Filiberto Ojeda Ríos

Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, the Pro Independence Puerto Rican fighter was killed in Homigueros, Puerto Rico this Past September 23, 2005—on the day that the Puerto Rican Pro Independence movement commemorates the 1868 Lares’ Cry (Grito de Lares)—against the Spanish occupation of the Island.

Ojeda Ríos, was sentenced to prison for the failed Wells Fargo attack in 1983, where a group of Independentistas were trying to steal seven million dollars that were being transported in a truck in Connecticut. Ojeda Ríos spent three years in a Federal prison, but was set free on bail in 1988. He skipped parole in 1990 and had hidden inside the rural areas of Puerto Rico, hailed as a hero by the left, and as a villain by the right. He was sentenced to 55 years in prison (in absentia) for parole violation.

After avoiding prison time for 15 years, Ojeda, who was 72 y/o, was corralled by the FBI. Stories vary from “he was unarmed” to “he fought and shot several FBI agents”—the only truth we can be certain is that the bullet that hit Ojeda did not kill him. He was left to bleed to death—after a 20 hours stand off. The widow, Elma Beatriz Rosado, and the autopsy findings confirm this.

Puerto Rico stands divided, as divided now as it has always being. The Left wanting revenge and issuing cries for retaliation. The Right is glad to get rid of another “terrorist”. His body was held in state at the Ateneo Puertorriqueno (Athenaeum), and later transported to the “Colegio the Abogados” (Lawyers Association Quarters). Again, these acts were criticized and hailed depending on where you stood on the political spectrum of the Puerto Rican Status.

Several theories abound—from nothing more than the culmination of a long investigation, to a plan by the newly elected Governor (Aníbal Acevedo Vilá) who won the 2004 election by a mere 3000 votes over 1.4 million votes, who allegedly conspired the murder with the FBI to generate Puerto Rican sentiment against Statehood.

Everyone in Puerto Rico has an opinion; it is the talk of the day. The Radio, TV, newspapers, everywhere people are talking and planning. Yet, what amazes me is that with as much corruption that is going on in the USA—Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo—the American press has completely ignored the incident. It is as if Puerto Rico was not part of the country. I wrote a few lines that simply put my feelings to rest.

Don’t cry for my country

Don’t cry for my country, rivers need not dry.
Filiberto Ojeda Ríos did not need to die.
Elma Beatriz Rosado saw the blood come out,
Nobody cried, nobody cared for an old fart.
The bullet did not kill him, he was left to bleed
The autopsy confirmed what we most feared.
The FBI lured an old man—must pay for his crime
Jail time was not enough, loose ends must be tied.
Twenty-two years later, he was hunted down,
Beaten, shot, his river waters got dry.
We all know he could had been saved, but
Don’t cry for my country, my country will cry.

Some will scorn the mourners, some will not care.
Puerto Rico’s Athenaeum will hold his remains.
Some feel safer that this man is dead.
The School of Lawyers seems to disagree, instead
They hold his body so that everyone can see,
The country is crying for Filiberto’s spilled blood.
Theories abound, right and left,
The Governor thought it might be best.
Seventy-two years of history down the drain,
From one hundred and seven—the yoke did not erase.
The Spirit rises with the soul of a man
Don’t cry for my country—no one can.