Puerto Rico Supreme Court rules in Madero’s favor
By CB Online Staff

Ruling places Paseo Caribe project in private land; protesters up in arms

The Puerto Rico Supreme Court ruled in favor of developer Arturo Madero regarding the controversial Paseo Caribe project, stating on Thursday that the land in the project is not in the public domain. Although Puerto Rico’s top court ruled that ownership of the land belongs to Madero and his company Lema Developers, it also ruled that further development of the land is permitted as long as it allows “free and in perpetuity” public access to the adjacent Fort San Gerónimo, at the entrance of the Condado Lagoon.

”Nothing prevents [any of the parties involved] from proceeding to give a deed constituting an easement of passage to establish the necessary access to Fort San Gerónimo for its repair and maintenance as well as for the use and enjoyment of the general public,” stressed Chief Justice Federico Hernández Dénton.

”Undoubtedly, Fort San Gerónimo is a public asset that belongs to the people of Puerto Rico, and access to it should be given free of restrictions,” Hernández Denton stated in a 66-page ruling backed by Associate Justices Efraín Rivera, Francisco Rebollo López and Anabel Rodríguez. Associate Justice Liana Fiol Matta issued a 77-page supporting and dissenting opinion on the matter.

Protesters cry foul

Immediately, Paseo Caribe opponents –many of who have set up protest camps outside the work site for months– alleged that the Supreme Court has been corrupted by vested interests on the island.

”With its decision, the Supreme Court just put a price on land that belongs to the people of Puerto Rico. It has practically put a ‘for sale’ sign on the whole island,” said Miguel Angel Reyes, spokesman for the so-called Campamento del Pueblo, or People's Camp.

This morning, activist Alberto de Jesús, better known as “Tito Kayak,” chained himself to the chassis of a pick-up truck at the Paseo Caribe site in protest to the Supreme Court’s determination.