Dr. José Celso Barbosa, the Father of the Puerto Rico Statehood Movement, was born on July 27, 1857. July 27 is an official holiday, Jose Celso Barbosa Day. Barbosa was a doctor, a writer, and a political activist. He is credited with developing a health insurance system for Puerto Rico as well as fighting for statehood. He was also one of the founders of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico
The Republican Party of Puerto Rico
Barbosa was also one of the people who founded the Island’s Republican Party on July 4, 1899. The initial focus of the party was on full democratic rights for Puerto Rico. They supported votes for women, universal education, public health, and entrepreneurship. They also supported statehood. Having attended medical school on the U.S. mainland, Dr. Barbosa knew that he wanted the advantages of statehood for himself and for Puerto Rico.
Republican candidates for public office began winning elections and the party quickly became an important force in territorial politics.
In 1903, the Republican Party of Puerto Rico joined the national Republican Party. Over the years, there were splits in the party, with some focusing specifically on statehood for Puerto Rico. From this division the New Progressive Party, the statehood party, developed. Since its formation, the Republican Party in Puerto Rico has moved away from running candidates for public office.
Now the Republican Party on the Island works on choosing and supporting candidates for the national Republican Party primaries, in which Puerto Rico participates. Puerto Rico Republicans also contribute to the national party platform, which has most often supported statehood for Puerto Rico.
The current Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon, is a Republican and also a member of the statehood party. Her predecessor, Pedro Pierluisi, was a Democrat and a member of the statehood party. Political parties in Puerto Rico focus on political status. The national parties are more concerned with social and economic issues. people can disagree on those issues and still support statehood, as most Puerto Ricans do.
Dr. Barbosa’s devotion to human rights, and in particular equal rights for Puerto Rico, led him to support statehood for Puerto Rico. Both Republicans and Democrats do so today.
One response
This is a wonderful window into the true history of Puerto Rico. The statehood primer we offered in CWAS was dedicated with humility to the legacy of this great man. That was for very compelling political, social, cultural, moral and spiritual reasons. Barbosa will outlive all others when the roll is taken of those who commander freedom the destiny of the people of Puerto Rico.