Political Status of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, meaning it is not a state but is subject to U.S. sovereignty. Residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections and have limited representation in Congress. The island has its own local government and constitution but is dependent on the federal government for many services and funding. There are ongoing debates about its political status, with some advocating for statehood, others for independence, and some for maintaining the current territorial status. These options reflect varying views on political rights, self-determination, and economic benefits.