The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently ruled on a significant civil rights case involving a protest against environmental issues. The decision, made on April 30, 2026, affects the plaintiffs, who claimed they were harmed during a demonstration, and the defendants, including a security company and its president.

Angel Torres Rosado and Laura Nazario Lameiro, representing a minor, appealed a lower court's decision to dismiss their complaint regarding civil rights violations. The original case stemmed from a protest on January 29, 2023, at the Cueva Las Golondrinas in Aguadilla, where the plaintiffs alleged that security guards used chemical agents and firearms against demonstrators. Torres Rosado claimed he was sprayed with pepper spray and shot during the incident.

The case reached the Court of Appeals after the Aguadilla Superior Court dismissed the complaint, citing lack of personal jurisdiction and insufficient service of process under Rule 10.2 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The plaintiffs argued that the dismissal was erroneous and sought to have the decision overturned.

Background

The parties involved in this case include the appellants, Angel Torres Rosado and Laura Nazario Lameiro, and the appellees, Carlos Román González, Aguadilla Pier Corp., SJA Security Police, Inc., José Ortiz Valentín, and César Toledo Mantilla. The dispute arose from a protest where the plaintiffs alleged they faced excessive force from security personnel linked to the defendants.

The plaintiffs filed their initial complaint on January 28, 2025, seeking damages for the injuries they sustained during the protest. They faced challenges in serving the defendants, leading to multiple motions for service by edict and claims of insufficient notice. The lower court ultimately dismissed the case, prompting the appeal.

The Ruling

The Court of Appeals found that the lower court erred in dismissing the case against SJA Security Police, Inc. The ruling stated, "The court ruled that the dismissal of the complaint against SJA Security Police, Inc. was incorrect, as this entity had been personally served and had not responded to the complaint." This decision was made by a panel consisting of Judge Sánchez Ramos, Judge Romero García, and Judge Pérez Ocasio.

Furthermore, the court highlighted that the plaintiffs had adequately demonstrated their attempts to serve the other defendants, despite the lower court's finding of insufficient service. The Appeals Court emphasized the importance of ensuring that plaintiffs have the opportunity to present their cases, especially in matters involving civil rights.

Impact

This ruling is significant for future civil rights cases in Puerto Rico, as it reinforces the importance of proper service of process while also recognizing the necessity of allowing plaintiffs to pursue their claims. The court's decision may influence how lower courts handle similar cases, particularly those involving protests and alleged police misconduct.

The ruling also sets a precedent regarding the treatment of service issues in civil rights cases, emphasizing that procedural errors should not automatically lead to dismissal if the plaintiffs have made reasonable efforts to comply with service requirements.

What's Next

The case can potentially be appealed further, but details regarding any subsequent actions were not available in the court filing. The outcome may also influence related cases pending in the Puerto Rican courts concerning civil rights and police conduct.