Governor to Senate: Vote for statehood is not open for negotiation

During the inaugural session of the 20th Legislative Assembly, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón urged senators on Monday to respect the will of the electorate, which, she said, has favored statehood in multiple consultations.

“The people of Puerto Rico have exercised their vote, not once, not twice, on more than three occasions,” the governor said. “Just as you were elected, respect the vote of the people in favor of statehood. We cannot choose what suits us. The same people who voted for me and voted for you also voted for statehood. We cannot chain this people to the injustice of not receiving equality in federal programs, condemning our people to poverty.”

The governor also stressed the importance of working beyond party lines for the benefit of the population. “Let us think of our humble people, who only want to have enough to pay for their electricity, their water, their medicines and guarantee their children’s education,” she said. “I ask them to put God first in their decisions. If God is with us, who can be against us?” Rivera Schatz slams left-wing governments in Senate welcome speech.