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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 |
(35 minutes 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. |
It follows widespread criticism of his administration's response to the hurricane. | |
Responding to Trump's tweets in an interview the mayor said: "I was asking for help. I wasn't saying anything nasty about the president." | |
"I will continue to do what I have to do, say what I have to say, compliment the people that I have to compliment, and call out the people that I need to call out. | |
"This isn't about me. This isn't about anyone. This is about lives that are being lost." | |
On Thursday the President announced shipping restrictions had been lifted to help provide aid to the island. | 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. |
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. | 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. | 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 has deployed a hospital ship and has assigned 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. |