Page 12 - ARUBA TODAY

A12 WORLD NEWS
Wednesday 12 april 2017

Outages increase as Puerto Rico company crumbles amid crisis

es that beep, whir and hum and intellectual - to restore
back to life has become a functional utility,” the ex-
common across the island perts wrote.
for tens of thousands of But Puerto Rico’s govern-
Puerto Ricans such as Agu- ment cannot provide any
irre who cannot afford gen- kind of cash infusion. It
erators to offset the costly faces major budget cuts in
interruptions. the upcoming months as
Last year, the island of 3.4 it struggles to find revenue
million people reported and restructure some $70
more than 54,000 power billion in public debt dur-
failures, a 24 percent in- ing a decade-long reces-
crease compared with sion. The Electric Power
2014. Outages in Puerto Authority holds roughly $9
Rico overall are up to five billion of that debt, and has
times higher than those ex- reached a tentative deal
perienced by customers in reached with bondhold-
the U.S. mainland, accord- ers after nearly three years’
ing to a report published worth of negotiations.
in November by indepen- The power company hasn’t
dent, U.S.-based experts found new sources of reve-
at the request of a local nue given that Puerto Rico
In this September, 2016 photo, motorists illuminate a storefront with their headlights as they drive in commission charged with has no access to the capi-
to buy bread after a massive blackout, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. An increase in power outages in improving the power com- tal markets. Meanwhile,
2017, is taking its toll on Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory’s heavily indebted public power company pany. outages continue to vex its
struggles to modernize its crumbling infrastructure amid a deep economic crisis. The scathing analysis of more than 1.5 million cus-
(AP Photo/Carlos Giusti) more than 200 pages says tomers.
DANICA COTO cades-old equipment that “It’s never been worse,” the power company faces “You hear all the pings,
Associated Press is crumbling amid a deep Mariela Aguirre, a 49-year- an emergency that must and you’re like, ‘Oh, God,
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) economic crisis. old sales trainer, said of be addressed immediately, everything’s going to break
— Spoiled food. Damaged The frequent loss of power, the weekly outages in her warning that its genera- down on me,’” Elizabeth
appliances. Shuttered busi- coupled with rising power neighborhood tucked in tion and transmission infra- Laide, a 50-year-old swim-
nesses. bills, is spooking potential an upscale suburb near the structure is “literally falling ming instructor, said of her
A recent increase in power investors. It has frustrated capital. “This is turning into apart.” appliances.
outages is taking a heavy business owners who com- a Third World country.” “(The company) appears She lives near the capital
toll on Puerto Rico as the U.S. plain of lost revenue and The cycle of homes and to be running on fumes, of San Juan and has power
territory’s heavily indebted forced homeowners to buy businesses being plunged and in our opinion desper- outages twice a week last-
public power company new appliances amid un- into darkness only to be ately requires an infusion of ing anywhere from six to 12
struggles to modernize de- expected surges. jolted awake by applianc- capital - monetary, human, hours. q
26 charged with trafficking cocaine at Puerto Rico airport

DANICA COTO suspects including airline Among the items seized ated by American, JetBlue said. American Airline em-
Associated Press employees, airport staff from the suspects were and Southwest airlines. ployees also would send
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) and restaurant workers. The jewelry, property and a ti- Authorities said mules the drugs as cargo them-
— Federal law enforce- majority were arrested be- ger that authorities said the would pick up the co- selves free of cost, they
ment has broken up a $4 fore dawn at the Luis Munoz alleged drug leader kept caine in bathroom stalls added.
million drug-trafficking ring Marin airport in the capital as a pet. Rodriguez said after going through TSA American Airlines said in a
at Puerto Rico’s main inter- of San Juan that authorities federal agents nicknamed checkpoints. The drugs also statement that it was coop-
national airport that relied said serves as the biggest him “Tony the Tiger.” were smuggled aboard erating with authorities.
on bathrooms and gar- drug distribution center in She said the suspects smug- DHL planes and by Ameri- “We take this matter very
bage chutes to smuggle the Caribbean. gled drugs aboard flights can Airline employees who seriously,” the compa-
cocaine to the U.S. main- “Today we have brought headed to New York, Mi- would place stickers on ny said. “Our top prior-
land, authorities said Tues- their operations to a grind- ami, Philadelphia and Or- luggage indicating it had ity is the safety and secu-
day. ing halt,” said U.S. Attorney lando. Among the planes been cleared by TSA when rity of our customers and
Indicted in the case are 26 Rosa Emilia Rodriguez. targeted were those oper- it hadn’t been, officials employees.”q