Puerto Rico’s first gubernatorial debate focused on corruption, political status, and LUMA Energy crisis

The candidates addressed issues such as security, education, health, economy, and the controversial contract with LUMA Energy.

The four candidates for governor of Puerto Rico faced off on Wednesday night in the first televised debate, nearly a month before the Nov. 5 election.

Broadcast by WAPA TV, the debate featured Juan Dalmau of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP), Jesús Manuel Ortiz of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Jenniffer González of the New Progressive Party (PNP), and Javier Jiménez of Proyecto Dignidad (PD). 

The candidates addressed issues such as security, education, health, economy, and the controversial contract with LUMA Energy, the company responsible for the island’s electricity transmission, which has been heavily criticized for frequent power outages.

One of the issues that came up frequently throughout the two-hour debate was corruption. The candidates blamed each other, disassociated themselves from members of their own parties, and named federal convicts in corruption cases from their opposing parties.

Dalmau pointed out that corruption cases have consistently involved the PNP and PPD, the two parties that have long alternated in power. Both Ortiz and González defended their records, with González insisting that she would not tolerate any form of corruption.

Jiménez said that “the problem is that there is no will to end corruption” and assured that he will recruit “an army of auditors.”

Whenever they had the opportunity, the candidates accused each other of not being prepared or not having a plan to solve the island’s problems.

The political status of Puerto Rico, a topic that has long divided the island, also took center stage during the debate. 

Ortiz asked Dalmau to “speak directly to the country,” saying that everyone knows that as an ideological governor he will try to advance his objective, which is independence.

“Federal funds are a vital part of Puerto Rico’s budget. Imagine what we would do if we had a change of collaboration or a governor who believes in independence,” González said, referring to Dalmau.

Dalmau denied that he would impose independence.

“I promise that I will not impose my preference of status on the people of Puerto Rico. That has to be a democratic issue,” he said.

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