Donald Trump has lashed out at Puerto Rico politicians over their criticism of US relief efforts on the island following Hurricane Maria.
The category four hurricane a week ago killed 16 people on the island and left millions in need of aid.
In a series of tweets, Trump said that Puerto Rican officials showed “poor leadership ability” and “want everything to be done for them”.
It comes after the Mayor of San Juan made a desperate plea for federal help.
“We have no time for patience any more,” Carmen Yulin Cruz said in a news conference.
“I am asking the president of the United States to make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives.
“I am done being polite. I am done being politically correct. I am mad as hell.
She then appeared in a T-shirt that said “Help us, we’re dying” for a CNN television interview.
The mayor, who is living in a shelter after her home was destroyed, said Puerto Rico is set to be without power for six to eight months after the storm damaged 90% of homes on the island.
More bad weather is in the offing, with the National Weather Service in San Juan warning that a strong thunderstorm would imminently affect the east of the island, with torrential rain and strong winds expected.
Almost half the island’s 3.4 million population are without drinking water, the US Defence Department said on Thursday.
Efforts are being made on the island to clear road access and restore hospitals to working conditions.
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Source: BBC