Miguel Pereira Castillo

Miguel A. Pereira Castillo (born September 26, 1947) is a Puerto Rican politician, attorney, and public servant. Throughout his career, he has served in various government positions like Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police Department and Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. In 2012, he was elected to the Senate of Puerto Rico for the District of Guayama.

He is married to Public Relations Practitioner, Annie Bird.

Early years and studies Miguel Pereira Castillo was born on September 26, 1947, in Cayey, Puerto Rico. His parents were two schoolteachers, Miguel and Gilda. Pereira studied in Puerto Rico public school system, obtaining his high school diploma from the Benjamin Harrison School in his hometown.

In 1964, Pereira enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras to complete a Bachelor's degree in psychology. While studying there, he had his first military experience with the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Pereira graduated in 1968 in the middle of the Vietnam War. He also received a shot on his right arm for which he received a Purple Heart. He would later receive a Silver Star as well.

When Aníbal Acevedo Vilá won the 2004 elections, he left Pereira in charge of the Department of Corrections. Pereira occupied the seat for the next four years, finishing his term on January 1, 2009.

Political career On October 29, 2011, Pereira presented his candidacy to the Senate of Puerto Rico with the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). He decided to run for the District of Guayama because he was "born, raised, and educated in it." After the general elections, Pereira resulted victorious earning a seat in the Senate.

Military awards