News from Puerto Rico:
More cocaine seized on board Puerto Rico-Dominican Republic ferry
May 23, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field operations officers discovered 2.45 kilograms (5.4 pounds) of cocaine concealed within a heavy duty truck arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from the Dominican Republic on the ferry on Friday.
Puerto Rico reports employment gains up to September 2012
May 23, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Puerto Rico’s only large county, the municipio of San Juan, reported an employment gain of 2.0 percent from September 2011 to September 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Tuesday. (Large counties are defined as those with employment of 75,000 or more...
Seaborne Airlines launches new direct service from San Juan to Martinique
May 23, 2013
NEW YORK, USA -- Travelling from the US to Martinique will be made easier with the launch of Seaborne Airlines’ new weekly service to the island beginning June 1. “This is a very exciting development and we are pleased that Seaborne Airlines has taken over the San Juan – Fort-de-France route...
Puerto Rico authorities seize unreported currency
May 20, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field operations officers seized more than $43,500 in unreported currency at the Luis Munoz Marin Airport in Puerto Rico last Wednesday, in two separate incidents. While conducting outbound operations on a JetBlue flight...
Narcotics discovered in vehicles arriving in Puerto Rico from Dominican Republic
May 17, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and special agents of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), seized a total of 6.04 kg (13.3 pounds) of heroin and 5.14 kg (11.3 pounds) of cocaine...
Puerto Rico man faces life in prison for killing federal witness
May 9, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Xavier Jiménez-Benceví, aka ‘Xavi,’ 28, faces life in prison following his conviction of murdering Delia Sánchez-Sánchez, a federal witness on a drug trafficking case. On April 30, 2013, Jiménez-Benceví was convicted of...
US to pilot international-to-international baggage program in Puerto Rico
May 4, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection has announced the implementation of the International to International (ITI) baggage pilot program at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Bacardi tours
May 1, 2013
Did you know that the Puerto Rico Bacardi distillery is the largest rum distillery in the world? The distillery is located close to Old San Juan. If you are planning to visit Puerto Rico, be sure to include this place in your itinerary.
A new era in medical travel begins in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica
April 26, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The International Medical Tourism Center (IMTC) is now offering its services on the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico as part of its expansion from Costa Rica. IMTC is the evolution of the company formerly known as...
Bush tea to become McDonalds menu item in USVI and Puerto Rico
April 20, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- Bush tea is a healthy and nutritional beverage that has sustained the test of time as it remains in high demand in spite of culinary shifts in the US Virgin Islands diet. It is therefore an historic moment as McDonalds in Puerto Rico and...
Puerto Rico International Regatta ready to set sail
April 6, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Preparations are underway for the seventh edition of the Puerto Rico Heineken International Regatta (PRHIR), which will take place Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27 at the Palmas Yacht Club in Palmas del Mar, Humacao.
Haitian migrants apprehended over weekend by Puerto Rico authorities
March 28, 2013
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico – US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US Coast Guard (USCG), and Puerto Rico Police (PRPD) apprehended 113 undocumented immigrant citizens of Haiti over the weekend in three separate events.
Puerto Rico authorities apprehend 11 undocumented migrants
March 21, 2013
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Coast Guard (USCG) apprehended 11 undocumented migrants on Friday afternoon, after a partially submerged vessel was found approximately 200 yards off the...
Puerto Rico's first crowd-funding site takes off
March 15, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A group of local entrepreneurs, motivated by the desire to solve their own project financing challenges, have launched Antrocket.com, Puerto Rico's first crowd-funding platform. "We want to redesign society with...
San Juan Estuary clean-up campaign to be launched in Puerto Rico
March 12, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Inspired by an editorial in a US-based magazine, dozens of volunteers using a flotilla of kayaks and boats will launch a massive clean-up effort on Saturday of one of the most beautiful bodies of water on earth -- the San Juan estuary.
Delta Air Lines celebrates 60 years in Puerto Rico
March 8, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Delta Air Lines is celebrating its 60th anniversary of uninterrupted service in Puerto Rico, highlighting the key role the island plays in the continued growth and development of the company's Latin American network.
Puerto Rico authorities apprehend 67 undocumented migrants
March 7, 2013
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Coast Guard (USCG) apprehended 67 undocumented migrants in three separate incursions in Puerto Rico from February 28 to March 2.
JetBlue Airways announces new flights from Chicago to San Juan
March 5, 2013
CHICAGO, USA -- JetBlue Airways intends to launch new daily nonstop service from Chicago's O'Hare to San Juan. JetBlue's third destination from the Windy City is scheduled to begin service on November 20, 2013. Flights are expected to be on sale soon.
Hotel group forecasts strong Caribbean tourism outlook
February 28, 2013
SILVER SPRING, USA -- The Caribbean should have a good year in tourism, stated a hotel executive, who pointed to the encouraging outlook from delegates attending last month's Caribbean Travel Marketplace in The Bahamas.
US authorities intercept 38 migrants from Dominican Republic en route to Puerto Rico
February 21, 2013
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Coast Guard (USCG) intercepted late Saturday night a makeshift wooden vessel with 38 undocumented migrant citizens from the Dominican Republic.
Puerto Rico and USVI authorities release unified 2012 review
February 14, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unified components in the Caribbean; the San Juan Field Office, the Ramey Border Patrol Sector and the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch, released on Wednesday a summary of...
UNHCR reiterates concern about migrants in Caribbean waters
February 9, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC (UNHCR) -- In the first two months of 2013, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of boats, particularly from Haiti, transporting individuals in Caribbean waters. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has reiterated its call for...
Coast Guard in Puerto Rico rescues hunting accident victim on Mona Island
January 31, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen helicopter crew safely evacuated a hunting accident victim from Mona Island, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday. Coast Guard Sector San Juan command center received notification on Tuesday...
Puerto Rico authorities seize $53,000 in smuggled currency
January 29, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized $53,000 in unreported currency on Friday, transported by three passengers boarding the M/V Caribbean Fantasy ferry departing to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Puerto Rican banks face more economic headwinds in 2013
January 11, 2013
CHICAGO, USA -- Fitch Ratings expects Puerto Rican banks to face continuing operating challenges in 2013, despite recent efforts by those institutions to build capital and de-risk their balance sheets. Weak economic fundamentals in Puerto Rico will...
New English language art and entertainment guide to San Juan, Puerto Rico, launched
January 11, 2013
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- LaBochinchosa.com, San Juan’s new arts and entertainment guide was launched on December 4, 2012. La Bochinchosa provides Puerto Rico’s first ever English-language guide to the music and arts scene of San Juan.
Gold bars from Curacao seized in Puerto Rico
January 9, 2013
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico -- Several courier packages were seized this week by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Puerto Rico containing 11 cast-gold bars arriving from Curacao.
US Congress extends USVI and Puerto Rico rum tax program
January 4, 2013
ST THOMAS, USVI -- On Wednesday, US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh acknowledged passage of US federal legislation that extends for two more years the Virgin Islands rum cover over program. The Senate Tax Agreement extended the...
Maintenance of Puerto Rico's bond rating will depend on policy decisions, says ratings agency
December 20, 2012
NEW YORK, USA -- Fitch Rating's current 'BBB+' rating on Puerto Rico's general obligation bonds reflects the significant progress made by the outgoing administration in implementing widespread reforms despite economic underperformance.
USVI and Puerto Rico authorities provide travel tips for the holiday season
December 20, 2012
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists throughout the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are providing guidance to assist cross-border travelers who are planning international trips.
Puerto Rico governor-elect addresses ratings downgrade
December 18, 2012
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Governor-elect Alejandro Garcia Padilla has commented on the recent announcement by Moody's Investors Service of its ratings downgrade of Puerto Rico’s General Obligation (GO) bonds.
Puerto Rico bond ratings downgraded
December 15, 2012
NEW YORK, USA -- Moody's Investors Service has downgraded the general obligation rating of Puerto Rico to Baa3 from Baa1. The downgrade also applies to those ratings that are based on or capped at the G.O. rating of the commonwealth.
World's first and largest LNG-powered containerships to serve Puerto Rico
December 5, 2012
PRINCETON, USA -- TOTE, Inc. has committed to the construction of two new state-of-the-art containerships for the Puerto Rico trade, with options for three more vessels for additional domestic service.
Puerto Rico hotel welcomes added regional traffic
November 30, 2012
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The popular Comfort Inn San Juan, franchised by Choice Hotels International, one of the world's largest hotel franchisors, has praised the St Croix-based Seaborne Airlines for increasing seat capacity throughout...
Caribbean conference on cooperation set for Puerto Rico this week
November 28, 2012
POINTE-A-PITRE, Guadeloupe -- Efforts more closely to integrate the French Caribbean with the rest of the region will be reviewed at the International Summit of the INTERREG IV Caribbean program. The sessions will be held for the first time in Puerto Rico.
Commentary: Puerto Rico knocks on the door of statehood
November 19, 2012
On Tuesday, November 6, while the world turned their eyes to America’s presidential election, Puerto Ricans were simultaneously holding both a referendum on its political status as well as its own gubernatorial election.
Project to focus on abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico
November 13, 2012
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The abandoned dogs of Puerto Rico will be the focus in December for the Rescue Chocolate company, which recently named the Sato Project to receive a month’s worth of profits from chocolate sales.
Puerto Rico voters approve US statehood initiative
November 12, 2012
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- For the first time, voters in Puerto Rico have approved a ballot initiative calling for statehood, a process that can only be completed by the US Congress. On election day, citizens in Puerto Rico were asked two questions.
Southwest Airlines announces service to Puerto Rico
November 2, 2012
DALLAS, USA -- Southwest Airlines is now offering for sale nonstop service from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Orlando and Tampa Bay, for travel beginning on Sunday, April 14, 2013. Beginning in April, Southwest will operate three daily nonstop...
First commercial wind project in Puerto Rico begins operations
October 30, 2012
SANTA ISABEL, Puerto Rico -- Pattern Energy's Finca de Viento Santa Isabel (FVSI) wind project began producing clean energy, as Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno officially started operations at the first commercial-scale wind power project...
Discover Puerto Rico with VIP Limo PR. Experience Old San Juan, El Yunque Rainforest, Bio Bay Kayak tours and Ponce City tour.
