Washington, D.C. – February 22, 2026 – This week, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), Gabriella Boffelli, held a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., aimed at promoting essential programs for the Island, strengthening federal coordination, and accelerating strategic projects that directly impact economic development, reconstruction efforts, and quality of life for Puerto Ricans.

In a meeting with her former colleague in Congress, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, the Governor discussed the continued progress of major infrastructure projects for Puerto Rico. During the meeting, Secretary Duffy announced the allocation of $25 million in federal funds deriving from legislation enacted while Governor González Colón served as a Member of Congress. These funds will support improvements to the Port of San Juan’s infrastructure. Combined with other recent federal allocations, total investment now reaches $109 million for the reconstruction and modernization of piers in the Puerto Nuevo area, as well as Pier 15 in Isla Grande—two of the Island’s busiest supply ports.

At the White House, the Governor met with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to promote and secure continued Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico. As part of her agenda, Governor González Colón also joined in a working session at the White House alongside President Donald J. Trump and members of his Cabinet, where public policy matters aimed at delivering concrete results for the nation, including Puerto Rico, were discussed. The Governor and the First Gentleman, Dr. José Yovín Vargas, also attended a separate meeting with President Trump.

To further strengthen nutrition programs, the Governor met with Patrick A. Penn, Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the United States Department of Agriculture. Discussions focused on initiatives to enhance nutrition and food security programs on the Island, including operations of the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP).

In the energy sector, the Governor presented her administration’s progress in improving Puerto Rico’s electric system during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. The discussion addressed ongoing and future projects aimed at ensuring a more reliable, resilient, and affordable energy system for the Island’s 3.2 million Americans.

To continue advancing reconstruction efforts and reduce bureaucratic delays affecting essential projects, the Governor met with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Together they discussed the need to streamline processes and strengthen federal coordination to ensure that funds and projects reach Puerto Rico more efficiently, accelerating the completion of critical reconstruction initiatives.

The meeting also included Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard, who underscored Puerto Rico’s strategic importance to national security and highlighted ongoing federal investments in the region.

Additionally, the Governor met with U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer to discuss how Puerto Rico is aligning workforce investments with priority sectors. The administration is strategically directing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds toward advanced manufacturing, life sciences and medical technology, construction, energy, aerospace, and digital industries to support reshoring efforts and local expansion.

“Direct coordination with the federal government is essential to accelerate projects, secure resources, and continue delivering concrete results for Puerto Rico. This working agenda allows us to advance initiatives in infrastructure, healthcare, energy, and reconstruction that directly impact the well-being and development of our people,” the Governor stated.

“The series of high-level meetings led by our Governor was highly productive in positioning Puerto Rico within federal priorities, accelerating the execution of strategic projects, and continuing to drive economic progress, energy stability, and modernization. At PRFAA, we will continue working hand in hand with these agencies, following up on the work plans and initiatives that emerged from these meetings to ensure tangible results that translate into real benefits for the people of Puerto Rico,” Boffelli emphasized.

Joining the Governor and PRFAA’s Executive Director in the meetings were PRFAA Deputy Director Natalia Gandía and Government Affairs Director Gabriel Bravo.

The Governor was in the nation’s capital as a guest of the National Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association for their early year gathering, where she participated in meetings and working sessions with governors from both parties. To maximize the Governor’s agenda, PRFAA coordinated meetings with federal Cabinet officials to directly advance Puerto Rico’s priorities.

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