Fighting for Paradise: Puerto Rico’s Future | CBS Reports

In the midst of economic, political and climate crises, Puerto Rico has lost nearly 12% of its population over the last decade, mostly to join the 6 million Puerto Rican diaspora now living in the 50 states. Tax incentives meant to lure investments have led some Puerto Ricans to fear that the island is turning into a fiscal paradise for wealthy outsiders, driving even more locals out. Many administrations have pushed for a more prosperous Puerto Rico, but they often blame the territorial status for falling short. Is statehood, independence, or something else the solution? And who gets to decide?

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[socorro]

It really hurts, to see a beautiful and kind people with no power over their own land.

[willr]

I'm Puerto Rican by blood and I have family from both sides from my parents living in Puerto Rico and mainland United States. Making Puerto Rico a state isn't going to change if you don't take away insular cases that utilizes anglo saxon principles, the control of our budget, provide fair taxes for Puerto Ricans, our land, our right to vote, benefits that mainland American people recieve we should receive on the island like Medicare, pardon on the debt or atleast a fair payment amount, and much more issues that are happening today. Most importantly you got to remove the corruption of government from both the US Congress and in Puerto Rico because this is going om for 100+ years and we're sick of it.

[maribellel]

My beautiful island, my Puerto Rico 🇵🇷!😢

[agueybana]

She made great questions to Pierluisi and he had no answers....she nailed him and he had no answers and could not prove how Statehood will change PR's economic situation.

[ec]

So the American government criticize England about India and Australia but USA is doing the same thing with Puerto Rico and Guam. Double standard.

[lisarosario]

This hurts my heart. Thank you. Not enough is being shown about this.

[starkdragon]

Since Hawaii became a state, Hawaiians have been pushed out and it’s become the most expensive state to live in.

[Jordan-ohye]

I was not born in Puerto Rico. My grandparents arrived in New York when they were teenagers. After my mother was born, my grandparents tried moving back to the island, but they couldn't find a job over the two years they stayed. I have only visited Puerto Rico as a tourist. However, it still feels like home to me. My favorite memories are seeing mi familia en Caguas, or walking through El Yunque, and getting fresh coconut water along the small mom and pop shops along the way. I want to go back so bad. Seeing videos like these hurt. They hurt my heart and soul. I messaged my local representative to consider statehood when the most recent referendum showed most wanted it. I was mad at the current state of the island. I'm not so sure if statehood would be the best option now. All I know is that the situation as it is now is not acceptable. Something needs to change. Puerto Rico needs to become independent or a state. Something needs to be done. The Jones Act needs to be abolished. The tax breaks to rich corporations from the years of Operation Bootstrap need to go. The language is already fading. Me and my cousins are the first who don't speak Spanish fluently. I still maintain my culture. The music, the food, the history. I don't want these things to dissappear too. I don't want my home to be destroyed because the people in power don't care. Because there are so many people who do care, and they are the ones who need change the most, because their lives depend on it. Somos de aquí, como el coquí.

[tmelendezmia]

The LIKE button is too small for the essence of this video. From its producer and narrator, to its content and purpose. GRACIAS, Lilia Luciano!

[melvincruz]

Us Puerto ricans are tooo strong and will overcome everything. God bless pr and the whole world

[SALSAKID]

Look at the lying eyes of Rob Rill... He's looking up, to the sides, etc... SMH...

[PatriciaMartinez-dkvc]

Thank you for such a realistic and thorough documentary. This is eye opening to the people interested in knowing more about Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.

[davebayles]

Agreed! Puerto Ricans should Be able to make their own decision on if they would like to be a state or be independent or be their own sovereign nation. If the USA does not support Puerto Rico’s right to vote then the people of Puerto Rico are prisoners of the United States!

[MiguelAdrian]

Good educational video, for theses reasons, I move from the island 3 years ago. But for a lot of us, living in the states now, a better Puerto Rico it’s our hope, so we can go back home. Back to our paradise.👌🏻

[richardgarcia]

“Power flows to where it is needed.” Time for Puerto Rico to connect to that power and stay connected.

[ronin]

I’ve been to Puerto Rico a handful of times since 2010, and I fell in love with the country, not for tourism but because when I was there, feel African and Latin culture permeates everything I saw…
As a then 20-something AA man from the US, I knew very little about the island on my first visit.

but spending the first trips 2weeks in Utuado, I quickly learned about the Utuado massacre and saw Puerto Ricans looking exactly like me, which was dope, Learning about Tainos etc, honestly made me desire to live there, and not to be some bogus foreigner, just to respectfully learn/live there.

[starortiz]

Perfect example of what the rich Leona Helmsley allegedly said "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes."

[musskeeterbump]

love my Puerto Rican brothers and sisters, god bless 🙏🏽

[elbatorres]

Great documentary! Luciano is one of my favorite journalists!!!! I was born and raised on the island; left at 24 and stayed here. I love Puerto Rico; statehood is NOT going to solve the problem. Thank you. Good vibes always, from NYC!

[parunox]

Seeing these locations is how I remember as a Puerto Rican myself born and raised for soo many years just remembering some moments between good and bad but after hurricane Irma and Maria things have changed