Puerto Rico’s May 8-15, 2017 political week in tweets

by May 15, 2017News Week in Tweets0 comments

Crops suffering in Puerto Rico

In the midst of facing bankruptcy, a glimmer of hope rises. A new wave of interest in Puerto Rican crops and agriculture is incrementing. Ricardo Fernandez, CEO of Puerto Rico Farm Credit, states it’s a dramatic break from Puerto Rico’s past. He hopes to change the way agriculture is seen in Puerto Rico. Instead of associating farming to “low-end workers without an education” he wants to make it more modern and “more hip.” When talking about the current economy he replies”There’s a resurgence now, because we have to reinvent ourselves,”

 

Tap water in Puerto Rico in decline

According to a new NRDC report, the drinking water fails lead safety regulations, while 70 percent of the islands are served by water that violates federal health standards.

The effects are expected to aggravate as President Donald Trump plans on issuing big cuts to Environmental Protection Agency programs, including one that enables Puerto Rican water system and federal safety enforcement mechanisms.

 

Colonialism: the reason of Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy

The author of this article wants us to take a step back and reflect on what actually brought Puerto Rico to its current situation, by giving us a brief history lesson about the islands and who governed through the years. Showing us to what extent the change in political party had impacted its economy, starting from 1898 to the now governing President Trump.

Facts about the Puerto Rican economy crisis

The “fun” facts about Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy and what it triggered are:

  1. Fewer than 1 million people have jobs, (in a population of 3.5 million)
  2. It owes $8 million to Microsoft
  3. Puerto Rico could face ‘many’ creditor lawsuits
  4. Cutting Obamacare funds will make crisis ‘exponentially’ worse
  5. Pension programs are drying up

 

Trump’s latest tweet regarding Puerto Rico results in outrage, but also more funds

Shortly after President Trump’s tweet, many politicians felt insulted and took the time to respond,  like Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosselló. However, after those tweets, on May 3, $296 million dollars were allocated for Medicaid, and $750,000 for the Cano Martin Pena project. The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico responded by saying that it will only help “partially”, as the island, is facing bigger problems. Eventually, the US House states that there would indeed be more funds allocated, additional to the ones stated before.