ADDRESS BY ATTORNEY JOSÉ “CHE” JULIO APARICIO

Upon Assuming the Presidency of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce

Good afternoon.

My first words are of gratitude to God for allowing me to reach this moment, and to each of you for joining me on such a special day.

I would like to thank Ferdinand Pérez for his generous introduction, and Pastor Font for his inspiring message and invocation. His words have given profound meaning to this memorable occasion.

I also extend my gratitude to our Board of Directors and to every past president who, over the past 113 years, has helped shape and strengthen this institution.

I would especially like to recognize our outgoing President, Margaret Ramírez Báez, for her leadership, dedication, and the integrity with which she guided this organization. Thank you, Margaret.

My sincere appreciation also goes to the members of this distinguished institution for the confidence they have placed in me by entrusting me with the honor and responsibility of serving as President of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce.

Today is also a moment I share with my family. My deepest thanks to Teresita; to my children; to my mother; to my brother, Paco; to my sisters, Marinilda and Maricarmen; to Roberto Morales Sr. and Pedro Morales Jr.; to Cleofe and Alex Rubí; and to those who have played such a meaningful role in my life, including Carlos de Varona and my uncle, Óscar.

To each of you, thank you. You are my greatest source of strength and my constant inspiration.

My friends, before sharing my vision for what I have called “A New Era” for the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, I would like to tell you something personal.

Several months ago, when I began considering the possibility of seeking the presidency of this organization, I reflected deeply on the importance—and the responsibility—of continuing the countless causes this historic institution has championed throughout its existence.

It was not an easy decision. It meant leaving behind the comfort of professional stability and the quiet anonymity I had always known.

Time and again, I asked myself whether this was the right moment in my life to embrace a responsibility that demands long hours, unwavering commitment, and a genuine dedication to the country we all love.

A unique and extraordinary homeland that, despite its many blessings, faces significant challenges and countless obstacles.

Like any rational person, I wrestled with my conscience, weighing whether the intensity of the journey and the risks that come with public service were truly worth the opportunity to contribute to the greater good.

Then I paused and thought about what matters most to me in this life: my son, Ignacio.

I thought about Ignacio and his generation, because they are the reason behind everything we do. They are the ones we are called to serve. And that is how it should be, my friends. After all, our greatest responsibility—as parents and as responsible citizens—is to leave them a better Puerto Rico than the one we inherited.

Today, Ignacio is here with me—alongside Luisito, Marcelo, and so many young athletes—because they represent the future of Puerto Rico. They are the ones who will live with the consequences of the decisions we make today and the changes we are able to achieve. They are the reason we must continue to create, to serve, and to work selflessly for a better tomorrow.

That is precisely why fear of failure or anxiety over the possibility of falling short can never limit our actions. Great transformations do not wait for those who hesitate.

Those who know me know that I am the kind of father who is always present on the sidelines—a father who encourages his children to give their very best, who challenges young people never to give up, and who inspires them to fight with determination until they achieve their goals.

Well, today, that demanding, passionate—and at times loud—father has reached the moment when he must leave the comfort of the stands and step onto the playing field himself.

And I embrace that responsibility wholeheartedly.

I do so with enthusiasm because challenges have never been unfamiliar to me. My life has been defined by responsibility and by the willingness to take risks.

We embraced those challenges here at the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce when we helped establish entirely new industries in Puerto Rico—including esports, medical cannabis, and regulated sports betting—industries that have since created thousands of jobs and opened opportunities where none had existed before.

We embraced them again by launching businesses such as Our House, WININ, Knox Medical, CAO Bakerie, and Gen Power. We embraced them through the creation of FACES, and through many other private-sector initiatives that have produced meaningful results.

Those achievements are what have brought us to this moment.

A few weeks ago, I spent an evening with a group of friends, many of whom are here with us today. They are extraordinary people—lifelong friends and individuals whose success speaks for itself.

That afternoon, we gathered in a semicircle overlooking a beautiful garden, surrounded by an atmosphere that felt almost magical.

We talked about everything.

Within a matter of hours, that gathering of friends had become an informal advisory council, overflowing with ideas, thoughtful advice, and a genuine desire to contribute.

Everyone wanted to share their experiences, their aspirations, and their hopes for Puerto Rico. It became an intense and meaningful conversation about the agenda our Island needs.

Then something struck me.

That small group of friends was, in many ways, a reflection of Puerto Rico itself.

It was a portrait of who we are as a people—a large family united by hope and by the shared dream of a better future.

We spoke about the need to rebuild Puerto Rico and about the profound changes our Island requires.

We discussed education, fiscal responsibility, tax reform, the ongoing challenges posed by our permitting system, free enterprise, economic freedom, dignified work, and our civic responsibility.

The expressions on everyone’s faces reflected affection and friendship, but they also revealed something else: uncertainty.

It is a feeling that often follows us—not because we lack love for our country or faith in one another, but because so many conversations across this beautiful Island begin filled with hope, only to end in resignation and uncertainty.

As the evening came to an end, Teresita looked at me and said that what had taken place that afternoon had been much more than a simple gathering.

“It was a call to action,” she said.

“It was a call to serve.”

Then she added words I will never forget:

“God is speaking to you.”

She said it because she could see the confidence and faith that everyone present had placed in my ability—and in my willingness—to serve.

And to them… and to all of you… I say…

I am filled with faith!

Faith in God.

Faith in our team.

Faith in our Board of Directors.

Faith in the Chamber of Commerce.

But above all…

Faith in Puerto Rico.

My friends, if we are to achieve the recovery and renewal we long for, we must first have faith in our own abilities and in our collective determination.

The New Era we envision for the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce is one in which the private sector—and the thousands of families it supports—becomes the driving force that moves our Island forward.

As we begin this journey together, I ask for your support, your wisdom, your honest counsel, and even your constructive criticism. I ask you to stand with me and to join me in building this New Era.

I am the son of a humble man from Adjuntas who was raised in Ponce and who, through hard work, discipline, and determination, built a better life for his family. I grew up watching my father rise each morning with an unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for those he loved.

I am the son of a man who started from the ground up, became the manager of a branch in Mayagüez, and, through perseverance and dedication, ultimately became President of Banco Santander in Puerto Rico.

My father never lectured me about economic theory or the principles of free enterprise. He never handed me textbooks, encyclopedias, or instruction manuals.

He didn’t have to.

He taught me something far more valuable:

He taught me by example.

He taught me that work gives dignity, that discipline has the power to transform lives, and that principles and convictions are the greatest legacy a father can leave to his children.

That is why, when I think about Puerto Rico’s economic future, I do not think only about numbers, indicators, or statistics.

I think about Puerto Rican families.

I think about young people who deserve opportunities.

I think about the mothers and fathers who go to work every day determined to build a better life for their loved ones.

That is what inspires me.

Because I firmly believe that prosperous societies are built upon strong families, vibrant communities, and enduring values.

Today, the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce begins a new chapter.

It is the beginning of A New Era.

A defining moment in which Puerto Rico calls upon us to act with courage, purpose, and a true sense of urgency.

The challenges before us are far too significant for us to remain on the sidelines or to simply point out problems from a distance.

This is the time to act.

The time to accept responsibility.

The time to build bridges of understanding.

For more than a century, the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce has served as a gathering place for those who believe in the talent of our people and in the limitless potential of our Island.

It has been the voice of private enterprise and a driving force behind Puerto Rico’s economic development.

Today, it is our responsibility to preserve and strengthen that legacy.

The Chamber must become the leading institution for identifying challenges, building consensus, and advancing meaningful solutions.

We cannot be satisfied with being just another voice in the public debate.

We must become an institution that inspires action, encourages meaningful dialogue, and helps build consensus around the great causes that will shape Puerto Rico’s future.

Today, our Chamber brings together more than 600 members representing virtually every sector of Puerto Rico’s economy.

That diversity is our greatest strength—but it is also our greatest responsibility.

Our voice must be courageous.

It must anticipate rather than react.

It must propose solutions instead of merely criticizing.

And above all, it must lead by example.

Because if we expect excellence from government, we must first demand it of ourselves.

Puerto Rico faces significant challenges.

We must address critical issues in infrastructure, competitiveness, education, healthcare, housing, and economic development.

Yet despite these challenges, we possess something extraordinary:

Our people.

We have entrepreneurs who continue to invest in Puerto Rico, even during difficult times.

We have highly skilled professionals.

Dedicated workers.

And talented young people who want to remain here and build their future in the land they call home.

The talent is here.

What we need is direction, unity of purpose, and the determination to act.

With that in mind, I propose that we organize our efforts around three fundamental priorities.

The first is competitiveness.

Puerto Rico must become a place where investing, innovating, and growing a business are easier than ever before.

We need clear rules, stability, efficient government, and a system that rewards progress rather than discourages it.

The second priority is infrastructure.

There can be no sustainable economic development without modern and efficient infrastructure.

We need reliable energy systems, safe and functional highways, competitive ports, robust telecommunications, quality housing, and access to essential services.

But infrastructure is about much more than concrete and steel.

It is about quality of life.

It is about creating opportunities.

It is about transforming communities.

The third priority is reform.

Puerto Rico must modernize its institutions and its processes.

We need an educational system aligned with the demands of the future, an economy that rewards productivity, and a culture that values merit, hard work, responsibility, and excellence.

Yet perhaps the most important reform is the one that begins within ourselves.

We must regain confidence in our own abilities.

We must once again believe in the value of hard work done well.

We must aspire, as a society, to excellence.

And we must understand that economic freedom is not an end in itself.

It is a powerful tool for creating opportunities, strengthening families, and building shared prosperity.

That is why it means so much to me that my family is here today.

Because when I think about my son, I think about every child and every young person in Puerto Rico.

They are our purpose.

They are the generation that will inherit the consequences—and the benefits—of the decisions we make today.

I want to leave them a Puerto Rico where hard work, discipline, respect, integrity, and commitment to others are truly valued.

I want them to inherit a nation that is competitive and prosperous, but also one where families are strong, communities are safe, and our values continue to guide future generations.

That is the New Era I invite you to build with me.

A New Era where economic growth is guided by principles.

Where prosperity is inseparable from responsibility.

Where leadership is exercised with character, integrity, and purpose.

A New Era in which the private sector serves as a model of excellence, and Puerto Rico once again reaches its fullest potential.

Today, I accept this responsibility with humility, determination, and the confidence that, by working together, we can build the Puerto Rico we all envision.

That journey begins today.

And with God’s guidance, we will accomplish it.

Thank you very much.