Public Law 600 and the 'Compact' Illusion (1950-1952)

In 1950, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 600, which authorized Puerto Rico to draft and ratify its own constitution. This led to the creation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado, literally "Free Associated State") on July 25, 1952.

The process was presented by the U.S. government as an act of self-determination. However, several critical facts undermine this narrative:

1. Congress retained ultimate authority over Puerto Rico under the Territorial Clause (Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution)
2. The Puerto Rican constitution had to be approved by Congress, which struck out sections it disapproved of, including a right to employment and education
3. The U.S. used the Commonwealth's creation to remove Puerto Rico from the United Nations' list of non-self-governing territories in 1953, ending international oversight
4. Federal laws continued to apply to Puerto Rico without Puerto Rican representation in Congress
5. Puerto Ricans still could not vote for the president who governed them

The UN General Assembly approved the removal by a narrow vote of 26-16, with 18 abstentions. Multiple UN resolutions have since reaffirmed Puerto Rico's right to self-determination. In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Puerto Rico v. Sanchez Valle that Puerto Rico's sovereignty derives from Congress, not from the people of Puerto Rico — effectively confirming the colonial nature of the arrangement.