The short version
- NotiCel reported that the Oversight Board approved a payment plan for Las Marías to settle its $327,078 debt with the AAA
- Metro Puerto Rico reported the plan includes a $50,000 initial payment followed by 31 monthly payments of $8,650 and a final payment of $8,928 in November 2028
- Both outlets reported that CRIM will deduct the payments from the municipality's property tax remittances and send them directly to the AAA
- The Oversight Board warned that the additional withholdings could compromise municipal operations if they exceed the municipality's fiscal capacity according to Metro Puerto Rico
Payment plan approved
The Junta de Supervisión Fiscal approved a plan for the Municipio de Las Marías to pay its $327,078 debt to the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados. NotiCel reported the authorization was contained in a letter dated Nov. 5, 2026, from the board to the director of the AAFAF, Vicky González Vega. The AAFAF had requested approval on Sept. 14 under Section 207 of PROMESA, Metro Puerto Rico reported.
Under the plan the municipality will make an initial payment of $50,000. The remaining $277,078 will be paid in 31 monthly installments of $8,650 and a final payment of $8,928, with the debt to be settled in November 2028, both outlets reported. The Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales will deduct the amounts from Las Marías' monthly property tax remittances and transfer them directly to the AAA. The municipality must authorize the automatic withholdings.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Es crucial que el Municipio demuestre que puede absorber estos tres años de retenciones adicionales por parte del CRIM para la AAA junto con sus obligaciones existentes sin perjudicar las operaciones
Our translation: It is crucial that the Municipality demonstrate that it can absorb these three years of additional withholdings by the CRIM for the AAA along with its existing obligations without harming operations
The source's own statement, as quoted by Metro Puerto Rico. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Fiscal warnings
The Oversight Board warned that the additional CRIM withholdings, on top of existing deductions that have already substantially reduced or eliminated net remittances in some periods, could affect the municipality's operations if not aligned with its fiscal capacity, Metro Puerto Rico reported. The board stated that audited financial reports show improvement in the municipality's overall financial position, including reduced long-term debt, but noted that General Fund results have been irregular with a negative balance in the latest report.
The board also pointed out that grants and contributions, some one-time or declining, make up a significant portion of municipal revenues, limiting predictability for recurring operations. Certain revenues such as construction excise taxes have fallen considerably below estimates, according to the same report. As a condition, Las Marías must remain current on its ongoing AAA bills; any missed payment would make the full remaining balance immediately due.
Where the sources differ
NotiCel and Metro Puerto Rico agree on the debt amount of $327,078, the initial $50,000 payment, the structure of 31 monthly payments of $8,650 plus a final $8,928 payment due in November 2028, the use of CRIM remittances for automatic deductions, and the letter dated Nov. 5, 2026, sent to AAFAF director Vicky González Vega. Both note improved overall finances but irregular General Fund results with a negative balance. Metro Puerto Rico includes more detail on existing withholdings already reducing net remittances, the need to demonstrate absorption of new deductions without harming operations, requirements to stay current on bills, collaboration with the OGP on budgets, and a recommendation for a multiyear investment plan. NotiCel does not contain the direct quote from Robert F. Mujica Jr. that appears in Metro Puerto Rico.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state how or when the municipality accumulated the $327,078 debt. They do not specify the amount or identity of the existing CRIM withholdings for other obligations. The sources provide no information on the current mayor of Las Marías, whether the municipality has already made the initial $50,000 payment, or the exact timeline for municipal authorization of the deductions. No details are given on the size of the negative General Fund balance or the specific grants that are declining.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Las Marías le debe $327,078 a la AAA y la Junta autorizar saldar la deuda
- Reporting Las Marías le debe $327,078 a la AAA y la Junta autorizar saldar la deuda
- Reporting ¿En riesgo fiscal Las Marías por deuda de más de $300 mil con la AAA?
How we checked this
NotiCel and Metro Puerto Rico both reported the debt amount, payment schedule and CRIM deduction mechanism. The fiscal warnings, direct quote from Robert F. Mujica Jr., and additional conditions rest solely on the Metro Puerto Rico account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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