Even among Puerto Ricans, there is much dispute over the island's status. One acquaintance of mine shook her head at the very idea of making her native island either a state or a country: "Oh, no, it would all go wrong very quickly because the corruption would get even worse and there would be a civil war." My friend was alarmist perhaps in the certainty of her fears, but she is no fool.
Even by generous definitions, genuine, fully functioning democracy and rule of law are rare in Latin American history and culture. My preference is to give Puerto Rico independence and then let them petition for statehood after a minimum of ten years. I do not relish the idea of a civil war in an American state, with resonant strife among Puerto Ricans in the US.
"Even by generous definitions, genuine, fully functioning democracy and rule of law are rare in Latin American history and culture"
Your friend is indeed an alarmist.
If I personally had the power the power, I could present to Congress an organized State of Puerto Rico tomorrow, accrding to the Tennesse Plan. It jus so happens that the very powerful lobby of the oligarchs that profit from our colonial condition do not allow it to happen. Mainly through the spreading of unfortunate stereotypes such as the one you project here.
I'll tell, ya. I read with amusement about the opposition to new states throughout U.S. history. They all follow the same script. The day before yesterday it was the railroads, yesterday the United Fruit Company and today it's the multinational manufacturers.