Congress may be in no mood, but NPP leaders urge continued struggle for statehood

On the 168th anniversary of the birth of Dr. José Celso Barbosa, the founding father of the statehood movement in Puerto Rico, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón joined other New Progressive Party leaders in rejecting claims that Congress is in no mood to grant statehood to to the U.S. island territory.

By The Star Staff

Leaders of the New Progressive Party (NPP) convened on Sunday at the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in Old San Juan to mark the 168th anniversary of the birth of Dr. José Celso Barbosa, the founding father of the statehood movement in Puerto Rico.

They made a strong call for the relentless pursuit of statehood. Bayamón Mayor Ramón Luis Rivera Cruz underscored the necessity of following Barbosa’s model to bring about monumental historical changes.

“Let me be clear: the most vital message from Barbosa’s legacy is that with courage, determination, empathy, and a commitment to social justice, we can enact significant changes in history, just as he did,” the veteran NPP leader declared. “By adopting this mindset, we can reshape the future of Puerto Rico -- not only in political terms but in every facet of life. The principles of determination, hard work, courage, education, empathy, and social justice are our pathways to achieving the changes we desire.”

The leaders rejected claims that Congress is in no mood to grant statehood to Puerto Rico.

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón took a firm stance against Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera, president of the Popular Democratic Party [PDP], for his remarks urging supporters to abandon “timidity, cowardice, and ignorance” in defending the current political status. Hernández Rivera has claimed the commonwealth status is the sole viable alternative, citing statehood’s supposed impossibility and the undesirability of independence.

“I perceive a defeatist attitude in him -- one marked by conformity, complacency, and an inferiority complex,” the governor said. “For far too long, the leadership of the Popular Party has tried to impose this mindset on Puerto Rico: that we, as Puerto Ricans, are somehow incapable, that only a select few can study abroad as he did, while opportunities are unjustly denied to those of us who live and thrive here, hailing from public schools or parents who are teachers, firefighters, police officers, or secretaries.”

“This dismissive attitude from the Commissioner, who blatantly ignores the overwhelming mandate from the people of Puerto Rico, is unacceptable,” González Colón continued. “I remind him that statehood secured more votes than he did and more than any other politician or party in Puerto Rico. With over 58% of the vote, statehood undeniably represents an absolute majority. Yet he chooses to acknowledge his own votes while disregarding those for statehood. What a contradiction! His votes matter, but those for statehood do not?”

“A leader who disrespects the electorate and disregards the will of the people cannot be trusted with the responsibility of representing our island,” she insisted. “As governor, I am committed to addressing the demands of every citizen on this island. While there are issues I may disagree with, I will always uphold the mandate of the people of Puerto Rico. The people are sovereign.”

The governor reiterated that Hernández Rivera “refuses to accept a clear mandate that has been established not once, but four times.”

“We have held four plebiscites, four votes. Puerto Rico has exercised its right to vote, clearly demanding equality and statehood,” she said. “Yet, he stubbornly ignores the results because they do not align with his preferences. This reflects the narrow-minded mentality some Puerto Ricans exhibit, rooted in feelings of inferiority.”

“I reject any notion of inferiority, and [so] should Puerto Ricans,” González Colón said. “We are capable of greatness, which is precisely why I am determined to see the statehood of Puerto Rico become a reality. … “His [the resident commissioner’s] refusal to honor the will of the people sends a clear message: he does not represent or respect us. He is unwilling to embrace differing viewpoints, which is a dangerous mindset for anyone purporting to serve as a representative of Puerto Rico in Congress.”

During a speech late last week commemorating the anniversary of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Hernández Rivera noted that statehood is an “impossible” alternative, while independence, although available, “Puerto Ricans overwhelmingly reject.”

“We must restore the autonomy that was put on hold with the passage of the PROMESA Law,” he said, referring to the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act. “Until this happens, any debate about status is futile.”

During his speech last Thursday, the resident commissioner quoted urban singer Bad Bunny.

“I want the United States to drink coffee in the morning and rum in the afternoon … precisely because what happened to Hawaii did not happen to Puerto Rico, nor will it ever happen to it,” Hernández Rivera said in his speech.

“Today I want us to chart together a new path for the future and for the change of Puerto Rican autonomism,” he said, highlighting that autonomism has been the only ideological movement that has achieved concrete results in favor of self-government.

The PDP president acknowledged that autonomism has suffered setbacks, but defended its historic achievements. “Every advance, every achievement, every accomplishment of self-government by this people has been thanks to the realistic and pragmatic vision of Puerto Rican autonomists,” he said.