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


  • The “Powell Memo” and the Supreme Court: A Counteroffensive Against the Many
    Derek Ford
    The “Powell Memo” and the Supreme Court: A Counteroffensive Against the Many
    12 Apr 2023
    Written in 1971 by Lewis Powell before he joined the U.S. Supreme Court, the Powell Memo was a call to the U.S. capitalist class to construct a more intentional, coherent and focused…
  • ‘Zone of Peace’ Campaign Launched In 3 Countries to Build ‘People(s)-Centered Movement’ in the Americas
    Julie Varughese
    ‘Zone of Peace’ Campaign Launched In 3 Countries to Build ‘People(s)-Centered Movement’ in the Americas
    12 Apr 2023
    The Zone of Peace campaign is a "people(s) centered" grassroots effort to end imperialist domination throughout the Americas.
  • 87% of Service Workers in the US South Were Injured on the Job Last Year
    Peoples Dispatch
    87% of Service Workers in the US South Were Injured on the Job Last Year
    12 Apr 2023
    Southern service workers allege that South Carolina’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration discriminates against Black workers.
  • Sub-Imperialism and Multipolarity: Brazil’s Dilemma
    Justin Podur
    Sub-Imperialism and Multipolarity: Brazil’s Dilemma
    12 Apr 2023
    Brazil is an example of a nation that plays a role in accelerating multipolarity while simultaneously taking part in sub-imperialist acts of aggression.
  • The U.S. Pushes Kiev Into a Suicidal Military Counter Offensive As the Country Scrambles to Launch Its Vital Grain Growing Season
    Dmitriy Kovalevich
    The U.S. Pushes Kiev Into a Suicidal Military Counter Offensive As the Country Scrambles to Launch Its Vital Grain Growing Season
    12 Apr 2023
    U.S. imperialism demands a fight until the last Ukrainian. The proxy war continues to devastate the people of Ukraine.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us