NPP closes convention with calls for unity and vision for PR’s future

As the NPP looks ahead, its leaders made clear that unity and a shared vision remain the foundation for Puerto Rico’s progress and its pursuit of equality through statehood.

By THE STAR STAFF

The New Progressive Party (NPP) wrapped up its convention on Sunday with a powerful message centered on unity and the future of Puerto Rico. Under the banner “Equality is the Future,” the party’s president and current governor, Jenniffer González Colón, brought together party leaders, including former governors Luis Fortuño and Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, to discuss the island’s path forward through statehood.

In her closing remarks during the General Assembly, González Colón emphasized the importance of solidarity within the party. “Here, as intelligent people, we can disagree and have different opinions, but we are very clear that the most important cause is not a personal one — it’s the cause of our people demanding equality,” she said.

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz echoed this sentiment, sending a direct message to political opponents: “Let the political opposition be on record — if they go to bed dreaming of division within the PNP, they’ll have a rude awakening. We are together, united, and focused on a major victory for the palm.”

The convention also featured a special panel where former governors Fortuño and Rosselló Nevares shared their reflections and visions for Puerto Rico. Governor González Colón called the gathering historic, stating, “Bringing together former Governors Fortuño and Ricardo Rosselló demonstrates that, above all, we are united for the good of our people. Their experience, combined with their vision for the future, strengthens us and prepares us to continue transforming Puerto Rico. Unity is our greatest strength in a party where we are intelligent people united by a single purpose: equality and the goal of making Puerto Rico the 51st state.”

Fortuño underscored the value of collaboration and legacy, expressing gratitude for the invitation. “Puerto Rico’s progress is not the work of one person or a single four-year term; it is built with the dedication of everyone, with values, which is what our party stands for. We must continue working together to ensure a future of prosperity and opportunity for all Puerto Ricans,” he said. He also announced the reinstatement of the “Your Values Count” project, initially launched during his term and well received by the public.

Rosselló Nevares shared his optimism for Puerto Rico’s statehood future, emphasizing the need to learn from past experiences and unite. “This party’s commitment is to the people and to statehood as a matter of public policy. Therefore, we must work on all fronts to achieve our goal of well-being, progress, and a better quality of life,” he stated.

In addition to these discussions, González Colón reiterated the party’s stance on energy reform by calling for the cancellation of the contract with LUMA Energy, which currently manages Puerto Rico’s electricity transmission and distribution. “Since day one, we’ve been working on this — with an energy czar and oversight unlike anything this contract has seen before. Why? To lay the groundwork to cancel this contract and find another operator. That’s what we promised, and that’s what we’re going to do. We’ll seek an operator with experience because the one currently in Puerto Rico had none to handle our electrical system,” she affirmed.

The convention also addressed internal party governance. Party vice president Rosachely Rivera Santana announced several proposed electoral amendments, and Rivera Schatz successfully moved for the party’s Board of Directors to review and implement these changes.

As the NPP looks ahead, its leaders made clear that unity and a shared vision remain the foundation for Puerto Rico’s progress and its pursuit of equality through statehood.