LUMA Energy Assumes Control of Puerto Rico's Grid Amid Massive 'Fuera LUMA' Protests Against McKinsey-Designed Privatization

LUMA Energy officially took over operation of Puerto Rico’s electrical transmission and distribution system on June 1, 2021, triggering widespread protests under the rallying cry ‘Fuera LUMA’ (Out LUMA). The takeover represented the culmination of McKinsey’s privatization framework developed since 2017, transferring control of essential infrastructure to a mainland corporate joint venture despite overwhelming opposition from Puerto Rican civil society, labor unions, and community organizations. Demonstrators protested not only LUMA but demanded abolishment of the PROMESA law and the unelected fiscal control board that had imposed the privatization over democratic objections. Labor leader Angel Figueroa Jaramillo articulated demands including ‘abolish the PROMESA law, pause the bankruptcy process, and annul bonus accords negotiated by the Junta until the debt is audited.’ The protests reflected growing political consciousness about U.S. colonial control, with organizer Jocelyn Velazquez Rodriguez emphasizing ’the impact PROMESA has had on the political consciousness of the Puerto Rican people…PROMESA has been a mechanism that has revealed the true face of US imperialism.’ Union workers, retirees, university students, artists, environmentalists, and senior citizens joined demonstrations throughout the island. The new coalition ‘Todo Puerto Rico por Puerto Rico’ (All Puerto Rico for Puerto Rico) brought together unions, religious leaders, and community organizations in unprecedented unity against austerity and privatization. Immediately after takeover, LUMA faced criticism for inadequate staffing, three-hour phone wait times, broken web platforms, and slow power restoration averaging 333 minutes versus PREPA’s 155 minutes—validating protesters’ warnings that privatization would deliver worse service at higher costs while enriching mainland corporations.