While there are no Electoral College votes from Puerto Rico, the 2016 presidential candidates have been making the outreach to the commonwealth island. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley became the first 2016 presidential candidate, regardless of political party, to travel to Puerto Rico to address the economic and health crisis affecting 3.6 million inhabitants.

"I traveled to Puerto Rico because we have a responsibility, as a nation, to help our fellow citizens," O'Malley said in a statement. He made the trip on Aug. 1, which included a visit to an assisted living facility.

"During my visit, I saw firsthand how the island's debt crisis and unequal treatment have left its economy reeling. Puerto Rico must be given back the ability to negotiate with its creditors under U.S. bankruptcy code, and Puerto Ricans must be given the same access to affordable health care that every other U.S. citizen has."

Puerto Rico's economic crisis includes a $70 billion debt, which Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla described as "unpayable." During an address in late June, Garcia Padilla said, "The size of that debt impedes us from exiting the cycle of recession and contraction. Facing a situation like this, we must all assume our responsibility."

Garcia Padilla called on help from Washington, D.C., which was a call O'Malley has reiterated prior and during his Puerto Rico trip.

"Puerto Ricans are American citizens who should be treated equally, and I will continue to call on Congress and the administration to provide Puerto Rico with the flexibility it needs to grow its economy and pay its debts. Our government must rein in the forces on Wall Street that care more about their excessive profits than alleviating the hardship for our fellow citizens."

While congressional lawmakers are attempting to help the island's economy, the Puerto Rico Government Development Bank (GDB) announced it has defaulted for the first time in its history.

"Due to the lack of appropriated funds for this fiscal year the entirety of the PFC [Public Finance Corporation] payment was not made today," President Melba Acosta Febo said in a statement. "This was a decision that reflects the serious concerns about the Commonwealth's liquidity in combination with the balance of obligations to our creditors and the equally important obligations to the people of Puerto Rico to ensure the essential services they deserve are maintained."

Several loan payments were reportedly due on Aug. 1, including $58 million on PFC bonds. Puerto Rico was able to pay approximately $628,000 for its Aug. 1 deadline. The payment, however, was funds from the previous legislative appropriations "in respect of the outstanding promissory notes securing the PFC bonds."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.