OLD SAN JUAN, PR - NOVEMBER 14: A heroin addict shoots up in a crack house on November 14, 2001 in the La Perla neighborhood in Old San Juan Puerto Rico. The owners of this crack house pay the police to stay away so heroin addicts can use drugs without worrying about being arrested. Admittance is one dollar. Puerto Rico was an outpost of Spanish colonialism for 400 years, until the United States took possession in 1898. Today Puerto Rico's Spanish-speaking culture reflects its history - a mix of African slaves, Spanish settlers, and Taino Indians. Puerto Ricans fight in the U.S. armed forces but are not entitled to vote in presidential elections. They passionately debate their relationship with the U.S. with about half the island wanting to become the 51st state and the other half wanting to remain a U.S. commonwealth. A small percentage feel the island should be an independent country. While locals grapple with the evils of a burgeoning drug trade and unchecked development, drumbeats still drive the rhythms of African-inspired bomba music. (Photo By Amy Toensing)