Khianaira Nieves, 21, and her mother, Tanairí Santiago, opened Lavanda Café in the La Romana sector of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, in 2024. They said on social media that constant power interruptions over recent months have damaged their equipment and forced operational adjustments. On Saturday, they had to close during the peak sales hour for lack of electricity.
Some customers stayed to show solidarity, and some who left returned on Sunday, when service was finally restored. Nieves said through tears: "The electricity is very expensive, the rent. Here we are trying to survive."
Their electric bill exceeds $500 a month. They also face interruptions in potable water service that affect operations. LUMA Energy said the outage was related to repair work on a damaged electrical cable.
Ana Rosa Rivera, owner of a secondhand clothing store, also deals with problems from interruptions of essential services. Both merchants called on the government, LUMA Energy and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) to urgently address the situation and guarantee the essential services that communities and small businesses need.