"It is important to emphasize that no citizen has been denied any of the items found at this place,” Acevedo said in a statement.
Some of the supplies included water, food, baby formula, cots and tarps. They had been in the warehouse as aid after Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017, CBS News reported. The storm left 2,975 dead and devastated the island.
"There are thousands of people who have made sacrifices to help those in the south, and it is unforgivable that resources were kept in the warehouse," Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced said in a statement.
Seguiré tomando las acciones afirmativas que correspondan con firmeza, poniendo siempre el bienestar del pueblo primero. Quien no pueda cumplir con estos estándares de transparencia y diligencia; NO tendrá espacio en el gobierno.
— Lcda. Wanda Vázquez Garced (@wandavazquezg) January 19, 2020
The warehouse contained 600 pallets of water that were distributed after Hurricane Dorian and Karen threatened the island. There were about 80 left.
"Our people suffered greatly because of how Hurricane Maria was managed," Ponce Mayor Mayita Meléndez said on social media. "We cannot allow history to repeat itself."
1. I commend Gov. @wandavazquezg for her swift action to address the unacceptable findings today impacting Ponceños. Our people suffered greatly bc of how Hurricane María was managed. We cannot allow history to repeat itself. Thank you Governor for your transparency & diligence. pic.twitter.com/vcLtoSAGlD
— Mayita Meléndez (@mayitaalcaldesa) January 18, 2020
The government is continuing to investigate why the supplies were not delivered.
Vazquez nominated Puerto Rican National Guard Brig. Gen. Victor S. Perez to head the Office of Emergency Management, ABC News reported.
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