The Atlas Obscura Podcast Beach Week: The Tanks of Flamenco Beach (Classic)
Jul 29, 2025
Carlo Cubero, a social anthropologist from Puerto Rico, shares his deep connection to Flamenco Beach, where childhood memories intertwine with military history. The conversation reveals how this stunning beach, once a site for U.S. military target practice, holds both beauty and haunting remnants. Cubero discusses the struggle of Culebra's residents against military occupation and their fight to reclaim their land. He also addresses the complex issues surrounding the preservation of the tanks—symbols of history that pose environmental hazards.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Flamenco Beach's Military Past
- The U.S. Navy used Flamenco Beach and decommissioned tanks for military exercises, forcing residents to relocate.
- Locals resettled in marshlands but faced constant disruption from ongoing drills, inspiring resistance.
Culebra's Grassroots Resistance
- Locals protested the Navy's presence using boats, graffiti, and physical resistance, seeking to have their voices heard.
- The mayor sued but initially got no help, highlighting the community's determination.
Navy Left Environmental Mess
- The Navy left without cleaning up, leaving toxic pollution and dangerous metal tanks behind on Flamenco Beach.
- This environmental and safety hazard remains a challenge and causes parts of the beach to be fenced off.