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Puerto Rico: Trump lashes out at San Juan mayor over Maria response Puerto Rico: Trump lashes out at San Juan mayor over Maria response
(about 1 hour later)
Donald Trump has lashed out at Puerto Rico politicians over their criticism of US relief efforts on the island following Hurricane Maria.Donald Trump has lashed out at Puerto Rico politicians over their criticism of US relief efforts on the island following Hurricane Maria.
The category four hurricane a week ago killed 16 people on the island and left millions in need of aid.The category four hurricane a week ago killed 16 people on the island and left millions in need of aid.
In a series of tweets, Trump said that Puerto Rican officials showed "poor leadership ability" and "want everything to be done for them".In a series of tweets, Trump said that Puerto Rican officials showed "poor leadership ability" and "want everything to be done for them".
It comes after the Mayor of San Juan made a desperate plea for federal help.It comes after the Mayor of San Juan made a desperate plea for federal help.
"We have no time for patience any more," said Carmen Yulin Cruz in a news conference."We have no time for patience any more," said Carmen Yulin Cruz in a news conference.
"I am asking the president of the United States to make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives."I am asking the president of the United States to make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives.
"I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell.""I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell."
She then appeared in a T-shirt that said "Help us, we're dying" for a CNN television interview.She then appeared in a T-shirt that said "Help us, we're dying" for a CNN television interview.
The mayor said Puerto Rico is set to be without power for six to eight months after the storm damaged 90% of homes on the island.The mayor said Puerto Rico is set to be without power for six to eight months after the storm damaged 90% of homes on the island.
Almost half the island's 3.4 million population are without drinking water, the US Defence Department said on Thursday.Almost half the island's 3.4 million population are without drinking water, the US Defence Department said on Thursday.
Efforts are being made on the island to clear road access and restore hospitals to working conditions.Efforts are being made on the island to clear road access and restore hospitals to working conditions.
In a series of tweets on Saturday morning, Trump suggested the mayor had been told "to be nasty to Trump" by his Democratic opposition.In a series of tweets on Saturday morning, Trump suggested the mayor had been told "to be nasty to Trump" by his Democratic opposition.
He also said he would visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday with the First Lady, Melania.He also said he would visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday with the First Lady, Melania.
Mr Trump has been forced to defend his administration's response to the hurricane after widespread criticism.Mr Trump has been forced to defend his administration's response to the hurricane after widespread criticism.
"This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water" he said at a news conference on Friday."This is an island surrounded by water, big water, ocean water" he said at a news conference on Friday.
On Thursday he announced shipping restrictions had been lifted to help provide aid to the island. Responding to Trump's tweets, the mayor posted: "This is the time to show our "true colours". We cannot be distracted by anything else."
On Thursday the President announced shipping restrictions had been lifted to help provide aid to the island.
The US military general in charge of the relief operation said on Friday that about 4,500 troops were already involved.The US military general in charge of the relief operation said on Friday that about 4,500 troops were already involved.
"Our capability is building every single day, and we will keep building until we have fully met the needs of the people of Puerto Rico," Army Lt. Gen Jeffrey Buchanan said."Our capability is building every single day, and we will keep building until we have fully met the needs of the people of Puerto Rico," Army Lt. Gen Jeffrey Buchanan said.
The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has been distributing food and bottled water to some, but many are reportedly still in need of vital supplies.
Concerns were raised on Thursday that thousands of shipping containers of aid were sitting in a San Juan undistributed. Ground transportation has been hindered by a lack of fuel and blocked roads.
The US navy is supporting Fema operations by deploying a hospital ship and assigning engineers to repair the island's damaged power grid, the US Department of Defense said on Friday.
Puerto Rico is a US territory but does not have direct voting representation.Puerto Rico is a US territory but does not have direct voting representation.