New year 2026: Issues in perspective
- The San Juan Daily Star
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
By GREGORIO IGARTÚA
Special to The STAR
As 2026 gets underway, several pressing issues — both global and national — demand careful analysis. Understanding where we stand legally, economically and politically is essential to charting where we are headed.
A) International outlook
Russia-Ukraine conflict: Will a peaceful resolution emerge, or will all parties face severe consequences?
Iran’s internal unrest: Citizens continue to demand human rights and democracy against a ruling dictatorship. In an attempt to quell protests, the government offers a $7 monthly allowance — reminiscent of Puerto Rico’s poverty relief under then-Gov. Luis Muñoz Marín in the 1950s.
Venezuela’s transition: Following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest by U.S. authorities, the nation faces the challenge of moving toward democracy. Maduro’s regime was marked by drug trafficking, electoral fraud and oil transfers to Cuba. Venezuela’s national debt now exceeds $150 billion.
In Puerto Rico, the pro-independence party (PIP) publicly supported Maduro after his arrest, raising questions about its ideological direction. Supporting Maduro means endorsing his illegal activities — how far left is the PIP willing to go if elected? This stance contrasts sharply with the leadership ideals of the 1960s under Dr. Concepción de Gracia and Baltazar Quiñones Elías.
Cuba and Nicaragua: Both nations face severe economic and political crises — joblessness, food shortages, power outages and mounting social decay. Ironically, the PIP’s Juan Dalmau recently compared these conditions to Puerto Rico’s. Really?
China and Taiwan: Beijing’s territorial claims remain a flashpoint that cannot be ignored.
North Korea: Continued ballistic missile development poses a growing threat to U.S. national security.
U.S. trade policy: How effective will President Trump’s tariff strategy be within his broader economic agenda?
B) National challenges
Artificial intelligence: Public policy must address the rapid integration of AI into the economy and legal systems. While AI offers significant benefits, it will disrupt labor markets and could trigger social instability. This technological shift echoes Alvin Toffler’s “Future Shock” warning from the 1970s.
Immigration policy: Will the U.S. maintain its policy of admitting over one million legal immigrants annually? How will dual citizenship requests be handled?
Additionally, how will the nation respond to immigrants seeking political office — bringing diverse cultural traditions into American governance?
Gender issues: Will biological sex remain the prevailing standard, or will progressive and trans perspectives dominate policy?
FCC enforcement: Will the Federal Communications Commission begin cracking down on obscenity and immorality in radio and television programming?
UFO disclosure: How much more will Americans learn about UFO encounters? Congressional hearings in 2025 revealed incidents, including one at Ramey Base in Aguadilla (2013). Notably, President Jimmy Carter reportedly had an encounter, yet was denied information by then-CIA Director George Bush in 1977.
C) Puerto Rico’s political status
After 128 years, will Congress finally grant Puerto Ricans equal rights as U.S. citizens?
Key questions remain:
* Will the Financial Oversight and Management Board continue managing Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy?
* Will the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) acknowledge that the current commonwealth (ELA) status lacks constitutional viability?
* Could the PDP reorganize as a pro-statehood party, given its support for U.S. citizenship and federal aid?
* Will Puerto Rico remain under a status quo that costs $25 billion annually and perpetuates disenfranchisement — government without consent of the governed?
Gregorio Igartúa is a pro-statehood lawyer and writer.
Gregorio Igartúa’s breakdown of 2026’s key issues—from Puerto Rico’s status to global conflicts—raises critical questions about governance and progress, though it’s a reminder that even pressing debates don’t overshadow practical tools like the Wire Size Calculator that help people tackle everyday technical tasks.