Puerto Rico Leaders Disagree on DNC Platform

Puerto Rican delegates at the recent Democratic and Republican national conventions expressed support for their respective presidential nominees, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, despite significant shifts in party platforms regarding Puerto Rico's status. The Democratic platform now endorses a bipartisan bill aimed at altering Puerto Rico's territorial relationship with the U.S. through a federally binding vote, omitting the current territorial option. This marks a departure from previous platforms that emphasized the importance of allowing Puerto Ricans to determine their own status. The issue of Puerto Rico's political status remains crucial for Puerto Rican voters on the mainland, as they cannot vote in presidential elections but can participate in primaries and send delegates to conventions. The representation at the Democratic convention included 43 delegates from the pro-statehood New Progressive Party and 16 from the Popular Democratic Party, which supports the current territorial status. The latter party chose not to endorse the new Democratic platform due to its language on the Puerto Rico Status Act. Similarly, at the Republican National Convention, Puerto Rican delegates advocating for statehood faced disappointment when the party removed supportive language from its platform. The Puerto Rico Republican Party's executive board is composed entirely of members from the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, highlighting a shared political landscape on the island. Amidst these platform changes, Puerto Rico continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, a prolonged financial crisis, and the challenges posed by a federally imposed oversight board. Despite evolving views on their political status, both the New Progressive Party and the Popular Democratic Party maintain substantial support among Puerto Ricans.