New Progressive Party (Puerto Rico) History and Goals

The New Progressive Party (Spanish: Partido Nuevo Progresista, PNP) is a major political party in Puerto Rico that strongly advocates for the island's admission as a state of the United States. As one of the two dominant political forces on the island, the PNP currently holds the seat of the governor and maintains a majority in both legislative houses.

Political Ideology and Alignment

The PNP's primary goal is Puerto Rican statehood. In terms of ideology, the party is generally characterized as centrist, though it contains factions of both conservatism and liberalism. In the mainland United States, members of the PNP often affiliate with either the Republican or Democratic parties, though the PNP is typically perceived as slightly more conservative than its primary rival, the Popular Democratic Party (PPD).

History and Foundation

The party's origins date back to 1967. It was formed by dissidents from the Partido Estadista Republicano (Statehood Republican Party) who were unhappy with the party's decision to boycott a statehood referendum. These dissidents, led by Luis A. Ferré, founded the PNP to actively pursue statehood.

Early Successes

Under the leadership of Luis A. Ferré, the NPP came to power in January 1969 after defeating the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) in the 1968 elections. This marked a significant shift in the political landscape of Puerto Rico.

The 1970s and 1980s

In 1972, Ferré lost the governorship to Rafael Hernández Colón of the PDP. However, the party returned to power in 1976 under Carlos Romero Barceló. Romero Barceló's term was marked by both victory and a narrow reelection in 1980, but his administration was overshadowed by the Cerro Maravilla incident—a state police killing of two young men that led to a massive scandal and subsequent loss of power in 1984.

The 1990s and Infrastructure Growth

The PNP returned to power in 1993 under Pedro Rosselló. Rosselló's administration was characterized by a "Mano dura contra el crimen" ("Strong hand against crime") campaign and the launch of several massive infrastructure projects, including the Tren Urbano (Metro Rail System), the Puerto Rico Convention Center, and the Puerto Rico Coliseum. He also pushed for the privatization of public entities and provided free healthcare for the poor.

Comparison with Other Parties

The political landscape of Puerto Rico is primarily divided between three main viewpoints on status:

• New Progressive Party (PNP): Advocates for statehood.
• Popular Democratic Party (PPD): Advocates for maintaining the current status as an unincorporated territory (Commonwealth).
• Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP): Advocates for full independence from the United States.