Cuba and Venezuela, regarding Puerto Rico: extreme hypocrisy

That the Cuban regime has presented a resolution to the UN Committee on Decolonization regarding the self-determination and independence of Puerto Rico, and that Venezuela has joined as a co-sponsor, represents a profound ethical contradiction. Puerto Rican self-determination is a legitimate right; however, no government that prevents its own people from freely deciding has the moral authority to position itself as their defender.

Puerto Rico, at least, has been able to debate and vote repeatedly. In 1967, the Commonwealth received 60.4%, statehood 39%, and independence 0.6%. In 1993: Commonwealth 48.6%, statehood 46.3%, and independence 4.4%. In 1998, a controversial ballot gave 50.3% to "none of the above," 46.5% to statehood, 2.5% to independence, and 0.3% to free association. In 2012, 54% rejected maintaining the territorial status; in the second question, statehood received 61.2%, free association 33.3%, and independence 5.5%, although there were numerous blank votes.

In 2017, statehood reached 97.1%, compared to 1.5% for free association/independence and 1.4% for the current status, with a turnout of only 23.2%. In 2020, the "yes" for statehood received 52.52% and the "no" received 47.48%. And in 2024, the official results were: statehood 58.61%, sovereignty in free association 29.57%, and independence 11.82%.

Surveys indicate a lively debate, not a truth that Cuba or Venezuela can decree. The latest comprehensive measure, conducted in October 2024, recorded 38% in favor of statehood, 34% for maintaining the current status, 12% for free association, and 8% for independence. There is no subsequent island-wide survey that is comparable and public, which simultaneously measures all three options.

Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua should stop using Puerto Rico as a propaganda platform. They must first fully respect the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the separation of powers, an independent judiciary, political pluralism, and genuine elections.

Article 21 is unequivocal: the will of the people must be the foundation of governmental authority. They should urgently call for free and fair elections so that Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans can decide their present and their future. Only then can they talk about the self-determination of others without provoking outrage.

It would be necessary to ask the communists of the largest of the Antilles what the results would be if the Cuban people were presented with a ballot containing the following options:
* Independence with multiparty democracy.
* Free Associated State with the United States.
* Annexation to the United States.
* Continuation of the communist dictatorship.

I'm very sure of one thing: the last option would be the least voted for.