Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico, Journey Toward A More Perfect Union
PR51st
22 episodes
1 week ago
Welcome to Mano a Mano, a podcast amplifying the voices of leaders, thinkers, activists, and allies from across the political spectrum who support Puerto Rico’s fight for full democracy and self-determination. Join co-hosts George Laws-García and Martin Rivera as they dive into current events through the lens of U.S.-Puerto Rico relations and reveal how the Caribbean island’s political status can serve as a powerful vantage point for understanding some of the most fundamental questions facing America today.
Each month, Martin and George interview key voices to bridge divides, offer in-depth analysis, and foster understanding while collectively working to build a more perfect Union - both for the U.S. Citizens of Puerto Rico and everyone who still believes in the fundamental American values of democracy, equal rights, and government by consent of the governed.
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Welcome to Mano a Mano, a podcast amplifying the voices of leaders, thinkers, activists, and allies from across the political spectrum who support Puerto Rico’s fight for full democracy and self-determination. Join co-hosts George Laws-García and Martin Rivera as they dive into current events through the lens of U.S.-Puerto Rico relations and reveal how the Caribbean island’s political status can serve as a powerful vantage point for understanding some of the most fundamental questions facing America today.
Each month, Martin and George interview key voices to bridge divides, offer in-depth analysis, and foster understanding while collectively working to build a more perfect Union - both for the U.S. Citizens of Puerto Rico and everyone who still believes in the fundamental American values of democracy, equal rights, and government by consent of the governed.
In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George and Martín dive into the latest updates on the certified results of Puerto Rico’s plebiscite and share insights on the inaugurations of Governor González Colón and President Trump. They also examine Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s controversial remarks on Puerto Rican independence and explore how Bad Bunny’s latest album sparks a deeper conversation about preserving Puerto Rican culture amidst the journey toward statehood.
Tune in to unpack these developments, their implications for Puerto Rico’s future, and the ongoing debate surrounding statehood and cultural identity.
00:00 Welcome to Mano a Mano Podcast
00:46 Puerto Rico's 2024 Plebiscite Results
04:16 Controversial Statements and Political Reactions
07:46 Inauguration Updates: Governor González Colón and President Trump
12:23 Bad Bunny's Cultural Commentary
16:56 The Future of Puerto Rico's Political Status
In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, we sit down with Gabriella Boffelli, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. Gabriella shares insights into her transition from serving as Chief of Staff for Governor Jennifer González-Colón to leading PRFAA. The conversation explores her deep expertise in Puerto Rico’s most pressing issues, including disaster recovery funding, energy grid challenges, and the Puerto Rico Status Act. She also unpacks the recent election results, the significance of Jennifer González’s victory, and the broader implications for Puerto Rico’s statehood movement and policy agenda under a Republican-led federal government. Tune in for an engaging discussion on Puerto Rico’s path to statehood, national security, and economic competitiveness.
In this episode of the Mano a Mano Podcast, hosts George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera from the Puerto Rico Statehood Council break down the critical issues at play in the 2024 elections and their profound implications for Puerto Rico's political future. We’re talking federal and local races, the latest polling on statehood, independence, and free association, and what each choice could mean for Puerto Rico’s path forward.
Special guest Dr. Robert McClure, President and CEO of the James Madison Institute, joins us to dive into the growing influence of Puerto Rican voters stateside, particularly in key battlegrounds like Florida and Pennsylvania.
Tune in as we explore:
How the growth of Puerto Rican voters stateside is increasing attention to the statehood in the U.S. and challenging elected officials to address it head-on
The increasing spotlight on Puerto Rican voters in Pennsylvania during the 2024 Presidential election, and what it could mean for candidates
Why the discussion of statehood for Puerto Rico will only become more urgent in the years and elections to come
From political status to the power of Puerto Rican voters, this episode offers a deep look into the issues that matter most. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on Puerto Rico’s future in the 2024 elections. Watch now and join the conversation!
In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, George Las Garcia and Martin Rivera discuss the 2024 presidential election and its affect on efforts to decolonize Puerto Rico. They delve into the upcoming locally sponsored plebiscite aimed at addressing Puerto Rico’s territorial status and its implications under the Puerto Rico Status Act.
Special guest Jose Carrion III, the former chairman of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight and Management Board, joins the show to discuss the economic and fiscal reforms in Puerto Rico under the PROMESA legislation and its impact on the island’s competitiveness and quest for statehood. The discussion also covers political developments from the recent Republican National Convention, the transition in leadership within Puerto Rico's pro-statehood party, and the broader national security and economic arguments for Puerto Rico’s statehood from a Republican perspective.
In this month's episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George and Martin discuss the latest developments in Congress regarding Puerto Rico's political status, including a significant update on the Puerto Rico Status Act. They also delve into how these legislative efforts tie into the upcoming 2024 general election and the ongoing quest to decolonize Puerto Rico. Later in the show, Professor Charles Venator-Santiago from the University of Connecticut joins the conversation to explore the historical context, demographics, and political factors influencing the demand for change in Puerto Rico.
On this episode of Mano a Mano, U.S., co-hosts George and Martin delve into the democratic deficit faced by U.S. territories. They discuss the discriminatory impact of the insular cases and the efforts of a cross-territorial coalition to advocate for democratic equality. The conversation also covers the Puerto Rico Status Act and the importance of federal elected officials addressing the disparities in the territories. Special guest Adi Martínez-Román from Right to Democracy joins to provide insights.
"Let's call it el comeback!" 🎶 ✊ Join hosts George and Martin on this month's episode of Mano a Mano as they delve into Puerto Rico's revitalization movement, "El Comeback." Explore how Puerto Ricans are reclaiming their island's potential amidst the ongoing challenges. On the pod, we'll discuss the impacts of the debt crisis, natural disasters, political instability, and the mass migration to the U.S. mainland fueled by Puerto Rico's territorial status. On the flip side, we delve into the "El Comeback" where Puerto Ricans are moving back to the island - eager to contribute to its resilience and resurgence despite lingering uncertainties.
On this month's episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George Law-García and Martin Rivera are joined by Prof. Andrés L. Cordova, Esq., Chairman of the Puerto Rico Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (PRAC to the USCCR), as they embark on a crucial exploration of Puerto Rico's civil rights landscape. They also discuss the impending government shutdown and updates on Congress and its impact on resolving Puerto Rico's territory status.
In our second episode of Mano a Mano, co-hosts George Laws García and Martin Rivera provide a detailed examination of Puerto Rico's statehood movement. Uncover the strides made in 2022 and 2023, explore current priorities in the 118th Congress, and learn how we can work together to anticipate challenges in 2024. This episode is a vital exploration of Puerto Rico's ongoing quest for full democracy and self-determination.
Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico, Journey Toward A More Perfect Union
Welcome to Mano a Mano, a podcast amplifying the voices of leaders, thinkers, activists, and allies from across the political spectrum who support Puerto Rico’s fight for full democracy and self-determination. Join co-hosts George Laws-García and Martin Rivera as they dive into current events through the lens of U.S.-Puerto Rico relations and reveal how the Caribbean island’s political status can serve as a powerful vantage point for understanding some of the most fundamental questions facing America today.
Each month, Martin and George interview key voices to bridge divides, offer in-depth analysis, and foster understanding while collectively working to build a more perfect Union - both for the U.S. Citizens of Puerto Rico and everyone who still believes in the fundamental American values of democracy, equal rights, and government by consent of the governed.
