The 51st State Debate

May 2007 | Risk Summary

The US government has again called for a referendum on Puerto Rico''s political status. The House Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs was presented with three models - statehood, independence and the current commonwealth system - as it weighs up legislation to give Puerto Ricans a chance to vote on their future. Although Governor Acevedo Vilá is a proponent of enhancing the current commonwealth status, he also favours a constitutional convention that would allow Puerto Rican delegates to lay out the choices for voters. For all the debate, we do not envisage a solution to this long-standing issue anytime soon.

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