Saturday, September 24, 2005

Leader of Los Macheteros killed by F.B.I.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – Seventy year old FBI fugitive Filiberto Ojeda Rios, leader of the Puerto Rican Popular Army ‘Los Macheteros’ was killed in a shoot out with the FBI in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico.



Luis Fraticelli, FBI Special Agent in Charge in Puerto Rico, said he "died with his boots on" Rios was wearing camouflaged pants, a bullet-proof vest, and military boots and a pistol when he died September 23, 2005, Friday afternoon in a crossfire with FBI agents, said During a press conference Saturday night, Fraticelli told reporters that by the time FBI agents had gained access to the house where Ojeda Rios had barricaded himself with wife, Elma Beatriz Rosado Barbosa, in the municipality of Hormigueros, the pro-independence leader’s body had sustained two gunshot wounds; one to the clavicle and another one to his shoulder.

According to Fraticelli, FBI agents had been watching Ojeda Rios since Sept. 20 and that the shooting took place after Ojeda Rios spotted them.
Fraticelli said the fugitive opened fire against FBI agents on three occasions. The first time, he seriously wounded one agent. Two other agents were also hit, but not wounded, thanks to their bullet-proof vests.

Fraticelli told reporters that the FBI had waited more than 24 hours to disclose the details of the incident because the agency wanted to ensure the safety of the agents that had participated in the shooting. He also said that they didn’t immediately enter the house where Ojeda Rios was killed because first they needed to make sure that no more lives were going to be compromised.

On a personal note I don't condone violence, not even by my own people, however WTF?? I can't believe that the friggin' FBI could not arrest a 70 yr old man without killing him. The FBI just made 3 mistakes which are going to come back to haunt them and cause a chain reaction of anger among Boriquas on the island and state side. I've already seen footage on on going protests on the island. Unfortunately blogger seems to be tripping today and won't let me add the photos...

Mistake # 1) They chose to arrest him on the 137th anniversary of the Grito de Lares uprising. El Grito de Lares is an important event in Boriqua history. El Grito de Lares the Lares rebellion— refers to the revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico which occurred on September 23, 1868, in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico.Even though the revolt in itself failed, the outcome was positive since Spain granted more autonomy to the island.

Mistake # 2: The FBI did not announce his death right away instead waiting for a day to supposedly ensure the safety of their agents on the island. The people are going to go bonkers over this one, especially given the way the American govt. has treated Boriqua dissidents in the past. For example the murder of Dr. Pedro Albízu Campos, by means of radiation experiments while he was incarcerated.

Mistake # 3: By killing the 70 year old Filiberto Ojeda Rios the FBI has just made him into a martyr for the pro-independent movement.

Labels: Filiberto Ojeda Rios, macheteros, politics, Puerto Rico

Posted by @ 9:36 PM
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