How does Puerto Rico's territorial status affect hurricane preparedness, military service, and Congressional representation during critical national moments? In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, hosts George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera examine the 2025 hurricane season preparations, recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran, and what these events reveal about Puerto Rico's unequal status.

They discuss the ongoing Congressional budget reconciliation process, threats to Puerto Rico's Opportunity Zone designations, and how territorial inequality impacts disaster response and military representation. The hosts also cover the UN Committee on Decolonization hearings and analyze the surprising NYC mayoral primary results that highlight Puerto Rican voting power stateside.

In this episode:

• 2025 hurricane season predictions and Puerto Rico's preparedness challenges
• How territorial status affects disaster response and federal representation
• U.S. airstrikes in Iran and Puerto Rican military service without voting rights
• Congressional budget reconciliation updates affecting Puerto Rico
• Opportunity Zones under threat in tax legislation
• UN Decolonization Committee: Annual theater or meaningful action?
• NYC mayoral primary upset and Puerto Rican voter influence
• AOC's endorsement strategy and implications for statehood advocacy

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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