Independence, statehood, or status quo? Puerto Ricans have tried to address that question—and their relationship with the United States—for more than 100 years. The island has held six referendums about the issue in the second half of the 20th century. None of those votes led to any permanent changes. But votes by Puerto Ricans alone can’t change the island’s status. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, it’s up to the U.S. Congress to pass a statute to change the situation.
Status quo means the existing conditions.
Referendums are submissions of proposed public measures to a direct popular vote.
A statute is a law enacted by a legislature.
An Unincorporated Territory
The United States claimed Puerto Rico after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War in 1898. It designated Puerto Rico as an unincorporated territory. The United States used that designation
