Community leaders from Puerto Rico's 'comunidades especiales' (special communities) are denouncing the lack of communication and alleged non-compliance with the Law for the Integral Development of Special Communities (Law 1 of 2001). Six community leaders, including Carlos Iván Pérez from Playa Húcares in Naguabo and Jorge Oyola, president of the Alianza de Líderes Comunitarios, are speaking out against the current administration's handling of these communities.
They claim that there is a lack of communication between community leaders and the managerial structure of Special Communities, and that the administration is not following the law's intention of community self-management and empowerment. The law, established in 2001, aims to combat poverty in marginalized sectors through community-led development. The community leaders are concerned about the direction of the Oficina para el Desarrollo Socioeconómico y Comunitario (Odsec), which is responsible for the special communities, and the lack of progress in building resilient community centers.
The law was a key initiative of former Governor Sila María Calderón, who sought to address poverty in these communities.