FLORIDA: This is very real said Maurice Ferré, a Puerto Rican born former mayor of Miami who keeps a close watch on island issues. As Puerto Rico’s government looms on the edge of a $72 billion default, local business and community leaders with ties to the island territory voiced concerns that a prolonged crisis on the island could hurt South Florida’s economy.
Puerto Ricans live all over the state of Florida, Ferré said. “They have families in Puerto Rico that will be affected.”South Florida shares economic ties with Puerto Rico, as it does with much of the Caribbean.
Many South Floridians do business in Puerto Rico and vice versa, said Luis De Rosa, president of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida. Exporters of consumer goods such as cars and clothing have always found willing trade partners in San Juan.
