The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals ruled on June 8, 2026, to deny a petition from property owners seeking to challenge a municipal expropriation. The case, Municipio Autónomo De San Juan v. José Fiol, Arcadia Colón Y Otros, involves a dispute over property located in Santurce, San Juan, and could set important precedents for future expropriation cases in Puerto Rico.

The ruling affects José Fiol and Arcadia Colón, who were contesting their property being taken by the Municipality of San Juan. The court's decision is significant as it upholds the municipality's right to expropriate property deemed a public nuisance, raising questions about property rights and due process in expropriation cases.

Background

The dispute began on October 7, 2025, when the Municipality of San Juan, led by Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo, filed a petition for forced expropriation against Fiol and Colón. The municipality claimed the property at Calle Manuel Corchado No. 160 had been declared a public nuisance on February 6, 2025. The municipality proposed a compensation of $21,000, but after deducting debts and fines, they asserted that the actual compensation owed was $0.

Fiol and Colón contested the expropriation, arguing that they had a legitimate interest in the property. They filed several motions to suspend the expropriation and sought to be recognized as parties with an interest in the case. The lower court initially ruled in favor of the municipality, leading to the appeal to the Court of Appeals.

The Ruling

The Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Martínez Cordero, along with Judges Bonilla Ortiz and Robles Adorno, ultimately denied the petition for certiorari. The court stated, "The petitioners have not persuaded us that the application of the abstention rule in this matter would result in a manifest failure of justice." This ruling means that the lower court's decision to proceed with the expropriation stands.

The court found that the petitioners did not have the necessary legal standing to challenge the expropriation effectively. The judges emphasized that the municipality had followed proper procedures in declaring the property a public nuisance and seeking expropriation.

Impact

This ruling reinforces the authority of municipalities in Puerto Rico to expropriate properties deemed public nuisances. It clarifies the limits of property owners' rights in such cases, particularly regarding their ability to contest expropriations based on claims of interest in the property.

The decision could set a precedent for future expropriation cases, particularly in how courts interpret property rights and the conditions under which municipalities can take private property. It highlights the balance between public interest and private property rights, a contentious issue in many jurisdictions.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding the possibility of an appeal to a higher court. However, the petitioners may seek other legal avenues to challenge the ruling or address their concerns about due process and notification in the expropriation process.