About 60 percent of the population receives the local version of food stamps, which is financed by Congress. A report requested by President Clinton this past year concluded that the Navy had failed to live up to a 1983 agreement to help improve Vieques ' economy. The Navy laid some of the blame on the Puerto Rican government for failing to spur investments and improve basic infrastructure. One longstanding citizens' complaint is the amount of ferry travel time between Vieques and Puerto Rico . The Navy occupies the closet point to the mother island, about eight miles and a 20-minute boat ride away.
Locals complain that the longer ferry ride also holds back tourism and development.
We all have to make sacrifices, and the Navy appreciates the things that Vieques has contributed. Mayor Santiago says Vieques has made too many sacrifices. But she's also concerned that protesters from Puerto Rico may seek a confrontation with the military. We want peace to return to Vieques .