Jayson Velazquez

Organizations in Puerto Rico respond to ecological disasters, public health crises, climate change, and ongoing colonial harms. This study uncovers organization leaders’ perspectives on the impact of debt control measures and political friction on their organizations’ ability to meet constituent needs in Puerto Rico. Fifty-four organizational leaders surveyed covered various organization types, such as non-profits, community-based organizations, mutual aid, and faith-based, across varying mission classifications. Organization leaders responded that ongoing colonial harms had impacted their organization’s ability to serve their constituents. They were also unsure how different political status options such as Independence, Sovereign Free-Associated State, or Statehood would impact their future operations. When discussing connections to United States’ diaspora organizations, organization leaders in Puerto Rico shared concerns and barriers to developing and nurturing those relationships. This study highlights the challenges Puerto Rican organizations face when preparing and responding to climate change, ecological disasters, and political tension.