Date Created:
Place Created: Puerto Rico
Year Created: 1999
Historical Theme:
Description: The Vieques Island protests arose between 1999 and 2003 on the small Puerto Rican island of Vieques. These protests occurred against the United States Navy’s use of the island for live‑bombing exercises dating back to World War II. They ignited after an errant 500‑pound bomb dropped on April 19, 1999, killing civilian security officer David Sanes Rodríguez at a Navy range. This event sparked outrage among island residents. Local fishermen, community leaders, and environmental activists erected encampments within the bombing range and rallied under slogans such as “¡Ni Una Bomba Más!” (“Not One More Bomb”). This blocked military exercises and drew support from international figures and organizations. Under political and legal pressure, the Navy announced an end to live‑fire training on June 14, 2001. They fully withdrew from Vieques in May 2003.
Categories of Documents:
Puerto Rico