- ABOUT US The unequal relationship between the U.S. and Puerto
Rico is perceived by some as an anachronistic remnant of the
colonial era. The current status of Puerto Rico, an
unincorporated territory of the U.S., allows the federal
government to unilaterally impose a range of measures on the
island without enfranchising the people to have a voice in the
legislative process. Currently, there is a push on both the
domestic as well as the international level for a reassessment
of Puerto Rico’s status relative to the mainland U.S. Although
there is a vigorous disagreement over which of the three main
options under consideration (continuation of the commonwealth
status, independence, and statehood) would be best for Puerto
Rico, there is consensus on the need for Puerto Ricans
themselves to play a major role in deciding the island’s fate.
The Issue of Puerto Rico’s Status in U.S. Politics On the
domestic level, two legislative proposals concerning the
reassessment of Puerto Rico’s status have been introduced in