In recent months, Puerto Rican pro-statehood politicians have argued that if the U.S. won’t grant Puerto Rico statehood, it should at least militarize the island again.

Puerto Rico is “America’s southern border,” they argue, and China and Russia are encroaching in the Caribbean. Why not retain and expand the U.S. military footprint there?

This narrative is being pushed most aggressively by pro-statehood Gov. Jenniffer González of the PNP party, whose government has openly promoted reopening former military facilities in Puerto Rico for U.S. defense purposes. It is, in truth, a desperate attempt to keep Puerto Rico relevant to Washington when American interest is waning, the pro-statehood PNP is losing political ground at home, and a growing pro-sovereignty movement threatens its grip on power.

For decades, the scandal-plagued PNP has failed to convince Congress or the public that statehood is the right path for Puerto Rico, despite repeated referenda and lobbying campaigns. Faced with this reality, PNP leaders are now doubling down on militarization to change the narrative.

The problem is that this strategy is not designed to benefit Puerto Ricans, but rather to preserve the political relevance of the........

© The Hill