UN Committee to Review Puerto Rican Independence

The UN Special Committee on Decolonization will meet Monday afternoon to debate arguments both for and against Puerto Rican independence from the United States.

The Special Committee will convene to hear arguments from petitioners regarding the islands status as a self-governing, U.S. controlled territory.

In November 2012, Puerto Ricans held a non-binding national referendum on whether to become independent, maintain its current Free Associated State status or become U.S. state. While 61 percent of voters preferred statehood, many of the island’s leaders criticized the vote including then governor-elect Alejandro Garcia Padilla of the Popular Democratic Party who said vote was "anti-democratic" and "a trap".

The mixed outcome prompted U.S. President Barack Obama to call for another plebiscite to determine the status question for Puerto Rico, though the vote has yet to be held.

The Special Committee on Decolonization has called on the United States to respect Puerto Rico’s inalienable right of the self-determination and autonomous statehood in previous resolutions. The island was has been controlled by the United States since the end of the Spanish–American War in 1898, although Puerto Ricans are not granted full representation in the U.S. Congress and cannot vote for president, even though the position is the actual head of state.

Additionally, during the third summit of the heads of state of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), regional leaders also issued support for the Puerto Rican independence movement.

Any change to Puerto Rico's status must receive U.S congressional approval.