Norzagaray street in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
This Caribbean island, currently part of the United States, has introduced several proposals to break away from the country.
And a segment of its population believes the best path forward would be to rejoin Spain, more than a century after it parted ways with the European country.
It may seem incredible, but this beautiful island, which is home to 3.2 million people, is once again reconsidering its historical roots.
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127 years later, Puerto Rico wants to be Spanish again
Once the very first autonomous community of Spain, Puerto Rico was handed over to the United States in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.
Today, after more than 120 years under U.S. rule, a small but growing group of Puerto Ricans is saying: enough. It’s time to go back — not to independence, not to U.S. statehood, but to Spain!
A not-so-crazy idea?
The movement is called Adelante Reunificacionistas, and while it may sound fringe at first, its message is gaining traction.
The group wants Puerto Rico to officially become Spain’s 18th autonomous community, much like the Canary Islands — with full rights, representation, and access to European social programmes.
According to its founders, around 13% of Puerto Ricans support the idea of reunification. That may not seem like much, but in a region with deeply divided views on its political future, that’s a significant slice. And for some, the argument isn’t just political: it’s cultural, historical, and economic.
Nostalgia for Spanish rule
“Puerto Rico never wanted to break away from Spain,” says José Lara, the movement’s leader. “We had autonomy. We had progress. Then came the U.S. invasion, and everything changed.”
San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Credit: Creative Commons
He paints a picture of a Puerto Rico that’s been in limbo ever since. Under U.S. rule, the island is classified as a “commonwealth”. It has a flag, a governor, and a non-voting representative in Congress.
But Puerto Ricans can’t vote for the U.S. president, and many key decisions are made in Washington, not San Juan.
But there is more than nostalgia
Critics might dismiss the campaign as romantic or unrealistic, but supporters insist it’s grounded in facts.
Spanish remains the island’s primary language — culturally and institutionally. Catholic traditions, Iberian surnames, and Spanish-style town plazas remain embedded in Puerto Rican culture. Many believe that Spain — not the U.S. — represents a more natural fit for the island’s identity and future.
There’s also the issue of services. Supporters argue that under Spain, Puerto Rico would enjoy universal healthcare, EU investment, and social protections it currently lacks. Lara and his team have already taken the idea to the United Nations’ Decolonisation Committee, calling for a referendum supported by Spain, the U.S., and Puerto Rican voters.
Not anti-american, just pro-choice
“People think it’s a joke until they hear the details,” says Luis Mulio, head of Acción Puerto Rico España, a partner organisation based in Madrid. “We’re not chasing a fantasy. We’re chasing justice and reclaiming what was taken.”
But if the message is bold, the road ahead is anything but easy. U.S. law currently blocks the formation of a political party centred on reunification. The movement also claims it faces media blackouts and struggles to get airtime in local outlets.
Beach in Puerto Rico.
Credit: Creative Commons
To get around that, they’ve gone grassroots: schools, cultural events, university panels. They’re focused on educating the public about Puerto Rico’s Spanish past and on breaking what they call the myths surrounding U.S. colonisation.
Even if the idea never reaches a ballot, it’s already started a larger conversation. In an era where political realignment is happening across the globe, Puerto Rico’s push to rejoin Spain is no longer unthinkable.
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