Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz on Urban Leadership

Urban Leadership in the Face of Disaster: a conversation with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz

On Thursday, October 25, BU alumna and San Juan, Puerto Rico mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz visited the Initiative on Cities to speak with students on urban leadership, pertaining specifically to her experience in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 hurricane, hit Puerto Rico last September. Among the multiple damages it caused, Maria destroyed over 80% of power lines in Puerto Rico and left 3.4 million Puerto Ricans without electricity.

The tragedy evolved into a humanitarian crisis, however, when the federal government failed to properly provide relief funds and hampered relief efforts. Over 50% of Puerto Ricans went nearly six months without power, and the blackout prevented Puerto Ricans from fresh food and produce, clean drinking water, and critical healthcare services. The predicted death toll, accounting for those who died in the weeks and months following Maria, reaches nearly 3,500 Puerto Ricans.

Mayor Cruz was an outspoken critic of the federal government’s relief efforts and worked tirelessly to provide for the people of Puerto Rico.

Read more about Mayor Cruz’s visit here.