Puerto Rico Lawmakers Demand Probe Into Alleged Prison ‘Drugs-for-Votes’ Scheme
Federal and local lawmakers in Puerto Rico, alongside civil rights organizations, are calling for urgent investigations after a report revealed that a federal probe into a “drugs-for-votes” scheme within the territory’s prisons was allegedly quashed following the 2024 elections. The controversy centers on allegations that a violent prison gang coerced inmates into voting for specific candidates in exchange for drugs and protection.
The Alleged Scheme: Coercion and ‘Los Tiburones’
At the heart of the scandal is a violent gang known as Group 31, or Los Tiburones. According to an investigation by ProPublica, prosecutors uncovered a system where gang leaders forced inmates—many of whom struggle with illicit drug addiction—to vote for current Governor Jenniffer González-Colón.
The methods of coercion were brutal. Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that inmates who refused to comply faced brutal beatings or were cut off from their supply of drugs. While an indictment filed in December 2024 charged 34 members of the gang and their associates with money laundering, firearm possession, and drug distribution resulting in at least four overdose deaths, the charges notably excluded the drugs-for-votes scheme.
Political Ties and the WhatsApp Evidence
The investigation reportedly delved deep into whether Governor Jenniffer González-Colón or her campaign were involved in the scheme. Prosecutors claimed to have evidence that González-Colón communicated with a prison gang leader via WhatsApp during the primary campaign.
Governor González-Colón, a longtime Republican and member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, has categorically denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, she rejected any attempt to link her to unlawful conduct, stating she “has stood firmly against corruption” throughout her career. She explained that her campaign engagement included meeting with families of incarcerated individuals to discuss rehabilitation and reintegration, though she did not specifically address the allegation of direct communication with a gang leader.
“I categorically reject any attempt to link me to unlawful conduct,” González-Colón wrote.
Allegations of a Quashed Federal Probe
The most contentious aspect of the report is the claim that the investigation was intentionally derailed for political reasons. Four sources with knowledge of the probe told ProPublica that in the days following President Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory, supervisors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico instructed prosecutors to exclude voting-related charges against inmates and prison staff.
The sources further allege that once Trump took office, prosecutors were told to abandon the probe into potential political ties entirely. W. Stephen Muldrow, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico appointed by Trump in 2019, declined to comment on the matter, stating his office does not comment on open cases.
The Statistical Red Flag
Pablo José Hernández Rivera, Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner in Congress, has pointed to a stark statistical anomaly as evidence of foul play. Citing data from the State Elections Commission, Hernández Rivera noted that 83% of inmates voted for the New Progressive Party candidate.
This figure stands in sharp contrast to the general population; for comparison, González-Colón won 41% of the overall vote in the five-way general election. Hernández Rivera argued that such a margin in prisons is “suspicious” from a statistical standpoint and warrants a full congressional probe.
Political and Civil Rights Reactions
The report has sparked a divide among Puerto Rico’s political leadership:
- Calls for Action: Rep. Héctor Ferrer Santiago of the Popular Democratic Party introduced a resolution ordering the Committee on Public Security to investigate, calling the allegations “serious!” Similarly, Sen. María de Lourdes Santiago of the Puerto Rican Independence Party warned that partisan intervention in prisons has “severe implications.”
- Congressional Support: U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) stated he would support an investigation, noting that the allegations aren’t surprising given current “morals” and suspicions of election fraud across the U.S.
- Dismissal: Thomas Rivera Schatz, president of the Puerto Rico Senate, initially suggested a thorough investigation but later retracted his stance. He stated he does not lend the ProPublica report “any credibility whatsoever,” claiming it follows an editorial line directed against Trump and the Republican Party.
Civil rights advocates are also demanding transparency. Annette Martínez-Orabona, executive director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico, stated that abandoning an investigation into fraudulent voting undermines trust in democracy. The Power 4 Puerto Rico Coalition has called for congressional hearings to determine who knew about the probe and why it did not proceed.
Key Takeaways
- The Allegation: A gang called “Los Tiburones” allegedly coerced inmates into voting for Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón using drugs and violence.
- The Disparity: 83% of prison inmates voted for the New Progressive Party, compared to a 41% overall vote share for the Governor.
- The Controversy: Sources claim the U.S. Attorney’s Office quashed the voting fraud probe after the 2024 election.
- The Defense: Gov. González-Colón denies all allegations of unlawful conduct and maintains she has fought corruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Governor González-Colón been charged?
No. The Governor has not been charged with any crime.
What happened to the gang members?
In December 2024, 34 members of the gang and their associates were charged with drug distribution, money laundering, and firearm possession. However, these charges did not include the alleged drugs-for-votes scheme.
Who is calling for a congressional probe?
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera is leading the push for a congressional investigation and has sought support from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.