Boricua Libre!

Introduction

Working to break the chain of colonialism

I believe Puerto Rico’s true destiny is to become a proud and independent nation. I am a second-generation, American-born, Puerto Rican of Taino ancestry who feels that continued Commonwealth (Colony) or Statehood is not in Puerto Rico’s future or best interests. I believe Puerto Rico needs to throw off the yoke of colonialism it has carried since 1509 when the Spanish first set foot on the island of Boriken and then the Americans in 1898.

Our Taino ancestors of these Antillean islands were then enslaved and colonized by the Spaniards. The fact that our Taino genetics have survived is primarily due to the fact that the Spaniards did not bring their European wives during the early stages of conquest. They took Taino women as wives and mistresses, producing many mixed-blood children of Taino and Spanish descent. Other Tainos were able to escape to the mountains and successfully hide for many years.

Later, when the remaining Taino slave force had dwindled due to assimilation, disease, and genocide, the Spaniards dropped the ‘indian’ category from their census reports and immediately petitioned the Spanish Monarchy to allow the importation of Africans to be used as slaves. These African slaves were also assimilated into the general population and contributed their gene pool into what has now become the modern face of the Puerto Rican people.

Meanwhile, Spain’s domination of Puerto Rico as a colony continued until it was granted autonomy in November of 1897. In February of 1898, Puerto Rico inaugurated its own government under the Autonomous Charter and assumed local control of its own affairs, even printing its own currency and postage stamps. This state was short-lived until the American invasion as a result of the Spanish American war.

And finally, since September 29, 1898, when Spain illegally ceded Puerto Rico to the United States as compensation for expenses incurred as a result of the war, Puerto Rico has become the world’s oldest colony. The United States Federal Government has retarded the financial development of Puerto Rico by cutting off its ability to continue previous trade agreements with other nations and has prevented new ones.

You may find some of the content and images in this site offensive. It is intended to be that way in order to awaken and shock my brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and hopefully encourage them to vote for independence during the next plebiscite.