Velázquez and Ocasio-Cortez Demand Declassification of Records on Murders of Puerto Rican Independence Activists

WASHINGTON– Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) sent a letter to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), calling on the agencies to declassify all records related to the murders of Carlos Muñiz Varela and Santiago “Chagui” Mari Pesquera, two leaders of the Puerto Rican independence movement who were gunned down in the 1970s.
 
“Resolving cases like those of Carlos and Santiago is essential for the United States to confront and close a damaging chapter in its history,” wrote the lawmakers. “Your agencies must actively support the collection of evidence that helps identify and prosecute those responsible for these crimes. Only this course of action will bring truth and justice to the families of these young individuals whose lives were tragically stolen for political reasons.”
 
Carlos Muñiz Varela, a Cuban activist and entrepreneur, was assassinated in Puerto Rico on April 28, 1979. He co-founded Viajes Varadero, a travel agency helping Cuban exiles visit their homeland, which made him a target of far-right extremists. His murder followed a wave of political violence linked to anti-Castro groups, yet no investigation was ever conducted.
 
Santiago “Chagui” Mari Pesquera, son of Puerto Rican independence leader Juan Mari Brás, was murdered on March 24, 1976, at just 23 years old. A passionate advocate for independence and environmental causes, he had recently started his career as a commercial pilot. His killing came during a time when the U.S. and Puerto Rican governments were actively suppressing the independence movement. Police corruption plagued the case, and while one man was convicted, officials later admitted he did not act alone.
 
Despite repeated requests from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice (PR DOJ), the FBI and CIA continue to withhold critical documents that could shed light on both murders.
 
In the letter, the lawmakers call for the immediate declassification of documents related to these cases and for the PR DOJ to be granted authorization to interview federal agents who were operating on the island at the time of the murders.
 
“We have a strong interest in the release of all documentation that could bring justice to the families of these victims of domestic terrorism,” wrote the lawmakers. “We sincerely expect that, after nearly five decades of impunity, your agencies will collaborate to lift any restrictions on evidence regarding the organizations and individuals implicated in these murders.”
 
“It is urgent and essential, for the truth, justice, dignity, and the civil and human rights of my father and my family, that the request made by Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez be granted, aiming to obtain the declassification of all information that could help clarify the murder of my father, Carlos Muñiz Varela. This request, along with those from Representatives Castro (Texas) and Gómez (California), establishes the public policy that should guide both local and federal authorities to collaborate with the ongoing investigation from this point forward and to correct the mistakes of the past, which have so far allowed total impunity for these terrorist and criminal acts.”- Carlos Muñiz Pérez, Son of Carlos Muñiz Varela
 
“We understand that this is an important step in the process of uncovering the truth, which has been withheld for so many years under highly suspicious circumstances. We believe that this initiative taken by the Congresswomen elevates the demands for the clarification of Carlos Muñiz’s murder beyond the efforts we have made in the past and serves as a reference for possible future actions in the pursuit of justice and the fight against impunity. It also helps to uncover the history that has been hidden from the Puerto Rican people in their struggle for decolonization.”- Raúl Alzaga, Spokesperson, Committee of Family and Friends of Carlos Muñiz Varela
 
“Forty-nine years have passed since our brother was murdered, yet countless questions remain unanswered. The violence of that crime lingers, reinforced by the impunity that has shielded those responsible. Why, in November of 1976, the FBI knew of a plot to assassinate Juan Mari Brás—and just two months later, his son was executed? What connection exists between these two conspiracies, and what role did the FBI and CIA play in them? Why, after nearly 50 years, have key classified documents still not been released? Why have the masterminds behind this crime never been brought to justice? Our father often spoke of the relentless and brutal repression he faced at the hands of the U.S. government and its representatives in Puerto Rico. But the people of Puerto Rico deserve to know the truth. They deserve to acknowledge the immense harm that colonialism has inflicted—and continues to inflict. For generations, U.S. and Puerto Rican authorities have deployed the most reprehensible repressive tactics against those who claim their right to self-determination and independence. The murder of our brother Chagui, and the half-century cover-up that followed, stand as undeniable proof.” -Mari Mari Narváez, Sister of Santiago “Chagui” Mari Pesquera
 
For a full copy of the letter, click here.
 

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