Since 1952, the Constitution of Puerto Rico prohibits the death penalty (Art. II. Sec. 7). After 1927, the death penalty has never been applied to a defendant in Puerto Rico.
However, the federal prosecutors in Puerto Rico continuously seek the death penalty in the local federal courts.
The death penalty goes against Puerto Rico's culture, values and traditions. Applying the death penalty will hurt the people of Puerto Rico.
The Governor and Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico have requested that the death penalty be excluded from the local federal courts. A supermajority of the legislature approved a resolution rejecting the death penalty in Puerto Rico.
We urge the administration to take immediate action on this manner.