Astrid Pineiro Vazquez

Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez welcomed the transfer of $1.6 million to her office, but she did not specify how much of it would go toward covering the budget shortfall facing shelters that house women survivors of domestic violence and their children.

The government official also confirmed the Oversight Board blocked an attempt to partially cover the deficit.

Despite being appointed without public hearings or the support of feminist organizations, Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez says she’s determined to maintain her independence from Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón, whom she is tasked with holding accountable. The position, which Piñeiro Vázquez assumed on March 31, carries a 10-year term.

Puerto Rico Women’s Advocate Astrid Piñeiro Vázquez said she trusts that the proposed federal funding cuts will be smaller than anticipated, that the Puerto Rico Legislature will increase her office’s budget, and that citizens will step up with donations to organizations serving survivors of gender-based violence.