For the past 63 years, the US claimed that Puerto Rico is a “Commonwealth,” a “self-governing” territory, and a “free associated state” with the US. But a series of events in 2016, have proven that all of this was a lie.
The White House, US Congress, and US Supreme Court – all three branches of the federal government – declared that Puerto Rico is a territorial possession of the US. In other words…a colony.
A CONVENIENT HISTORY
The “Commonwealth” of Puerto Rico was a great political convenience…for the US. In 1953, the US declared that Puerto Rico had achieved “self-determination” and “political sovereignty” through their new Commonwealth relationship with the US. The United Nations then removed Puerto Rico from the list of countries that were overdue for de-colonization.
This was tremendously convenient: because in 1953, during the height of the Cold War, the US could not be the “leader of the Free World” if it owned a classic colony in the Caribbean.
THE TRUTH COMES OUT
But two recent Supreme Court cases, Sanchez Valle and Franklin Trust, have terminated this alleged “sovereignty” of Puerto Rico.
In both cases the Obama administration argued, and the US Supreme Court agreed, that Puerto Rico is a territorial possession of the US: with no legislative, juridical, or political sovereignty whatsoever. In the same week that Sanchez Valle was decided, the US Congress passed the PROMESA bill to impose a Financial Control Board over Puerto Rico, and manage its entire economy.
Thus in 2016, all three branches of the US federal government declared that Puerto Rico is a property of the US…a colony.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Given this open declaration from the entire US government, the next governor of Puerto Rico should appear before the UN and invoke Resolution 1514 (XV), which stipulates the right to self-determination of every nation, and the right to reject a colonial relationship.
Every interest group in Puerto Rico – unions, teachers, lawyers, college students – should join in this effort.
Every journalist – on the island and the mainland – can draw attention to it.
Who knows? Maybe even a few “celebrities” could descend from their throne, stop selling records and movies and clothing for a few minutes, and actually do something for the island that fills their pockets.
The “Commonwealth” of Puerto Rico is dead.
What happens next can be greatly determined, by Puerto Ricans themselves.
For a history of the War Against All Puerto Ricans, read the book…
Si prefiere ver la página web en español por favor visite: http://www.guerracontratodoslospuertorriquenos.com
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Response for Nonya:
Nonya
October 12, 2016
Independence for Puerto Rico is a fantastic idea. The day they become independent all foodstamps, aid, and citizenship rights end. Then, just like every other Latin America country, we can sit back and watch it destroy it’s economy.
NONYA: INDEPENDENCE IS A FANTASTIC IDEA. BUT YOU’RE WRONG ABOUT IT DESTROYING THE ECONOMY. THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES THAT ARE DOING QUITE WELL, AND HAVE STABLE ECONOMIES ( EVEN MORE STABLE THAN THE U.S. ). DO YOUR RESEARCH. PLUS, THE ISLANDER PR’S WOULD BE GIVEN THEIR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD THEIR NEWFOUND COUNTRY, BECAUSE IT WILL BE A COUNTRY FOR THE 1ST TIME IN ITS HISTORY IF SHE GOES INDEPENDENT. THE PRIDE AND SELF-ESTEEM AND A RECLAIMED DIGNITY ARE MORE THAN WORTH THE RISK. YOU DON’T SEEM TO HAVE MUCH CONFIDENCE IN YOUR OWN PEOPLE. ( I TAKE IT YOU’RE A PR..). YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE’S MANY LIKE YOU. IT’S THIS PRECISE MINDSET THAT’S BEEN HOLDING BACK THE ISLANDER PR’S FOR SO LONG. UNTIL THAT MINDSET CHANGES, IT ( THE ISLANDERS EXISTENCE ) WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ONGOING TRAGEDY.
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Nonya the economy is already destroyed
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Independence for Puerto Rico is a fantastic idea. The day they become independent all foodstamps, aid, and citizenship rights end. Then, just like every other Latin America country, we can sit back and watch it destroy it’s economy.
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Don’t be fooled, the little federal benefit given to Puerto Rico, does not even adds to the 2 billion dollars paid by Puerto Ricans in cabotage fees; inclusive, the federal government is tax exempt in Puerto Rico; they don’t pay taxes, construction fees for all their buildings, courts, post offices, military stores, airlines carrying goods and cargo passengers- all make billions yearly, and are tax free, as they are exempt in Puerto Rico.; Inclusive, big American companies have 50 thru 100 years consent decreed, where they don’t pay taxes to the Puerto Rican People, ripping off the county even more to their advantage. We are a colony to US advantage.
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Well, I think Puerto Rico should become a State of the United States. For good or for bad its time PR shoul not be a Colony not more. Some Puertoricans ask for the Independence, its ok but some People doesn’t like to work and love to get the food stamps and benefits ( money). So, for what they want Independence island if its now nobody want to work in the soil, not to grow vegies, fruits, ect, ect. Puerto Rico is a little island and until now we depend from the usa, right? So, I don’t think some Puertoricans wants for the Independence. For last, I would like Puerto Rico becomes a state of the United States. Its time, too! We have to decided what we want or the supreme court decided for us. Many Puertoricans are tired to be a colony for many years. My vote would be for State 51!!!!!. Indepence for PR woulb be like others countries its are in an extremely poverty.
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Lo sabia. Somos colonia.Que lo sepa el mundo.Ja, ja.
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How the hell is this a lie, you assholes are always make everything worse.
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So does this mean that Puerto Ricans are no longer U.S. Citizens?
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Raquel, this is a really good question.
No…citizenship was conferred independent of this “status” question.
The “commonwealth” was created in 1952-53.
US citizenship was granted through a separate and unrelated US Congressional statute…the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917.
–Nelson
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It’s great to hear that Puerto Rico has figured this out. All that’s left is to figure out what to do about it. The choices are to be independent like the Philippines or Cuba or become a state like Hawaii. It is less painful to learn from the experience of others!
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If one of the objectives of the United Nations is to promote human rights it sure has not done it for our island. My people, let your voices be heard, let us fight for our freedom, our human right. Am so ANGRY at this MAKE-BELIEVE “leader of the Free World.”
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WE WANT INDEPENDENCE. WE HAVE FOUGHT IN ALL THE USA WARS SINCE 1917
AND WE STILL ARE SECOND OR THIRD CLASS CITIZENS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. AL DIABLO CON ELLOS VIVA LA INDEPENDENCIA Y VIVA PR LIBRE.
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The citizens,journalists,artists,politicians,singers and many others have expressed their political view through a referendum in 2012 that puerto rico become a state. Please include this other side of this expose as its citizens are actively persuing the Islands’ future by Majority vote. Thank you.
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Madlyn,
You make a good and valid point. However there is the underlying question…whether the US would ever honor the expressed wishes of Puerto Rico.
I strongly suspect they will not:
https://waragainstallpuertoricans.com/2015/07/14/why-puerto-rico-will-not-become-the-51st-state/
–Nelson
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Its all about finances and who controls it honest people or dishonest people,if you find honest people the dishonest will do every thing in there power to discredit, i would look for Berny sanders or 1 of his students
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
‘Commonwealth’? It’s dead … it always was a lie.
Puerto Rico is definitely a ‘possession’, a colony! … and we dared think different. At least two generations fooled …
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Have the people of PR acted like a sel determining free state? The day they accepted federal welfare, they were doomed.
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