A large-scale power outage swept across Puerto Rico late Tuesday night, leaving millions without electricity and raising concerns about the island’s infrastructure. As residents coped with the blackout, Governor Jenniffer González faced sharp criticism for her delayed public response, with many accusing her of being absent during a time of crisis.
Power Grid Failure Leaves Residents in the Dark
The outage began around 10:45 p.m., affecting homes, hospitals, businesses, and essential services across the island. LUMA Energy, the company managing electricity transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico, confirmed the blackout was due to a major failure in the grid. However, a detailed explanation of the cause has not yet been provided.
Emergency services and local municipalities activated response measures, but many residents reported difficulties contacting authorities and accessing real-time information.
Public Frustration Grows Over Governor’s Silence
While utility officials addressed the media and provided updates, Governor Jenniffer González remained publicly silent for several hours. Her absence led to widespread frustration on social media, where the hashtag #WhereIsJenniffer quickly gained traction.
“She should have spoken up sooner. We were left with no guidance and no reassurance,” said María del Rosario, a resident of Bayamón. “This isn’t just a technical issue—it’s about leadership.”
Official Statement Comes Hours Later
Governor González eventually issued a brief statement the following day, acknowledging the severity of the blackout and assuring residents that her administration was working with energy officials to restore power as quickly as possible.
However, many islanders felt the response lacked urgency and failed to address the growing concerns about the island’s vulnerable electrical grid.
Questions Over Crisis Management and Infrastructure
Puerto Rico has experienced frequent power outages in recent years, raising long-standing concerns about energy resilience and crisis preparedness. Tuesday’s blackout is one of the most significant in recent memory, reigniting debates over public trust and government accountability.
LUMA Energy has not provided an exact timeline for full power restoration but stated that repair crews are working around the clock.
As restoration efforts continue, pressure is mounting on Governor González to offer more transparency and stronger leadership during emergencies that affect millions of Puerto Ricans.
