Puerto Rico Population Drops 10% Over Past Decade

Press Release by the Jubilee USA Network on December 23, 2015.

Most People Left During Island's Economic Decline

WASHINGTON - The United States Census Bureau announced that Puerto Rico's population dropped nearly 10% over the past ten years. The island's population was at 3.8 million in 2004 but is now estimated at less than 3.5 million. Of the 330,000 people who left, the majority left in the past five years. The US territory is embroiled in financial crisis and according to the island's Governor, Puerto Rico could default on its $72 billion debt in January or May.

"The Census numbers reflect how deeply the crisis is hurting the millions of Americans who call Puerto Rico home," said Eric LeCompte, executive director of the religious development group Jubilee USA. "Nobody should have to leave their family and community behind out of desperation."

According to the Census Bureau's report, the only US state to lose population over the past five years was West Virginia, which lost less than 20,000 residents compared to Puerto Rico's 251,975.

Congress is currently debating laws to address Puerto Rico's debt crisis. Speaker Paul Ryan promised the House of Representatives would address the crisis by March. Various observers note that the US Treasury and Federal Reserve ‎also have tools to intervene in the growing economic crisis.

"The US Government needs to act immediately," noted LeCompte. "With no action, Puerto Rico's crisis deepens every day."

Read the latest Census Bureau report.

Read a timeline of Puerto Rico's debt crisis.

###

Jubilee USA Network is an alliance of more than 80 religious denominations and faith communities, human rights, environmental, labor, and community groups working for the definitive cancellation of crushing debts to fight poverty and injustice in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Beighley: Invest in tourism, buildup

Beighley: Invest in tourism, buildup

By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • January 28, 2010

When it comes to investing in the military buildup and expanding the island's tourism industry, Guam shouldn't have to choose one or the other.

Guam has the tools to balance and grow both industries, Jim Beighley, DFS Group senior vice president for Global Marketing and Market Development, told members of the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

Beighley was the keynote speaker at the Chamber's meeting at the Hyatt Regency Guam yesterday.

To revive the island's stagnant industry, the island's government and business leaders have been pursuing new tourism markets in China.

As well, the Guam Visitors Bureau is working with village mayors and other community leaders on the "We are Guam" campaign as part of its efforts to rebrand the island through authentic cultural experiences for tourists.

At the same time, the massive investments in the military buildup will inject funds into Guam's economy.

But Beighley pointed out that some elements of the buildup may conflict with tourism objectives, such as the military's proposal to limit access to some recreational and historic sites.

He said such conflicts were expected, but Guam must find a way to resolve those conflicts.

"This should not be an 'either or' discussion," he said. "Real solutions is where both sides find a way to win."

Whether it's working toward greater access to new tourism markets like China or fighting to protect Guam's culture, historic sites and natural resources in the midst of the buildup, Beighley said Guam needs to have a greater voice in Washington, D.C.

"Now more than ever, we need boots on the ground in Washington. ... It is irresponsible to think that our elected congressional official or our governor can accomplish everything on their own," he said.

He said other U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands do more to lobby in the federal government.

"We are fighting for billions of dollars of investment from other states and territories who have high unemployment and massive economic problems," he said. "We are outnumbered."

Beighley made it clear that he supported the buildup, and he understood why many people have been passionate against it.

"But as we are passionately engaged in this conversation and dialogue, we must be responsible enough to come to the table with solutions," he said. "Pointing out problems is only half the discussion and we have no time right now for that."

PNC :: Guam & Territorial Issues In Focus At National AG Meeting

PNC :: Guam & Territorial Issues In Focus At National AG Meeting

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Guam - Multiple issues that affect the U.S. territories in the Pacific region were addressed by Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco,

Assistant Secretary Anthony Babauta, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, and UOG President Dr. Robert A. Underwood during a recent national meeting held by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

The Plenary Session titled “Issues Facing the United States Territories – Their Unique Status” was chaired by Attorney General Limtiaco and included, in addition to Babauta and Underwood, U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Vincent Frazer, and Peter Hiebert, Legal Counsel, U.S. Virgin Islands Government.

The meeting marked the first time in NAAG’s history that a panel on Pacific Island issues was included in a NAAG national meeting. It was made possible after a request was made by Attorney General Limtiaco to NAAG and the Planning Committee of the 2009 Winter Meeting.

Assisting Attorney General Limtiaco in the planning and organization of the panel discussion were U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Vincent Frazer and American Samoa Attorney General Fepulea’i Afa (Arthur) Ripley, Jr.

“The issues that Assistant Secretary Babauta, Dr. Underwood and I, along with General Frazer and Attorney Hiebert, discussed will go a long way in helping other jurisdictions better understand the unique status of Guam and other Pacific Island territories and the issues that affect them,” Attorney General Limtiaco said.

Some of the issues that were discussed by the panel included national security, the impact of the military buildup in Guam, island resources and infrastructures, the economy, trade, labor, and immigration.

The meeting served as a venue to provide information and insight to Attorney General members of NAAG on key issues that impact Pacific Island territories, which may differ from or have no application to the states.

The participation of Assistant Secretary Babauta, via video, and Dr. Underwood, via teleconference, provided other Attorneys General from all over the United States with a comprehensive overview of the challenges Guam faces in different areas, Attorney General Limtiaco said.

Assistant Secretary Babauta also spoke about matters relative to all U.S. possessions in the Pacific region, which are under the purview of the Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

“I believe that it is through this networking and comprehension of each jurisdiction’s legal and socio-economic-related concerns that progress will continue to be made in the various areas that were discussed,” Attorney General Limtiaco said.

The National Association of Attorneys General is comprised of the Attorneys General of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the territories of Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands, and the commonwealths of the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.

Part of NAAG’s mission is to improve the quality of legal services provided to the states and territories, as well as to facilitate communication between the states’ chief legal officers and all levels of government.

Attorney General Limtiaco is a co-chair of the NAAG Criminal Law and Youth Access to Alcohol and Drugs Committees.

AG Dr Underwood: Guam Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, standing, and Attorneys General from various states listen to UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood via teleconference during the National Association of Attorneys General 2009 Winter Meeting. Underwood's powerpoint presentation is seen on the screen at right. The meeting marked the first time that issues affecting Guam and other pacific islands were included in the national meetings.

NAAG Winter Meeting: Guam Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, right, Virgin Islands Attorney General Vincent Frazer, middle, and Peter Hiebert, Legal Counsel, U.S. Virgin Islands, listen as Assistant Secretary Anthony Babauta, U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, speaks via video during the National Association of Attorneys General 2009 Winter Meeting. Babauta, along with UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood, were members of the "Issues Facing the United States Territories - Their Unique Status" panel, which General Limtiaco chaired. It was the first time that issues affecting pacific islands were included in the national meetings.

Written by : News Release

Self-rule opportunities missed

Self-rule opportunities missed

Monday, 16 November 2009 04:21
by Jude Lizama | Variety News Staff

EVOLVING in an ever changing post-9/11 political arena will be the best course of action for United States territories seeking political self determination, United Nations advisor, Dr. Carlyle Corbin told attendees during a recently held University of Guam public forum.

Corbin stated that the issue of commonwealth brought about by the government of Guam during the 1990s was complimented with great promise.

“The analysis that was done at that time was very critical. The CNMI covenant was in place for a few years prior to that and served as a very good basis for the attainment of certain autonomous powers,” he said, adding that “Had the Guam commonwealth been allowed to go forth, then at this point, 20 years later, if there is a definition of what is achievable, the territory would have evolved constitutionally and politically far more.”

The UN advisor also stated that most requests made by U.S. territories for further autonomy are often blocked by bureaucrats.

“In fact, we have not moved forward and there has been some degree of stagnation in terms of the political development,” he said.

Corbin added that all of the U.S. territories have done many things internally to try and address the issue of self determination, and break through the parameters of self determination status to determine what is possible and what is not. However, Corbin also cited that fact that prior efforts were also undertaken in a “pre-9/11” scenario. Additionally, the U.N. advisor stated that there is now a different view on “how much autonomy is given within the current arrangement.”

“All of these things are now continually evolving and the territories have to continue to follow, determine, and make their case, both in the U.S. Congressional arena and in the international arena as well.”

With to regards to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Corbin said that the resolution was adopted by consensus.

“It is not something that countries sign on to, necessarily,” he explained. “As a consensus, all countries around the world have agreed and supported with the exception of some who have made reservations on specific parts or specific paragraphs of the text.”

Corbin noted that there were “decades worth of favorable decisions in the United Nations” that were not implemented.

“If many of those were implemented, there would probably be fewer territories on the United Nations’ list,” he said. “Certainly, if those recommendations that were made by the United Nations with respect to Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been implemented, then none of us would be having this discussion today. We would be having another discussion.”