Puerto Rico struggles to maintain its public beaches

In Puerto Rico, public areas are defended with pot-blows.

For years, the “Beaches belong to the people” movement has been fighting against the privatization of beaches, parks and spaces by hotel complexes and luxurious residential areas.

To demonstrate, they have resorted to marches, rounds and even massive parties around an issue that has grown controversial and has even been denounced by artists like Bad Bunny.

The new central topic of debate is the construction of a private parking lot for 500 vehicles in a park next to the beach in San Juan.

The Escambrón Unido collective has raised its voice against the construction, alleging a direct impact on the fragile ecology of the area.

Just in February, beach advocates won a major court victory.

The country's Supreme Court ordered the Sol y Playa condominium in Rincón to proceed with the demolition of the luxury complex they were building on Los Almendros beach, without having the proper permits.

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