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


  • Black Alliance for Peace
    BAP Condemns Kidnapping and Torture of Kenyan Revolutionary Leader
    27 Feb 2026
    Kenya presents itself as a regional stable democracy. The torture and framing of the Marxist party leader belies this narrative.
  • Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Standing with Iran
    25 Feb 2026
    The task of the left, of all anti-imperialists, is to oppose U.S. aggression around the world. A military attack against Iran is imminent and cannot be opposed on theoretical grounds. The people of…
  • Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    SPEECH: Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference, February 14, 2026
    25 Feb 2026
    "A civilization that uses its principles for trickery and deceit is a dying civilization.”
  • Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    Stand Up for Sudan
    25 Feb 2026
    The US is funding a genocide. Of course we all know that, but how many of us know about Sudan?
  • Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    Kid growing up under growing fascism
    25 Feb 2026
    "Kid growing up under growing fascism" is the latest from BAR's Poet-in-Residence.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us