In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George Las Garcia and Martin Rivera discuss the 2024 presidential election and its affect on efforts to decolonize Puerto Rico. They delve into the upcoming locally sponsored plebiscite aimed at addressing Puerto Rico’s territorial status and its implications under the Puerto Rico Status Act.

Special guest Jose Carrion III, the former chairman of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board, joins the show to discuss the economic and fiscal reforms in Puerto Rico under the PROMESA legislation and its impact on the island’s competitiveness and quest for statehood. The discussion also covers political developments from the recent Republican National Convention, the transition in leadership within Puerto Rico's pro-statehood party, and the broader national security and economic arguments for Puerto Rico’s statehood from a Republican perspective.

02:27 Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race

03:50 Republican National Convention Highlights

07:31 DNC Platform and Puerto Rico

09:15 Local Politics in Puerto Rico

13:17 Puerto Rico's Fiscal Oversight and Economic Reforms

33:53 Statehood vs. Independence: A Respectful Debate

34:43 Facing Public Backlash and Security Concerns

35:20 Psychological and Demographic Challenges

37:28 Municipalities and Fiscal Realities

39:11 Identity and Political Passion

40:07 Consolidation and Political Manipulation

42:00 Fiscal Oversight and Political Status

44:29 Tax Rates and Economic Policies

46:24 Preparing for Statehood: Policies and Reforms

49:35 Political Landscape and Upcoming Elections

52:14 Republican Influence and Statehood Movement

58:45 National Security and Economic Potential

01:05:58 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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