Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Puerto Rico Crippled Before Hurricane Hit
Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford
12 Dec 2017
🖨️ Print Article

Harsh austerity measures imposed by a federal financial oversight board set Puerto Rico up for disaster, said Lara Merling, a researcher for the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Research. A new study shows about 1,000 more deaths resulted from Hurricane Irma than were officially reported. “It’s not surprising that the Puerto Rican government had no ability to respond” to the storm, as a result of the spending cuts, said Merling.

Puerto Rico

Related Podcasts

BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio March 6, 2026
06 March 2026
In this week’s segment, we discuss past and present U.S.
Puerto Rico independence movement
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution and Struggle for Independence in Puerto Rico
06 March 2026
Brianna Alvarado Ramos of Diaspora Pa’lante Collective discusses the challenges
BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio September 19, 2025
20 September 2025
In this week’s segment, we discuss a new book that analyzes the latest iteration of fascism currently emerging in the United States.

More Stories


  • Not today colonizer
    Too Black
    Statement: We Condemn Your Condemnation
    18 Oct 2023
    The colonized and the marginalized are often condemned by the same forces that oppress them, or they are asked to utter condemnation at the whims of their rulers. 
  • Black Agenda Report Logo
    The Editors
    Black Agenda Report Returns with a New Site
    10 Oct 2023
    The Black Agenda Report editorial team is grateful to our readers for their support and patience. Last week we were unable to publish BAR due to circumstances beyond our control.  
  • MLK with text next to him reading "socialism for the rich, rugged individualism for the poor"
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    3rd Reich corporate confederate circus
    10 Oct 2023
    By Raymond Nat Turner, Poet-in-Residence 3rd Reich corporate confederate circus  
  • A police tactical vehicle leaves the scene with officers in fatigues hanging on
    Black Alliance For Peace
    Black Alliance for Peace Baltimore Says No to Cop City
    10 Oct 2023
    The phenomenon of militarized policing is not confined to the city of Atlanta. The city of Baltimore, Maryland is also planning its own "Cop City" and to add insult to injury, affiliating with HBCU…
  • Protest for Eritrea
    Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion
    Eritrea's Defiance and Independence Remain Its Supreme Crime
    10 Oct 2023
    Eritrea has been the target of a media campaign orchestrated by the US and its allies who act in collusion with corporate media. These narratives demonize Eritrea and seek to weaken this country…
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us