The governor of Puerto Rico has asked President-elect Donald Trump to intervene after Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro threatened to invade the U.S. territory.
Maduro recently said, “Just like in the north they have an agenda of colonization, we have an agenda of liberation.” He added, “The freedom of Puerto Rico is pending. And we will achieve it.”
In a letter to Trump, Puerto Rico Republican Governor Jenniffer González-Colón called Maduro’s remarks an “open threat to the United States, our national security, and stability in the region.”
“I trust your incoming administration will swiftly respond and make clear to the Maduro regime that, under your leadership, the United States, will protect American lives and sovereignty and will not bow down to the threats of petty, murderous dictators,” she wrote.
The governor noted that Puerto Ricans are “proud” to be American citizens. “Contrary to Maduro’s and other adversaries’ calls for independence, the people of Puerto Rico have repeatedly rejected this option. Instead, we have voted to strengthen our union with the United States through statehood – most recently in the November 5, 2024, plebiscite held alongside our general elections,” González-Colón wrote.
“As Governor of Puerto Rico, I am ready to work with you and your administration to counter this and other threats posed by the illegitimate Maduro dictatorship and support the people of Venezuela in their quest for freedom,” she added. “I also look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions on how to best enhance Puerto Rico’s national security role and take a strong stance against the growing presence of our adversaries in the region.”
