But little compared to the indignation caused among Puerto Ricans, a sector of the American population with increasing electoral importance, thanks to its diaspora in some key states for both candidates. Among the voices raised against the statements was “El Nuevo Día”, the newspaper with the largest circulation in Puerto Rico, which on Monday the 28th published an editorial in support of Trump’s rival titled: “Puerto Ricans should vote for Kamala Harris”.
“It is the second time in the history of our newspaper that we endorse a candidate,” says its director, Rafael Lama, in conversation with The Commerce. “In the past we have stayed away or distant from taking positions on local and US candidates”
-How did the newspaper come to the decision to support Kamala Harris?
We made that decision after a very deep introspection in which We weigh not only the first administration of Donald Trump (2016-2020) and what that meant for Puerto Rico, but also everything we have seen in the last yearin terms of government programs, his proposals and his treatment towards Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans, not only by him directly, but by the people around him.
Additionally, we analyze Kamala Harris’ proposals about our island, For us it is important to see how the issue of economic development and its treatment of our territory will be addressed.. There are still billions of funds from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) destined to rebuild the electrical grid and public housing in Puerto Rico due to the devastation of Hurricane María (2017) that have not yet arrived, a delay which occurred under the Trump Administration and which has only been accelerated a bit in recent times.
– It’s not a decision they made easily…
It is the second time in the history of “El Nuevo Día” that we endorsed a candidate. In the past we have stayed distant or distant in terms of taking stances on local and US candidates. In 2020 the decision was made (to support Joe Biden) because the previous four years of Donald Trump were devastating. We covered Trump’s visit to Puerto Rico, the undignified way in which Puerto Ricans were treated, the expressions that were made and what followed after that visit. We saw the obstruction of funds and how hard it was for Puerto Rico. So, weighing all of this, it led us to make an endorsement towards this particular candidate.
Donald Trump gives away toilet paper during his visit to Puerto Rico in 2017, when the country had been hit by Hurricane Maria.
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– Were comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s comments the ‘icing on the cake’ when it came to choosing to support Harris?
The truth is that it accelerated it, because we were already scheduled to make a decision on Sunday the 27th, which is when Kamala Harris unveiled her proposal on Puerto Rico, something that our correspondent in Washington, José Delgado, had been asking his campaign for a long time. Our plan was that if we were convinced by Harris’ proposals, we would make an endorsement. Obviously what happened with the comedian, who had very regrettable and outrageous expressions, gave urgency to the issue and there we said to ourselves: “Let’s do it now.”
-Donald Trump recently said that “no president has done more for Puerto Rico than him.” Do you agree with it?
The truth is that there are two ways of looking at it. The reality is that during the Trump administration a colossal amount of funds was allocated to Puerto Rico, but this responded solely to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, an event that had not been seen globally with such strength in more than a year. century. FEMA allocations for reconstruction, channeled through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), were not a gift, but rather followed this agency’s formula in proportion to the disaster. I mean that although those allocations were approved during his administration, the negative side is that they were not disbursed at the time, when they were needed most. So, saying that Trump is the president who has done the most for Puerto Rico in history is, in my opinion, a lack of truth because it does not tell the whole story.
-How much do you think this comedian incident will affect Trump’s candidacy?
If you look at the polls right now, either candidate can win. Added to this is that the voting system in the United States is different and unusual, since you have both the popular vote and the Electoral College vote. But yes, the incident has certainly stirred up the Puerto Rican citizen living in the United States. Outrage has been fueled. And I believe that the Harris campaign has seen and is making efforts aimed at ensuring that the vote of the Puerto Rican citizen who lives and votes in the United States reaches the polls. And not just Puerto Ricans, but Latinos in general and African Americans. Because let’s remember that at this rally in New York, various groups were also offended, so I think that this indignation could mobilize people who perhaps were going to stay at home and not vote, because perhaps none of the candidates moved them. .
– In the event that Trump wins a second term, what would his future relationship with Puerto Rico be like?
If Trump wins the elections, I think it could be quite complicated for Puerto Rico based on past experience and the people who are around him today. I believe that the future governor of Puerto Rico will have to do strategic work on how to build that relationship. I believe that it is a matter of raising one’s voice and simply asking for what Puerto Rico deserves. But certainly a Donald Trump administration would complicate our relationship quite a bit.
