Nation IN BRIEF : PUERTO RICO : ‘Rights’ Defeat Seen as Step to Statehood

Advocates of statehood claimed a victory as proposed “democratic rights” were rejected by the voters in Puerto Rico. The referendum lost despite heavy campaigning by pro-commonwealth and pro-independence forces. The bill asserted the island’s right to freedom from U.S. subordination and to its cultural distinctness but effectively opposed statehood. It appealed to those in favor of Puerto Rico remaining a U.S. commonwealth or those who eventually want independence. A key clause in the bill would have blocked any future yes-no vote on statehood.