According to U.S. census numbers, between July 2017 and July 2018 Puerto Rico lost 129,848 residents, mostly due to migration (especially from urban areas), El Vocero reports. In the same period, 6,449 more deaths than childbirths were recorded. Demographers said they are not surprised by these numbers because they coincide with the months in which the country lacked power services, and that in the future the data will probably reflect a comeback. It also appears that many Puerto Ricans are moving away from the largest cities (San Juan, Ponce) to smaller, more affordable towns, whose population has been less affected. Link to original story →

Cuban exiles in Miami are “very satisfied” with the new U.S. measures to punish foreign companies operating in properties confiscated by the Castro regime in Cuba, Diario Las Américas reports. National Security Advisor John Bolton announced in Miami the full reactivation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, which had been suspended for 20 years. Miami-Dade County Commissioner Javier D. Souto, who accused the Castro regime of confiscating his own family’s properties on the island, said he “totally” supports the measure, adding that “it should bring really good things for the people of Cuba.” Link to original story →

According to an El Nuevo Día investigation, the cleanup of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques after decades of being used as a bombing range and site for U.S. military-training exercises is expected to go on until at least 2032. Since 2003, the Navy has spent $270 million on cleanup efforts, but so far it has only removed about one-third of the 300,000 bombs dropped on the site. Hurricane María only complicated things as some funds were diverted to reconstruction efforts, and the ocean currents pushed army debris back to the island’s shores. Link to original story →

The number of deportations of Mexicans in Los Angeles has dropped some 20 percent in the first trimester of the year compared to 2018, something the Mexican consul attributes to the effects of the sanctuary law, La Opinión reports. Consul Carlos García de Alba noted that last year an average of 7.8 Mexicans were deported daily from LA, while today the number is about six per day. “This might be an effect of the sanctuary law that has limited police collaboration with ICE, and the fact that people are better informed and being more cautious." Link to original story →