Puerto Rico Gov: Progress Being Made But Long Way To Go
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PUERTO RICO (CBSMiami) – The recovery effort in Puerto Rico remains challenging ten days after Hurricane Maria hit.
Power is still out and water is scarce for many of the island's three million residents.
Saturday morning, President Donald Trump accused the mayor of Puerto Rico of "poor leadership" a day after her plea for more help.
In a desperate call for aid Friday, the mayor of San Juan said bureaucracy and inefficiency were costing lives in hurricane-battered Puerto Rico.
"I am asking the President of the US to make sure somebody is in charge, that is up to the task of saving lives," said Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz.
President Trump responded Saturday by tweeting images of supplies being delivered by the Air Force, Coast Guard and FEMA, and by criticizing Mayor Cruz:
The president accused the mayor of attacking his administration at the request of democrats.
"Actually, I was asking for help," Yulin Cruz told MSNBC. "I wasn't saying anything nasty about the president."
Help has been stalled by blocked roads. And for every need, now there is a line. One for water, one for fuel, and a line for a working ATM.
But Puerto Rico's governor emphasized progress and co-operation to get the job done.
"We still need to do more for the people of Puerto Rico and we're working tirelessly to do that, but we need resources," said Gov. Ricardo Rossello. "Now we're getting them, you're seeing them here."
President Trump said the governor is a partner in the recovery effort.
"Despite the fake news media in conjunction with the dems," he tweeted, "an amazing job is being done in Puerto Rico."