico’s self-determination and independence. However, the measure—driven largely by Puerto Rican diaspora orga

By THE STAR STAFF The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico has responded to Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz’s recent inquiries about the use of federal rum excise tax revenues and the Puerto Rico Trust Fund to pay the pensions of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority retirees, signaling that any changes to these funding streams should be considered during the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027 budget process. In a letter dated December 26, 2025, the Board ackn

Public safety, community tranquility, and the protection of vulnerable populations are among the reasons for introducing measures to regulate the sale and use of fireworks. By THE STAR STAFF Senator Ada Álvarez Conde introduced a measure to create a new, more rigorous fireworks law called the “PROTECTE” Fireworks Law: Regulation, Order, Tranquility, Environment, Guarantee and Empathy of Puerto Rico, with the aim of responsibly addressing the use, possession and sale of firewo

The concept of the rights of nature posits that nature has its own existence and is not subject to human control. It is also linked to human rights and well-being because, to survive, human beings depend on a healthy ecosystem. By THE STAR STAFF Caribbean scientists are warning about the urgent need to legislate in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to protect the rights of nature, as has already happened in 40 countries that have achieved important legal victories for endangered