Puerto Rico needs self-determination to solve severe problems that have been neglected by the U.S. such as education, health and poverty​​

United Nations, June 21 (RHC)-- The United Nations Decolonization Committee has approved, by consensus, legislation that recognizes Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and independence from the United States.

This is the fortieth version submitted to the UN to defend the "own and unmistakable national identity" of the Puerto Rican people in the face of increased dependence on the United States.

The proposal was defended by the Cuban ambassador to the UN, Pedro Luis Pedroso, and seconded by Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria and Venezuela.

Cuba's diplomat Pedro Luis Pedroso presented the project named "Decision of the Special Committee of June 18, 2021 regarding Puerto Rico" in defense of the "Latin American and Caribbean character of Puerto Rico."

He stressed that the administration exercised by the U.S. over the island hinders its development paths with policies that veto political and financial determination.

The bill calls for the creation of a Constitutional Assembly and "a mechanism that ensures the full participation of representatives of all sectors of Puerto Rican public opinion.

Some representatives of Latin American organizations, such as Venezuelan Joaquín Vazquez, defended the position of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Non-Aligned Movement on the issue.

He added that "despite the fact that the Special Committee considered this issue for 50 years, there has been no progress due to the lack of political will of the United States".

The approval of this project "would be the best contribution that this organization could make to the just cause of the Puerto Rican people," said Pedro Luis Pedroso in his speech, referring to the Special Committee.