HispanicVista Columnists
From Lares, El Grito Sigúe!
- By Robert Miranda
- October 7, 2005
The death of Filiberto Ojeda Rios, founder and leader of Puerto Rico's "Macheteros," has awakened Puerto Ricans to the notions of liberty and patriotism once again.
The Puerto Rican people have been colonized by the United States since 1898, the year the US defeated Spain during the Spanish-American War. During the war, the United States Armed Forces invaded Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans have been struggling to attain sovereignty and independence ever since.
Puerto Ricans have fought and demanded freedom long before the Spanish-American War.
On September 23, 1868 patriots of Puerto Rico rose up in arms in what today Puerto Ricans refer to as "El Grito de Lares". Demanding freedom from Spanish rule, the Puerto Ricans took control of the town of Lares demanding independence.
Led by Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Beluis, the freedom fighters marched under the revolutionary flag sewn by Ana Maria (Mariana) Bracetti Cuevas. The revolt was put down by the Spanish, but the sprit of "El Grito de Lares" continues in the hearts and minds of many Puerto Ricans.
From Ramón Emeterio Betances, Pedro Albizu Campos and Rafael Cancel Miranda the struggle to win a free and independent Puerto Rico lives.
The death of Filiberto Ojeda Rios serves to remind us that the Puerto Rican question has yet to be resolved. What should the United States do about Puerto Rico's political status? Should it become a state? Should Puerto Rico continue to be a colony of the United States? Should the United States allow Puerto Rico to become a sovereign island nation?
This matter really rests on two basic issues of the debate. Either you're a patriot or you’re a loyalist. Indeed, everything else in between matters only to the detractors and opportunist.
A loyalist in Puerto Rico feels strongly about the political union between the United States and Puerto Rico. Patriots on the other hand, are those who seek a free and independent Puerto Rico.
Filiberto Ojeda Ríos fought for an independent Puerto Rico. He fought for Independence. He fought for the right of the Puerto Rican to rule in their own homeland empowered by a constitution which would set the framework for our democratic Puerto Rican government free of control by a foreign nation. He fought for a Puerto Rican constitution that would protect human rights, and Puerto Rican nationality. He fought for national sovereignty, which is a key element to achieve significant economic empowerment. Filiberto Ojeda Ríos fought for Puerto Rico's right to control its national industry, agriculture and commerce. He fought for Puerto Rico’s right to negotiate international treaties which permit the expansion of Puerto Rican markets and promote foreign investment in Puerto Rico.
His fight, however, continues. His death does not go in vain for it has awakened the minds of our Puerto Rican youth.
In Puerto Rico many students are once again talking of a free Puerto Rico—asking questions as to why the Boricuas are not free, questioning their own loyalties to the United States that have for over 100 years maintained a colonial status of the island.
Filiberto Ojeda Ríos in death still achieved another great service to the cause of Puerto Rican freedom. In death, Ríos got our people to once again think about who we are and where we come from.
There are those who will call him a terrorist, but to many Puerto Ricans he will forever be seen as a freedom fighter.
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Robert Miranda, a frequent contributing columnist to HispanicVista.com (www.hispanicvista.com), is a national award winning columnist, Latino community activist and Editor-in-Chief of the Milwaukee Spanish Journal. Contact Roberto Miranda at: rmiranda@wi.rr.com
____________________________________________________
Robert Miranda, a frequent contributing columnist to
HispanicVista.com (www.hispanicvista.com),
is a national award winning columnist, Latino community activist and
Editor-in-Chief of the Milwaukee Spanish Journal. Email at:
rmiranda@wi.rr.com