The 2024 presidential election could still shape Puerto Rico

With both the 2024 Presidential election and the Puerto Rico Governorship election quickly approaching, citizens of the Caribbean island once again find themselves in a sensitive and heavily covered position. Donald Trump’s latest rally was filled with the hate we’ve come to expect. However, this time Latinos and Puerto Ricans were given special attention, with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe comparing the island to a “floating pile of trash” after remarking that Latinos “aren’t retreating”. Not only did these comments alienate Puerto Ricans, but they also seemed to solidify support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the community, as just hours later, she received Confirmation at the end of the match from Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopezand current global phenomenon Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – AKA Bad Bunny. And while the self-proclaimed “world’s biggest star” is no stranger to politics, before his endorsement, his efforts were more focused on the hotly contested race for the seat. governor on the island.

At the beginning of the month in Puerto Rico, motorists traveling on San Juan’s freeways were greeted with a surprisingly political message but nothing harsh: “Quien vota PNP, no ama Puerto Rico,” which in English means “Whoever votes for the PNP does not love Puerto Rico.” The billboard was accompanied by two others around the city with equally condemning messages towards the PNP, the party Puerto Rico’s conservative politician is up for re-election for governor this November.

At first, the messages seemed like another round of political gamesmanship by underdog challengers seeking to turn the election against the incumbent. It was later revealed that the commercial was the work of Bad Bunny. Just released his politically charged single “Una Velita“, the Puerto Rican reggaetonero is eyeing Puerto Rico’s ruling party. And now, he’s entering American politics hoping to change the other half of the equation that determines Puerto Rico’s future.

But to understand what’s at stake and why Bad Bunny’s attack on the PNP and Harris’s endorsement are so important, you have to understand what’s happened in Puerto Rico over the past seven years. In 2017, the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria. Nearly 3,000 Puerto Ricans died, 97% of the island’s power grid was destroyed, and a poor response by both local and U.S. authorities saw Emergency relief funds were misallocated or completely blocked by the Trump administration.

Frustration over these events led to the ouster of disgraced governor and PNP applicant Ricardo Roselló in 2019. But the victory for his opponents was short-lived. Somehow, the majority of Puerto Ricans haven’t gotten tired of being bothered by their government and elected Pedro Pierluisi, also of the PNP, as governor in 2020. During that time, the island’s power grid The island continues to be inactive. Power outage continues to be the normsometimes leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power for days, and islanders watched Their energy costs soared. If you’ve used TikTok recently, you’ll see that the island’s schools are in disrepair.

So going into the 2024 election, there is an underlying frustration that has been simmering for seven long years. And Bad Bunny isn’t the only artist on the island using his platform to call for change. Artist likes resident and Rauw Alejandro have also been vocal about wanting to to see the end of the dichotomy of PNP and PPD. Both artists supported the newly formed party La Alianza, a left-wing alliance between two anti-colonial parties, PIP And MVC. Others, like future superstars RaiNaotook to social media to encourage young people and offer messages of hope while shedding light on the fearmongering and dirty politics taking place.

But even if they do, a larger question looms on the horizon because regardless of who wins this election, Puerto Rico’s future as a state, a colony or a nation Independence depends on the island’s relationship with the United States and whoever leads it. And it’s an election where Puerto Ricans on the island can only watch and wait for the results. Here’s why Anuel And Nicky Jam Coming out in support of Donald Trump – even going so far as to appear at his rallies – is a big deal.

Puerto Ricans on the island cannot vote. But the mainland diaspora can. The policies that the president of the United States sets may have more impact on the quality of life on the island than those set by local governments. For example, in 2023, when a group of Puerto Rican journalists asked the Fiscal Oversight and Management Board – a US agency that oversees and approves matters related to the colony’s budget – to presently information related to financial statements, communications and other important economic data available to the people, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that boards of directors can have “sovereign immunity.” So it doesn’t need to be made as required. While the board has decreased The total debt is a large amount of moneyit has taken a high toll on citizens, with austerity measures having affected public services, as well as federally funded health care programs across the island.

So, yes, no matter what happens in the island’s election, nothing will change overnight. America still holds a lot of cards. But the PNP and PDP’s hold on power has done nothing but dig the island deeper and deeper into debt, deeper into disrepair and deeper into the pockets of incoming foreigners. Give nothing and take everything. It has not provided any chance for a clean political platform. And if we can clean house, get rid of corrupt politicians, and move the country forward, then we will be able to negotiate our ultimate political destiny from a position of power. .

Puerto Rico is the oldest colony in the world. Since 1493, we have been passed from one colonial lord to another, our resources used to enrich everyone but our own citizens, witness ​​Our sister colonies all achieved the reality of independence that had forever eluded us. These latest elections won’t change Puerto Rico’s fate overnight, but in the long run they will determine whether things get better or worse. With a Harris presidency, we have a Democratic President who is more likely to listen to a Puerto Rican base that primarily follows the Democratic Party. Trump’s presidency virtually ensures that the way Puerto Rico has been treated by colonialists will continue. Meanwhile, on the island, the PNP’s victory essentially ensured that Puerto Rican life continued in a downward spiral for decades. But if La Alianza wins, it may not solve all our problems. It can solve our status problem. But it gives us a chance to progress, a chance to enter a future written by Puerto Rican hands.

Miguel Machado is a journalist with expertise in the intersection of Latino identity and culture. He does everything from exclusive interviews with Latin music artists to opinion pieces on issues relevant to the community, to personal essays tied to Latinidad his, as well as thoughts and characteristics related to Puerto Rican and Puerto Rican culture.