Poll: Puerto Rico residents rate Trump at 15/80 on handling of Hurricane Maria

More than 7 in 10 residents give negative marks to the Puerto Rican government’s efforts, while two-thirds criticize the response of Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló. Smaller majorities are critical of the response from both the federal government and municipal authorities.

Beyond disappointment, most Puerto Ricans see the federal government as apathetic about helping the U.S. territory recover. A 55 percent majority believes rebuilding Puerto Rico is not a priority for the U.S. government, and roughly 6 in 10 say the federal response to Maria was worse because of the island’s lack of statehood.

“The president of the United States has to remember that we’re Puerto Ricans; if you like it or not, we’re part of the United States, too,” said Ramon Pachaco, 58, who lives in Ponce, a city on the island’s southern coast. “You see the response they got in Miami and New Orleans; they respond right away. Over here, it ain’t working that way. It’s rough.”