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As supporters of Puerto Rican statehood prepare for a visit to Washington next week, pro-statehood advocate Gregorio Igartúa is urging Congress to approve legislation that would declare Puerto Rico an incorporated territory.
In letters addressed to members of Congress, Igartúa argued that it is discriminatory to have 3.3 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico governed without their consent and subjected to differing economic, political, and legal treatments.
“This practice has persisted for over 127 years under the guise of discriminatory convenience, treating Puerto Rico as unincorporated for some purposes while considering it incorporated for others. This arbitrary distinction must end. It contradicts the principles outlined in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution and the democratic standards expected from other countries,” he stated.
Igartúa expressed support for Congress certifying Puerto Rico as an incorporated territory, which he said it essentially is, as a step toward achieving statehood. An incorporated U.S. territory is a U.S. region that’s not part of a state, but is considered part of the U.S. It receives all the benefits of the Constitution, except those specifically reserved for states.
He noted that this proposal aligns with the interests of Puerto Rico’s Governor, Jennifer Gonzalez, who is advocating for statehood from the federal government. He also mentioned that in a plebiscite scheduled for November 2024, a majority of Puerto Rican voters supported statehood.
In contrast, former Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced plans to present the official results of the plebiscite during the 2024 elections to congress members in Washington, D.C., on March 3. This follows Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma expressing willingness to support legislation that would offer statehood to Puerto Rico, regardless of the results of the referendum.
On the other hand, Popular Democratic Party (PDP) Senator José Luis Dalmau Santiago criticized the upcoming “Summit for Statehood and Equality,” convened by Governor González, declaring it ill-fated due to a lack of preparation. The summit, scheduled for March 2-5 in Washington, D.C., aims to advocate for statehood before the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, Dalmau pointed out that the Capitol will be closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday because President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech during a Joint Session of Congress on March 4, which will limit access and undermine the summit’s effectiveness.
“Once again, they demonstrate a lack of coordination and planning regarding statehood. The leadership of the New Progressive Party (NPP) seems to be using the topic to make political statements rather than taking the issue of status seriously. Governor Jennifer González announced this summit without considering the significant event of President Trump’s speech before Congress,” Dalmau remarked.
He further recalled that for decades, the NPP has promised statehood as a solution to Puerto Rico’s challenges, but their efforts appear to be more about political strategy than real advocacy for the issue. “The governor and the PNP continue to sell the public a pipe dream, lacking a concrete plan or the necessary support in Congress. This situation highlights the credibility and effectiveness issues in their administration,” added the senator.
