Puerto Rico’s Independence

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, established after the Spanish-American War in 1898. While it enjoys some self-government, residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections and have limited representation in Congress. Independence is a debated topic; advocates believe it would allow Puerto Rico to fully control its political and economic future, while opponents cite potential challenges, such as economic instability. Over the years, various referendums have been held to gauge public opinion on independence, statehood, or maintaining the current status, reflecting the complex feelings about its political identity.