The United States could theoretically grant Puerto Rico independence or allow it to become an autonomous province of Spain—because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, not a state. Under U.S. constitutional and international law, Congress has the authority to decide the island’s political status. Here's why it's possible, and even how the U.S. could benefit from it:

✅ Why It’s Legally and Politically Possible

1. Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution Article IV, Section 3 gives Congress the power to “dispose of and make all needful rules” regarding U.S. territories. That includes Puerto Rico.
2. International Law Supports Self-Determination The U.S. is a signatory to the UN Charter, which recognizes the right of colonized peoples to ...