San Juan mayor calls on Trump to do more to help Puerto Rico

The mayor of San Juan on Friday called on President Trump to continue to ramp up the federal government’s assistance to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Irma, urging an island-wide approach to the relief efforts.

Carmen Yulín Cruz said on CNN’s “New Day” that, while she appreciated Trump’s call to San Juan, there are “77 other towns waiting” for a response from the president. 

“They’re waiting anxiously and will be very grateful to you and to the American people if you continue to step up to the moral imperative that you’ve taken on all over the world to help those in need,” she said. “So help us.”

{mosads}”And I know he can do it, because he did it yesterday with San Juan. Somebody heard me, and they just came to San Juan and things started moving and rolling. But this has to happen on a continuous basis with the entire island of Puerto Rico.”

The Trump administration stepped up its relief efforts in Puerto Rico on Thursday after coming under fire for what critics called a muted and inadequate response to Hurricane Maria. More than a week after the storm, most residents remain without power, and necessities, like food, are running scarce.

The administration waived a nearly 100-year-old shipping law on Thursday that Democrats and Puerto Rico officials said complicated the delivery of aid and supplies to the island.