First came the desperate appeal for more help. Carmen Yulin Cruz, mayor of Puerto Rico’s main city San Juan, made it clear with a T-shirt slogan that read: "Help Us, We Are Dying."

In interviews she pleaded for more federal aid for an island battered by Hurricane Maria, where she said people had no choice but to drink from creeks.

And then she addressed her message directly to the President.

“I keep saying it: SOS. If anyone can hear us; if Mr. Trump can hear us, let's just get it over with and get the ball rolling," she told CNN.