Two-vote plan for Puerto Rico

A White House task force has endorsed a two-stage referendum on Puerto Rico's constitutional status.



Under the plan, residents of the island would first be asked to choose between independence and remaining part of the United States.



If they choose ties with the US, they would be given statehood or the current commonwealth status as options.



If they opt for independence, they would choose between free association and independence.



Under free association, the US would still provide defence and economic aid, but Puerto Ricans would no longer be American citizens.



Since 1952, Puerto Rico has been a self-governing territory with broad internal autonomy, but without the right to conduct its own foreign policy.