WEBVTT

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On January 7, 2020,

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a 6.4 magnitude earthquake

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hit the south coast of Guanica,

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causing severe damage to many buildings

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in the southern towns of the island.

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The Ponce Marine Unit was not exempt

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from the effects of the earthquake.

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The intensity of the tremors

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caused the foundation below the buildings

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in a parking lot to liquefy,

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 turning ground under the property into mud,

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which caused the foundation

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to give way up to 18 inches.

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The slabs of concrete

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in the parking lot began to sink,

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as well as the foundation to the main building,

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causing the walls to separate.

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The extent of the damages

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resulted in the building being condemned.

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We're here just two years after the crisis breaking ground.

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It's actually a pretty impressive thing

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and it's a testament

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to the people who helped us get here.

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This new joint center,

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it's a perfect example of the synergy

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that the Coast Guard and CBP

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have on the island of Puerto Rico

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and across the Caribbean.

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Working hand in hand,

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the Coast Guard and CBP work to keep

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 U.S. interests in the Caribbean

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safe and secure every day.

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This is a unique situation

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where the Coast Guard issues a contract

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using our funding to build the facility

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and use their funding to rebuild the grounds.

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This facility is going to be one of the

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five Marine units for Air and Marine.

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It'll be the first one with a permanent complement

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of both Coast Guard and Air and Marine personnel

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vessels from this pier

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are going to be out interdicting,

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particularly drug smugglers

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that are coming in to the south, Puerto Rico,

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and are incredibly important

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for stopping huge quantities

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of cocaine and other illicit narcotics

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coming into this country.

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The Ponce Marine Unit has been doing

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an outstanding job for the last 25 years,

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securing the south coast of Puerto Rico.

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The boats right here, as you can see behind me,

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 we're standing on a pier

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where the Ponce Marine Unit will have their boats.

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The office is right in front of me.

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So their response time will be will be instant.

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They can just walk out of the office.

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Come here, get on the boats.

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It'll be great.