By The Star Staff
It seems that the threat of an invasion of Puerto Rico made by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is being taken seriously by Gov. Jenniffer González Colón.
The governor has urged President-elect Donald Trump to take action after Maduro threatened, rhetorically it would seem, to invade the U.S. island territory using another South American country’s military.
In a letter addressed to Trump, González Colón stated, “[J]ust a few days after holding an illegitimate swearing-in ceremony in a desperate attempt to cling to power in Venezuela,” Maduro “publicly proposed an invasion of Puerto Rico,” according to a Fox News report.
Maduro, who was recently sworn in for a third six-year presidential term despite international condemnation of his recent reelection as illegitimate, made the threat last weekend during the “International Anti-Fascist Festival” in Caracas. He referenced Trump’s comments about U.S. interests in the Panama Canal and Greenland, saying, “Just as the North has an agenda of colonization, we have an agenda of liberation.”
Maduro claimed that the “freedom of Puerto Rico is pending, and we will achieve it with Brazilian troops,” according to Latin America Reports.
González Colón emphasized to Trump that this represents “an open threat to the United States, our national security, and stability in the region.” She expressed confidence that his administration would respond decisively, making it clear to the Maduro regime that under his leadership, the United States would protect American lives and sovereignty and would not yield to the threats of “petty, murderous dictators.”
In her letter, the governor highlighted that Puerto Rico has been an “essential part of the United States” since 1898. She reminded Trump that Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship in 1917, and they have contributed significantly to American society, including in military service, with many serving alongside fellow citizens in every U.S. military conflict since World War I.
“Contrary to Maduro’s and other adversaries’ calls for independence, the people of Puerto Rico have repeatedly rejected this option. Instead, we have voted to strengthen our union with the United States through statehood — most recently in the November 5, 2024, plebiscite held alongside our general elections,” González Colón wrote.
The results of the non-binding referendum indicated that 56.87% voted in favor of U.S. statehood, while 12.29% preferred “free association with the United States,” and 30.84% supported independence.
I can see how stressful it can be to hold high office Head Soccer.
It's surprising that every time that you think, what else the new NPP governor can do or say to look absolutely ridiculous, she comes up with something that top the previous incident. President Maduro is cognizant that currently an invasion of PR by a country other than the US, they invaded the country in 1898 and since then, we have been a colony, is almost futile. Additionally, Mr. Trump and his Republicans allies had declared in numerables occasions their disdain for PR; Mitch McConnel said not too long ago that they won't be entertain the idea of adding any new states.
Regarding the will of the people, the plebiscites, referendums and HR acts since 1967 had never demonstrated a significant…