Puerto Rico statehood movement

The Puerto Rico statehood movement (Spanish: movimiento estadista de Puerto Rico) aims to make Puerto Rico a state of the United States. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territorial possession of the United States acquired in 1898 following the Spanish–American War, making it "the oldest colony in the modern world". As of 2023, the population of Puerto Rico is 3.2 million, around half the average state population and higher than that of 19 U.S. states. Statehood is one of several competing options for the future political status of Puerto Rico, including: maintaining its current status, becoming fully independent, or becoming a freely associated state. Puerto Rico has held seven referendums on the topic since 1967, and four since 2012. They are non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the US Congress.

Opponents of statehood argued that the 2012 and 2017 results did not show that a majority of Puerto Rican voters support statehood. In the 2020 referendum, the 55% turnout rate equaled that for the simultaneous 2020 gubernatorial race and the 2016 gubernatorial race.

The most recent referendum was in November 2024, with a majority (56.87%) of those who voted opting for statehood. The turnout rate increased to 57% and the vote for statehood to 57% over the 2020, although an option for no change was omitted. The pro-statehood candidate won the Governorship.