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.
USACE authorizes sediment removal at Carraízo; ~50 million gallons of capacity
5 Sep 2026. 5-year permit (to 15 Mar 2031); ~285,000 yd³ on 7.12 acres (Gurabo). Permit ≠ dredging finished.
La Fortaleza seeks a replacement for Luis González at the water authority
Sep 4, 2026. Senator Sánchez and Representative Parés say that candidates are already being sought. La Fortaleza did not respond to Metro at the time of publication. Legislative allegation ≠ completed removal.
CDC: Great Value berry recall reaches Walmart in Puerto Rico
Open investigation of E. coli from frozen blueberries: 17 cases and 6 hospitalizations in 2 states; on September 2 the recall of Triple Berry Blend (lot 60401-6) was expanded to 26 states and Puerto Rico.
Energy resilience fund: $1B framework and up to $365M toward PREPA
Programmatic page: launch 2023-02-21; Solar Access 2024; announcement 2025-09-30 of reallocation. Institutional peg in slot 2026-09-04.
Senator: the governor is seeking a replacement for the AAA president
Sánchez Álvarez on Pega’os; Parés: a management change is needed. Díaz Atienza and Ortiz unavailable per the account.
Governor denies having asked for Zapata’s resignation at PREPA
González Colón: resignation letter effective Friday; Osorio Caña interim. ENDI source speaks of dismissal; Colón denies pressure.
Hernández and Begich: USGS should study Puerto Rico’s geothermal potential
Federal bill does not authorize development; maps, aquifers, karst terrain and seismic risks in one year to Congress.
HUD posts Housing Trust Fund: Puerto Rico gets about $902,616
The notice in the Federal Register of September 4, 2026 sets the allocation of the Housing Trust Fund; the territorial line is the published allocation, not disbursement or units delivered.
Board approves one-month $1.5 million homemaker-services contract
ADFAN–Corporación de Servicios de Ama de Llaves bridge for more than 1,600 older adults while another contract of more than $50 million is litigated.
LUMA: Quiñones tells mayors there is no money to replace streetlights
Barlucea (Ponce) recounts Thursday meeting; federal funds via LUMA/PREPA; jurisdiction fight on PR-9 and PR-10.
FEMA has 1,295 disaster declarations on record for Puerto Rico
Sep 4, 2026. Declared is not the same as obligated. Ernesto (4850) shows public assistance and mitigation; individual aid is false in sampled rows.
PNP: six candidates for mayor of Cataño; special election September 27
Vega Borges closes filing Friday; committee through the 8th; fights over Torres Montalvo (DACO) and Rodríguez Torres.
Esencia: “there is enough water and more” for the project and Cabo Rojo
4 Sep 2026. Ruiz Vargas: not counting on AAA; desalination as contingency; $2,500 million. Claim ≠ DNER franchise.
González files bill to clear the way for Trump Accounts in Puerto Rico
Vocero cites Administration 156; ENDI in English cites 154. Federal $1,000 seed for eligible minors born 2025–2028.
Radio Isla: El Calentón panel debates Esencia in Cabo Rojo
4 Sep 2026. Sonia Valentín with Defiende Cabo Rojo, Soderberg, Benet, García Pelatti.
Sen. Sánchez demands AAA execute Act 143 credits for lack of water
Hearing on SR 543 and 560: AAA estimates ~37,000 eligible; Sánchez says the figure is too low.
Carraízo rises a fourth day to 39.11 meters; 13 of 19 reservoirs gain water
El Vocero staff, AAA reading Sept. 3 at 5:00 a.m.; 19 more centimeters and out of operational adjustments.
COR3: Humacao–DRNA agreement for Punta Santiago; 14.56 million obligated in 15 projects
Release of September 3, 2026; total cost 16,178,287. Obligated is not disbursed.
DOE sought to redirect $365 million from the resilience fund toward the grid
Primary GDO 2025-05-21: $365 million initially awarded (Dec. 2024) to a solar/battery; DOE announces reprioritization towards practical fixes. Historical peg in slot 2026-09-03.
Farm Service offers emergency loans with a $500,000 cap and an eight-month window
The official page of Emergency Farm Loans sets uses, eligibility, and a maximum of $500,000; in parallel, Puerto Rico adds USDA drought designations for up to 38 municipalities (PRFAA announcement of September 2).