Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico, Journey Toward A More Perfect Union

In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera discuss a recent visit to Puerto Rico for the Right to Democracy Summit on U.S. Colonialism, where a cross-territorial coalition worked towards ending the unjust treatment of U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals in all of America's territories. Their discussion also highlights the upcoming Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit in Washington D.C. hosted by the Government of Puerto Rico, and how citizen advocates are shaping the future of the movement to end the injustices of territorial colonialism and advance full equality and democracy through statehood. The episode wraps up with answers to listeners' questions about issues ranging from sovereignty to gentrification in Puerto Rico.

Tune in for an in-depth analysis of cultural, political, and social factors affecting the Puerto Rico’s statehood movement.

00:45 Recent Visit to Puerto Rico and Cross Territorial Coalition

02:11 Cultural Differences and Common Goals

05:43 Territorial Status and Self-Determination

16:15 Upcoming Puerto Rico Equality and Statehood Summit

21:32 Mailbag: Answering Audience Questions

29:26 Conclusion and Call to Action

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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In this episode of the Mana a Mano podcast, George Laws García and Martín Rivera of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council break down the outcomes of the 2024 U.S. General Election and their implications for both Puerto Rico and the United States. They examine former President Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, discussing its broader significance, unexpected voter turnout trends across key demographics, and the political realignment these shifts suggest.

The conversation then turns to Puerto Rico’s election results, spotlighting Jennifer González Colón’s historic election as governor, the overwhelming victory for statehood in the island’s plebiscite, and the symbolic presidential vote held in Puerto Rico. The hosts also analyze the challenges and opportunities statehood advocates may face in the next Congress, considering the altered political landscape and the clear electoral mandate for statehood.

00:31 Election Results Breakdown

04:51 Impact on Puerto Rican Voters

07:38 Congressional Shifts and Leadership Changes

13:42 Puerto Rico's Local Election Outcomes

20:51 Puerto Rico's Plebiscite Results

23:04 Symbolic Presidential Vote in Puerto Rico

26:20 Looking Ahead: Future Political Landscape

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In this episode of the Mano a Mano Podcast, hosts George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera from the Puerto Rico Statehood Council break down the critical issues at play in the 2024 elections and their profound implications for Puerto Rico's political future. We’re talking federal and local races, the latest polling on statehood, independence, and free association, and what each choice could mean for Puerto Rico’s path forward.

Special guest Dr. Robert McClure, President and CEO of the James Madison Institute, joins us to dive into the growing influence of Puerto Rican voters stateside, particularly in key battlegrounds like Florida and Pennsylvania.

Tune in as we explore:

How the growth of Puerto Rican voters stateside is increasing attention to the statehood in the U.S. and challenging elected officials to address it head-on

The increasing spotlight on Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania during the 2024 Presidential election, and what it could mean for candidates

Why the discussion of statehood for Puerto Rico will only become more urgent in the years and elections to come

From political status to the power of Puerto Rican voters, this episode offers a deep look into the issues that matter most. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on Puerto Rico’s future in the 2024 elections. Watch now and join the conversation!

01:28 Puerto Rico's Symbolic Presidential Vote

02:20 Gubernatorial Race Insights

04:29 Puerto Rico's Status Question

11:52 Stateside Politics Influencing Puerto Rico

15:35 Puerto Rican Voters in Florida

17:43 Interview with Dr. Robert McClure

19:33 James Madison Institute's Role and Impact

39:21 Puerto Rico's Territorial Status and Plebiscites

42:04 Political Engagement and Statehood Advocacy

46:35 The Growing Importance of the Statehood Issue

49:36 Potential Impact of Pro-Independence Leadership

56:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera discuss crucial updates for the 2024 presidential election and Puerto Rico’s political status plebiscite. They are joined by Luis Dávila Pernas, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico and Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA). The conversation covers the Democratic Party’s endorsement of the Puerto Rico Status Act, the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions, and PRFAA’s role in bridging Puerto Rico with the federal government. They also delve into the significance of upcoming votes and how individuals can advocate for statehood and other political statuses for Puerto Rico.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:41 Federal Government Funding and Congressional Updates

01:34 Democratic National Convention Highlights

03:55 Supreme Court Decision on Puerto Rico Plebiscite

07:19 Interview with Luis Davila Pernas

09:01 Role and Importance of PRFAA

12:21 Political Dynamics and Democratic Party Involvement

18:33 Puerto Rico Status Act and Future Prospects

36:13 Significance of the Upcoming Plebiscite

41:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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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

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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In this month's episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George and Martin discuss the latest developments in Congress regarding Puerto Rico's political status, including a significant update on the Puerto Rico Status Act. They also delve into how these legislative efforts tie into the upcoming 2024 general election and the ongoing quest to decolonize Puerto Rico. 

Later in the show, Professor Charles Venator-Santiago from the University of Connecticut joins the conversation to explore the historical context, demographics, and political factors influencing the demand for change in Puerto Rico. 

Professor Venator also shares his work on the Puerto Rico Status Archive project, a digital database of congressional legislation on Puerto Rico's political status. View the archive here.

Tune in to gain updates on island politics, insights into the current statehood efforts, and the path toward self-determination for Puerto Rico.

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Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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On this episode of Mano a Mano, U.S., co-hosts George and Martin delve into the democratic deficit faced by U.S. territories. They discuss the discriminatory impact of the insular cases and the efforts of a cross-territorial coalition to advocate for democratic equality. The conversation also covers the Puerto Rico Status Act and the importance of federal elected officials addressing the disparities in the territories. 

Guest Adi Martínez-Román from Right to Democracy joins to provide insights. News and updates include the FAA reauthorization bill's significance for aviation safety and infrastructure. Tune in for a deep dive into Puerto Rico's journey toward self-determination and full democracy today!

About Adi:
Adi Martínez-Román has nearly two decades of experience working in community legal aid and empowerment. She is the President of the Board of Director of the Resiliency Law Center (RLC) and the Founder Director of the non-profit organization, FURIA, Inc., which focuses on empowering community leaders through participatory advocacy. Adi began working as and advocate for climate resiliency in 2017 as the Executive Director of the Access to Justice Fund Foundation, where she led efforts to increase access to civil legal services for the impoverished, then as Senior Policy Analyst in Oxfam American, and as Director of the RLC. 

Before her work in the resiliency sector, Adi served as the Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Puerto Rico Law School for seven years, where she also taught courses on the Legal Profession, Law and Poverty, and Law and Social Change. She has been part of several boards, including the Board of Directors of Puerto Rico Legal Services Corporation, where she held the position of President for a year and a half.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs, a law degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and both a Masters of Law and Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Instituto Bartolomé de las Casas at Universidad Carlos III of Madrid (Spain).

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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"Let's call it el comeback!" 🎶 ✊ Join hosts George and Martin on this month's episode of Mano a Mano as they delve into Puerto Rico's revitalization movement, "El Comeback." Explore how Puerto Ricans are reclaiming their island's potential amidst the ongoing challenges. 

🎙️On the pod, we'll discuss the impacts of the debt crisis, natural disasters, political instability, and the mass migration to the U.S. mainland fueled by Puerto Rico's territorial status. On the flip side, we delve into the "El Comeback" where Puerto Ricans are moving back to the island - eager to contribute to its resilience and resurgence despite lingering uncertainties. Hear about the dilemma faced by millions of our fellow U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico - hardworking families and young professionals torn between returning to the island or staying stateside.

🎤 Special guest Angelique Sina, President and Founder of Friends of Puerto Rico, joins the conversation to share insights into her personal journey and efforts in accelerating economic opportunities for Puerto Ricans.

CONVERSATION OVERVIEW:

NEWS AND UPDATES  - [00:02:10]

[00:04:31] Political visits to Puerto Rico.
[00:08:27] Republican, Democrat, and Pro-statehood candidates in Puerto Rico.
[00:11:49] Population changes and declines in Puerto Rico.
[00:19:31] Introducing El Comeback phenomenon

INTERVIEW W/ ANGELIQUE SINA - [00:21:24]

[00:24:34] Social impact through Friends of Puerto Rico.
[00:28:46] Economic development in Puerto Rico.
[00:30:33] Economic development through entrepreneurship.
[00:34:16] Impacts of Territorial inequality in Puerto Rico.
[00:42:14] Progress after Hurricane Maria
[00:44:32] Economic development strategies.
[00:50:15] The comeback journey.
[00:54:14] Opportunities for Puerto Rico and Driving Future Growth

Tune in to join the discussion on Puerto Rico's ongoing journey toward progress and what you can do to stop the colony and let Puerto Rico decide!  

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.

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