La Alianza Pushes Puerto Rico Toward True Change

Opinion for The Latino Newsletter

SAN JUAN — “Lo vamo’ a tumbar!” echoed throughout Festival de la Esperanza on Sunday, the final political rally for Puerto Rico’s La Alianza, the center-left coalition hoping to make history on Election Day.

This powerful chant reverberates through a populace fed up with corrupt politicians and disrespectful leaders who have repeatedly failed Puerto Rico. It exclaims a collective determination to unseat those who have mismanaged our resources and undermined our democracy. This sentiment embodies the frustration and resolve of our people, who are ready to take a stand and demand change. And over 60,000 Puerto Ricans gathered, chanted, and solidified this message, carrying our home in our hearts and our sights set on the future.

Puerto Rico prepares for its elections on Tuesday, and we find ourselves on the cusp of a significant transformation in our political landscape. For the first time in over five decades, a third-party candidate is not merely an afterthought; he is in a razor-thin margin as a serious contender for the governorship. This moment underscores the importance of voting for third-party candidates, particularly Juan Dalmau, who leads an alliance of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) and the Citizen Victory Movement (MVC).

This unprecedented shift highlights a growing discontent among voters with the entrenched two-party system and signals a potential turning point in Puerto Rican politics. This moment reflects the growing discontent among voters with the status quo that has too often failed to address our needs. With the rallying cry of "Somos más y no tenemos miedo," we are reminded that, despite our challenges, we are united and unafraid. 

This Is Historic

The historical context for this election is paramount. Decades of mismanagement, exacerbated by the U.S. Congress's imposition of the PROMESA oversight board, have left Puerto Rico in dire financial straits and complicated our territorial status further. The enduring colonial regime has had profound consequences, leading to significant growth of diasporas around the world and triggering rampant gentrification on the island. Today, more Puerto Ricans live off the island than on it, as many families are left behind while we invest in the island’s future. The lousy economy compels us to send money home to cover the costs of unreliable energy and exorbitantly priced groceries, for example. 

Both the New Progressive Party (PNP) and the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) have tolerated and actively enabled indicted and convicted politicians, allowing the cycle of corruption to persist. These elected officials closed schools, crippled our healthcare system, exacerbated the climate crisis, caused widespread unemployment, and continued to sell off our precious land and beaches—all while enriching themselves and their inner circles. This betrayal of our people’s trust has fueled a mass exodus as many seek better opportunities elsewhere, leaving behind a hollowed-out community struggling to survive under the weight of poor governance.

In response to the entrenched duopoly, La Alianza emerged as a grassroots movement, uniting the PIP and MVC. This coalition welcomes all who seek a clean slate for Puerto Rico and are committed to rebuilding our home. This alliance rose after the “Verano del ’19,”  in which a leaked chat of profanity-laden, homophobic, and misogynistic messages sparked a mass protest movement demanding Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s resignation.

An Independence Governor

And now La Alianza’s candidate for governor, Juan Dalmau, stands poised to lead La Nueva Patria.

Juan Dalmau embodies the promise of transparency and a revitalized Puerto Rico where people can thrive and remain on the island. His campaign goes beyond advocating for independence. It focuses on significant reforms to tackle the urgent issues plaguing our community. Central to this is the unreliable energy crisis, which has led to a mental health crisis on the island.

He has committed to addressing this crisis by vowing to oust private energy companies like Luma Energy, which have drawn widespread criticism for their persistent power outages and failure to provide dependable services. As voters see this election as an opportunity to express their discontent with the status quo, Dalmau represents a new path forward—one that prioritizes the needs of the people and champions accountability over political loyalty. Last night’s chant, “Juan Dalmau, estamos de tu lao,” reflects the hope and unity Puerto Ricans fervently seek.

Joining his ballot is Ana Irma Rivera Lassén, running to represent Puerto Rico in Congress as resident commissioner—its sole member in Congress, albeit without voting rights. As the first Black and openly LGBTQ candidate for this office, Rivera embodies the progressive values of Alianza’s platform.

A Youth Movement

At the heart of La Alianza’s movement is a vibrant expression of the arts and the passionate activism of youth. Young Puerto Ricans have suffered the struggles inflicted by corrupt government officials, living not only with the failure to distribute food and water after the hurricane but experiencing the indifference that allowed people to suffer and die. In response, they have united to reject normalizing these human rights violations. In the wake of derogatory remarks that portray Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage," they are reminded of how many perceive and treat us—a perception fostered by demagogues who have trampled our dignity by stealing from the poor to enrich the wealthy.

Young voters are now crucial in this election, overwhelmingly supporting Juan Dalmau. With nearly 99,000 new registrations and many others reactivating their statuses, the potential for a dramatic shift in the political landscape is palpable. This generational divide signals a broader rejection of the old guard and a desire for a government that prioritizes the needs of its citizens over the regime’s colonial interests. Observers note that this election represents a moment of "revenge" for voters who feel sidelined by the existing power structures.

The cultural climate surrounding this election is crucial, exemplified by events like El Festival de la Esperanza, showcasing the vibrant voices of Puerto Rican artists and cultural workers. These individuals serve as a loudspeaker, delivering the urgent messages needed to galvanize the masses in a context where trust in politicians and the institutions they represent has eroded.

Influential figures, including Bad Bunny (who delivered a 20-minute speech), PJ Sin Suela, Residente, Kany García, and Fiel a La Vega, among others, have publicly criticized the traditional parties, reflecting a deepening disillusionment with the status quo.

Bad Bunny formally endorsed Dalmau and La Alianza at the festival, signaling a significant shift in political engagement. These artists highlight the powerful intersection of culture and politics, energizing a movement for change that seeks to rebuild our home.

The spirit of this movement is clear: Puerto Ricans are ready to reclaim their island’s future, defying the past and building a new chapter driven by hope and unity.

About the Author

Marlena Fitzpatrick is a writer focused on Latino and Puerto Rican issues.

_{The Latino Newsletter welcomes opinion pieces in English and/or Spanish from community voices. You can email our publisher, Julio Ricardo Varela. The views expressed by outside opinion contributors do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this outlet.}