Puerto Rico governor formally asks US Congress to admit territory as 51st state
Key Points(5)
- Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González has signed a resolution formally requesting that United States (US) President Donald Trump and Congress admit the Caribbean territory as the 51st state of the United States.
- González, who signed the measure on Friday, said the move fulfilled an election commitment to prioritise statehood and reflected the wishes of Puerto Ricans expressed in previous non-binding referenda.
- Horse Racing, Sports Fit to Fire, California Crown lock horns in Vassell ‘Jolly Man’ Najair Trophy October 16, 2026 “With this signing, we fulfill the commitment of our government program to prioritise statehood and honour the will of our people expressed at the ballot box,” she said.
- The governor, who leads the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (NPP), said House Joint Resolution 391 establishes an official request by the Puerto Rican Government for admission to the United States on equal terms with existing states.
- Latest News, News Government advancing Lionel Densham Aerodrome Project in St Elizabeth October 16, 2026 She said previous efforts had focused on communicating the results of plebiscites to Washington, rather than submitting legislation formally requesting admission.
Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González has signed a resolution formally requesting that U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress admit the Caribbean territory as the country's 51st state.
González signed House Joint Resolution 391 on Friday, saying the measure fulfills her administration's commitment to prioritize statehood and reflects the wishes of Puerto Ricans expressed in previous nonbinding referendums.
“With this signing, we fulfill the commitment of our government program to prioritise statehood and honour the will of our people expressed at the ballot box,” González said.
The governor, who leads the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (NPP), said the resolution establishes an official request by the Puerto Rican government for admission to the United States on equal terms with existing states.
She said previous efforts had focused on communicating the results of plebiscites to Washington rather than formally requesting admission through legislation.
“Within the framework of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we take our request for full equality to those who have the power to act,” González said.
“We will continue working in Puerto Rico and Washington to advance it.”
Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, when it came under American control following the Spanish-American War. Its political status remains a longstanding source of division on the island.
While González's NPP advocates statehood, the opposition Popular Democratic Party supports maintaining Puerto Rico's commonwealth relationship with the United States. The Puerto Rican Independence Party, meanwhile, advocates independence.
González, accompanied by government officials and NPP lawmakers, maintained that the resolution reflected the will of the people despite continued opposition to statehood.
“This is the time to define ourselves. The time for decolonisation has arrived,” she said.
Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917 and have served in the country's armed forces and contributed to its development, González said.
“It is now up to Congress to heed that will and exercise its constitutional authority to admit Puerto Rico as a state of the Union,” she added.
Puerto Rico has held several nonbinding referendums on its political status, but Congress has not approved legislation establishing a binding process to determine the territory's future. Previous congressional proposals have considered statehood, independence and sovereignty through free association as possible options.
The latest resolution specifically seeks statehood, leaving the decision in the hands of Congress, which has the constitutional authority to admit new states.
The resolution does not itself change Puerto Rico's political status, and the Trump administration has not announced a position on the latest request.
