OPINION:
In “Census results show why statehood for Puerto Rico is urgently needed” (Web, June 7) Jose Fuentes cites the reasons why he thinks Puerto Rico should be granted statehood. I strongly disagree with his reasoning and feel there is a better solution for Puerto Rico’s future.
Puerto Rico has been populated for many years. Experts think people first appeared in the island as far back a 430 B.C. Christopher Columbus first arrived there in 1493 and promptly claimed it in the name of the Spanish crown. That began the long history of subjugation of the native people. In 1898, during the Spanish American war, the United invaded Puerto Rico and Cuba. After the ratification of the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Puerto Rico came under U.S. military control. In other words, Puerto Rico has almost always been the possession of some nation and has never had self-rule. Unlike Cuba, Puerto Rican revolutionaries have never triumphed and brought independence to their people.
Instead of making Puerto Rico a state — which in my opinion would benefit neither the United States nor Puerto Rico — the leftist government we now have would be better inclined to grant the island independence. Its people would then be free to determine their own destiny. They have sugar production and tourism as major industries and they would then be free to choose allies who could benefit them by meeting their energy needs and building naval bases and supply stations, etc.
I’m sure Russia and China would be happy to assist Puerto Rico the way they have assisted Cuba.
Independence for Puerto Rico is the best solution.
BERNARD MORNINGSTAR
Ijamsville, Md.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.