Vieques: A Chronology of Events Quiz

Answer: Yes

Vieques had a population of 10,000 people at the time. After the Navy took over, 3,000 left for the mainland, USA and the US Virgin Islands. Most of them left because they lost their agricultural lands.

Answer: 26,000

The island locals had to move to a narrow strip of land in the island's center. To this day, most of the "Viequenses" homes and businesses are located over there.

Answer: True

Absolutely true. I have to admit I learned this from an elderly man whose name is Mapepe Christian. Another similar incident occured in 1959, when soldiers injured 19 people at a birthday party.

Answer: True

The Navy had been on Culebra for about 38 years when a discharge of mortar fire landed on a beach where children were playing. After this incident, all political parties in PR called for the Navy to cease operations and leave the island. That was in June 1974. In July 1, 1975, the Navy left the island.

Answer: True

Some local fishermen filed a lawsuit in a US District Court charging the bombardment was ruining their livelihood. The lawsuit is dropped in favor of a MOU.

Answer: Do all of these

Nothing out of the ordinary happened in the years 1983-1992.

Answer: False

The peace lasted until 1992, when Navy jets accidentally dropped 40,000 pounds of live explosives on Vieques, including napalm. Also, a US airplane fighter missed its target, dropping about 5,500-pound bombs one mile from civilians.

In 1993, the CRDV (Committe for the Rescue and Development of Vieques) is established by residents to work for the 4 D's: demilitarization, decontamination, devolution of lands and economic development. They sent 3,800 signed postcards to the White House asking that the island be added to the list of military base closures.

Answer: killed him

David Sanes Rodriguez was a civilian security guard. Two F-18 airplanes dropped two 500 pound bombs outside their targets area, killing him instantly. There are several memorials dedicated to him in Vieques, and every year the anniversary of his death is remembered. This was the event that made 'all hell break loose' in the already delicate situation.

Answer: 2 months

After the terrible Sanes incident, the US Navy stopped all operations for a period of 2 months. There were many protests in the next year, leading to the arrest (for trespassing the Navy's facilities) of many PR politicians (of all parties), nuns, priests, US politicians and activists and ordinary citizens.

Answer: True

The US Navy admitted to using DU (Depleted Uranium) shells only once in February 1999, while practising for the war in Yugoslavia and Kosovo. There is evidence that these shells have been in use for at least a decade.

Answer: Rev. Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson didn't go to Vieques to protest, he went to offer moral support. His words were: "In some sense, what is happening in Vieques is a source of embarrassment for our nation, and a source of international shame". His wife was arrested for participating in civil disobedience in the island.

Answer: False

According to studies, the number of people in Vieques suffering from cancer of breast, cervix and uterus have increased by 300% over 20 years. It is believed to be caused by DU (Depleted Uranium) shells. Incidentally, these and worse illnesses can be found in large numbers in Kosovo, Yugoslavia and Bosnia, where the USA also used DU shells.

Answer: True

He started his non-violent campaign on May 1999 and was arrested on May 2000. He is highly respected in Puerto Rico for his non-violent approach and his wisdom and quick thinking.

Answer: PNP (statehood enthusiasts)

Though the governor of PR at the time, Pedro Rossello (PNP party) was highly unpopular at the time in the island, he did everything in his power to get the US Navy out of Vieques. (Note: I do not affiliate to any political party.)

Answer: False

Not yet. That will be a true statement on May 2003, when the Navy is supposed to leave. In the meantime, they're using dummy bombs.

There's not a lot of civil disobedience anymore, although a few still go to Vieques and protest, maybe hoping they can get the US Navy to leave before May 2003 (not very likely to happen). Until then, they wait.