Puerto Rico Congressman Responds to Nicolás Maduro’s Threat to Invade the Island

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández Rivera, delivered a message to Venezuela’s dictator, Nicolás Maduro, from the United States Congress, in response to his threat to invade the island and “liberate” its people. Maduro made his remarks at an Anti-Fascist Festival in Caracas on Saturday.

The Resident Commissioner emphasized that a majority of Puerto Ricans support some form of permanent union with the United States, either as a state or as a Commonwealth.

Likewise, the Resident Commissioner reiterated that this same majority respects the right of every citizen to peacefully and democratically advocate for independence. This respect for differing views on Puerto Rico’s future, the Resident Commissioner pointed out, is a hallmark of democratic strength – something Nicolás Maduro fails to comprehend.

Below is the Resident Commissioner’s speech as delivered:

“Madam Speaker, this past weekend, Venezuelan dictator, Nicolás Maduro, boldly declared his intention to invade and liberate Puerto Rico.

“As Puerto Rico’s representative before the United States government, I want to let Mr. Maduro know: an overwhelming majority of Puerto Ricans support a relationship of permanent union or permanent association with the United States, be that as a state or as a U.S. Commonwealth.

“That same overwhelming majority also defends the right of a respectable, patriotic minority to advocate and fight for the island’s independence through peaceful and democratic means.

“That respect for differing views is a hallmark of our democratic values – something that Mr. Maduro clearly does not understand.

“Mr. Maduro, the future of Puerto Rico will be decided by Puerto Ricans in a peaceful and democratic manner, the same way that the future of Venezuela should be decided by the Venezuelan people in a peaceful and democratic manner.”

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