Hi there! I'm a historian specializing in U.S. territories and their political development. I've spent years researching Puerto Rico's complex relationship with the United States, and I'm happy to clarify its current status.

No, Puerto Rico is not the 51st state. It currently holds the status of an unincorporated territory of the United States. This means that while it is under U.S. sovereignty and its residents are U.S. citizens, it does not enjoy the full rights and representation granted to states.

Here's a breakdown of what that means:

* U.S. Citizenship: People born in Puerto Rico are natural-born U.S. citizens. They can move freely between the island and the mainland, serve in the U.S. military, and hold U.S. passports.
* Limited Self-Governance: Puerto Rico has its own constitution, elected governor, and legislature. They have control over internal affairs like education and local taxation. However, the U.S. Congress has ultimate authority over Puerto Rico and can overturn local laws.
* No Voting Representation in Congress: This is a crucial distinction. Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections and lack voting representation in the U.S. Congress. They do elect a Resident Commissioner to the House of Representatives, who can participate in debates and committees but cannot vote on legislation.
* Federal Laws Apply: U.S. federal laws generally apply in Puerto Rico, but there are some exceptions. For example, residents of Puerto Rico generally do not pay federal income tax on income sourced in Puerto Rico. However, they do pay other federal taxes like Social Security and Medicare.

The Statehood Debate:

The question of Puerto Rico's political status has been a topic of debate for decades. There are three main viewpoints:


1. Statehood: Proponents of statehood argue that it would grant Puerto Ricans full political rights and equality within the U.S., including voting representation in Congress and the Electoral College. They believe it would also provide economic benefits through increased federal funding.

2. Independence: Those who support independence believe that Puerto Rico should become a completely separate and sovereign nation, governing its own affairs independently.

3. Status Quo/Enhanced Commonwealth: Some favor maintaining the current status or seeking an "enhanced commonwealth" status that would grant Puerto Rico greater autonomy within its relationship with the U.S.

Recent Developments:

There have been several referendums in Puerto Rico on the issue of statehood. The most recent one, held in 2020, showed a majority voting in favor of statehood. However, referendums alone are not binding, and any change in status would ultimately require approval from the U.S. Congress.

The debate over Puerto Rico's status is complex and multifaceted, with historical, political, and economic dimensions. It's a matter of ongoing discussion and likely to remain a significant issue for the foreseeable future.

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Puerto Rico has been discussed as a potential 51st state of the United States. In a 2012 status referendum a majority of voters, 54%, expressed dissatisfaction with the current political relationship. In a separate question, 61% of voters supported statehood (excluding the 26% of voters who left this question blank).read more >>