Despite the global perception of Puerto Rico due to its paradisiacal beaches and contagious music, the island harbors a military background. Due to its territorial relationship with the United States, as a Commonwealth (ELA), the archipelago served as a training ground for the US military during World War II, the Cold War, or the Vietnam War, among other conflicts. Amid tensions between Cuba and the US in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico once again plays a strategic role for the US military as a bridge to the Southern Hemisphere.
Regarding this, the mayor of the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Miguel A. Romero Lugo, shares his perspective on the increased military activity on the island during a visit to Madrid for an event at the Casa de América on the five centuries of San Juan. The politician delves into militarization, the daily concerns of Puerto Ricans, and his vision for the island's political status. This latter, a hotly debated topic between those who advocate for complete annexation to the US and those who prefer independence.
QUESTION. With the recent increase in activity by the Southern Command and the arrival of more ships and personnel at military bases like Fort Buchanan, what is your perception of how the population is receiving this increased US military presence?
ANSWER. From the population, I wouldn't say there is a generalized opinion on the matter. I don't think it has reached a level of virality in terms of being a daily topic of conversation; at least in the case of San Juan, it hasn't been. I believe that in principle, no human being supports militarization because they want to, and nobody wants armed conflicts. The everyday Puerto Rican has more pressing concerns. There are serious issues in the electrical system affecting the entire population and enormous challenges in the water distribution infrastructure. The Puerto Rican is more concerned about water, electricity, the cost of living, inflation, the impact of tariffs on the island's economy, and how the cost has affected access to housing for the working class. I think as long as the plate is full of urgent matters, not everyone is looking at other issues.
Q.Does the military buildup in Puerto Rico have any relation to Cuba?
A. At the Washington level, I believe this allows the US to see that there are still interests that can be protected from our island, which is not the first time in our history. Puerto Rico has always had a significant military presence, from the times of Kennedy to the departure of the Navy from Vieques, which had negative repercussions. Recently, there has been discussion about whether the current increase is related to a possible intervention in Cuba; I saw what was discussed at the time about Venezuela and it turned out to be true, so we will have to wait and see what happens.
Q. And in light of the protests by organizations like Mothers Against War, do you think the community should be more informed about the militarization on the island?
A. I don't perceive it as a daily topic of conversation unless there is a major activity out of the ordinary. It is a valid point and could be discussed more, but currently, infrastructure challenges dominate public opinion. There are people who may support the military presence as part of a determination for the role of the US, fulfilling civic duties, or defending democracy and key military interests in our relationship with the nation. However, the ordinary citizen's priority remains water, electricity, and the impact of tariffs on their economy.
Q. Regarding Puerto Rico's status, what is your position on seeking statehood and how is it progressing from the capital?
A. I fundamentally believe in statehood [becoming a US federal state]. If you are a citizen of a nation, you should have full rights; it's not about wanting to be something we are not, for me, it's a pragmatic matter. If I live in a jurisdiction of a nation where there is a parliament and no representation of my community, I will demand participation and full democratic rights. I consider myself a US citizen by birth and I believe that if we had full rights and additional tools, it would help people return to our island, halting migration caused by the lack of programs like Supplemental Security Income or Medicare. It is important to understand that statehood is not an automatic legal right claimed in court; it is a political exercise in the US Congress that takes a long time, just like with Hawaii or Alaska. Currently, I do not see conditions under the Trump administration or the Republican Party, but with the Democratic Party, I do see a real opportunity to discuss our equality, as we would contribute senators and representatives strengthening Hispanic diversity at a national level.
Q. After centuries of belonging to the Spanish monarchy, what strategic role does the Puerto Rican capital play due to its links with Spain?
A. The historical tradition that unites us with Spain and the reality of our relationship with the United States for the past 128 years provide us with a unique opportunity. Puerto Rico can be, in a planned manner, the point where Spain and Europe can use the island as the starting point to do business in the United States of America with the economic potential that entails. The great advantage is doing business in the US market in Spanish, in our language, with guarantees of legal certainty and strengths in participating in the American economy. We have seen it before, for example, with the story of Mapfre, which by entering the US market through Puerto Rico boosted its global expansion, or with Metropistas, a subsidiary of a Madrid-based company, which created the first public-private partnership on the island in the 1990s. The fact that as a people we defend our culture, identity, and Spanish language gives us a unique competitive advantage to be that bridge.