Support Puerto Rico

The Green Party position on Puerto Rico

In 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States and has been held by the U.S. in the form of a colony ever since. In response to international pressure, in 1952, the U.S. established the "Free Associated State" status for Puerto Rico but continued to claim that Puerto Rico belongs to, yet is not a part of, the United States. The root of the crisis is the colonial status of Puerto Rico as echoed in the UN Decolonization committee resolution on Puerto Rico adopted on June 22, 2015 which states ñthe condition of political subordination prevents Puerto Rico from taking sovereign decisions to attend to its serious economic and social problems including unemployment, marginalization and poverty (Crisis and Colonialism in Puerto Rico by Olga Sanabria Davila).

Greens support the right of the people of Puerto Rico to self-determination and independence in conformity with United Nations Resolution 1514(XV) of 1960. Greens call for the release of all Puerto Rican political prisoners. Read our full platform plank on Puerto Rico.

Sign our petition supporting Puerto Rican Independence.


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Darlene Elias, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States, addresses the Unity March for Puerto Rico. The march was held in Washington, DC on November 19, 2017.


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On Sunday, October 29th the Latinx Caucus of the Green Party of the United States endorsed the Unity March for Puerto Rico taking place in Washington, DC on November 19, 2017.

We are asking for participation from East Coast Chapters. Specifically we are asking that each East Coast State send 5 volunteers to represent the Green Party at the march. Darlene Elias, Latinx co-chair, and several other Latinx Caucus members are planning to attend and would like to join with other Green Party members at the march.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders declared their support for a recent demand by the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) for "international human rights observers [to be] sent to Puerto Rico to witness the extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and whether the recovery efforts are putting poor people before profits or are further contributing to Puerto Rico’s economic crisis.".

A follow-up statement from PPEHRC is appended below. The organization's co-founder and leader is Cheri Honkala, the Green Party 2012 vice-presidential nominee.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party leaders said that restoring Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria requires cancellation of the island's massive and unpayable debt and austerity policies under PROMESA, enabling Puerto Ricans to declare independendence, and an end to Puerto Rico's ongoing status as a colony of the U.S. since 1898.

The Green Party calls for massive and ongoing aid beyond the U.S. House's proposed $36.5 billion disaster aid package. Puerto Rico remains in a state of dire emergency with a severe need for food, water, medicine, fuel, power generators, supplies for temporary shelter, and repairs for dams and other damaged infrastructure (see "Green Party: Remove barriers to emergency relief for Puerto Rico," Sept. 27. The party also supports debt cancellation and post-hurricane relief for the Virgin Islands.


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On Monday, October 2 at 1:00 pm, the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) will be visiting the offices of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. to ask that international human rights observers are sent to Puerto Rico to witness the extent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and whether the recovery efforts are putting poor people before profits or are further contributing to Puerto Rico's economic crisis. We, the poor, are calling on the international community to witness the U.S. government's treatment of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and ensure that our families, friends, and loved ones receive the resources and justice they require.


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Rosa Clemente speaks out on Rising Up with Sonali


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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United States called on the White House and Congress to repeal the Jones Act and all barriers to emergency relief for Puerto Rico and provide massive aid for the island in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The devastation in Puerto Rico may be even worse than in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Virgin Islands have also suffered severe damage and need emergency aid.



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Your Honor, 

14159843_10207220771933999_1870042604_n.jpgMy name is Darlene Elias. I am one of seven National Co-Chairs of the Green Party of the United States y soy Boricua. Thank you for the opportunity to address such a prestigious and influential group of people here at the United Nations.

To begin with, it is the position of the Green Party that the United States needs to sever its ties with Puerto Rico completely and allow for its people to live free of colonial rule for once and for all. U.S. imperialism has only served to oppress the growth and prosperity of Puerto Rico and its people.


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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United States, led by the party's Latinx Caucus, affirmed its support for the 60th annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, June 11.

"Greens called for the release of Oscar López Rivera long before President Obama commuted his prison sentence during the final days of the Obama Administration. We're pleased to see him honored as 'Procer de la Libertad' -- National Freedom Hero -- in the Puerto Rican Day Parade," said Hector López, a member of the Green Party of Connecticut.