Thread by @JJRodV

One thing I’m worried about—in addition to my family’s safety—re: #Maria in #PuertoRico is how #colonialism capitalizes on #NaturalDisaster

In the early 1900s US #businesses were able to monopolize #PuertoRican farm land after Hurricane San Ciriaco (1899) devastated the #island

#Farmers who were never able to rebuild after the #hurricane were forced to either give up their #land or enter unjust agreements

Within thirty years, US owned #companies were able to monopolize ~60% of #PuertoRico’s farm land

#NaturalDisaster served as an opening for #colonial entrenchment—whether under the facade of “benevolent aid” or otherwise

In recent years #PuertoRico’s infrastructure—#roads, #bridges, #electric plants—have been failing due to the effects of the #DebtCrisis

Before #Irma or #Maria even formed, US #businesses talked about privatizing #PuertoRico’s #infrastructure—facilitated through #PROMESA

Many on and off the #island have critiqued these suggestions, noting their continuance of #colonialism in #PuertoRico

Now, with #PuertoRico literally without #power and falling apart due to #Irma and #Maria, will #colonialism swoop in to “help?”

PS: providing aid to #PuertoRico in light of #NaturalDisaster is not the same as capitalizing on destruction through #privatization

Providing humanitarian aid and starting a new #business venture in an affected land are not the same.