Carlos Romero Barcelo
Carlos Antonio Romero Barceló (born in September 4, 1932) —nicknamed The Horse (or El Caballo in Spanish)— was Puerto Rico's fifth democratically elected Governor, the second governor to be elected from the New Progressive Party (PNP) and also Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1992 to 2000.
Romero Barceló is the grandson of Antonio R. Barceló, a former Union Party leader and advocate of Puerto Rican self-determination during the early 20th century.
Education
Carlos Romero Barceló attended Philips Exeter Academy in the state of Massachusetts, graduating in 1949. Later he attendeded, Yale University obtaining a B.A. in Political Science and Economics in 1953. That same year, at age 20, he returned to Puerto Rico and enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico Law School, becoming a licensed lawyer in 1956.
Political career
Romero Barceló, an avid supporter of Puerto Rico statehood with the United States of America, was elected Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1968. Later, he became the first hispanic to become president of the National League of Cities. He served as mayor until 1976 when he ran for the post of Governor of Puerto Rico. He was elected governor in 1976 over incumbent Rafael Hernandez Colón. Romero Barceló brought well received economic resolutions to the island during his terms in office, emphasising the island's tourism potential. In 1980 he was elected for a second term as governor by a margin of 3,037 votes over again PPD-candidate Rafael Hernández Colón. The 1980 governatorial elections being the closest in Puerto Rican history where marred in controversy requiring intervention of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico to rule over if improperly casted ballots should be counted. He sought to be re-elected for a third term as governor in 1984 but was defeated by Rafael Hernández Colón. After the elections, a TV news reporter, Rafael Bracero, inquired Barceló on his defeat to which he replied asking Que Derrota? (What defeat?) stating that for him what had occurred was not a defeat, but simply an "electoral loss". The comment has become legendary in Puerto Rican politics. In 1985, he returned to the private sector as a lawyer.
In the 1992's elections, he was elected Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico,and relocated to Washington D.C.. He was elected again for the post in 1996. In 2000, he was defeated by PPD Aníbal Acevedo Vilá for the post of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico. He once again sought his party's nomination for the post of Resident Commissioner in 2003, but was defeated by Luis Fortuno. Although he has retired for running in office, he has remained active in PNP political gatherings and is a member of the Maravilla Hill case.
On July 25, 1978, three Puerto Rican independence activists died by police gunfire at the Maravilla Hill. It was later determined that the activists where murdered. Romero Barceló was thought to be somehow involved in the killings after televised comments made during the day. Although he has never been directly implicated. The investigations and hearings held during the early 1980's adversely affected Romero Barceló's image. This is believed to have contributed to his failed re-election bid during the 1984 elections.
Legacy
Romero Barceló is married to Kate Donnelly. His daughter, Melinda Romero Donelly, is a PNP member of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. Romero Barceló is a fan of the sport of boxing and advocated for holding world championship bouts in San Juan during his terms in office.
Publications
- "Puerto Rico, U.S.A.: The Case for Statehood." Foreign Affairs 59 (Fall 1980): pp. 58-81.
- Statehood Is For the Poor. N.P.: Master Typesetting of P.R. Inc., 1978. Originally published as "La Estatidad es para los Pobres." 1973.
