Puerto Rico Open Your Eyes

1985 (14 años de edad):Viste campos de piña, caña de azúcar y plantaciones de frutas — un legado del rico pasado agrícola de Puerto Rico.Tus padres, nacidos en Lajas y Río Piedras, formaban parte de una generación que aún tenía raíces en esa tierra y forma de vida.

But what she fails to acknowledge is this: statehood is not a right—it is a political decision reserved solely for the United States Congress. The people of Puerto Rico cannot vote themselves into the Union.

Some Puerto Rican pundits claim we cannot consider becoming an autonomous province of Spain because they don’t want their tax dollars supporting a monarchy. But let’s look at the facts — and ask a bigger question:

The reasons for this difference are rooted in politics, economics, race, and strategic interests. Here's a breakdown:

Without realizing it, many Puerto Ricans benefit from socialist-style programs provided by the U.S. — yet they criticize socialism as if it's an evil ideology.

Boricuas what will you do

es, crime in Puerto Rico is significant, especially violent crime and gun violence. Here are the key points:

El Congreso acaba de votar para terminar con el estatus territorial de Puerto Rico.El Tratado de París de 1898 se anula.Y Puerto Rico es ahora un país independiente… sin un solo dólar de ayuda de Estados Unidos.

Yes, there is some historical and archaeological discussion about pre-Taíno peoples in Puerto Rico and the broader Caribbean. While the dominant indigenous group at the time of Spanish arrival was the Taíno, they were not the first inhabitants of Puerto Rico. Here's a clearer breakdown:

One thing we’ve noticed more and more is that people who aren’t Puerto Rican keep trying to tell our story — our culture, our history, our future.But here’s the truth:No one can tell our story better than we can. Not journalists from the outside. Not influencers chasing likes. Not scholars who’ve never lived our struggle.It’s time for us to take the bull by the horns. To speak for ourselves. To reclaim our narrative.That’s why we’ve launched our podcast — “Puerto Rico Abran los Ojos” — a space created by Puerto Ricans, for Puerto Ricans. A space where our voices, our truths, and our dreams lead the conversation.

For such a small island, Puerto Rico shines on the world stage.From Grammy-winning artists to Olympic athletes, world-class chefs to cultural icons — Puerto Rico punches far above its weight. The world sings our songs, dances to our rhythms, and savors our food. Our culture, our language, our people — they captivate the globe.

Did you know Puerto Ricans have a shorter path to Spanish citizenship than most people in Latin America?Let’s break down the facts — and the history — behind this unique connection.

Yes, there are historical records of Puerto Ricans moving to the United States during Spanish rule, although the migration was limited in size and scope compared to later waves under U.S. sovereignty.

The U.S. Jones Act Would Never Be a Factor for Puerto Rico Under Autonomy with Spain — Here's Why:🚢 What is the Jones Act? The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) is a U.S. federal law that requires all goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed ships. It significantly raises shipping costs to and from Puerto Rico because:

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, not a state. Because of that, Congress holds plenary (full) powers under the Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2). This means:🟥 Congress can overturn, veto, or nullify any law passed by Puerto Rico’s government — even if it was passed democratically.