Question 21: What has been done to force our governments to solve the many issues we have?
Short Answer: Protests, demands, requests, meetings, etc. have been orchestrated, but the results have been the same:
“We hear you, and we promise to fix it.” Blah, blah, blah!
“Be patient, it takes time, but we promise to fix it.” Blah, blah, blah!
“We know there is a problem, but we promise to fix it.” Blah, blah, blah!
This has been going on this way for decades.
Question 22: Residents organized and were successful at causing the Navy to leave. Why can’t this be done to achieve the improvements we need so much?
Short Answer: It is much easier to perform a negative than a positive. Stopping the bombing in the then current political environment with the aid of powerful people required that the Navy merely stop and pack up, which was not difficult. Starting programs or improving conditions for Vieques requires sponsorship, creativity, funding, and initiative – not things government is particularly good at.
Expanded Answer: Power brokering, special interests, and politics rule.
Question 23: How can Vieques force the San Juan government to treat us with respect, give us more autonomy, and fix the many broken services which we are forced to rely on?
Short Answer: Vieques is poor and politically weak. PR is in deep trouble with a dysfunctional, corrupt, incompetent political class that is up to its eyeballs in fear, debt, and horse manure of its own making. Even if it wanted to, the government is not going to be able to help us in the next ten years. And, after that, it is unlikely that we will have priority of any sort anyway. If we don’t figure out what to do on our own, we will continue our economic slide, and young people will continue leaving the island.
Question 24: Can Vieques force a change in the relationship we have with San Juan?
Short Answer: Yes, but only with the consent of the US Congress. With their approval Vieques could be: a separate territory (colony), annexed to one of the 50 States, annexed by a foreign country, or a new independent country.
Expanded Answer: Under the “Territorial Clause” Congress is in complete control.
Question 25: Why would Congress be willing to create another separate colony?
Short Answer: They probably wouldn’t because there is no foreseeable benefit to them or the US. They may recognize it could make some improvements possible for our island, but they would be very hesitant to act because we are not a priority for them – just a pain in the neck.
Question 26: Would Congress ever consider allowing us to be annexed to one of the upper 50?
Short Answer: Maybe, but only if it was clear that we had a majority that really wanted it and the State that sponsored us was politically powerful enough to close the deal. The problem for us is that our status as a remote island from the seats of power would still make us the tail of the dog.
Question 27: Would Congress ever consider allowing us to be annexed to another country?
Short Answer: No! Not Cuba, but not Canada, either. Just plain no! Now, they might trade us to Greece for one of their islands.
Question 28: Would Congress ever consider decolonizing Vieques and letting us become an independent country?
Short Answer: It’s not in their playbook at the moment, and their initial response would certainly be disbelief, but a strong case can be made for not just allowing it but for providing full assistance with the process.
Expanded Answer: If Vieques mustered the clear support for independence, there are very compelling reasons why this would become quite acceptable to both PR and the US Congress.
Question 29: Would PR ever consider allowing Vieques to secede?
Short Answer: It’s not their decision – even without the Fiscal Control Board. Congress wouldn’t typically make such a decision without studying the whole situation and getting input from PR. But, just like with the US, a strong case can be made for not just allowing it but for providing full assistance with the process.
Expanded Answer: If Vieques mustered the clear support for independence, there are very compelling reasons why this would become quite acceptable to both PR and the US Congress.
Question 30: Can a small country the size of Vieques become an internationally recognized country?
Short Answer: There are 193 countries in the United Nations. Of those, two are about 10,000 people and one considerably smaller. The land areas of the three are all smaller.
Expanded Answer: UN membership is not automatic. There are some sovereign nations unable to secure the requisite votes to join the club. With US backing, it would not be difficult.