The 2024 Presidential Election Can Still Shape Puerto Rico

With each the 2024 Presidential election and the Puerto Rican Gubernatorial election quickly approaching, residents of the Caribbean island as soon as once more discovered themselves in a fragile place and within the headlines. Donald Trump’s newest rally was stuffed with the form of hate we have come to anticipate. Nevertheless, Latinos and Puerto Rico have been particularly singled out this time, with comic Tony Hinchcliffe evaluating the island to a “floating pile of trash” after commenting that Latines “do not pull out.” Not solely did these feedback alienate Puerto Ricans, however additionally they appear to have bolstered assist for Vice President Kamala Harris among the many group, as solely hours later, she obtained late-game endorsements from Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, and present international phenomenon Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — AKA Dangerous Bunny. And whereas the self-proclaimed “largest star on the earth” isn’t any stranger to political motion, previous to his endorsement, his efforts had been extra centered on the heated race for the governor’s seat on the island.

In the beginning of the month in Puerto Rico, drivers passing over the freeways of San Juan have been greeted by a stunning political message that pulled no punches: “Quien vota PNP, no ama a Puerto Rico,” which in English interprets to, “Anybody who votes for the PNP does not love Puerto Rico.” The billboard was accompanied by two others across the municipality with equally condemnatory messages for the PNP, the conservative Puerto Rican political celebration up for reelection for the governorship this November.

At first, the messages appeared like simply one other spherical of political gamesmanship by underdog challengers seeking to flip the tide of the election in opposition to the incumbent. It was later revealed that the advertisements have been Dangerous Bunny’s handiwork. Contemporary off the discharge of his politically charged single “Una Velita,” the Puerto Rican reggaetonero was setting his sights on Puerto Rico’s ruling celebration. And now, he is entered into American politics hoping to sway the opposite half of the equation that determines Puerto Rico’s future.

However to grasp what’s at stake and why Dangerous Bunny’s assault on the PNP and endorsement of Harris are so essential, you need to perceive what has been occurring in Puerto Rico over the previous seven years. In 2017, the island was decimated by Hurricane Maria. Virtually 3,000 Puerto Ricans misplaced their lives, 97 p.c of the island’s energy grid was destroyed, and the inept response by each the native and US governments noticed emergency reduction funds misallocated or outright blocked by the Trump administration.

Frustration from these occasions led to the ousting of disgraced governor and PNP poster baby Ricardo Roselló in 2019. However the victory for his opponents was short-lived. By some means, nearly all of Puerto Ricans weren’t drained sufficient of getting screwed over by their very own authorities and elected Pedro Pierluisi, additionally of the PNP, as governor in 2020. All of the whereas, the island’s electrical grid has continued to falter. Blackouts proceed to be the norm, typically leaving tons of of hundreds with out energy for days, and islanders have seen their power prices soar. When you’ve been on TikTok recently, you’ve got seen that island faculties are in disrepair.

So, going into the 2024 elections, there’s an undercurrent of frustration that has been boiling over for seven lengthy years. And Dangerous Bunny is much from the one artist on the island utilizing his platform to name for change. Artists like Residente and Rauw Alejandro have additionally been vocal about desirous to see the top of a two-party dichotomy of the PNP and PPD. Each artists assist the newly shaped celebration La Alianza, a leftist alliance between the 2 anti-colonial events, the PIP and MVC. Others, like future celebrity RaiNao, have taken to social media to animate the youth and provides messages of hope whereas additionally shedding gentle on the fear-mongering and soiled politicking occurring.

However at the same time as they do, a higher query looms on the horizon as a result of irrespective of who wins this election, Puerto Rico’s future as a state, a colony, or an impartial nation hinges on the island’s relationship with the US and whoever leads it. And that’s an election that Puerto Ricans on the island can solely watch and watch for the result. Because of this Anuel and Nicky Jam popping out in assist of Donald Trump — even going so far as to indicate up at his rallies — has been such a giant deal.

Puerto Ricans on the island cannot vote. However the diaspora on the mainland can. The insurance policies that the president of the US units can have extra of an impression on the standard of life on the island than those set by the native authorities. For instance, in 2023, when a bunch of Puerto Rican journalists demanded that the Monetary Oversight and Administration Board — a US entity that oversees and approves issues associated to the colony’s funds — make info referring to monetary reviews, communications, and different essential financial information accessible to the folks, the US Supreme Courtroom dominated that the board may have “sovereign immunity.” It, subsequently, didn’t must adjust to the request. Whereas the board has diminished the general debt by a big quantity, it has achieved so at a excessive price to the folks, with austerity measures which have impacted public providers, in addition to federally funded healthcare packages throughout the island.

So sure, it doesn’t matter what occurs throughout the island’s elections, nothing will change in a single day. The US nonetheless holds a variety of the playing cards. However the PNP and PDP’s grip on energy has achieved nothing however dig the island deeper into debt, deeper into disrepair, and deeper into the pockets of foreigners who come giving nothing and taking every part. It has not supplied any alternative for a clear political slate. And if we are able to clear home, take away corrupt politicians, and put the nation on a path ahead, then we’ll have the ability to negotiate our final political destiny from a place of energy.

Puerto Rico is the oldest colony on the earth. Since 1493, we have now been handed from one colonial overlord to a different, our sources are taken to counterpoint everybody however our personal residents, watching as our sister colonies all achieved the truth of independence that has ceaselessly eluded us. These newest elections will not change the course of Puerto Rico’s destiny in a single day, However in the long term, they may resolve whether or not issues get higher or worse. With a Harris presidency, we get a Democratic President who’s extra prone to hearken to a Puerto Rican base that largely tracks Democrats. A Trump Presidency virtually ensures that the best way Puerto Rico has been handled by its colonizer continues. In the meantime, on the island, a PNP win principally ensures that Puerto Rican life continues on the downward spiral it has for many years. However ought to La Alianza win, it won’t remedy all of our issues. It would resolve the problem of our standing. However it provides us an opportunity for progress, the prospect to stroll right into a future written by Puerto Rican fingers.

Miguel Machado is a journalist with experience within the intersection of Latine identification and tradition. He does every part from unique interviews with Latin music artists to opinion items on points which can be related to the group, private essays tied to his Latinidad, and thought items and options referring to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican tradition.