Nelson Cruz Santiago

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Nelson Cruz Santiago (born August 12, 1975, in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican politician who served in the Senate of Puerto Rico from 2017 to 2021. He is a member of the New Progressive Party (PNP).

Early years and education:
- Parents: Nelson Cruz Piña and Bethzaida Santiago Hernández.
- Education: Associate degree in police science from the Criminal Investigation College of the Puerto Rico Police; Bachelor of Social Sciences with a concentration in criminal justice from Ana G. Méndez University.

Career before politics:
- Began public service in 1995 as a shelter manager for Peñuelas Emergency Management.
- Since 1996, worked as an officer in the Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps, part of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

Political career:
- Served on the Peñuelas city council starting in 2000 and was re-elected in 2004.
- Ran for mayor of Peñuelas in 2012 but lost.
- Elected to the Puerto Rico Senate in 2016 representing District V (Ponce); served January 2017 to January 2021.
- Notable legislation includes Senate Project 1050, a bill aimed at simplifying the process of obtaining a firearm license.

Controversy:
- In 2020, he and five others were referred to the Puerto Rico Office of the Special Independent Prosecutor's Panel. He described the referral as political persecution.

Personal:
- Nelson Cruz Santiago is a living Puerto Rican politician who has spent much of his career in public service, from local city council work to the Senate.