For far too long, the people of Puerto Rico have faced inadequate assistance and colonial exploitation in the wake of natural disasters, a decade-long crippling economic crisis, and unjust human suffering.

Puerto Rico has made draconian cuts including closing schools, massively cutting municipal budgets, and slashing the University of Puerto Rico’s budget in half; an act that threatened the University’s accreditation. All these measures were enacted in order to squeeze money into the coffers of Wall Street billionaires. Instead of investing in health care and education, money is being siphoned off to line the pockets of vulture capitalists who are profiting off of the suffering of the people of Puerto Rico.

Bernie understands that we need a government that responds to the needs of working families in Puerto Rico, not the greed of Wall Street vulture funds. When we are in the White House, we will implement a Marshall Plan for Puerto Rico to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure, create good-paying jobs, transform its energy system toward renewable energy, guarantee healthcare as a human right and improve public schools and childcare facilities.

Bernie is fighting with us for a world where the people of Puerto Rico have a right to self-determination, democracy, and dignity. Working together, we will provide debt relief to Puerto Rico, dissolve the disastrous fiscal control board, stop treating Puerto Rico like a colony, and give the people of Puerto Rico the fundamental right to determine their own future.

At a time of unprecedented challenges for Puerto Rico, the next president must work to empower Puerto Rican leaders, communities, and advocates. As president, Bernie will: