US President Joe Biden has vowed to support Puerto Rico, which has been hit by the devastating Hurricane Fiona, while residents of the American region complain about the neglect caused by natural disasters in the past.

Biden, who visits the region with his wife, noted that “we personally came to show that we are with you and that every American is with you”, saying “the allocation of $60 million to strengthen protection against storms in Puerto Rico, in addition for emergency federal assistance for relief operations and debris removal.”

The governor of the island, Pedro Pierluisi, expressed the opinion of about 3 million people living in this impoverished region who are American citizens and use the dollar as currency, but do not have the right to vote in national elections. He emphasized that “our demands are very simple: we want to be treated as American citizens in the United States of America, if necessary.”

At least 12 people died in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Fiona, the entire area was left without electricity, almost a million people suffered from a temporary lack of drinking water.