The Palm Tree Party: Puerto Rico's powerhouse movement for American statehood

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The New Progressive Party, known locally as La Palma, has defined Puerto Rican politics for decades. Born from a 1967 split in the pro-statehood movement, the party advocates for the island to become a U.S. state, frequently alternating power with the Popular Democratic Party in a high-stakes, two-party system.

Founded in 1967 by Luis A. Ferré, the New Progressive Party (PNP) emerged after dissidents left the Statehood Party to pursue a more aggressive path toward statehood. The party was officially certified in January 1968 and quickly disrupted the island's political landscape. By November 1968, Ferré defeated the Popular Democratic Party (PDP), ending their 20-year control of the governorship. Since then, the PNP and PDP have dominated Puerto Rican elections, creating a persistent ideological divide between those seeking statehood and those favoring the existing commonwealth status.

The PNP's identity is deeply tied to its visual branding. Its logo features a palm tree, leading locals to call the party La Palma. Founder Luis A. Ferré originally requested the logo's light blue hue match the United Nations flag, but the color was later darkened to navy blue to mirror the canton of the United States flag. The party's platform, summarized by the slogan 'statehood, security, progress,' has evolved to emphasize 'equality' as a core goal. This pursuit of statehood has led to numerous plebiscites, including a 2012 vote where 61% of those choosing a status other than the current territory voted for statehood.

Internally, the PNP is a complex coalition. Members do not align with a single U.S. national party; instead, they are split between the Republican and Democratic parties. This pragmatism extends to their governance, which has seen massive infrastructure projects like the Tren Urbano, but also significant controversy. From the 1980s Cerro Maravilla incident to corruption scandals in the early 2000s, the party has faced intense scrutiny. Despite these challenges, the PNP remains a formidable force, recently electing Jenniffer González-Colón as governor in 2024, continuing its long-standing mission to integrate Puerto Rico into the American union.

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