A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
Hello, please look into and make the world aware of how the current extremely corrupt political (currently in power) party in Puerto Rico is trying to steal the elections.
I live in Puerto Rico - I moved here from San Diego.. and TRUST me when i tell you.. groceries here are MORE expensive than America's Finest City.... Fact!
What did you expect? We consume imported goods at a 90% rate; and local producers are scarse. The smaller the island, the more expensive it gets. Enjoy your rent rate at least.
Me too. I looked into this recently, as a matter of fact. We simultaneously contend with the highest poverty rate of any US Territory and the lowest purchasing power per dollar. It'd be nice to have some of these struggles alleviated by local industry and agricultural instead of relying on imports. However, the ongoing debt crisis and resulting obsession with increasing GDP has led to a corrupt focus on exports and foreign companies, as our own local businesses receive a petty fraction of the subsidies and tax breaks afforded to investors from the mainland. By the way, these investors are not required to hire Puerto Rican labor either, meaning they not only get away with near 0 contributions to the island itself, they aren't even expected to ease the burden of a single individual.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
@@gillove189I've heard conflicting accounts from Puerto Ricans. If you had any relevant books, articles that include data, or some other form of proof for all of these claims? I'd love to take your word, but taking someone else's word is why I'm now confused lol
@@FreedomAintFree-ol6fy idk about all his claims but you can read "la carta autonoma de madrid" which did give puerto rico autonomy, you can try reading about the jayuya uprising of 1950 and what cause it (example the biography of pedro albizu campos). Another thing you can check is the "Financial oversight and management board for Puerto Rico" that control the economical budget of the island that was passed by President Obama. Theres the cabotaje law only allowed us ships to dock in Puerto Rico so all busyness is US only.
I highly recommend the book “War against all Puerto Ricans” by Nelson A . Denis to anyone who wants to know more about our history and how we ended up here.
@@thannushkaperez3749 That screed is blame porn. Dennis is a purveyor of populist opium. Everyone who was anyone under the Spanish colonial rule, and could, left when the US offered them that option. When Myles arrived, my great grandmother had my grandmother living near Cadiz at the family's fighting bull cortijo. Only returned because her husband required it in 1903. Puerto Rico is in its present straights because of the local elites. They control politics and who succeeds in it. As long as the lemmings care more about the status than about governance, they will holdvsway and the Island will not be worth making a state or able to self sustain as a sovereign purgatory on earth. Fix the problem and address the hierarchy of needs. Then, expunge the elites from power and reward outcomes. Not affiliation.
I recommend a book called “La Batalla por el Paraíso” is from Naomi Klein a Canadian journalist that came after Hurricane Maria. I think a lot of people need to read to know what USA had made to us in all this years. It’s a book that you get literally very mad.
The Jones Act deducts around 1.5 billion dollars from Puerto Rico's local economy. Not being able to purchase fuel from foreign nations also contributes to this economic tragedy. However, corrupt bipartisan officials have also robbed federal funds for decades while promising growth through either statehood or maintaining the colonial status.
@@worldpeacearroyo8515 If we can agree that the Treaty of Paris of 1898 gave the US the island as a possession. Then the argument on the Jones Act becomes moot. It is not the source of the oil, but the registry of the vessel that makes it more, or less, pricey...
@@nildamendez2645 Why? It's the US's land... There is no native population in the Island to claim ancestral rights over anything. We are all descendants of colonists or immigrants and our likely argument could be: "It's ours because we killed the natives"...
@@nildamendez2645 set it free! let the government rot and let the people reclain the island and get rid of the aholes who came over to live nice and comfy. like they say on the island.....go home gringo! im puerto rican born and raised in philly, and i feel more at home on the island, but hate what i have seen for decades. Puerto Ricans on the island are passive. this same passive behavior is what caused the near extinction of the Tainos'. Stand up for what is yours! The US needs to leave Puerto Rico go.
Also the government of Puerto Rico keeps its population poor by not promoting the development of infrastructure that will boost the economy. The local bureaucracy for establishing a business is ridicilous. The local mayors and politicians force business owners to pay illegal cash fees in addition to business licenses and taxes. Puerto Rico offers zero oportunities to its own young university graduates as it has no gratifying paying employment for them.
YOU PATHETIC..PUERTO RICO HAS NO GOVERNMENT OF ITS OWN. THE U.S. CONTROLS THE GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO WHILE LYING TO THE POPULATION OF THE ISLAND AND THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT PUERTO RICO GOVERNS ITSELF.
Puerto Rico's median household income is the highest in Latin America & they also score #1 in the Quality of Life index in Hispanic America. These are the Median household incomes (2019) & Quality of life ranking (2021): 1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 to $21,000/ year & Quality of life Index of 130.8 Points. 2.Chile: $17,000 to $20,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 99.9 Points. 3.Uruguay: $16,000 to $18,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 124.6 Points. Remember that Chile and Uruguay are the nations with the highest standards of living in Latin-america, If we compare PR with Caribbean nations the disparity would be extremely profound, The Dominican Rep. had a median household income under $9,000 (2019) & a Quality of life index of 93.02 (2024) and even the DR is doing great relative to other Caribbean nations. Being part of the wealthiest market in the world allowed PR to reach this status.
@@luisangel444 yea but you do realize that you're just comparing poor to poor, right? It's like saying "well it's not as bad as [x]" or "it's better than [x]". It still doesn't justify the argument around state hood.
@@chimchim2_ I didn't delve into the statehood issue. I'm talking Macro-economics, not politics. The claim was that *"the relationship between the US and PR has Impoverished PR for 100 years"* , but all the evidence point to the contrary. Their relationship with the US has risen them to an impressive prestigious status: Most developed region of Latin America; they enjoy the the highest human development index, the highest median household income and the highest standards of living. Now, if you compare them with the continental US they do lag behind, it would be great for them to rise even further, but all the evidence points to the fact that they would not had attained the #1 status as an lone independent island. PS: In your previous comment you referred to all of latin america as poor... you presumptuous fuck there are several countries here, some low income, some medium and some high income such as Chile, it seems like you are ignorant of the wealth and development of several latin american nations...
1. Puerto Rico was the name of the port city in San Juan originally. The island was known as San Juan Bautista until the late 1800s. 2. The Spanish American war, although did involve the transfer of Puerto Rico was mainly fought so the US could gain control over Cuba. Here on the island we welcomed the US army as we assumed that, like Cuba, they would fight for out independence in exchange for our cooperation. 3. Only about 1/3 of the island speaks English proficiently in modern times with that number significantly higher among the youth. 4. Gentrification by Americans is also a huge issue
1/3 of the island absolutely does not speak English proficiently. Like 1/10th of the island speaks English. Then out of that 1/10th, 1/4th actually understand the English they are speaking and listening to. That's the truth. Most English speaking Puerto Ricans do not understand English being spoken to them and when they speak English are not fluent and actually don't know what they are saying as they cannot properly respond to a question being asked to them in English. The ones that are truly fluent lived on the mainland or had a fully fluent English speaking relative inside the house who likely lived on the mainland.
@@nesq4104 I have never lived in the US . And I speak English fluently. I’m 29 years old. Remember that the younger generation consumes media, entertainment and information (books and studies) in english. The original comment is correct. Most of the older generation doesn’t understand the language very well. But most of the younger generation can speak some level of english.
Remember we were invaded by the US. PR never welcomed them nor their military, but had to surrender after almost 3 months of receiving bombardments and fighting against them.
Puertorricans are welcome to move to any US state and buy property just the same as anyone from the fifty states is able to move to PR and buy property. In fact, nobody with American citizenship has to move to any other place to buy, they can do it over the phone. So you can go and gentrify any of the 50 states just as much as they can gentrify PR.
Hmmm not quite as straightforward; only well-educated Puerto Ricans can make smooth transitions and frankly the brain drain continues... being English language fluency and vocational job standards a major hurdle for most other people who transplant to the US mainland...remember what happened to so many folks who moved to places like Florida after María...I know English language teachers in schools who, in addition to immigrant children from the usual backgrounds had to make room for quite a few Puerto Rican kids who despite being taught English in PR could not make it straight to mainstream classrooms due language fluency issues.
Although I admit that US has responsibility for the situation of Puerto Rico, the local government have the biggest responsibility for our actual condition. We don't pay federal taxes but the amount of local taxes we pay is insane as an example 11.5% sales tax while the services becomes worse day after day and the solution the government came over with is always a new tax.
Puerto Rico is the richest country in latinamerica seek info! Puerto Rico have more gdp than Spain and chile! Comparing to other countries we are in heaven
The main problem is the US stranglehold on the Island… bad management by the local government only worsens Puerto Rico’s economic issue. Puerto Rico citizens are smart, educated and hard working, they would become a caribbean super power if the US grants them some level of economic autonomy.
I don't feel that way we where poor before 1917 and we use to go to Dominican republic for a better life once they gave us the citizenship thats when the immigration went to the bronx . If a puerto Rican tells there's poor in Puerto Rico ok also in United States but honestly they haven't gone outside united states to other latin countries.
@@vampiroak47we are a territory of the United states and thats what they measure and the numbers that they use to compare as the poverty rate. They dont compare PR with numbers from the dominican republic but with the poorest state of the USA which is Mississippi. So the poverty that you feel that there isnt in PR is because youre comparing our numbers with the numbers of other Latin american countries. If you watched the video at all, it made comparisons WITH the actual USA.
I'm mexican a place where there is only poor, Rich and super rich. So when I moved to Puerto Rico 10 years ago I was mesmerised by the high quality standard of living of the middle class . something that my dear mexico and South america can only dream. with that said I think this video is not fair for the island. you are talking about Puerto Rico not about cuba or Bolivia.
Exactly what I think. This only portraits the disadvantaged places. Why not display the universities, the airport, which is iinternational and two other regionals, the diversity of living places: metropolitan, city, towns, or rural? Why not show the contrast of high class places? The hotels, the ports full with international cruises, why portrait us like this? This video ashames me as a Puerto Rican because it’s not like this everywhere.
This video compares PR to the mainland, not to latin america which is what youre doing. So youre comparing apples to oranges. The video compares apples to apples.
Thanks for the comments. I totally agree. Sad to say but still people at that border line poor, but I do hate laziness. I understand on this well documented video that P.R. failed for many years to recognize those very important issues or problems brought upon the puertorricans not letting us grow and be more self-productive . Called greed...it's takes anybody's soul.
@@itzkamikaze3081 If the P.R. government would had recognize many years ago and fought the many laws and agreements that kept P.R. from possibly becoming a better place than what it is now.I have to take my hat off for those puertorricans had the resiliency to work hard and focus to meet the a good standards of living possible.
I like living in Puerto Rico. My kids get to experience their Puerto Rican heritage on their mother's side. There are good and bad no matter where you go. We use as many of the local mom and Pop shops to keep our money here unlike using Walmart or other big companies that only a small amount of the money spend stays here.
You never go to Walmart stop camping like 80% of all stores in Puerto Rico are not owned by no Puerto Rican people they’re either Chinese Arabic or American you think you’re buying to Puerto Ricans but they work there but they don’t own the store
Minimum wage just went up it took 15 years for them to go up three dollars I have friends that live in public housing they make 1200 monthly and they have to pay $600 for rent in public housing. The government just takes how can you save a dollar when they take everything you make school suck it’s not like in the states but teachers don’t care about their work. They don’t care about teaching students they don’t have enough books, so the kids cannot take a book home. The little they have is to be shared in the whole school when school starts. You have to buy toilet paper, all kinds of stuff to give to the school every year because is part of the school list even printing paper for they can print the schoolwork because the schools do not have funds to pay for it .Where is all the US money going it’s not going to the people who live in Puerto Rico we’re poor and we’re struggling because the government takes everything from us and the US does nothing to stop them and because people have been conditions to do what the government tells them . They don’t even teach the people their rights not even job labor rights so you go to a job and nobody knows what’s their actual rights I still love living here, but I wish we could do something about the government
@glendaalgarin5120 I didn't say I don't go to Walmart I said I buy most of my stuff from the mom and Pop shops. IE the little man. Trying to keep as much of my money in the local economy versus giving it to Walmart and them taking it back to state's
@glendaalgarin5120 there are a lot of mom and Pop shops owned by Puerto Rican people. You have to look for them instead of the convenience of the big box stores. I also hand out bag lunches to the homeless. I put a bunch in my car when I go out. I use local contractors. You are trying to play the victim instead of trying to find a solution without depending on the government or someone else to do it for you.
I am from Puerto Rico and just living here feels like an enslaved territory. Everything too expensive and we get very little income compared to other USA states, also many corps and stores online don't even want to ship to PR making it even more impossible to get by. Im hoping in the future this changes for our island.
As residents of the island we do not pay federal income taxes, but we do pay the same federal medicare, social security, self-employment, unemployment, customs, and merchandise taxes as residents of the states. In 2022 the federal taxes paid by the residents of Puerto Rico to the US added up to $4.8 billion dollars.
@@dougrodriguez4977 He won't because he would have to lie. This video is pretty accurate. I wonder who pressured Clinton to abandon PR like that ? Full medicaid to PR and all territories should be in place.
I used to work for a pharmaceutical company in PR. They paid us about half of what they paid a BSc graduate in the US... and I had a Master's Degree at the time. There were few job alternatives back then (about none right now) so it was pretty much a one sided deal. They got away with it by declaring Puerto Rico as part of their "international division". And those were the "Good Old Times"
@@CptFugu were the good old times better than the present? If you were not satisfied with your income, did you pursue other employment to increase your rebenue? Then who's to blame for your choices? I left the island and live my retirement in a 5 acre "farm" that I was able to afford because I left. My brother is country manager for a largest and commodities company because he left. You can't have it all. There are choices we make. Some of us live with them, ohers whine about them.
That’s why my parents are telling me go study outside a Master or PHD. That’s what I will be doing, but I think that is very sad. My mom did a master in planning in the UPRRP and when she worked “Departamento de Vivienda” she notice that one guy was getting pay way more than her, because he had a bachelor from an USA school. She told me that he didn’t knew how to do a lot of stuff that my mom needed to make for him, but he got a better pay than her. The inverse thing is that agency from the USA a searching for people bilingual, and the perfect thing is to get puertorricans.
@@josephaviles8289 That is correct. All the good jobs are locked in to, friends and family... The island is one giant dysfunctional economy because the handful of wealthy and influential,clans that run everything.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
@@jPuma817 , "Reunification with Spain" is not an option in my mind. I love Spanish cuisine, the language, and many things about Spain, but since 1493 Spain did not treat the residents of Puerto Rico well at all (first the Tainos, then Criollos (Spanish born and/or raised in Puerto Rico = second class Spaniards, then Black slaves, other Europeans -- all treated poorly). The danger with "statehood" is that the U.S. will do to Puerto Rico what it did to Hawaii and Alaska -- eradicate its local culture in an attempt to homogenize Puerto Rico as another tourist trap, slowing replacing Puerto Ricans with white Anglo-Saxons (something that is happening now with the abandoned properties of Puerto Ricans who left the island to go stateside in search of work because the U.S. has never properly helped Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria -- also due to Puerto Rican government corruption and/or incompetence due to hanging on to Spanish cultural practices -- e.g. a cumbersome lack of centralization and digitization; they force people to buy different stamps at the post office, then run to different locations, for what should be simple errands, such as a transaction related to your car, house, etc.). I favor independence with a positive relationship with the U.S. (e.g. like Singapore): that is, not an ugly divorce with the U.S. but an amicable partial parting of ways with a quid pro quo: Puerto Rico can continue to think of the U.S. as an important military ally against China (which is trying to take over all of Latin America), and with genuine economic partnerships with the U.S. where decision are made in Puerto Rico, not Washington, D.C. Puerto Rico would have an ambassador to the U.S. like other countries, it would make its own laws, control its own tourism, fishing industries, maritime alternative forms of energy, airspace and maritime economic and defense zones, etc. Becoming independent does NOT and should not be equated with becoming contrary to the U.S. as a positive partner in geopolitics. The U.S., for example, has good relationship with bordering Canada, which is a different country that is connected by land and water to the U.S., yet the U.S. respects Canada's sovereignty and Canada the U.S.'s. The history of Puerto with the U.S. has had many positives, not just negatives, so we should focus on the positives in building a lasting, great friendship between an independent Puerto Rico and a political partner/friend in the United States. I guess this would be a true "Free Associated State" (Estado Libre y Associado), which is erroneously translated into English as Commonwealth, which is a term used by the U.S. -- often along with "territory" -- as a euphemism for colony. Let Puerto Rico be free, but with quid pro quo business and military partnerships with the U.S. in a world where China, Russia, North Korea, Middle Eastern, African, and other geopolitical threats abound. I still have more reading and thinking to do, and if the evidence points me to another alternative that might be better for Puerto Rico, I would be willing to change my perspective. As I always taught students in university and college, in my own saying, "A true scholar must always be willing to change his or her mind" based on logic and realities. But again, I've read many many books about Puerto Rico and all of this is not easy matter. The question is can the U.S. be mature enough to recognize that Puerto Rico can be both "free" and "associated" in equal partnership, just like between Canada and the U.S., which share not only business relationships but also NORAD in defense of North American skies against Russia, China, etc. Puerto Ricans must not view the U.S. as an enemy, despite past injustices. The U.S. has also been unjust to the U.S., not just Puerto Rico. And the U.S. did more positive things for Puerto Rico than Spain did in hundreds of years of second-class citizenry, despite also doing very bad things: e.g. clandestine involuntary mass sterilization of Puerto Rican women, drafting Puerto Ricans to die in U.S. wars while segregating dark-skinned Puerto Ricans and discriminating against all Puerto Ricans, white, black, brown, Asian (yes, there are Asian Puerto Ricans, mostly of Chinese ancestry). But let us NOT blame the U.S. Americans of today for the crimes committed by the U.S. Americans of the 20th Century. That's like the black people in the U.S. asking for slave reparations from white Americans today even though slavery ended in the 1860s and segregation ended finally in the 1950s/60s (but is still an ongoing battle). But yes, injustices still occur, but that is happening even between "red" and "blue" states quibbling and infighting in the U.S. The level of education and political elegance has certainly gone down in the U.S. and other countries -- blame it on social media and video games and too much sports in schools and inflated report cards due to the student evaluation of teachers and parti-time teachers, so teachers have to keep students happy by gifting a C- or D/F student with a B to keep the students happy and keep teaching to pay their rent. Now we have real dummies in U.S. government, as is evident in many countries where despots start wars versus the innocent (e.g. Putin vs Ukraine, and soon, China vs. Taiwan). These are just my political viewpoints as they stand now based on what I've read in the last couple of years. "A true scholar is willing to be wrong". -- my original words.
9:37 What you're referring to is law #22, which was approved by governor Fortuño. This project was approved to benefit & attract American business owners to set up shop on the island for either a massive tax cut or accommodations. Meanwhile, local business owners have to wait nearly a year for permits & pay more taxes, decimating the autonomy of the island furthermore.
This pisses me off. The other day an American came to my job to brag that in 3 months he set up 4 smoke shops. My boss was salty af! It took him 3 years to set up each of his 2 bussiness!
Please get real. In fact Puerto Rico (pseudo)colonial status has nothing to do with the net cash in/out-flow, but with rights and duties of its citizens. And such rights/duties are not the same as those granted to other States like Texas, etc. Simple, init? (= British slang for isn't)
I am a Puerto Rican who has spent his whole life living on the island. I must say that this video very well summarizes the colonial exploitation relationship between the USA and PR, and also explains very well all the problems and poor decisions that have led us to where we are today. It is simply an excellent video for those who don’t know much about the political, economic, and financial situations that our archipelago has gone through. Thank you very much for your contribution.
Puerto Rico's median household income is the highest in Latin America & they also score #1 in the Quality of Life index in Hispanic America. These are the Median household incomes (2019) & Quality of life ranking (2021): 1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 to $21,000/ year & Quality of life Index of 130.8 Points. 2.Chile: $17,000 to $20,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 99.9 Points. 3.Uruguay: $16,000 to $18,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 124.6 Points. Remember that Chile and Uruguay are the nations with the highest standards of living in Latin-america, If we compare PR with Caribbean nations the disparity would be extremely profound, The Dominican Rep. had a median household income under $9,000 (2019) & a Quality of life index of 93.02 (2024) and even the DR is doing great relative to other Caribbean nations. Being part of the wealthiest market in the world allowed PR to reach this status.
@@luisangel444Is the highest but everything is more expensive even products from the island like "aguacate" other Latino countries foods are much more cheaper even wood, cemento,ext
I’m born and raised in PR. To me it’s political because there would be 2 senators and more congressman than about half the states. They’re not going to give non-European people that much power without putting up a serious, very hypocritical, lie. Also, a lot of us don’t want to be a state. There are a good amount of people that want independence or to stay as it currently is. Also, it’s currently a tax haven for rich Americans and that status would be dropped upon becoming a state. So there you go, from a local.
"They’re not going to give non-European people that much power without putting up a serious, very hypocritical, lie." Since when were the spaniards not european? you really are ignorant, wow. It's true that in PR we are a mixed and proud of it but we are still of mostly of european ancestry. only way we would be considered non-european is if you believe in stupid ideas like the one drop rule.
Ayudame a entender, segun los numeros PR tiene los estandares de vida y ingresos familiares medios mas altos de toda Latinoamerica. Estos son los ingresos medios de los hogares (2019) y el ranking de calidad de vida (2021): 1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 a $21,000/año & Índice de Calidad de Vida de 130.8 Puntos. 2.Chile: $17.000 a $20.000/año y un Índice de Calidad de Vida de 99,9 Puntos. 3.Uruguay: $16.000 a $18.000/año y un Índice de Calidad de Vida de 124,6 Puntos. Recuerde que Chile y Uruguay son las naciones con los niveles de vida más altos en América Latina. Si comparamos PR con las naciones del Caribe, la disparidad sería extremadamente profunda, la República Dominicana tenía un ingreso familiar promedio inferior a $9,000 (2019) y una calidad índice de vida de 93,02 (2024).
What are you talking about? Hawaii's senators and politicans tend to be Asian, and Hawaii is wealthy. Then again, Asians are often successful, while Latinos are much less successful.
Non European, the he'll are you talking about most Puerto Ricans are of Spanish or Portuguese decent. The issue is the mainland does not want 2 liberal senators. The issues with the Island are as such. No one wants to import and export to an Island with not natural resources. Agriculture is dead. You can do it in Brazil cheaper. Statehood would be the solution however all zamerocsn states currently are falling apart look at Detroit.
There is no denying that the government is corrupt. There are great examples of that in recent events. Aside from corruption, we also have the mismanagement of funds, infrastructure, etc.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
La culpa es del pueblo pq siguen en la oscuridad sin darse cuenta de los engaño, los PNP, Populares y PIP son la misma lacras creados para dividir el pueblo y nunca encontrar su independencia, USA es mas corrupto q el gobierno de Puerto Rico ya q han mantenido esa isla en la pobreza mas siempre ha vivido un racismo por el idioma y cultura mas USA tiene a Puerto Rico como los bancos nos tienen cuando prestan dinero sacando miles de ganancias y nosotros perdiendo
Government mismanagement in the island has been perpetrated by the same seats in Congress across generations in order to maintain this same stranglehold that is mentioned in the video. It is a vicious cycle that must be stopped.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
@@Sam-gs7ybTourism is viable nonetheless. There’s also a lot of industries Puerto Rico can potentially tap into with the right foundations-if American companies pull out for example. Perhaps independence could be the vector that allows boricuas to actually explore profitable avenues to sustain their economy.
@@Sam-gs7yb Pharmaceuticals and textiles. Also Greece and Spain also offer nothing other than tourism, yet I dont see you saying they should be annexed by a stronger and bigger neighbor? Keep in mind, Puerto Rico has a higher GDP per Capita than Spain. They wont be a superpower sure, but they would definitely be in better condition than Spain and other South American countries
@@rami8896 That their a textile and pharmaceutical is because of the US subsidies no US nothing is left. You cant compare PR with Greece as much as it has declined its cultural destination and they have way more to offer in shipping, olives and other products. Same with Spain. PR would compete with Haiti, Barbados, Cuba even DR has more options. You should be grateful the US has you as a colony.
@@celestial1756 With the work culture you guys have highly doubt it. It would be a bigger chaos than it is now. Look PR is beautiful island but thats it no US no $$$
ah right, because there is no racism or discrimination in the states... like really great "black jobs"? like a little accent won't close doors at the outset? like often employers are surprisingly far less educated and lack language skills?
@@medusapr2011stay in where you at then buddy. I know plenty of people with an accent that have good jobs here in the US. Citing discrimination as the reason you are poor is such a cheap cop out. Think of something new. I see Bóricas pulling up in their Ferraris flying out on their private jets and riding jet skis all day every day in PR. Why are they flourishing and you complaining?
Oh trust me, I moved and currently living in Puerto Rico after living in the US and another country in Latin America. Things are bad here: financial, social culture, education, economic, healthcare. I’m counting the days so I can leave this island. I also have a remote job because the employers and work conditions suck all around!
@@Evanescence29Bet! Puerto Rico’s birth rate and its population records of its own people speaks for itself. I’m not hating on the island I’m living in, this is my opinion on what I’ve been through and seen! Every day is like a circus.
The objective is to convert PR into Hawaii without making them into a state. So kick out the locals and keep them poor and on a service workforce only. Then build it as a getaway land with high price realestate for the rich. It has been happening in the last 10 years.
Your comment at 6:34 is wrong! PR at the time of the American invasion was already a province of Spain with representatives and we were Spanish citizens. Spain NEVER had colonies!!! It was all Spain. Do not continue to spread the “Black Leyend”….
@@Lando-kx6so No, we were not just a colony under Spain, we were a Spanish Province with representation in the Spanish goverment. Google the term Provincias de ultramar, which Cuba and PR were back then, so you can have an idea on how that worked.
@@jr5tana the "Carta Autonomica was not fully implemented. Under it, the local legislativevwas comprised of a minority of members who were voted in and the majority, including the governor, who were appointed by "The. Crown". Deploying "the black legend defense" is risible. Like most legends, Spain' s bad reputation is based in fact, even if some are somewhat exaggerated. At least they were not Belgium.
@@supersonica85it's just a fancy name lol at the end it was just another colony with a prettier name.....it took almost 400 years for Puerto Rico to achieve that "providence" status because Spain came guns blazing putting down any native cacique who tried to push back against the brute take over and the "evangelization" then they brought African slaves because the island natives were dying rapidly due to the harsh conditions and the forced labor imposed by the Spanish crown 👑 Spain just made a huge mess all over America same as the British and the French....the only one that gave a "fair" treatment to their colony was Portugal with Brazil
@@CarlosRodriguez-ey8zl In 1897 PR and Cuba were simultaneously the first autonomous regions of Spain even before Navarra. Plus the “vice president” of that congress was a Puerto Rican, Ramon Power y Giralt, and some of those legislators later on after the invasion went on to father some of the political parties that persist today. For example José Celso Barbosa who happened to be black. Spain was ahead of its time and PR had a much better political system then with the people that speak our language, share traditional and religious values and just happen to be related to.
Where you get the information for this video?? You are using super old pictures like 80 years old picture, is a lost of respect go to the internet and find for the most ugly and poor pictures
Have you ever heard about the underground economy? , that's exactly what a lot of Puerto Ricans like to do. They report the very low income to the IRS and to the state from 1 job, but in reality, most of them have two jobs. They are doing this, so they can have the most help from the Us. At the other point, I rather be in PR; than Haiti, Cuba, or Venezuela.
The only way to have a second unreported job is for your employer to not report your wages. Employers are subject to report wages paid within a year of $500+, even with less, you are likely to receive a tax for for wages. I'm not saying it's impossible to guide wages, I'm merely saying employers are not putting themselves in the position to pay high fines to hide the wages of a mere human. It also doesn't benefit the employer as it's less deductions they can claim on their tax returns. The underground economy is precisely underground because it's illegal activity, as in, sales of drugs or prostitution, as well as stolen goods, etc. If you work for an employer, the employer is highly unlikely to hide your wages so you save on taxes, whilst them loosing money on saving on their taxes. Seems to me like you are repeating a lot of street talk that lacks actual knowledge of the machinery of it all, because most Puerto Ricans DO have 2 & 3 jobs and pay their taxes accordingly. Even with 2-3 jobs they still barely make 50k or less a year, which still is less than the US average
Puerto Rico keeps Puerto Rico poor. Let's stop the blaming. Government stealing money, no production,sold everything to others. We spend a million dollars on the island and bragg about what we did. We build a couple of roads and act like its a big deal 😔. We abandoned Puerto Rico. We all where we came from. United States
As a American puerto ti am this shit breaks my heart man it’s bullshit and then America can’t say shit when the entire world ends up going against it then don’t wonder why
Definitely the makers of this video do not live or probably have never visited PR. From a distance, using the selected images shown in this video, it looks like a third world country. It isn't. The details of life there paint a different picture. Family members help each ither there. Community is big oart of life, compared to the states. While the federal government does not support PR as equally as a state, one of the ways PR has money come in is through the younger generation aending money to their parents and family which are still in PR. Or, visiting family. Visually, it looks different because the houses are made of concrete. Modern, tall, woodframe houses are not going to survive hurricanes.
From my experience (living in Puerto Rico, USA and travels to central and South America) Puerto Rico is in a better economic state that most of the Latin American countries. The poor in Puerto Rico has resources that many of the poor in Latin American countries do not have. Not only that, but they can freely move back and forth from PR to the USA, and money and education flows like that to the island. Puerto Rico could do better of course, but if you want to truly see poverty, go to other Latin American countries (e.g., Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Salvador). Many people in Puerto Rico fear more becoming like Cuba or Venezuela than being a USA commonwealth. Decades of elections confirm this. The poor in Puerto Rico are not in the desperation state to risk dying with a Coyote crossing the border. The GDP at 0:56 could be misleading. Standard deviation must be included, which should be way lower in Puerto Rico than Colombia for example. The inequality in Latin American countries is ridiculous.
I love all the gentrification comments. People tend to forget that for gentrification to occur, there has to be two parts: the buyer AND a willing seller... Same as corruption: there's the corrupt government party as well as the non-government party. It always takes two to tango.
Here is a detail this video missed. Puerto Rico had chapter 9 but was removed by congress on the 1980’s but with no explanation why? When ELA was established, it was part of the agreement. But suddenly was removed. I wonder why? (Sarcasm)
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
Fantastic video! I have incurred so much losses trading on my own....I trade well on demo but I think the real market is manipulated.... Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what I'm doing wrong??
Investing with an expert is the best strategy for beginners and busy investors, as most failures and losses in investment usually happen when you invest without proper guidance. I'm speaking from experience.
Although Puerto Rico has a substantial debt of approximately $37 billion, no country in the past decade has surpassed the United States' record for the highest external debt, which currently stands at around $34 trillion. The key difference lies in the POWER and economic autonomy. The USA, being an independent country, can print its own currency whenever needed and maintain an artificial economy, even if it leads to inflation. It has control over its imports and exports. In contrast, Puerto Rico cannot event vote for the president, and everything that arrives on the island must first pass through the mainland, increasing the cost of all products. Also, can't control wich who do business without the bless of Uncle Sam. Puerto Rico cannot print its own currency like Uncle Sam, and to add to this, there is also poor government administration, a problem shared with the USA, but the latter has far more resources to manage it.
This is a bit pathetic. PR sees net positive government revenue inflows, like most Red states. In contrast most Blue states kiss goodbye to hundreds of billions a year via the IRS - and quite a lot of that ends up in Puerto Rico. Spend it usefully. Where is your development planning? Your focus on better systems, which are the guts of all development? I see a 2028 "Transformational Agenda" but absent widespread executing devices and more importantly concrete end-points - all the targets are waffly open-ended policy feel-goods, what cannot be measured will never be done.
In the 70s and early 80s, the PR was offered statehood. They refused.At the time, they were doing very well. Recently, they have taken on massive debt. The situation has reversed.
@vicenterivera4648 look up the 1967 referendum, 1998 referendum, 2012 as well. Don't ask me to provide anything else. You should be able to do this simple task for yourself.
@@BamZoomRead smart ass! What is a referendum in simple terms? A referendum usually asks a question or questions to which all eligible electors must vote either 'yes' or 'no'. For electors, referendums are very similar to elections. On polling day, electors go to a polling place and cast their vote on a ballot paper. Is not the same to ask a question than to offer something. If you can ask me if I want a million dollars, of course I would say yes. Still that would not make me a millionaire.
They were not legitimate referendums, they were only made to force the people vote for certain candidates, they always do the same shit almost every election. Promising state hood every single time, just to fuck you up after 4 years of corruption.
@@BamZoom They were local referendums; the House was not obligued to do anything wiht it in 1967 and in 1998... And in 2012, statehood won... but only 28% of the population voted... But nothing was offered... The reality... both sides want inertia.
I was born in Puerto Rico. Lived there until I left for the military at 18 years old. Went back to live there after my 6 years of Active Duty service in 1993. You can say I lived there during the beginning of the end. I was forced to leave the island after all of the manufacturing left the island due to Bill Clinton's action of closing the "loophole" created Section 936 of the IRS Code. I am saying all of this to say that I am very familiarized with this topic because I lived it. So, I can honestly say that this video captures 100% the honest truth as to why live is so hard in Puerto Rico. To the people behind this channel and the production of this video, I salute you!! I don't think I have seen anything quite like this; so complete and accurate.
The Dunning Krugger effect.effect is a fascinating phenomenon in psychology. It refers to a cognitive bias where people who are incompetent in a particular subject tend to overestimate their own abilities and performance, while underestimating the abilities of others. Commenting about Puerto Rico requires historical, social , political and economic knowledge.
Island Economy! Islands are notoriously horrible for Dollar Turnover, meaning incoming money quickly leaves the island to “pay bills”, not staying, turning over from citizen to citizen. The local politicians have been notoriously corrupt, really a culture of corruption, not just individual behavior. Case in point: the electric power system. Many just steal power, tapping into the poles. Less pay-in means grid is neglected, and when hurricanes hit, vulnerable grid fails and now, no one has electricity. I’ve visited PR, lived and 3:04 worked with Puerto Ricans; very nice, proud people who do deserve better.
This video is missing tons of information. I have lived in PR since 1991 (and previously from 1978-1983: the "good years"). PRs economy woes are probably 75% self inflicted. Section 936 at the local level meant very good jobs (in local terms) but it was the pro-statehood party that led the charge to get it eliminated (see Carlos Romero Barcelo, the former pro-statehood governor and then our Resident Commissioner in Congress) since "PR could not become a state with that in place". Then in 2004, PR goes ahead and forces the military base closures depriving the local communities of that revenue (under the status-quo party). We get individual tax credits and don't pay Federal Taxes (sweet deal and an incentive not to work). Jones Act is just part of the cost of doing business: that's a protectionist measure that covers ALL US jurisdictions. Our local government is HUGE accounting for some 20% of jobs which is insane for a small economy. Taxes are very high leading to a massive underground economy and underreporting. They added an 11.5% sales tax on top of keeping the high personal income tax structure (this time also thanks to the status-quo party). Starting a business is a Kafkaesque exercise and that's all on PR's central and local governments (protecting the already local established ones). There's little true competition at the local level and laws are in place to keep it that way (again, self inflicted). The major political parties, each focused on its own status vision for PR, are far left (the pro independence one that openly admires the Cuban model) , and center-left (but using the compass as an analogy really more center-left-left) for the pro-statehood and pro status quo ones. There is not a SINGLE political alternative that's center-right... They all love throwing money around to buy votes every 4 years to "prove" that the population wants their status vision. So it's spend, spend, spend since - well - forever... A Javier Milei type of politician/party is needed to help reset this economy. Slash government to a more manageable 10% of jobs (still too much but better; seriously, the central government has a full agency that funds a full symphony - and I like classical music but, really?), introduce real competition by removing all internal business protectionist measures, slash the ludicrous permit system that hinders business creation, and massively slash taxes so that underreporting is no longer incentivized (see how tax revenues went up in former Warsaw block countries as an example). Incentivizing local production of things currently "imported" from the US/world would be a start and mitigate some Jones Act costs. I always get angry when I see these "it's all the US' fault" type of videos since they RARELY mention how much is self-inflicted and, if they do, only very passingly... But that what happens when a video is done purely from outside and only using macro information/data...
Well said and agree wholeheartedly. The job slashing would need to be done in stages and with economic measures in place to make sure the private sector can absorb that workforce. It would take several years to achieve that 10%, but it's technically doable. I've always said, we don't pay federal income taxes, we get to use the defacto world currency, our healthcare system is pretty much entirely federally funded , and we get a safety net called FEMA. We can deal with the cons. I like this better than the other two options.
@@GardenStateNJ27 Precious few. (yeah, I guess very light center-right). They are, at best, "New England Republicans" so, basically, useless (like Fortuño et all). Not a single one believes in small government. They might as well be Dems. (I m a Reagan Republican, so really party-less right now).
Very well said. It's is similar to what I say about the situation, .but there's some people who don't want to use their head to analyze by and for themselves
I hate it here, our future is very uncertain is like every service is becoming privatized and we keep loosing and loosing more grip till the USA drown us in debts and is lack of medical services. We truly need help or this will be irreversible .
No one is going to save you, you must save yourself and fight for your rights and future. If Puerto Ricans continue waiting for a miracle they are going to get fucked permanently.
The future may be uncertain but a lot of Boricuas are thriving right now through their talents, PR has boxers, reggaetoneros, musicians, actors, and even barbers that are making names for themselves. Us Puerto Ricans are so talented! Bad Bunny is literally one of the most famous singers in the world right now, i’m proud of the Boricuas that are putting PR on the map!
@@NewHaven203I understand that, but we need people that sacrifice for the benefit of the puertorican citizens that want to have a future in PR. All the talents are great, but if we see during the massive protests to get rid of the governor in 2019, there was a lot of celebrities that utilized the event for promotion. At the end of the day, nothing really happened and a person worse than Ricky got the power and the same party keep having the advantage. I hope we can see a person or at least a group of people that know what it feels to be on the edge everyday and that has gone through the issues that us boricuas have to deal with daily. Also, I would that there is a MAJOR issue with education and how people view this issues. They need to stop looking from the status point of view and start thinking of a well being point of view. Puerto Rico it’s a tough issue and topic… It’s complicated.
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island. I lived there at one point for a few months (hell, my truck still has a PR plate on it 😎). Unfortunately, PR is in limbo. It won't be a state with millionaire gringos moving there in droves _specifically_ for its tax haven status _within_ US jurisdiction. Yet, can't be independent because the US has pushed the island into poverty. PR would end up similar to Haiti if independent because the US likes to punish those who don't play ball. We wouldn't part on good terms, especially with the aforementioned gringo droves.
I'm in Puerto Rico right now and he is capping so hard, he makes it seem so poor but it's not at all poor. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with beautiful people and beautiful cultures. It is not poor and we actually live pretty well. It also has one of the best beaches in the world located in the island of culebra (ranked at 3rd most beautiful beach in the world at some point). Also they pay people here less than the US because things are sometimes cheeper than in the US. The down side is that the Taxes are at 11.5%. The highest in the US anywhere. But besides that Puerto Rico now is a pretty good place to live especially near some big city ("Mayagüez, Ponce, Arecibo, San Juan" etc..)
False statement here. Puerto Rico was not taken by the USA from Spain. Spain granted Puerto Rico independence before the USA invaded PR and took the island and its people against their will!
The way my history teacher taught it was that Spain had begun granting more sovereignty to Puerto Rico before the US conflict. Once the US won, we were given to the US without our consent.
The answer to the titular question comes at the very last few seconds of the video: "When federal policies that aided Puerto Rico's economic development were repealed, no enduring replacements were put in place."
P.R. is forced to have everything shipped only by U.S. boats which makes stuff expensive. We pay high taxes and at the end of the year we have to pay more istead of recievimg anything back. 😒
It's not completedly the U.S. fault it's also been our own corrupt leaders, we have to rely on U.S. for everything we only produce 12% of what we consume 😟
*Puerto Rico's median household income is the highest in Latin America & they also score #1 in the Quality of Life index in Hispanic America.* These are the Median household incomes (2019) & Quality of life ranking (2021): 1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 to $21,000/ year & Quality of life Index of 130.8 Points. 2.Chile: $17,000 to $20,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 99.9 Points. 3.Uruguay: $16,000 to $18,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 124.6 Points. Remember that Chile and Uruguay are the nations with the highest standards of living in Latin-america, If we compare PR with Caribbean nations the disparity would be extremely profound, The Dominican Rep. had a median household income under $9,000 (2019) & a Quality of life index of 93.02 (2024) and even the DR is doing great relative to other Caribbean nations. Being part of the wealthiest market in the world allowed PR to reach this status.
Not really. The urban areas (cities) of Chile and Uruguay are wealthy. It is the poor people in the rural areas that bring down the aggregate numbers. In Puerto Rico, with its rural economy and its infrastructure wrecked by hurricanes, the large majority of the people are simply poor. You don't have these pockets of urban wealth. thus capital formation does not exist and there is nothing to grow the economy on.
@@frost6296 I didn't say salary; household income is a broader term that includes any source of income from anyone living in a household, and it was $20,500 in 2019. Regarding the cost of living, you're right, an improved question would be: what is the median household income relative to the cost of living? I have not researched this yet, but are you assuming that the difference between the cost of living and the median household income is more pronounced in PR compared to the DR, Panama, and the rest of the region? Specifically, do you think it's more expensive to live in PR relative to income than it is in the rest of Latin America?
I'm Puero Rican and some historic facts you got Right but the majority of economic especially de sections of How we live is wrong and inaccurate . And many of the pictures 📸 were old more that 50 years ago ,if you want to show the reality the best is to show the more recent . If someone want to learn about the islan this is not the channel.
and what does colonialism has to do with local corruption from local politicians? Dominican republic, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica are not colonies, do they have it better than PR..?
@@santimig127 colonies of the UK had their own local government were able to make laws but were subject to British law however couldn't vote in Britain Puerto Rico is in that same scenario hence they are literally USA colony but they just gave it a fancy name
@@Sam-gs7yb thankful for taxation without representation and being dictated to by the motherland? Who speaks on behalf of Puerto Rican interest in the US Congress or the Senate? Who is their elected representative? I don't think anyone or any territory should be happy that they are second class
@@hughporter2541 yes because being a filthy poor island with no work culture and depending on UN handouts is a lot better. Be grateful that Haiti/DR, and many others would trade second class to misery
I once read that Puerto Rico doesn't pay taxes to the US federal government. The article read that over 30% of the people collect Federal food stamps. If Puerto Rico wants to become a state and they think they'd be better off, then apply for statehood. If they want their independence, declare your independence and be responsible for yourselves.
The background image on 2:00 is literally Santa Cruz de Tenerife, literally across the Atlantic Ocean in Spain and has nothing to do with Puerto Rico. Please🤦♂️
Había una línea de barcos de vapor Lineas Pinillos, que unían Cádiz, Canarias, Cuba, Puerto Rico,el movimiento de los canarios en el caribe donde se crearon pueblos, es parte de una historia común, ojalá los Puertorriqueños consigan los mayores derechos y libertades, un saludo desde Islas Canarias 🇵🇷🇪🇸🇮🇨
For these, among other reasons, I support Puerto Rico sovereignty. The best way to develop our economy is to be part of the world's economy network. and to protect our personality as a Nation.
Sad that the DR's has surpassed PR's. That was not always the case. I would say that although the legal relationship with the U.S. plays a role, I believe political corruption and mismanagement is probably a significant factor. The P.R. of the 70's and 80's had better infrastructure and seemed to be progressing. Another thing I have noticed is that Tourism doesn't seem to be as big a driver of the economy as before. Part of the reason is that the cost to tourists is higher than in the DR and in the DR you get better service. That is something that should be fixed. Renting a room for less money makes the owners more money than not renting it at all.
It is clearly visible, how Puerto Rico is treated as a colony by the USA. I just returned from a 5 week trip there. During this time, 3 powershut downs for over 10 hours each. Had nothing to do with the storm. The spirit of the Puerto Rico people is amazing. The USA government is clearly holding the island hostage.
@@peterquennellnyc Yes, Puerto Rico receives federal aid, but the issues run much deeper. After Hurricane Maria, the delayed response highlighted how the island is treated compared to mainland states. Millions in aid were slow to arrive, banks played a role in Puerto Rico's financial disaster by selling risky financial products that contributed to the island's economic collapse. Puerto Rico's dependency on U.S. funds stems from restrictive policies like the Jones Act, which inflates prices and hampers trade, benefiting U.S. industries at Puerto Rico’s expense. The real question isn’t just about net aid-it’s whether the island is given the chance to truly thrive under these conditions and the answer clearly , it is not.
@@Tradesman1956 That's still not colonialism. PR gets more than it gives; some of my tax dollars end up there. It needs a systems focused development model. Look to the UN.
@@peterquennellnyc well, then its about time to let the people pursue their own destiny and give them independence. My taxdollars are wasted there as well. In this, I fully agree with You.
@@Tradesman1956 Well independence could crash & burn just like Brexit and "pursue their own destiny" is a real rabbit hole. What I said is best bet: a systems focused development model. Dont look to the Feds, development is not in the constitution, look to E and S Asia, they did what PR needs. Dont look to the World Bank, in fact any bank. MUST be systems not equilibriums focussed.
You are exaggerating to a level that should ashamed you; is there poverty YES, is their people living solely of the government/projects YES, are there Mercedez Benzes all over the place too YES, so be transparent my friend not showing outdated videos or rural areas where farmers that obviously live limited or even projects as if that was the economy
I was born here. Im here. What I do belive we need is a good leader, free owr imports and exports from american hands and build a republic.. But most people are too used to the BurguerKing, the MC Donalds, the Walgreens and many other things. They even relate those companies with the current island government movement. So they dont choose to separate from america due to fear of unsertain future. Maybe a later generation might do a better job.
Totally convinced that the United States is the worst thing that has happened to Puerto Rico, imagine belonging to a country that treats you as if you were less than them and with racism that is how they treat us Puerto Ricans.
@@thiagovidal8972 Innitiative? PR was an unproductive (no gold, silver or emeralds) colony for the Spaniards. They have not figured out how to capitalize on their human assets.
the gpd can't pay the required taxes the US demands. When Bill Clinton suspended their incentives for 10 years PR has never been able to recover. Along with that US stripped Puerto Rico of Goya and gave it to the Mexicans. That was the final straw to PR economy.
You know that most people living in PR don't earn enough to enter the tax-paying brackets, right? They pay through their noses to the US shipping companies though. Imagine paying a 20 to 30% markup on the point of entry for everything you wear or eat. Add to that transportation costs, etc. In a place where most wage-earners make just Federal Minimum wage and are only offered part-time jobs. But that's okay. Keep your money. How about giving us some freedom to trade on our own? That way we wouldn't be basically a captive market where US corporations can make money without investing anything locally. Who knows, there may even be some economic development here.
@@CptFugu idiot response, Puerto Rico is exempt from paying federal taxes, which even just on FICA alone would amount to 15% of every worker’s income, regardless of how much they make unless the amounts are in the six figures
How about American companies paying us citizens half of what they pay in the states. Is that Puerto Ricans keeping Puerto Ricans poor? Your logic is shit.
@@joshvega4906 youndont know what you are talking about The people who get paid low are government employees unless you are a friend of a politician Or small business like bakery or stuff like that It all depends were you go. Metropolitan area will pay more. While the rest of the island is screwed Also in puerto rico people dont have to pay a monthly insurance on their property if they rent. Or their cars. Or if they own a home. A lot of people get paid cash so is not reported. 60% plus of the population recieve reform which is a free medicare plan And the people who have that reform work with puertoricans business When you talk american business paying half of what they pay in the states you are just coming up with whatever someone told you without knowing What American business?? Burger king?? Thats franchise are owned by puertoricans. Mcdonallds? The same Walmart? The same And in those places pay similar to other places in the states. Now if you are going to talk and compare to states like California they pay more an hour. But you have to look at the whole cost of living. In California 20 dollars an hour is like 9$ an hour in puerto rico. You need to educate yourself and stop listening to marxist communist socialist who dont know what they are talking about.
millionaires get a free pass for 10 years to not pay taxes to puerto rico on any capital made :) and they nonstop buy houses and kick resident to make it in to air bnb nonstop all year
The US wanted PR as a coaling station per the Mahan doctrine of projecting naval power. They tried to buy it from Spain twice before tjev1898 war. Also, the Island was originally San Juan, and the port Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a US possession, not a foreign nation. It's population is all descendants of colonists and immigrants. No ancestral land argument other than: "they all died, so it's ours"... I'd like to see that case argued at the Hague. Also, if you base a few Arleigh-Burke destroyers and a squadron of P3 naval warfare aircraft there, with some supporting escorts, you'd be surprised how much of the Atlantic and Panama Canal you can control.
A substantial part of the genetic material of Puerto Ricans come from indigenous Taino race, so the ancestral land argument rightfully exists, despite the US that it's population is all descendants of colonists and immigrants as you well mentioned.
@@aury5794 No it does not. It is all mitochondroal/from females. It is used to measure many things in your ancestry. Earlier this month, I read a report where they figured out when and where homp sapiens and tomó heanderthalensis met and cross bred. If tbey can do that, 1512 is virtually this morning. In my case, if I have Taino DNA, it might be trace. My mother is Spanish born, and my father's earliest ancestors in PR, arrived in 1819. The inescapable fact is that when they say 17% Taino DNA, they mean total. Otherwise a 12.5% blood ancestor would be great grandfather. There were no Tainos in PR in the mid 1800's.
The people moved over to Florida. Orlando area ,now this once nice area is. becoming blighted with crime They moved to Florida during the last few years ,it’s sad our city is becoming crime ridden area no one wants to visit ,we pay high taxes in u.s. ,we can’t be bailing you all out because of poor management,we have bailed the island out many times ,it’s the same ole we need more ,what would happen if you were no longer part of u.s. They don’t bail us out if we don’t have a tax base ,the taxpayers don’t want to pay for people who don’t work , it’s hard to get food stamps or Medicaid ,we have a housing shortage for people in our states ,where is the money going to come from,there are a lot of needy people who worked for many and paid into the services ,it’s not fair for everyone to want us to pick up there messes,
It doesn’t matter who wins in the Puerto Rico political elections in November, because the United States (US) will always be the winner. Puerto Rico has been a US colony for the past 126 years. How could anybody really believe that Puerto Rico is a democracy, when two thirds of Puerto Ricans live today away from our national territory, and half of those remaining in Puerto Rico live in poverty? The US has consistently refused to comply with 42 United Nations’ resolutions demanding that it immediately return Puerto Rico’s sovereignty to the Puerto Ricans. The US has proven, by its own actions that it isn’t the champion of democracy, but instead, the champion of imperialism. The world considers, for a long time, that the US is the greatest threat to peace. We have seen recent evidence of that in the Ukraine war, and in the US’ unconditional support to the genocide against the indigenous people of Palestine in violation to international law. The US is an oligarchy against humanity!
We are third grade citizen to the US. Everyone talks about how our economy is so bad, including congress, but no one will take any action to fix the problem because a few lobbyists in the mainland would lose business. The US will take no actions to fix this issue, nor they care too.
That is your opinion they took a lot of Puerto Ricans out of the island many years ago and threw us in the ghettos they put us in around toxic people okay we didn't have our own communities they didn't want us to have our own communities so we had to deal with poor toxic people who is not even our race as a matter of fact people who robbed the land who robbed the United States that's the people they put us around play party on terms
Skip the waitlist and invest in blue-chip art for the very first time by signing up for Masterworks: www.masterworks.art/theinvisiblehand
@@TheInvisibleHandCo advertising and shilling have a place and it's usually a paid service.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
@@CarlosRodriguez-ey8zl ruclips.net/video/6ojOkPmm8lw/видео.html Of course, but unless a creator is Louis Rossman etc money trumps ethics.
Hello, please look into and make the world aware of how the current extremely corrupt political (currently in power) party in Puerto Rico is trying to steal the elections.
I live in Puerto Rico - I moved here from San Diego.. and TRUST me when i tell you.. groceries here are MORE expensive than America's Finest City.... Fact!
What did you expect? We consume imported goods at a 90% rate; and local producers are scarse. The smaller the island, the more expensive it gets. Enjoy your rent rate at least.
It's comparable to NYC. But everyone must grow something at home. There is no excuses
Me too. I looked into this recently, as a matter of fact. We simultaneously contend with the highest poverty rate of any US Territory and the lowest purchasing power per dollar. It'd be nice to have some of these struggles alleviated by local industry and agricultural instead of relying on imports. However, the ongoing debt crisis and resulting obsession with increasing GDP has led to a corrupt focus on exports and foreign companies, as our own local businesses receive a petty fraction of the subsidies and tax breaks afforded to investors from the mainland. By the way, these investors are not required to hire Puerto Rican labor either, meaning they not only get away with near 0 contributions to the island itself, they aren't even expected to ease the burden of a single individual.
Everything is imported.
@@mara4787 yes, thanks to Jones Act. Has to go through Florida ports which makes it even more expensive.
“Unincorporated territory” is political slang for “colony”
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
@@gillove189I've heard conflicting accounts from Puerto Ricans. If you had any relevant books, articles that include data, or some other form of proof for all of these claims? I'd love to take your word, but taking someone else's word is why I'm now confused lol
Slang for slaves. We need an independent Puerto Rico immediately
@@FreedomAintFree-ol6fy idk about all his claims but you can read "la carta autonoma de madrid" which did give puerto rico autonomy, you can try reading about the jayuya uprising of 1950 and what cause it (example the biography of pedro albizu campos). Another thing you can check is the "Financial oversight and management board for Puerto Rico" that control the economical budget of the island that was passed by President Obama. Theres the cabotaje law only allowed us ships to dock in Puerto Rico so all busyness is US only.
Bingo
I highly recommend the book “War against all Puerto Ricans” by Nelson A . Denis to anyone who wants to know more about our history and how we ended up here.
@@thannushkaperez3749 That screed is blame porn. Dennis is a purveyor of populist opium. Everyone who was anyone under the Spanish colonial rule, and could, left when the US offered them that option. When Myles arrived, my great grandmother had my grandmother living near Cadiz at the family's fighting bull cortijo. Only returned because her husband required it in 1903.
Puerto Rico is in its present straights because of the local elites. They control politics and who succeeds in it. As long as the lemmings care more about the status than about governance, they will holdvsway and the Island will not be worth making a state or able to self sustain as a sovereign purgatory on earth. Fix the problem and address the hierarchy of needs. Then, expunge the elites from power and reward outcomes. Not affiliation.
While we’re at it I’d also highly suggest the book Cruising the Caribbean: US influence and intervention in the twentieth century by Ronald Fernandez
Yes this book should be a must read for all Puertoricans ! Highly recommended
@@abelsanabria8163 It is mostly dribble.
I recommend a book called “La Batalla por el Paraíso” is from Naomi Klein a Canadian journalist that came after Hurricane Maria. I think a lot of people need to read to know what USA had made to us in all this years. It’s a book that you get literally very mad.
The Jones Act deducts around 1.5 billion dollars from Puerto Rico's local economy. Not being able to purchase fuel from foreign nations also contributes to this economic tragedy. However, corrupt bipartisan officials have also robbed federal funds for decades while promising growth through either statehood or maintaining the colonial status.
@@worldpeacearroyo8515 If we can agree that the Treaty of Paris of 1898 gave the US the island as a possession. Then the argument on the Jones Act becomes moot. It is not the source of the oil, but the registry of the vessel that makes it more, or less, pricey...
Yes, make it a state or set it free!
@@nildamendez2645 Why? It's the US's land...
There is no native population in the Island to claim ancestral rights over anything. We are all descendants of colonists or immigrants and our likely argument could be: "It's ours because we killed the natives"...
@@nildamendez2645 set it free! let the government rot and let the people reclain the island and get rid of the aholes who came over to live nice and comfy. like they say on the island.....go home gringo! im puerto rican born and raised in philly, and i feel more at home on the island, but hate what i have seen for decades. Puerto Ricans on the island are passive. this same passive behavior is what caused the near extinction of the Tainos'. Stand up for what is yours! The US needs to leave Puerto Rico go.
Just another Democrat action against the island.
Also the government of Puerto Rico keeps its population poor by not promoting the development of infrastructure that will boost the economy. The local bureaucracy for establishing a business is ridicilous. The local mayors and politicians force business owners to pay illegal cash fees in addition to business licenses and taxes. Puerto Rico offers zero oportunities to its own young university graduates as it has no gratifying paying employment for them.
TRUE
It's because poverty equals dependency on federal aid and dependency on federal aid equals support for statehood.
Correct.
Yes that was the plan all along
YOU PATHETIC..PUERTO RICO HAS NO GOVERNMENT OF ITS OWN. THE U.S. CONTROLS THE GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO WHILE LYING TO THE POPULATION OF THE ISLAND AND THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT PUERTO RICO GOVERNS ITSELF.
If any other country did this, you know the US would non-stop criticize them.
Puerto Rico's median household income is the highest in Latin America & they also score #1 in the Quality of Life index in Hispanic America.
These are the Median household incomes (2019) & Quality of life ranking (2021):
1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 to $21,000/ year & Quality of life Index of 130.8 Points.
2.Chile: $17,000 to $20,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 99.9 Points.
3.Uruguay: $16,000 to $18,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 124.6 Points.
Remember that Chile and Uruguay are the nations with the highest standards of living in Latin-america, If we compare PR with Caribbean nations the disparity would be extremely profound, The Dominican Rep. had a median household income under $9,000 (2019) & a Quality of life index of 93.02 (2024) and even the DR is doing great relative to other Caribbean nations.
Being part of the wealthiest market in the world allowed PR to reach this status.
@@luisangel444 yea but you do realize that you're just comparing poor to poor, right? It's like saying "well it's not as bad as [x]" or "it's better than [x]". It still doesn't justify the argument around state hood.
@@luisangel444 Quality of life doesnt matter. Its the fact how they can have a literal colony in 2024.
@@chimchim2_ I didn't delve into the statehood issue.
I'm talking Macro-economics, not politics.
The claim was that *"the relationship between the US and PR has Impoverished PR for 100 years"* , but all the evidence point to the contrary.
Their relationship with the US has risen them to an impressive prestigious status: Most developed region of Latin America; they enjoy the the highest human development index, the highest median household income and the highest standards of living.
Now, if you compare them with the continental US they do lag behind, it would be great for them to rise even further, but all the evidence points to the fact that they would not had attained the #1 status as an lone independent island.
PS: In your previous comment you referred to all of latin america as poor... you presumptuous fuck there are several countries here, some low income, some medium and some high income such as Chile, it seems like you are ignorant of the wealth and development of several latin american nations...
@@luisangel444Plus the purchase, the electricity and water bill, the rent and the transportation. That's nothing.
1. Puerto Rico was the name of the port city in San Juan originally. The island was known as San Juan Bautista until the late 1800s.
2. The Spanish American war, although did involve the transfer of Puerto Rico was mainly fought so the US could gain control over Cuba. Here on the island we welcomed the US army as we assumed that, like Cuba, they would fight for out independence in exchange for our cooperation.
3. Only about 1/3 of the island speaks English proficiently in modern times with that number significantly higher among the youth.
4. Gentrification by Americans is also a huge issue
1/3 of the island absolutely does not speak English proficiently. Like 1/10th of the island speaks English. Then out of that 1/10th, 1/4th actually understand the English they are speaking and listening to. That's the truth. Most English speaking Puerto Ricans do not understand English being spoken to them and when they speak English are not fluent and actually don't know what they are saying as they cannot properly respond to a question being asked to them in English. The ones that are truly fluent lived on the mainland or had a fully fluent English speaking relative inside the house who likely lived on the mainland.
@@nesq4104 I have never lived in the US . And I speak English fluently. I’m 29 years old. Remember that the younger generation consumes media, entertainment and information (books and studies) in english. The original comment is correct. Most of the older generation doesn’t understand the language very well. But most of the younger generation can speak some level of english.
Remember we were invaded by the US. PR never welcomed them nor their military, but had to surrender after almost 3 months of receiving bombardments and fighting against them.
Puertorricans are welcome to move to any US state and buy property just the same as anyone from the fifty states is able to move to PR and buy property. In fact, nobody with American citizenship has to move to any other place to buy, they can do it over the phone. So you can go and gentrify any of the 50 states just as much as they can gentrify PR.
Hmmm not quite as straightforward; only well-educated Puerto Ricans can make smooth transitions and frankly the brain drain continues... being English language fluency and vocational job standards a major hurdle for most other people who transplant to the US mainland...remember what happened to so many folks who moved to places like Florida after María...I know English language teachers in schools who, in addition to immigrant children from the usual backgrounds had to make room for quite a few Puerto Rican kids who despite being taught English in PR could not make it straight to mainstream classrooms due language fluency issues.
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with gorgeous beaches, people and food!!
Ok WHITE GUY
Although I admit that US has responsibility for the situation of Puerto Rico, the local government have the biggest responsibility for our actual condition. We don't pay federal taxes but the amount of local taxes we pay is insane as an example 11.5% sales tax while the services becomes worse day after day and the solution the government came over with is always a new tax.
Couldn't say it better
couldnt say it better
Only federal tax not payed is fed income tax. All other fed taxes are payed.
Puerto Rico is the richest country in latinamerica seek info! Puerto Rico have more gdp than Spain and chile! Comparing to other countries we are in heaven
The main problem is the US stranglehold on the Island… bad management by the local government only worsens Puerto Rico’s economic issue. Puerto Rico citizens are smart, educated and hard working, they would become a caribbean super power if the US grants them some level of economic autonomy.
USA: yea let’s give them citizenship and we still treat them like second class citizens 😡
Let's end slavery and say all men are equal under the law. Yea right
I don't feel that way we where poor before 1917 and we use to go to Dominican republic for a better life once they gave us the citizenship thats when the immigration went to the bronx . If a puerto Rican tells there's poor in Puerto Rico ok also in United States but honestly they haven't gone outside united states to other latin countries.
Only reason we have citizenship is to be used in drafting
@@isfrom5169 yup
@@vampiroak47we are a territory of the United states and thats what they measure and the numbers that they use to compare as the poverty rate. They dont compare PR with numbers from the dominican republic but with the poorest state of the USA which is Mississippi. So the poverty that you feel that there isnt in PR is because youre comparing our numbers with the numbers of other Latin american countries. If you watched the video at all, it made comparisons WITH the actual USA.
I'm mexican a place where there is only poor, Rich and super rich. So when I moved to Puerto Rico 10 years ago I was mesmerised by the high quality standard of living of the middle class . something that my dear mexico and South america can only dream. with that said I think this video is not fair for the island. you are talking about Puerto Rico not about cuba or Bolivia.
Exactly what I think. This only portraits the disadvantaged places. Why not display the universities, the airport, which is iinternational and two other regionals, the diversity of living places: metropolitan, city, towns, or rural? Why not show the contrast of high class places? The hotels, the ports full with international cruises, why portrait us like this? This video ashames me as a Puerto Rican because it’s not like this everywhere.
The Puerto Rico West is the Best!! Aguadilla, BQN
This video compares PR to the mainland, not to latin america which is what youre doing. So youre comparing apples to oranges. The video compares apples to apples.
Thanks for the comments. I totally agree. Sad to say but still people at that border line poor, but I do hate laziness. I understand on this well documented video that P.R. failed for many years to recognize those very important issues or problems brought upon the puertorricans not letting us grow and be more self-productive . Called greed...it's takes anybody's soul.
@@itzkamikaze3081 If the P.R. government would had recognize many years ago and fought the many laws and agreements that kept P.R. from possibly becoming a better place than what it is now.I have to take my hat off for those puertorricans had the resiliency to work hard and focus to meet the a good standards of living possible.
I like living in Puerto Rico. My kids get to experience their Puerto Rican heritage on their mother's side. There are good and bad no matter where you go. We use as many of the local mom and Pop shops to keep our money here unlike using Walmart or other big companies that only a small amount of the money spend stays here.
You never go to Walmart stop camping like 80% of all stores in Puerto Rico are not owned by no Puerto Rican people they’re either Chinese Arabic or American you think you’re buying to Puerto Ricans but they work there but they don’t own the store
Minimum wage just went up it took 15 years for them to go up three dollars I have friends that live in public housing they make 1200 monthly and they have to pay $600 for rent in public housing. The government just takes how can you save a dollar when they take everything you make school suck it’s not like in the states but teachers don’t care about their work. They don’t care about teaching students they don’t have enough books, so the kids cannot take a book home. The little they have is to be shared in the whole school when school starts. You have to buy toilet paper, all kinds of stuff to give to the school every year because is part of the school list even printing paper for they can print the schoolwork because the schools do not have funds to pay for it .Where is all the US money going it’s not going to the people who live in Puerto Rico we’re poor and we’re struggling because the government takes everything from us and the US does nothing to stop them and because people have been conditions to do what the government tells them . They don’t even teach the people their rights not even job labor rights so you go to a job and nobody knows what’s their actual rights I still love living here, but I wish we could do something about the government
@glendaalgarin5120 I didn't say I don't go to Walmart I said I buy most of my stuff from the mom and Pop shops. IE the little man. Trying to keep as much of my money in the local economy versus giving it to Walmart and them taking it back to state's
@glendaalgarin5120 there are a lot of mom and Pop shops owned by Puerto Rican people. You have to look for them instead of the convenience of the big box stores. I also hand out bag lunches to the homeless. I put a bunch in my car when I go out. I use local contractors. You are trying to play the victim instead of trying to find a solution without depending on the government or someone else to do it for you.
Small shops buy their merchandise at Sam's and Costco and then resale them with the markup... Nope, I'm not going to pay the markup.
I am from Puerto Rico and just living here feels like an enslaved territory. Everything too expensive and we get very little income compared to other USA states, also many corps and stores online don't even want to ship to PR making it even more impossible to get by. Im hoping in the future this changes for our island.
Muerte al pnp cb
IF YOU FEEL "ENSLAVED" WHY NOT MOVE???? PROBABLY THERE BETTER PLACES ,,LIKE VENEZUEL, NICARAGUA OR PROBABLY RIGHT NEXT DOOR CUBA!!
As residents of the island we do not pay federal income taxes, but we do pay the same federal medicare, social security, self-employment, unemployment, customs, and merchandise taxes as residents of the states. In 2022 the federal taxes paid by the residents of Puerto Rico to the US added up to $4.8 billion dollars.
@@kimberlyrivera2149 If you work for federal government you pay federal income tax.
These are half truths. Do a full hour video and tell the truth.
Oh why don’t you enlighten us then ?
@@dougrodriguez4977 He won't because he would have to lie. This video is pretty accurate. I wonder who pressured Clinton to abandon PR like that ? Full medicaid to PR and all territories should be in place.
What do you mean
I used to work for a pharmaceutical company in PR. They paid us about half of what they paid a BSc graduate in the US... and I had a Master's Degree at the time. There were few job alternatives back then (about none right now) so it was pretty much a one sided deal.
They got away with it by declaring Puerto Rico as part of their "international division".
And those were the "Good Old Times"
@@CptFugu were the good old times better than the present?
If you were not satisfied with your income, did you pursue other employment to increase your rebenue? Then who's to blame for your choices?
I left the island and live my retirement in a 5 acre "farm" that I was able to afford because I left. My brother is country manager for a largest and commodities company because he left. You can't have it all. There are choices we make. Some of us live with them, ohers whine about them.
That’s why my parents are telling me go study outside a Master or PHD. That’s what I will be doing, but I think that is very sad. My mom did a master in planning in the UPRRP and when she worked “Departamento de Vivienda” she notice that one guy was getting pay way more than her, because he had a bachelor from an USA school. She told me that he didn’t knew how to do a lot of stuff that my mom needed to make for him, but he got a better pay than her. The inverse thing is that agency from the USA a searching for people bilingual, and the perfect thing is to get puertorricans.
@@geovalelepr my advice is stay in the US and vacation in the Caribbean.
To get a job at McDonald's in PR you have to know someone that knows someone in that McDonald's bro
@@josephaviles8289 That is correct. All the good jobs are locked in to, friends and family... The island is one giant dysfunctional economy because the handful of wealthy and influential,clans that run everything.
You're confusing the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 with the Jones Act cabotage law. They are not the same thing.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
@@gillove189great summary of PR's dilemma, are you for "enhanced" ELA, statehood? Independence? reunification with Spain?
@@jPuma817 , "Reunification with Spain" is not an option in my mind. I love Spanish cuisine, the language, and many things about Spain, but since 1493 Spain did not treat the residents of Puerto Rico well at all (first the Tainos, then Criollos (Spanish born and/or raised in Puerto Rico = second class Spaniards, then Black slaves, other Europeans -- all treated poorly). The danger with "statehood" is that the U.S. will do to Puerto Rico what it did to Hawaii and Alaska -- eradicate its local culture in an attempt to homogenize Puerto Rico as another tourist trap, slowing replacing Puerto Ricans with white Anglo-Saxons (something that is happening now with the abandoned properties of Puerto Ricans who left the island to go stateside in search of work because the U.S. has never properly helped Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria -- also due to Puerto Rican government corruption and/or incompetence due to hanging on to Spanish cultural practices -- e.g. a cumbersome lack of centralization and digitization; they force people to buy different stamps at the post office, then run to different locations, for what should be simple errands, such as a transaction related to your car, house, etc.). I favor independence with a positive relationship with the U.S. (e.g. like Singapore): that is, not an ugly divorce with the U.S. but an amicable partial parting of ways with a quid pro quo: Puerto Rico can continue to think of the U.S. as an important military ally against China (which is trying to take over all of Latin America), and with genuine economic partnerships with the U.S. where decision are made in Puerto Rico, not Washington, D.C. Puerto Rico would have an ambassador to the U.S. like other countries, it would make its own laws, control its own tourism, fishing industries, maritime alternative forms of energy, airspace and maritime economic and defense zones, etc. Becoming independent does NOT and should not be equated with becoming contrary to the U.S. as a positive partner in geopolitics. The U.S., for example, has good relationship with bordering Canada, which is a different country that is connected by land and water to the U.S., yet the U.S. respects Canada's sovereignty and Canada the U.S.'s. The history of Puerto with the U.S. has had many positives, not just negatives, so we should focus on the positives in building a lasting, great friendship between an independent Puerto Rico and a political partner/friend in the United States. I guess this would be a true "Free Associated State" (Estado Libre y Associado), which is erroneously translated into English as Commonwealth, which is a term used by the U.S. -- often along with "territory" -- as a euphemism for colony. Let Puerto Rico be free, but with quid pro quo business and military partnerships with the U.S. in a world where China, Russia, North Korea, Middle Eastern, African, and other geopolitical threats abound. I still have more reading and thinking to do, and if the evidence points me to another alternative that might be better for Puerto Rico, I would be willing to change my perspective. As I always taught students in university and college, in my own saying, "A true scholar must always be willing to change his or her mind" based on logic and realities. But again, I've read many many books about Puerto Rico and all of this is not easy matter. The question is can the U.S. be mature enough to recognize that Puerto Rico can be both "free" and "associated" in equal partnership, just like between Canada and the U.S., which share not only business relationships but also NORAD in defense of North American skies against Russia, China, etc. Puerto Ricans must not view the U.S. as an enemy, despite past injustices. The U.S. has also been unjust to the U.S., not just Puerto Rico. And the U.S. did more positive things for Puerto Rico than Spain did in hundreds of years of second-class citizenry, despite also doing very bad things: e.g. clandestine involuntary mass sterilization of Puerto Rican women, drafting Puerto Ricans to die in U.S. wars while segregating dark-skinned Puerto Ricans and discriminating against all Puerto Ricans, white, black, brown, Asian (yes, there are Asian Puerto Ricans, mostly of Chinese ancestry). But let us NOT blame the U.S. Americans of today for the crimes committed by the U.S. Americans of the 20th Century. That's like the black people in the U.S. asking for slave reparations from white Americans today even though slavery ended in the 1860s and segregation ended finally in the 1950s/60s (but is still an ongoing battle). But yes, injustices still occur, but that is happening even between "red" and "blue" states quibbling and infighting in the U.S. The level of education and political elegance has certainly gone down in the U.S. and other countries -- blame it on social media and video games and too much sports in schools and inflated report cards due to the student evaluation of teachers and parti-time teachers, so teachers have to keep students happy by gifting a C- or D/F student with a B to keep the students happy and keep teaching to pay their rent. Now we have real dummies in U.S. government, as is evident in many countries where despots start wars versus the innocent (e.g. Putin vs Ukraine, and soon, China vs. Taiwan). These are just my political viewpoints as they stand now based on what I've read in the last couple of years. "A true scholar is willing to be wrong". -- my original words.
9:37 What you're referring to is law #22, which was approved by governor Fortuño. This project was approved to benefit & attract American business owners to set up shop on the island for either a massive tax cut or accommodations. Meanwhile, local business owners have to wait nearly a year for permits & pay more taxes, decimating the autonomy of the island furthermore.
This pisses me off. The other day an American came to my job to brag that in 3 months he set up 4 smoke shops.
My boss was salty af! It took him 3 years to set up each of his 2 bussiness!
The chinese and young white rich Americans are taking over the island and displacing many Natives....
He literally said it's operation bootstrap and this was in the 40s.
Law 22 is another different one
Minute 00:25 Unincorporated territory is a fancy Word for colony.
Very true
Please get real. In fact Puerto Rico has a net inflow of taxpayer dollars from the wealthier US states - colonies see the exact opposite.
Please get real. In fact Puerto Rico (pseudo)colonial status has nothing to do with the net cash in/out-flow, but with rights and duties of its citizens. And such rights/duties are not the same as those granted to other States like Texas, etc. Simple, init? (= British slang for isn't)
I am a Puerto Rican who has spent his whole life living on the island. I must say that this video very well summarizes the colonial exploitation relationship between the USA and PR, and also explains very well all the problems and poor decisions that have led us to where we are today. It is simply an excellent video for those who don’t know much about the political, economic, and financial situations that our archipelago has gone through. Thank you very much for your contribution.
Yeah but the problem is temptation is always there.
Would you prefer Independence from the United States?
@Elplaceteno yes I would...
Looks like a deliberate attempt to stall the place then gentrify it.
Yes. this is exactly what's happening.
Puerto Rico's median household income is the highest in Latin America & they also score #1 in the Quality of Life index in Hispanic America.
These are the Median household incomes (2019) & Quality of life ranking (2021):
1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 to $21,000/ year & Quality of life Index of 130.8 Points.
2.Chile: $17,000 to $20,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 99.9 Points.
3.Uruguay: $16,000 to $18,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 124.6 Points.
Remember that Chile and Uruguay are the nations with the highest standards of living in Latin-america, If we compare PR with Caribbean nations the disparity would be extremely profound, The Dominican Rep. had a median household income under $9,000 (2019) & a Quality of life index of 93.02 (2024) and even the DR is doing great relative to other Caribbean nations.
Being part of the wealthiest market in the world allowed PR to reach this status.
Yup
@@luisangel444Is the highest but everything is more expensive even products from the island like "aguacate" other Latino countries foods are much more cheaper even wood, cemento,ext
@@luisangel444ànd gasoline
I’m born and raised in PR. To me it’s political because there would be 2 senators and more congressman than about half the states. They’re not going to give non-European people that much power without putting up a serious, very hypocritical, lie. Also, a lot of us don’t want to be a state. There are a good amount of people that want independence or to stay as it currently is. Also, it’s currently a tax haven for rich Americans and that status would be dropped upon becoming a state. So there you go, from a local.
"They’re not going to give non-European people that much power without putting up a serious, very hypocritical, lie."
Since when were the spaniards not european? you really are ignorant, wow. It's true that in PR we are a mixed and proud of it but we are still of mostly of european ancestry. only way we would be considered non-european is if you believe in stupid ideas like the one drop rule.
Ayudame a entender, segun los numeros PR tiene los estandares de vida y ingresos familiares medios mas altos de toda Latinoamerica.
Estos son los ingresos medios de los hogares (2019) y el ranking de calidad de vida (2021):
1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 a $21,000/año & Índice de Calidad de Vida de 130.8 Puntos.
2.Chile: $17.000 a $20.000/año y un Índice de Calidad de Vida de 99,9 Puntos.
3.Uruguay: $16.000 a $18.000/año y un Índice de Calidad de Vida de 124,6 Puntos.
Recuerde que Chile y Uruguay son las naciones con los niveles de vida más altos en América Latina. Si comparamos PR con las naciones del Caribe, la disparidad sería extremadamente profunda, la República Dominicana tenía un ingreso familiar promedio inferior a $9,000 (2019) y una calidad índice de vida de 93,02 (2024).
What are you talking about? Hawaii's senators and politicans tend to be Asian, and Hawaii is wealthy. Then again, Asians are often successful, while Latinos are much less successful.
Non European, the he'll are you talking about most Puerto Ricans are of Spanish or Portuguese decent. The issue is the mainland does not want 2 liberal senators. The issues with the Island are as such. No one wants to import and export to an Island with not natural resources. Agriculture is dead. You can do it in Brazil cheaper. Statehood would be the solution however all zamerocsn states currently are falling apart look at Detroit.
@@jasondiaz8431 Puerto rico is not guaranteed to be a liberal stronghold, catholicism is deeply rooted in the pop
Puerto Rico has a corrupt government problem.
This is true sadly, but that corruption is linked to Washington and the US overall.
True
There is no denying that the government is corrupt. There are great examples of that in recent events.
Aside from corruption, we also have the mismanagement of funds, infrastructure, etc.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
La culpa es del pueblo pq siguen en la oscuridad sin darse cuenta de los engaño, los PNP, Populares y PIP son la misma lacras creados para dividir el pueblo y nunca encontrar su independencia, USA es mas corrupto q el gobierno de Puerto Rico ya q han mantenido esa isla en la pobreza mas siempre ha vivido un racismo por el idioma y cultura mas USA tiene a Puerto Rico como los bancos nos tienen cuando prestan dinero sacando miles de ganancias y nosotros perdiendo
Government mismanagement in the island has been perpetrated by the same seats in Congress across generations in order to maintain this same stranglehold that is mentioned in the video. It is a vicious cycle that must be stopped.
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
The electrical system in PR is a joke. It's made out of cardboard and even a light breeze or gentle rain will knock it down
I find it funny how many Americans keep saying if Hawaii or Puerto Rico were not Americans, they couldn't manage the country.
But it’s true. What do they offer/produce that is significant besides tourism
@@Sam-gs7ybTourism is viable nonetheless. There’s also a lot of industries Puerto Rico can potentially tap into with the right foundations-if American companies pull out for example. Perhaps independence could be the vector that allows boricuas to actually explore profitable avenues to sustain their economy.
@@Sam-gs7yb Pharmaceuticals and textiles. Also Greece and Spain also offer nothing other than tourism, yet I dont see you saying they should be annexed by a stronger and bigger neighbor? Keep in mind, Puerto Rico has a higher GDP per Capita than Spain. They wont be a superpower sure, but they would definitely be in better condition than Spain and other South American countries
@@rami8896 That their a textile and pharmaceutical is because of the US subsidies no US nothing is left. You cant compare PR with Greece as much as it has declined its cultural destination and they have way more to offer in shipping, olives and other products. Same with Spain. PR would compete with Haiti, Barbados, Cuba even DR has more options. You should be grateful the US has you as a colony.
@@celestial1756 With the work culture you guys have highly doubt it. It would be a bigger chaos than it is now. Look PR is beautiful island but thats it no US no $$$
What your not explaining is that Puerto Ricans can live and work in any state mainland USA
ah right, because there is no racism or discrimination in the states... like really great "black jobs"? like a little accent won't close doors at the outset? like often employers are surprisingly far less educated and lack language skills?
@@medusapr2011stay in where you at then buddy. I know plenty of people with an accent that have good jobs here in the US. Citing discrimination as the reason you are poor is such a cheap cop out. Think of something new. I see Bóricas pulling up in their Ferraris flying out on their private jets and riding jet skis all day every day in PR. Why are they flourishing and you complaining?
@@dearjohn8789 darling, not to brag, I pull up in my own Ferrari, but I know most people don’t. Why are you so angry?
Why would that need to be clarified? We are US citizens so it’s obvious we can move to the US.
So what? What's your point?
I'm Puerto Rican, trust me Puerto Rico not as bad/poor as is presented in the video. Just come and see for yourself
Sal del área metro y touch some grass hun ❤
@@wingzero771hablas sin saber prke yo ni vengo del area metro y he pasado/vivido por varios pueblos en pr.
Oh trust me, I moved and currently living in Puerto Rico after living in the US and another country in Latin America. Things are bad here: financial, social culture, education, economic, healthcare. I’m counting the days so I can leave this island. I also have a remote job because the employers and work conditions suck all around!
@@AP____prm i bet u that other country was worse in all aspects by A LOT
@@Evanescence29Bet! Puerto Rico’s birth rate and its population records of its own people speaks for itself. I’m not hating on the island I’m living in, this is my opinion on what I’ve been through and seen! Every day is like a circus.
The objective is to convert PR into Hawaii without making them into a state. So kick out the locals and keep them poor and on a service workforce only. Then build it as a getaway land with high price realestate for the rich. It has been happening in the last 10 years.
Your comment at 6:34 is wrong! PR at the time of the American invasion was already a province of Spain with representatives and we were Spanish citizens. Spain NEVER had colonies!!! It was all Spain. Do not continue to spread the “Black Leyend”….
They were colonies
@@Lando-kx6so No, we were not just a colony under Spain, we were a Spanish Province with representation in the Spanish goverment. Google the term Provincias de ultramar, which Cuba and PR were back then, so you can have an idea on how that worked.
@@jr5tana the "Carta Autonomica was not fully implemented. Under it, the local legislativevwas comprised of a minority of members who were voted in and the majority, including the governor, who were appointed by "The. Crown".
Deploying "the black legend defense" is risible. Like most legends, Spain' s bad reputation is based in fact, even if some are somewhat exaggerated. At least they were not Belgium.
@@supersonica85it's just a fancy name lol at the end it was just another colony with a prettier name.....it took almost 400 years for Puerto Rico to achieve that "providence" status because Spain came guns blazing putting down any native cacique who tried to push back against the brute take over and the "evangelization" then they brought African slaves because the island natives were dying rapidly due to the harsh conditions and the forced labor imposed by the Spanish crown 👑 Spain just made a huge mess all over America same as the British and the French....the only one that gave a "fair" treatment to their colony was Portugal with Brazil
@@CarlosRodriguez-ey8zl In 1897 PR and Cuba were simultaneously the first autonomous regions of Spain even before Navarra. Plus the “vice president” of that congress was a Puerto Rican, Ramon Power y Giralt, and some of those legislators later on after the invasion went on to father some of the political parties that persist today. For example José Celso Barbosa who happened to be black. Spain was ahead of its time and PR had a much better political system then with the people that speak our language, share traditional and religious values and just happen to be related to.
Where you get the information for this video?? You are using super old pictures like 80 years old picture, is a lost of respect go to the internet and find for the most ugly and poor pictures
Have you ever heard about the underground economy? , that's exactly what a lot of Puerto Ricans like to do. They report the very low income to the IRS and to the state from 1 job, but in reality, most of them have two jobs. They are doing this, so they can have the most help from the Us. At the other point, I rather be in PR; than Haiti, Cuba, or Venezuela.
We have to do something to survive, we are smart 😊
The only way to have a second unreported job is for your employer to not report your wages. Employers are subject to report wages paid within a year of $500+, even with less, you are likely to receive a tax for for wages.
I'm not saying it's impossible to guide wages, I'm merely saying employers are not putting themselves in the position to pay high fines to hide the wages of a mere human. It also doesn't benefit the employer as it's less deductions they can claim on their tax returns.
The underground economy is precisely underground because it's illegal activity, as in, sales of drugs or prostitution, as well as stolen goods, etc.
If you work for an employer, the employer is highly unlikely to hide your wages so you save on taxes, whilst them loosing money on saving on their taxes.
Seems to me like you are repeating a lot of street talk that lacks actual knowledge of the machinery of it all, because most Puerto Ricans DO have 2 & 3 jobs and pay their taxes accordingly. Even with 2-3 jobs they still barely make 50k or less a year, which still is less than the US average
Puerto Rico keeps Puerto Rico poor. Let's stop the blaming. Government stealing money, no production,sold everything to others. We spend a million dollars on the island and bragg about what we did. We build a couple of roads and act like its a big deal 😔. We abandoned Puerto Rico. We all where we came from. United States
As a American puerto ti am this shit breaks my heart man it’s bullshit and then America can’t say shit when the entire world ends up going against it then don’t wonder why
What have you done to help the island, you must start to educate yourself and the ones around and start fighting for your rights and lands.
The problem lies in both USA goverment and Puerto Rico goverment. We are dealing with two political forces that won't let Puerto Rican to prosper.
Definitely the makers of this video do not live or probably have never visited PR. From a distance, using the selected images shown in this video, it looks like a third world country. It isn't. The details of life there paint a different picture. Family members help each ither there. Community is big oart of life, compared to the states. While the federal government does not support PR as equally as a state, one of the ways PR has money come in is through the younger generation aending money to their parents and family which are still in PR. Or, visiting family.
Visually, it looks different because the houses are made of concrete. Modern, tall, woodframe houses are not going to survive hurricanes.
We are always proud of our country 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷
@ 7 minutes and 17 seconds that's St. Thomas USVI ... I know Meagen's Bay when I see it
From my experience (living in Puerto Rico, USA and travels to central and South America) Puerto Rico is in a better economic state that most of the Latin American countries. The poor in Puerto Rico has resources that many of the poor in Latin American countries do not have. Not only that, but they can freely move back and forth from PR to the USA, and money and education flows like that to the island. Puerto Rico could do better of course, but if you want to truly see poverty, go to other Latin American countries (e.g., Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Salvador). Many people in Puerto Rico fear more becoming like Cuba or Venezuela than being a USA commonwealth. Decades of elections confirm this. The poor in Puerto Rico are not in the desperation state to risk dying with a Coyote crossing the border. The GDP at 0:56 could be misleading. Standard deviation must be included, which should be way lower in Puerto Rico than Colombia for example. The inequality in Latin American countries is ridiculous.
It is difficult to trust the economic analysis of someone who hints investing in paintings is a better strategy than stocks and bonds
Yup😂
I love all the gentrification comments. People tend to forget that for gentrification to occur, there has to be two parts: the buyer AND a willing seller... Same as corruption: there's the corrupt government party as well as the non-government party. It always takes two to tango.
Or someone who desperately needs the money. There's that too.
Yea, but it is still true. If you sell it away for profit then it's hard to complain about it.
Here is a detail this video missed. Puerto Rico had chapter 9 but was removed by congress on the 1980’s but with no explanation why? When ELA was established, it was part of the agreement. But suddenly was removed. I wonder why? (Sarcasm)
A bit of Puerto Rico history (with correction about British): Although Puerto Rico was temporarily occupied by the British, it never stopped being under Spanish control until 1898, when the island suffered a legal and political injustice, since it was granted full autonomy by Spain in 1897, so the U.S. had no legal right to ask Spain to cede Puerto Rico to the U.S. in 1898 and Spain had no legal right to cede Puerto Rico, because the island had already been granted full autonomy by Spain. This is a historical fact that is not taught to Americans by the U.S. and even to Puerto Ricans by Puerto Rico. Many good things have happened under U.S. control, but also bad things, such as second class citizenship, since the citizenship established in the 1917 Jones Act is not genuine citizenship, but "statutory" citizenship, which can be annulled in any instant by a simple act of the U.S. Congress. In a nutshell, Puerto Rico is still a colony, but invented in 1917 was "fake citizenship" because the U.S. had to hide that it still had a colony when it was fighting for "freedom" in Europe in WWI (and now they could draft Puerto Ricans into the Army) and in the 1950s invented the "fake Commonwealth status", which Puerto Ricans called Estado Libre y Associado (Free and Associated State), which in fact is not free, since all decisions come from Washington, D.C., whose say about Puerto Rico overrides the Puerto Rican will and government. For example, the government of Puerto Rico is not free to make its own business dealings with foreign governments. It cannot, for example, ask Japan and South Korea help improve its island infrastructure by hiring them directly. Also, all foods, etc., must come to Puerto Rico via U.S. Merchant Marine vessels, which on average ends up costing Puerto Ricans 18% more to ship because Puerto Rico can't have goods shipped via cheaper competitors: that is, the U.S. has a monopoly on all goods shipped to/from Puerto Rico, so the U.S. controls Puerto Rican exports as well, not just imports. But again, there have been some good things happening as well, just not enough in recent years. The island is left floundering and the economy has been ruined by the U.S. shifting Puerto Rico's pharm industry to Singapore, Ireland, China, etc. etc. after ending tax incentives for Pharm companies to operate in Puerto Rico. In actuality, more monies pour OUT of Puerto Rico to the U.S. than pours INTO Puerto Rico from the U.S. Read the Puerto Rico economy books about this by Javier A. Hernandez.
Wow, everything was going great until the advertisement.
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Same here, My portfolio has been going down the drain while I try trading,l just don't know what I do wrong. .
Investing with an expert is the best strategy for beginners and busy investors, as most failures and losses in investment usually happen when you invest without proper guidance. I'm speaking from experience.
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Highly recommended🙌
Wow, I'm surprised to see Janet mentioned here as well. I didn't know she had been kind to so many people
I'm also a huge beneficiary of her..
I thought myself and my family were
the only ones enjoying Janet
trade benefits
Although Puerto Rico has a substantial debt of approximately $37 billion, no country in the past decade has surpassed the United States' record for the highest external debt, which currently stands at around $34 trillion. The key difference lies in the POWER and economic autonomy. The USA, being an independent country, can print its own currency whenever needed and maintain an artificial economy, even if it leads to inflation. It has control over its imports and exports. In contrast, Puerto Rico cannot event vote for the president, and everything that arrives on the island must first pass through the mainland, increasing the cost of all products. Also, can't control wich who do business without the bless of Uncle Sam. Puerto Rico cannot print its own currency like Uncle Sam, and to add to this, there is also poor government administration, a problem shared with the USA, but the latter has far more resources to manage it.
This is a bit pathetic. PR sees net positive government revenue inflows, like most Red states. In contrast most Blue states kiss goodbye to hundreds of billions a year via the IRS - and quite a lot of that ends up in Puerto Rico. Spend it usefully. Where is your development planning? Your focus on better systems, which are the guts of all development? I see a 2028 "Transformational Agenda" but absent widespread executing devices and more importantly concrete end-points - all the targets are waffly open-ended policy feel-goods, what cannot be measured will never be done.
In the 70s and early 80s, the PR was offered statehood. They refused.At the time, they were doing very well. Recently, they have taken on massive debt. The situation has reversed.
Untrue,show me information about that, congress always say no
@vicenterivera4648 look up the 1967 referendum, 1998 referendum, 2012 as well. Don't ask me to provide anything else. You should be able to do this simple task for yourself.
@@BamZoomRead smart ass!
What is a referendum in simple terms?
A referendum usually asks a question or questions to which all eligible electors must vote either 'yes' or 'no'. For electors, referendums are very similar to elections. On polling day, electors go to a polling place and cast their vote on a ballot paper.
Is not the same to ask a question than to offer something. If you can ask me if I want a million dollars, of course I would say yes. Still that would not make me a millionaire.
They were not legitimate referendums, they were only made to force the people vote for certain candidates, they always do the same shit almost every election. Promising state hood every single time, just to fuck you up after 4 years of corruption.
@@BamZoom They were local referendums; the House was not obligued to do anything wiht it in 1967 and in 1998... And in 2012, statehood won... but only 28% of the population voted... But nothing was offered... The reality... both sides want inertia.
I was born in Puerto Rico. Lived there until I left for the military at 18 years old. Went back to live there after my 6 years of Active Duty service in 1993. You can say I lived there during the beginning of the end. I was forced to leave the island after all of the manufacturing left the island due to Bill Clinton's action of closing the "loophole" created Section 936 of the IRS Code. I am saying all of this to say that I am very familiarized with this topic because I lived it. So, I can honestly say that this video captures 100% the honest truth as to why live is so hard in Puerto Rico.
To the people behind this channel and the production of this video, I salute you!! I don't think I have seen anything quite like this; so complete and accurate.
The Dunning Krugger effect.effect is a fascinating phenomenon in psychology. It refers to a cognitive bias where people who are incompetent in a particular subject tend to overestimate their own abilities and performance, while underestimating the abilities of others. Commenting about Puerto Rico requires historical, social , political and economic knowledge.
Island Economy! Islands are notoriously horrible for Dollar Turnover, meaning incoming money quickly leaves the island to “pay bills”, not staying, turning over from citizen to citizen. The local politicians have been notoriously corrupt, really a culture of corruption, not just individual behavior. Case in point: the electric power system. Many just steal power, tapping into the poles. Less pay-in means grid is neglected, and when hurricanes hit, vulnerable grid fails and now, no one has electricity. I’ve visited PR, lived and 3:04 worked with Puerto Ricans; very nice, proud people who do deserve better.
“The island of enchantments” 🇵🇷🌺
This video is missing tons of information.
I have lived in PR since 1991 (and previously from 1978-1983: the "good years"). PRs economy woes are probably 75% self inflicted. Section 936 at the local level meant very good jobs (in local terms) but it was the pro-statehood party that led the charge to get it eliminated (see Carlos Romero Barcelo, the former pro-statehood governor and then our Resident Commissioner in Congress) since "PR could not become a state with that in place". Then in 2004, PR goes ahead and forces the military base closures depriving the local communities of that revenue (under the status-quo party). We get individual tax credits and don't pay Federal Taxes (sweet deal and an incentive not to work). Jones Act is just part of the cost of doing business: that's a protectionist measure that covers ALL US jurisdictions.
Our local government is HUGE accounting for some 20% of jobs which is insane for a small economy. Taxes are very high leading to a massive underground economy and underreporting. They added an 11.5% sales tax on top of keeping the high personal income tax structure (this time also thanks to the status-quo party). Starting a business is a Kafkaesque exercise and that's all on PR's central and local governments (protecting the already local established ones). There's little true competition at the local level and laws are in place to keep it that way (again, self inflicted).
The major political parties, each focused on its own status vision for PR, are far left (the pro independence one that openly admires the Cuban model) , and center-left (but using the compass as an analogy really more center-left-left) for the pro-statehood and pro status quo ones. There is not a SINGLE political alternative that's center-right... They all love throwing money around to buy votes every 4 years to "prove" that the population wants their status vision. So it's spend, spend, spend since - well - forever...
A Javier Milei type of politician/party is needed to help reset this economy. Slash government to a more manageable 10% of jobs (still too much but better; seriously, the central government has a full agency that funds a full symphony - and I like classical music but, really?), introduce real competition by removing all internal business protectionist measures, slash the ludicrous permit system that hinders business creation, and massively slash taxes so that underreporting is no longer incentivized (see how tax revenues went up in former Warsaw block countries as an example). Incentivizing local production of things currently "imported" from the US/world would be a start and mitigate some Jones Act costs.
I always get angry when I see these "it's all the US' fault" type of videos since they RARELY mention how much is self-inflicted and, if they do, only very passingly... But that what happens when a video is done purely from outside and only using macro information/data...
Well written and most likely all true.
Well said and agree wholeheartedly.
The job slashing would need to be done in stages and with economic measures in place to make sure the private sector can absorb that workforce. It would take several years to achieve that 10%, but it's technically doable.
I've always said, we don't pay federal income taxes, we get to use the defacto world currency, our healthcare system is pretty much entirely federally funded , and we get a safety net called FEMA. We can deal with the cons.
I like this better than the other two options.
I agree except for no right leaning politics. Some statehood politicians are conservative and lean right. Center right really.
@@GardenStateNJ27 Precious few. (yeah, I guess very light center-right). They are, at best, "New England Republicans" so, basically, useless (like Fortuño et all). Not a single one believes in small government. They might as well be Dems. (I m a Reagan Republican, so really party-less right now).
Very well said. It's is similar to what I say about the situation, .but there's some people who don't want to use their head to analyze by and for themselves
Excellent video.
Keep PR in debt.
US Oligarchs own the island. Money inyections are taken by US companies - contractors.
I highly recommend the book
"La chilla del Tio Sam"
Same us happening in Guam island
The US is rich in military power not in a lot of other things
Puerto Rico has more drawbacks than benefits for the US. Give them independence and do their own thing.
I hate it here, our future is very uncertain is like every service is becoming privatized and we keep loosing and loosing more grip till the USA drown us in debts and is lack of medical services. We truly need help or this will be irreversible .
No one is going to save you, you must save yourself and fight for your rights and future. If Puerto Ricans continue waiting for a miracle they are going to get fucked permanently.
Nuestras deudas son por nosotros mismos...
@@TheSolver-PR parece que no viste el video. Mala tuya
The future may be uncertain but a lot of Boricuas are thriving right now through their talents, PR has boxers, reggaetoneros, musicians, actors, and even barbers that are making names for themselves. Us Puerto Ricans are so talented! Bad Bunny is literally one of the most famous singers in the world right now, i’m proud of the Boricuas that are putting PR on the map!
@@NewHaven203I understand that, but we need people that sacrifice for the benefit of the puertorican citizens that want to have a future in PR. All the talents are great, but if we see during the massive protests to get rid of the governor in 2019, there was a lot of celebrities that utilized the event for promotion. At the end of the day, nothing really happened and a person worse than Ricky got the power and the same party keep having the advantage. I hope we can see a person or at least a group of people that know what it feels to be on the edge everyday and that has gone through the issues that us boricuas have to deal with daily. Also, I would that there is a MAJOR issue with education and how people view this issues. They need to stop looking from the status point of view and start thinking of a well being point of view. Puerto Rico it’s a tough issue and topic… It’s complicated.
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island. I lived there at one point for a few months (hell, my truck still has a PR plate on it 😎).
Unfortunately, PR is in limbo. It won't be a state with millionaire gringos moving there in droves _specifically_ for its tax haven status _within_ US jurisdiction. Yet, can't be independent because the US has pushed the island into poverty. PR would end up similar to Haiti if independent because the US likes to punish those who don't play ball. We wouldn't part on good terms, especially with the aforementioned gringo droves.
It would thrive if independent
Puerto Rico has the highest standard of living amongst all Latin American countries. I’m sure being a US territory has something to do with that
Thank you for bringing light to this matter 🙏
I'm in Puerto Rico right now and he is capping so hard, he makes it seem so poor but it's not at all poor. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with beautiful people and beautiful cultures. It is not poor and we actually live pretty well. It also has one of the best beaches in the world located in the island of culebra (ranked at 3rd most beautiful beach in the world at some point). Also they pay people here less than the US because things are sometimes cheeper than in the US. The down side is that the Taxes are at 11.5%. The highest in the US anywhere. But besides that Puerto Rico now is a pretty good place to live especially near some big city ("Mayagüez, Ponce, Arecibo, San Juan" etc..)
The electricity have to replace for new one, the old one was make in 1952
The monopoly with Luma needs to end.
As a native Puerto Rican, I moved to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and I love it here.
Very misleading....
Not rlly all of this is true
Stop that background music. We can't hear the documemtary.
Motorola International of Puerto Rico was 35 years in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Thank you for presenting our reality in such a clear and precise way. 🇵🇷
False statement here. Puerto Rico was not taken by the USA from Spain. Spain granted Puerto Rico independence before the USA invaded PR and took the island and its people against their will!
That is false
The way my history teacher taught it was that Spain had begun granting more sovereignty to Puerto Rico before the US conflict. Once the US won, we were given to the US without our consent.
You might be reffering to the 1897 Autonomy Charter of Puerto Rico. Still under Spanish rule.
No.
No.
Spain was losing its grip on whatever it had left and was offering crumbs to keep colonies from becoming independent.
1:58 That picture is from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain), not from Puerto Rico.
The answer to the titular question comes at the very last few seconds of the video: "When federal policies that aided Puerto Rico's economic development were repealed, no enduring replacements were put in place."
The government there is the problem and government here they need to lift the JONES ACT. Make it a state or let it be independent.
P.R. is forced to have everything shipped only by U.S. boats which makes stuff expensive. We pay high taxes and at the end of the year we have to pay more istead of recievimg anything back. 😒
Yes that keeps us poor,it’s all US faults
Not true
It's not completedly the U.S. fault it's also been our own corrupt leaders, we have to rely on U.S. for everything we only produce 12% of what we consume 😟
What happend to "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION"?
Please get real. In fact Puerto Rico has a net inflow of taxpayer dollars from the wealthier US states - colonies see the exact opposite.
*Puerto Rico's median household income is the highest in Latin America & they also score #1 in the Quality of Life index in Hispanic America.*
These are the Median household incomes (2019) & Quality of life ranking (2021):
1.Puerto Rico: $20,000 to $21,000/ year & Quality of life Index of 130.8 Points.
2.Chile: $17,000 to $20,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 99.9 Points.
3.Uruguay: $16,000 to $18,000/ year & a Quality of life Index of 124.6 Points.
Remember that Chile and Uruguay are the nations with the highest standards of living in Latin-america, If we compare PR with Caribbean nations the disparity would be extremely profound, The Dominican Rep. had a median household income under $9,000 (2019) & a Quality of life index of 93.02 (2024) and even the DR is doing great relative to other Caribbean nations.
Being part of the wealthiest market in the world allowed PR to reach this status.
Not really. The urban areas (cities) of Chile and Uruguay are wealthy. It is the poor people in the rural areas that bring down the aggregate numbers. In Puerto Rico, with its rural economy and its infrastructure wrecked by hurricanes, the large majority of the people are simply poor. You don't have these pockets of urban wealth. thus capital formation does not exist and there is nothing to grow the economy on.
@@jvaneck8991 San Juan? Bayamón? Poncé? and several other urbanized centers...
Crazy concept buddy but average salary being higher does not mean anything. You need to consider cost of living which is way higher in PR.
@@frost6296 I didn't say salary; household income is a broader term that includes any source of income from anyone living in a household, and it was $20,500 in 2019.
Regarding the cost of living, you're right, an improved question would be: what is the median household income relative to the cost of living? I have not researched this yet, but are you assuming that the difference between the cost of living and the median household income is more pronounced in PR compared to the DR, Panama, and the rest of the region? Specifically, do you think it's more expensive to live in PR relative to income than it is in the rest of Latin America?
Problem being when you compare COLA. It sounds ok on paper but your adquisitive power is been sucked by cost and inflation.
I'm Puero Rican and some historic facts you got Right but the majority of economic especially de sections of How we live is wrong and inaccurate . And many of the pictures 📸 were old more that 50 years ago ,if you want to show the reality the best is to show the more recent . If someone want to learn about the islan this is not the channel.
Poor? With a GDP of $41,000? Really? Puerto Rico is not poor; it has had poor public administration for the last 20 years.
Ignored everything explained on the video, did ya?
@@realtalk6195 The video's real message is the poor public administration of the last decades. No use of clickbait.
You guys are stupid he meant poverty.
43 percent poverty rate is unacceptable
They have a beautiful culture and way of life. They should get their independence and go their separate ways
Peurto rico is literally living under colonialism
@@hughporter2541 and they should be thankful for it. Without the US it would be another Haiti.
and what does colonialism has to do with local corruption from local politicians? Dominican republic, Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica are not colonies, do they have it better than PR..?
@@santimig127 colonies of the UK had their own local government were able to make laws but were subject to British law however couldn't vote in Britain Puerto Rico is in that same scenario hence they are literally USA colony but they just gave it a fancy name
@@Sam-gs7yb thankful for taxation without representation and being dictated to by the motherland? Who speaks on behalf of Puerto Rican interest in the US Congress or the Senate? Who is their elected representative? I don't think anyone or any territory should be happy that they are second class
@@hughporter2541 yes because being a filthy poor island with no work culture and depending on UN handouts is a lot better. Be grateful that Haiti/DR, and many others would trade second class to misery
What an eye-opener.Thank you very much for this video.
I once read that Puerto Rico doesn't pay taxes to the US federal government. The article read that over 30% of the people collect Federal food stamps. If Puerto Rico wants to become a state and they think they'd be better off, then apply for statehood. If they want their independence, declare your independence and be responsible for yourselves.
they were offered to vote for state hood 3xs years ago and said no because they get all the bennies and no fed tax.....
Viva Puerto Rico Libre!!! No Statehood!!! Free Puerto Rico!!!
The background image on 2:00 is literally Santa Cruz de Tenerife, literally across the Atlantic Ocean in Spain and has nothing to do with Puerto Rico. Please🤦♂️
Había una línea de barcos de vapor Lineas Pinillos, que unían Cádiz, Canarias, Cuba, Puerto Rico,el movimiento de los canarios en el caribe donde se crearon pueblos, es parte de una historia común, ojalá los Puertorriqueños consigan los mayores derechos y libertades, un saludo desde Islas Canarias 🇵🇷🇪🇸🇮🇨
Not to mention the lot of old pictures and exclusively disadvantaged places and houses badly constructed… whoever made this video hates us.
For these, among other reasons, I support Puerto Rico sovereignty. The best way to develop our economy is to be part of the world's economy network. and to protect our personality as a Nation.
No one keep no one poor only hard work and good leadership is the answer. What about the political parties that have stolen the money thru corruption.
Sad that the DR's has surpassed PR's. That was not always the case. I would say that although the legal relationship with the U.S. plays a role, I believe political corruption and mismanagement is probably a significant factor. The P.R. of the 70's and 80's had better infrastructure and seemed to be progressing. Another thing I have noticed is that Tourism doesn't seem to be as big a driver of the economy as before. Part of the reason is that the cost to tourists is higher than in the DR and in the DR you get better service. That is something that should be fixed. Renting a room for less money makes the owners more money than not renting it at all.
how's that DR is doing better, a sad case ?
It is clearly visible, how Puerto Rico is treated as a colony by the USA. I just returned from a 5 week trip there. During this time, 3 powershut downs for over 10 hours each. Had nothing to do with the storm. The spirit of the Puerto Rico people is amazing. The USA government is clearly holding the island hostage.
Please get real. In fact Puerto Rico has a net inflow of taxpayer dollars from the wealthier states - colonies see the exact opposite.
@@peterquennellnyc Yes, Puerto Rico receives federal aid, but the issues run much deeper. After Hurricane Maria, the delayed response highlighted how the island is treated compared to mainland states. Millions in aid were slow to arrive, banks played a role in Puerto Rico's financial disaster by selling risky financial products that contributed to the island's economic collapse. Puerto Rico's dependency on U.S. funds stems from restrictive policies like the Jones Act, which inflates prices and hampers trade, benefiting U.S. industries at Puerto Rico’s expense. The real question isn’t just about net aid-it’s whether the island is given the chance to truly thrive under these conditions and the answer clearly , it is not.
@@Tradesman1956 That's still not colonialism. PR gets more than it gives; some of my tax dollars end up there. It needs a systems focused development model. Look to the UN.
@@peterquennellnyc well, then its about time to let the people pursue their own destiny and give them independence. My taxdollars are wasted there as well. In this, I fully agree with You.
@@Tradesman1956 Well independence could crash & burn just like Brexit and "pursue their own destiny" is a real rabbit hole. What I said is best bet: a systems focused development model. Dont look to the Feds, development is not in the constitution, look to E and S Asia, they did what PR needs. Dont look to the World Bank, in fact any bank. MUST be systems not equilibriums focussed.
The fact Dominic Republic is booming with new construction and investments and Puerto Rico is crumbling shows its sll deliberate
You are exaggerating to a level that should ashamed you; is there poverty YES, is their people living solely of the government/projects YES, are there Mercedez Benzes all over the place too YES, so be transparent my friend not showing outdated videos or rural areas where farmers that obviously live limited or even projects as if that was the economy
I was born here. Im here. What I do belive we need is a good leader, free owr imports and exports from american hands and build a republic.. But most people are too used to the BurguerKing, the MC Donalds, the Walgreens and many other things. They even relate those companies with the current island government movement. So they dont choose to separate from america due to fear of unsertain future. Maybe a later generation might do a better job.
Totally convinced that the United States is the worst thing that has happened to Puerto Rico, imagine belonging to a country that treats you as if you were less than them and with racism that is how they treat us Puerto Ricans.
Capitalism 101. Why rich countries are rich? Maybe... Colonialism
@@luisangel444so?
Hate Capitalism, try Marxism. Wonderful system Ask any Cuban-American
@@thiagovidal8972
Innitiative?
PR was an unproductive (no gold, silver or emeralds) colony for the Spaniards. They have not figured out how to capitalize on their human assets.
@@thiagovidal8972 literally the richest Latin American state who continually votes to remain a territory
Some idiot leftist on yt: “cOLoNiALisM dOg
Iceland, Ireland, Singapore, Finland, South Korea, New Zealand and others beg to differ. These countries are rich but they never had colonies.
How much in taxes does Puerto Rico pay, that’s what it comes down to.
the gpd can't pay the required taxes the US demands. When Bill Clinton suspended their incentives for 10 years PR has never been able to recover. Along with that US stripped Puerto Rico of Goya and gave it to the Mexicans. That was the final straw to PR economy.
You know that most people living in PR don't earn enough to enter the tax-paying brackets, right?
They pay through their noses to the US shipping companies though. Imagine paying a 20 to 30% markup on the point of entry for everything you wear or eat. Add to that transportation costs, etc. In a place where most wage-earners make just Federal Minimum wage and are only offered part-time jobs.
But that's okay. Keep your money. How about giving us some freedom to trade on our own? That way we wouldn't be basically a captive market where US corporations can make money without investing anything locally.
Who knows, there may even be some economic development here.
@@EROD1010 zero. Puerto Rico does not pay any federal income tax.
@@CptFugu idiot response, Puerto Rico is exempt from paying federal taxes, which even just on FICA alone would amount to 15% of every worker’s income, regardless of how much they make unless the amounts are in the six figures
What’s your point?
"the country", "the nation"....😮😢smh
Puerto Rico would be Haiti without the US.
Americq dont keep puerto rico poor.
Is the same puertoricans and politicians who does it.
How about American companies paying us citizens half of what they pay in the states. Is that Puerto Ricans keeping Puerto Ricans poor? Your logic is shit.
@@joshvega4906 youndont know what you are talking about
The people who get paid low are government employees unless you are a friend of a politician
Or small business like bakery or stuff like that
It all depends were you go. Metropolitan area will pay more. While the rest of the island is screwed
Also in puerto rico people dont have to pay a monthly insurance on their property if they rent. Or their cars. Or if they own a home. A lot of people get paid cash so is not reported. 60% plus of the population recieve reform which is a free medicare plan
And the people who have that reform work with puertoricans business
When you talk american business paying half of what they pay in the states you are just coming up with whatever someone told you without knowing
What American business?? Burger king?? Thats franchise are owned by puertoricans.
Mcdonallds? The same
Walmart? The same
And in those places pay similar to other places in the states. Now if you are going to talk and compare to states like California they pay more an hour. But you have to look at the whole cost of living. In California 20 dollars an hour is like 9$ an hour in puerto rico.
You need to educate yourself and stop listening to marxist communist socialist who dont know what they are talking about.
millionaires get a free pass for 10 years to not pay taxes to puerto rico on any capital made :) and they nonstop buy houses and kick resident to make it in to air bnb nonstop all year
The US wanted PR as a coaling station per the Mahan doctrine of projecting naval power. They tried to buy it from Spain twice before tjev1898 war.
Also, the Island was originally San Juan, and the port Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is a US possession, not a foreign nation. It's population is all descendants of colonists and immigrants. No ancestral land argument other than: "they all died, so it's ours"... I'd like to see that case argued at the Hague.
Also, if you base a few Arleigh-Burke destroyers and a squadron of P3 naval warfare aircraft there, with some supporting escorts, you'd be surprised how much of the Atlantic and Panama Canal you can control.
A substantial part of the genetic material of Puerto Ricans come from indigenous Taino race, so the ancestral land argument rightfully exists, despite the US that it's population is all descendants of colonists and immigrants as you well mentioned.
@@aury5794 Dream on. It's all mitochondrial. Female. Probably not more recent than 1620's
@@aury5794 No it does not. It is all mitochondroal/from females. It is used to measure many things in your ancestry. Earlier this month, I read a report where they figured out when and where homp sapiens and tomó heanderthalensis met and cross bred. If tbey can do that, 1512 is virtually this morning. In my case, if I have Taino DNA, it might be trace. My mother is Spanish born, and my father's earliest ancestors in PR, arrived in 1819.
The inescapable fact is that when they say 17% Taino DNA, they mean total. Otherwise a 12.5% blood ancestor would be great grandfather. There were no Tainos in PR in the mid 1800's.
The people moved over to Florida. Orlando area ,now this once nice area is. becoming blighted with crime They moved to Florida during the last few years ,it’s sad our city is becoming crime ridden area no one wants to visit ,we pay high taxes in u.s. ,we can’t be bailing you all out because of poor management,we have bailed the island out many times ,it’s the same ole we need more ,what would happen if you were no longer part of u.s. They don’t bail us out if we don’t have a tax base ,the taxpayers don’t want to pay for people who don’t work , it’s hard to get food stamps or Medicaid ,we have a housing shortage for people in our states ,where is the money going to come from,there are a lot of needy people who worked for many and paid into the services ,it’s not fair for everyone to want us to pick up there messes,
You say bail out the island?
It doesn’t matter who wins in the Puerto Rico political elections in November, because the United States (US) will always be the winner. Puerto Rico has been a US colony for the past 126 years. How could anybody really believe that Puerto Rico is a democracy, when two thirds of Puerto Ricans live today away from our national territory, and half of those remaining in Puerto Rico live in poverty? The US has consistently refused to comply with 42 United Nations’ resolutions demanding that it immediately return Puerto Rico’s sovereignty to the Puerto Ricans. The US has proven, by its own actions that it isn’t the champion of democracy, but instead, the champion of imperialism. The world considers, for a long time, that the US is the greatest threat to peace. We have seen recent evidence of that in the Ukraine war, and in the US’ unconditional support to the genocide against the indigenous people of Palestine in violation to international law. The US is an oligarchy against humanity!
We are third grade citizen to the US. Everyone talks about how our economy is so bad, including congress, but no one will take any action to fix the problem because a few lobbyists in the mainland would lose business. The US will take no actions to fix this issue, nor they care too.
Who told you Puerto Rico was poor? By both Caribbean and Latin American standards it is quite wealthy.
That is your opinion they took a lot of Puerto Ricans out of the island many years ago and threw us in the ghettos they put us in around toxic people okay we didn't have our own communities they didn't want us to have our own communities so we had to deal with poor toxic people who is not even our race as a matter of fact people who robbed the land who robbed the United States that's the people they put us around play party on terms
Poorer as compared to the poorest state in the US, by far. Don't compare PR to 3rd world countries.
The same reason they keep Africa poor even though is rich.
Corruption keeps Africa poor.
@@rhettdemille4404and corruption includes their own African government being sellouts to the European corporations that takes their resources