Puerto Rico's status as part of US to be decided in Nov. referendum
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico- For the first time, Puerto Rico's current status as a U.S. territory will not be an option in a direct vote scheduled for the general election in November. The news was announced by Governor Pedro Pierluisi, a member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party.
This upcoming referendum will compel voters to choose between statehood, independence, or independence with free association, rather than maintaining the existing territorial status. This significant change is intended to force a decision on altering Puerto Rico’s current relationship with the United States. Independence with free association would involve negotiating terms regarding foreign affairs, U.S. citizenship, and the use of the U.S. dollar.
“In this way, we assert our rights as American citizens to demand our self-determination through direct voting without intermediaries and to require the federal government to address the grievance represented by our colonial status,” Pierluisi said.
He also highlighted that statehood would ensure residents in Puerto Rico receive equal funds and benefits in Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and supplemental social security. Similar the the U.S. Virgin Islands, voters in Puerto Rico cannot participate in the general presidential U.S. election but can vote in presidential primaries.
2020 law to be activated
The governor plans to activate a 2020 law that permits the current governor to call for a status referendum. This executive order follows the 2022 approval of a bill by the U.S. House, aimed at facilitating Puerto Rico’s transition away from its territorial status. The Puerto Rico Status Act, led by Representative Raúl Grijalva of Arizona, deliberately excludes the option of maintaining the island’s territorial status.
Support for the current territorial status has waned since 2016 when the federal government established the unelected Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB) to manage the island's finances. This board, created through the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), was a response to a severe financial crisis. Puerto Rico faced a crippling debt burden of approximately $72 billion, prolonged economic recession, high unemployment, a declining population due to migration to the mainland United States, and significant fiscal mismanagement.
The FOMB was granted extensive powers to manage Puerto Rico's finances, including budget controls, debt restructuring, and the implementation of fiscal plans aimed at restoring economic stability. The board's creation aimed to address the financial crisis and help Puerto Rico regain access to capital markets while protecting the interests of creditors and residents.
The previous referendum in November 2020 saw 53% of voters favor statehood, while 47% were against it, with only about half of the registered voters participating. The forthcoming referendum marks the seventh occasion for the island to decide on its political affiliation with the United States.
“Puerto Rico has the right, and I would say the moral obligation, to continue exerting pressure, reiterating its right to self-determination, and demanding that Congress respond satisfactorily to the will of our people,” Pierluisi stated after signing the executive order. “Therefore, we must vote as many times as necessary to end the colonial status.”
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13 Responses to “Puerto Rico's status as part of US to be decided in Nov. referendum”
Jusr so the b.v.i is but the majority of the citizens not going fall for it. Like it or not, the UK passport got a little more weight than bvi passport and we live in a time where everybody eant to travel with least restriction. Most of Olando is ricans just like a whole heap of our people UK snd their children going university. All who calling for independence either born u.s or have them greencard to fall back on. Go ahead and let them fool alyo off
Moreover, Insular Cases, a series of seminal Supreme Court landmark cases in the early 1900s which stated that the constitution and rights didn’t guarantee full rights in all territories. These cases created the doctrine of incorporation,,ie,,incorporated territories were on their way to statehood. In unincorporated territories, full rights and privileges don’t necessarily follow the flag, ie, PR, USVI, etc. The incorporation doctrine indicates that unincorporated territories belong to the US but are not part of the US. The Suoreme Court Insular Cases is still on the books.
The options on the November ballot include a) statehood, b) independence, and c) independence with free association. Of the three, the most likely is independence with free association. There is precedent with this option. For example, the following former territories of US have independence with free association with the US, viz, Republic of Palau(1994), Republic of Marshall Islands (1986), and The Federated States of Micronesia. Further, Statehood if passed is non-binding. It will require a heavy lift constitutional change. A constitutional change requires approval by the House of Representatives, Senate, and approval of 75% of the 50 states. The US is a deeply polarized, divided politically and socially, so approval for adding Puerto Rico would be challenging. Independence also IMO would be a tough decision for Puerto Ricans. It is important to note that Puerto Rico leans on transfer payments from the US for both individuals and the country. In addition to transfer/fund payments, it benefits from other programs,,ie, FEMA, etc.
They want to do what they want with no one to answer to...I done see this as a rigged election in favour of independent statehood. Puerto Ricans enjoy the US status, they will not vote against that. Puerto Rico in worse state than the BVI, they broke.
DISINTERESTED ) PERHAPS YOU AIN'T AFRAID TO ENLIGHTEN US ON YHAT PART OF OUR HISTORY / SINCE MR E LIONERD HAS A TOUCH OF SELECTIVE AMNESIA
Welfare
FoidStampd
Medicare
SSI
Soc Securitu
Medicaid
Subsidized Housing
And much more
No Way Jose