It is a weird, loud, and frankly exhausting day in San Juan. If you’ve ever been to the island in mid-January, you know exactly why: the SanSe. The Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián are officially in high gear, and honestly, the energy in Old San Juan right now is bordering on the chaotic. But while thousands are dancing to plena and dodging vejigante masks, the headlines coming out of the Governor's Mansion and the federal courts are a lot less festive.
Between a major presidential pardon for a former governor and some heavy-duty regional military tension that has basically grounded half the Caribbean, there is a lot to catch up on.
The Pardon Nobody (and Everybody) Expected
So, here’s the big one. President Trump just signaled he’s pardoning former Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced. If you follow Puerto Rican politics, you know this is a massive deal. Vázquez was the first former governor of the island to actually face federal charges. She had pleaded guilty last August to a campaign finance violation. Basically, the feds said she accepted a promise of a campaign contribution from a Venezuelan banker in exchange for firing a government regulator he didn’t like.
She was looking at about a year behind bars, and her sentencing was literally scheduled for later this month. Then, boom. The White House official who leaked the news—speaking anonymously because they weren't authorized to talk yet—said Trump sees the whole thing as a "political prosecution."
People are furious. Or they’re thrilled. There is no middle ground here. Pablo José Hernández, the island’s representative in D.C., was pretty blunt about it, saying that "impunity protects and fosters corruption." On the other side, the current governor, Jenniffer González, is a staunch Republican ally of Trump and has been backing his regional policies to the hilt. It’s a mess of loyalties that’s making the actual news cycle today feel like a soap opera.
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Why the Airspace is a Ghost Town
If you were planning to fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport today, I hope you checked your email. Regional travel is a total disaster right now. Hundreds of flights have been canceled—nearly 300 in San Juan alone.
Why? Because of the fallout from the U.S. military operation in Venezuela.
With the capture of Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, the Caribbean has turned into a giant "no-fly" zone for most commercial carriers. The Puerto Rico Ports Authority is basically telling everyone to stay home. JetBlue, Southwest, and American have all issued waivers, but honestly, it’s not just about the tickets. The bishops in Puerto Rico even put out a statement warning about "possible escalations" of war. They’re worried that the heavy militarization—we’re talking 15,000 U.S. troops in the region, 5,000 of whom are on the island—is turning Puerto Rico into a target.
The Clemente Family Wins a Big One
In a bit of news that actually feels like a win for local pride, the family of baseball legend Roberto Clemente finally got some justice in court. Late Friday, the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the family can sue Puerto Rico government officials for "stealing" his legacy.
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This whole thing started because the government was forcing people to pay extra for license plates with Clemente’s face on them to help dig the island out of its fiscal hole. The family never saw a dime, and worse, the public thought they were the ones profiting while everyone else was struggling. Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson basically said that just because you're the government doesn't mean you can use a trademarked icon to shake people down.
SanSe 2026: The Party Goes On
Despite the political drama and the grounded planes, the San Sebastián Street Festival is absolutely packed today, Saturday, January 17.
It’s the second full day of the "SanSe," and the streets are vibrant. One of the coolest things happening today is the La Comparsa Rosa Vejigante Project. It’s a group of hundreds of cancer survivors and their families dressed as vejigantes—those iconic, colorful, horned characters—dancing through the streets to raise awareness for early detection. It’s a beautiful, loud, emotional sight that reminds you why this festival is more than just a party.
Last night, Tito Nieves and Chencho absolutely set the stages on fire. Tonight, the rumor mill is spinning about who might show up as a surprise guest for the closing acts. If you’re in the crowd, keep an eye out for loose floorboards and keep your phone in your front pocket; the crowds are no joke this year.
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What You Should Do Next
If you are currently in Puerto Rico or have family there, the situation is moving fast. Here is the move:
- Check Flight Status Constantly: Don't just trust the app. Call the airline. The Venezuela situation is making airspace availability change by the hour.
- Watch the Weather: The National Weather Service in San Juan issued a warning for breezy conditions and a High Rip Current Risk for the north and east coasts. If you're hitting the beach after the festival, stay out of the water.
- Secure Your Outdoor Gear: The winds are expected to gust high enough to move patio furniture and light objects.
- Follow Local Journalists: For the real scoop on the Vázquez pardon and the fallout in the streets, keep an eye on El Nuevo Día and local reporters on X who are on the ground in Old San Juan.
The island is at a weird crossroads today—celebrating its culture in the streets while bracing for whatever comes next in the regional conflict. It’s noisy, it’s complicated, and it’s very Puerto Rico.
Data sources referenced: * U.S. District Court filings regarding Wanda Vázquez Garced.
- First Circuit Court of Appeals ruling (Clemente v. Puerto Rico).
- National Weather Service San Juan, PR (January 17, 2026 update).
- Official Puerto Rico Ports Authority travel advisories.