Puerto Rican Campagn Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Puerto Rican Campagn - Essay Example The Spanish appointed their own to be governors of the state when they were in control of the island. Similarly, the federal government of the United States also appointed its own candidates to govern the state when they were its colonial masters. However, after the state gained total independence from the Americans, they were free to elect their own candidate as the governor of their country (Herrman, 2010: P.159). The Spaniards were the first to take control of the small island of Puerto Rico, before the Americans defeated and toppled them from their rule at the archipelago. In fact, the current independence and state of sovereignty that the country enjoys was a grant from the United States, when they walked out on the forceful leadership of the country. However, the United States still has strong influence in the country, with most of the governors requiring marshaling enough support from the political system of the United States to be elected into office. In fact, most of the gov ernors elected into office in the state of Puerto Rico are affiliates of either the Democrats or the Republican parties that control the United States political system. These affiliations to the US political system assist them get elected into office, as well as ensure a cordial relationship between the country and its former colonial masters – a relationship that results in numerous political, trade and bilateral relations for both countries (Herrman, 2004: P.45). The Governor of the state of Puerto Rico becomes the supreme leader of the government of the Commonwealth state of Puerto Rico. The Spaniards established this position during their rule on the state in the 16th century after they managed to colonize the state through their Spanish empire. As such, the...The Governor of the state of Puerto Rico becomes the supreme leader of the government of the Commonwealth state of Puerto Rico. The Spaniards established this position during their rule on the state in the 16th cent ury after they managed to colonize the state through their Spanish empire. As such, the governor was the head of state and possessed all powers in the executive branch of the Puerto Rican government. Furthermore, he or she is also the commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the country as well as the National Guard of Puerto Rico. The government of Puerto Rico bestows on the governor powers, duties and responsibilities to perform on behalf of their citizens, chief among this is the duty to enforce laws of the state by upholding the constitution. The governor also has to convene the legislative assembly, whose main jurisdictions re to make laws and policies for the state (Torruella, 1985: P.139). The first official occupant of the governor’s seat was Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish conquistador, who took office in 1509 on appointment by the Spanish empire. However, the first native from Puerto Rico to perform this function, though on an interim basis, was Juan Ponce de Leon II who occupied the office in 1579. However, the leadership of Puerto Rico did not begin with the Spaniards establishment and appointment to the office of a governor. Historical facts provide that the country had tribal chiefs or caciques as the heads of government, known to the locals a Tainos, those who occupied the island before the arrival of the Spaniards.