St. John, Puerto Rico.
The Caribbean, now part of the United States, has introduced several proposals to break away from the country.
And we believe that a part of that population is to rejoin Spain over a century after breaking up with a European country.
It may seem incredible, but this beautiful island, home to 3.2 million people, is once again rethinking its historic roots.
127 years later, Puerto Rico wants to become Spanish again
Puerto Rico, once the first autonomous community of Spain, was handed over to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish-American War.
Today, after more than 120 years under US rule, a small, growing group of Puerto Ricans says: enough. It’s time to return – not independence, not in the US, but in Spain!
A not-so-crazed idea?
Movement is called Away meetingand while it may sound fringe at first, the message is gaining traction.
The group hopes that Puerto Rico will become Spain’s 18th autonomous community, much like the Canary Islands.
According to the founder, about 13% of Puerto Ricans support the idea of unity. It may not seem like that, but in a deeply divided region about its political future, it is an important slice. And for some, debate is more than just political. It is cultural, historical and economic.
Nostalgia for Spanish rules
“Puerto Rico never wanted to break away from Spain,” says Joserrara, the leader of the movement. “We had autonomy. We had progress. Then came the US invasion and everything changed.”
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He paints Puerto Rican pictures that have been Limbo ever since. Under US rule, the island is classified as a “federal.” It has flags, governors and non-voting officials in Congress.
However, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for the US president, and many important decisions take place in Washington, not San Juan.
But there’s more than nostalgia
Critics may dismiss the campaign as romantic or unrealistic, but supporters argue that it is in fact grounded.
Spanish is the island’s main language and culturally and institutionally. Catholic traditions, Iberian surnames, and Spanish-style town squares remain embedded in Puerto Rican culture. Many believe that Spain, not the United States, is more natural fit for the island’s identity and future.
There are also issues with the service. Supporters argue that under Spain, Puerto Rico will enjoy the universal healthcare, EU investment and social protection that are currently lacking. Lara and his team have already brought the idea to the UN’s Decolonization Committee, calling for a referendum backed by voters in Spain, the US and Puerto Rico.
It’s just a choice, not an anti-American
“I think people are kidding until they hear the details.” Puerto Rico Action Spaina partner organization based in Madrid. “We’re not chasing fantasy. We’re chasing justice and regaining what’s been taken.”
But if the message is bold, the path ahead is not easy. US laws now block the formation of political parties centered around unity. The movement also claims it is struggling to get airtime at local stores in the face of media blackouts.

Credit: Creative Commons
To avoid that, they erased grassroots, including schools, cultural events, and university panels. They focus on educating the public about Puerto Rico’s Spanish past and breaking what is called the myth surrounding American colonization.
Even if the idea doesn’t reach the vote, it’s already starting a bigger conversation. In an age of political restructuring around the world, push for Puerto Rico to rejoin Spain is no longer conceived.
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