Puerto Rico's Relationship with the United States.

INTERNATIONAL relations; INTERNATIONAL cooperation; MILES, Nelson Appleton, 1839-1925

COMMONWEALTH countries; PUERTO RicoReport Available; UNITED StatesReport Available

This article discusses Puerto Rico's relationship with the U.S. In 1898, General Nelson A. Miles landed with 1,600 American soldiers at Guanica. The Spanish American War had begun and it lasted for only 17 days before Spain surrendered. On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris gave Puerto Rico to the U.S. The U.S. commonwealth status allows Puerto Rico to keep more of its independence and culture than statehood would, and at the same time benefit from a close economic relationship with the U.S., more than independence would allow. Commonwealth status means that residents of Puerto Rico do not pay federal income tax, or vote for the U.S. president, but they do pay social security, received federal welfare and serve in the U.S. armed services.