Puerto Rico vs. USA - endless problem
- Hanna Andrysiak
- May 22, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2, 2021
Puerto Rico isn't a country. The fact that I found that out only a month ago is funny. But this, what is happening on this island isn't. Someone can say that ongoing problem with the USA statehood can be solved soon. But it is not that easy.
What Puerto Rico is?
It's the USA territory, not an independent country. Puerto Rico has been belonging to the USA since Spanish-American War in 1898. In 1917 it gained the autonomy and since that, Puerto Ricans have American citizenship. Since the 60's there has been an endless problem: should Puerto Rico be independent country, another state of the USA or doesn't change its status at all?
Dangerous place
Puerto Rico is known from its criminality. Douglas Hook from "The New York Times" visited island to write an article about its living conditions. During his travel, he was the witness of firefight between two narcotic gangs in touristic district. Puerto Ricans can order a gun on the Internet. Anyone can do it. And it is completely legal. Also, the unemployment rate gets 12%. Income is two times lower than in the poorest USA state but costs of living are higher.
Many referendums
There were many referendums about the status of Puerto Rico. Precisely - 5. In the first one (1967) Puerto Ricans voted for not changing its status. But during the last one (2017), the majority voted for being 51. state of the USA. Someone can ask - so why anything changed? Because there was only 23% turnout and boycott (as in the 4th referendum). People answered the first question about the willngness of changing Puerto Rico status, but didn't answer the second one, which required decision of the new status option (independent country, the USA state or American territory).
The new one
Authorities decided that on 3th of November will be a new referendum with only one question: Should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted as a U.S. state? As Wanda Vázquez Garced, the Puerto Rico governor said:
Our people will have the opportunity once and for all to define our future.
Of course this referendum can change the situation of the Puerto Rico. But they have to remember that the last decision belongs to the USA Congress, which doesn't care about the vote.
What are the benefits of the statehood?
Now Puerto Ricans have to pay some taxes and don't have their politicans in Congress. Becoming 51. state of the USA, they would have two senators and five representaties. They would also get civil and military security, funds for struggle with earthquake's and COVID-19 effects. They could also vote during presidential campaigns (now, only Puerto Ricans living in the USA can do it). And of course, the USA could help them with economic crisis. Island has many debts and formally can't announce the bankruptcy. Statehood may be solution.
Hurricane changed everything
In 2017 there was a big wave of emigration after Maria hurricane. Puerto Ricans wanted help from the USA, which they actually deserved as the their teritory. But for many months people couldn't get basic supplies. They were living in bad conditions without electricity or running water. Next year, Donald Trump said that
Puerto Rico should not be thinking about statehood right now.
After few hours, Ricardo Rosselló (contemporary governor) answered:
How can the United States make the case for democracy at the United Nations this week, when they have under their flag the most populous colony in the world?
and reminded Trump, that he promised in his presidential campaign to support statehood (like other presidents) if Puerto Rico wants it.
What Americans think about it?
YouGov published results of the research about Americans' opinion. The majority supports Puerto Rico statehood. Actually, this is the most popular candidate for 51. state. People explained that it deserves better representation in the USA and assistance of being a state. The opponents said that Puerto Rico would bring many debts and that the island's government is too corupt.
Trump - watch out
If Puerto Rico became the state of the USA, all of its citizens could vote during the presidential election. Republican Party would be in trouble. The majority of the island is left-wing and liberal. This 51. state can weaken power of current president. Probably, that is why new referendum didn't make Trump happy. But as Wanda Vázquez Garced said:
It’s never too late to be treated as equals.
Bio: wikipedia.pl, wiadomosci.dziennik.pl, wiadomosci.onet.pl, wiadomosci.gazeta.pl, wiadomosci.radiozet.pl, gazetaprawna.pl, vox.com, time.com, today.yougov.com.
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