In the northeastern Caribbean Sea, there lies an unincorporated territory of the United States called Puerto Rico. It has never become a state despite being a part of the US since 1898. Residents of Puerto Rico are American citizens and the territory is regarded as a commonwealth of the United States. They only have a non-voting delegate in Congress, and they are not allowed to cast ballots in presidential elections.
Puerto Rico hasn’t become a state for a number of reasons. The political division on the island is one of the primary causes. There are people who favor statehood, people who favor independence, and people who favor the current situation of the commonwealth. It is challenging to come to a consensus on statehood in Puerto Rico because political parties there frequently support one of these viewpoints.
The shaky economy that comes with statehood is another factor. Puerto Rico is grappling with a serious debt crisis and a high proportion of poverty. Some people worry that gaining statehood might make these issues worse. Additionally, the island’s tax and financial systems would need to undergo considerable reforms in order to become a state.
A linguistic barrier is still another issue. Spanish is the most common language in Puerto Rico, despite the fact that both English and Spanish are official languages. Puerto Rico’s representation in Congress and other federal organizations where English is the primary language may find it difficult as a result of this.
Moving on to related inquiries, Washington, D.C. is an independent federal territory. It is a federal district established particularly to serve as the US capital. The first American President, George Washington, and Christopher Columbus, whose name is Cristobal Colón in Spanish, are honored in the district’s names. As a result, Washington, D.C. is the name given to the district in general.
The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the U.S. government are represented by the three stars on the D.C. flag. The flag, which has two horizontal red and white bars with three stars above them, was approved in 1938.
Washington is the only Washington there is in the country. Due to their similar names, Washington State, which is in the Pacific Northwest, is frequently mistaken for Washington, D.C. Washington State is not connected to the federal government in the same way as Washington, D.C. despite being a part of the continental United States.
As was already mentioned, Washington, D.C. does have its own flag. The flag may be seen all throughout the city and is used on many official documents and structures. The district’s affiliation with the federal government and its distinct character as a city are both reflected in the flag’s design.
In summary, Puerto Rico’s journey toward statehood is difficult and varied. It will need Congress’ blessing and the support of the current presidential administration, as well as the ability to overcome obstacles in the areas of politics, economics, and culture. Washington, D.C., with its own distinct flag and character, continues to be a federal district that is not a part of any state.
The Organic Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1871, established a colonial government in Puerto Rico and gave the president of the United States the authority to choose the governor and members of the upper house of the legislature. This law effectively put an end to Puerto Rico’s autonomy and established its status as a US territory.