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San Juan Mayor Accuses Trump Of Committing Genocide

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

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Robert Donachie Capitol Hill and Health Care Reporter
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San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz accused President Donald Trump Thursday of condemning the Puerto Rican people to “a slow death” for what she characterizes as an act of “genocide.”

“Mr. President, you seem to want to disregard the moral imperative that your administration has been unable to fulfill,” Cruz said in a statement. “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.”

Two major hurricanes — Irma and Maria — hit Puerto Rico in September, leaving over 90 percent of the island’s citizens without power and half without running water.

“I ask the United Nations, UNICEF, and the world to stand with the people of Puerto Rico and stop the genocide that will result from a lack of appropriate action from the president,” Cruz said. “Mr. President, fulfill your moral imperative towards the people of Puerto Rico.”

Cruz lambasted Trump previously for turning his back on the Puerto Rican people.

Cruz’s comments were likely in response to early morning tweets Thursday from the president, where he said Congress needs to act quickly to provide relief because “FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!”

Roughly 84 percent of Puerto Ricans remain without electricity and only 64 percent have drinkable water, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reported Tuesday.

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