This quake was consistent with right-lateral motion on an E-W fault (or left-lateral on a N-S fault). It is on the plate boundary between the Caribbean and South American plate, where the Caribbean plate is moving relatively east to override the Atlantic and make right-lateral motion on E-W boundary. The Puerto Rico earthquakes are related to the other side of the Carribean plate; there is left-oblique subduction.

Chris

• focal mechanisms Venezuela