Borinquen Made2026-09-01 · Economy
Vocero: Ruiz Vargas — 'the only way… is if the sea dries up'
On September 1, 2026, El Vocero (Elián Flores García) carried statements by Roberto Ruiz Vargas, representative of Cabo Rojo Land Acquisition and Three Rules Capital, after the Senate Innovation, Reform and Nominations Committee hearing: Esencia, he said, does not depend on the public utility corporations and has alternatives —including seawater desalination— for supply. Proponent claim ≠ extraction permit or franchise already granted.
Ruiz Vargas argued that the water design “breaks… dependence” on AAA/PREPA, that the project “assumes the full cost of its autonomy” with its own infrastructure and contingency plans, and that “Esencia does have water… unless opponents find a way to dry up the sea, Esencia goes.” To the press he insisted: “We are not counting on the Aqueduct Authority… we have on the record where we will get the water, how we will process it, how we will deliver it.”
He said Cabo Rojo’s problem “is not necessarily water availability, but the infrastructure” to distribute it; that they are doing detailed engineering for DNER; and that experts used federal aquifer studies. Vocero close: “the only way we would not have water available is if the sea dries up.” Paper demo ≠ DNER endorsement or credit already cashed. Primary: El Vocero 1 Sep 2026.