Borinquen MadeDated notes on Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico news: economy and politics
This desk gathers dated notes on the economy and politics of Puerto Rico, taken from named outlets. It is not the magazine's historical archive. Each note cites its outlet. It is not original reporting.
A dated, sourced desk. Each note names its outlet. It is not original reporting. Figures are those the source published. If sources disagree, both layers are left in place.
ENDI: first lighting agreements — Law 174 / NEPR $527 million
Summit Sep 17: 7 mayors + NEPR/COR3/LUMA; Regulation 9774; FEMA funds 428/406. Allocation ≠ disbursement. Cousin →738.
ENDI: La Plata rises 1 cm (2nd day); Carraízo 39.14 under observation
La Plata 44.26 adjustments; Cidra 400.26 observation; Dos Bocas -45 cm. Update vs 711. Soft cap ENDI.
HHS details $143.4M in Head Start grants after Fiona for PR, Florida, and South Carolina
The ACF/OHS notice lists single-source awards to repair damage, restore facilities, and support mental health; the total of $143,436,162 covers three jurisdictions and should not be entirely attributed to Puerto Rico.
HUD posts recovery action plans that apply only to Puerto Rico
Sep 13, 2026. Notices and memos are not the grant award. Separate rules cover the electric grid and mitigation for Puerto Rico only. Awarded is not drawn.
Auditors: $495M homebuyer aid lacked clear math in 67 awards
Mar 19, 2024. About 6,700 families; $238.2M disbursed; lenders set amounts; example $55,000 vs $8,500. Budget is not disbursed.
Irene: Obama declared an emergency for all 78 municipalities with 75% direct federal aid
The release of August 22, 2011 authorized FEMA coordination and protective measures; initial emergency is not the same as subsequent major disaster.
Jeanne 2004: Bush authorized 100% federal coverage for up to 72 hours of urgent measures
The statement covered all municipalities for debris removal and emergency protective measures, with a limited window that does not equate to full disaster payment.
COR3 disbursed $1.027 billion in the first half of 2026
July 19, 2026. 2,880 requests for $2.0931B; $843.9M WCA validations; $222.1M in process. Disbursed ≠ obligated.
EPA awards $27.456 million to find and replace lead lines in Puerto Rico
The FY2026 award flows through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund; it can finance inventories, planning, and service line replacement. The allocation does not equate to completed works or money already disbursed.
SBA opens loans for essential nonprofits after Ernesto
Diary Sep 12, 2026; byline Federal Register Dec 6, 2024 (FEMA-4850-DR). 26 municipalities; deadlines physical/EIDL; loan≠grant≠disbursement.
FEMA announces more than $97 million for Puerto Rico projects
Sep 12, 2026. Guaynabo. Awarding PA/HMGP ≠ disbursement. San Juan Piers $14 million; Culebra Bridge $1.1 million.
177,329 without power: AES 1 and Costa Sur 5 and 6 offline; the energy czar blames LUMA
Sep 12, 2026, 7:05 p.m. LUMA Portal: 177,329 (~12%). Bayamón 48,012; San Juan 43,390. Naming by the czar ≠ judicial ruling. Snapshot ≠ duration.
Mixed reservoirs: Carraízo decreases; La Plata rises 11 cm
Sep 12, 2026. AAA 5:00 a.m.: Carraízo 39.19 (−1 cm, observation); La Plata 44.95 (+11 cm, adjustments). Carraízo subscribers under rationing.
More than 177,000 subscribers without power after failures in Costa Sur and AES
Sep 12, 2026. LUMA portal 7:05 p.m.: 177,329 without service (~12%); Bayamón 48,012; San Juan 43,390. Zar: AES 1 + Costa Sur 5 and 6 out.
Bush declared a 2008 rain disaster and opened individual aid in eight municipalities
The release of October 1, 2008 includes housing, repairs, loans, and territorial mitigation, but does not report disbursed dollars.
CDC: 85% of interviewees ate blueberries; the recall stays open
The epidemiological update reports 17 cases, 6 hospitalizations, and 0 deaths; 11 of 13 people interviewed (85%) ate frozen blueberries, compared to 24% in the FoodNet survey.
HUD auditors: Housing still runs $20B without a mature anti-fraud plan
Oct 27, 2023. Reactive fraud-risk management; Table 1 allocation $20.22B vs partial disbursements. Allocation is not disbursed.
Oversight Board holds $9.7 million for five wells: still unauthorized
Sep 11, 2026. Mujica requests feasibility, quality, future costs, and breakdown by well. Drought = emergency, says the letter; authorization ≠ disbursement. Wells: Dairy 1 and 2, Maguayo 2, Campanilla 8, Levittown 4.
Metro: Oversight Board seeks more data before authorizing ~$9.69 million for five AAA wells
11 Sep 2026. Mujica demands viability, recurring costs and a breakdown of up to $9,688,345 from the Emergency Reserve; drought ≠ blank check.
Metro: AAA — La Plata falls 10 cm; −18 cm in two days
11 Sep 2026. La Plata 44.14 adjustments; serves >130,800 customers. Drop≠rationing announced that day.