A prominent advocacy organization has escalated its campaign for environmental transparency by submitting a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the leadership of Camp Santiago Joint Training Center in Salinas, Puerto Rico. The demand seeks comprehensive documentation concerning chemical contamination, environmental hazards, and toxic substance management at the island’s largest National Guard installation.
Sonia Santiago Hernández, representing Mothers Against War, emphasized the critical nature of their request ahead of planned demonstrations. “The continued operation of Camp Santiago poses an immediate threat to the Southern Aquifer,” Hernández asserted, “which serves as the principal drinking water source for numerous communities across Salinas, Guayama, Arroyo, and adjacent municipalities.”
The environmental advocate articulated growing community concerns regarding undisclosed pollution threats. “Residents deserve complete awareness of what contaminants have been deposited at Camp Santiago, their precise locations, exposure levels, and genuine remediation strategies,” Hernández declared. “We will not accept institutional silence when the wellbeing of our families hangs in the balance.”
The extensive FOIA petition encompasses records pertaining to underground storage tanks and fuel spill incidents; historical documentation of gasoline and diesel leaks; compliance orders issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and performance reports on malfunctioning automatic detection systems.
Of particular concern are perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—persistent chemicals found in firefighting foams historically used at military facilities. Scientific research has established connections between PFAS exposure and increased cancer risks, endocrine disruption, and compromised immune function.
The Mothers Against War spokesperson emphasized that public health considerations must supersede military operational interests, calling for both governmental transparency and environmental justice for affected Puerto Rican communities.