While organizations in Puerto Rico that provide direct services to survivors of gender-based violence remain on alert and are mapping out strategies in response to the U.S. government’s threat to slash much of the funding that sustains their work, recently confirmed Women’s Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez insists it is too early to act.

On May 2, Russell T. Vought, director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, sent a letter to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins calling for a 22% reduction in discretionary spending. In Puerto Rico, organizations working toward gender justice traditionally rely on these funds to maintain their operations and projects.

Among the proposed cuts, Vought called for eliminating 40 federal Justice Department grant programs. He also cited a grant that provided “$2 million to a nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico focused on addressing ‘structural racism and toxic masculinities.’” The reference was to Taller Salud, the feminist organization based in Loíza and one of Puerto Rico’s longest-standing groups of its kind.

The letter also used transphobic language, warning that funding under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) should be “realigned” to exclude transgender women and nonbinary people.

In total, the federal administration is asking Congress to approve a $1.019 billion cut to state and local grant programs.

In an interview with the Gender Investigative Unit, a joint project of the news outlet Todas and the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (CPI), conducted by journalists Cristina del Mar Quiles and Mariela Fullana Acosta, Piñeiro Vázquez discussed support for local organizations at her office in the financial district known as the Milla de Oro in Hato Rey.

“It’s Still Too Early,” Says Women’s Advocate About Potential Funding Cuts

CMQ: Have you initiated any study to assess how these cuts could affect organizations working on gender-based violence?

We’re aware of that communication coming from the Executive Office, but as someone who previously worked in the federal government, I know it’s essential to allow the process to unfold. What’s proposed by the administration is one thing; what Congress ultimately decides is another. It’s still very early. Many members of Congress are paying attention, and those numbers could change significantly. It’s concerning, of course, but there’s still room for the outcome to be different.

I’ve been speaking with the directors of the different centers. I know their concerns — and I share them. That’s why I’ve been active in initiatives like Kilómetros de Cambio, a social movement that brings together women runners to raise awareness about domestic violence and collect donations for the Network of Gender Violence Shelters. I know it’s not enough, but it matters that people outside government recognize this is everyone’s concern, and that communities and individuals can come together to support nonprofit organizations.

CMQ: But a significant portion of these organizations’ funding comes from federal sources. Do you have a plan to support them if — or when — those federal funds are cut?

We submitted our budget request to the Senate, which invited us to present our proposal for next year, and we asked for an increase, outlining our needs and the work we aim to do. With the funding we currently have, the reality is that it’s a challenge.

CMQ: What was your request?

Right now, our budget is $4.6 million, and we requested $9.6 million.

CMQ: Would that money be allocated to organizations affected by the federal funding cuts?

Yes, as we’ve always done, but with a larger amount to help offset unmet needs.

CMQ: But that wouldn’t cover cuts of the magnitude being discussed…

I’m aware that it’s not enough, and I’ve been meeting with the shelter directors. I’ve noticed that some are more familiar with applying for their own funding and managing grant proposals, and I’ve identified that as an area where we can help — by offering uniform training so all of them can access additional sources of funding.

CMQ: The Office of the Women’s Advocate would also be directly affected, correct?

Yes.

CMQ: In what way?

The thing is, I don’t want people to panic. A significant reduction has been proposed, but because I understand the process, I don’t want us to be alarmed. I know those numbers are going to change. The executive branch is making this proposal, but there will be a fight in Congress — and right now the federal legislature is relatively evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. I’ve been following this closely; I also have very good friends in Congress, and I know there will be a strong pushback. The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) is also doing its part.

MFA: The governor has said she has a relationship with Donald Trump’s administration, which she also supported. Have you communicated with her about this issue?

There’s a general concern, although my focus is obviously the Office of the Women’s Advocate. There’s been a lot of discussion on the matter because it affects all agencies that rely on federal funds. So yes, we are actively monitoring the situation. PRFAA is closely following the process. We’ve already begun reaching out to several members of Congress, and I’m confident the impact won’t be as severe as what we’re currently anticipating.

CMQ: Has there been any communication with Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández about this issue?

Not from my end.

Organizations Demand a Plan

Three leaders of organizations that will be directly affected by the proposed cuts agreed that the current situation calls for an urgent plan that considers the needs of the populations they serve.

Coraly León Morales, chairwoman of the board of directors of Puerto Rico’s National Network of Gender Violence Shelters, warned that the budgets of the organizations running these shelters depend on federal funds for between 75% and 90% of their operations.

“A local response is necessary,” said León Morales, who led Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos for three years.

“So far, we haven’t heard of any specific plan to address this situation. We’re eager to know what strategies are being developed because, as the weeks go by and we approach June 30 and late September — the dates when most of the federal grants currently supporting our work expire — the matter becomes more urgent.”

León Morales said the shelters have strategies in place to diversify their funding and are actively engaged in fundraising efforts.

However, she emphasized that these organizations provide an essential service that the government itself does not offer but is obligated to guarantee, since it concerns the lives of hundreds of women and their children every year.

“Many shelters have some financial reserves, but expecting any nonprofit organization to sustain its operations for four years under these circumstances is unrealistic. I believe in diversifying funding sources for organizations, but I also recognize that the state has a responsibility for many of the services nonprofits provide — and the way to fulfill that responsibility is by allocating funds,” she said.

León Morales acknowledged and expressed appreciation for initiatives like Kilómetros de Cambio, mentioned by the Women’s Advocate, which not only provide financial support but also raise awareness of ways to prevent gender-based violence.

Last year, Kilómetros de Cambio awarded $20,000 to each of the nine shelters that make up the network. This year, the initiative — whose relay race took place over the weekend — set a goal of raising $500,000 to distribute among the shelters, the network itself, and another organization that supports girls who are survivors of sexual violence. By the time of publication, the initiative had raised more than $400,000 and was still receiving donations.

Each shelter receives hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding, León Morales noted.

Large-Scale Cuts

Although the Women’s Advocate could not confirm whether she has initiated a study to evaluate the impact of Donald Trump’s executive orders in Puerto Rico, the organization Coordinadora Paz para las Mujeres (CPM) surveyed 27 of the 32 organizations that make up the Puerto Rican Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Ninety-three percent of the surveyed organizations said these policies would affect their services. Most of them directly assist 100 or more survivors of violence. The cuts will also impact their employees and dependents, many of whom are women, single mothers, or the primary breadwinners in their households.

According to the organizations, the services most likely to be affected include individual and family psychological support, staff training and case management, and primary prevention efforts such as community education and awareness campaigns.

CPM’s executive director, Vilma González Castro, said her organization has implemented multiple strategies. In January, she wrote to the Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández, in Washington, D.C., but received no response. She requested a meeting with the Office of the Women’s Advocate, scheduled for late May, and has met with U.S.-based organizations working on projects to address and prevent gender violence.

The Gender Investigative Unit asked the Resident Commissioner about the letter sent by CPM that went unanswered. In a written statement, his office admitted that “an error was made in not responding to that communication, and I have taken steps to ensure that mistake is not repeated.” He also provided an email address so the organization could coordinate a meeting with his team.

Hernández said he has joined congressional efforts opposing the freeze on federal funds and is a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, legislation aimed at combating discrimination and addressing gender-based violence. He added that during the fiscal year 2026 budget process, he has prioritized supporting initiatives that fund programs to fight gender-based violence.

The executive director of CPM also raised concerns about the cuts, restrictions, and directives contained in the executive orders, which prohibit the use of inclusive language and the acknowledgment of racism and sexism, among other issues. She warned that these measures could limit survivors’ access to essential services, support, and protection.

“The impact will be massive,” González Castro emphasized, noting that 80% of CPM’s budget comes from federal funds. For other organizations, she said, the cuts could mean their disappearance.

“It’s crucial that we soon develop a strategy and outline our responses to confront a situation that could fall on us at any moment. While we’re working toward greater independence, that’s not something you achieve overnight,” she added.

Immediate Impact

Tania Rosario Méndez, executive director of Taller Salud, echoed the call for a government plan and noted that, as part of her role, the Women’s Advocate can intervene, provide oversight, make proposals, and submit requests, such as the creation of a special fund.

Previously, the Office of the Women’s Advocate had a special appropriations fund composed of Puerto Rico government money. Rosario Méndez suggested that the advocate demand its reinstatement and present a case before the Joint Special Legislative Donations Committee to increase funding for organizations that provide services to survivors.

“A plan is needed because organizations like ours will be affected. And these are multimillion-dollar cuts. They’re not minor,” she said.

“The government of Puerto Rico can’t make up for 100% of that. Organizations will have to make their own adjustments, but the Women’s Advocate can do a lot — and it’s her responsibility to act,” she added.

Rosario Méndez agreed with the Women’s Advocate’s view that the final numbers for the proposed cuts will likely change. However, she said that should not be an excuse to delay action or ignore the urgency of the situation. She added that knowledge of legislative processes offers little reassurance in the current context.

“No one really understands the process, because the Trump administration is operating outside the law, defying court rulings and issuing executive orders that contradict legal precedents,” said the feminist leader.

“This is an administration that is reinventing processes. It’s a serious liability to think we shouldn’t prepare just because that might cause alarm. We should be alarmed — that’s the responsible thing to do,” she continued.

As an example, Rosario Méndez pointed out that Taller Salud is already facing the sudden cancellation of funding from the Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) program in Puerto Rico. The grant supported Acuerdo de Paz, an initiative internationally recognized for reducing violent deaths in Loíza.

The $2 million grant was the same one referenced by U.S. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell T. Vought in his May 2 letter to the Senate, describing the organization as one “focused on addressing ‘structural racism and toxic masculinities.’”

Taller Salud had been awarded the grant for three years. It had already used $1 million but lost access to the remaining $1 million.

“Our access to the funds was shut down. Nothing I know about the federal process helps me now. Our money was taken without due process, without a hearing. That cancellation was illegal — and they did it,” said Rosario Méndez, underscoring the urgency to act swiftly.

This translation was generated with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and clarity.