The San Juan Daily Star
A Puerto Rican newspaper published in English and Spanish, originally established as The San Juan Star.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The San Juan Daily Star is a Puerto Rican newspaper whose roots date to 1959, when William J. Dorvillier founded The San Juan Star to serve English-speaking residents and readers in Puerto Rico. The publication developed as an English-language newspaper with a strong connection to the island's political, civic, business, and cultural life. It later became notable as a bilingual news outlet, publishing in both English and Spanish and describing itself as Puerto Rico's only newspaper operating in both languages. The newspaper's early history included the participation of several recognized writers and commentators. William Kennedy, who later became a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, served as managing editor soon after the paper's establishment and remained in that role until 1961. Other contributors associated with the publication included Eddie López and Juan Manuel García Passalacqua. These links gave the Star a profile extending beyond routine local reporting and connected it with Puerto Rico's broader literary and public-intellectual community. Ownership changed in 1996, when the paper was sold by Scripps-Howard to Gerardo Angulo, a Cuban businessman and venture capitalist who had previously worked with money manager Ivan Boesky. Under Angulo's ownership, the newspaper continued as a locally focused Puerto Rican media property. The original publication ceased operations in August 2008. Staff members characterized the shutdown as an effort to break the newspaper's union, although the available reference material does not establish a definitive legal finding or provide a detailed account of the dispute. The title returned in 2009 under the name The San Juan Daily Star. The relaunch also involved a change in publishing frequency: the revived paper appeared daily from Monday through Thursday and included an additional weekend edition. This repositioning expanded the title from its earlier identity as The San Juan Star while preserving continuity with the established brand. Gerardo Angulo died in an automobile accident during a business trip to the Dominican Republic on October 23, 2015. The publication continued afterward under the ownership of the Angulo family. Its business and editorial identity therefore remained associated with a family-owned Puerto Rican newspaper operation rather than with a publicly traded media corporation. The paper's principal offering is its recurring newspaper edition, supported by its bilingual editorial role and its focus on Puerto Rico. Details about current circulation, revenue, staff, digital products, and present-day corporate structure are not established in the supplied reference material.
History
The San Juan Daily Star began in 1959 as The San Juan Star, founded by William J. Dorvillier for Puerto Rico's English-speaking population. From its beginning, the paper occupied a distinctive position in the island's media environment: it was a Puerto Rico-based publication written primarily for readers who used English, while remaining closely connected to local affairs. Over time, the title became associated with bilingual journalism and was described as the only English and Spanish newspaper in Puerto Rico. The publication's early editorial history included figures from journalism and literature. William Kennedy, later known as a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, served as managing editor shortly after the paper was founded and held that position until 1961. Eddie López and Juan Manuel García Passalacqua were also among the contributors connected with the newspaper. Their involvement reflected the Star's role as more than a narrowly commercial daily: it provided a platform for reporting, commentary, and cultural discussion in Puerto Rico. In 1991, Scott Ware became managing editor. He later served as editor through 1994. A subsequent ownership transition took place in 1996, when Scripps-Howard sold the newspaper to Gerardo Angulo. Angulo was described as a prominent Cuban businessman and venture capitalist and had previously worked with money manager Ivan Boesky. The sale moved the newspaper into Angulo's ownership and established the ownership relationship that later continued through his family. The original San Juan Star closed in August 2008. According to the account associated with the newspaper's history, members of the staff argued that the shutdown represented union busting. That allegation is an important part of the publication's history, but the supplied reference does not provide enough information to determine the legal outcome, the precise labor arrangements, or the full circumstances surrounding the closure. In 2009, the newspaper was relaunched as The San Juan Daily Star. The new title retained the recognizable San Juan Star name while signaling a renewed daily publishing operation. The relaunch schedule consisted of editions from Monday through Thursday together with an additional weekend edition. This format represented a change in frequency and positioning from the earlier newspaper and helped re-establish the publication as a continuing Puerto Rican news brand. Gerardo Angulo died on October 23, 2015, in an automobile accident during a business trip to the Dominican Republic. The newspaper continued operating under the ownership of the Angulo family after his death. The available historical material does not identify a later editor, publisher, chief executive, circulation figure, revenue figure, or detailed digital strategy. Accordingly, the documented history is strongest for the newspaper's founding, editorial associations, ownership changes, 2008 closure, 2009 relaunch, and continuation under family ownership.
- 2015
Gerardo Angulo dies
[1]Angulo dies in an automobile accident during a business trip; ownership subsequently remains with the Angulo family.
- 2009
Newspaper relaunches as The San Juan Daily Star
[1]The publication returns with a new name and a schedule covering Monday through Thursday plus a weekend edition.
- 2008
Original publication shuts down
[1]The San Juan Star ceases publication in August amid staff allegations that the closure was connected to union busting.
- 1996
Scripps-Howard sells the newspaper
[1]The newspaper is sold to Gerardo Angulo, a Cuban businessman and venture capitalist.
- 1991
Scott Ware becomes managing editor
[1]Scott Ware begins serving as managing editor of the newspaper.
- 1961
William Kennedy's managing-editorship ends
[1]William Kennedy concludes his period as managing editor after serving in the role during the newspaper's early years.
- 1959
The San Juan Star is founded
[1]William J. Dorvillier establishes The San Juan Star to serve English-speaking readers in Puerto Rico.
Products and positioning
A Puerto Rico-focused bilingual newspaper serving English- and Spanish-reading audiences with local, public-affairs, business, cultural, and general news coverage.
Bilingual newspaper · 2009
The San Juan Daily Star
The core newspaper brand and successor to The San Juan Star. It serves Puerto Rico with English- and Spanish-language journalism and is documented as publishing weekday editions from Monday through Thursday together with an additional weekend edition.
Newspaper · 1959
The San Juan Star
The original newspaper founded in 1959 for English-speaking readers in Puerto Rico. It operated under this name until its closure in August 2008 and was later succeeded by the relaunched Daily Star.
Controversies
2008
Closure and alleged union busting
When the original newspaper closed in August 2008, staff members contended that the shutdown was part of a union-busting operation. The available reference material records the allegation but does not establish a definitive legal ruling or provide the full labor-dispute record.
Brand decisions
2009
Relaunch and change in publishing scheduleStrategyBackground
The original San Juan Star had stopped publishing in 2008.
Action taken
The publication was relaunched as The San Juan Daily Star with Monday-through-Thursday daily editions and an additional weekend edition.
Aftermath
The relaunched title restored the newspaper operation under a revised name and schedule.
1996
Sale to Gerardo AnguloM&ABackground
The newspaper changed ownership after being held by Scripps-Howard.
Action taken
Scripps-Howard sold the publication to Gerardo Angulo.
Aftermath
The newspaper continued under Angulo's ownership and later remained with the Angulo family.
Sources2 sources
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