Puerto Rico Prepares To Possibly Become New US State

2023-01-03 02:16:12

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Puerto Rican flags hang defiantly in the old centre of San Juan. After they were banned for several years in an effort to suppress the independence movement, the Puerto Rico flag may only be legally flown in company of the US flag. Paula Dupraz-Dobias/swissinfo.ch

In November 2023, Puerto Ricans may vote on whether they want to become the 51st US state or gain full independence. Washington – for the first time ever – has signalled a possible green light to allow for a binding vote.

This content was published on January 3, 2023 - 10:30 January 3, 2023 - 10:30

Paula Dupraz-Dobias is an award-winning Geneva-based journalist covering environment, business, international organizations, humanitarian crises and Latin America.

Reporting from Puerto Real, Puerto Rico

In one of its last sessions in 2022, the outgoing United States House of Representatives approved a bill providing Puerto Ricans a binding referendum to be held in November this year. The referendum will offer voters the choice of statehood, independence or a“free association” with the US – similar to the cases for the Marshall Islands and Micronesia.

Two hundred and thirty-three members of the US lower chamber of Congress voted 'yes', while 191 were against. This historic bill is now awaiting passage to the Senate, where it needs at least 60 'yes' votes from the 100-member chamber. The same referendum procedure last occurred in the 1950s, when the people of Alaska and Hawaii were asked whether they wanted to become US states.

Until 1898, Spain ruled Puerto Rico, which then became a“commonwealth territory” of the United States; a hybrid status which did not grant Puerto Ricans voting rights. As of today, and in spite of gaining citizenship in 1917, Puerto Ricans are unable to vote in federal US elections, and do not have a voting representative in Congress in Washington.

The island is hoping that the upcoming referendum may soon determine how it wants to be governed. Unlike previous votes, this one approved by Congress will be binding.

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