Lawmakers in Puerto Rico are demanding transparency over what they describe as a “systemic breakdown” in the investigation of an alleged drugs-for-votes scheme operated by a prison gang, with claims that federal prosecutors were instructed to drop voting-related charges after Donald Trump’s election victory in November 2024.

The controversy centers on Group 31, also known as Los Tiburones, a violent prison gang accused of coercing inmates to vote for now-Governor Jenniffer González-Colón in exchange for drugs and protection. According to sources familiar with the investigation, prosecutors had evidence that gang leaders communicated directly with González-Colón’s campaign during the primary elections, but were ordered to abandon the voting-related aspects of the case after Trump’s inauguration.

Key developments:

• Puerto Rico’s congressional representative Pablo José Hernández Rivera (D) has called on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to launch a congressional investigation, stating the allegations “cannot be ignored by any elected official.”
• Local lawmaker Rep. Héctor Ferrer Santiago introduced a resolution ordering Puerto Rico’s Public Security Committee to investigate the matter, calling the allegations “serious” and stating the legislature has a “duty to investigate.”
• González-Colón, a Republican and member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, has denied any wrongdoing and called for the existing investigation to proceed, though she maintains she has no connection to the allegations.
• Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU of Puerto Rico, are demanding full transparency about the evidence collected and why the voting-related investigation was abandoned.

The allegations raise serious questions about electoral integrity in Puerto Rico, where political parties do not align strictly with U.S. Democratic or Republican labels but instead focus on the territory’s status—whether it should become a U.S. State, maintain its current commonwealth status, or pursue independence.

Background: The Prison Gang’s Alleged Influence Operation

Prosecutors initially charged 34 members of Group 31 in December 2024 with drug distribution, money laundering, and firearm possession, alleging the gang had connections with government officials to reduce prison sentences. The indictment also noted that the gang mandated political affiliations and voting preferences among inmates, though it did not include voting-related charges.

Sources with knowledge of the investigation told reporters that gang leaders allegedly forced inmates to vote for González-Colón or face severe consequences, including beatings and denial of drug supplies. Many inmates are reportedly addicted to illicit substances controlled by the gang. Prosecutors had evidence that González-Colón communicated with a gang leader via WhatsApp during the primary campaign but were instructed to halt the political aspects of the investigation after Trump’s election.

González-Colón has stated she engaged with all sectors of society during her campaign, including families of incarcerated individuals, but did not address the specific allegation about her communication with a gang leader. In a statement, she wrote: “I categorically reject any attempt to link me to unlawful conduct.” She has not been charged with any crime.

“I categorically reject any attempt to link me to unlawful conduct.”

Political Reactions and Statistical Anomalies

Lawmakers are pointing to statistical anomalies as evidence of potential wrongdoing. According to voter data analyzed by Hernández Rivera, 83% of inmates voted for González-Colón in the 2024 election—a far higher percentage than her overall victory margin of 41%. This discrepancy has raised suspicions among critics, who argue that such a concentrated voting pattern in prisons is statistically improbable without external influence.

Thomas Rivera Schatz, president of the Puerto Rico Senate and a member of González-Colón’s party, initially called for a thorough investigation but later distanced himself from the allegations, stating that the report lacked credibility and appeared to follow a “specific editorial line.” This shift has drawn criticism from opponents who accuse the governor’s allies of protecting political interests.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has expressed support for an investigation, citing broader concerns about election integrity in the U.S. “The allegations aren’t surprising given the suspicions of election fraud across the country,” Grothman said. “I hope our committee or another committee does some investigating.”

Civil Rights Groups and Advocacy Organizations Demand Answers

Annette Martínez-Orabona, executive director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico, has condemned the abandonment of the investigation as a betrayal of democratic principles. “Abandoning an investigation into a fraudulent voting scheme in prisons undermines the trust of those who believe in democracy,” Martínez-Orabona stated. “We are advocating for full transparency about what happened with this investigation, what evidence was collected, and what was done with that evidence.”

The Power 4 Puerto Rico Coalition, a diaspora organization advocating for greater independence for the territory, has also called for congressional hearings to review the matter. “The Puerto Rican people deserve the truth,” said Erica González Martínez, director of the group. “We want answers from Governor González-Colón and the U.S. Department of Justice about what happened, who knew, and why the voting-related investigation did not proceed.”

Legal and Institutional Responses

W. Stephen Muldrow, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, has declined to comment on the open case, citing the need to maintain the integrity of active matters. His spokesperson, Lymarie Llovet-Ayala, stated in an email that charging corrupt public officials “has always been and remains a top priority” of the office. However, the office has not provided details about why the voting-related investigation was halted.

Hernández Rivera, who serves as Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner in Congress, has indicated that he has support from at least two members of the House Judiciary Committee for a draft letter requesting an investigation. His office has emphasized that the issue is not just about González-Colón’s potential involvement but about whether the legal process was followed and whether corruption occurred in the decision to abandon the case.

What Happens Next?

The next critical checkpoint will be the outcome of Hernández Rivera’s efforts to secure a congressional investigation. If successful, the House Judiciary Committee could subpoena documents and witnesses, including federal prosecutors and officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. The committee may also request testimony from González-Colón and other key figures involved in the case.

In Puerto Rico, Ferrer Santiago’s resolution will be reviewed by the Public Security Committee, which could lead to further legislative action, including potential subpoenas for local officials. The ACLU and other advocacy groups are likely to continue pressuring both local and federal authorities for transparency.