Miami, Florida | March 21, 2026 — Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón participated in the Miami Security Forum hosted by The Heritage Foundation, alongside the organization’s president, Dr. Kevin Roberts. During her remarks, the Governor underscored Puerto Rico’s critical role in advancing U.S. national security.
Joining the Governor was Gabriella Boffelli, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA). The opening panel featured a discussion of the organization’s new report, “A Path Forward for Puerto Rico: Seizing on Historic Opportunities for Advancing U.S. Security and Prosperity,” which highlights Puerto Rico as a strategic asset in advancing national interests, particularly within the context of President Donald J. Trump’s focus on strengthening U.S. leadership in the Western Hemisphere.
“Puerto Rico represents a strategic pillar for national security, regional stability, and economic development. Its geographic location and unique capabilities position it as a key partner in safeguarding the nation and enhancing its global competitiveness,” Governor González-Colón stated.
“The Caribbean constitutes the United States’ third border, with Puerto Rico at the center of that defense. Approximately 40 percent of the cocaine entering U.S. territory transits through our region, underscoring the scale of the challenge. That is why our Administration is confronting drug trafficking with resolve and strategic focus,” she added.
The Governor highlighted significant progress resulting from strengthened regional security operations, including:
· The seizure of more than 92,000 pounds of narcotics in 2025 across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
· A reduction of up to 30 percent in the movement of drug vessels in the Caribbean.
· An increase in the price of cocaine on the island, indicating supply disruption.
· A decline in the number of illegal vessels reaching Puerto Rico’s shores.
In that vein, PRFAA Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli noted:
“These results are not coincidental. They reflect an administration focused on addressing the growing security threats facing the United States amid past appeasement policies in the Western Hemisphere, and one that is now taking decisive action. The increased presence of law enforcement and the effective coordination between federal and local agencies are directly benefiting Puerto Rico.”
Governor González-Colón reiterated that Puerto Rico has been a key partner in national security efforts, including recent counternarcotics operations that have contributed to a significant reduction in drug flows throughout the Caribbean.
Beyond security, the Governor emphasized that her Administration has advanced initiatives to improve the business climate, attract investment, and position Puerto Rico as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing.
As part of the forum’s panel, “Charting a Course for Caribbean Basin Security,” she highlighted the island’s potential to serve as a driver of economic growth, supply chain resilience, and strategic capability for the United States. Key achievements include:
· More than $109 million in federal funding, secured in coordination with PRFAA, to modernize the Port of San Juan.
· The revitalization of the Roosevelt Roads dry dock—the largest in the Caribbean.
· The positioning of Puerto Rico as a leading hub for industrial reshoring, particularly in high-value sectors such as pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing.
Puerto Rico has firmly established itself as one of the leading bioscience manufacturing centers in the nation, with more than 120 FDA-approved sites and annual exports exceeding $54 billion.
The Governor further underscored that these international and national security-focused forums provide critical opportunities to continue positioning Puerto Rico as a trusted partner and a central component of the United States’ security and economic development strategy in the Western Hemisphere.
The forum brought together a wide range of national and international leaders in national security and defense, as well as private sector executives. Governor González-Colón, PRFAA Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli, and Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety Secretary Arthur Garffer engaged in discussions on global security challenges and emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among allies to confront emerging threats, including narco-terrorism, authoritarian regimes, and the growing influence of China, Iran, and Russia in the region.
