Puerto Rico Morning Brief Friday, October 23, 2026

Puerto Rico’s community pharmacies association warned on Thursday, October 22, that higher electricity costs could lead to reduced hours, limits on clinical services and even pharmacy closures. Isaías Serrano said these businesses depend on prescription drug sales for more than 80 percent of their revenue, which limits their ability to absorb higher operating costs. The group cited the adjustment of 5.28 cents per kilowatt hour in fuel and purchased-power charges, in effect from October 1 to December 31, 2026.

FEMA announced it approved nearly $82 million for projects and assistance programs in Puerto Rico under its Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation grant programs. Nearly $30 million of the Public Assistance money goes to the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration for permanent repairs and restoration after Hurricane María. The work covers the Juan Jiménez García, Turabo Heights, Jardines de San Carlos, Carolina Walk-Up (El Faro), Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón, Los Lirios, Los Murales, Raúl Castellón, Jardines de Ceiba and Beatriz Lasalle public housing complexes.

LUMA Energy announced on Thursday, October 22, that work at the Covadonga substation on Monday, October 26, will interrupt electric service in sectors of Old San Juan from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Affected zones could include residential and commercial sectors, as well as hotels and establishments in tourist and cultural areas. Doriel Pagán, LUMA’s senior vice president of Programs and Federal Funds, said in written statements that the project is an important investment to improve electric service in one of the area’s most emblematic zones. She said it is essential to achieving a safer, more modern and more resilient system.

Puerto Rico’s Legislative Assembly approved Senate Bill 1096, which would repeal the 2003 Judiciary Notarial Act and eliminate municipal judges while centralizing administrative decisions in the full Supreme Court. The House passed it 32 to 15, including the vote of Proyecto Dignidad spokesperson Lisie Burgos Muñiz, with minority delegations opposed. The Senate concurred with House amendments, sending the bill to Governor Jenniffer Aydin González Colón at La Fortaleza. The Supreme Court chief justice has asked the governor to veto it.

Jean Peña Payano, La Fortaleza’s secretary of Public Affairs, said on Thursday, October 22, that the Financial Oversight and Management Board favors LUMA Energy in the court fight over its contract. He also questioned the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau for approving increases in electric bills. LUMA notified the bureau of about $48 million in additional fuel costs from generating companies. LUMA president Janisse Quiñones said this is not a rate-increase request but a contractual and regulatory obligation when fuel costs exceed the budget by more than $20 million.

Puerto Rico’s Senate approved three motions on Thursday, October 22, tied to its investigation of Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes. One gives her 48 hours to fully answer an information request or face a judicial process for contempt. Senator Juan Oscar Morales said 31 of 38 requested points on agency contracting went unanswered after the firing of former administrator Blanca Medina Díaz. Roig has until Tuesday, October 27, to deliver the information under that motion.