Vice President Kamala Harris made her inaugural visit to Puerto Rico on Friday, aiming to garner support among Hispanic communities, despite Puerto Rican residents being ineligible to vote in U.S. presidential elections. During her tour of San Juan, the capital, Harris found herself in an awkward situation that quickly became a talking point.
A video captured Harris, aged 59, in a courtyard close to La Goyco Workshop Community and Cultural Center, where she was seen clapping and smiling as a group of locals performed a song in Spanish. Unbeknownst to Harris, the performance was a protest against her visit. The Vice President continued to smile and clap until Mariana Reyes Angleró, the executive director of La Goyco, informed her about the song’s actual meaning. This revelation visibly altered the atmosphere.
Frankie Miranda, President of the Hispanic Federation, who was standing next to Harris, displayed a scowl as Harris ceased clapping but continued to nod along with a tight-lipped smile.
The song’s lyrics, as translated, questioned Harris on her stance regarding the colonial status of Puerto Rico and expressed support for free Palestine and Haiti, stating, “The vice president arrived making history / We want to know what do you think of the colony? / We will continue playing the full song of my country / Long live free Palestine and also Haiti!”
During the protest, one individual was reported shouting, “Yankee, go home!” Protesters also displayed signs with messages like “Kamala Harris war criminal” and “Free Palestine, Free Puerto Rico.”
Joseline Velásquez, a spokesperson for the activist group Jornada: Se Acabaron Las Promesas, was among those protesting Harris’ visit, criticizing the Biden administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Velásquez viewed Harris’ visit as a mere fundraising effort, dismissing its stated purpose.
The official reason for Harris’ trip was to underscore the Biden administration’s dedication to aiding Puerto Rico’s recovery and revitalization, highlighting over $140 billion in federal commitments to the island’s economic resurgence. However, the visit also aimed to strengthen Democratic ties with Hispanic voters in the U.S., especially given the over 5 million Puerto Ricans who can participate in elections beyond merely symbolic voting.
Recent polls, as reported by CBS News, indicate a significant drop in Hispanic support for Harris’ running mate since 2020, from 65% to 53%. This visit, and the events that unfolded, underscore the complex dynamics and challenges in engaging with Puerto Rico and its diaspora.