Resolving the Promise of Democracy: Ending Puerto Rico's Colonial Burden

Abstract

Puerto Rico is a vital partner for the United States. The island's status in the Caribbean region needs to be evaluated and changed within the next six years. How the U.S. strengthens its current economic relationship, support its democratic government, and enhances its military dominance in the region are all strategic security concerns. Historic policies, actions, procedures, and lack of attention from the U.S. by Congress has demonstrated the failure to address and meet the current needs of the citizens of Puerto Rico. Future courses of action must be determined by the will of the people of Puerto Rico. U.S. strategists must consider multiple potential outcomes including statehood, remaining a Commonwealth, becoming an independent nation or maintaining a free association with the United States. This paper will explore the challenges and advantages of each course of action and provide recommendations that best address both Puerto Rico's and the United States' strategic concerns while enhancing the U.S. national and regional strategy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 11, 2011
Accession Number
ADA543387

Entities

People

  • Lalo Medina

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Congress
  • Geography
  • Governments
  • Hispanics
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Political Systems
  • Puerto Rico
  • Security
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

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