Authorized statement by the governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló:
(September 4, 2018 - La Fortaleza, San Juan) "Puerto Rico owes a debt of gratitude to the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, who has been the Puerto Rican people’s steadfast partner. He was the first to arrive on our Island after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and, subsequently, has continued to advocate on behalf of Puerto Ricans and work with our administration.
I consider Governor Cuomo my friend and he has my support. However, if the intention is to pursue a lawsuit over the unequal treatment of the federal Government for Puerto Rico, it should not be limited to the current president but should include each of the past presidents and congresses who have discriminated for decades against the American citizens of our Island.
The best example of such discrimination is in the allocations for health programs. Our citizens have always received two to three times less than mainland Americans. In such a core issue to sustain the quality of life, we have always been discriminated against.
It is important to emphasize that his occurs essentially in all federal programs.
The right way to end inequality towards our People is to demand that Congress respects the will of the majority of Puerto Ricans, who in two referendums rejected the current colonial system and demanded equal rights as citizens of the United States.
As governor, I expect this respect for Puerto Rico from all elected officials in the United States, including Andrew Cuomo, Donald Trump, and the entire leadership of the Democratic and Republican parties. I demand that they state clearly and unambiguously: Are they for or against the colony? Are they in favor or against allowing Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of the Nation?
Unfortunately, the Constitution of the United States allows for the unequal treatment of its territories and discrimination against its colonies.
Those who wish to eradicate this inequality for Puerto Rico must commit to end the current colonial relationship.
Again, I ask the entire national political leadership to assume a clear position on the struggle for the equal civil rights of our People and the congressional action required for Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of the Union.
The national political leadership must keep in mind that the world is watching them in their treatment towards Puerto Rico.
With which moral power can they claim democracy in other parts of the world, while discriminating against their own citizens in a colony under the flag of the United States?
The ball is in their court. Action speaks louder than words.”
