Thread by @deviIette

Thread: What’s happening in Vieques #PuertoRico.

A 3 yr old boy died in Vieques after the govt failed to transport him to the big island for a medical emergency. Vieques has been without a hospital since Hurricane Maria in 2017. However, this is not an isolated incident. 👇🏼

Vieques (along with Culebra) is an isle off Puerto Rico that has suffered irredeemable consequences of colonialism to a higher degree compared to the big island. Vieques also saw the US NAVY bombing of its land & shores that to this day, the US govt is yet to compensate them for.

https://twitter.com/deviIette/status/1397275051767046150

Additionally the islands of Vieques & Culebra have been facing an unreliable maritime transportation system for decades. The govt continues to perpetuate their isolation by ignoring their protests over monthly interruption of shipments of basic necessities law.scu.edu/experiential/i…

This is what an unreliable maritime transport system looks like for residents of Vieques and Culebra. Markets, pharmacies, gas stations, etc. This happens monthly, sometimes even weekly. #PuertoRico

https://twitter.com/dramosgutierrez/status/1394777467441893393

This isn’t the first incident of children dying in Vieques from lack of access to proper healthcare services due to the Government’s continued procrastination in rebuilding a hospital in Vieques. Check out this thread for more.👇🏼

https://twitter.com/andreagonram/status/1397915330291265542

Meanwhile, The government prioritizes tourism going as far as building a hotel and expanding the airport before the island of Vieques gets a hospital. 👇🏼

https://twitter.com/RepJenniffer/status/1395486643243700228

The intentional neglect by the government of Puerto Rico goes as far as leaving the people of Vieques stranded, while they allow their rich friends to borrow the ONLY ferry so they could transport goods for a wedding. noticel.com/legislatura/ah…

When the citizens of Vieques & Culebra start organizing protests demanding their human rights violations are prioritized over tourism, the government of Puerto Rico and the PRPD always respond with violence and arrests. We say more of this earlier this year. 👇🏼

https://twitter.com/midnucas/status/1375885098470449154

In conclusion, Vieques has been waiting 1,345 days for a brand new hospital. However, the isle along with Culebra suffers human rights violations at the hand of both local + US Federal govt for decades while their land is left to be a playground for tourists. #PuertoRico

Correction: the 3 year old was a girl. More details about Vieques particular situation contributed to this tragedy in this thread.

https://twitter.com/riverasaniel/status/1397878620320841728

“The death of the child occurs while the Government insists on dismissing a lawsuit for another death in which it is claimed that the abandonment of public health in the island municipality is declared unconstitutional and contrary to human rights.” #PuertoRico #Vieques

https://twitter.com/cpipr/status/1397972936812810246