Today, guest poster Albéniz Couret Fuentes comments on Puerto Rico’s political status. This guest post stems from a discussion Albéniz and I had in the comments to a post on recent developments in the First Circuit. Albéniz, a lawyer in private practice in San Juan, critiques Puerto Rico’s lack of representation in Congress along the same lines as Judge Toruella has done. I have a different perspective on these questions than Albéniz has—it seems to me that the Puerto Rican people have not expressed a wish to become a state, and it may be that most of the Puerto Rican people would like for the status quo to continue. It seems to me—as it seemed to the First Circuit—clear from the text of the Constitution that Puerto Rico is entitled to representation in the Congress and to choose presidential electors if and only if it becomes a state. So I don’t see any injustice in Puerto Rico’s current political status. My view would change if, for instance, Puerto Rico decides that it wishes to be a state and Congress refused. In any event, I welcome Albéniz as the latest Letters Blogatory guest blogger!
Photo credit: Quarter-dollar coin image from the United States Mint.
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