Boricua Popular Army - Terrorism Vs. National Liberation

Terrorism Vs. National Liberation

Supporters of independence for Puerto Rico argue that the U.S. favored the establishment of the present Commonwealth status to create a perpetual consumer base for U.S. and foreign products and services. Foreign products and services are redirected to Puerto Rico and other "unincorporated" lands of the United States to satisfy a portion of foreign trade agreements, while allowing domestic products and services a greater "home" market share.

The majority of the Puerto Rican electorate has favored a continuation or enhancement of the present Commonwealth status (50%), or statehood (46%). However, the ELA Soberano or "Sovereign Commonwealth," a principle based on the development of Puerto Rico's political status based on autonomy has been approved by the Popular Democratic Party, one of the two major parties, for more than a decade after winning the 1998 referendum under the fifth column.

According to federal and international law, as well as the proposed definition of terrorism under the United Nations' Office on Drugs and Crime, Los Macheteros is considered a terrorist organization due to the methods they have employed to further their agenda. Beginning in the 1960s, the FBI infiltrated Puerto Rico's free press and political circles in order to monitor and disrupt efforts related to the independence movement. This operation was part of COINTELPRO.

Another argument by the independence movement is that the Macheteros are continuing the historical rebellion that Puerto Ricans such as Pedro Albizu Campos and the Nationalist Party have waged, against U.S. domination of the island. It is known, for example, that Los Macheteros deliberately chose September 12 for their White Eagle assault on the Wells Fargo depot, because September 12 was the birthday of Puerto Rican Nationalist leader Pedro Albizu Campos.