Crítica A critical space of political analysis, history and cultural anthropology. From Puerto Rico, with an eye toward the international.
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The Thanksgiving Myth
by Israel Melendez Ayala on November 26, 2025
And how Puerto Ricans made it our own.
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Puerto Rico’s Old Military Wounds Are Being Reopened
by Israel Melendez Ayala on November 18, 2025
For TIME, I wrote about the US remilitarization in Puerto Rico
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The Federal Government Has Canceled Flights to Mexico From San Juan
by Israel Melendez Ayala on November 5, 2025
Its economic consequences could be reminiscent of the Prohibition era.
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A New Law Threatens Access to Information
by Israel Melendez Ayala on October 22, 2025
It also enshrines governmental laziness.
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The U.S. Military Footprint in Puerto Rico
by Israel Melendez Ayala on October 8, 2025
Bases built for empire, not the archipelago.
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U.S. Choices in Medicine Affect Puerto Rico
by Israel Melendez Ayala on September 24, 2025
Our governor goes along with Trump.
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ICE in Puerto Rico
by Israel Melendez Ayala on September 17, 2025
For TIME, I wrote about raids and detentions in Puerto Rico.
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How the Spanish Flu Affected Puerto Rico
by Israel Melendez Ayala on September 3, 2025
With COVID-19 surging again, we can look back to the last century.
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A Short History of Pizza
by Israel Melendez Ayala on August 27, 2025
It has a role in Puerto Rican modern diet.
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Puerto Rico Wasn’t Always Car Dependent
by Israel Melendez Ayala on August 20, 2025
They represent an illusion of progress.
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Cooling Is a Design Issue
by Israel Melendez Ayala on August 13, 2025
AC is not the only answer to extreme heat.
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Design for Cooling Down is not New
by Israel Melendez Ayala on July 23, 2025
There are ways to bring temperatures down without AC
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Will Trump's Policies Make Education in Puerto Rico Worse?
by Israel Melendez Ayala on July 2, 2025
The local Deparment of Education has been plagued by corruption for years.
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Puerto Rico Has a History of Music As Protest
by Israel Melendez Ayala on June 25, 2025
In recent demonstrations against ICE, music was key.
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Viejo San Juan’s Plaza de Armas Is Always Changing
by Israel Melendez Ayala on June 18, 2025
A new renovation sparks a look into the history of this important plaza.
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A Brief History of the LGBTQ+ Community in Puerto Rico
by Israel Melendez Ayala on June 11, 2025
Sylvia Rivera was a key figure.
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Puerto Rico’s Role in the Cuban Missile Crisis
by Israel Melendez Ayala on June 4, 2025
The U.S. used the archipelago in this Cold War operation.
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The Myth of a German Invasion
by Israel Melendez Ayala on May 28, 2025
What’s the truth behind a common misconception about Puerto Rico’s role in WWII?
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The Leo Popes and Puerto Rico
by Israel Melendez Ayala on May 23, 2025
Leo XIII worked on behalf of the Spanish empire to protect the Church’s property in colonies.
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Data Is Lacking on How Climate Change Affects Historic Preservation in the Caribbean
by Israel Melendez Ayala on May 7, 2025
One of my library science classes illuminated a disparity.






