Opinion piece in The Hill calls for Puerto Rico statehood

A satellite photo provided by Airbus DS shows a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone at Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla in October 2025. A recent opinion piece called for renewed discussion in Washington over Puerto Rico’s political future, arguing that statehood has become a strategic imperative following last month’s dramatic U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. (Airbus DS via The New York Times)

By THE STAR STAFF

A recent opinion piece in The Hill called for renewed discussion in Washington over Puerto Rico’s political future, arguing that statehood has become a strategic imperative following last month’s dramatic U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The commentary ties Puerto Rico’s long‑standing U.S. ties to a broader reorientation of American policy in the Western Hemisphere.

The op‑ed comes as regional governments continue grappling with the fallout of Maduro’s removal. Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on Jan. 3 during an overnight raid in Caracas and transported out of Venezuela, part of what the Trump administration described as an effort to dismantle criminal networks tied to narcotics trafficking and reassert regional stability. The capture triggered political upheaval in Venezuela, prompting a rapid internal restructuring of the ruling Chavista movement under interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

The op‑ed argues that the operation not only ended Maduro’s rule but also signaled a new foreign‑policy posture -- referred to by the author as the “Donroe Doctrine” -- intended to crack down on governments seen as enabling drug trafficking, migration pressures, or partnerships with foreign adversaries. According to the columnist, the shift requires reexamining U.S. alliances throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

The piece asserts that Puerto Rico -- already a key military and logistical hub -- should play a central role in that strategy. The author cites the island’s historical military importance, including its role as a U.S. Navy center during World War II, as well as its residents’ high enlistment rates. The commentary also highlights Puerto Rico’s recent use as a staging area for U.S. operations in the Caribbean, noting that Maduro was transported through the Aguadilla airport after his capture.

According to the op‑ed, Puerto Rico’s territorial status presents vulnerabilities at a moment of increasing geopolitical tension. The author contends that statehood would solidify the island’s alignment with U.S. security interests, particularly if global rivals like Russia or China attempt to intervene in Latin America.

The piece warns that disruptions following Maduro’s capture -- including impacts on maritime traffic and air travel across the Caribbean -- underscore the need for seamless coordination between Puerto Rico and the federal government. It argues that granting statehood would place the island on par with other key military staging states such as California and North Carolina.

The op‑ed also criticizes a “vocal minority” advocating for Puerto Rican independence, asserting that separation from the U.S. would jeopardize national security. It frames independence as a potential strategic loss for Washington, particularly given Puerto Rico’s location and existing military infrastructure.

While statehood has won pluralities in recent plebiscites, questions remain about congressional support and the feasibility of major political change in a polarized environment.

As Venezuela undergoes a turbulent transition, U.S. policy in the region continues to evolve. Maduro’s capture has raised legal and diplomatic questions, including criticism from some members of Congress who argue the operation exceeded executive authority. Meanwhile, Venezuelan society remains unsettled, with demonstrations calling for Maduro’s return and speculation about the direction of Rodríguez’s interim government.

Against that backdrop, the op‑ed positions Puerto Rico not just as a domestic issue but as a pivotal element of Washington’s broader strategy in the Western Hemisphere. Whether its arguments gain traction in Congress remains to be seen, but they have added new urgency to a long‑running debate about the island’s political future.