Jorge Ramos Tangles With Puerto Rico's Governor on Status

JORGE RAMOS, HOST, AL PUNTO, UNIVISION: If what you are saying is true, and you believe that you have the support of the vast majority of Puerto Ricans, then how do you explain support for independence or for the pro-independence ideas of Oscar Lopez?

 

RICARDO ROSSELLO, GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO: But what support are you talking about, Jorge? Independence has never surpassed single digits here, percentage-wise. (CROSSTALK) I want us to be very clear about that.

 

JORGE RAMOS, HOST, AL PUNTO, UNIVISION:​​​​​​​ I understand about independence, but I mean the idea of Puerto Rico as an independent country and of the ideas of many who believe that being a colony and that being an American state is not the best alternative.

 

RICARDO ROSSELLO, GOVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO:​​​​​​​ Your question is...the premise is flawed. There are very few who think that way, and that's the problem. The vast majority of Puerto Ricans -and polls show this- over 90% value their American citizenship. But the pro-independence vote in Puerto Rico has never surpassed 10%. Never. So how are you going to tell me that the ideas of Oscar Lopez have any significant support? First, they do not have that kind of support. Second, I think it's dangerous to equate the figure of Oscar Lopez with the issue of the definition of Puerto Rico. There are several things that are happening. Oscar Lopez is someone whose release from prison was called for by many people, myself included, on humanitarian grounds. That said, I do not agree with his actions, or the actions of his group, and I understand that they do not represent the people of Puerto Rico.