Navy officials would not comment. It is unclear whether any of the protesters possess or have access to weapons, but some have vowed to make federal agents force them off the property, which has been used as a bombing range for decades. Carlos Romero Barcelo, Puerto Rico's nonvoting delegate to Congress, said in an interview Monday that he supports a move to clear the bombing range of protesters, although he was not aware of a specific plan. But he said he was aware of credible information that some protesters on Vieques may be armed. That incident caused the Navy to suspend training, and months of negotiations ensued between Puerto Rico, the Navy and the White House over when and under what condition the Navy would resume bombing practice.
Protesters occupy several camps on the range.
Their numbers can reach into the dozens depending on weather conditions. Last Wednesday they marked the first anniversary of the accidental killing of civilian security guard David Sanes Rodriguez. Mourners laid flowers on his grave and demanded the Navy's eviction. There has been little indication from interviews with protesters then that they fear being arrested.