Puerto Rico’s financial problems

Guests: Jenna Johnson, Amilcar Antonio Barreto

What did President Trump mean when he said that Puerto Rico has “thrown our budget out of whack?” The remark potentially refers to the debt crisis that has been facing the island for years now, and their inability to declare bankruptcy. Their financial difficulties are going to be even more amplified during the rebuilding effort following Hurricane Maria. Today on the show, we’ll talk about the root causes of Puerto Rico’s economic troubles, and look back at how it’s been affected by their history as an American territory without statehood has affected this. We’re joined by AMILCAR ANTONIO BARRETO, associate professor of cultures, societies, and global studies at Northeastern University. But first, we’ll get the latest news about Puerto Rico following the President’s visit when we speak to JENNA JOHNSON of The Washington Post.