A Harvard lawyer who spoke 6 languages, he was dubbed "El Maestro" for his ability to educate and inspire those around him. He joined the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico in 1924 and was elected president 6 years later. He led them until his passing.
His work was interrupted in 1950 by the governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marín, who imprisoned Pedro after 2 pro-independent activists attempted an assassination of the US president. (Shout out to Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola). Pedro was in his home on the island when he, among 3,000 other activists, were violently arrested and imprisoned for being associated with the movement.
Pedro was sentenced to 80 years in La Princesa prison. During this time he and many others were experimented on with radiation. A Doctor confirmed Pedro and others were suffering from long-term radiation poisoning. The FBI later released documents ordering agents to discredit the Doctor's reputation.
Pedro was pardoned by the very same governor in 1953 due to his declining health. A year later, when The Icon Lolita Lebron demanded a Free Puerto Rico in the US capital, he was rearrested and the state sanctioned torture continued. He suffered a stroke just 2 years later.
In 1964, the same governor pardoned Pedro due to his declining health. He passed 5 months later. His work and his efforts live on through us, especially now.
