Claire Valdez, a socialist, stated in an interview that Puerto Rico deserves representation in Congress “until it is no longer a colony” and advocated for the cancellation of the island’s debt as well as the dissolution of the federal oversight board.
Valdez, who is running for New York’s 7th Congressional District, shared her views during a conversation with El Diario. The council member from Queens secured her spot in the June primary, backed by New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani.
She mentioned her approach to Puerto Rico based on what she refers to as a “decolonial framework.”
“I came to this using a history and lens of decolonial organizing,” Valdez remarked. “It’s crucial for Puerto Rico to have real representation in Congress until it’s not a colony anymore.”
She also highlighted the island’s financial situation as one of her main concerns, aiming to cancel the debt and dismantle the governing board.
“I think we need to cancel that debt,” Valdez expressed. She believes that “having an elected committee make decisions about the future of the island is not, in my opinion, the path to true democracy.”
The board Valdez wishes to eliminate was established by Congress under the PROMESA Act in 2016. Puerto Rico’s Financial Oversight and Control Board restructured roughly 80% of the island’s debt, reducing it from over $70 billion to around $37 billion. The board asserts it will save Puerto Rico more than $50 billion in debt servicing.
Valdez is also a proponent of abolishing ICE, labeling it as “fascist.” She advocates for Medicare for All and a cessation of what she calls “forever wars.” Concerning Israel, she voiced strong opposition to the “genocide in Gaza” and urged the U.S. to stop funding the nation.
Further, she stated that there should be no U.S. military presence on the island.
“Their land should not serve as a military base for endless wars and invasions of Cuba and Venezuela,” Valdez noted.
These comments came shortly after her primary victory, where she garnered 55.9% of the votes against Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. She concluded her celebration with a rallying message to her supporters: “Unite forever, abolish ICE, liberate Palestine, unionize and join DSA.”
