Annually, Puerto Rico Report highlights the most significant stories covered at the Report over the years. We review the total cumulative tally and present to you the narratives that have garnered the most interest since we began reporting on Puerto Rico’s political status in 2012.
Leading Three
The most notable story at the Report by the close of this year was The Map of Puerto Rico. This article provides the essential details of Puerto Rico’s geography to help you remain well-informed while considering or reading about the island. Having been a territory of the United States for over a hundred years, many individuals in the states are still unclear about the location of Puerto Rico, let alone its key geographical features. Get up to speed with this piece.
The second most highlighted story was Puerto Rican Population in the States. Currently, the number of Puerto Ricans residing in the states is almost twice that of those living on the Island. We list the top ten states with the largest Puerto Rican population. It’s common knowledge that Florida and New York lead the chart, but some entries on the list might surprise you!
The third most read story of all time was the top narrative of 2024, El Morro, the Oldest Fort in the U.S. This piece gained immense popularity this summer. Although having the oldest fort in the United States might not be a pivotal factor in Puerto Rico’s fight for a permanent political status, it stands as one of the many unique features that would make Puerto Rico an exceptional state of the Union if it were ever granted statehood. In fact, among the nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in the United States, one is located in Puerto Rico. The island is also home to esteemed art museums, breathtaking natural landscapes, remarkable biodiversity, and a pool of talented individuals. The United States would undoubtedly have much to take pride in with a state of Puerto Rico.
Current Affairs
The fourth most sought-after story of all time was our coverage of the Puerto Rico Election Results of 2024. The latest election unveiled several unexpected outcomes. For instance, the independence option secured nearly a third of the votes in the status referendum, a significant increase from past elections where this option never surpassed 5%. Statehood obtained 57%—no surprise there, as statehood has dominated every referendum this century and is consistently the leading result in political polling. However, the rise in support for independence was noteworthy. Another unexpected turn was the election of a “commonwealth” party resident commissioner as Puerto Rico’s Congressional representative. Click on the title of the story for all the specifics.
<pNumber five on the list was How Safe Is Drinking Water in Puerto Rico? While it may not appear to be an urgent headline, issues regarding Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, including environmental health concerns, have captured attention throughout the year. It’s astonishing that a U.S. territory faces such a multitude of challenges, especially considering the same regulations hold in Puerto Rico as in the states.
Timeless Favorites
Two stories that previously appeared on the Top Stories lists resurfaced. Number six is What Does It Mean to Be a Territory of the United States? Thirty-two states were once territories, with the most recent, Alaska and Hawaii, achieving statehood 66 years ago—before most Americans were born. The latest territories of the continental United States to gain statehood were New Mexico and Arizona in 1912, not long ago in living memory. It’s not surprising that many Americans lack clarity on the distinction between a territory and a state. The ongoing confusion regarding Puerto Rico’s status as a commonwealth or a territory further underscores the need for a straightforward explanation, which we provide.
The Perfect Human Is a Puerto Rican Woman ranks seventh on the list. This article addresses critical reading, racism, and genetics, but we suspect many visitors might anticipate it focusing on Jennifer Lopez.
Emerging Favorites
The next articles on the list are fresh additions from 2024. Number eight is Trump on Birthright Citizenship. The issue of citizenship is pivotal in the ongoing debate concerning Puerto Rico’s political status. A number of independence advocates, whether with or without a compact of free association, assert that their proposals would allow those born in Puerto Rico to retain their U.S. citizenship. There is substantial reason to doubt that this would be the case. The resolution of this matter will depend on the understanding of citizenship rights in Washington during the transition period, a topic we ensure to address.
Puerto Rico and New Jersey was the most popular among a collection of articles exploring the historical ties between Puerto Rico and various states. New Jersey remains a significant hub for the Puerto Rican community in the states.
Final Thoughts
The tenth most popular story of all time is 10 Reasons to Support Statehood for Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Rico has three potential political status options—territory, state, or independent nation—statehood stands as the most favored choice, and for valid reasons.
We at the Report anticipate continued updates in 2025 and look forward to your engagement.
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