Puerto Rican Cultural Center Criticizes Governor’s Stance on Potential Military Intervention in Cuba
Washington D.C. – The executive director of the Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Chicago, José López Rivera, has publicly criticized Puerto Rico Governor Jennifer González Colón for what he deems as providing “a blank check” to the Trump administration regarding the potential use of Puerto Rico as a staging ground for military intervention in Cuba. López Rivera’s statement underscores a long-standing concern about the island’s geopolitical role and its potential entanglement in regional conflicts.
Concerns Over Puerto Rico’s Role
López Rivera argued that regardless of individual opinions on the Cuban government, the use of Puerto Rican territory to launch an attack on another nation is unacceptable. He stated, “Regardless of each person’s opinion on the Cuban government, we must all reject the use of the national territory of Puerto Rico to attack a sister country unjustifiably.” He accused Governor González of expressing “complicity” by potentially enabling former President Trump to utilize Puerto Rico for “aggression against the Cuban people,” asserting that history would judge her harshly for such a decision.
Fuel Blockade and Political Manipulation
The criticism extends to the U.S. Policy of blocking Cuba’s access to fuel, particularly with U.S. Control over Venezuela’s oil resources. López Rivera condemned the use of “misery for political manipulation,” drawing parallels to past U.S. Actions in Venezuela. He asserted that the Trump administration’s motivations were rooted in resource acquisition and power projection rather than genuine concern for human rights or democracy. “Using misery for political manipulation is reprehensible and, as we saw in Venezuela, Trump is not interested in human rights or democracy but rather in resources and power,” he added.
Past Military Mobilization and Puerto Rico’s Infrastructure
The concerns are rooted in recent history. During a U.S. Military mobilization in the Caribbean that led to actions in Venezuela, the Pentagon increased its presence in Puerto Rico and utilized Puerto Rican airports as a logistical hub for the operation. According to Telemundo Puerto Rico, Governor González previously indicated her support for any actions necessary to support U.S. Military forces and the president’s policies regarding Cuba, stating she would “definitely be in favor” of such measures.
Historical Context and Self-Determination
López Rivera also connected the current situation to the broader issue of self-determination, calling for the defense of the Cuban people’s right to choose their own government without fear. He stated, “Si realmente defienden la autodeterminación, entonces defiendan el derecho de los cubanos a elegir, a disentir y a cambiar su gobierno sin miedo.”
This criticism highlights the complex relationship between Puerto Rico, the United States, and Cuba, and raises questions about the island’s future role in regional geopolitics.