PIP alleges municipal inaction amid crises on 3 fronts in Salinas

By The Star Staff

Víctor Alvarado Guzmán, the spokesperson for the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) in the southern coastal town of Salinas, raised alarms earlier this week over what he described as the municipality’s state of abandonment, citing a growing convergence of social, environmental and public safety crises. Alvarado asserted that the issues underscore a lack of planning and decisive action by Mayor Karilyn Bonilla Colón.

One of the most pressing concerns for Salinas residents in 2025, Alvarado said, has been a surge in violent crime.

“Salinas faces an alarming and painful reality that can no longer be ignored by municipal and state authorities,” he said. “Our town ranks among the top ten municipalities for homicides in 2025, as reported in the media -- a figure that reflects the collapse of prevention, security, and social support policies.”

The PIP leader also pointed to findings from an August 2025 analysis by the nonprofit Taller Salud, which revealed that between June 2023 and February 2024, half of Salinas households reduced their daily meals due to food shortages, while 65% of women live below the poverty line.

“These numbers are not mere statistics; they represent the accelerated impoverishment of our communities and the absence of effective municipal policies to address inequality and food insecurity,” Alvarado stressed.

He further denounced the growing problem of abandoned animals in Salinas, criticizing the lack of programs, resources and administrative will to tackle the issue.

“The proliferation of stray animals is yet another sign of institutional neglect and the municipality’s inability to fulfill its basic responsibilities,” Alvarado said. “The mayor acknowledges the problem but fails to take concrete steps toward solutions.”

The PIP spokesperson said his party has submitted multiple proposals to address the aforementioned and other challenges, but efforts have been blocked by the president of the Municipal Assembly. He cited the poor management of the local recycling program as an example, which he says has led to setbacks in solid waste management and environmental deterioration.

“The Assembly president has refused to investigate the deficiencies in the recycling program, despite a formal request from PIP municipal legislator Emilio Nieves Torres,” Alvarado added. “There is no interest in improving services for our people -- especially if those initiatives come from other political parties.”

Salinas had not answered requests for comments as of press time.