I could be wrong, but from everything I've seen Puerto Ricans prefer being a part of the U.S. (though some want state-hood and others are not sure). Independence has many ups and downs. Puerto Rico is already a part of the U.S. and it's people have been U.S. citizens for over 100 years. We treat them like they're not though. I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't have colonies in the 21st century and that we shouldn't treat them as some halfway house and instead welcome them as full citizens (should they prefer it).