Long a missile range for the U.S. Navy, Vieques (vee-AY-kays) finally saw an end to the bombing in May 2003. The military had purchased part of the island in the 1940s to use for weapons testing. After many years of protest, the base was finally turned over to the government of Puerto Rico, which is working to reclaim the land. Only the eastern tip of the island remains restricted. The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge has been established on nearly 18,000 acres on both ends of the island to protect such endangered animals as the brown pelican, the Antillean manatee and four species of sea turtles. Learn More...