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Introduction: The contextual characteristics of Puerto Rico, prior to the arrival of COVID-19 virus, outlined a very challenging political, economic and social landscape. From them, the responses given by the government once the state of emergency was declared in the Archipelago were framed. Therefore, a brief critical reflection was made, based on the theoretical contributions of the syndemic health concept and a human rights approach. Objective: To describe the social policies that tried to respond to the health emergency caused by CoVID-19 in Puerto Rico and to assess their relationship with a holistic, health and human rights approach. Method: The essay is based on a brief documentary research about the socio-political events in Puerto Rico in the face of the COVID-19 syndemic, the response of the State and the role of the Social Work profession. It included collective reflections from the faculty of the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón Social Work Program. Results: Even though the government's actions are perceived as protecting collective wellbeing, its decisions and strategies of action did not consider important aspects of social life and its dimensions, including fundamental rights of citizens. This violation of rights made necessary the organized claim of citizenship in Puerto Rico and, with it, a role of Social Work as a promoter and defender of these rights. Conclusion: There is an urgency of applying a human rights approach in the management of this emergency to guarantee conditions of greater justice and equity to all people who have been affected by COVID-19. Therefore, some recommendations are made to the role of the social work profession in Puerto Rico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]