PEDRO PIERLUISI

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico privatized its electricity production on Wednesday, selecting Genera PR to take over the operation and maintenance of state power generation units in the U.S. territory as part of an initial $22.5 million annual contract. Genera also will handle contracts related to fuel purchases for the island’s 12 power facilities as part of a 10-year contract with Puerto Rico’s government. He also noted that Genera PR will have monopoly power as the sole provider of electricity on the island. New Fortress Energy opened a natural gas facility in Puerto Rico in 2020. Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority later accused the company of violating its contract by supplying less natural gas than it promised, forcing the state power company to use more expensive diesel at generation units, a cost that has not been reimbursed.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Nearly two hours after meeting behind closed doors, the governing board of Puerto Rico’s power company emerged Thursday to briefly announce it was approving a plan to privatize electric generation in the U.S. territory. Critics like Torres also oppose the contract given the problems that arose after Puerto Rico’s power company privatized the transmission and distribution of electricity on the island nearly two years ago. Board president Fernando Gil said only that the contract is for 10 years and can be revised in the fifth year. The contract was previously approved by Puerto Rico’s Public-Private Partnerships Authority on Sunday in a unanimous vote, including by members who represent the public’s interest. Puerto Rico’s power grid has long been unstable given a lack of maintenance and investment, but it was crushed after Hurricane Maria hit the island as a Category 4 storm in 2017.

The governing board of Puerto Rico’s power company says it has approved a plan to privatize electric generation in the U.S. territory after meeting for nearly two hours behind closed doors.

“It is crucial to me that any proposal in Congress to decolonize Puerto Rico be informed and led by Puerto Ricans,” said Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which oversees affairs in U.S. territories. The proposal would commit Congress to accept Puerto Rico into the United States as the 51st state if voters on the island approved it. Puerto Rico Gov. “Many of us are not in agreement about how that future should be, but we all accept that the decision should belong to the people of Puerto Rico,” she said. ___Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — About 30 businesses from Puerto Rico are in Central Florida now to attract investors to expand as part of Expo Puerto Rico. It marks the expo’s first time in Central Florida since Hurricane Maria. Pedro Pierluisi opened this year’s expo for businesses, excited for what he calls a homecoming of sorts. READ: 40% chance that Central Atlantic system could develop into subtropical cycloneMonday marks the educational portion for businesses, centered around panel discussions. READ: Florida couple murdered over HOA dispute, sheriff saysVideo: 40% chance that Central Atlantic system could develop into subtropical cyclone There’s a 40% chance that a system in the Central Atlantic could develop into a subtropical cyclone.

President Joe Biden promises to “rebuild it all” after visiting Puerto Rico on Monday to survey damage from Hurricane Fiona, as tens of thousands of people remain without power two weeks after the storm hit.

Officials in Puerto Rico say preliminary evaluations show Hurricane Fiona damaged 50% of transmission lines and distribution feeders as hundreds of thousands of people remain without power or water service almost two weeks after the storm hit

Puerto Rico's governor has requested the U.S. government waive a federal law and allow more fuel shipments to the island over concerns of a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. “Diesel supplies continue to decrease at a higher rate than previously anticipated, and shortages have been reported around the island,” he wrote. Pierluisi’s letter comes as a British Petroleum ship with 300,000 barrels of diesel floats off Puerto Rico’s southern coast since Sunday, awaiting entry. “Every minute counts in an emergency,” said Puerto Rico Rep. Eddie Charbonier. Local and federal official have long called for a permanent repeal of the Jones Act, saying it has driven up prices and crippled Puerto Rico’s economy.

Puerto Rico’s governor requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona

Puerto Rico’s governor requested that the U.S. government waive a federal law to allow for more fuel shipments to the island amid concerns over a dwindling supply of diesel in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

Half of Puerto Rico is without power more than five days after Hurricane Fiona struck the U.S. territory — including an entire town where not a single work crew has arrived.

A growing number of businesses including grocery stores and gas stations are temporarily closing across Puerto Rico as power outages caused by Hurricane Fiona drag on in the U.S. territory, sparking concern about the availability of fuel and basic goods.

See the scale of Puerto Rico’s flooding by Hurricane Fiona in maps, photos and videos.

CAYEY, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Hurricane Fiona blasted the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday as a Category 3 storm after devastating Puerto Rico, where most people remained without electricity or running water and rescuers used heavy equipment to lift survivors to safety. The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency traveled to Puerto Rico on Tuesday as the agency announced it was sending hundreds of additional personnel to boost local response efforts. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”Cruz said 670 people have been rescued in Puerto Rico, including 19 people at a retirement home in Cayey that was in danger of collapsing. “We need to make sure this time, Puerto Rico has absolutely everything it needs, as soon as possible, for as long as they need it,” he said. ___Associated Press reporters Martín Adames in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Maricarmen Rivera Sánchez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

Puerto Rico continues to reel from Hurricane Fiona , which knocked out power and water access to most of the island. “The damages that we are seeing are catastrophic,” Puerto Rico Gov. President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico on Sunday, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief. Comedores Sociales de Puerto Rico . Puerto Rico National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) .

Hurricane Fiona began barreling toward for the Turks and Caicos Islands Tuesday, after inflicting damage on the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. It is now a Category 3 storm.

Hurricane Fiona is blasting the Turks and Caicos Islands as a Category 3 storm after devastating Puerto Rico, where most people remain without electricity or running water.

Puerto Rico's power grid faced issues even before Hurricane Fiona made landfall and caused blackouts across the island.

Multiple counties in Puerto Rico remained under flash flood warning through the afternoon Monday as torrential rain pounded the island in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.

The governor of Puerto Rico says it will likely take days to fully restore the electricity on the island — but that's contingent upon how much damage the storm inflicted on the power grid.

Hurricane Fiona delivered "catastrophic" damage to Puerto Rico, and the storm made landfall in the Dominican Republic on Monday. No deaths have been reported in Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Fiona is dumping more rain on Puerto Rico.

Forecasters said the storm would cause massive flooding and threatened to dump “historic” levels of rain, with up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) possible in eastern and southern Puerto Rico. Fiona struck on the anniversary of Hurricane Hugo, which hit Puerto Rico 33 years ago as a Category 3 storm. Puerto Rico’s power grid was razed by Hurricane Maria and remains frail, with reconstruction starting only recently. Fiona was predicted to drop 12 to 16 inches (30 to 41 centimeters) of rain over eastern and southern Puerto Rico, with as much as 25 inches (64 centimeters) in isolated spots. Morales noted that Hurricane Maria in 2017 had unleashed 40 inches (102 centimeters).

Hurricane Fiona has struck Puerto Rico’s southwest coast as it unleashed landslides, knocked the power grid out and ripped up asphalt from roads and flung the pieces around.

It was moving west at 8 mph (13 kph) on a path forecast to pass near or over Puerto Rico on Sunday night. “We are already starting to feel its effects,” Puerto Rico Gov. Many Puerto Ricans worried about serious power outages since the reconstruction of the island's power grid razed by Hurricane Maria in 2017 only recently began. In Puerto Rico, authorities opened shelters and closed public beaches, casinos, theaters and museums as they urged people to remain indoors. The governor said an elderly man died shortly after arriving at a shelter in the tiny island of Culebra that lies just east of Puerto Rico.

HAVANA — (AP) — Mediation talks to restructure more than $9 billion in debt held by Puerto Rico’s power company failed, officials announced Saturday, raising concerns about the future of the bankrupt government agency. A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances said the impasse with bondholders means it would resume litigation against them in an attempt to restructure the debt, warning that any cost associated with debt repayment would be passed along to consumers. “Now, all of this could be delayed for years.”Puerto Rico’s power grid remains frail after Hurricane Maria razed it in 2017, with outages reported daily. It is one of two government agencies whose debt have yet to be restructured more than five years after Puerto Rico's government filed for the largest municipal bankruptcy in history. Puerto Rico’s Highways and Transportation Authority still holds $5.8 billion in debt.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — The president of a super PAC in Puerto Rico who pled guilty to hiding the identity of donors who supported the U.S. territory's governor during his 2020 election campaign was sentenced Friday to 14 months in federal prison. Joseph Fuentes Fernández also served as treasurer for Salvemos a Puerto Rico — Let's Save Puerto Rico — and had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Gov. Pierluisi is not charged in the case and has stressed that his campaign committee did not coordinate its activities with any PAC, including Salvemos a Puerto Rico. Federal authorities said the super PAC was ordered to pay a $150,000 fine and placed on a three-year probation. Super PACs — unlike traditional PACs — are barred from donating money directly to political candidates.

The president of a super PAC in Puerto Rico who pled guilty to hiding the identity of donors who supported the U.S. territory’s governor during his 2020 election campaign has been sentenced to 14 months in prison

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Persistent power outages and threats from Puerto Rico’s government prompted a company that operates the island’s transmission and distribution system to announce Wednesday that it would dedicate more resources and crews to improve service. He said Luma has reduced the duration of outages by one-third, but added that the company can do better. Prior to Luma, Puerto Rico's Electric Power Authority, which is more than $9 billion in debt, managed the grid's transmission and distribution. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s Energy Bureau issued a report late last week noting there’s been an overall increase in the duration of outages per customer every month since January, lasting more than 21 hours at a time. The bureau gave Luma and Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority until Sept. 1 to explain the drop in those and other metrics as it threatened to impose penalties.

Persistent power outages and threats from Puerto Rico’s government have prompted a company that operates the island’s transmission and distribution system to announce that it would dedicate more resources and crews to improve service

Persistent power outages and threats from Puerto Rico’s government have prompted a company that operates the island’s transmission and distribution system to announce that it would dedicate more resources and crews to improve service.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday announced a public-private partnership to overhaul the island’s cruise ship docks as part of a $425 million project to boost the U.S. territory’s tourism sector. “It’s an extremely important day for tourism in Puerto Rico,” said Carlos Mercado, executive director for the island’s Tourism Company. San Juan Cruise Port — a subsidiary of London-based Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator — will be responsible for operating and overseeing the project as part of a 30-year deal with Puerto Rico’s Ports Authority that was five years in the making. Tourism represents less than 7% of Puerto Rico’s economy, but officials hope to change that with the newest partnership, with work slated to start next year. Puerto Rico saw a record number of cruise ship passengers prior to the pandemic, only for the docks to shut down for 16 months.

Vazquez-Garced is accused of bribery in relation to her 2020 gubernatorial campaign.

Former Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez has been arrested on bribery charges related to the financing of her 2020 campaign, the latest hit to an island with a long history of corruption that brought fresh political upheaval to the U.S. territory.

The federal control board that oversees the finances of Puerto Rico’s government has approved a $12.4 billion budget for the U.S. territory after legislators failed to approve one amid bickering

A group of mostly Democratic congress members is proposing a binding plebiscite to decide whether Puerto Rico should become a state or gain some sort of independence.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Thursday that he was rejecting a proposed $12.4 billion budget filed by a federal control board overseeing the island’s finances and would submit his own version as the U.S. territory emerges from bankruptcy. The announcement is the latest clash between the board and Gov. Pierluisi said estimated future collections are high enough to offset government costs and that he would submit a separate budget on Friday. The board noted that its proposed budget dedicates almost 70% of revenue to education, public safety, health, pensions and economic development. “The budget is consistent with Puerto Rico’s path to fiscal responsibility and provides the government with the stability that is critical in this time of global economic uncertainty,” said board chairman David Skeel.

Puerto Rico's Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into destruction in an ecological reserve that protects one of the island’s most extensive mangrove forests.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Powerful lawmakers in Puerto Rico are joining conservatives in states across the U.S. mainland in attempting to set tighter restrictions on abortions, alarming feminist groups and others on the island. A Puerto Rico Senate committee approved the bill last week in a 9-3 vote despite objections from the island’s health and justice departments. If Puerto Rico lawmakers approve the bill, they would join a growing trend of U.S. states restricting abortions. Health officials say about 99% of abortions in Puerto Rico are done before 22 weeks. Pedro Pierluisi has not joined the debate, saying only he favors public hearings "so that we can obtain input from all parties, including medical criteria.

A major power outage hit Puerto Rico late Wednesday, plunging hundreds of thousands of customers into darkness after a fire erupted at one of the largest power plants in the U.S. territory.

The outage was one of the biggest in recent months for the island's crumbling electrical grid, which has seen its periodic blackouts grow worse the last few years.

Puerto Rico’s government is formally exiting bankruptcy after completing the largest public debt restructuring in U.S. history after announcing nearly seven years ago that it was unable to pay its more than $70 billion debt.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Tuesday announced that his administration was cancelling a proposed debt restructuring deal for the island’s public power company, calling it unfeasible. Pedro Pierluisi said that the current proposed deal is neither feasible nor in Puerto Rico's best interest. A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances and the ongoing bankruptcy-like process in federal court said it supported Pierluisi’s decision. “This is fiscal gimmickry.”José Caraballo-Cueto, a Puerto Rican economist and university professor, praised rejection of the plan, adding that a good debt restructuring deal cannot leave a government with more liabilities than assets. Creditors who hold debt issued by Puerto Rico’s power company could not be immediately reached for comment.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Monday that he will eliminate the use of face masks indoors for the second time since the pandemic began. The new measure will go into effect on Thursday with few exceptions: face masks will still be required in health facilities and nursing homes. In addition, starting March 10, domestic travelers will no longer have to present proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test or fill out a currently required form. Pedro Pierluisi also will lift all capacity restrictions at public and private businesses and said proof of vaccination to enter will no longer be required. Pierluisi said that more than 95% of people in Puerto Rico have received their first vaccine dose, 86% their second dose, and more than 50% their booster.

Puerto Rico’s governor says he is ending the requirement for mask use indoors for the second time since the pandemic began as cases and hospitalizations ease.

Puerto Rico’s governor announced Monday that he is ending a requirement for mask use indoors for the second time since the pandemic began as the number of cases and hospitalizations ease. Face masks will still be required in health facilities and nursing homes. In addition, starting March 10, domestic travelers will no longer have to present proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test or fill out a currently required form.

Puerto Rico Pay Protests Demonstrators from the public education sector march to Fortaleza street to demand better salaries, adequate pensions and better employment conditions, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022. Protests in Puerto Rico are multiplying as government employees demand higher pay and improved pensions. Power and water bills are nearly 60% higher in Puerto Rico than the U.S. average. But with paramedics in Puerto Rico earning a base salary of $1,725 a month, he said he has no choice. Public school teachers in Puerto Rico earn a base salary of $1,750 a month and are demanding a minimum of $3,500.

Protests in Puerto Rico are multiplying as government employees demand higher pay and improved pensions.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Monday that all public school teachers will receive a $1,000 monthly salary increase starting in July. “For years, we’ve truly been waiting for this moment,” said Víctor Bonilla, president of the Puerto Rico Teachers’ Association, which represents some 25,000 teachers. The association and others had rejected a smaller increase recently approved by a federal control board overseeing Puerto Rico’s finances and the U.S. territory’s exit from bankruptcy. They would receive half that increase on July 1, with the other half tied to them finishing a payroll and attendance system and providing for student attendance keeping. Pedro Pierluisi said he had been looking for alternatives after the board rejected his proposal to increase teachers’ salaries by $1,000 a month.

Unknown people have toppled a statue of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León ahead of a visit of Spain's King Felipe VI to the U.S. Caribbean territory of Puerto Rico.

In Costa Rica, election officials are encouraging those infected with the coronavirus to skip voting in upcoming national elections.

The U.S. commonwealth is still saddled with heavy debts relative to its economy.

A couple accused of refusing to fill out the required COVID-19 entry form at Puerto Rico’s airport and providing proof of a negative test have been detained after they locked themselves in their minivan for several hours, prompting police to send a negotiator

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor announced Wednesday that he will delay the start of classes at public schools by two weeks and recommended private schools do the same as the U.S. territory grapples with a 36% positivity rate. Pedro Pierluisi stressing that all those working in the education sector are required to have their booster shot by Jan. 15. In addition, schoolchildren age 5 and older are required to have at least their first dose by Jan. 10. Pierluisi said special education therapies are scheduled to start Jan. 18. The island of 3.3 million people has reported more than 201,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 3,300 deaths.

Puerto Rico is imposing new measures to fight a surge in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed medical staff in the U.S. territory and led to temporary shortages of testing kits.

A California judge has partially blocked an order taking effect this week requires state prison employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

A U.S. House committee is demanding that the company in charge of the transmission and distribution of power in Puerto Rico release key data amid widespread outages in the U.S. territory that have outraged and frustrated many.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — A Spanish-language countdown will be included for the first time in the “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” show this year, the Puerto Rico governor announced Thursday. The segment will be broadcast from the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, where thousands are expected to gather at the island’s main convention center in the capital of San Juan, according to Gov. The countdown will occur an hour ahead of the one in New York because Puerto Rico does not implement daylight saving time. The ABC special is broadcast from Times Square in New York City. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Puerto Rico Darkened Island A wooden Puerto Rican flag is displayed on the dock of the Condado lagoon, where multiple selective blackouts have been recorded in the past days, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021. Power outages across the island have surged in recent weeks, with some lasting up to several days. Power outages across the island have surged in recent weeks, with some lasting several days. Puerto Rico Gov. Like others, he is considering leaving Puerto Rico.

Not a single hurricane has hit Puerto Rico this year, but hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. territory feel like they’re living in the aftermath of a major storm: Students do homework by the light of dying cellphones.

Not a single hurricane has hit Puerto Rico this year, but hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. territory feel like they’re living in the aftermath of a major storm: Students do homework by the light of dying cellphones, people who depend on insulin or respiratory therapies struggle to find power sources and the elderly are fleeing sweltering homes amid record high temperatures. Power outages across the island have surged in recent weeks, with some lasting several days. Officials have blamed everything from seaweed to mechanical failures as the government calls the situation a “crass failure” that urgently needs to be fixed.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Puerto Rico’s governor on Monday announced new restrictions to fight a rise in COVID-19 cases, including closing certain private businesses and banning alcohol sales after midnight. In addition, elective surgeries that require the use of intensive care units will be prohibited. Pedro Pierluisi said, referring to a recent spike in cases and deaths blamed largely on the delta variant. Puerto Rico has reported more than 141,500 confirmed cases and more than 2,800 deaths. Pierluisi noted that nearly 70% of those currently hospitalized and nearly 90% of those who have died are not vaccinated.

Puerto Rico’s governor has announced new restrictions to fight a rise in COVID-19 cases, including the closure of certain private businesses and banning alcohol sales after midnight.

Forecasters warned its heavy rains could cause dangerous flooding and mudslides. Officials in Puerto Rico worried about the island's ever-fragile power grid.

Tropical Weather This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a tropical storm east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean, at 7:50am EST, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. The National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm warnings for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, where forecasters expected the potential cyclone to strengthen Tuesday into the sixth named storm, Fred, of the Atlantic hurricane season. (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES via AP) (Uncredited)SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — (AP) — Tropical Storm Fred swirled just south of Puerto Rico early Wednesday heading for the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with forecasters warning that its heavy rains could cause dangerous flooding and mudslides. “The most important thing today is preparation,” said Puerto Rico Gov. Pierluisi said government agencies in Puerto Rico would close and officials noted that some gas stations had shut down after running out of fuel.

Tropical Storm Fred has weakened to a tropical depression while sweeping over the Dominican Republic and dumping heavy rains that forecasters warn could cause dangerous flooding and mudslides there and in neighboring Haiti.

Heavy rains are pelting the northern Caribbean as Tropical Storm Fred has formed just south of Puerto Rico following a quiet month of no named storms in the region.

U.S. health officials are expected to release new data about the spread of COVID-19 on Friday that led to their decision to recommend that vaccinated people wear masks in some situations, a reversal of previous guidance.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says Puerto Rico will receive nearly $4 billion in federal education pandemic relief funds to help boost the U.S. territory’s fight against COVID-19.

The pro-statehood movement has taken on new urgency – but it's not the only vision for Puerto Rico's future.

"Congress should be laying out the terms and conditions for Puerto Rico to become a state," Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said.

At the height of the blackout, nearly 800,000 customers were without power, according to Luma Energy. The company took over as the island's power authority just 10 days ago.

Hundreds of thousands of people were without power in Puerto Rico Thursday night after a large fire broke out at a main substation of Luma energy, a private company that took over the island's Electric Power Authority earlier this month, AP reports.The state of play: The cause of the fire in the capital San Juan remains unknown. Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said local and federal authorities are investigating the blaze and taking the necessary precautions to reestablish electricity. "Every g

A private company has taken over the transmission and distribution operations of Puerto Rico’s power authority, which has been struggling with blackouts and bankruptcy and a history of corruption and mismanagement.

A spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Puerto Rico has put health experts at odds with government officials.

The U.S. 7th Fleet that operates throughout the Indo-Pacific says more than 14,000 of its service members have received their full doses of the coronavirus vaccine, which it began administering on January 5.

Students arrive at the Ramon Marin Sola primary school for the first time in nearly a year amid the COVID-19 pandemic as some public schools reopen in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Danica Coto)SAN JUAN – Parents across Puerto Rico knelt down on Wednesday to adjust their children's face masks and backpacks as public schools reopened for the first time in nearly a year despite the pandemic, with officials reporting scarce attendance amid COVID-19 concerns. Among them was the Ramón Marín Solá primary school in Guaynabo, where parents checked their children’s face masks before hugging them goodbye. AdFor now, only kindergarteners, special education students and children in first, second, third and 12th grades are allowed to return to school. Union leaders and some parents and teachers have called on Pierluisi’s administration to wait until August to reopen schools, noting the U.S. territory has not seen a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases.

(AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)MEXICO CITY — Mexico reported a near-record 1,707 confirmed coronavirus deaths Wednesday, as the country runs out of vaccines. Ad___THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:Spain surpasses 60,000 confirmed virus deaths. Dr. Fauci suggests watching Super Bowl at home with household to avoid spreading coronavirus. British officials say Oxford study backs up their decision to delay second vaccine shot for up to 12 weeks. ___MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Nicaragua’s government says it has approved Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for emergency use.

FILE - In this May 28, 2020 file photo, the home of 85-year-old Carmen Lacen, sits inhabitable after the passing of Hurricane Maria partially covered by a torn, blue tarp, in Loiza, Puerto Rico. The U.S. territory is slated to receive more than $6 billion in federal funds to help prepare for future hurricanes and other disasters, officials said Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)SAN JUAN – Puerto Rico is slated to receive more than $6 billion in federal funds to help prepare the U.S. territory for future hurricanes and other disasters, officials said Tuesday. In addition, Puerto Rico now has access to $3.2 billion to continue rebuilding from hurricanes Irma and Maria, said Pierluisi, who praised the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden for acting quickly. Congress had assigned $67 billion to help with reconstruction efforts after the hurricanes devastated the island in September 2017, but of the $43 billion obligated, Puerto Rico has only received $18 billion amid concerns over how the money would be spent.

Puerto Ricos new governor Pierluisi announced Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, that he will reopen beaches, marinas and pools, eliminate a Sunday lockdown and shorten a curfew that has been in place since the pandemic began to control the number of COVID-19 cases. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)SAN JUAN – Puerto Rico’s new governor announced Tuesday that he will reopen beaches, marinas and pools, eliminate a Sunday lockdown and shorten a curfew that has been in place since the pandemic began to control the number of COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, the new curfew will run from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and face masks remain mandatory. The announcement was cheered by many across Puerto Rico who have long sought to visit the U.S. territory’s beaches that had remained off limits to all except those doing exercise. Carlos Mellado, Puerto Rico's designated health secretary, said he expects 40,000 vaccine doses to arrive on the island every week.

(AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)SAN JUAN – Pedro Pierluisi vowed to achieve statehood for Puerto Rico and fight against poverty, corruption and COVID-19 after he was sworn in Saturday as the U.S. territory’s new governor. “I need everyone to battle our common enemies.”Saturday’s ceremony marked the end of a chaotic four-year period in which Puerto Rico had three governors, including Pierluisi himself briefly after former Gov. Congress created the board in 2016, a year after Puerto Rico declared its more than $70 billion public debt unpayable, an amount accumulated in part by previous administrations borrowing money to cover budget deficits. At the time she was the island’s justice secretary, but since there was no secretary of state at the time, Puerto Rico’s constitution dictated she assume the governorship. A new legislature also was sworn in on Saturday, marking the first time that the majority of Puerto Rico’s Senate is female.

Pedro Pierluisi, gubernatorial candidate with the New Progressive Party (PNP), arrives at Vivo Beach Club to celebrate a slim lead of the pro-statehood party in the Puerto Rican general elections, in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)SAN JUAN – Pedro Pierluisi of Puerto Rico’s pro-statehood New Progressive Party won a majority of votes to become the U.S. territory’s next governor, according to official preliminary results released late Saturday. The results come four days after Puerto Rico held general elections, an unusual delay blamed on a record number of early and absentee votes that overwhelmed officials. It's also the first time that Puerto Rico's two main parties fail to reach 40% of votes. Other results released late Saturday included those of a tight race for the mayor of Puerto Rico's capital.

Voters across Puerto Rico are choosing new leaders they believe would help heal a U.S. territory wracked by corruption, hurricanes, earthquakes and the pandemic. “There’s still a lot at play.”Another hotly contested race is that for mayor of Puerto Rico’s capital. The elections commission has not certified any winners in those races or others. The president of Puerto Rico’s elections commission, Francisco Rosado, said he wasn’t satisfied with the job that the administrative board responsible for counting those votes is doing. “The elections commission was one of the few institutions that had credibility,” he said.

(AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)SAN JUAN – People across Puerto Rico awaited final results Wednesday of elections that saw long lines of voters and produced a tight gubernatorial race in the U.S. Caribbean territory. Meanwhile, Jenniffer González, Puerto Rico’s current representative in U.S. Congress and Pierluisi's running partner, easily won a second term. The race to become mayor of Puerto Rico's capital also was extremely tight, with only hundreds of votes separating two candidates, including one from a new party. Pierluisi briefly served as governor following last year’s protests and previously represented Puerto Rico in Congress for eight years. “Puerto Ricans have a short memory,” he said, adding that he remains hopeful a non-traditional party will eventually lead Puerto Rico.

FILE PHOTO: Wanda Vazquez, former Secretary of Justice, is sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico after Pedro Pierluisi's former oath was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 7, 2019. REUTERS/Gabriella N. Baez/File Photo(Reuters) - Puerto Ricos undependable power network would be modernized and decentralized under a $20.3 billion, 10-year plan announced on Thursday by government officials of the bankrupt U.S. commonwealth. The GridMod Plan will provide the safe, modern and resilient electricity network that our communities need and deserve, the governor said, adding that an improved power network will help boost the islands economy. Puerto Rico and its electric power authority known as PREPA filed for bankruptcy in 2017 just months before hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the power grid. Federal funding would cover about $13 billion of the plan, which also calls for private investment, according to the governors statement.

In a series of interviews with local media, Puerto Ricos former justice secretary denied reports that she had agreed to resign soon to allow Jenniffer Gonzalez, the Caribbean islands nonvoting representative in the U.S. Congress, to take over. On Wednesday, Vazquez became Puerto Ricos third governor in less than a week, after Rossello, who took office in 2017, stepped down on Friday, and his hand-picked successor, Pedro Pierluisi, was removed by the islands supreme court. FILE PHOTO: Wanda Vazquez, former Secretary of Justice, is sworn in as Governor of Puerto Rico by Supreme Court Justice Maite Oronoz after Pedro Pierluisi's former oath was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 7, 2019. REUTERS/Gabriella N. Baez/File PhotoThe political upheaval comes at a critical time in Puerto Ricos bankruptcy, as it seeks billions of dollars in federal funding for healthcare and recovery efforts from devastating 2017 hurricanes. As governor, Vazquez must deal with Puerto Ricos federally created fiscal oversight board, which filed the governments bankruptcy in 2017 in U.S. District Court to restructure about $120 billion of debt and pension obligations.

Ricardo Rossell resigned, publicly backed Jenniffer Gonzlez Puerto Rico's non-voting representative in Congress to be secretary of state, which would put her first in line to become governor if the office should be vacated again. Schatz, Gonzlez and the president of the House of Representatives met with Vzquez privately Thursday night at the new governor's request. They don't trust Puerto Rico's institutions or its officials." Puerto Rico's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Pierluisi had been placed in office unconstitutionally, resulting in Vzquez, the justice secretary, being sworn in as governor the same evening. Appointed justice secretary in January 2017, Vzquez previously worked as a district attorney for two decades at Puerto Rico's Justice Department, handling domestic and sexual abuse cases.