On Thursday morning, President Donald Trump once again took to Twitter to praise himself for the federal government’s response in Puerto Rico. And as the island still faces a long journey to recovery after Hurricane Maria – there are some areas that have not seen help from the federal government – he also stated that FEMA, the military, and first responders cannot stay in Puerto Rico forever. His responses generated a lot of backlash and comments from figures like Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Speaker of the New York City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito, and San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz.
In a powerful statement delivered to Rep. Gutierrez, Cruz stated that despite the hardships she and other Puerto Ricans have gone through, it’s the actions of the president that have increasingly filled her with exasperation. “But perhaps more frustrating has been the devastating actions, time after time, by a President whose tweets, comments and actions seem to be taken out of a book on ‘how to add insult to injury’ rather than a book on ‘how to help during a humanitarian crisis,’” she said. “He is simply incapable of understanding the contributions, the sacrifices and the commitment to democratic values that Puerto Ricans have shown over decades. His actions are unbecoming of a leader of the free world.”
Though Trump has continued to state that the federal response in Puerto Rico has been adequate, she states that replacing the FEMA coordinator is proof that things aren’t moving smoothly. “It is not that you do not get, it is that you are incapable of empathy and frankly simply cannot get the job done,” she added. “…While you are amusing yourself throwing paper towels at us, your compatriots and the world are sending love and help our way. Condemn us to a slow death of non drinkable water, lack of food, lack of medicine while you keep others eager to help from reaching us since they face the impediment of the Jones Act.”
She also used the message to tell others that they can help Puerto Rico. Read the entire powerful message here.
h/t Latino Rebels