Puerto Rico, a US territory, has voted for statehood three times in the last ten years. The territory will soon be treated equally with the country's 50 states. Presidential elections were held in November 2020 in the United States. The US voters chose Joe Biden over Donald Trump. During the time of voting, most Puerto Ricans voted for complete statehood. While doing so, they renounced the 'no' option. It would have implied approval for the commonwealth's current status had they chosen it. If not, it would have meant the beginning of the country’s independence process.
Puerto Rico's existence as a US territory
Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea, some 1,600 kilometres southeast of Florida, the United States. The US-Puerto Rico connection began in 1898, when the US Army conquered the island, which was then under Spanish colonial administration, during the Spanish-American War. The Treaty of Paris, signed later that year, gave Puerto Rico to the victorious United States.
The Clash
The United States continued to treat Puerto Rico as a colony. Puerto Ricans were not recognized citizens of the United States until 1917. The territory was not allowed to have its constitution until 1952. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as it is presently known, is a relatively self-governing island. New legislation is presented and enacted without the consent of the United States, and Puerto Rico's governor, who was previously a US appointee, is elected by Puerto Ricans. Puerto Ricans are subject to federal laws, pay into Social Security and Medicare, and are heavily influenced by federal policy.
Puerto Rico's movement toward statehood
The territorial status of Puerto Rico has been a point of conflict among island people for decades. After Hurricane Maria pounded the island in 2017, killing almost 3,000 people and costing more than $90 billion in damage, discussions concerning equal rights for inhabitants of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory whose people are American citizens, resurfaced. While some Americans on the mainland support statehood for Puerto Rico, experts say the island's status remains a polarising issue.
Citizens are divided into 3 choices.
People who support statehood believe that Puerto Rico should have the same rights as the other 50 states. No matter which US Combat, Puerto Rico has stood firm with the country since World War-1. It has a population of around 31 lakhs, and every citizen has taken the initiative during times of combat.
Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with the strategy. The island has been fighting for independence for many years. Initially, it fought against Spain and then against the US. The supporters believe that Puerto Rico should have been an independent nation. However, many people also want Puerto Rico to remain a commonwealth, as it has been since 1952.
What's in store for future
On the other hand, statehood is the most favoured option right now. Six referendums have been held on the island in the last six decades, with voters choosing between independence, statehood, or commonwealth. 1967, 1993, and 1998 polls all confirmed the commonwealth's status, while the previous three of 2012, 2017, and 2020 voted for statehood. Currently, two proposals are being presented before Congress to solve the nation's situation, and the Biden administration has stated that the island should be entitled to choose its fate.
The Self-Determination Act of Puerto Rico calls for a status convention among local legislatures. Puerto Ricans elected them. Delegates would decide the long-term territorial status of the island. While this was taking place, the island's resident commissioner, Jennifer Gonzalez, filed the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act. With the help of the act, the territory was asked to become the country's 51st state.
Conclusion
Even though the legislative measures were taken, a few people believe that change is unlikely. It's worth noting that if Puerto Rico had been a state, the US government would have likely stopped the decades-long economic abuse by American corporations. The political situation of Puerto Rico is thus muddled by centuries of colonisation. Though we'll never know what the island might look like if it were freed from a colonial power, proposals for freeing Puerto Rico have been debated for decades.
FAQs
1. What is the residents’ take on Puerto Rico becoming a state?
A lot of Puerto Ricans want it to become a state. However, other lots do not want it to be known as a state. Even though the majority for a ‘yes’ is a lot, the debate has continued for decades.
2. What is the issue behind Puerto Rico not becoming a state?
Puerto Rico is a U.S territory that is neither a state nor an independent country. It is an unincorporated territory that we govern.
3. Why did the United States invade Puerto Rico?
On 25th July 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by US forces. The Spanish-American war was at its peak at that time. In December 1898, the colony got transferred to the United States, and the military government took up the power to govern.
4. How are residents reacting to the situation?
Although the island's political future remains unknown and divided, the majority of its citizens make decisions based on what they believe is best for the community in which they live.
