The National Puerto Rico & Spain Initiative (NPRSI) is a nonpartisan grassroots movement advocating for Puerto Rico’s reunification with Spain as a modern autonomous province, modeled after successful regions like the Canary Islands.
Our mission is rooted in truth, decolonization, historical justice, and economic renewal. We present a realistic, democratic alternative to U.S. colonial rule — one that restores Puerto Rican self-governance, full European Union rights, and a new future beyond failed political promises.
We are young leaders and elders, working together in unity.
We include voices from across the political spectrum, committed to one shared goal: Puerto Rico’s freedom through a just and dignified status.
We believe that no generation and no region of our diaspora should be left out of shaping the island’s future.
Legislative Advocacy: We meet with lawmakers and diplomats to begin the conversation for a peaceful transition of sovereignty between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Spain.
Public Education: We create accessible, multilingual content — videos, infographics, podcasts — that explain the truth about Puerto Rico’s status and its legal path to autonomy.
Historical Recovery: We promote awareness of Puerto Rico’s role as an autonomous Spanish province before 1898, and the betrayal of that status by U.S. annexation.
Cultural Protection: We advocate for the recognition of Puerto Rico’s indigenous TaĂno identity and Spanish-Caribbean heritage, both of which deserve dignity and international protection.
Youth & Diaspora Mobilization: We connect Puerto Ricans across borders and generations, uniting those on the island and in the diaspora around a common goal.
| Under U.S. Rule | Under Spanish Autonomy |
|---|---|
  Jones Act shipping restrictions |   Free maritime trade with the world |
| Â PROMESA fiscal board dictatorship | Â Self-governance with budget sovereignty |
| Â Act 60 tax loopholes for outsiders | Â Economic policies that protect locals |
| Â No EU citizenship | Â Full EU citizenship & freedom of movement |
| Â Second-class colonial status | Â Dignified, permanent constitutional autonomy |
| Â Generations divided and displaced | Â United Puerto Rican voices across borders |
Edwin Ortiz is a seasoned community organizer, youth advocate, entrepreneur, and political leader whose work has impacted lives across New York, New Jersey, and the broader Puerto Rican diaspora. His journey began in the Bronx at just 19 years old, when he became the first community member appointed to the Bronx Planning Board. That same year, he took action as a tenant organizer, founding a Tenants Association and a youth program that successfully prevented the demolition of his building in 1984—setting the stage for a lifelong commitment to community empowerment.
In the 1990s, Edwin launched and led a youth development initiative in the Bronx focused on leadership training and peer education. He served as Executive Director for nearly two decades, helping to cultivate generations of young changemakers.
In 2001, Edwin ran for New York City Council and made headlines by securing over 42% of the vote as a first-time, independent candidate—an unprecedented accomplishment in Bronx politics. He later won election as Chairman of the Bronx Independence Party (not to be confused with Puerto Rico’s independence movement), where he worked to promote independent political voices and civic participation.
Professionally, Edwin spent 18 years in New Jersey as Branch Manager for a global security firm, overseeing a $10 million portfolio and a team of over 300 employees in Elizabeth.
In addition to his advocacy work, Edwin is a successful entrepreneur. He is the founder of a beloved dog boarding service that offers a warm, kennel-free, home-style environment for clients’ “fur babies”—providing comfort, safety, and peace of mind for pet owners. He is also the CEO of LatinwebHosting.com, a web-based company that empowers small Latino-owned businesses by helping them establish an online presence and grow their digital visibility in today’s competitive marketplace.
Now, as President of The National Puerto Rico & Spain Initiative, Edwin combines his decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service to champion Puerto Rico’s future as an autonomous province of Spain. His unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and strategic reform continues to inspire communities across the island and throughout the diaspora.
José Miguel Velázquez Cruz is a political activist and founder dedicated to the movement for Puerto Rico’s reintegration with Spain as the 18th autonomous community. Born in La Villa del Capitán Correa, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Orlando, Florida area of the United States of America, he is a medically retired U.S. Army veteran and a passionate advocate for post-colonial justice. As the founder of Reunification Station: Spain & Puerto Rico, a growing initiative on Instagram and YouTube, José Miguel has become a leading voice in the reunification movement. He is also a petitioner before the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization for the 2024–2025 cycle, where he continues to champion the cause of Puerto Rican self-determination through peaceful and democratic means. Additionally, he is the third member of Héroes de la Hispanidad, a project created to introduce the most important figures and anniversaries in Spanish history in an engaging way, accompanied by the illustrations of artist Jesu Medina from Medina del Campo, Castilla y León, Spain. A former professional performing and recording musical artist, José Miguel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix Southern California campus in Costa Mesa, California. José Miguel currently serves as Executive Secretary of the National Puerto Rico and Spain Initiative, the spearhead organization for the political movement advocating Puerto Rico’s reintegration into the Kingdom of Spain as its 18th autonomous community and is a divorced father of two beautiful daughters, currently residing in the Daytona Beach, Florida, USA area.
Annette G. Falcón is from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where she attended Mount Carmel School and Academia Inmaculada Concepción School. She began her university education at the San Germán campus of the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico before continuing her studies in the United States. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a Cross-Cultural Bilingual Option from the National Hispanic University and is currently pursuing a Master of
Arts in Spanish at the University of Wyoming. With over 27 years of experience as an educator, FalcĂłn has dedicated her career to teaching Spanish at all levels, from elementary school through Advanced Placement, in both California and Wyoming. She has served in a wide range of educational settings including urban and rural districts, charter schools, and university-affiliated lab schools, where she has offered both exploratory and advanced Spanish courses for native and non-native speakers. She currently teaches at Galileo Academy of Science and Technology, a high school in San Francisco,
California. Beyond the classroom, FalcĂłn is a published author of bilingual poetry and narrative works including Lahj Miahj and Puerto Rico conmigo. She has received public recognition for her educational work, including features on UnivisiĂłn and YouTube's "Bobo's Education Hero" series. In 2024 and 2025 she presented petitions at the United Nations in New York as part of her longstanding activism in favor of the political and cultural reunion of Puerto Rico with Spain, an
issue to which she remains passionately committed. She currently resides in San Francisco, California, and is the proud mother of three adult children. Her life and career reflect a deep commitment to education, bilingualism, cultural
advocacy, and civic engagement.
The IT Committee serves as the technological backbone of the National Puerto Rico & Spain Initiative. This subcommittee is responsible for safeguarding all organizational data, implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, and ensuring that all information systems are secure and resilient against potential threats. It oversees the maintenance and performance of all equipment and digital tools used across the organization, guaranteeing that systems operate smoothly and efficiently.
In addition to managing day-to-day operations, the IT Committee provides strategic advice on current and emerging technologies. It ensures that the organization consistently utilizes the most effective and secure digital resources to support its mission and outreach.
This committee reports directly to the President and Vice President of the organization, keeping leadership fully informed on all technological matters, risks, and opportunities.
The Chairman of the Subcommittee for Technology leads with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset—offering expert guidance on technological strategy, infrastructure development, digital security, and innovation. Under this leadership, the IT Committee upholds the Initiative’s commitment to operational excellence and technological advancement.
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