Home Our Cultura Diaspora Wanda Vazquez Believes Statehood Is Puerto Rico’s Solution

Wanda Vazquez Believes Statehood Is Puerto Rico’s Solution

Photo credit via bloomberg.com

Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, who acquired the seat after Ricardo Rosselló was ousted by the people last summer, has been busy trying to appeal to the people. It makes sense, though. She needs the votes for this upcoming election. However, this behavior is quite peculiar to many, considering Governor Vázquez had vehemently stated at the beginning that she didn’t want the position. Yet, a few months later, she declared that she was going to officially run for governor after all. That was her first eyebrow-raising action. A few more followed, including last night’s announcement on her Facebook account. 

According to her post (briefly translated), she feels statehood is the best way to allow Puerto Rico to prosper and acquire equality within the United States. She went on to write that her belief was based on previous support other Puerto Ricans have given to statehood. Governor Vázquez concluded her post by saying that she believes that this cause will overwhelmingly win, which will lead them to have more strength to be the 51st state of the United States. 

Wanda Vázquez Garced BELatina Statehood
Photo credit via Wanda Vázquez Garced Facebook

There’s not much surprise to see Governor Vázquez supporting statehood, considering that’s the main emphasis of her political party, the New Progressive Party (PNP).

Nevertheless, it was interesting to see her post this a few hours after her visit to D.C.  Prior to this statement, she hadn’t made statehood a priority (though it was always brewing because this is PNPers backbone), but maybe her trip to the States influenced her to speak out. 

It’s also important to note that in the past few days, pop culture has made it a point to notice how Puerto Rico and the United States are cut from the same cloth. Although it is done with good intentions (it’s okay J. Lo, we still love you), it doesn’t mean that’s necessarily the solution. 

The question is: Are Americans truly noticing Puerto Rico? Or are they hoping Puerto Ricans can remain complacent and catch paper towels if they ever get thrown at them again? It just seems as though they want a submissive Puerto Rico in the hopes that their reign can last longer while actual Puerto Ricans struggle with an island that’s practically in shambles. 

Let’s hope Governor Vázquez ’s plan for statehood includes a solution to the debilitating billions of debt that Puerto Ricans have been trying to pick up for over a decade. Well, she’ll also need to be elected as governor, if she wants to continue with her statehood proposal. 

At the end of the day, in order for statehood to take place, it needs to be approved by the Federal government and it must be accepted by the people. It’s yet to ever happen, but 2020 started off with a bang, so what more can we expect at this point? Hopefully, this type of idealism helps Puerto Rico’s cause. Otherwise, it’s back to square one: Puerto Ricans fending for themselves. 

Exit mobile version