May 8, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Leaders from Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora (BUDPR) met with allies in Congress this week to continue educating and advocating for Puerto Rico’s decolonization and independence, and worked with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA17) on a social media video highlighting the growing support for sovereignty in Puerto Rico.
During visits to Capitol Hill on May 7th and 8th, BUDPR leaders Luis Ponce Ruiz and Chris Soto visited the offices of Rep. Khanna in addition to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY14), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA7), and Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY10). In recent weeks, our organization also held in-person or virtual meetings with the offices of Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY7) and Rep. Delia Ramírez (D-IL3).
During these meetings, we stressed the importance of ending Puerto Rico’s colonial status, discussed the historic results in Puerto Rico’s most recent election, and made the case for sovereignty as the just decolonial outcome for Puerto Rico.
“Last November, 40% of Puerto Ricans voted for sovereignty: either free association or independence,” said Rep. Khanna in a video posted to TikTok from his official account. “I am working with the Puerto Rican community and Congress to make sure that Puerto Rico gets to decide and have a say in self-determination.”
Congressman Khanna had previously delivered a floor speech about Puerto Rico’s decolonization and has been a vocal advocate of the need for Congress to partner with Puerto Ricans on a process that will end the current colonial status.
Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora is ramping up its advocacy efforts in Congress at a time when the consequences of colonialism in Puerto Rico are clearer than ever. Our work shows that political leaders in the United States are ready to talk about decolonization and independence in this critical moment for the U.S. and for Puerto Rico.
“There has never been a better time to oppose American colonialism and to reaffirm our shared commitment to rejecting annexation and respecting national sovereignty,” said Luis Ponce Ruiz, co-founder and board member of BUDPR. “That message is resonating in Washington, D.C., and our organization continues to find open doors and receptive leaders in Congress who want to support ending the current territorial status in Puerto Rico.”
BUDPR leader Chris Soto, a former Connecticut state representative and former senior advisor to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, underscored that this is a critical time to educate members of Congress about Puerto Rico’s status.
“We continue to strengthen our relationships with allies like Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Khanna, and to engage new allies to our cause who want to do what is right for the Puerto Rican people,” said Soto. “As we continue to educate and build support for decolonization, we are building a movement for sovereignty with political support from major U.S. political leaders.”
Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora will continue to hold in-person and virtual meetings with members of Congress throughout this year, and we will keep highlighting the U.S. politicians who show support for Puerto Rico and respect our people’s desire for a sovereign political future.
Do you like this page?