The resistance to militarization in Puerto Rico is deeply enmeshed in the everyday lived experiences of its communities, and nowhere is this more evident than in Vieques. For over six decades, this small island was used by the U.S. Navy as a site for bombing practices and military training exercises. The devastating consequences of this military presence are still visible today: contaminated lands and waters, high rates of cancer, and a range of other health conditions
impacting residents.
Militarization in Vieques transcends strategic military objectives; it represents a profound violation of fundamental human rights. The right to health and life has been compromised by toxic exposure; the right to land and livelihood has been undermined through restricted access to coasts and fertile areas; and the right to live in peace has been sacrificed to the persistent threat of violence, displacement, and environmental destruction.
The struggle of Vieques stands as a powerful symbol of Puerto Rico’s broader call for dignity and justice. Its communities have long refused to be treated as expendable territory for military exercises, fighting instead for a future that prioritizes peace, environmental healing, cultural resilience, and respect for human rights. The community of Vieques has demonstrated extraordinary resilience throughout this struggle. They have organized mass mobilizations, peaceful protests, and awareness campaigns that have drawn national and international
attention to their rights and their cause.
Their collective fight is rooted in a pursuit of dignity — a refusal to accept environmental devastation and health hazards as inevitable. Their voices and actions continue to remind us that resistance fueled by community unity can challenge powerful institutions and push for justice, sovereignty, and the healing of their land and people. Demilitarization is not merely about the removal of weapons or the closing of military bases. It is about repairing the deep-seated
harm inflicted upon communities, restoring ecosystems ravaged by decades of military activity, and reclaiming Puerto Ricans’ inherent right to determine their own future. Vieques serves as a stark reminder that militarization is fundamentally incompatible with cultural survival, environmental health, and the full realization
of human rights.
Diana Ramos Gutiérrez is a journalist, photojournalist, archivist, and cultural agent, based in Vieques, Puerto Rico. There, she directs the Vieques Film and Human Rights Festival.
