Puerto Rico Open Your Eyes

The Empty Chair: Who Represented Puerto Rico in 1898?

Most of us have heard about the Treaty of Paris, but very few have ever stopped to ask a simple question: Who was sitting at the negotiating table... and who wasn't? In this podcast, we examine the original Treaty of Paris, the signatures that changed Puerto Rico's future, and the surprising discovery that Puerto Rico's own duly elected autonomous government—elected on March 27, 1898—had no representative at the negotiating table. We'll also explore the role of Whitelaw Reid, one of the five American commissioners who negotiated the treaty, his later writings in Problems of Expansion, and how those ideas may help us better understand the constitutional path Puerto Rico followed after 1898. This isn't about rewriting history. It's about returning to the original documents, asking difficult questions, and allowing the historical record to speak for itself. We invite you to join us as we continue exploring Puerto Rico's past, present, and possible future. 📚 Join our FREE Substack Community Join our growing community on Substack for FREE and stay connected with our latest research, historical articles, podcasts, and exclusive content. If you enjoy our work and would like to support our research, you also have the option of making a one-time donation or becoming a paid supporter directly through Substack. Every contribution helps us continue researching and producing educational content. FREE Substack: https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes [https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes] ❤️ Support Our Research If you would like to support our educational work and historical research, you can also contribute through our Crowdfunder campaign. Every donation—large or small—helps us continue producing podcasts, historical investigations, educational videos, interviews, and documentaries. Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink] 🎙 Listen to the Puerto Rico, Open Your Eyes Podcast Visit our website: https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/ [https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/] 📺 Subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@PuertoRicoOpenYourEyes [https://www.youtube.com/@PuertoRicoOpenYourEyes] 🌎 Learn More About Our Work The National Puerto Rico & Spain Initiative https://tnprsi.org [https://tnprsi.org] Proyecto Puerto Rico en España https://proyectopuertoricoenespana.com [https://proyectopuertoricoenespana.com] If you enjoyed this podcast, please Like, Share, and Subscribe. Every share helps bring Puerto Rico's overlooked history to a wider audience. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Ser puertorriqueño depende del lugar donde naciste... o de quién eres?

Durante años, muchos puertorriqueños de la diáspora hemos escuchado que no somos "verdaderos" puertorriqueños porque no nacimos en la isla. Pero cuando Puerto Rico enfrenta huracanes, terremotos y otras emergencias, la diáspora siempre está entre los primeros en responder con ayuda, donaciones y apoyo a nuestras familias y comunidades. En este episodio reflexionamos sobre el papel de la diáspora, nuestra identidad, nuestra historia y por qué ser puertorriqueño va mucho más allá del lugar de nacimiento. Está en nuestro ADN, nuestra cultura y el amor que sentimos por nuestra tierra. Déjanos tu opinión en los comentarios. Queremos conocer tu punto de vista y mantener un diálogo respetuoso. 📩 Únete GRATIS a nuestro Substack y mantente informado: https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes [https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes] 🌐 Visita nuestra página web: https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/ [https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/] 🎥 Suscríbete a nuestro canal de YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PuertoRicoOpenYourEyes [https://www.youtube.com/@PuertoRicoOpenYourEyes] ❤️ Si deseas apoyar nuestro trabajo de investigación y educación, puedes contribuir aquí: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink] ¡Gracias por ser parte de esta conversación! Yo soy Edwin Ortiz, y esto es Puerto Rico, Abran los Ojos.

The Forgotten Champion of Puerto Rico's Workers

The Forgotten Spaniard Who Fought for Puerto Rico's Workers Who was Santiago Iglesias Pantín, and why have so few Puerto Ricans heard his story? Born in Spain, Santiago Iglesias Pantín arrived in Puerto Rico before the events of 1898 and dedicated the rest of his life to improving the lives of Puerto Rican workers. He organized laborers, helped establish the Free Federation of Workers, served in the Senate of Puerto Rico, and later represented the island in Washington as Resident Commissioner. His remarkable journey challenges us to look beyond simplistic narratives and reminds us that history is often far more complex than we were taught. In this episode of Puerto Rico, Abran los Ojos, we explore the life, legacy, and lasting impact of one of the most influential—and often forgotten—figures in Puerto Rico's labor movement. If you enjoy thoughtful discussions about Puerto Rico's history, identity, and future, we invite you to become part of our growing community. Join our FREE Substack and stay connected: https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes [https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes] Support our research and educational efforts through Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink] Visit our official website: https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/ [https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/] Learn more about The National Puerto Rico & Spain Initiative: https://tnprsi.org/ [https://tnprsi.org/] Thank you for listening and for supporting independent historical research. I'm Edwin Ortiz, and this is Puerto Rico, Abran los Ojos. #PuertoRico #PuertoRicanHistory #SantiagoIglesiasPantin #LaborHistory #PuertoRicoAbranLosOjos #HistoryMatters #SpanishHistory #PuertoRicanWorkers #PuertoRicoPodcast #EdwinOrtiz

Are We Asking the Wrong Question? More Than 35 Opportunities... Why Is Puerto Rico Still a Territory?

Are We Asking the Wrong Question? More Than 35 Opportunities... Why Is Puerto Rico Still a Territory? For more than 128 years, Puerto Rico has remained an unincorporated territory of the United States. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why? If Congress has had more than 35 periods of unified government times when one political party controlled the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate why has Puerto Rico never been incorporated or admitted as a state? In this episode of Puerto Rico, Open Your Eyes, we examine the historical record, compare Puerto Rico's constitutional path with that of Hawaii, explain the difference between incorporated and unincorporated territories, and explore why this distinction continues to shape Puerto Rico's political future more than a century later. Whether you support statehood, independence, free association, the current territorial status, or reunification with Spain, this episode invites you to ask one simple question: Are we asking the wrong question? Join us as we explore the history through documented sources, constitutional developments, and overlooked facts that continue to influence Puerto Rico today. 📚 Join our FREE Substack community Stay connected with exclusive articles, historical research, and podcast updates: https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes [https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes] 🌐 Visit our website https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com [https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com] 🎙️ Listen to our podcast https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/podcast [https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com/podcast] ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@PuertoRicoOpenYourEyes [https://www.youtube.com/@PuertoRicoOpenYourEyes] 🤝 Support our work through Crowdfunder Every contribution helps us continue researching, producing educational content, and expanding this important conversation. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink] Thank you for listening, for asking questions, and for being part of this growing community. I am Edwin Ortiz, your host for the Puerto Rico, Open Your Eyes podcast. Together, let's continue exploring Puerto Rico's history, identity, and future—one conversation at a time.

Are We Asking the Wrong Question About Puerto Rico?

Are we asking the wrong question about Puerto Rico's future? For decades, the debate over Puerto Rico's political status has centered on statehood, independence, and the current territorial status. But what if we've been approaching the conversation from the wrong perspective? In this episode of Puerto Rico, Open Your Eyes, we explore a different way of evaluating Puerto Rico's future—not by asking which option comes with guarantees, but by asking a more important question: Which path offers the strongest foundation for Puerto Rico's future? Join us as we examine statehood, independence, and reunification with Spain through the lenses of governance, economics, public debt, autonomy, and long-term opportunity. Along the way, we compare historical examples from both Spain and the United States, encouraging listeners to analyze the facts and draw their own conclusions. Our mission isn't to tell you what to think. Our mission is to encourage you to ask better questions, examine the evidence, and make informed decisions about Puerto Rico's future. Support Our Mission If you believe in the work we're doing, please consider supporting our mission. Even a contribution of as little as $5 helps us continue researching, producing educational content, and expanding these important conversations. Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/pnA83m2W?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink] Join Our FREE Substack Community Stay connected with our latest articles, podcasts, project updates, and exclusive content. If social media platforms ever change or disappear, Substack ensures we'll always have a direct way to stay in touch. Substack: https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes [https://substack.com/@puertoricoopenyoureyes] Visit Our Official Websites Puerto Rico, Open Your Eyes https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com [https://puertoricoabranlosojos.com] The National Puerto Rico & Spain Initiative https://tnprsi.org [https://tnprsi.org] Proyecto Puerto Rico en España https://proyectopuertoricoenespana.com [https://proyectopuertoricoenespana.com] Listen to Our Podcast Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major podcast platforms.