In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz emerged as one of the most recognizable critics of the Trump administration’s response to the island’s recovery. She tells Alicia how the grit she demonstrated in those moments was a lifetime in the making, what it will take to fully rebuild the island, and why she is throwing her political weight behind Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid.

Follow Carmen on Twitter and IG @carmenyulincruz. If you loved this episode, listen to to-latina.simplecast.com/episodes/how-sen-catherine-cortez-masto-made-room-for-herself-in-politics">Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and to-latina.simplecast.com/episodes/why-assemblywoman-lorena-gonzalez-leads-from-the-heart">Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez for more on politics and leadership; and to-latina.simplecast.com/episodes/ile-from-calle-13">iLe for more on Puerto Rican topics. Follow Carmen on Twitter and IG @carmenyulincruz. If you loved this episode, listen to to-latina.simplecast.com/episodes/how-sen-catherine-cortez-masto-made-room-for-herself-in-politics">Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and to-latina.simplecast.com/episodes/why-assemblywoman-lorena-gonzalez-leads-from-the-heart">Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez for more on politics and leadership; and to-latina.simplecast.com/episodes/ile-from-calle-13">iLe for more on Puerto Rican topics.