"Free Puerto Rico, free Palestine": Puerto Ricans use mock election to call for end of US control

On Tuesday, Puerto Rico saw a wave of symbolic political action as residents participated in a "mock U.S. presidential vote" in a powerful demonstration advocating for statehood and voicing opposition to US colonial rule.

The event, which is not officially recognized by the US government, was organized by Puerto Rican activists and supporters of statehood, calling for full political rights and representation. However, many participants used their ballots to voice broader political messages, including expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people and calls for the liberation of Puerto Rico.

One of the ballots read, "Free Puerto Rico and free Palestine," linking the island’s ongoing fight for self-determination with the Palestinian struggle for independence. Other ballots had the word "genocide" written on top of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Additionally, other messages such as "Long live a free Puerto Rico" and "Out with La Junta."

The latter phrase refers to the US-imposed oversight body Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), known colloquially in Puerto Rico as "La Junta," which has been tasked with managing Puerto Rico’s financial crisis, a move seen by many as an extension of colonial control.

Puerto Ricans have long been denied the right to vote in presidential elections, despite being US citizens, leading to widespread frustration with the lack of representation.

Many see the "mock vote" as an act of resistance, a symbolic call for political rights and justice. In this context, the protest also serves as an act of defiance against what some view as the island’s continued subjugation to the whims of Washington, D.C. The solidarity with Palestinians adds another layer to the protest, with activists highlighting the shared experience of colonial oppression.