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Bad Bunny Delivers Fiery Water-Crisis Speech, Calls Puerto Rico's Troubles "Created on Purpose"

| Bad Bunny

Opening night one of the "Cerramos en Casa" tour-closing shows, Bad Bunny took the stage at 6:50 p.m. in light blue alongside Los Primos and immediately addressed Puerto Rico's water and power crises: "I can't bring water to those who don't have water. I can't bring electricity to people whose power goes out every day... What I want to bring you today is hope and strength to fight and continue to defend this land." He went further, framing the island's dysfunction as deliberate: "This chaos, this disaster is created on purpose to try to play with our emotions, to try to give up, to leave, so they can continue to sell this island part by part and fulfill its mission of a Puerto Rico without Puerto Ricans." Opening act Chuwi used their song "Tierra" to raise the same water-and-electricity grievances, then flashed a message on the stadium screens urging fans to join a 2 p.m. demonstration against the ~$2 billion Proyecto Esencia luxury resort and residential megaproject planned for 2,000 acres and three miles of coastline in Cabo Rojo. Bad Bunny also called for the resignation of Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González. The remarks drew online backlash from some fans who argued a wealthy global star built on Puerto Rican identity should do more than speak from a stage — "He makes millions but can't help the PR? He should be cancelled," one critic wrote — while defenders countered that responsibility for the utilities crisis belongs to the government, not an artist.

Bad Bunny addresses Puerto Rico's water and power crisis at the Aug. 22 tour-finale opening night
Bad Bunny addresses Puerto Rico's water and power crisis at the Aug. 22 tour-finale opening night — Complex