Pedro Pierluisi

Puerto Rico will include status plebiscite in November’s general elections

Puerto Rico’s territorial status will be on the ballot in the U.S. territory’s general elections this November, marking the first time that the island’s current status as a U.S. territory will not be an option in the plebiscite.

Extended power outage that hit Puerto Rico angers and worries many during heat advisories

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi concedes defeat in surprise primary upset by Jenniffer González

Puerto Rico governor announces historic budget to aid elderly, reduce violence and boost solar power

Jenniffer González, Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner, to challenge island’s governor in primary

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Puerto Rico governor unveils solar energy plans in address

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Gov. Pedro Pierluisi announced new solar energy initiatives on Tuesday during his annual state of the territory address, a speech viewed by many as critical as he fights plummeting ratings amid growing discontent over costly electric bills, government corruption and slow

US to supply Puerto Rico with emergency power generation

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. government announced Tuesday that it will provide Puerto Rico with temporary electric generation via barges to help´in restoring the island’s storm-devastated power grid and ease repeated widespread outages.

Judge approves plan to reduce Puerto Rico agency’s debt

A federal judge has approved a plan to restructure some $6 billion of debt held by Puerto Rico’s Highways and Transportation Authority as the U.S. territory emerges from bankruptcy.

Officials detail Hurricane Fiona damage to Puerto Rico grid

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Preliminary evaluations show Hurricane Fiona damaged 50% of transmission lines and distribution feeders across Puerto Rico as hundreds of thousands remain without power or water service almost two weeks after the storm hit, officials said Thursday.

US waives federal law to boost diesel supply for Puerto Rico

The U.S. government says it is temporarily waiving a federal law and allowing foreign diesel deliveries to Puerto Rico as it faces a dwindling supply of fuel nearly two weeks after Hurricane Fiona pummeled the U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico seeks U.S. waiver as diesel dwindles after storm

Puerto Rico’s governor requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

Hurricane Fiona rips through powerless Puerto Rico

Hurricane Fiona has struck Puerto Rico’s southwest coast as it unleashed landslides, knocked the power grid out and ripped up asphalt from roads and flung the pieces around.

Talks to restructure Puerto Rico power company debt fail

Mediation talks to restructure more than $9 billion in debt held by Puerto Rico’s power company have failed, raising concerns about the future of the bankrupt government agency.

Puerto Rico super PAC president sentenced in dark money case

The president of a super PAC in Puerto Rico who pled guilty to hiding the identity of donors who supported the U.S. territory’s governor during his 2020 election campaign has been sentenced to 14 months in prison.

Puerto Rico governor denounces power company amid outages

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Thursday denounced the private company his administration contracted to take over the island’s power transmission and distribution system amid a recent spike in electricity outages that have outraged many in the U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico cruise ship docks face $425M public-private deal

Puerto Rico’s governor has announced a public-private partnership to overhaul the island’s cruise ship docks as part of a $425 million project to boost the U.S. territory’s tourism sector.

Puerto Rico board approves budget as legislators quibble

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The federal control board that oversees the finances of Puerto Rico’s government approved a $12.4 billion general fund budget Thursday for the U.S. territory after legislators failed to approve one amid intense bickering.

Puerto Rico law to boost private sector worker benefits

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor signed legislation Monday that will award more rights to private sector workers in the U.S. territory as he defied a federal control board that said the move would be considered a violation of a federal statute.

Puerto Rico lifts fuel taxes for 45 days as gas price soars

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor signed a measure Tuesday suspending taxes on gasoline and diesel for 45 days amid the worldwide surge in petroleum prices.

Puerto Rico mayor, finance director face corruption charges

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A judge on Wednesday found sufficient evidence to order the arrest of the mayor and finance director of one of Puerto Rico’s largest cities accused in a multimillion-dollar corruption case.

Puerto Rico governor rejects budget in new clash with board

Puerto Rico’s governor says he is rejecting a proposed $12.4 billion budget filed by a federal control board overseeing the island’s finances and would submit his own version as the U.S. territory emerges from bankruptcy.

Major outage forces Puerto Rico to shutter schools, offices

More than a million customers in Puerto Rico remain without electricity after a fire at a main power plant caused an island-wide blackout that forced the U.S. territory to cancel classes and shutter government offices in the biggest outage yet this year.

Puerto Rico scraps debt restructuring deal for power company

Puerto Rico’s governor says his administration is cancelling a proposed debt restructuring deal for the island’s public power company, calling it unfeasible.

Puerto Rico to lift mask mandate as COVID-19 cases ease

Puerto Rico’s governor says he is ending the requirement for mask use indoors for the second time since the pandemic began as cases and hospitalizations ease.

US pledges $1.14B for transportation projects in territories

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. government announced Thursday that it would invest $1.14 billion to repair and rebuild highways, roads and bridges in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories.

Protests grow in Puerto Rico amid demands for higher wages

Protests in Puerto Rico are multiplying as government employees demand higher pay and improved pensions.

Puerto Rico firefighters secure wage increase after protests

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Thursday announced a $500 monthly salary increase for firefighters a day after they joined thousands of public employees in a protest to demand higher wages and improved pensions.

Disgruntled public employees resume protests in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Public employees blew whistles and banged on pots on Wednesday as thousands marched to the governor’s mansion to demand salary increases and improved pensions.

Puerto Rico tightens, relaxes certain COVID-19 measures

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi on Friday ordered that all central government employees and government contractors get boosted by Feb. 28 as part of a new measure to fight COVID-19 in the U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico widens booster requirements amid COVID-19 surge

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Thursday that he will require public school students age 12 and older and all people in the tourism and entertainment sectors to get booster shots as the U.S. territory fights a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Puerto Rico police detain fugitive couple in COVID-19 case

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A couple accused of refusing to fill out the required COVID-19 entry form at Puerto Rico’s airport and providing proof of a negative test for the coronavirus were detained after they locked themselves in their minivan for several hours, prompting police to send a negotia

Puerto Rico delays start of classes amid COVID-19 surge

Puerto Rico’s governor says he will delay the start of classes at public schools by two weeks as the U.S. territory grapples with a 36% positivity rate.

Puerto Rico mayor, official charged in US corruption case

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Federal agents arrested the mayor of one of the wealthiest cities in Puerto Rico on corruption charges Thursday, the second such case announced this month.

Puerto Rico police go on strike, demand better pensions

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Some 1,900 police officers across Puerto Rico went on strike Friday to demand a better public pension plan, authorities said.

Puerto Rico to lift pandemic curfew, ban on alcohol sales

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Tuesday that he would be lifting a curfew and a ban on alcohol sales as the U.S. territory reports a drop in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.