American Notes MIAMI

In the tinderbox of Miami's impoverished, ethnically diverse barrios, it doesn't take much to cause an explosion. Last week's immediate spark was the acquittal of six policemen charged in the beating death of a Puerto Rican man, a suspected drug dealer. Within hours, hundreds of Puerto Rican teenagers were rampaging through the city's mostly Hispanic Wynwood section, stoning cars, overturning vehicles, torching buildings and looting scores of local stores. There were no serious injuries, but property damage totaled more than $2.9 million and 13 people were arrested.

One reason for the rioting was that, as a local resident put it, the freed defendants "were cops." Police harassment is a frequent complaint in Wynwood. But the upheaval also reflected the sense of frustration, alienation and powerlessness that prevails in the 12,300-member Puerto Rican community, which often feels overwhelmed by Dade County's 700,000-strong Cuban mainstream. Commented a local businessman: "When you have a combination of youth, unemployment, drugs and an excuse, you give rioters everything they need."