Famous Puerto Rican Leaders

Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto is a Puerto Rican politician who held key positions in the government of Puerto Rico. She served as mayor of San Juan from 2013 to 2020, where she focused on issues such as disaster relief and infrastructure improvements. Prior to her mayoral role, Cruz was a member of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico from 2009 to 2013. Throughout her career, she has been known for her advocacy for social justice, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Julia de Burgos was a prominent Puerto Rican poet who also dedicated herself to advocating for Puerto Rican independence. As the Secretary General of the Daughters of Freedom, the women's branch of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, she played a key role in the fight for liberation. Additionally, she was a civil rights activist, particularly focusing on women's rights and advocating for African and Afro-Caribbean writers. Through her literary work and activism, Julia de Burgos made significant contributions to the cultural and political landscape of Puerto Rico.

José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a prominent Puerto Rican journalist, politician, and statesman who served as the first elected governor of Puerto Rico. He played a pivotal role in spearheading various economic, political, and social reforms during his tenure, which received international acclaim. His administration was recognized for its significant achievements, including the suppression of the Nationalist Party's efforts to gain independence. Muñoz Marín's contributions as the "Architect of the Puerto Rico Commonwealth" left a lasting impact on the political landscape of Puerto Rico.

Alexandra Lúgaro Aponte is a Puerto Rican attorney, businesswoman, and politician known for her participation as a candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. In the 2016 election, she ran independently and garnered a significant number of votes. In the 2020 election, she represented the Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana. Lúgaro's professional life showcases her commitment to public service and her leadership in politics, with a focus on advocating for change and progress in Puerto Rico.

Sila María Calderón Serra is a Puerto Rican politician, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She made history as the first woman elected as the governor of Puerto Rico, serving from 2001 to 2005. Prior to her governorship, Calderón held significant roles in the Puerto Rican government, including Secretary of State and Chief of Staff to Governor Rafael Hernández Colón. She also served as the mayor of San Juan. Calderón's professional life is characterized by her dedication to public service and leadership in various governmental positions.

Luis A. Ferré was a prominent Puerto Rican engineer, industrialist, politician, and philanthropist known for his significant contributions to the island's development. Serving as governor of Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1973, he was also the founder of the New Progressive Party, advocating for statehood for Puerto Rico. As a patron of the arts, he supported cultural initiatives and was recognized with prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ferré's professional life exemplified dedication to public service, economic advancement, and cultural enrichment.

Rafael Hernández Colón was a prominent Puerto Rican politician who served as the governor of Puerto Rico for three terms, from 1973 to 1977 and 1985 to 1993. Known for his political experience, Hernández was the youngest governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico at the time of his first term. He holds the record for running for governor the most times, a total of five. During his administrations, he focused on boosting the Puerto Rican economy and maintaining the island's political status quo. Hernández is the second longest-serving governor in Puerto Rico, with a total of 12 years in office.

David Enrique "Quique" Bernier Rivera is a Puerto Rican dentist and politician who has held various roles in public service in Puerto Rico. He served as executive director of the Office of Youth Affairs, Secretary of Sports and Recreation, and Secretary of State. Bernier is affiliated with the Popular Democratic Party in Puerto Rico and the Democratic Party in the United States. As an accomplished athlete, he represented Puerto Rico in fencing at international competitions. Bernier's career has been marked by a commitment to public service and political leadership.

Pedro Juan Rosselló González is a Puerto Rican physician and politician who served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 1993 to 2001. He was President of the New Progressive Party during two separate periods and also served as a Senator for the District of Arecibo. Rosselló held various leadership positions within governmental and political organizations, including the Council of State Governments, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association. He retired from active politics in 2001 but made a brief comeback in 2003 before ultimately retiring again in 2008.

Ricardo Antonio Rosselló Nevares is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 2017 until his resignation in 2019. He founded the political advocacy group Boricua ¡Ahora Es! to push for a change in Puerto Rico's political status. Rosselló supports Puerto Rican statehood and won the New Progressive Party primary to become governor in 2016. His tenure was marred by the Telegramgate scandal, where his involvement in a controversial chat led to widespread protests and his eventual resignation.

Wanda Emilia Vázquez Garced is a Puerto Rican politician and attorney who served as Governor of Puerto Rico from 2019 to 2021. Prior to her governorship, she held the position of the 19th secretary of Justice from 2017 to 2019. A member of the New Progressive Party and Republican Party of Puerto Rico, Vázquez became the second female governor in Puerto Rican history. Her ascension to the governorship was marked by a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico regarding the succession of government.

Luis Muñoz Rivera was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician who played a significant role in advocating for political autonomy for Puerto Rico. He was a key member of the Autonomist Party, serving as Chief of the Cabinet for the autonomous government negotiated with Spain. Following the transfer of Puerto Rico to the United States, he continued his political career as the Resident Commissioner, contributing to the Jones-Shafroth Act. His legacy was continued by his son, who later became the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico.

Nydia Velázquez is an American politician who has been serving in the United States House of Representatives since 1993. A Democrat from New York, she chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus until 2011. Her district, located in New York City, was initially numbered the 12th district and then changed to the 7th district in 2013. Velázquez holds the distinction of being the first Puerto Rican woman to serve in the United States Congress.

Buenaventura Báez Méndez was a Dominican conservative politician and military figure who served as president of the Dominican Republic for five nonconsecutive terms. He began his political career as a deputy in the Haitian Congress, working towards obtaining a protectorate from foreign powers. During his presidency, he founded the first secondary school in the country, but his rule was marked by corruption, dictatorship, and violence. He attempted various political maneuvers, including opposing annexation to Spain and the United States. Báez died in 1884 while in Puerto Rico.

Jenniffer Aydin González Colón is a prominent Puerto Rican politician serving as the 20th Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico. She has held leadership roles in the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico and the Republican Party of the United States. Notable positions she has held include chairwoman of the Puerto Rico Republican Party, speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, and vice-chair of the PNP. González made history as the youngest person to serve as Resident Commissioner and the first woman to hold this role.

Felisa Rincón de Gautier was a prominent Puerto Rican politician known for her historic role as the first woman to be elected as mayor of a capital city in the Americas. Serving as the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, she made significant contributions to the city's development and welfare. Her leadership was characterized by a strong commitment to public service and advocacy for social issues. Felisa Rincón de Gautier's professional legacy is marked by her pioneering achievements in breaking gender barriers in the political arena.

Roberto Sánchez Vilella served as the governor of Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1969 after winning the 1964 elections under the Partido Popular Democrático. He was also the founder of the People's Party, known as el Partido del Sol, which aimed to promote social justice and economic development in Puerto Rico. Throughout his professional life, Sánchez Vilella was dedicated to advancing the interests of the people of Puerto Rico, working towards improving the quality of life and opportunities for its residents.

Victoria "Melo" Muñoz Mendoza was a prominent Puerto Rican politician who made significant contributions to the political landscape of Puerto Rico. She was the first woman in Puerto Rican history to seek the office of Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Mendoza began her political career in 1984 with a bid for Mayor of San Juan, followed by a successful tenure as a senator in the Senate of Puerto Rico. Despite an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 1992, she continued to be a trailblazer for women in politics, ultimately endorsing and campaigning for the first female Governor of Puerto Rico in 2000.

Larry Seilhamer Rodríguez is a Puerto Rican politician affiliated with the pro-statehood New Progressive Party (PNP). He served as the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico and was a member of the Senate of Puerto Rico. Seilhamer also had a successful career as a basketball player in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. In 2020, he was nominated as Puerto Rico Secretary of State by Governor-elect Pedro R. Pierluisi, showcasing his continued dedication to public service and leadership roles.