Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo dies after battle with cancer

Julio Alicea Vasallo, the mayor of Cataño, Puerto Rico, has passed away following a battle with myelofibrosis, a rare type of bone marrow cancer. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Julybeth Alicea Rodríguez.

Alicea Vasallo had served as mayor since December 2021. His medical journey included chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in June, for which his daughter served as a partial donor. He had been temporarily away from his municipal duties since April to undergo treatment.

Governor Jenniffer González Colón expressed her condolences, describing the deceased as a committed public servant who deeply loved his community. The family has requested privacy during this time, with funeral arrangements to be announced later.