La Voz del Pueblo Taino

La Voz del Pueblo Taino (The Voice of the Taino People)
is the Official Newsletter of the United Confederation of Taino People
United States Regional Chapter

"This issue is dedicated to the people of Vieques island"

UCTP Delegation visits Vieques Island

Fact finding tour builds solidarity among Taino People within and out of the Caribbean

Vieques, Puerto Rico - A delegation of UCTP representatives left the United States in mid-October for a fact finding tour of the current situation of Vieques island. The tour, coordinated by the Consejo General de Tainos Borincanos, included a special meeting with Vieques Taino Elders, Carmelo Felix Matta and his wife Maria. While meeting at their home atop Monte Carmelo, the delegation learned that these Taino elders have a long history on Vieques of protecting and defending land rights and human/civil rights.

The 60 year US military presence on the island hasrecently become an international concern since a"practice" bombing resulted in the death of civilianisland resident, David Sanes Rodriguez, earlier this year. Since this fatal tragedy, a large encampmentof protestors has settled on the firing range to stop further live munitionsexercises. A host of politicians, clergy, dignitaries, student activist and local residents have visited this encampment since it was set up. Protestorshave vowed to remain on the range until the US military completely abandons the island.

IMAGE imgs/UCTP_Newsletter_-_Sept-O01.gif

On the island of Vieques, atop the mountain named in his honor,
human rights defender, Carmelo Felix and their granddaughters.

Matta, sits with his wife Maria

Photo: Roger Hernandez

No strangers to controversy concerning the US military,Vieques residents are currently crowded between nuclear radioactivity on its eastern end and new electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted by PRIDC'sROTHR Radar Project on its western section. The 9,400 "Puerto Rican" residents of "La Isla Nena"(Vieques) are currently apprehensive and unsettled by the recent attentionbeing focused on this Taino island paradise.

On this tiny island (about twice the size of Manhattan),half the population lives on untitled land with no deeds - a policy of neglect handled by tied administrators. With72% of the population living below the poverty level, there are also nogovernmental services available on this island to the natives who have fishedand farmed here just as their ancestors have done since time immemorial.

Residents must travel to the "big island" (PRmainland) for special attention; including medical services. The lack of a maternity ward has triggeredthe births of babies in Vieques airports, parking lots, and aboard airplanes inflight. It would seem that it isalright to die in Vieques, but not to be born. Presently, the only"development" activities permitted in the coastal waters of theisland are sewage discharge and bombing.

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