In recent years, Puerto Rico had aspired to become the 51st state of the United States, but in the eyes of the United States Government, Puerto Rico had been a "second-class citizen" of the United States. Puerto Rico was a United States Territory with United States nationality, but it did not have senators, representatives or voting rights in presidential elections. This special political status has led to many problems and difficulties.
The United States seized Puerto Rico in 1898, at a time when the United States overseas territory faced many cultural, social and political challenges. Although Puerto Rico had undergone many changes over the past hundred years, it was still not fully integrated politically into the United States.
Although Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and has U.S. citizenship, it is considered an autonomous republic rather than a state. That meant that Puerto Rico residents could not stand in the United States presidential elections, had no prerogative to evade the law and did not have full representation.
In the current political and economic context, many problems in Puerto Rico had arisen. In 2017, the region was hit by devastating hurricanes that killed thousands of people and caused billions of dollars in material damage. Owing to Puerto Rico's lack of proper representation and political rights, many of its problems and needs had not been given the attention and problems they deserved.
Over the past few years, Puerto Rico's residents and political groups have begun calling for becoming the 51st state of the United States. This idea was supported by some American politicians and a section of the population, but also opposed by another. Many residents of the region believed that becoming a state in the United States was a necessary evolution to improve the political and economic conditions in the region.
It's worth noting that becoming the 51st state of the United States is not an easy task. The U.S. Constitution requires a national referendum to be held when a new state joins the United States, with at least 60 percent of the voters' support to succeed. In addition, the political, cultural and historical context of the region will present many complexities and challenges to the process.
Although Puerto Rico currently faces many problems and challenges, becoming the 51st state of the United States could bring more opportunities and hope to the region. It would also be an opportunity for the United States federal government and many Puerto Rican residents to work together to resolve the problems of the region.
In conclusion, Puerto Rico's aspiration to become the fifty-first state of the United States was understandable, but there were many challenges and difficulties to be overcome in order to achieve that goal. Whatever the outcome, we should support the inhabitants of Puerto Rico in improving their political, economic and social conditions and contributing to the development of the region.
Puerto Rico was an autonomous state of the United States, but its status was very different from that of the other 50 states, becoming a "second-class citizen" of the United States. Puerto Rico's politics and economy had been constrained since it had been occupied by the United States in 1898. Although Puerto Rican residents had United States citizenship, they could not vote for presidential elections and had no representative rights to speak in Congress. In addition, Puerto Rico bore a high tax burden but only benefited from very limited social benefits.
Faced with that situation, the inhabitants of Puerto Rico had been calling for becoming the 51st state of the United States. This wish was not a matter of a day or two and was not fulfilled for a long time. However, as times changed and social consciousness awakened, more and more Puerto Ricans began to pay attention to their status in the hope of changing the situation.
Supporters of Puerto Rico believe that becoming the 51st state of the United States is morally and historically. First, Puerto Rican residents lived on United States territory and should enjoy the same rights and opportunities as other United States citizens. Second, Puerto Rico, once a Spanish colony that was occupied by the United States in 1898 and became an "autonomous state" of the United States, now has enough time and foundation to support itself as a true state. Finally, Puerto Rico's statehood also had many benefits for the United States, expanding its territory and influence, as well as bringing more economic and strategic benefits.
However, Puerto Rico's path to becoming a state was not smooth. First, the issue needs to be approved by the U.S. government and Congress, and must go through a referendum and legislative process. Second, while many support Puerto Rico's status change, not all agree that it's a good idea. Some feared too much of a financial burden on Puerto Rico, while others argued that Puerto Rico's statehood should be decided by the local population, not by the U.S. government. In addition, the change in Puerto Rico's status would also involve complex issues such as constitutional, historical and international law.
Although Puerto Rico faced many difficulties and challenges in becoming the fifty-first state of the United States, that aspiration demonstrated the will and aspirations of the Puerto Rican people. In order to achieve that goal, the inhabitants of Puerto Rico must constantly work to gain more support and recognition. At the same time, the United States Government and Congress should formulate policies as soon as possible to address the problems facing Puerto Rico and promote its status as a state of the United States. Only then could Puerto Rico cross the divide of "second-class citizenship" and become an autonomous, prosperous and vibrant place.