The Battle for Paradise

1. Hurricane Maria exposed Puerto Rico's vulnerabilities.

We knew that the real disaster was not the hurricane but the terrible vulnerability imposed by Puerto Rico’s colonial relationship to the United States, as well as the forced privatization of health and other services; massive layoffs; huge numbers of school closures; reductions in social rights and in investments for collective well-being; abandonment of social and physical infrastructure; and high levels of government corruption and ineptitude.

Systemic failures revealed. Hurricane Maria didn't just bring wind and rain; it exposed the deep-seated vulnerabilities of Puerto Rico's infrastructure, economy, and political system. The island's dependence on imported fossil fuels, centralized power generation, and imported food supplies created a perfect storm of fragility. Decades of austerity measures, driven by an unpayable debt and imposed by an unelected fiscal control board, had weakened the island's defenses, leaving it ill-prepared to cope with the disaster.

Colonial legacy. The storm highlighted the ongoing impact of Puerto Rico's colonial relationship with the United States. The slow and inadequate response from the U.S. government underscored the island's marginalized status and the disregard for the lives of its Black and Brown residents. This historical context is crucial for understanding the depth of the crisis and the challenges facing Puerto Ricans as they seek to rebuild.

Opportunity for change. Despite the devastation, Maria also created an opportunity for fundamental change. The storm revealed the failures of the existing system and opened up space for new ideas and approaches. Grassroots movements and community organizations began to emerge, offering alternative visions for a more just and sustainable future for the island.

2. Casa Pueblo: A solar oasis of community resilience.

This was an energy oasis for the community.

Community-led resilience. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Casa Pueblo, a community and ecology center in the mountain city of Adjuntas, became a beacon of hope. Thanks to solar panels installed two decades prior, Casa Pueblo had the only sustained power for miles around, providing a lifeline for the community. It became a hub for self-organized relief efforts, offering food, water, medical assistance, and vital information.

Decentralized power. Casa Pueblo's success demonstrated the importance of decentralized energy systems. Unlike Puerto Rico's centralized power grid, which was completely knocked out by the storm, Casa Pueblo's solar panels continued to function, providing a reliable source of electricity. This highlighted the potential of renewable energy and micro-grids to create more resilient and sustainable communities.

Inspiration for the future. Casa Pueblo's example inspired other communities to pursue renewable energy solutions. The center launched a campaign calling for 50 percent of Puerto Rico's power to come from the sun and began installing solar panels on homes and businesses in Adjuntas. Casa Pueblo became a symbol of hope and a model for a more sustainable and self-sufficient future for Puerto Rico.

3. "Puertopians" envision a tax haven for the wealthy.

You can essentially minimize your taxes in a way that you can’t do anywhere else in the world.

Tax incentives for the rich. In the wake of Hurricane Maria, a new wave of wealthy individuals, dubbed "Puertopians," began to descend on Puerto Rico, drawn by the island's generous tax incentives. Act 20 and Act 22 offered significant tax breaks to businesses and individuals who relocated to Puerto Rico, including a 4 percent corporate tax rate and zero capital gains tax. This created a paradise for the wealthy, while many Puerto Ricans continued to struggle with the aftermath of the storm.

Crypto-colonialism. The influx of cryptocurrency traders and blockchain companies raised concerns about "crypto-colonialism." The energy-intensive nature of cryptocurrency mining clashed with the island's fragile power grid and raised questions about the environmental impact of this new industry. Critics argued that the Puertopians were exploiting Puerto Rico's vulnerability for their own financial gain, without contributing to the island's long-term well-being.

Libertarian fantasies. Some Puertopians envisioned creating their own city-states within Puerto Rico, complete with virtual currencies and passports. These libertarian fantasies sought to escape the reach of government and accumulate unlimited private profit. However, they ignored the needs and aspirations of the Puerto Rican people, who had been living on the island for generations.

4. Puerto Rico's history as a testing ground for outside experiments.

It’s an island, isolated, with a lot of nonvaluable people. Expendable people. For many years, we have been used as guinea pigs for U.S. experiments.

Colonial exploitation. Puerto Rico has a long and painful history of being used as a testing ground for outside experiments. From coercive sterilization programs to the testing of dangerous drugs, the island has been subjected to a series of exploitative practices. The U.S. Navy used Vieques, an island municipality of Puerto Rico, for decades as a bombing range, leaving behind a legacy of environmental contamination and health problems.

Special economic zone. Puerto Rico also pioneered the model of the special economic zone, offering tax breaks and low wages to attract U.S. manufacturers. This led to a period of economic growth, but also created a dependence on foreign capital and a vulnerability to capital flight. When the tax breaks expired, many companies left the island, leaving behind abandoned factories and unemployment.

Psychological impact. The constant experimentation and exploitation have had a profound psychological impact on the Puerto Rican people. Colonialism has stripped them of their culture, confidence, and power, making it difficult to imagine a future where they are in control of their own destiny. Overcoming this legacy of colonialism is essential for building a more just and equitable society.

5. Agro-ecology as a path to food sovereignty.

After Maria, we encourage the students to touch the plants and let the plants touch them because that’s a way of healing the pain and anger.

Local food systems. In the face of widespread food shortages after Hurricane Maria, the importance of local food systems became clear. Agro-ecological farms, which use traditional farming methods that promote resilience and protect biodiversity, were able to provide food for their communities when industrial-scale farms were wiped out. This highlighted the potential of agro-ecology to create a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system for Puerto Rico.

Traditional knowledge. Agro-ecology draws on traditional knowledge and practices that have been passed down through generations of Puerto Rican farmers. These methods are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them more resilient to extreme weather events. By supporting agro-ecological farms, Puerto Rico can reclaim its food sovereignty and reduce its dependence on imports.

Community healing. Farming can also be a powerful tool for community healing. After Hurricane Maria, students at a public school and organic farm in Orocovis found solace and purpose in tending to the land. Working with plants helped them overcome the trauma of the storm and reconnect with the natural world.

6. The shock doctrine: Exploiting disaster for profit.

We will sell PREPA’s assets to the companies that will transform the power generation system into a modern, efficient, and less costly system for our people.

Privatization frenzy. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the Puerto Rican government, under the influence of the Financial Oversight and Management Board, launched a wave of privatizations. The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), one of the largest public power providers in the United States, was slated for immediate privatization. This was followed by plans to close hundreds of schools and downsize the government.

Radical pro-corporate agenda. These policies were part of a broader "shock doctrine" strategy, which involves exploiting states of emergency to push through a radical pro-corporate agenda. The goal was to dismantle public services and infrastructure and sell them off to private investors at fire-sale prices. This approach has been used in other disaster-stricken areas, such as New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Resistance is crucial. The shock doctrine relies on speed and disorientation to overwhelm resistance. However, Puerto Ricans have a history of popular resistance and are capable of fighting back against these exploitative policies. By organizing and mobilizing, they can defend their public services and create a more just and equitable future.

7. Desperation, distraction, despair, and disappearance: Tools of disaster capitalism.

Missing once is an accident. Missing twice is the start of a new habit.

Exploiting vulnerability. The shock doctrine relies on creating a state of desperation, distraction, despair, and disappearance to weaken resistance. The slow and inadequate relief efforts, combined with the ongoing economic crisis, have left many Puerto Ricans feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. This makes them more vulnerable to exploitative policies.

Political escape valve. The mass exodus of Puerto Ricans from the island serves as a "political escape valve," reducing the number of people protesting in the streets. The government has encouraged this migration by providing assistance to those who leave, rather than investing in recovery efforts on the island. This depopulation creates a "blank canvas" for investors, who can then develop the island without regard for the needs of the Puerto Rican people.

Maintaining hope. Despite the challenges, it is essential to maintain hope and resist the forces of disaster capitalism. By organizing and supporting one another, Puerto Ricans can overcome the despair and create a more just and sustainable future for their island.

8. Multiple sovereignties: A vision for a new Puerto Rico.

We are looking to transform the energy system. Our goal is to adopt a solar energy system and leave behind oil, natural gas, and carbon, which are highly polluting.

Beyond national sovereignty. In the wake of Hurricane Maria, a broader definition of freedom emerged in Puerto Rico. Beyond the traditional debate over independence versus statehood, there was talk of "multiple sovereignties": food sovereignty, energy sovereignty, housing sovereignty, and education sovereignty. This vision seeks to liberate Puerto Rico from dependence on imports and foreign capital and empower communities to control their own resources.

Decentralized model. This decentralized model is particularly important in the context of climate change. As islands like Puerto Rico face more extreme weather events, it is essential to build resilient systems that can withstand shocks. Decentralized energy grids, local food systems, and community-based organizations can provide a buffer against disaster and ensure that basic needs are met.

Community empowerment. The key to achieving these multiple sovereignties is community empowerment. By organizing and working together, Puerto Ricans can take control of their own destiny and create a more just and sustainable future for their island.

9. A race between the speed of movements and the speed of capital.

The decisions made in this window are going to basically set the principles and the conditions for the next 50 years.

Capital's advantage. The challenge facing Puerto Rico is a race between the speed of movements and the speed of capital. Capital is fast, unencumbered by democratic norms. The government and the fiscal control board can quickly implement their plans to privatize and auction off the territory. Hedge fund managers and crypto-traders can relocate and build their "Puertopia" on a whim.

Movements' strength. Movements, on the other hand, tend to move more slowly, as they require building consensus and mobilizing people. However, movements have the power of collective action and can resist the forces of capital. By organizing and working together, Puerto Ricans can create a more just and sustainable future for their island.

Critical window. The decisions made in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria will shape Puerto Rico's future for decades to come. It is essential to act quickly and decisively to resist the shock doctrine and build a more equitable and sustainable society. The future of Puerto Rico depends on it.

Last updated: April 8, 2025