David Sanes Rodriguez (circa 1957-1999) was a Vieques native who became famous after death, and one of the focal personalities in the struggle of Puerto Ricans to stop military bombings in his hometown. Sanes' death sparked the Cause of Vieques and the Navy-Vieques protests.

Biography

Sanes was a civilian Navy worker at the Navy's military air fields in Vieques when a bomb fell about 30 feet from him in the summer of 1999, killing him instantly. Known among friends for his happy-go-lucky, partying lifestyle, Sanes became a legend in death instantly, his name crossing his native country from coast to coast the day after his death. His burial was covered by many newspapers and by television.

Sanes was therefore mentioned on many of the legal documents that the two Puerto Rican governors and United States presidents during the Viequense struggle had to sign in order for the military to move out of the Puerto Rican island.

On May 1, 2003, the military forces in Vieques finally left the island. Many of Sanes' hometown residents celebrated.

Also see

• List of famous Puerto Ricans