Your voice matters! Leave a voice message of up to 60 seconds. / ¡Tu voz cuenta! Deja un mensaje de voz de hasta 60 segundos.

Puerto Rico: Our homeland, our future

Who decides Puerto Rico’s future and who answers when our people are left struggling?

In this episode of Puerto Rico Open Your Eyes, Edwin Ortiz delivers a passionate reflection on our history, identity, and right to determine our future. From the invasion of 1898 and the imposed transfer of sovereignty to today’s territorial relationship, we examine the distance between American citizenship and equal political participation.

We address Vieques, reproductive injustices, economic dependence, shipping restrictions, and the struggle for reliable electricity and water. We also turn the conversation toward Puerto Rico’s own politicians, public agencies, and private contractors. Federal responsibility cannot excuse corruption on the island, and local failures cannot erase Washington’s obligations.

When will we vote our conscience instead of automatically defending a party? Why can we stand together after a hurricane, yet struggle to bring that same solidarity into our political decisions?

This episode recognizes Puerto Ricans in the diaspora, whether born on the island or elsewhere, whose support helps families through disaster and recovery. Distance does not erase belonging.

We also discuss statehood, independence, and the possibility of reunification with Spain through a modern autonomous relationship, emphasizing informed debate, democratic consent, and accountability under any future arrangement.

Give this conversation more than a minute. Listen to the full episode, share it, and consider what we owe one another as a people.

Get our free app

Find our content and project links through one central hub: Open the Puerto Rico Open Your Eyes app

You can install the app directly from your phone’s browser without visiting an app store.

Apple iPhone and iPad:

1. Open the app link in Safari.
2. Tap Share the square with an upward-pointing arrow. Depending on your Safari layout, you may first need to open the menu.
3. Scroll through the options and select Add to Home Screen.
4. If Open as Web App appears, turn it on.
5. Tap Add. The app icon will appear on your Home Screen.

Android:

1. Open the app link in Google Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select Install app or Add to Home screen.
4. Tap Install or Add and follow the confirmation prompts.
5. Open the app from its new icon on your phone.

If the link opens inside Facebook, Instagram, or another app, copy it into Safari on Apple devices or Chrome on Android, then follow the steps above.

Read, subscribe, and support our work

Continue the conversation on Substack. Subscribe free, read our articles, and share them with others: Puerto Rico Open Your Eyes on Substack

To help sustain our research, writing, and bilingual podcast production, support us on Patreon: Support Puerto Rico Open Your Eyes on Patreon

Thank you for listening, sharing, and helping this conversation reach Puerto Ricans on the island and throughout the diaspora.

History. Identity. Conversation. Possibilities.