Kamala Harris visits Puerto Rico for first time as vice president

Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Puerto Rico early Friday afternoon to embark on her first visit to the U.S. territory since being sworn in three years ago.

According to her office, the purpose of the trip is to highlight President Joe Biden's "commitment to supporting Puerto Rico’s recovery" following hurricanes, earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic — with a special focus in promoting the administration's investments on the island's infrastructure and economic recovery initiatives.

Her five-hour trip included a visit to an area in the town of Canóvanas that received federal housing funds disbursed by the Biden administration to rebuild homes for about 6,300 families islandwide during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

"We're making a difference," Harris said in a speech delivered outside the home of an octogenarian Canóvanas resident that was ravaged by the hurricane and rebuilt with federal funds. The new home will be able to withstand future hurricanes and uses solar energy.

The Biden administration has invested a total of $140 billion in Puerto Rico across multiple sectors, including education and disaster response, Harris said in her speech. She also emphasized investments in small businesses, entrepreneurs, infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives.

"There's more work to do," Harris added.

Harris also commemorated the 151st anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico when it was under Spanish rule, alongside community leaders and artists in San Juan dedicated to celebrating the island's cultural heritage and its African influence.

Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and not a state, people living in the island can’t vote in presidential elections even though they are U.S. citizens