Background:
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was
claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second
voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule
that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African
slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result
of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US
citizenship in 1917 and popularly elected governors have served
since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for
internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and
1998 voters chose to retain commonwealth status.