Today, Puerto Ricans celebrate September 23rd as a national holiday and El Grito de Lares flag continues to symbolize national independence.

In 2005, as Puerto Ricans celebrated El Grito de Lares, FBI agents surround the home of 72-year-old Filiberto Ojeda Rios, a leading figure in the Boricua Popular Army known as Los Macheteros. Agents fire 100 times, and one shot hits Ojeda Rios, who bleeds to death. Puerto Rican elected officials, students and activists protest the FBI's actions and circumstances surrounding his killing. The lack of consultation with local Puerto Rican authorities angers Puerto Ricans and is a reminder of the U.S. power and the disregard for Puerto Rico and its people. Thousands attend Ojeda Rios' funeral.

Book Sources:
Maldonado-Denis, Manuel. Puerto Rico: A Socio-Historic Interpretation. (1972).