- Question
Should Puerto Rico become a US state or independent?
Puerto Rico, one of five American territories, has limited power and rights under its territory categorization. Some mainland Americans argue Puerto Rico should become the 51st U.S. state. Activists in Puerto Rico go one step further—full independence.
Puerto Rico should become a US state
Puerto Rico has been a US territory for over 100 years. No US territory that has fit all statehood requirements and voted for a referendum has waited that long for statehood. It's time to abide by the wishes of the Puerto Rican people and give them statehood, which comes with increased federal benefits and the ability to vote.
Puerto Rico should be an independent country
Puerto Rico was seized by America after the Spanish-American War and has its own unique culture, heritage, and ingenious people separate from the US. Puerto Rico deserves to be given what it once had—autonomy and its own, localized government.