Do you think Puerto Rico should become the 51st state? 61% of Puerto Ricans say yes. Puerto Rico as a US state could benefit both US and PR. By fixing the crime rate, you will achieve greater economic success. Although both US and PR had their pros and cons on whether Puerto Rico would become the 51st state or not. Puerto Rico has been a commonwealth of the United States for many years. Many Americans and Puerto Ricans think that Puerto Rico should not be the 51st state because it has its advantages and disadvantages. Thus, Puerto Rico should become the 51st state of the United States or remain as it is, as a commonwealth. The island's political status was an issue for many years following the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico is a “Free Associated State of PR” of the Commonwealth of the United States. In fact, Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States in 1898, when it was conquered by Spain after the Spanish-American War. Gave Puerto Ricans the right Puerto Ricans will have more opportunities as a state and would bring more federal help for PR. As a state, Puerto Rico will rise out of poverty as it is below the poverty line and the American state could be the answer to many of the problems the island is facing. Zach Patton, author of "Does Puerto Rico Really Want to Be the Next State?" writes: "Puerto Rico's economy is in crisis. The territory of 3.7 million residents is now in the seventh year of a persistent recession, a recession much deeper and broader than that of the mainland... About 45 % of Puerto Ricans live in poverty, three times the national rate. More than a third of the territory's residents are on food stamps. Last year, unemployment exceeded 15%. Proving that Puerto Rico could benefit not only financially but in many other aspects in which both Puerto Ricans and Americans can do it