Ponce Mayor Maria Melendez discusses Puerto Rico’s current situation

Americas Now

Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. Maria, a category 5 hurricane, left the island in rubble. Knocking down buildings, pulling trees from their roots, taking out power and leaving residents without drinkable water.

The island’s Governor, Ricardo Rossello, requested billions from Congress for repairs to structural damage, but only a fraction of that was approved for “critical needs.”

Now, months later, despite the efforts, only 60 percent of the island has power and potable water is still compromised – raising health concerns among the population.

For a better sense of the situation on the ground, Americas Now anchor Elaine Reyes spoke to Mayor Maria Melendez from Ponce, Puerto Rico.