Puerto Rico

A mural displays notable historical figures and a fading Puerto Rican flag on a dilapidated building in San Juan earlier this month. Between its public-sector debt and money owed pension funds, the U.S. territory is grappling with more than $120 billion i

Puerto Rico Embarks On Historically Huge Debt Protection Hearings

2:31pm May 17, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Between its public-sector debt and what it owes pension funds, the U.S. territory's bills exceed $120 billion. That makes for some difficult decisions in court, which opened hearings Wednesday.

A Puerto Rican sugar refinery in 1973. In 1964, sugar accounted for almost half of all agricultural sales on the island, and sugar manufacturing accounted for 23 percent of all wages that Puerto Ricans earned. Then, within just a few years, the industry c

National

How Puerto Rico Lost Its Home-Grown Food, But Might Find It Again

10:57am May 13, 2017

by Dan Charles

Amid the wreckage of economic crisis in Puerto Rico, a local food movement is taking root. Hopeful farmers are leasing long-abandoned land. But why was the land abandoned in the first place?

An environmental group finds a high rate of water quality violations in Puerto Rico and calls on officials on the island and in Washington to invest in safety improvements.

Nearly All Puerto Rico Tap Water Violates Safety Standards, Says Environmental Group

7:38pm May 10, 2017

by Greg Allen

A Natural Resources Defense Defense Council study finds the island has the highest rate of drinking water violations in the U.S. The group calls for investment in upgrades.

A Puerto Rican flag hangs beside a for-sale sign on a balcony in San Juan in summer 2015.

Puerto Rico Makes Unprecedented Move To Restructure Billions In Debt

6:20pm May 03, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

The territory, which is ineligible for bankruptcy, filed to begin a similar procedure tailor-made for its more than $70 billion debt crisis, which is likely to dwarf Detroit's 2013 Chapter 9 filing.

People carry a large Puerto Rican flag as they protest looming austerity measures amid an economic crisis in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday. The May Day demonstrations come as the island faces a Monday deadline for reaching a deal on debt payments, or en

National

Puerto Rico Eyes Options As It Faces Debt Deadline — Again

7:42pm May 01, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

The island has been struggling with a massive debt burden for nearly two years, and protection from lawsuits are about to expire. An oversight board could initiate a bankruptcy-like process.

Yalieth Gonzalez and her baby Micaela Delgado at the Maternal Infant Studies Center at the University of Puerto Rico.

Living With Zika In Puerto Rico Means Watching, Waiting And Fearing Judgment

2:06pm March 27, 2017

by Greg Allen

The Zika virus may have infected more than 1 million people in Puerto Rico, including thousands of pregnant women. Doctors are watching babies born to infected moms who don't show birth defects.

Queue Listen Now

United States' Ian Kinsler watches his two-run home run against Puerto Rico on Wednesday during the third inning of the final of the World Baseball Classic in Los Angeles.

Sports

Team USA Finally Proves World's Best, Crushing Puerto Rico 8-0 In Classic Final

1:50am March 23, 2017

by Christopher Dean Hopkins

It may be considered the national pastime, but in the first three World Baseball Classics the United States was far from dominant. That changed Wednesday night in a lopsided title win.

Then-President Obama awards the National Medal of Arts to actress, theater founder and director Miriam Colon in September 2015.

Arts

Míriam Colón, Puerto Rican Actress And Theater Pioneer, Dies At 80

2:05pm March 04, 2017

by Colin Dwyer

Since coming to the U.S., Colón acted in over 90 films, imbuing her often secondary roles with soul. Behind the scenes, as a theater producer, she also blazed a path for other Latino actors to follow.

At the Germán Rieckehoff Olympic Village in Salinas, Puerto Rico young athletes train in this swimming pool.

In Competitive Sports, Puerto Ricans Gain A Sense Of Independence

12:05pm March 04, 2017

This week, Puerto Ricans marked 100 years of U.S. citizenship. The island's political status remains unique, along with its strong sense of cultural identity — most clearly seen in its sports.

Queue Listen Now

The Capitol of Puerto Rico, Capitolio de Puerto Rico, in San Juan. Puerto Rico is under federal control, but isn't allowed voting representation in Congress, and residents can't vote for president.

Puerto Ricans Reflect On A Century Of (Limited) Citizenship

5:04pm March 02, 2017

by Greg Allen

People born in Puerto Rico have been counted as U.S. citizens since 1917, but residents of the island can't vote for president and don't have voting representation in Congress.

Queue Listen Now