What does Puerto Rico's
independence mean?

A nation's independence is tantamount to an adult's right to govern over his/her own house.

Independence is the political status which most countries in the world have opted to adopt. This status option gives a country the right to govern itself and become the owner of its own destiny. Independence empowers a nation's citizens to interact freely with the rest of the world, while retaining the power to rule the over the country's affairs. A lack of independence means that the most important decisions of the nation are taken by a foreign government. Such is the case of Puerto Rico.

Independence is the right of our people to rule in their own homeland empowered by a constitution which will set the framework for our democratic government. Puerto Rico's constitution will protect human rights, our language and our nationality. Independence is the enjoyment of sovereignty, which is a key element to achieve significant economic development. Sovereignty will provide us with the power to stimulate our national industry, agriculture, commerce; regulate immigration and negotiate international treaties which permit the expansion of our markets and promote foreign investment in Puerto Rico.

The United States House of Representatives has passed several bills that define Puerto Rico's independence in accordance to the Puerto Rican Independence Partys (PIP) definition of sovereignty. A vote for independence is a petition to the United States Congress to recognize that Puerto Rico should end its present colonial status and constitute a sovereign republic; that Puerto Rico should have plenary powers over its national territory and international relations, subject only to its own constitution, which will provide for a republican form of government that will guarantee and protect human rights. Under independence, Puerto Ricans will become citizens of the Republic of Puerto Rico, although United States citizenship (imposed by the U.S. Congress in 1917) will be retained by those who wish to keep it.

With respect to economic maters, the definition of independence dictates that the United States will honor those benefits which persons in Puerto Rico have enjoyed as a result of their service and/or monetary contribution to the United States before the proclamation of independence. Such directives apply to Social Security, Medicare and veterans' pensions.