Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should Puerto Rico become a US state or independent?
Position‹2 of 2

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.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. Puerto Rico would have a more localized government
    Puerto Rico has a local government, but Puerto Rican laws can be overruled by the US government, and all laws have to be within US law. Puerto Rico deserves a more localized and democratic government.
  2. Public pressure for independence
    A growing movement on the island has been pushing back against the traditional statehood route. Instead, they’ve been calling for something bigger—autonomy.
  3. America has a history of attempting to preserve democracy
    Since World War II under President Truman, the US has attempted to promote free and open democracies abroad. That promotion shouldn’t stop now.
  4. The US colonized Puerto Rico
    The US has traditionally been opposed to colonialism by foreign nations. Yet, the US took Puerto Rico as a “prize” from the Spanish-American war.