Puerto Rico: Consulting the People

In San Juan last week to help Puerto Rico celebrate the tenth anniversary of its Commonwealth status with the U.S., Vice President Lyndon Johnson handed Governor Luis Muñoz Marín a letter from President Kennedy. "I agree," wrote Kennedy, "that this is a proper time to consult the people of Puerto Rico so that they may express any other preference, including independence, if that should be their wish." In quick response, Muñoz called a plebiscite among the island's 2,350,000 inhabitants, which will probably be held late this year or early next, to determine...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!