Delegates call for Puerto Rico to be ‘the next state of the United States’ at DNC

The Puerto Rican delegation pledged its 60 votes to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. 

Puerto Rico, despite being a US territory without voting rights in the presidential election, sent 60 delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention —more than many states— highlighting the importance of Puerto Rican issues within the Democratic Party.

The Puerto Rican delegation pledged its 60 votes to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president. 

RELATED: Puerto Rican Democrats rally behind Kamala Harris after Biden’s work for Puerto Rico

During the roll call, Charlie Rodríguez, the Puerto Rico Democratic Party outgoing president, described the island as “the next state of the United States,” with the worldwide hit by Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Luis Fonsi “Despacito” in the background.

Rodríguez’s statement aligns with recent plebiscites in which Puerto Rican voters have favored statehood as their preferred political status, a topic that remains central to the island’s political discourse. A significant status vote is scheduled for November.

However, members of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) were not present at the delegation’s presentation, as the proposal does not include the current status of Estado Libre Asociado (Commonwealth.)

The government plan approved by the US Democratic Party supports a model legislation such as the Puerto Rico Status Act (House Bill 2757), which proposes a binding plebiscite for the federal government between statehood, sovereignty in free association, and independence.

The platform also emphasizes the need to end Puerto Rico’s unequal treatment by the federal government, advocating for full access to federal programs and a commitment to disaster recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

The Democratic government plan also reaffirms its support for statehood for Washington, D.C.

Prominent figures with ties to Puerto Rico made their voices heard at the convention. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who has Puerto Rican heritage, delivered a passionate speech in support of Harris’ candidacy. While she did not address Puerto Rico’s status directly in her speech, her support for the Puerto Rico Status Act and advocacy for the island’s self-determination have been well-documented. Her remarks focused on the struggles of working-class Americans, echoing the challenges faced by many Puerto Ricans both on the island and on the mainland.

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) urged Puerto Rico’s Democratic delegates on Wednesday to become active in crucial states like Pennsylvania and Florida if they want to reignite the status debate and secure better treatment for the island in 2025.

Velázquez said that these elections are about freedoms, such as the future of democracy, women’s reproductive rights, and key social programs for Puerto Rico, such as Medicaid and Medicare.

“I don’t have to remind anyone of Donald Trump’s racist and criminal attitudes towards Puerto Rico,” she told El Nuevo Día.

RELATED: Puerto Rico’s $1.3 million referendum on political status faces scrutiny and legal challenges. Here’s what you need to know.

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, who is also attending the DNC, highlighted the benefits that a Harris victory would bring to Puerto Rico, citing the Biden administration’s efforts on the island. 

He referenced the inclusion of Puerto Rico in benefits like the Child Tax Credit and the Work Credit. Pierluisi expressed his hope that Harris would advocate for equal treatment for Puerto Rico in Medicaid and Medicare, as well as access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).