Salinas, Puerto Rico: The Town’s Changes—or Lack Thereof— Through a Local’s Lens

SALINAS, Puerto Rico — Martin Laboy works all day, Monday through Friday, at his hot dog stand in downtown Salinas, right across from the town’s main square. For the last 36 years, he has sat under his rainbow-colored umbrella, surrounded by colorful, vibrant blue and purple buildings as the sausages roast on his grill. 

Salinas, a town on the Southern coast of Puerto Rico, is a hot topic for Puerto Rican environmental activists, because of recent outrage regarding the regulation of construction in the area’s mangroves. 

Laboy wants people to know that the town has great things to offer besides the controversy, as Salinas is often referred to as Puerto Rico’s fishing capital and is known for its seafood. 

The main change he has seen in Salinas over the past years is that main square, as more statues are erected and repairs slowly take place. In terms of everything else around the immediate surroundings, he has not seen much change, according to Samuel González through Spanish to English translation with Laboy. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial spaces are deteriorating, closing and becoming vacant. In terms of big benefits, or social or economic benefits, he also has not seen much. Laboy has heard environmental outrage from the locals in the square while they purchase hot dogs from his stand. 

“People here are very mad about what’s happening because it gives a bad impression of the town and the local government,” said Laboy. “The mangroves should be protected because they are a part of the ecology. If there is anyone that should be prosecuted, they should be and maybe spend their time in jail.”

However, Laboy doesn’t like to get into “government stuff.”  

“I believe that politics are important, but the people that represent those politics have to do a better job and have to have the back of the people that represent them as a democracy,” Laboy said.

Laboy believes that the work that politicians are supposed to be doing is vital for the economy because they are the ones that represent the town as a whole. 

“What’s happening, not just here (in Salinas), but in other towns in Puerto Rico… deteriorates the confidence that people have for their government,” said Laboy. 

While he believes that Puerto Rico has a lot of things that they need to reconsider government-wise, Laboy says that he is proud of Puerto Rican society. He characterizes Puerto Ricans as humble, open and friendly to visitors. 

“Like many societies with have our problems, corruption, and distrust among leaders, but in terms of the other things, we are very joyful,” said Laboy. “There are a lot of good things to offer the people that come here.”

In terms of those good things that Laboy mentioned, his favorite is the astronomy that you can see on the island. He acknowledged Salinas’ shoreline restaurants that visitors flock to. According to Laboy, the area becomes a hot spot on the weekends. He believes that these beachfront restaurants are a token that makes the area special.