Navigating the Complex Web of Environmental Governance in Puerto Rico: Beyond Colonialism and Neoliberalism

Puerto Rico, with its unique historical context and?present-day political and economic structures, faces formidable challenges in achieving sustainable development. While colonial legacies and neoliberal transformations have certainly shaped its governance, it would be an oversimplification to attribute all of Puerto Rico’s environmental struggles to these factors alone. The interplay of local governance, civil society, and global market forces complicates this narrative. This article re-examines the intersection of colonialism, neoliberalism, and internal governance failures in Puerto Rico’s environmental management while exploring practical solutions for reform.

Drawing from recent research and broader regional trends, we aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of how systemic barriers to sustainability manifest on the island, addressing not only external pressures but also local governance dynamics and the role of civil society.

The Historical Legacy: Colonialism and Its Lasting Impact

Puerto Rico’s colonial history is undeniably central to its current governance structures. Centuries of foreign control, first by Spain and later by?the United States, have left the island in a politically dependent position. Even today, Puerto Rico’s political status as a U.S. territory limits its autonomy in addressing environmental and economic issues, including regulatory oversight. As García-López and McCormick-Rivera (2024) argue, "colonial neoliberal transformations" in Puerto Rico have reinforced structural inequalities, often favoring external corporate interests over local communities. This history of extraction and exploitation has left deep scars on Puerto Rico’s natural environment and institutional capacity.

However, attributing all of Puerto Rico’s environmental governance issues solely to colonialism risks ignoring the ways in which local decision-making processes have contributed to these challenges. For instance, while U.S. federal policies certainly shape the island’s environmental landscape, Puerto Rico’s own local governance structures have not always acted in the best interests of its communities. Corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiencies within local agencies have often worsened existing problems, particularly in how environmental regulations are implemented and enforced.

The Neoliberal Turn: Austerity, Deregulation, and Corporate Interests

Neoliberal economic policies have further complicated Puerto Rico’s governance. Since the late 20th century, neoliberalism has brought waves of deregulation, privatization, and austerity measures, eroding the island’s regulatory capacity. As Berger (2012) notes, in Latin America, neoliberal reforms have dismantled many?protections intended to safeguard natural resources, particularly for marginalized communities. In Puerto Rico, these policies have reduced the ability of public agencies to oversee critical environmental assessments and have prioritized economic growth at the expense of social equity.

Austerity has hit Puerto Rico’s public sector hard. Severe budget cuts, often imposed in the wake of economic crises, have crippled agencies tasked with environmental oversight. The Environmental Quality Board (Junta de Calidad Ambiental), which once played a central role in enforcing environmental regulations, has been defunded and its authority reduced over time. This has allowed powerful corporate interests?to push through projects with little oversight, particularly in the energy, tourism, and real estate sectors.

They are yet?focusing only on neoliberal policies, which risks missing the internal dynamics that have compounded these issues. While external pressures such as U.S. debt restructuring programs have imposed harsh austerity measures, local politicians have often been complicit in the erosion of regulatory frameworks. For example, the weakening of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, as highlighted by García-López and McCormick-Rivera (2024), can be traced not just to neoliberalism but also to local corruption and a lack of political will to enforce stringent environmental protections.

Local Governance Failures and Citizen Participation

One of the most critical shortcomings in Puerto Rico’s environmental governance is the failure to ensure meaningful citizen participation in decision-making processes. While colonial and neoliberal policies have contributed to this exclusion, local governance practices are equally to blame. The EIA process, intended to incorporate public input, has often been reduced to a formality, with decisions about major infrastructure projects being made long before the public is consulted. This echoes what Svampa (2015) describes as "neoextractivism," where the focus is on resource extraction for profit, sidelining the needs and voices of local communities.

Local governance structures have frequently failed to create transparent and inclusive decision-making frameworks. When they do happen, public hearings and consultations?are often inaccessible to the average citizen. The technical jargon used in environmental assessments and the bureaucratic hurdles involved discourage many from participating, especially those in marginalized communities who are most affected by environmental degradation.

Moreover, there is often a disconnect between local government and grassroots civil society organizations, critical actors in addressing environmental issues. Civil society groups have long advocated for stronger environmental protections and more inclusive governance, yet both corporate interests and unresponsive local officials frequently undermine their efforts. The problem is not just one of neoliberalism or colonialism but of a broader governance failure that limits the capacity of local communities to influence decisions that directly impact their environment.

Beyond Colonialism and Neoliberalism: Internal Factors and the Role of Civil Society

While external forces have certainly shaped Puerto Rico’s environmental governance, it is essential to recognize the agency of local actors—both in governance and in civil society. Civil society organizations have been at the forefront of advocating for environmental justice and holding both corporate entities and local government accountable. For example, local environmental groups have successfully mobilized against the privatization of public lands for tourism projects, illustrating the potential for grassroots activism to bring about meaningful change in Puerto Rico.

Internal governance reforms are just as crucial as addressing external pressures. Strengthening local institutions, promoting transparency, and empowering civil society to participate more fully in decision-making are vital steps toward achieving sustainable development in Puerto Rico. The island’s governance system must evolve beyond its colonial and neoliberal past to embrace a more inclusive, participatory model that centers on?the needs of its communities.

Kaika and Swyngedouw (2024) argue that the "post-political" nature of many environmental discussions often depoliticizes the real issues. In Puerto Rico, this has meant that many ecological debates are framed in purely technical or economic terms, sidelining discussions about social justice and community rights. For reforms to be effective, they must acknowledge the political nature of environmental governance and strive to create spaces for genuine dialogue and participation.

A Path Forward: Reforms and Recommendations

To create a more sustainable and just environmental governance system in Puerto Rico, reforms must address both the external pressures of colonialism and neoliberalism and the internal dynamics of local governance. Here are several key recommendations:

1. Strengthen Environmental Regulatory Agencies: Puerto Rico’s environmental agencies must be re-empowered with adequate funding, staffing, and authority to enforce environmental laws. This requires reversing many of the austerity measures that have weakened the public sector.
2. Promote Transparency and Accountability: Both local and external actors must be held accountable for their environmental impacts. More robust mechanisms for transparency in decision-making processes, such as open access to EIA documents and public records, are crucial.
3. Enhance Citizen Participation: Public participation must be more than a formality. The government should create accessible platforms for citizen engagement, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and community concerns are integrated into decision-making processes.
4. Support Civil Society: Grassroots organizations are critical in environmental governance. Providing these groups with the resources and legal protections they need to advocate for environmental justice is essential for creating a more equitable governance system.
5. Address Colonial Status: Puerto Rico’s colonial status must be addressed. While this is a complex political issue, the island’s lack of political autonomy is a significant barrier to enacting meaningful reforms. Any discussion of sustainable development in Puerto Rico must acknowledge the broader context of its political relationship with the United States.

Conclusion

Puerto Rico’s environmental governance challenges are multifaceted and deeply rooted in its colonial past and neoliberal present. However, local governance failures and the exclusion of civil society from decision-making have also played a significant role in the island’s environmental struggles. Puerto Rico must embrace a more inclusive, participatory governance model that centers community voices and prioritizes environmental justice over corporate profits. Only by addressing external and internal barriers can Puerto Rico build a sustainable future that truly serves its people.

Works Cited

• Berger, M. (2012). Environmental justice in the neoliberal era: Case studies from Latin America. Journal of Latin American Studies.
• Domhoff, G. W. (2015). Who Rules America? Corporate Influence in Politics.
• García-López, G., & McCormick-Rivera, W. (2024). Neoliberalism, colonialism, and systemic barriers to citizen participation in environmental assessment processes in Latin America: The case of Puerto Rico. Environmental Impact Assessment Review.
• Kaika, M., & Swyngedouw, E. (2024). The Post-Political City and the Politics of Environmental Degradation.
• Svampa, M. (2015). Neoextractivism and Environmental Conflicts in Latin America.

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