Colonise us please!

IT is no secret that in some of Spain’s autonomous communities there are secessionist movements.

In the case of Catalonia, separatism can be traced back to the early 20^th century. At that time, several political parties started pushing for the full independence of Catalonia.

Another political movement advocating for complete political autonomy is found in the Basque Country.

What may be surprising is that there are political organisations elsewhere in the world pushing for a reunification with Spain.

Puerto Rico’s Reunification With Spain Movement (MRE) launched a campaign demanding the country cut all ties with the United States and become Spain’s 18^th autonomous community.

“Puerto Rico is more than a commonwealth, it is a colony of the US,” said Jose Nieves, one of MRE advocates. “We simply do what the US says. The US controls it all. We don’t have a saying in Congress, we can’t vote for the US president. There is no commonwealth. It is a farce”, he added.

The group does not rule out taking its initiative to the Spanish Consulate. They may even bring the case before the International Court of Justice and request that the Treaty of Paris be annulled.

Signed on December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris resulted in Spain surrendering control of Cuba and ceding Puerto Rico to the US.

“Puerto Rico did not become independent. It was stolen. It was the most faithful Spanish colony”, said Nieves.

He also believes that 54 per cent of Puerto Ricans will support MRE’s initiative.