US, Cuba Hold Talks in Washington - CJ

US, Cuba Hold Talks in Washington

July 17, 2013 | 10:16 pm |Print

Above: Washington

By the Caribbean Journal staff

US and Cuban officials held their first bilateral migration talks since the beginning of 2011 on Wednesday.

The talks covered the implementation of the 1994 and 1995 US-Cuba Migration Accords, according to a release from the State Department.

The department said the agenda for the talks “reflected longstanding US priorities on Cuba migration issues.”

“The US delegation highlighted areas of successful cooperation in migration, including advances in aviation safety and visa processing, while also identifying actions needed to ensure that the goals of the accords are fully met, especially those having to do with safeguarding the lives of intending immigrants,” the department said.

The US said it also reiterated a call for the “immediate release” of Alan Gross, an American citizen who has been imprisoned in the Caribbean country since 2009 for what the US said was “solely for trying to facilitate communications between Cuba’s citizens and the rest of the world.”

The US side on the talks was led by Alex Lee, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, while Cuba’s delegation was led by Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, the Director General for US affairs in Cuba’s Foreign Ministry.

In a statement, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said the talks had been held in a “climate of respect.”

Cuba said it “reiterated its willingness to maintain these exchanges in the future, given their importance to both countries.”

The two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations.

US, Puerto Rico Sign Deal to Reform Police Agency By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Agreement Is Reached on Police Reforms in Puerto Rico - NYT | Agreement announced to reform Puerto Rico's police force - CNN | ACLU: “Esperamos que los puertorriqueños no tengan que temer más a su Policía” - ENDia

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July 17, 2013

Agreement Is Reached on Police Reforms in Puerto Rico

By LIZETTE ALVAREZ

The government of Puerto Rico and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights division on Wednesday formalized a sweeping agreement meant to overcome a history of discrimination, violence and corruption in the commonwealth’s Police Department. The agreement is the result of a long investigation by the Justice Department and a consent decree announced in December to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit. Its implementation was delayed to give the new governor, Alejandro García Padilla, time to review it and it is subject to approval by Judge Gustavo Gelpi of Federal District Court. Among other things, it will require the Police Department to implement new policies on the use of force and specialized tactical units, domestic violence, interactions with transgender people, crowd control, police training and promotions.

17 de julio de 2013

4:51 p.m.

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July 17, 2013

US, Puerto Rico Sign Deal to Reform Police Agency

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder pledged $10 million on Wednesday to the Puerto Rican government as it finalized a deal to reform the U.S. territory's police agency, which has long been accused of illegal killings, corruption and civil rights violations.

The announcement ended two years of negotiations to transform the department. It is the second-largest force in the U.S. with more than 17,000 officers.

Puerto Rico has 10 years to implement all the changes, Holder said.

"Although I recognize that complete and lasting reform will not take hold overnight, I'm confident that this agreement lays out a clear path for responding to concerns, correcting troubling practices, safeguarding the rights of Puerto Rican citizens, restoring public trust, and ensuring public safety," he said.

The 100-page agreement calls on the police department to build public confidence, establish new disciplinary procedures and create a use-of-force policy. It also demands additional training for officers before they're assigned to the streets, and for a supervisor to be present when suspects resist arrest, among numerous other changes.

U.S. and local officials had signed the deal in December, but Puerto Rico's government requested more time to modify the agreement.

Some changes were made given the economic realities of Puerto Rico, said Justice Secretary Luis Sanchez Betances. The island of 3.7 million people is struggling to emerge from a seven-year recession.

Sanchez said an estimated initial investment of $60 million to $80 million will be needed for changes in the first two years.

He said that U.S. and Puerto Rico officials have 90 days to choose an independent adviser to oversee the changes and if no agreement is reached, a federal judge will appoint someone.

Puerto Rico Police Chief Hector Pesquera said the department is committed to making all the changes.

Acting Associate Attorney Tony West said that on Thursday he will discuss the agreement with high-ranking police officials. He stressed that community leaders will be essential in helping reform the agency.

The call for reform came after a September 2011 federal report in which prosecutors condemned the police for what it said was numerous constitutional violations.

"Officers have unnecessarily injured hundreds of people and killed numerous others," the report said. "The amount of crime and corruption involving ... officers further illustrates that the Puerto Rico police department is in profound disrepair."

Shortly afterward, the U.S. government filed a lawsuit noting that authorities had arrested more than 1,700 officers on charges including murder, rape and drug trafficking from January 2005 to November 2010.

Puerto Rico residents also filed more than 1,500 complaints against officers for unjustified or excessive force from 2004 to 2008.

The American Civil Liberties Union filed its own lawsuit accusing the police department of excessive force and civil rights violations. ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said the organization is close to reaching an agreement with the police agency to drop the legal action if the U.S. requirements are followed.

"We trust that this historic settlement means that Puerto Ricans will no longer have to live in fear of their own police force," Romero said.

ACLU: “Esperamos que los puertorriqueños no tengan que temer más a su Policía”

Elogia el acuerdo que permitirá dejar en suspenso la demanda federal

Romero se expresó satisfecho con el acuerdo entre el gobierno federal y el gobierno de la Isla. (archivo)

POR ELNUEVODIA.COM

WASHINGTON – La Unión Americana de Libertades Civiles (ACLU)  expresó su esperanza de que con el acuerdo que regulará la demanda del gobierno federal contra la Policía de Puerto Rico “los puertorriqueños no tengan que temer más” a su propio departamento policial.

“Estamos muy contentos de que finalmente, el gobierno de Puerto Rico trabajará con el Departamento de Justicia para ponerle fin al rampante abuso policial que ha plagado a la isla por tantos años”, indicó hoy el puertorriqueño Anthony Romero, director ejecutivo y principal funcionario de la ACLU, con oficina principal en Nueva York.

Tras meses de negociaciones, el Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos firmó este miércoles un acuerdo con el Gobierno de Puerto Rico para impulsar la reforma en la Policía local, en aras de establecer mayores controles en ese cuerpo de seguridad pública, profesionalizar a sus integrantes y procurar que se garanticen los derechos civiles de las personas.

Romero sostuvo que la ACLU y el bufete de abogados Kirkland & Ellis, que sometieron su propia demanda que denunció a la Policía por violarle sistemáticamente los derechos civiles a los residentes de Puerto Rico, están cerca de llegar a una transacción que eche a un lado la otra batalla judicial.

El acuerdo de transacción se basaría en gran medida en las promesas que hace el gobierno de Puerto Rico en el decreto de consentimiento suscrito hoy en San Juan por el secretario de Justicia de Estados Unidos, Eric Holder, y el gobernador Alejandro García Padilla.

Tags

• Policía
• demanda contra la policía
• ACLU

Agreement announced to reform Puerto Rico's police force

By Carol Cratty, CNN

July 18, 2013 -- Updated 0010 GMT (0810 HKT)

A statue of Juan Ponce de Leon sits in front of the second oldest church in the world in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: ACLU welcomes the agreement
• A federal judge still needs to approve the agreement
• Investigation found police used excessive force to suppress free speech
• It also cited unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests

(CNN) -- The Justice Department and Puerto Rico signed a major civil rights agreement Wednesday to reform the commonwealth's very troubled police force.

The pact faces final approval by a federal judge, who will oversee its enforcement.

An earlier Justice Department investigation found numerous problems in the Puerto Rico Police Department, the nation's second-largest, including:

-- Excessive use of force to suppress free speech.

-- Unconstitutional stops, searches and arrests.

-- A failure to investigate sexual assault and domestic violence allegations.

"Although I recognize that complete and lasting reform will not take hold overnight, I'm confident that this agreement lays out a clear path for responding to concerns, correcting troubling practices, safeguarding the rights of Puerto Rican citizens, restoring public trust, and ensuring public safety," Attorney General Eric Holder said in remarks prepared for a news conference.

According to the Justice Department, the agreement with Puerto Rico is among the most extensive agreements involving the police misconduct provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

The American Civil Liberties Union welcomed the agreement on an issue it highlighted more than a year ago.

"At long last, the government of Puerto Rico will work together with the Justice Department to end the rampant police abuse that has plagued the island for so many years," Executive Director Anthony Romero said in a statement. "We trust that this historic settlement means that Puerto Ricans will no longer have to live in fear of their own police force. A court-enforceable agreement like this ensures that the PRPD will be held accountable if it fails to overhaul its policies and practices."

An ACLU report in June 2012 disclosed evidence of widespread abuses and violations of civil rights by the 17,000-strong police department, saying the force "has run amok for years." The abuse was "pervasive and systemic, island-wide and ongoing," the report said.

The Justice Department announced in December that it reached a preliminary agreement with Puerto Rico. It delayed implementation to allow then-incoming Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla the time to review it and suggest possible changes.

Puerto Rico's police force serves almost 4 million residents.

2012: White House weighs in on statehood vote

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» Clinton: ‘Puerto Rico could lead Caribbean in move toward energy independence’
17/07/13 08:24 from Caribnewss Facebook Wall
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The converging issues of heroin addiction and HIV have emerged as a public health emergency in Puerto Rico. With the government overwhelmed, non-profits groups try to fill the void

This report is a collaboration between the Guardian and Fusion, a joint venture between ABC News and Univision

Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico Can Lead Entire Caribbean Toward Energy Independence

July 16, 2013 | 3:24 pm |Print

Above: Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla and former US President Bill Clinton

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico has a large-scale solar project in the works, along with a pair of new wind farms. And if it plays its cards right, the US territory could lead the entire Caribbean toward a green future, according to former United States President Bill Clinton.

Clinton arrived in Puerto Rico this week as part of a push to promote green energy on the island, first meeting with Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla and then delivering a speech on energy and climate change at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico Tuesday afternoon.

“You clearly in Puerto Rico have a chance to lead the entire Caribbean in a move toward being energy independent,” he said. “You have a chance to set an example to the world in having an energy policy that allows economic growth and environmental responsibility.”

He said that, as in countries around the Caribbean, high energy costs were crippling economic growth in Puerto Rico.

“Whenever an economy has a cost that is glaringly out of line with its competitors, it is a severe constraint on growth,” he said.

“I I were planning Puerto Rico’s economic future, and wanted to keep the unemployment rate down and stop outmigration of Puerto Ricans and encourage them to come home, I would ask myself, ‘what can I do to increase the economic growth rate here in a way that generates more good jobs?’” he said. “The most obvious answer is to cut the cost of energy.”

Clinton offered several solutions – suggesting both a “Puerto Rican strategy and a neighbourhood strategy and eventually a Caribbean strategy” for energy.

That would involve looking to liquefied natural gas and increased solar and wind, the cost of which had fallen dramatically in recent years.

“Ultimately, the goal should be to liberate you from any reliance on oil in the generation of your electricity,” he said.

Recent years have seen a growth in green energy projects in Puerto Rico, highlighted by new wind farms in Santa Isabel and Punta Lima and a major solar energy project in Guayama.

And Clinton said projects in nearby countries like Haiti and the Dominican Republic underscored the promise of green energy for the Caribbean.

He specifically mentioned the Mirebalais Teaching Hospital in Haiti, which is entirely powered by solar energy and is the largest solar-powered building in the Caribbean.

“[Puerto Rico] could lead the whole Caribbean away from oil, away from the turbulence that climate change will be toward a more sustainable economy and a much more affordable one for the people who already live here, already work here and could use a little lower utility bill to invest in other things which will generate more economic growth by far,” he said.

16 de julio de 2013

2:13 p.m.

 

Culmina el foro de energía renovable con Bill Clinton

El expresidente de los Estados Unidos habló sobre la importancia de estos proyectos Video y fotos

• Fotos: Bill Clinton en Viejo San Juan
• Fotos: Bill Clinton en La Fortaleza

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Clinton se reunió con García Padilla en La Fortaleza. (tonito.zayas@gfrmedia.com)

Por ELNUEVODIA.COM

Luego de asistir a reuniones con el gobernador Alejandro García Padilla y el comisionado residente Pedro Pierluisi, el expresidente de Estados Unidos, Bill Clinton, realizó esta tarde un foro en el que presentó su perspectiva sobre iniciativas de energía renovable para Puerto Rico.

El exmandatario estadounidense hizo hincapié sobre la relevancia de proyectos sustentables y costo-efectivos para la generación de energía.

Durante su participación, Clinton favoreció la interconexión energética en la zona del Caribe y que el Congreso federal impulse una política energética para todas las jurisdicciones estadounidenses.

Asimismo, indicó que defiende el cierre de los vertederos. Entre otras ideas que discutió, está la de instalar placas solares en los techos de los edificios de la Isla. Y afirmo que Puerto Rico no puede perder los próximos años en la batalla contra el calentamiento global.

Además, el exmandatario sugirió que se utilicen en la Isla el gas natural, la energía solar, de viento y waste to energy. Entre las ventajas que enumeró está el hecho de que reducir el costo energético hará que la economía local crezca y frenará la masiva emigración.

El líder demócrata fue más allá al decir que Puerto Rico puede ser un ejemplo de independencia energética para el Caribe.

Como parte de su presentación en la Isla, Clinton intercambió impresiones con el economista Sergio Marxuach, del Centro para la Nueva Economía, y Carmen Guerrero, la secretaria Recursos Naturales y Ambientales.

Tags

• Alejandro García Padilla

July 16, 2013

1:59 pm

Pierluisi meets with Clinton

Resident Commissioner expressed his concern over the political status of the island Pictures and Video

• Look at the photos

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Pierluisi also added that Clinton told him about the status and outcome of the past which prevailed statehood plebiscite. (File)

By Limarys Suarez Torres / lsuarez1@elnuevodia.com

Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi met this evening with former President Bill Clinton to speak on renewable energy projects and their concern about the status of Puerto Rico.

"We talked about the challenges facing Puerto Rico and made emphasis on renewable energy projects and companies that want to come here.'s Think Puerto Rico should be a model in the energy field," said Pierluisi on leaving the meeting at the Sheraton Old San Juan.

Pierluisi also added that Clinton told him about the status and outcome of the past which prevailed statehood plebiscite.

"I explained the two projects that are before Congress on the status, what he did was listen to me and thank me for the information I gave him. Hopefully the governor take the meeting with him," he said.

Meanwhile, Pierluisi said the former U.S. thinks Puerto Rico can establish alliances with other Caribbean countries on renewable energy.

"I told him that the main economic development strategy that has been implemented in Puerto Rico from 70 to the present has been the largest grant tax exemptions to foreign companies investing in the island and it's clear that has not worked" said.

As he left the meeting at the Sheraton Resident Commissioner was preparing to go to renewable energy forum at the Conservatory of Music.

While Clinton came out hastily escorted to a brief meeting with the governor Alejandro García Padilla in La Fortaleza.

Tags

• Pedro Pierluisi
• Status
• Bill Clinton
• renewable energy

Arzobispo cuestiona decisión del Supremo de EEUU sobre matrimonios gays - Noticias247.pr

Arzobispo cuestiona decisión del Supremo de EEUU sobre matrimonios gays

Published on Friday, 28 June 2013 13:47

El Arzobispo de San Juan, Roberto González Nieves se opuso el jueves a la determinación del Tribunal Supremo de los Estados Unidos de que las parejas del mismo sexo, casadas legalmente, deberían tener los mismos beneficios federales con que cuentan las parejas heterosexuales.

• Arzobispo cuestiona decisión del Supremo de EEUU sobre matrimonios gays - Noticias247.pr - 6/28/2013 - 

PNP Secretary accused García Padilla of lying to President Clinton

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July 16, 2013

5:16 pm

PNP Secretary accused García Padilla of lying to President Clinton

Torres Zamora said the Governor lied about its energy policy

García Padilla said that during the first months of his administration adopted "the broader environmental and energy policy."(JOSE.MADERA @ GFRMEDIA.COM)

By ELNUEVODIA.COM

The secretary general of the New Progressive Party (PNP), Jose "Pichy" Torres Zamora, accused the governor Alejandro García Padilla of lying to U.S. president Bill Clinton on energy policy, and criticized him for wasting the opportunity to discuss with exmandatario the issue of the political status of Puerto Rico.

"Today (Tuesday) we have seen how, once again, Governor irresponsibly playing with the future of the people of Puerto Rico.Alejandro Garcia Padilla has had before him the president of the nation, and lied on the issue of renewable energy, "said Torres Zamora in a statement.

During his message on Renewable Energy Forum, García Padilla said that during the first months of his administration adopted the "widest environmental and energy policy," and said that during the past two weeks have issued permits for the construction of generating systems 100 megawatts of solar energy.

However, the PNP general secretary argued that, since joining Fortress, García Padilla supposedly "froze" around 62 projects of renewable energy production that left NPP signed former governor Luis Fortuño.

"Hypocritically speak of renewable energy when the first thing he did when he entered the island was mismanage freeze countless projects PNP administration had made ready. Participants, in their homes, they have to ask how it intends to fulfill its promise of down to 40% dependence on oil if it fails to start the project, "he said.

García Padilla said that the goal of his administration is to reduce dependence on oil for energy from 69% to 40% within five years.

Furthermore, Torres Zamora criticized the political status issue of Puerto Rico was not part of the agenda during Clinton's brief visit.

"We have a majority voting people who said he wants to define its political status, and Garcia Padilla continues to ignore that claim," said Torres Zamora.

» Secretario del PNP acusa a García Padilla de mentirle al expresidente Clinton
16/07/13 18:16 from El Nuevo Día : Política
Torres Zamora dijo que el Gobernador mintió sobre su política energética 

» Secretario del PNP acusa a gobernador de mentirle al expresidente Bill Clinton
16/07/13 18:08 from Primera Hora : Noticias
Criticó a Alejandro García Padilla por desaprovechar la oportunidad para discutir con el exmandatario el asunto del status político de Puerto Rico. 

Tags

• Alejandra Guzman
• Bill Clinton
• renewable energy

Foro de Energía Renovabe de la Fundación William J. Clinton - from La Fortaleza | Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico Can Lead Entire Caribbean Toward Energy Independence 16/07/13 16:24 from Caribbean Journal

Foro de Energía Renovabe de la Fundación William J. Clinton

Publicado el 16/07/2013 

El gobernador Alejandro García Padilla tuvo hoy el mensaje de apertura de los trabajos en el Foro de Energía Renovable, celebrado en la Sala José María Sanromá del Conservatorio de Música. Durante la actividad, el expresidente de los Estado Unidos Bill Clinton presentó su perspectiva sobre las alternativas de energía renovable que promueve su Fundación y la inserción de la isla en esas iniciativas.  En el conversatorio con el presidente Clinton participaron la planificadora Carmen Guerrero, secretaria de Recursos Naturales, y el economista Sergio Marxuach, director de Política Pública del Centro para la Nueva Economía.

» Foro de Energía Renovabe de la Fundación William J. Clinton
16/07/13 21:35 from La Fortaleza

» Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico Can Lead Entire Caribbean Toward Energy ... - Caribbean Journal
16/07/13 16:27 from caribbean - Google News
Edmonton JournalBill Clinton: Puerto Rico Can Lead Entire Caribbean Toward Energy ...Caribbean JournalPuerto Rico has a large-scale solar project in the works, along with a pair of new wind farms. And if it plays its cards right, the US ter...

» Bill Clinton: Puerto Rico Can Lead Entire Caribbean Toward Energy Independence
16/07/13 16:24 from Caribbean Journal
TweetAbove: Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla and former US President Bill Clinton   By the Caribbean Journal staff Puerto Rico has a large-scale solar project in the works, along with a pair of new wind farms. And if it plays its cards ri...

EN VIVO: Bill Clinton en Puerto Rico
16/07/13 15:13 from El Nuevo Día : Política
El expresidente de los Estados Unidos realiza una presentación sobre energía renovable 

» Pierluisi se reúne con Clinton
16/07/13 14:59 from El Nuevo Día : Política
El comisionado residente le expresó su preocupación sobre el status político de la isla