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Puerto
Rico Update, Winter 2004
Puerto Rican Elections 2004
By
Wanda I. Resto Torres
As I look at the results of the November
elections in Puerto Rico, I’m reminded of sofrito. It’s
the special seasoning that adds flavor and spice to Puerto Rican
food. A little bit of onions, peppers, and an assortment of herbs
are blended and used as a base, which then can be turned into
stewed beans, meat or rice, depending on the last ingredient
and the skill of the chef.
Well, the same holds true for this year’s
election in Puerto Rico.
In the early morning of November 3, the
Puerto Rico elections commission (CEE) gave preliminary certification
to Anibal Acevedo Vilá as the next governor of Puerto Rico. Acevedo Vilá,
who belongs to the pro-commonwealth Popular Democratic Party (PPD)
received 48.45% of the votes versus 48.2% for his contender, Pedro
Rosselló, former governor from the pro-statehood New Progressive
Party (PNP). The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) received
2.83% of the votes, leading to the PIP losing its status as a registered
political party.
There are more ingredients: an electoral law requires a recount
when the results of an election are so tight. And believe it or
not, 15 days later the recount reflected a change, with the PNP
ahead with 48.34%, 47.95% for the PPD, and 3.02% for the PIP. Meanwhile
the elections commission projected the recount process would extend
to mid- December.
Let us not stop there. Let’s say the process continues
until January 1, 2005, which is the last day in the term of the
current governor, Sila Calderon (who chose not to run for reelection). Then
who occupies the governorship and what dish is being served to
the people of Puerto Rico will remain unresolved. And as with the sofrito,
it is something that adds gusto, but you must wait until
the last ingredient is added to taste the result.
As the situation stands, two court cases have been filed by the
PNP requesting a simultaneous process to scrutinize the voting
logs and to annul mixed votes (votes for opposing parties for governor
and resident commissioner). The PNP also demanded that the transition
into governorship by the PPD be prohibited until the court has
declared a winner.
Should Acevedo Vilá (PPD) prevail,
he will find himself immersed in a political sofrito.
He will have to govern with a Resident Commissioner in Washington – Luis Fortuño – and
a House, a Senate, and the majority of the 78 municipalities controlled
by the PNP. With approximately two thirds of the legislature controlled
by an opposing party, and a tight race, the ingredients make it
certain that when and if Acevedo Vilá is certified officially
as governor, he will require more than the skills of an expert
chef. He will have to call upon his ability as negotiator and mediator
for his administration to be fruitful.
What that means for the funding of cleanup
and for community development in Vieques remains to be seen.
Dámaso Serrano,
the mayor of Vieques who served four months in prison in 2001 for
entering the naval bombing range on the island during bombing maneuvers,
was reelected by a large margin, though he did not receive a majority
of all votes.
We in FOR will continue to ensure that we are inclusive and work
with as many voices and opinions as possible. We will also encourage
both the legislative and executive branches to protect community
health and promote community-based development of all lands, waters,
and property returned by the military to the people of Vieques.
Salud para vieques !
©2004
Fellowship of Reconciliation
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