**TL;DR: The divided public opinions and the multiple potential choices make statehood for Puerto Rico a complicated issue. Ultimately, the rule of democratic self-determination should prevail above all else.** The potential statehood for Puerto Rico brings far more complications and nuances than the statehood for the District of Columbia. Hence, the right path forward must prioritize the opinions of the residents in Puerto Rico. The public opinion on statehood has divided the residents of Puerto Rico. The territory has so far held six referendums on the issue. While statehood won for the last three times, [the winning margins](https://newrepublic.com/article/162222/puerto-rico-statehood-velasquez-aoc) have consistently stayed small and the voter participation rates have largely been low. Hence, the will of the majority of residents on the future of Puerto Rico is far from clear. Moreover, statehood and status quo do not represent the only options for Puerto Rico. Past referendums have included options such as a modified commonwealth status and a “free association” with the United States. Hence, instead of a dichotomy, Puerto Rico faces [a spectrum of options](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/04/puerto-rico-statehood/) on the closeness of its association with the United States. All costs and benefits aside, the residents of Puerto Rico must determine the future of the territory. Before the will of the people has become clear, the debate of the future of Puerto Rico cannot conclude.

**Puerto Ricans should be allowed to vote in a referendum to decide whether they want to be a US state or independent country. It is unfair and hypocritical that Puerto Rico pays tax without adequate representation especially because one of the main driving forces (and slogans) behind the American revolution and independence was 'no taxation without representation'** - Puerto Ricans should get the choice, in a free democratic vote as to the existence of Puerto Rico as either a state or independent country as it is their country so they should have the choice - It is unfair that Puerto Ricans have to pay taxes but are not given adequate and equal representation in the US government. It is also very hypocritical as 'no taxation without representation' was an extremely important reason for the American revolution which led to independence but yet the American government deny Puerto Rico adequate representation - Puerto Rico must have adequate representation so that issues and deficits in Puerto Rico are funded and prioritised. Unlike in the current situation where effects of the devastation from Hurricane Maria are still felt and it took over 11 months to restore the electricity [( https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/8/15/17692414/puerto-rico-power-electricity-restored-hurricane-maria)]

**The issue of statehood pertains not just to Puerto Rico, but also DC and Guam - but there is no simple solution** Following the results of their 2020 status referendum, [Puerto Ricans officially favour statehood](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/11/4/21536603/puerto-rico-status-referendum-statehood-results). However, Puerto Rico is not the only US territory that has a complicated relationship with America. Whether it is[Guam's long, painful history of colonisation](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/brief-500-year-history-guam-180964508/) or [District of Columbia's bureaucratic entanglements](http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/pages/dc-home-rule), there are many things to consider when adding a new state to the union: • Although a majority of Puerto Ricans have confirmed they are in favour of US statehood, that does not mean the US Congress will guarantee it. • Statehood could offer hopes for [a new era away from the history of colonialism](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/aoc-puerto-rico-bill-full-statehood-b1819519.html) • Some say that a [self-governed Puerto Rico](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/statehood-or-self-determination-tensions-over-puerto-rico-status-rise-n1264184) is the best way forward, rather than becoming the 51st state There is no way to create a blanket solution for each of these regions, and the nuances should be accounted for. But when we discuss Puerto Rico, we should acknowledge that its situation is not entirely unique.