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As the Cuban government worked to silence thousands of Cubans who took to the island's streets to protest their government's handling of the economy, food shortages and inflation brought on by the pandemic, here in the United States we are once again reminded of the oppressive nature of communist regimes. In contrast to Cuba, Puerto Rico has long served as a beacon of democracy and capitalism in the Caribbean. Named the "Pearl of the Caribbean," by Puerto Rican poets, the island showcases the benefits, progress and blessings of rejecting communism.
The shining Pearl, however, is dimming as Congress grapples with how to handle Puerto Rico's status. The island remains an unincorporated territory despite the fact that statehood for the island is in the interests of both Puerto Ricans and the United States. The result is catastrophic, as American citizens in Puerto Rico are denied the rights that are guaranteed under our Constitution, and the island is faced with little promise of progress, no control or viable decision-making and no long-term plans.
The complex relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico is intrinsically linked to Cuba and the Cold War. The overthrow of the Cuban government in 1969 and adoption of a communist regime led Puerto Rico to gain significant strategic importance for our nation in the fight against communism in the Western Hemisphere. Given Puerto Rico's proximity to Cuba, and the cultural and historical similarities that the two islands possess, Puerto Rico was an ideal stronghold for deterring the spread of communism.
Now, the threat of communism is growing again in Latin America, this time disguised as extreme socialism. We are witnessing a resurgence of leftist governments and movements, and as a result we are seeing a spread in repressive ideologies, impoverishment and a lower standard of living. Evidence of this can be found in recent accounts coming out of Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay and other countries in South and Central America.
And in Puerto Rico, there is a growing resentment toward the United States. New political factions are growing, disguised as socialist movements and hiding behind a façade of Puerto Rican "nationalism," using a nostalgic sense of cultural identity to grow anti-American sentiment. More Puerto Ricans, especially younger generations, are consuming propaganda that calls for independence for the island as a way to "get even" with the United States, but will instead increase the chances that the island will succumb to communism.
To make matters worse, Congress seems unaware of the progress that leftist interest groups have made as they seek to capture Puerto Rico. There is a vocal minority in Puerto Rico that are pushing for independence for the island, without acknowledging that independence could threaten their vibrant democracy. This is also despite the fact that in November 2020, Puerto Rico held a plebiscite for statehood, which demonstrated that a clear majority of Puerto Ricans want to remain a part of the United States, not as a territory but as a state. By finally making Puerto Rico a state, Congress would not only be fulfilling the will of a majority of American citizens in Puerto Rico, and embracing a vibrant and multicultural society into our union, but lawmakers would also be ensuring that the Pearl of the Caribbean remains a beacon of democracy, holding communism at bay in the Western Hemisphere.
Dr. Zayira Jordán Conde is an associate professor at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico and was the former candidate for resident commissioner for the Citizens Victory Movement Party in Puerto Rico.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
