Saturday, July 28, 2001

Vieques, Puerto Rico - The campaign in support of option 2 (the immediate cease of all military practices, withdrawal of the Navy, cleanup of the target range, and devolution of the lands to the people) in tomorrow's referendum on the future of the US Navy's presence on this Puerto Rican island closed con broche de oro ("with a golden seal"). Spirits soared high and enthusiasm seemed greater than ever as hundreds of cars filed through the roads of every barrio of Vieques, to the applause of huge crowds that awaited anxiously on the roadside.

Counts reported over 600 automobiles participating in the caravan, by far the largest public demonstration ever seen in Vieques according to local police. Although many people from la Isla Grande participated in open solidarity, the great majority of cars, as well as the cheering onlookers, were definitely viequenses. The caravan came to an end at La Tienda Verde in the neighborhood of Esperanza on the southern coast of Vieques, where participants left their cars to listen to a number of speakers and celebrate in anticipation to the rhythms of bomba y plena.

Leaders of the Vieques struggle characterized the event as a foreshadowing of a crushing defeat of the pro-Navy faction. In contrast, the closing event held by the latter, who support option 3 (the permanence of the Navy and continuation of live fire exercises) near the town center of Isabel Segunda to the north, had very scarce participation, according to police sources. Option 3 supporters, however, expressed certainty in their upcoming "victory" as they continued to rail against the impending invasion of Vieques by Communist Cuban forces that they believe would be caused by an option 2 victory.