General Elections in PR - Protecting the Colonial Framework

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Editor's note: The Frente Independentista Boricua (El Frente), a New York based coalition of organizations with chapters in cities around the US that support the independence of Puerto Rico, issued the following statement with regards to the elections taking place in Puerto Rico:

Elections in Puerto Rico are held in a context of political subordination and colonialism and within the framework of a dictatorial Fiscal Board that makes arbitrary decisions outside of any democratic process. The Puerto Rican electoral process is uneven and is aimed at protecting both the colonial framework and the colonial interests. This reality is widely recognized by all sectors of the independence movement, whether or not they participate in the election process. As independentistas, we have fought in the past and we will fight that system in the future from all flanks, resisting from outside and from within its structures.


Among the points of unity adopted by El Frente made public in the summer of 2018 are the following pertinent points regarding the upcoming electoral process:

Point # 1 establishes that: "We are united by respect, discipline and commitment to the independence of Puerto Rico."

Point # 8 says: "We recognize the diversity of methods of struggle and lines of action that guide the organizations participating in the Independence front, which does not imply a compulsory adherence of any of the organizations to the methods that others subscribe to"

Within El Frente are organizations that use the electoral process and participate in it, just as there are others that for reasons of principle do not participate in such processes. There are also organizations for whom, whether or not they participate in the electoral process, manage it according to tactical and strategic considerations.

Within the framework of respect for the methods of struggle and lines of action that guide the organizations that are members of El Frente, we understand that we are not in a position to make a unitary decision about participating or not in the electoral process. In this context, each member organization of El Frente will adopt the position that it understands is the correct one, according to the analysis each organization makes.

As a front, we reaffirm the commitment of the organizations that are members of El Frente to continue developing political, organizational and educational work with our people, against the corruption and existence of the colonial puppet government, against the dictatorial junta, and for decolonization and independence. We also affirm that the tactical or strategic differences that exist with respect to the paths that exist to reach our mutual objectives be discussed with respect and genuine solidarity. The diversity of engagement methods within El Frente is essential in the development of an effective resistance that leads us to victory, and thus will give way to a new constitution for the Republic of PR.

El Frente is a coalition of independence organizations from the diaspora and Puerto Rico who are united by respect for tactical diversity and the conviction of the need to develop a common agenda with the aim of changing the conditions that allow us to advance towards freedom in Puerto Rico.

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