Resident Commissioner demands Pentagon transparency over spike in military activity

Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández, has called on the U.S. Department of Defense for an immediate briefing and full transparency following a sudden surge in military-related activity affecting the island. The concerns include unexplained airspace restrictions, reports of training exercises, and new authorizations for munitions disposal on the island municipality of Vieques.

Local authorities say they were not notified about these developments, prompting Hernández to demand clarity from federal officials. “Any indication of new military operations in Vieques — whether on land or in FAA-controlled airspace — requires a clear and immediate explanation,” Hernández wrote in a letter to the Pentagon. “The people of Puerto Rico have the right to know, without ambiguity, what operations are being authorized and whether these activities jeopardize the federally mandated cleanup process. Vieques cannot endure more uncertainty or decisions made without transparency.”

For decades, the former U.S. Navy bombing range in Vieques has been the focus of one of the largest and most sensitive environmental cleanups in the country, following years of military exercises that left contamination and long-term health impacts on residents.

In recent weeks, unexplained activity has raised alarms including a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) restricting airspace over Ceiba for “special security reasons” from November 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026; reports of training exercises at Camp Santiago in Salinas on November 20; and new authorization for munitions disposal at the former Vieques range.

Last week, Hernández issued a public statement as soon as the first NOTAMs and reports surfaced, stressing the need for immediate transparency from the Department of Defense. He is also working with a broader congressional coalition to push for greater oversight and clarity on these activities.