President Trump says he’ll visit Puerto Rico next Tuesday

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’ll visit hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico next Tuesday.

Trump announced the visit after the administration came under criticism for its response to the damage on the island that is home to more than 3 million U.S. citizens. The island has been coping with shortages of food, drinking water, electricity and various forms of communication after Hurricane Maria struck earlier this month.

Trump said Tuesday is the earliest he can visit without disrupting recovery operations.

He says he may also visit the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Trump says Puerto Rico is important to him. He says Puerto Ricans are “great people and we need to help them.”

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló urges the federal government to pass an aid package for the island that will be consistent with the damage Hurricane Maria left behind.