Puerto Rico

Monica Puig. Brown woman with blonde hair in white warm-up outfit with red accents wears gold medal on green lanyard in front of green and brown wall
Sameer Rao  Sep 27, 2018 3:28PM EDT

How Monica Puig Reps Puerto Rico On and Off the Tennis Court

The tennis star, who turns 25 today, made history when she won Puerto Rico’s first Olympic gold medal in 2016. Now she uses her fame to support the commonwealth.
A man wearing sunglasses poses with boxing gloves decorated with the Puerto Rican flag
Joaquin Cotler and Angely Mercado  Sep 21, 2018 11:59AM EDT

Ruin—and Resilience—in Post-Maria Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria began devastating Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. A look at the pain—and the survival—of the island’s rural areas. 
Latinx man in navy shirt and yellow construction hat and yellow and orange vest stands in front of brown and grey and green building and brown electrical poles with black power lines
Sameer Rao  Sep 21, 2018 2:12AM EDT

Activists to FCC: Investigate Maria's Impact on Puerto Rico's Telecom Infrastructure

A coalition including Defend Puerto Rico, Free Press and the Center for Media Justice wants the FCC to account for how Hurricane Maria destroyed the island’s telecommunications and to map out how to fix it.
Ayana Byrd  Sep 19, 2018 12:28PM EDT

As Puerto Ricans Move to the Mainland, Rich White Americans Set Up Lives on the Island

Although post-Maria life has not returned to normal, PR is still attractive as a tax haven.
Chencho in white jacket and black shirt next to Maldy in blue jacket with blonde hair in front of black and white screen
Sameer Rao  Aug 30, 2018 2:50PM EDT

Reggaeton Takes On New Meaning For Many Puerto Ricans Living Stateside After Hurricane Maria

A new NPR article shows how a longing for home has led to a rise in the music’s popularity.
arms in red sleeves insert ballot into voting machine
catherine lizette gonzalez  Aug 17, 2018 1:49PM EDT

Florida Lawsuit Seeks Bilingual Ballots for Puerto Ricans Who Fled Hurricane Maria

Several advocacy organizations say elected officials in Florida are violating the voting rights of tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans who moved to the mainland after the devastating hurricane.
Puerto Rico Faces Extensive Damage After Hurricane Maria
Ayana Byrd  Aug 15, 2018 12:34PM EDT

All of Puerto Rico's Residents Have Electricity Again, But Grid Is Still Fragile

Nearly one year after a full blackout, the electrical utility’s executive director acknowledges the situation remains “a mess.”
Ayana Byrd  Aug 9, 2018 1:41PM EDT

Puerto Rico Officials Finally Admit Hurricane Maria Killed More Than 64 People

In a report to Congress, they placed the number at approximately 1,427 people. Meanwhile, a May study said the death toll was at least 4,645.
Puerto Rican Families Displaced By Hurricane Maria Facing Hotel Eviction Hold Rally At City Hall
Ayana Byrd  Jul 13, 2018 4:00PM EDT

FEMA Admits It Bungled Response in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria

The agency released a report that supports the criticisms leveled against it.
Man stands in front of collapsed building
Ayana Byrd  Jul 2, 2018 1:00PM EDT

Nearly 2,000 Puerto Rican Hurricane Survivors Face Eviction

A federal judge will decide if Puerto Ricans forced to evacuate their homes following Hurricane Maria will be evicted from their hotels and motels, as FEMA seeks to end the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
Ayana Byrd  Jun 28, 2018 2:25PM EDT

Puerto Rico's Water System Is Almost Fully Operational

Finally, some good news about post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico.
White and grey and brown building on green grass in front of green trees and grey sky
Sameer Rao  Jun 26, 2018 4:42PM EDT

Indigenous Hospital, Home of Formerly Enslaved Man Added to List of Endangered Sites

The National Trust for Historic Preservation features sites of historic and cultural importance to Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Carribean communities on its 2018 list of the “11 Most Endangered Historic Places.”
A street is flooded during the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Ayana Byrd  Jun 18, 2018 12:27PM EDT

Asthma Rates Rise in Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Doctors and public health officials say they have “never seen anything like this.”
Ayana Byrd  Jun 14, 2018 11:34AM EDT

New Reports Confirm How Ill-Prepared Puerto Rico is For Hurricane Season

With ongoing problems with both its electrical and water infrastructure, the island is in a weakened state.
A person rests their head on their cross arms with San Juan and the water in the background.
catherine lizette gonzalez  May 31, 2018 5:48PM EDT

Author Q&A: Understanding Puerto Rico's Debt Crisis Through Marx, Monsters and a Queer Decolonial Lens

Colorlines talks to Philadelphia poet laureate Raquel Salas Rivera about their new book, “lo terciario/the tertiary,” which revisits Karl Marx’s “Capital” to examine Puerto Rico’s debt crisis from a queer decolonial lens.
The La Perla neighborhood the day after Hurricane Maria made landfall on September 21, 2017, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ayana Byrd  May 30, 2018 1:07PM EDT

Advocates, Officials Outraged at Puerto Rico's Hurricane Maria Death Count

The government’s count is 64 fatalities, but a new study says the real number is closer to 5,000.
Man stands in front of collapsed building
Ayana Byrd  Apr 26, 2018 1:59PM EDT

Houston and Puerto Rico Unprepared for Upcoming Hurricane Season

Amid housing and financial concerns, residents face the possibility of new storms from a disadvantaged position.  
Puerto Rican children sit in a shelter sitting on a light blue bench two of the children are playing with a phone the other three are watching.
catherine lizette gonzalez  Apr 6, 2018 2:01PM EDT

Puerto Rico to Close 283 Public Schools, Teachers Condemn Decision

The news comes two weeks after Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Roselló signed a bill to implement a charter school and voucher program.
Puerto Rico Faces Extensive Damage After Hurricane Maria
Ayana Byrd  Mar 21, 2018 1:14PM EDT

FEMA Ignored Puerto Rico Supermarkets' Requests for Generator Fuel After Hurricane Maria

The result was the loss of tens of thousands of dollars of food, while people stood in lines outside, hungry.
Infrared image of Brown woman in orange and pink shirt and bandana and blue pants surrounded by pink vegetation in front of grey sky.
Sameer Rao  Mar 9, 2018 3:12PM EST

Vogue Celebrates Women Leading Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico in Stunning Infrared Photo Spread

“By empowering themselves—and each other—the women of Puerto Rico have empowered the entire island.”