By: Mars Marte
Caribbean history is riddled with strife, as many nations fought foreign rule to establish independence. This cycle of fighting is not only reserved for the history books, as many countries such as Puerto Rico continue to struggle against external powers. Since 1952, Puerto Rico has been an unincorporated territory of the United States (U.S.), meaning the island belongs to and is subject to the U.S. Constitution but is not a part of the nation.
Federal control over Puerto Rico’s political status has left Puerto Ricans with limited influence over decisions that directly affect their communities, contributing to the island’s continued challenges.
The U.S. acquired Puerto Rico in 1898 via the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War. Nearly two years later, the U.S. implemented a state-appointed governor and executive council, subjecting Puerto Ricans to U.S. rule while denying those on the island citizenship. Islanders wouldn’t be granted citizenship until the passage of the Jones Act in 1917, which came into effect during World War I and qualified Puerto Ricans for the draft.
These earlier decisions by the U.S. government regarding Puerto Rico were made out of convenience of the mainland, not for those who call the island home. The neglect Puerto Rico initially faced during its acquisition has only increased as government officials both on and off the island prioritize economic growth over the people. This theme was displayed this past summer as the island faces a long-standing drought, partially caused by government neglect of the public water system.
The drought has left islanders with an unstable source of clean water for months, with no plan to end it in sight. As locals suffer from a lack of water, the island government has just approved the development of a $2 billion luxury building, known as Escenia, that’ll occupy 20,000 acres across the coast of Cabo Rojo. The approval from the government has sparked public outcry amongst Puerto Ricans on the island and mainland. Many worry about the impact Escenia will have on the already fragile water system. As many worry about what this project will mean for the future, others are angered by the precedent the approval has set.
With the entire island facing a humanitarian crisis, government officials are focused on pushing a luxury development that’ll boost the growth of companies on the island while further pushing islanders off their land.
The disregard for Puerto Rican citizens will only continue to grow as the island has little say over policies set by Congress, which is compounded by a local government that favors monetary growth over community support.
Since its conception, Puerto Rico has never had the right to vote in U.S. general elections despite being subjected to federal laws. In an attempt to remedy the lack of representation in Congress, Puerto Rico was granted a single member of the U.S. House of Representatives, known as the Resident Commissioner, who represents the island’s interests but has no voting power. Although Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner can introduce legislation, participate in committees, and advocate for the island’s interests, the position does not include a vote on final House legislation. The representative can speak and advocate for the island’s needs but lacks the power to bring it to fruition, underlining the island’s lack of authority.
A decade ago, Puerto Rico declared it was unable to pay its accumulated debt of $72 billion, thus establishing the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act known as PROMESA. The legislation created a Financial Oversight and Management Board responsible for overseeing Puerto Rico’s finances. The U.S. president appoints board members, while Puerto Rico’s governor serves as a nonvoting member.
Initially created to cushion the collected debt, PROMESA limits Puerto Rico’s political presence, as major financial decisions on the island must be approved by the board first. With this structure in place, Puerto Rico’s elected government remains subject to decisions made by a federally appointed board.
Puerto Rico’s current struggles cannot be separated from its political relationship with the United States. Those on the island have sought to rectify the strife plaguing the land but, with their decisions under the control of the U.S., the process of change lies in the hands of Congress, not the community. Puerto Ricans deserve greater autonomy and meaningful representation in the decisions that determine their future. Whether that future ultimately takes the form of statehood, independence, or another form of self-government, the people of Puerto Rico should determine it rather than have an outside force maintain it indefinitely.