Jan 24 8:38 PM

Puerto Rico: The next debt crisis?

A protester shouts slogans during a demonstration by teachers outside the Department of Labor in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ricardo Arduengo/AP.
The Stream (Al Jazeera)

$87 billion*. That’s how much debt Puerto Rico -a U.S. territory- has incurred. As teacher strikes stall pension reforms, many are divided on how to tackle the debt crisis. The ratio of state debt to personal income in all 50 states is 3.4%. Puerto Rico’s is 89%. So, how did it get to this point? What role, if any, should the federal government have in getting the island back on track? Join the conversation at 7:30pm EST.

*The $87 billion figure takes into account unpaid pensions. (Source)

On this episode of The Stream, we'll speak to:

Juan Carlos Hidalgo @jchidalgo
Policy Analyst, Latin America – Cato Institute
cato.org

Hugo Delgado
Member, Federación de Maestros de Puerto Rico
fmprlucha.org

Sofia Stolberg @sofiastolberg
Co-founder, Piloto151
piloto151.com

What do you think? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

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