Peace & Justice Conversations: US Militarism in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has long been used as a training base and launching point for U.S. military operations. This legacy has left behind contaminated land, polluted groundwater, and serious multigenerational public health impacts. Through decades of activism and grassroots organizing, residents achieved major victories, including successfully driving the U.S. Navy out of Vieques. Today, however, we are seeing renewed militarization there under the Trump Administration. Carlos Cardona will share his personal perspective while discussing the current challenges, ongoing resistance movements, and the broader impact on Puerto Rican communities.

Puerto Rico has long been used as a training base and launching point for U.S. military operations. This legacy has left behind contaminated land, polluted groundwater, and serious multigenerational public health impacts. Through decades of activism and grassroots organizing, residents achieved major victories, including successfully driving the U.S. Navy out of Vieques. Today, however, we are seeing renewed militarization there under the Trump Administration. Carlos Cardona will share his personal perspective while discussing the current challenges, ongoing resistance movements, and the broader impact on Puerto Rican communities.