Here are some public quotes made yesterday regarding the White House Task Force of Puerto Rico report on the island’s political status.
Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño
Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño
The report is very similar to the reports we have seen from the previous administrations of past presidents, in the sense that the ELA (Associated Free State) is territorial and colonial. In fact, it is not permanent. And it establishes that the three permanent alternatives are as follow: independence, statehood, and free association. But it also recognizes that we if we want to continue to be a territory, well it is subject to the territorial clause of the United States Constitution, well the current territorial status is an option, it also establishes the preferred manner to decide this is through a series of plebiscites and not through a Constitution Assembly. —Governor Fortuño on NotiUno Radio
Héctor Ferrer, President of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD)
Héctor Ferrer, President of the Popular Democratic Party (Pro-ELA, Pro-Commonwealth)
As reported by Fox News Latino: The chairman of the main opposition PPD, Hector Ferrer, expressed his satisfaction at the fact that the report included the suggestion to maintain, if Puerto Ricans want, the island’s commonwealth status, his party’s traditional position.
Fernando Martin, President of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
Fernando Martin, President of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
Fernando Martin, President of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
The White House report has all the characteristics of a mountain pact, nothing new. ”It’s denigrating and should embarrass an administration like that of President Barack Obama.
Ex-Governor of Puerto Rico and pro-statehooder Carlos Romero Barceló
Carlos Romero Barceló, former Governor and pro-statehooder
I believe that everything that this Task Force recommends is what we have been suggested ourselves, first that only the resident citizens of Puerto Rico should vote (on a status question)… It includes very important things and it is beneficial for Puerto Rico in regards to the economy and it recognizes that the economic disaster started here here before it started in the United States.
Iván González Cancel
Iván González Cancel, New Progressive Party (PNP) and pro-statehood candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico
Nobody in Puerto Rico should be waiting for a report from the White House that addresses the colonial status of Puerto Rico. Colonialism, like discrimination, like slavery, is unjust.
María "Mayita" Meléndez
María “Mayita” Meléndez, Mayor of Ponce, Puerto Rico
According to the information we have, the report establishes that Puerto Ricans want to resolve this problem of undefinition, and for which a local process is supported and not a Constitutional Assembly. Whatever process we use to resolve our political status must be fulfilled through consultations of the people and through a direct vote… This report does not include an enhance ELA nor does it include media deceptions. The unique ELA is the current model.
Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association
It has been stated the enhance ELA is impossible. For decades, the political debate in Puerto Rico has been contaminated by the distortions about the possibility of enhancing the ELA. It is because of these distortions that Puerto Rico remains a territory of the United States.
