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Puerto Rico’s Economic Crisis in One Chart

The territory faces another default on a debt payment on July 1

Grammy and Tony award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of the Broadway show Hamilton, visited the Capitol in March to push to address the humanitarian and economic crisis in Puerto Rico. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Grammy and Tony award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda of the Broadway show Hamilton, visited the Capitol in March to push to address the humanitarian and economic crisis in Puerto Rico. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
By Randy Leonard
Posted June 16, 2016 at 11:24am

Facing a $72 billion public debt, Puerto Rico defaulted on a $422 million payment last month, stoking fears that the commonwealth’s fiscal situation needs drastic intervention. As the territory is facing a $2 billion payment due July 1, Congress is considering a measure to allow Puerto Rico to restructure its debt under the purview of a mediation board or in federal court.  

Many Americans are unaware the territory is part of the U.S. — this is how Puerto Rico compares to the states.  

Contact Leonard at randyleonard.cqrollcall.com or on Twitter @RandyLeonard.
 

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