Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico, Journey Toward A More Perfect Union

Latest Episodes:

How Puerto Rican Voters Could Shape the 2024 Elections with Dr. Robert McClure | Mano a Mano Podcast Nov 01, 2024

In this episode of the Mano a Mano Podcast, hosts George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera from the Puerto Rico Statehood Council break down the critical issues at play in the 2024 elections and their profound implications for Puerto Rico's political future. We’re talking federal and local races, the latest polling on statehood, independence, and free association, and what each choice could mean for Puerto Rico’s path forward.

Special guest Dr. Robert McClure, President and CEO of the James Madison Institute, joins us to dive into the growing influence of Puerto Rican voters stateside, particularly in key battlegrounds like Florida and Pennsylvania.

Tune in as we explore:

How the growth of Puerto Rican voters stateside is increasing attention to the statehood in the U.S. and challenging elected officials to address it head-on

The increasing spotlight on Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania during the 2024 Presidential election, and what it could mean for candidates

Why the discussion of statehood for Puerto Rico will only become more urgent in the years and elections to come

From political status to the power of Puerto Rican voters, this episode offers a deep look into the issues that matter most. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on Puerto Rico’s future in the 2024 elections. Watch now and join the conversation!

01:28 Puerto Rico's Symbolic Presidential Vote

02:20 Gubernatorial Race Insights

04:29 Puerto Rico's Status Question

11:52 Stateside Politics Influencing Puerto Rico

15:35 Puerto Rican Voters in Florida

17:43 Interview with Dr. Robert McClure

19:33 James Madison Institute's Role and Impact

39:21 Puerto Rico's Territorial Status and Plebiscites

42:04 Political Engagement and Statehood Advocacy

46:35 The Growing Importance of the Statehood Issue

49:36 Potential Impact of Pro-Independence Leadership

56:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.
Interested in learning more about the statehood movement?
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Produced by Caandor Labs.

The Road Ahead for Puerto Rico: Plebiscite Insights and Political Dynamics ft Luis Davila Pernas Sep 12, 2024

In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera discuss crucial updates for the 2024 presidential election and Puerto Rico’s political status plebiscite. They are joined by Luis Dávila Pernas, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Puerto Rico and Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA). The conversation covers the Democratic Party’s endorsement of the Puerto Rico Status Act, the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions, and PRFAA’s role in bridging Puerto Rico with the federal government. They also delve into the significance of upcoming votes and how individuals can advocate for statehood and other political statuses for Puerto Rico.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:41 Federal Government Funding and Congressional Updates

01:34 Democratic National Convention Highlights

03:55 Supreme Court Decision on Puerto Rico Plebiscite

07:19 Interview with Luis Davila Pernas

09:01 Role and Importance of PRFAA

12:21 Political Dynamics and Democratic Party Involvement

18:33 Puerto Rico Status Act and Future Prospects

36:13 Significance of the Upcoming Plebiscite

41:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Produced by Caandor Labs.

Economic Reforms and the Quest for Statehood with Jose Carrion III Aug 05, 2024

In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George Las Garcia and Martin Rivera discuss the 2024 presidential election and its affect on efforts to decolonize Puerto Rico. They delve into the upcoming locally sponsored plebiscite aimed at addressing Puerto Rico’s territorial status and its implications under the Puerto Rico Status Act.

Special guest Jose Carrion III, the former chairman of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board, joins the show to discuss the economic and fiscal reforms in Puerto Rico under the PROMESA legislation and its impact on the island’s competitiveness and quest for statehood. The discussion also covers political developments from the recent Republican National Convention, the transition in leadership within Puerto Rico's pro-statehood party, and the broader national security and economic arguments for Puerto Rico’s statehood from a Republican perspective.

02:27 Biden Drops Out of 2024 Race

03:50 Republican National Convention Highlights

07:31 DNC Platform and Puerto Rico

09:15 Local Politics in Puerto Rico

13:17 Puerto Rico's Fiscal Oversight and Economic Reforms

33:53 Statehood vs. Independence: A Respectful Debate

34:43 Facing Public Backlash and Security Concerns

35:20 Psychological and Demographic Challenges

37:28 Municipalities and Fiscal Realities

39:11 Identity and Political Passion

40:07 Consolidation and Political Manipulation

42:00 Fiscal Oversight and Political Status

44:29 Tax Rates and Economic Policies

46:24 Preparing for Statehood: Policies and Reforms

49:35 Political Landscape and Upcoming Elections

52:14 Republican Influence and Statehood Movement

58:45 National Security and Economic Potential

01:05:58 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Produced by Caandor Labs.

Congressional Debates on Puerto Rico's Status: Past, Present, and Future Jun 26, 2024

In this month's episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George and Martin discuss the latest developments in Congress regarding Puerto Rico's political status, including a significant update on the Puerto Rico Status Act. They also delve into how these legislative efforts tie into the upcoming 2024 general election and the ongoing quest to decolonize Puerto Rico.

Later in the show, Professor Charles Venator-Santiago from the University of Connecticut joins the conversation to explore the historical context, demographics, and political factors influencing the demand for change in Puerto Rico.

Professor Venator also shares his work on the Puerto Rico Status Archive project, a digital database of congressional legislation on Puerto Rico's political status. View the archive here.

Tune in to gain updates on island politics, insights into the current statehood efforts, and the path toward self-determination for Puerto Rico.

WATCH THE EPISODE ON YOUTUBE.

Produced by Caandor Labs.

Building a Cross-Territorial Coalition: Addressing the Democratic Deficit in U.S. Territories May 31, 2024

On this episode of Mano a Mano, U.S., co-hosts George and Martin delve into the democratic deficit faced by U.S. territories. They discuss the discriminatory impact of the insular cases and the efforts of a cross-territorial coalition to advocate for democratic equality. The conversation also covers the Puerto Rico Status Act and the importance of federal elected officials addressing the disparities in the territories.
Guest Adi Martínez-Román from Right to Democracy joins to provide insights. News and updates include the FAA reauthorization bill's significance for aviation safety and infrastructure. Tune in for a deep dive into Puerto Rico's journey toward self-determination and full democracy today!
About Adi:
Adi Martínez-Román has nearly two decades of experience working in community legal aid and empowerment. She is the President of the Board of Director of the Resiliency Law Center (RLC) and the Founder Director of the non-profit organization, FURIA, Inc., which focuses on empowering community leaders through participatory advocacy. Adi began working as and advocate for climate resiliency in 2017 as the Executive Director of the Access to Justice Fund Foundation, where she led efforts to increase access to civil legal services for the impoverished, then as Senior Policy Analyst in Oxfam American, and as Director of the RLC.

Before her work in the resiliency sector, Adi served as the Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Puerto Rico Law School for seven years, where she also taught courses on the Legal Profession, Law and Poverty, and Law and Social Change. She has been part of several boards, including the Board of Directors of Puerto Rico Legal Services Corporation, where she held the position of President for a year and a half.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy and International Affairs, a law degree from the University of Puerto Rico, and both a Masters of Law and Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Instituto Bartolomé de las Casas at Universidad Carlos III of Madrid (Spain).

Produced by Caandor Labs.

El Comeback ft. Angelique Sina - President & Founder, Friends of Puerto Rico Mar 28, 2024

"Let's call it el comeback!" 🎶 ✊ Join hosts George and Martin on this month's episode of Mano a Mano as they delve into Puerto Rico's revitalization movement, "El Comeback." Explore how Puerto Ricans are reclaiming their island's potential amidst the ongoing challenges.

🎙️On the pod, we'll discuss the impacts of the debt crisis, natural disasters, political instability, and the mass migration to the U.S. mainland fueled by Puerto Rico's territorial status. On the flip side, we delve into the "El Comeback" where Puerto Ricans are moving back to the island - eager to contribute to its resilience and resurgence despite lingering uncertainties. Hear about the dilemma faced by millions of our fellow U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico - hardworking families and young professionals torn between returning to the island or staying stateside.

🎤 Special guest Angelique Sina, President and Founder of Friends of Puerto Rico, joins the conversation to share insights into her personal journey and efforts in accelerating economic opportunities for Puerto Ricans.
CONVERSATION OVERVIEW:
NEWS AND UPDATES - [00:02:10]

[00:04:31] Political visits to Puerto Rico.
[00:08:27] Republican, Democrat, and Pro-statehood candidates in Puerto Rico.
[00:11:49] Population changes and declines in Puerto Rico.
[00:19:31] Introducing El Comeback phenomenon
INTERVIEW W/ ANGELIQUE SINA - [00:21:24]

[00:24:34] Social impact through Friends of Puerto Rico.
[00:28:46] Economic development in Puerto Rico.
[00:30:33] Economic development through entrepreneurship.
[00:34:16] Impacts of Territorial inequality in Puerto Rico.
[00:42:14] Progress after Hurricane Maria
[00:44:32] Economic development strategies.
[00:50:15] The comeback journey.
[00:54:14] Opportunities for Puerto Rico and Driving Future Growth

Tune in to join the discussion on Puerto Rico's ongoing journey toward progress and what you can do to stop the colony and let Puerto Rico decide!

Produced by Caandor Labs.

Is Congress Violating Civil Rights in Puerto Rico? | ft. Andrés L. Córdova, Esq. Feb 29, 2024

On this month's episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George Law-García and Martin Rivera are joined by Prof. Andrés L. Cordova, Esq., Chairman of the Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (PRAC to the USCCR), as they embark on a crucial exploration of Puerto Rico's civil rights landscape.

On the pod, they dissect the groundbreaking memorandum by the PRAC, shedding light on the enduring impacts of the infamous Insular Cases; cover the history of the USCCR and its role in addressing democratic deficits; and explore a path toward equality and justice.
Additional Updates/ Topics Covered:
- Updates on Congress and its impact on resolving Puerto Rico's territory status
- Senate + House returning from recess, facing priorities like avoiding a government shutdown & passing appropriations for 2024
- The challenging situation during the 2024 election year as it relates to Puerto Rico's fight for equal justice & self-determination
- The impact on legislative issues beyond basic funding
RESOURCES:
- Click here to read the memorandum from the Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
- Click here to learn about the ongoing legacy of the Insular Cases
TIMESTAMPS
[00:02:22] Funding the federal government - Deadline approaches...

[00:07:11] History of the US Commission on Civi Rigths and The Puerto Rico Advisory Committee established.

[00:09:36] Unequal treatment in Puerto Rico.

[00:14:24] The impact of Insular Cases.

[00:16:30] Territorial status of Puerto Rico.

[00:21:25] Territories and Insular Cases.

[00:25:44] Insular cases and constitutional rights.

[00:29:39] Statehood movement and language.

[00:34:17] Constitutional and political issues.

[00:36:07] Incorporation and statehood debate.

[00:40:48] Puerto Rico status debate.

[00:43:31] The importance of advisory boards.

[00:49:32] Educating about territorial status.

[00:50:15] Democratic deficit.

Produced by Caandor Labs.

Puerto Rico Statehood 2024 | Progress & Challenges Jan 25, 2024

In our second episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George Laws García and Martin Rivera provide a detailed examination of Puerto Rico's statehood movement. Uncover the strides made in 2022 and 2023, explore current priorities in the 118th Congress, and learn how we can work together to anticipate challenges in 2024. This episode is a vital exploration of Puerto Rico's ongoing quest for full democracy and self-determination.

Produced by Caandor Labs.

Understanding Puerto Rico's Political Status and Its Impact on US Geopolitics | Ft. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Dec 18, 2023

In our inaugural episode of "Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico," Governor Pedro Pierluisi joins hosts George Laws-García and Martin Rivera for an exclusive interview. Discover the Governor's personal story and gain insights into the progress and hurdles in Puerto Rico’s fight for full equality and self-determination.

Also on the show, George and Martin delve into the history and geopolitics that have shaped America's relationship with Puerto Rico for the past 125 years. They discuss the significance of understanding Puerto Rico's political status in the context of US geopolitics and highlight the recent introduction of the Senate Companion of the Puerto Rico Status Act.
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Produced by Caandor Labs.

Welcome to Mano a Mano Dec 13, 2023

Welcome to Mano a Mano - a podcast amplifying the voices of leaders, thinkers, activists, and allies from across the political spectrum who support Puerto Rico’s fight for full democracy and self-determination.
Join co-hosts George Laws-García and Martin Rivera as they dive into current events through the lens of U.S.-Puerto Rico relations and reveal how the Caribbean island’s political status can serve as a powerful vantage point for understanding some of the most fundamental questions facing America today.

Each month, Martin and George interview key voices to bridge divides, offer in-depth analysis and foster understanding while collectively working to build a more perfect Union - both for the U.S. Citizens of Puerto Rico and everyone who still believes in the fundamental American values of democracy, equal rights, and government by consent of the governed.

Produced by Caandor Labs.

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