SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Fitch Ratings has downgraded $13.4 billion worth of Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds as well as bonds issued by the island’s water and sewer company.
Fitch said Wednesday that the downgrades are a result of a newly approved law that allows certain public corporations in Puerto Rico to restructure their debt if needed.
The announcement comes more than a week after Moody’s said it was downgrading $14.4 billion worth of outstanding Puerto Rico general obligation bonds.
The U.S. territory is entering its eighth year in recession and is struggling with a $73 billion public debt load. Puerto Rico sold a record $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds in March despite having its credit rating downgraded to junk status.
