ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Puerto Rican independence movement

Alright kiddo, let me try to explain this in a way you can understand.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea that has been part of the United States since 1898, but some people in Puerto Rico want the island to be independent. This means they want Puerto Rico to be its own country, like the United States, but separate from the United States.

The people who want Puerto Rico to be independent think that the island has its own culture and way of life that is different from the United States, and they want to be in control of their own government and laws.

But not everyone in Puerto Rico wants independence. Some people think it's better for Puerto Rico to stay a part of the United States, because they can have the benefits of being a U.S. territory, like U.S. citizenship and access to U.S. markets and jobs.

Over the years, there have been many protests and discussions about the Puerto Rican independence movement. Some Puerto Ricans have even used violence to try to gain independence, although most people believe that peaceful negotiations are the best way to achieve independence.

In any case, the future of Puerto Rico and its relationship with the United States is still a matter of debate and discussion, and there's no clear answer about what will happen in the future. But it's important to remember that everyone has their own opinion and reasons for why they believe what they do, and it's important to respect that.