Washington, D.C.– Earlier this month, Latino Victory Fund hosted its 3rd Annual Latino Political Summit in Puerto Rico to bring national attention to the recovery efforts and challenges facing the 3.5 million American citizens living in the island. Latino Victory made the strategic decision to host their summit in Puerto Rico — an event usually hosted in Washington D.C. — following the Trump Administration’s failed federal response after one of the deadliest hurricanes in American history.
As we head into the most consequential election in recent history, Puerto Rico recovery efforts must remain a national priority. That’s why today, Latino Victory is calling on Democratic candidates to pay a visit to the island to see firsthand the devastation caused by the hurricane and the lack of funding for recovery efforts from the Trump Administration.
“This election will define who we are as a nation and what we stand for. Latino issues are American issues, and that’s why it’s so important for presidential candidates to engage with the Latino community from day one and hear firsthand how President Trump’s policies are impacting their daily lives,” said Cristóbal J. Alex, Latino Victory Fund president. “This starts by going to Puerto Rico and hearing from those impacted by the hurricane. That’s why today, Latino Victory is calling on presidential hopefuls to commit to visit Puerto Rico during the early stages of their campaigns and to make the island’s recovery efforts a top priority. Now more than ever we need to know who’s on our side and who will fight alongside us for what’s morally right.”
BACKGROUND
- Latino Victory has been a leading national organization working to keep Puerto Rico a national priority.
- In August of 2018, Latino Victory launched the Power4PuertoRico coalition, a coalition that advocates for Puerto Rico and displaced families as they face a weak, incompetent, and discriminatory federal response to the unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Maria and all of its sprawling aftermath.
- On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Latino Victory continued to hold the Trump Administration accountable for his callous response and for the thousands of lives that were lost after the Hurricane. In New York City, Latino Victory hosted a rally and Washington D.C. a vigil outside of the White House. Additionally, Latino Victory hosted a caravan and a rally near Mar-a-Lago, Florida that attracted hundreds of Puerto Ricans and allies from all over the state.
- Most recently, Latino Victory brought national media attention to Puerto Rico when democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro attended its 3rd Annual Latino Political Summit in San Juan — his first public event after he announced his candidacy. Another presidential hopeful, Senator Elizabeth Warren, visited Puerto Rico this past week.
