It is common now to admit that the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico is a colonial relationship. But the United Nations keeps a list of non-self-governing territories, and Puerto Rico was removed from that list in 1953, after Puerto Rico’s constitution was approved by the federal government in 1952. The United Nations Special Decolonization Committee has reconsidered the question annually since 1972.
What happened in 1952?
In 1917, Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens by birthright. In 1948, Puerto Rico voters elected their own governor for the first time, after decades of having the governor appointed by the federal government. In 1952, Puerto Rico got its own constitution (after making some changes required by Congress) and the name “the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.” Kentucky is also called “the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” and in both cases the word “commonwealth” has no legal meaning. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory like other unincorporated territories, and Kentucky is a state like other states.
But the federal government remained very clear on the fact that Puerto Rico’s political status did not change in 1952. The Island gained a greater measure of local self-rule, but not the sovereignty of a state.
“I am pleased to report to you that with the establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on July 25, 1952, the people of Puerto Rico have attained a full measure of self-government, consistent with Puerto Rico’s status as a territory of the United States,” the Secretary of the Interior wrote to the Secretary of State in October of that year. “Puerto Rico has not become an independent nation; neither has it become a State of the Union. It remains a territory of the United States.”
What happened in 1953?
The United States sent a communication to the United Nations asking that Puerto Rico be removed from the list of non-self-governing entities. The United Nations agreed.
The U.N.’s document sounds optimistic and even celebratory: “Considering that the agreement reached by the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in forming a political association which respects the individuality and the cultural characteristics of Puerto Rico, maintains the spiritual bonds between Puerto Rico and Latin America and constitutes a link in continental solidarity,” they said, among other things, ” the Declaration regarding Non-Self-Governing Territories and the provisions established under it in Chapter XI of the Charter can no longer be applied to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.”
Puerto Rico was removed from the list.
The next act began in 1972
However, in 1972, Iraq proposed a resolution declaring the “inalienable right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence.” The Decolonization Committee has, every year since then, entertained discussions on Puerto Rico’s status, and reaffirmed the same resolution.
Not only Iraq, but also Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Syria, Russia, and a variety of other nations with troublesome records on human rights have spoken up for independence for Puerto Rico, in spite of the fact that voters in Puerto Rico have never chosen independence on status votes. Puerto Rican separatist organizations, including those based in the states, have also called for independence in these discussions.
At the same time, Puerto Ricans, including elected representatives, have spoken up for statehood, pointing out that Puerto Rico voters have democratically chosen statehood among the status options time after time. These speakers generally call on the U.S. Congress to respect the will of the people.
What about 2025?
The United Nations has concluded this year’s session of the Decolonization Committee. As of this writing, the usual resolution on Puerto Rico has not been announced. A list of the draft resolutions receiving action was published, but it did not include Puerto Rico.
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