“I’m going to Puerto Rico because we don’t take good care of them”: Joe Biden left on Monday for the U.S. territory of the Caribbean, devastated by Hurricane Fiona before being hurt by a series of climate disasters.
As he left the White House on Monday, the US president made this blunt admission, which also read as a criticism of his predecessor: “I’m going to Puerto Rico because I didn’t take good care of them. They tried. I’m recovering from the last hurricane. I want to see how it is today, and we can do what we can.” I want to make sure we do everything.”
Former President Donald Trump was criticized for the federal government’s slow and labored response after Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, causing nearly 3,000 deaths, according to local officials.
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White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre pointed out Monday that Joe Biden “quickly mobilized federal resources” before Fiona touched down in Puerto Rico. He promised that the federal government would come to the territory’s aid “however long it takes”.
During the visit, Joe Biden will announce the release of $60 million in funding to strengthen the island’s long-term defenses against rising waters.
The region, home to more than three million people, where US citizens use the dollar but lack the right to vote in national elections, is grieving at least a dozen deaths since Fiona’s passing.
By going there with his wife, the president wants to reassure people who fear Florida will be neglected in favor of hurricane-ravaged Florida, where he will visit on Wednesday.
This other trip promises to be more politically complicated, as the southern state is governed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, one of Joe Biden’s staunchest critics. It was unclear Monday whether the two would be side by side on the occasion.
Humanitarian aid
In Puerto Rico, the Bidens are headed to Ponce, the island’s second city on the southern coast, where they will meet with families in need and help make humanitarian aid packages.
He is scheduled to speak at 2:45pm local (8:45pm in Switzerland).
Fiona, a Category 1 hurricane, struck the island in mid-September, knocking out power across Puerto Rico and temporarily leaving about a million people without drinking water.
Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the region on September 18.
Hurricane Ian made landfall on Wednesday as a Category 4 hurricane for Florida on September 24, before declaring a “major disaster” status for the state on Thursday.
Florida is still assessing significant property damage, particularly along its southwest coast, and its death toll.
The death toll from Ian, one of the most powerful storms to hit the continental United States, is at least 62 – 58 in Florida and four in North Carolina.
Hundreds of thousands of Florida residents were still without power Monday, and officials said it will take months and $50 billion or more to rebuild the devastated coastal areas.
Trump
Every natural disaster in the United States brings its share of debates about the response of political authorities – local, state and federal, but Puerto Rico holds a special place in this regard.
Former Republican President Donald Trump has been accused of delaying or blocking federal funding for the island following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
At the end of his mandate, however, he showed himself to be the best friend of this territory. While residents of Puerto Rico themselves do not vote in US national elections, immigrants to the United States, particularly those to Florida, are the most politically respected immigrants.
Donald Trump was heavily criticized for distributing paper towels like a basketball player during a trip after Hurricane Maria. The mayor of the capital San Juan condemned the “disgraceful” gesture.
This article was published automatically. Sources: ats / afp
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