Series

Dozens of cuerdas — a land measure roughly equivalent to an acre in Puerto Rico — of public land passed into private hands through an irregular process. The Justice Department is investigating after the CPI and Rayos X raised questions about possible fraud.

Court records reveal property sales involving stolen identities and other alleged irregularities, raising questions about oversight by notaries, the Property Registry and the justice system’s response.

Cruise visits to Caribbean ports have more than doubled since 2000, rising from about 14.5 million arrivals to roughly 35.5 million in 2025, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The industry and its backers promise economic growth, but critics say the cruise bargain is becoming increasingly unfavorable for island destinations.

Any of the alternatives presented by the developer for extracting water for the project would threaten water security and natural resources in southwestern Puerto Rico, agencies and experts agree.

Residents say the territory’s tourism-dependent economy strains basic services and leaves local communities bearing the costs, even as public investment continues to favor the industry.

While the number of cruise passengers visiting Old San Juan rose 11% from 2015 to 2025, residents warn that the influx is straining public infrastructure and community life.

Cruise visits to Caribbean ports have more than doubled since 2000, rising from about 14.5 million arrivals to roughly 35.5 million in 2025, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The industry and its backers promise economic growth, but critics say the cruise bargain is becoming increasingly unfavorable for island destinations.

The group behind the Planning and Permits Code proposed by the governor of Puerto Rico lacked the academic diversity and expertise necessary to reform the permitting framework, resulting in proposals without metrics or rigorous studies to support them.

Although dozens of municipalities have privatized the handling of public nuisance properties, others have chosen to establish community land banks or manage them through trusts that guarantee affordable housing.

The measure would expand the authority of permit professionals, a group that has drawn criticism from professional associations, business groups, environmental organizations and academics since its creation.

Environmental and civic organizations say they are overwhelmed by the many legislative measures that would upend the permitting system, affect the environment and limit their participation in the review and legal challenges of development projects.

A judge ordered Puerto Rico’s Treasury Department to explain why it awarded an $8.7 million Lottery Bureau advertising contract to another agency, despite Digimedia receiving the highest score in the bidding process.

Veintinueve de Febrero has secured up to $8.7 million to oversee Puerto Rico Lottery campaigns.

VERDICT: FALSE

The proposed construction of Esencia comes as home prices and sales in the western municipality of Puerto Rico rise, even as residents struggle to secure a place of their own at an affordable cost.

Although municipalities and private individuals have filed dozens of lawsuits against Universal Properties seeking repayment and alleging breach of contract, five mayors awarded new contracts to a company tied to Universal’s management.