Cuomo to travel to Puerto Rico

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo will make a quick trip to Puerto Rico next week to discuss the commonwealth's dire economic situation and healthcare challenges, according to his office.

Cuomo and several top New York Democrats, including Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, will make the trip, leaving on the afternoon of Sept. 7 and returning the next evening.

The whirlwind trip is the latest international solidarity excursion for Cuomo, whose out-of-state trips have been few and far between as governor but have slowly picked up over the past two years.

It comes as Puerto Rico struggles with how to pay off more than $70 billion in debt. According to Cuomo's office, the New York delegation was invited to the island by Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García Padilla.

"The current situation in Puerto Rico has become unsustainable and is threatening the livelihoods of millions of people — many with strong connections to New York," Cuomo said in a statement. "This trip is about stepping up for Puerto Rico and its people, and I look forward to working together with our partners to help address this crisis."

The Puerto Rico trip was first reported by the Daily News.

Cuomo avoided out-of-state trips during much of his first term in office, but has promised a series of international visits during his second term.

In April, Cuomo led a delegation of New York Democrats to Cuba after the federal government announced it was taking steps to normalize trade relations with the country. He's said he will visit Canada, Mexico and Italy in his second term, along with a return trip to Israel, which he visited last year.

Cuomo also made a surprise trip to Afghanistan to visit troops last September.

Jon Campbell, Albany Bureau

Cuomo to travel to Puerto Rico