Ejercito Popular Boricua logo.

The Boricua Popular Army — or Ejército Popular Boricua in Spanish — is a clandestine organization based on the island of Puerto Rico, with cells throughout the United States. They campaign for and support the independence of Puerto Rico from what they characterize as United States colonial rule. The Federal Bureau of Investigations classifies the Boricua Popular Army as a terrorist organization.^[1] Image File history File links Epb. ... Image File history File links Epb. ... Guerrilla War redirects here. ... ... See colony and colonisation for examples of colonialism which do not refer to Western colonialism. ...

Although the group has claimed responsibility for numerous armed robberies and bombings since 1978, and was led primarily by former FBI Most Wanted Fugitive Filiberto Ojeda Ríos until his 2005 death, they claim to have refocused their resources and networks to political, information and enforcement support for the general independence and nationalist movement. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains a public list of the people it regards as the ten most wanted fugitives. ... Filiberto Ojeda Ríos (April 26, 1933 – September 23, 2005) was the Responsible General of the Boricua Popular Army, or Ejército Popular Boricua – Los Macheteros, a clandestine paramilitary, organization, considered by United States law enforcement agencies to be a terrorist organization, based on the island of Puerto Rico, with...

Also known as Los Macheteros ("the Machete Wielders") and 'Puerto Rican Popular Army', their active membership of mostly Puerto Rican men and women is alleged to have swelled to over 1,100, with an unknown number of supporters, sympathizers, collaborators and informants, with cells (usually consisting of between six and ten members) in the United States and other countries. Ç’ Machete For the professional wrestler, see Machete (wrestler). ...

Background

Filiberto Ojeda Ríos

Los Macheteros were organized in the 1970s by Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, Juan Enrique Segarra Palmer and Orlando González Claudio. The name Machetero evokes an impromptu band of Puerto Ricans who assembled to defend the town of Aibonito from the invading forces of the United States Army during the Spanish American War, between August 10 and August 12, 1898. These macheteros did not side with the Spanish garrison that defended Aibonito (since, by then, most of its troops had either been wounded or had defected from the ranks), and assumed the town's defense on its own when the Spanish suffered heavy casualties. The Aibonito Macheteros succesfully made the Americans retreat during a standoff sometimes referred to as the Asomante Battle, using a battle tactic copied from the Cuban mambises who fought the Cuban War for Independence in 1895 (charge the standing enemy with a rifle first, then slash him with a machete while he recharges). However, the stoppage of military action by Spain on (August 12, 1898) put an end to what could potentially become a bloodbath, in an otherwise smooth military campaign that produced few casualties on the American side. ^{[citation needed]} Image File history File links Filiberto_ojeda_rios_fbi_photograph_02_with_black_border. ... Filiberto Ojeda Ríos (April 26, 1933 – September 23, 2005) was the Responsible General of the Boricua Popular Army, or Ejército Popular Boricua – Los Macheteros, a clandestine paramilitary, organization, considered by United States law enforcement agencies to be a terrorist organization, based on the island of Puerto Rico, with... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1971 to 1980, inclusive. ... Filiberto Ojeda Ríos (April 26, 1933 – September 23, 2005) was the Responsible General of the Boricua Popular Army, or Ejército Popular Boricua – Los Macheteros, a clandestine paramilitary, organization, considered by United States law enforcement agencies to be a terrorist organization, based on the island of Puerto Rico, with... Aibonito is a small mountain town in Puerto Rico. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. ... August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1895 (MDCCCXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

The group began in 1976, but it can trace its origins back to the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN). 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1976 calendar). ... The Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (Armed Forces of National Liberation, FALN) was a Puerto Rican clandestine terrorist group that advocated complete independence for Puerto Rico. ...

Upon its beginnings, the group attracted a wide variety of Puerto Rican independence supporters, including members of:

• University Pro-Independence Federation of Puerto Rico (FUPI)
• Pro-Independence Movement (MPI)
• Puerto Rican Independence Party
• pro-independence activists

Only some members of the above groups support the Macheteros' ideology and methods. For example, the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) has a similar political ideology but they follow protocol of the insular political system, based on the Commonwealth laws established in 1952. The University Pro-Independence Federation of Puerto Rico (FUPI) is a league of students residents of University of Puerto Rico (UPR) whom specializes in the goal of a free independent Puerto Rico. ... See also: Socialist Party (Puerto Rico) The Puerto Rican Socialist Party (Spanish: Partido Socialista Puertorriqueño, PSP) was a Marxist and pro-independence political party in Puerto Rico. ... The Puerto Rican Independence Party (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP) in Spanish) is a Puerto Rican political party that campaigns for the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States. ... ... The Puerto Rican Independence Party (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP) in Spanish) is a Puerto Rican political party that campaigns for the independence of Puerto Rico from the United States. ... An ideology is an organized collection of ideas. ...

Notable acts / incidents

1970s

In January 2, 1977 one day after Carlos Romero Barceló, a statehood advocate, was sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico, two bombs were placed at an Army ROTC building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The bombs were successfully destroyed by the police, but the Macheteros took responsibility for the incident. ^{[citation needed]} January 2 is the second day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Order: 5th Democratically Elected Governor Term of Office: January 2, 1977– January 2, 1985 Predecessor: Rafael Hernández Colón Successor: Rafael Hernández Colón Date of Birth: Sunday, September 4, 1932 Place of Birth: San Juan, Puerto Rico First Lady: Kate Donnally Profession: Lawyer Political Party: New Progressive... Seal of the Governor of Puerto Rico The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. ... San Juan from space, July 1997 Nickname: The Walled City Official website: http://www. ...

In August 1978 they murdered San Juan police officer Julio Rodriguez Rivera while attempting to steal his police car for use in a terrorist attack. ^{[citation needed]}

In 1979, two attacks were made on unarmed US Navy sailors. In the first, on December 3rd, Macheteros opened fire on a bus carrying sailors, killing CTO1 John R. Ball and RM3 Emil E. White as well as wounding nine. A second attack, on off-duty sailors returning from liberty, killed one and wounded three. The attack was in retaliation for the murder in a prison of a member of the macheteros by the prison guards who were retired marine soldiers. ^{[citation needed]}

1980s

In a January 1981 attack, Machetero commandos infiltrated the Puerto Rico Air National Guard Muñiz Air Base, located on the northeastern corner of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, and destroyed or damaged eleven A-7 Corsair II light attack aircraft, causing approximately $45 million in damages. An investigation of the incident determined that security at the base was so lax, the attackers managed to walk in and walk out of the base without ever being detected or challenged.^[2] Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (IATA: SJU, ICAO: TJSJ) is a public airport located in Carolina, 3 miles (5 km) southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. ... A-7 Corsair II The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II was a light attack aircraft based on the F-8 Crusader. ...

However, their most famous act (likely because it took place in the continental U.S., and because it targeted a large amount of money) was a Wells Fargo depot robbery of approximately $7 million in West Hartford, Connecticut (USA) on September 12, 1983. The group's code name for the robbery was "White Eagle" (or "Águila Blanca" in Spanish). A typical Wells Fargo store, located in Berkeley, California Wells Fargo & Co. ... West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. ... September 12 is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years). ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

After the robbery, the Macheteros threw some of the stolen money into the air from high floor buildings and kept the remaining sum to fund their continued operations of robbery and violence. According to a written statement from the Macheteros, the action was a symbolic protest against the "greed-infested men and mechanisms which strain our elected officials, government agencies, and social aspirations in this country, as well as in Puerto Rico." Allegedly, several million dollars were sent to Cuba, most likely to fund the purchase of more weapons and explosives for the manufacture of bombs. ^[3]

Under Puerto Rican, U.S., and international laws the act was considered as terrorism due to the way it was executed and the experience suffered by the Wells Fargo security guards. This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

The United States FBI charges for this robbery include: Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Robbery of Federally Insured Bank Funds, Armed Robbery, and Conspiracy to Interfere With Commerce By Robbery.

See also: White Eagle: the Wells Fargo depot robbery.

1990s

In the 1990s Los Macheteros claimed responsibility on a bomb explosion that occurred in a small power station in the San Juan metropolitan area. The explosion caused limited power outages in the area. Oil power plant in Iraq A power station or power plant is a facility for the generation of electric power. ...

In that same decade, the group also vandalized a fleet of brand new government vans and trucks that were parked in a government facility. The damages rendered the vehicles unusable. For Vandalism on Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Dealing with vandalism Vandalism is an act motivated by hostility to the arts and literature of a culture, or willful destruction or defacement of its built environment, construed to be in the spirit of the Germanic Vandals in their attacks on buildings of the...

2005

Ojeda Ríos killed in a shootout with FBI agents.^[4]

Terrorists or Puerto Rican patriots?

According to federal and international law, Los Macheteros is considered a terrorist organization due to the methods they have employed to further their agenda.^{[citation needed]} While many Puerto Ricans consider Los Macheteros to be criminals, there are 'quiet' sympathizers who think of Los Macheteros as the vanguard of a revolution.

Supporters of independence believe that Puerto Rico is unable to sustain itself in a political and economic system designed by the U.S. Government, 'corporate America,' and Puerto Rico's own upper class and industrial leaders. They claim the present status has been established to create a perpetual consumer base for U.S. and foreign products and services (Foreign products and services are redirected to Puerto Rico and other "unincorporated" lands of the United States to satisfy a portion of foreign trade agreements, while allowing domestic products and services greater "home" market share). Supporters of independence in Puerto Rico polls, however, are a small electoral minority (3%) when status plebiscites and local elections are held. The vast majority of the Puerto Rican electorate favors a continuation or enhancement of the present Commonwealth status (50%), or statehood (46%).

Beginning in 1960s, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) infiltrated Puerto Rico's free press and political circles in order to monitor and disrupt efforts related to the independence movement. This operation was part of COINTELPRO.^[5] Official FBI Seal The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a Federal criminal investigative and intelligence agency which is the principal investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program) is a program of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation aimed at investigating and disrupting dissident political organizations within the United States. ...

The Macheteros claim their actions are needed to defend Puerto Rico's legal process and political evolution from US government intervention. Others would point out that Macheteros seek, using terrorism and violence, to overthrow majority self-rule as chosen by Puertoricans themselves in repeated democratic elections.

Other supporters of the independence movement argue the Macheteros continue a clandestine rebellion that Puerto Ricans such as Pedro Albizu Campos and the nationalists have fought against United States policies on the island. Recently the focus has been on the use of Culebra and Vieques bombing range; the disproportionate number of military bases (compared to states in the Union); the deaths of independence and nationalist leaders (including the alleged experimentation with radiation on Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos while he was incarcerated); the infamous Dr. Rhoades cancer "treatments", during which Doctor Cornelius P. Rhoades admitted to killing Puerto Rican patients and injecting cancer cells to many as part of a medical investigation conducted in San Juan's Presbyterian Hospital for the Rockefeller Institute; secret testing of Agent Orange on Puerto Rican soil; and other incidents. Pedro Albizu Campos Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos (September 12, 1891 – April 21, 1965) born in Tenerías Village in Ponce, Puerto Rico was the son of Alejandro Albizu and Juana Campos. ... Pedro Albizu Campos Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos (September 12, 1891 – April 21, 1965) born in Tenerías Village in Ponce, Puerto Rico was the son of Alejandro Albizu and Juana Campos. ... Vietnam. ...

Supporters of links to the United States would argue that jurisdiction of Culebra, Vieques, and nearly all large military bases have reverted to the Commonwealth. Judicial and non-judicial deaths of nationalists have occurred under the guidance of Puertoricans much more often than under direct federal mandates. Finally, while the Rockefeller Institute and Federal government historically sponsored investigations which would be unethical in today's human research committee environment, they also have provided much largesse to health programs across the island across the years.

As a 'terrorist' group, Los Macheteros have claimed few civilian lives compared to most other organized insurgency groups of its kind (according to U.S. Federal documents). They claim to regard the U.S. working class with as much respect as their own people (although they are also U.S. citizens). They claim that their 'war' is with the U.S. government policies and politicians that continue to exploit the people and resources of Puerto Rico (also known as 'Borinquen'), an island with a population comparable to the Republic of Ireland, but just over an eighth its size. Although most Puerto Ricans reject violence as a political means, an extremely small minority believes that the economic and political exploitation and oppression of Puerto Rico continues to fuel the activities of many insurgent groups.

In addition, political groups opposed to U.S. dominion of Puerto Rico contend the U.S. invasion and annexation after the Spanish-American War in 1898 was illegal. Puerto Rico had gained some degree of legislative, but not executive, autonomy from the Spanish Crown months before the USS Maine incident in Cuba, which the United States used as grounds to declare war against Spain. USS Maine (ACR-1), the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the state of Maine, was a 6682-ton second-class pre-dreadnought battleship originally designated as Armored Cruiser #1. ...

Famous group members

Victor Manuel Gerena (born June 24, 1958) is a New York native of Puerto Rican descent who is linked by the FBI with the armed robbery of a Wells Fargo bank, in connection with the Los Macheteros group. ... The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains a public list of the people it regards as the ten most wanted fugitives. ...

Notes

1. ^ Threat of Terrorism to the United States: Testimony of Louis J. Freeh, Director, FBI, before the United States Senate Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and Select Committee on Intelligence, May 10, 2001
2. ^ "8 Military Jets Destroyed At Air Base in Puerto Rico", The New York Times/Reuters, January 12, 1981.
3. ^ Spanish - El robo de $7 millones de la Wells Fargo Automated Spanish -> English translation of article
4. ^ Filiberto Ojeda Ríos (obituary), The Economist, September 29, 2005. Accessed 5 April 2006.
5. ^ More can be read on the web site FBI files on Puerto Ricans, created with the assistance of Congressmember José Serrano] and the City University of New York's Center for Puerto Rican Studies.

May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The Economist is a weekly news and international affairs publication of The Economist Newspaper Ltd edited in London, UK. It has been in continuous publication since September 1843. ... September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 5 is the 95th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (96th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... José Serrano José Enrique Serrano (born October 24, 1943) is a New York politician, currently representing the states 16th Congressional district (map), in the United States House of Representatives. ... The City University of New York (CUNY; acronym pronounced kyoo-nee), is the public university system of New York City. ...

References

1. Federal Bureau of Investigation (USA).FBI Fugitive Profile: Filiberto Ojeda Rios (2003). United States of America.
2. Federal Bureau of Investigation (USA).FBI Fugitive Profile: Victor Manuel Gerena. United States of America.

See also

• Boricua
• Clinton FALN clemency
• FBI ten most wanted fugitives

To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list arose from a conversation held in late 1949, during a game of Hearts between FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and William Kinsey Hutchinson, International News Service (the predecessor of the United Press International) Editor-in-Chief, who were discussing ways to promote capture...

External links

• Filiberto Ojeda
• FBI's Most Wanted Fugitives - November 2003 (Ojeda Ríos listed)
• Photo of damage from January 1981 attack on Puerto Rican Air National Guard

Puerto Rican Independence Movement
Indigenous Resistance	Agüeybaná · Arasibo · Hayuya · Jumacao · Urayoán
Political Organizations	Boricua Popular Army · Puerto Rican Independence Party · Puerto Rican Nationalist Party · Hostosian National Independence Movement · Socialist Front
19th century Activists	Ramón Emeterio Betances · Mariana Bracetti · Mathias Brugman · Jose de Diego · Eugenio Maria de Hostos · Francisco Gonzalo Marin · Francisco Ramirez Medina · Lola Rodríguez de Tió · Manuel Rojas · Juan Ruis Rivera · Segundo Ruiz Belvis · Arturo Alfonso Schomburg · Antonio Valero de Bernabe
Nationalists	Pedro Albizu Campos · Margot Arce de Vázquez · Julia de Burgos · Blanca Canales · José Coll y Cuchí · Oscar Collazo · Juan Antonio Corretjer · Jose Ferrer Canales · Lolita Lebrón · Luis Llorens Torres · Antonio S. Pedreira · Daniel Santos · Griselio Torresola · Olga Viscal Garriga
20th century Activists	Antonio R. Barcelo · Rubén Berríos · Juan Mari Brás · Roy Brown · Gilberto Concepción de Gracia · Elizam Escobar · Rosario Ferré · Victor Manuel Gerena · Maria de Lourdes Santiago · Filiberto Ojeda Ríos
Events	Spanish colonization of the Americas · Spanish-American War · Grito de Lares · Ponce Massacre · Jayuya Uprising · U.S. Capitol shooting incident (1954)