Above: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla (Photo: OG Puerto Rico)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

New York’s political leadership seems to be increasingly interested in the Caribbean.

A few weeks after a high-profile visit by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio headed to Puerto Rico, visiting the island for the Somos el Futuro conference.

Over the weekend, de Blasio also met with Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla at La Fortaleza in San Juan.

De Blasio said he felt “much admiration for the way [Garcia Padilla] has dealt with the challenges [Puerto Rico] has faced in recent months.”

“His leadership has enabled the construction of the road ahead,” the Mayor said.

The discussions at La Fortaleza included a focus on educational initiatives, according to a release from the Governor’s office.