Puerto Rico
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Abolitionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in...
- News items in the archive
- 36
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Puerto Rico is classified as Abolitionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 36 news items on Puerto Rico, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2020Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2019Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2018Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2017Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2016Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2015Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
NOVEMBER 24, 2014Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTYPUERTO RICO: GOVERNOR AGAINST REINSTITUTING DEATH PENALTY
Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla said that the death penalty is a "social aberration" and he came
- JANUARY 10, 2014Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
SPANISH COURT BACKS PUERTO RICAN'S EXTRADITION
A Spanish court ordered the extradition of a Puerto Rican woman wanted by U.S. federal authorities for
- JANUARY 1, 2014Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- MARCH 23, 2013Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
PUERTO RICO: JURY SPARES KILLER FROM DEATH PENALTY
A Puerto Rico man previously convicted of masterminding one of the island's biggest
- JANUARY 1, 2013Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- SEPTEMBER 27, 2012Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
a jury in abolitionist Puerto Rico rejected the death penalty in a US federal trial.
a jury in abolitionist Puerto Rico rejected the death penalty in a US federal trial.
- JANUARY 1, 2012Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2011Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2010Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2009Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- MARCH 4, 2008Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
PUERTO RICAN ABOLITIONISTS GAIN SUPPORT FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT
the Puerto Rican Coalition Against the Death Penalty and the Puerto Rican secretary of justice are working hand-in-hand to resist death sentences imposed by US federal courts.
- JANUARY 23, 2008Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
PUERTO RICO LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
Puerto Rico's justice secretary said that his department will do "everything
- JANUARY 1, 2008Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JANUARY 1, 2007Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- NOVEMBER 3, 2006Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
CARLOS AYALA LOPEZ SPARED DEATH PENALTY IN PUERTO RICO
a jury sentenced a man to life in prison for murder instead of giving him the death sentence sought by federal prosecutors in a case that sparked renewed opposition to capital punishment in the US territory of Puerto Rico.
- JANUARY 1, 2006Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- NOVEMBER 3, 2005Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
PUERTO RICO. COURT BARS EXTRADITION OF MAN FACING DEATH PENALTY TO PENNSYLVANIA
an Appeal Court of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico recently held that it would be unconstitutional to extradite Juan Melendez Cruz to Pennsylvania if he faces a possible death sentence, Death Penalty Information Centre reported.
- MAY 3, 2005Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
PUERTO RICO. TWO MEN SPARED DEATH IN WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN FIRST EXECUTIONS IN 80 YEARS
a jury in Puerto Rico sentenced two convicted murderers, Hernando Medina Villegas and Lorenzo Catalan Roman, to life imprisonment, rather than ordering them to be executed.
- JANUARY 1, 2005Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- APRIL 11, 2004Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights, incorporated in Article II of the Constitution.
- JULY 31, 2003Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
A federal jury acquitted two men of kidnapping and...
A federal jury acquitted two men of kidnapping and murdering a grocer, the first death penalty case to reach Puerto Rico in more than 75 years
- JUNE 3, 2003Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
Activists in Puerto Rico, whose constitution bans capital...
Activists in Puerto Rico, whose constitution bans capital punishment, protested an upcoming trial in US federal courts in the country in which two of their compatriots could face the death penalty
- JUNE 3, 2003Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
Activists in Puerto Rico, whose constitution bans capital...
Activists in Puerto Rico, whose constitution bans capital punishment, protested an upcoming trial in US federal courts in the country in which two of their compatriots could face the death penalty
- JANUARY 1, 2003Puerto RicoDEATH PENALTY
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in...
The prohibition of the death penalty is enshrined in the 1952 Bill of Rights