March 23, 2026, Washington, D.C. - Puerto Rico is a strategic asset for the United States’ economy and national security, and the current alignment between the conservative administrations of President Donald Trump and Governor González-Colón presents a unique opportunity to advance pro-market reforms and strengthen federal-territorial coordination. These efforts position the island to drive American prosperity, reinforce critical supply chains, and enhance U.S. geopolitical strength.

This assessment is outlined in a forthcoming report by The Heritage Foundation titled “A Path Forward for Puerto Rico: Seizing on Historic Opportunities for Advancing U.S. Security and Prosperity,” a draft of which was discussed with the Governor during a Security Forum held last week in Miami. The report concludes that advocates for Puerto Rico statehood can significantly strengthen their case by advancing an ambitious reform agenda that maximizes the island’s economic and strategic value to the United States, an approach it identifies as already underway under Governor González-Colón’s leadership.

Among the key measures highlighted are tax reform, deregulation, and permitting reform, policies designed to incentivize work, facilitate business activity, and place Puerto Rico on a sustained path of economic growth similar to that achieved by states such as Florida and Texas over the past two decades. The report also underscores the importance of continued investment in infrastructure, energy, and disaster recovery, all central pillars of the Governor’s agenda. In the first 80 days of her second year in office, Governor González-Colón has inaugurated, inspected, or launched reconstruction projects and secured investments totaling more than $2.7 billion.

Additionally, the report emphasizes Puerto Rico’s critical role in strengthening U.S. supply chains by reducing dependence on China through the relocation of manufacturing, particularly in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This reshoring strategy has been a central component of the administration’s economic policy, positioning the island as a reliable domestic production hub.

The report further highlights the Jones Act as a cornerstone of U.S. maritime security, industrial capacity, and disaster preparedness. It warns that weakening the law in Puerto Rico would send the wrong signal at a time when the United States is working to rebuild its shipbuilding base, expand its merchant marine, and counter China’s growing naval power.

While the report addresses Puerto Rico’s political status, it concludes that independence is not a viable path forward. It argues that such a scenario would result in significant economic disruption, including the loss of federal funding and new trade barriers, while also raising serious concerns about the continuity of U.S. citizenship for island residents and exposing the territory to heightened geopolitical risk from foreign adversaries.

The report further concludes that any realistic path toward the independence of Puerto Rico ended in 1917 when the Jones Act extended U.S. citizenship to those born on the island. It states that the “discussion and path forward for Puerto Rico should treat the idea of independence as what it is, an impossibility and a distraction. Instead, policymakers should focus on maximizing Puerto Rico’s stability and prosperity for the benefit of the broader United States.”

For PRFAA Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli, the report reinforces ongoing efforts to advance Puerto Rico’s full integration into the nation. “The path to statehood is shortening. At PRFAA, we spare no effort in upholding democracy and the clear mandate expressed over the years by the people of Puerto Rico, both at the ballot box and directly, as demonstrated earlier this month with the Equality and Statehood Summit,” she stated.

Boffelli further noted that the actions undertaken by Governor González-Colón align with the report’s recommendations to strengthen the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, steps that she emphasized will ultimately lead to formal progress toward statehood.

The report ultimately identifies Puerto Rico as a vital national security hub for the United States in the Caribbean, capable of advancing U.S. strategic interests across the Western Hemisphere. It highlights the island’s role in supporting Department of War operations against narcoterrorist organizations, serving as a commercial, military, and diplomatic bridge between the mainland United States and Latin America, and projecting power to counter the influence of China and other foreign adversaries.

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