In a press conference on Friday to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz informed the press very clearly the situation facing the people of Puerto Rico.
Fed up with the bureaucratic red tape that has delayed aid from reaching the island, the mayor went on highlight the lack of logistical coordination that has resulted in over 3,000 shipping containers to sit idling in the Port of San Juan.
“We are dying here. And I cannot fathom the thought that the greatest nation in the world cannot figure out the logistics for a small island of 100 miles by 35 miles. So, mayday, we are in trouble."
Referring to the poor response by FEMA in distributing aid and the lack of urgency demonstrated by Washington, she pointed out the quick response of private individuals and aid groups from outside of the island to organize fundraisers and supplies to be sent to the island only to have the supplies stranded.
She thanked President Donald Trump for temporarily lifting the Jones Act to allow foreign aid but highlighted that enough was not being done. A sentiment shared by almost the entirety of the affected population and the Puerto Rican diaspora at large.
In reality, the Jones Act of 1917 is the colonial mechanism largely responsible for the economic woes that has always plagued the island. For decades, Puerto Ricans from all sectors have called for the abolition of the act as it deprives the island from its wealth. A 10-day waiver of the act is nothing short of insulting in light of the current devastation in Puerto Rico.
“So I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell because my people’s lives are at stake. And we are but one nation. We may be small, but we are huge in dignity and zealous for life."
In the days following the passing of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was left entirely without electricity and clean running water, as the islands already fragile infrastructure suffered a devastating blow. About 80-85% of the communication towers where left out of service, leaving the majority of the island incommunicado. It has been widely reported that the island would be out of power for up to 6 months, agriculture has been almost completely wiped out on an island that already depended on up to 85% of its food goods to come import.
This leaves the crisis large in proportion, the situation is critical.
“So I’m asking members of the press to send a mayday call all over the world. We are dying here. And if we don’t stop and if we don’t get the food and the water into people’s hands, what we we are going to see is something close to a genocide."
Mayor Yulín Cruz has spoken truth, a truth that has no political line. The urgency of the situation calls for international solidarity and the Puerto Rican diaspora must continue unite all efforts to publicize what is happening. The aid is not getting to the people, the hospitals are not getting the fuel they need to power their generators, the communication towers are running out of fuel and people are dying.
I urge those who read this to do the same.
¡Puerto Rico se levantará! ¡Pa'lante mi gente!