[9] At an event held in August 2020, attended by the Minister of Technology (ICT) of the Government of Colombia and the Governor of the Department of Bolívar, a free 24-hour internet service called Zona Digital Rural was established for the island, allowing the residents access to distance education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, service had been expensive and of poor quality, making it difficult to carry out administrative and educational activities from home.

Geographically, it is part of the San Bernardo Archipelago in the Department of Bolívar in northern Colombia and is guarded by the Colombian Navy.

[7] Residents of Santa Cruz del Islote are poor and have no toilets or sewage, with clean drinking water, food, and other essentials being imported from overseas.

[15] Despite these problems, some residents of the island say they do not feel poor and can live within their means as they do not have big expenses.

[15] The economy of the island is centered on fishing, as well as services such as cooking, cleaning, and tourism guides.

[15] According to The Guardian, the island has "an active street life: groups of children run freely, play traditional street games, and dreadlocked and tattooed teenagers listen to Spanish-language rap at full volume while adults sit in the shade, talking about boxing and preparing food.