Puerto Ricans already travel on US passports and use dollars as currency as their nation is already a US territory, yet the its people do not vote in US elections.
The latest referendum was the fourth in four years. Over 80 per cent of those on the electoral register took part in the vote to become a US state. 54 per cent voted in favour of the proposal.
Statistically, there are more Puerto Ricans living in the US than in Puerto Rico.
Voters on either side of the fence, commented to the BBC: “Puerto Rico has to be a state. There is no other option,” explained voter Jerome Lefebre.
“We’re doing okay, but we could do better. We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help.”
Another voter named Ramon Lopez de Azua explained to the BBC that he didn’t want to loose his identity. “Puerto Rico’s problem is not its political status.
“I think that the United States is the best country in the world, but I am Puerto Rican first.”
Picture: Getty
