Human Rights

A clash of cultures and governments over the death penalty has erupted in Puerto Rico, pitting the commonwealth against the United States and the state of Pennsylvania. On Aug. 7, Pennsylvania will attempt to extradite Juan Martinez-Cruz for allegedly shooting a 32-year-old man multiple times in an argument over a woman in a bar in a potential capital case. The defendant's lawyer has said he will fight the extradition under international legal principles, the first such challenge on the island, unless Martinez is guaranteed in writing that he will not be subject to the death penalty.