Mamdani and Hochul promise Puerto Rico support after Democratic midterm sweep

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York Governor Kathy Hochul traveled to San Juan on Friday to pledge increased assistance to Puerto Rico. They made the commitment during a four-day annual conference attended by New York government officials. The visit coincided with a sweeping Democratic victory in the U.S. midterm elections.

The leaders argued that the election results signal a shift in federal support for the U.S. territory. Mamdani stated that the outcome allows for delivery to working-class people across the country. He described the island's ongoing struggles as a political crisis resulting from specific political choices rather than a purely natural one.

Governor Hochul labeled the election results a new day for Puerto Rico. She warned that the federal government would be held responsible for past actions. Hochul noted that the last two years saw an abandonment of commitments to the island. She expressed hope that resources would return to support resiliency, energy projects, and healthcare.

Officials announced a $280,000 partnership between the Hispanic Federation and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York on Friday. The funds will equip 10 community-run resiliency hubs across the island. These hubs will receive increased water storage capacity. Some sites will also get rain-collection systems, kitchen infrastructure, and solar power with battery storage.

Puerto Rico continues to battle chronic power outages and intermittent water shortages. The island is still rebuilding from Hurricane Maria and other disasters. Frankie Miranda, president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, told The Associated Press that the Puerto Rico agenda must not be forgotten. He stated that public policies have been harmful to the island.

The new funding follows a federal decision to cancel solar projects in Puerto Rico. The administration of President Donald Trump scrapped these projects, which were intended to help thousands of low-income families. A $400 million project would have installed solar and battery storage systems in low-income homes and those with medical needs.

The U.S. Department of Energy said the money would instead maintain the crumbling power grid. The grid was damaged by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 but was already weakened by a lack of maintenance. The change in direction prompted outrage on the island as federal support for solar projects faded.

Six Puerto Rico residents sued the U.S. Energy Department and Secretary Chris Wright last week. They challenged the scrapping of a $1 billion federally funded program for solar power and battery storage. The lawsuit noted that the cost of such systems remains out of reach for most residents. The group includes Ileana Rios, a 63-year-old diabetic in Arecibo who needs refrigeration for insulin.

Rios's son has asthma and requires a nebulizer that relies on electricity. The lawsuit stated that Rios regularly loses power during stable weather and for weeks during storms. The other plaintiffs also have health conditions requiring electric equipment or medications. The suit asks a judge to order the Energy Department to reinstate the grant program.

Nonprofits faced months of uncertainty while awaiting the federal decision on the program's future. Sybelle Rodriguez del Valle, director of operations at Barrio Eléctrico, said the group often felt like it was talking to no one. The nonprofit provides electric service to more than 500 families. It was prepared to serve 1,200 families with federal funds but had only completed about one-third of its projects. The organization estimated its funding loss at between $16 million and $20 million.