Podcast Summary: Noticias con Calle – 29 de enero de 2026

Host: Jay Fonseca
Date: January 29, 2026
Main Theme:
A dynamic breakdown of Puerto Rico’s most pressing news, ranging from U.S. federal decisions impacting the island, local political drama, economic pressures, and significant global events—all in Jay Fonseca’s signature sharp and candid tone.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Puerto Rico Marginalized in Federal Decisions

• Submarine Cable Announcement (00:20)

  • Jay highlights the startling way Puerto Rico learned of a crucial energy development: the U.S.-approved submarine cable connecting Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic. The news came not from local officials or U.S. authorities, but from Dominican President Abinader—showcasing Puerto Rico’s disconnect from major decisions affecting its future.
  • Quote:

    “La noticia más importante del tema energético para Puerto Rico… nos enteramos porque República Dominicana, no nosotros que somos el territorio de los Estados Unidos, nos enteramos porque el presidente RD recibió la información antes.” – Jay Fonseca (01:50)

  • Jay links this event to close ties between Dominican business families (notably in the sugar industry) and Donald Trump.

• Trump Accounts (“Trump Accounts”) Uncertainty (05:15)

  • Discussion on the new Trump initiative: $1,000 savings accounts for every newborn, potentially including Puerto Rico. There’s general confusion—while some say Puerto Ricans qualify, it hasn’t been confirmed at the federal level.
  • Quote:

    “No se ha confirmado si aplican a Puerto Rico las cuentas de Trump… Eso es para mí una vergüenza mayor.” – Jay Fonseca (06:20)

2. Local Leadership and Public Health Contradictions

• Epidemic Declaration and Political Pageantry (07:28)
  • After Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Health declared an influenza epidemic, the governor ignored safety protocols by publicly hugging and kissing scores of political figures.
  • Quote:

    “Usted declara una epidemia el martes de influenza... y el día después está la gobernadora besuqueándose, abrazándose, dando la mano...” – Jay Fonseca (09:12)

  • Jay sharply criticizes these contradictions as emblematic of mismanagement.

3. Internal Political Strife: The Contributive Reform Showdown

• Bitter Divisions Within the Ruling Party (13:15)
  • Jay analyzes the tense relationship between the governor and key legislators (notably Eddy Charbonier and Nitza Morán), revealing how fiscal reform is being used as political leverage and sabotage ahead of future elections.
  • He references the photo of a strained handshake gracing the papers, metaphorically and literally highlighting the fractured unity.
  • Quote:

    “Estamos hablando de que, de que menos mal que son del mismo partido, que de verdad que esto es papelón tras papelón.” – Jay Fonseca (14:30)

  • Jay contextualizes this with historical analogies (e.g., García Padilla and the failed IVA reform).

4. Global Economics and Puerto Rico’s Struggles

• Dollar Devaluation & Metal Prices (16:55)

  • Jay explains how global moves—like Brazil conducting euro/yuan transactions and U.S. tariff conflicts—are lowering the dollar’s value. This hurts Puerto Rico, since reconstruction funds are now worth less.
  • Quote:

    “El valor del dólar ha caído considerablemente... todo el dinero que tenemos en las cuentas de banco de nosotros de la recuperación baja la posibilidad de que podamos reconstruir a Puerto Rico.” – Jay Fonseca (18:12)

  • Gold and other metal prices are at record highs—bad news for reconstruction costs.

• Puerto Rico’s Infrastructure and Energy Storage (23:40)

  • News: $131 million will fund batteries for Ecoeléctrica in Peñuelas. Jay stresses PR’s chronic failure to store surplus energy, which compounds blackouts and inefficiencies.

5. Political Maneuvering and Social Impacts

• PNP’s Conservative Strategy to Counter Proyecto Dignidad (26:07)

  • Upcoming press conference on the Naciturus law, with alliances and legislative battles designed to neutralize opposition.

• Demographic Crisis & Migration (37:40)

  • New data: Puerto Rico has 18,000 fewer inhabitants than last year, as migration and population decline hit hard.

6. Technology & International Affairs

• OpenAI’s Ambitious Fundraising (29:28)

  • OpenAI is seeking $100 billion, partnering with tech giants Nvidia, Amazon, and Microsoft for AI expansion.

• Tesla’s Strategic Pivot (32:20)

  • Tesla announces a shift from luxury vehicles (Model S, X) to robotic manufacturing (Optimus), driven by Chinese competition in electric vehicles.

7. U.S. Foreign Policy: Tensions in the Middle East

• Possible U.S. Attack on Iran (31:30)
  • U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel are reportedly considering military options against Iran in response to mass protest crackdowns.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Puerto Rico’s Systemic Exclusion:

  “Qué bofetada, qué cachetada, qué golpe político más fuerte para hacerle saber a la gobernadora que ella ni sabe, ni tiene conexiones, ni tiene, o sea, wow, qué cosa más increíble.” (03:10)

• On Epidemic Protocols Being Ignored:

  “De verdad que me perdonan, pero esto es papelón tras papelón… Usted declara una epidemia el martes ... y el día después está la gobernadora besuqueándose...” (09:12)

• On Internal Party Drama:

  “Estamos hablando de que, de que menos mal que son del mismo partido, que de verdad que esto es papelón tras papelón.” (14:30)

• On Rising Metal Prices and the Dollar:

  “El valor del dólar ha caído considerablemente... mientras suben el oro, la plata, el cobre... Así que todo el dinero que tenemos ... baja la posibilidad de que podamos reconstruir a Puerto Rico.” (18:12)

• On Governing Motivation:

  “Esta gente está pensando en eso, no en empezar la reconstrucción… están pensando en cómo ellos corren uno para 'acá', otro para 'allá'.” (20:22)

• Celebrity News:

  “Por lo menos Nicki Minaj logró la Trump Gold Card. Se la regaló Donald Trump ayer… porque Nicki Minaj llegó como inmigrante a Estados Unidos a los cinco años.” (21:47)

Important Timestamps

• 00:20: News about submarine cable and Trump’s announcement via Dominican Republic
• 05:15: Discussion of "Trump Accounts" and Puerto Rico’s uncertainty
• 07:28: Health crisis declared; governor’s contradictory behavior
• 13:15: Photo news, handshake analysis, and internal party sabotage
• 16:55: The falling dollar and impact on Puerto Rico’s economy
• 18:12: Metals price spike, gold over $5,500/oz
• 23:40: Ecoeléctrica battery storage investment
• 26:07: Conservative strategies vs Proyecto Dignidad
• 29:28: OpenAI fundraising & tech sector news
• 31:30: U.S. strategic meetings over Iran
• 32:20: Tesla pivots to robotics due to Chinese EV dominance
• 37:40: Puerto Rico’s population loss

Tone & Closing Remarks

Jay Fonseca maintains a candid, often exasperated but engaging tone, mixing sharp critique with humor and urgency. He repeatedly circles back to the theme of Puerto Rico’s political dysfunction and economic vulnerability, urging listeners to “ponte a estudiar” and stay informed.

• Closing Quote:

  “Mira, ellos están pensando en cómo echar para adelante. Ellos, no en ti.” (End)