Dylcia Pagan, a high-profile Puerto Rican nationalist who spent 19 years in prison before receiving a reprieve in 1999, passed away on June 30, 2024, at the age of 77 due to cardiorespiratory failure.

Pagan was a vocal member of the Armed Forces for National Liberation (F.A.L.N.) and stood by her involvement with the group throughout her life, receiving clemency from then-President Bill Clinton in the end, as the New York Times reports.

Born on Oct. 15, 1946, in the South Bronx and raised in East Harlem, Pagan was the only child of Sebastian Pagan Arenas and Noemi Rivera, both of whom died in her teenage years. The loss of her parents drove her towards the Puerto Rican independence movement, where she found a sense of belonging.

Pagan joined the F.A.L.N., a militant group responsible for 120 bombings between 1974 and 1983. These acts of violence included the infamous bombing of Fraunces Tavern in 1975, which resulted in the deaths of four people. Despite the group's controversial tactics, some members justified the violence as a response to what they saw as corporate exploitation of Puerto Rico.

Imprisonment and Clemency

In 1981, Pagan was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 55 years in federal prison. Her imprisonment drew attention to the F.A.L.N.'s activities and the broader Puerto Rican independence movement. While incarcerated, she remained determined and unrepentant about her role in the group's violent activities.

In September 1999, President Bill Clinton granted clemency to Pagan under the stipulation that she renounce violence. This clemency was part of a broader initiative to address concerns about the fairness of the sentences imposed on F.A.L.N. members. Despite her release, Pagan continued to support the independence movement and defend her past actions.

In the years following her release, Pagan lived in Loiza, Puerto Rico, where she pursued artistic endeavors.

She had worked in television production earlier in her career, including on the show Realidades and at WGBH in Boston. Her contributions to television and the arts were notable, but her legacy remained tied to her activism.

Personal Life and Relationships

Her personal life was marked by her relationship with William Morales, another prominent F.A.L.N. leader. Morales himself became a fugitive after a prison break in 1979.

He eventually fled to Mexico and later to Cuba, where he was recognized as a political refugee. Their son, Ernesto Gomez Gomez, was born in 1979 and raised by foster parents in Mexico due to the circumstances of his parents' political activities.

After her release, Pagan's presence in public life was significant. Her son, Ernesto, described how his mother was widely recognized and often approached by people expressing their respect and admiration for her. This celebrity status in Puerto Rico reflected the complicated legacy of the F.A.L.N. and the ongoing debate over the island's political status.

Pagan continued to advocate for Puerto Rican independence until the end of her life. In the 2020 election, the independence movement remained a minority position, as demonstrated by the Independence Party candidate securing only 13.5% of the vote. Nevertheless, Pagan's unwavering commitment to the cause exemplified the enduring passion of some activists for Puerto Rico's sovereignty.

Lasting Impact and Legacy

Despite the controversies and violence associated with the F.A.L.N., Pagan's life story is a testament to the complex and often tumultuous history of the Puerto Rican independence movement. Her actions and convictions have sparked debate and reflection on the nature of political activism and the lengths to which individuals will go to fight for their beliefs.

Pagan's death at the age of 77 marks the end of an era for a prominent figure in the fight for Puerto Rican independence.

She is survived by her son, Ernesto Gomez Gomez, and two granddaughters. As a member of the F.A.L.N., she remains a polarizing figure, but her contributions to the movement she believed in and her influence on Puerto Rican history are undeniable.

Conclusion

Dylcia Pagan, who died on June 30, 2024, at the age of 77, left a lasting imprint on the Puerto Rican nationalist movement.

She was a dedicated member of the F.A.L.N. and spent nearly two decades in prison before being granted clemency.

Pagan was unapologetic about her involvement and continued to advocate for Puerto Rican independence throughout her life. Her death marks the passing of a consequential figure in Puerto Rican history.