Puerto Rico Morning Brief Monday, October 26, 2026

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) announced that the Fajardo filter plant and reservoir would temporarily stop operating on Monday, October 26, starting at 9:00 AM. Crews are to inspect a 36-inch pipe that carries raw water from the reservoir to the plant. The stoppage puts water service in three towns at risk of cuts.

Jean Peña Payano, public affairs secretary for Governor Jenniffer González’s office at La Fortaleza, criticized LUMA Energy president Janisse Quiñones on Sunday, October 25. His criticism concerned a public video, released the week before, in which Quiñones expressed solidarity with residents and merchants facing significantly higher electric bills. In her message, Quiñones acknowledged that the rate increase "weighs" on budgets. She pointed to Genera PR and the Energy Bureau as responsible for the fuel-cost adjustments. Since October 1, the residential rate has been 33.86 cents per kilowatt-hour, the highest at least since 2020.

The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR) and the Restaurant Association (ASORE) back a request by Gov. Jenniffer González to the Financial Oversight and Management Board. She asked for authorization to exempt prepared foods sold in restaurants from the sales and use tax (IVU) during November and December. The measure would aim to mitigate the impact of rising electricity rates. CCPR president José Aparicio said the groups trust the proposal will bring relief to restaurants and their customers over the next two months. He added that merchants need initiatives that recognize the daily reality they face and help keep the economy’s engine running.

Several groups urged the public to submit comments on a proposed Census Bureau rule that would redefine how residence is counted and eliminate questions on race and ethnicity. On Friday, October 23, they warned that it would harm both Puerto Rico residents and Puerto Ricans living in the continental United States. Residence would no longer be measured by where a person lives and sleeps most of the time. It would be measured by where they were legally present the most days between January 3 and April 1 of the count year, shown through evidence such as tax records instead of census fieldwork.

The Puerto Rico Mayors’ Federation welcomed the filing in the Senate of a bill that would let retired state police officers join municipal police forces without suspending their pensions, and with pay for their services. Federation president and Camuy Mayor Gabriel "Gaby" Hernández discussed Senate Bill 1595, filed by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz. The bill relies on voluntary recruitment. The Police would have until Thursday, December 24, to resolve complete eligibility applications.

S&P Global Ratings downgraded the long-term issuer credit rating of Liberty Communications of Puerto Rico (LCPR) from "CCC+" to "CCC," with a negative outlook. S&P said a default or debt exchange is inevitable within six months. Earnings had risen 26.3% in 2025 after a 36.5% drop in 2024. Both years were affected by the process of migrating AT&T customers following the acquisition of that company’s assets in 2020.

Under Senate Bill 1595, the Police would have until Thursday, December 24, to resolve complete eligibility applications from retired officers.