The governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González Colón, sent a letter to the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, requesting a response to what she described as a “threat” from the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. During an event last weekend, Maduro hinted that his administration should free the island using armed forces from Brazil.
In the letter, the high-ranking official from Puerto Rico described the statements made by the Venezuelan president as an intimidation to “national security and stability in the region.”
What did the letter from the governor of Puerto Rico say?
“Yesterday, just a few days after carrying out an illegitimate swearing-in ceremony in a desperate attempt to maintain his power in Venezuela, socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro publicly suggested the possibility of invading Puerto Rico,” stated González Colón.
The governor added that this “constitutes a direct threat to the United States, our national security, and regional stability. I trust that your incoming administration will act quickly and make it clear to the Maduro regime that, under your leadership, the United States will defend the lives and sovereignty of its citizens and will not yield to the threats of cruel and murderous dictators."
Similarly, in the letter, González Colón expressed to the president her desire to discuss Puerto Rico’s role in the national security of the United States and the “adversaries” present in the region.
“The governor of Puerto Rico expressed her willingness to collaborate with you and your team in the fight against this and other threats coming from the illegitimate dictatorial regime of Nicolás Maduro, as well as in supporting the Venezuelan people in their quest for freedom. Additionally, she expressed her interest in discussing ways to strengthen Puerto Rico’s contribution to national security and take a firm stance against the activities of adversaries in the region,” concluded.
What did Maduro say about Puerto Rico?
During the weekend, the presidential leader of Venezuela made some statements in which he proposed that it is necessary to seek the independence of Puerto Rico as a territory of the United States and confront the “colonization agenda of the North.”
The Venezuelan president spoke during the closing of the International Antifascist World Festival, held in the Latin American country. At the event, there were people carrying flags from different nations, including Puerto Rico’s.
Maduro called to the stage those who were holding the flags of Puerto Rico and Cuba. Then, he requested that they perform the song “De un pájaro las dos alas” by the composer Pablo Milanés.
The president of Venezuela stated: “Just as in the North they have a colonization agenda, we have a liberation agenda and it was written for us by Simón Bolivar. The freedom of Puerto Rico is pending and we will achieve it, with the troops from Brazil and Abreu e Lima leading the way. Abreu e Lima battalion to liberate Puerto Rico. What do you think?”
Among the attendees were individuals carrying the flag of Brazil, which led the president to include the South American country in his proposals to free Puerto Rico.
During the same event, the president, who assumed a new term, warned that he will resort to the use of weapons if necessary and if his government is in danger.
“Venezuela is getting ready alongside Cuba, alongside Nicaragua, and alongside our older brothers in the world, so that in case we ever need to use weapons to protect the right to peace, the right to sovereignty, and the historical rights of our nation,” declared the president.