Puerto Rico's electric rates hit a record 33.86 cents per kWh, effective Thursday, raising typical residential bills 18% to $271 monthly as outages persist following Hurricane Maria's 2017 devastation. The increase, driven by high fuel costs, summer demand, and Middle East conflicts affecting global oil prices, will remain until at least December 31 and worsen living costs for the island's 3.2 million residents, over 40% in poverty.