The island currently facing the worst economic crisis in their history.
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In 2016, Puerto Rico General Elections will be on November 8. Six official candidates are on the race of becoming the twelve governor of Puerto Rico.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and is the largest insular territory of the United States, and it is located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. Or as I like to call it home. I was born in Puerto Rico on 1997 to hard working loving parents and since I was little the economic problems of the island have been a major topic in our home. My parents have always encouraged me to get an education, to work hard for my future, and to take advantage that comes my way. As I grown up the economic problems of the island have worsened drastically. This year, Puerto Ricans will elect their 12th governor, also this will be the first elections that I will vote. For me this comes with enormous responsibility and I believe that not everybody knows the huge power we have to make the right decision once and for all.

Currently, the island is facing the worst economic crisis in its history.

It owes 72 billion dollars to tenders. And on July 1st, 2016, President Barack Obama signed the Bill “Promesa” with the hopes to help the mechanism of debt restructure with the creation of a federal board to assist the Government of Puerto Rico to manage their own public finances, balance their budget, become more efficient and transparent, and regain access to financial markets. The Federal Board is composed by seven members chosen by the US Congress and The President. With this said, we, Puerto Ricans don’t have a voice to represent our best interest to the Federal Board.

Before and After: The flag of Puerto Rico painted black because of the approbation of "Promise Law"

Before and After: The flag of Puerto Rico painted black because of the approbation of "Promise Law"

In my opinion, this will be the most important election in our history. Why? This will be the first election where actually know for a fact that it will change our economic history forever and within our progress as a country. Schools are closing, people are getting fired from their jobs and The University of Puerto Rico funds have decreased enormously, to name a few of the problems. And still they are people not thinking straight about who is the best candidate to represent the country they proudly claim as their own.

As a student of The University of Puerto Rico, everyday I see students like me trying to improve their future by obtaining a good education, waking up ready to learn and working hard every day. When it’s time to choose our class schedule there are not enough sections because of the cuts of professors and classes. This makes it impossible to have a decent schedule to work with. I see professors struggling because we don’t have the right equipment or materials for our classes. But still I see them working through that as optimisticly as they can, because of their will to make progress for themselves and their country. This makes me incredibly proud of my generation and makes me want to have a better country to offer for next generation to come. For that to happen we need to unite as force that wants progress, democracy, opportunities and solutions.

On these elections we have six governor candidates: Ricardo Roselló for the New Progressive Party, David Bernier for Popular Democratic Party, Maria del Lourdes Santiago for Puerto Rican Independence Party, Rafael Bernabe for the Working People’s Party and two independent candidates Alexandra Lúgaro and Manuel Cidre. It’s relative to say the best candidate is but our responsibility as citizens of Puerto Rico is to do our homework on who has the best proposal for our current status and how he or she is going to work together with The Federal Board.

Candidates from left: Maria del Lourdes, Rafael Bernabe,David Bernier,Alexandra Lugaro,Ricardo Rosello and Manuel Cidre on The Youth Debate.

Candidates from left: Maria del Lourdes, Rafael Bernabe,David Bernier,Alexandra Lugaro,Ricardo Rosello and Manuel Cidre on The Youth Debate.

El nuevo dia, newspaper.

I hope that the people who are going to vote on the general elections this November have the right knowledge on their candidate of preference that they are going to vote for, not just because their family is from a particular party or from an political ideal. I expect them to have a personal opinion made by critically thinking by each candidate on the race. I’m not going to lie I’m scared to death on who is going to win because I care deeply for the place I have call home for the past 18 years of my life. It is not fair that we keep living under this circumstances and it is not fair to the future generations. Finally, I have faith that my generation will be one to liberate Puerto Rico from our crisis. I want the best for my country and from the people who live in it and the ones who aren’t living here. I want to see Puerto Rico at our best and I know someday I will be able to say that.

***On November 8th, 2016, Puerto Rico elected Ricardo Rosello as their governor.

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