The leader of Puerto Rico’s capital was outraged with Homeland Security’s response, to say the least.
The mayor of San Juan is still standing up for her constituents over a week after Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, while the U. S. government largely overlooked its citizens in need.
Appearing on CNN Friday morning, Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz listened to comments made by Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke in which she expressed approval of how the ailing island of 3.47 million has been treated.
“I’m very satisfied. I know it’s a hard storm to recover from but the amount of progress that’s been made, and I really would appreciate any support that we get,” Duke said when asked by reporters at the White House Thursday about her thoughts on the federal response.
“It’s a really good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place in such a devastating hurricane.”
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The leader of Puerto Rico’s capital was outraged, to say the least.
“Maybe from where she’s standing, it’s a good news story,” Cruz said. “When you’re drinking from a creek, it’s not a good news story. When you don’t have food for a baby, it’s not a good news story. When you have to pull people down from their buildings – I’m sorry, but that really upsets me and frustrates me.
“I would ask her to come down here and visit the towns and then make a statement like that, and frankly it is an irresponsible statement.”
The acting Homeland Security head nor President Trump have yet to visit Puerto Rico, but it was reported Friday that Duke is now traveling there to tour the island.
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Trump is expected to visit Tuesday.
“Damnit, this is not a good news story,” Cruz continued. “This is a people-are-dying story. This is a life-or-death story.”
