Why are the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico similar? Know the story behind


The flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico they share similarities in their design due to their history and cultural connection. Although they have some differences, both flags are inspired by that of the former Republic of Haiti, which played an important role in the fight for independence in the region. The relationship between the poet and Puerto Rican journalist Francisco Gonzalo ‘Pachin’ Marin and Jose Martias well as his affiliation with the Cuban Revolutionary Party, played an important role in the adoption of the Cuban flag, but with inverted colors, like that of Puerto Rico.

Why are the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico similar?

In 1892, in New York City, an important center of independence activity, the Borinquen Club was founded, formed by a group of Puerto Rican exiles who were also affiliated with the Cuban Revolutionary Party. At the same time, the Cuban Revolutionary Party, founded on January 3 of that year, had among its objectives promoting the independence of Puerto Rico.

It was in 1895 that a committee was established as a step prior to the formation of the Puerto Rico Section within the Cuban Revolutionary Party. At the end of that same year, on December 22, in the newspaper Patria from Marti, Puerto Ricans who longed for independence were summoned to participate in the constituent meeting of the Cuban Revolutionary Party.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived in Cuba and claimed it for Spain. Photo: Pixabay

At this meeting, they elected Ramon Emeterio Betances as general delegate of the board and the idea of ​​the new flag of Puerto Rico was recorded in the minutes. Previously, ‘Pachin’ Marin had written a letter from Jamaica to Juan de Mata TerreforteVice President of the Puerto Rico Section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, in which he suggested adopting the Cuban flag and inverting the colors for the Puerto Rican version.

For a long time, there were disputes about the authorship of the new flag of Puerto Rico. However, as Terreforte clarified, it was he who presented the ‘Pachín’ proposal at the 1895 meeting, and it was approved unanimously.

Source-larepublica.pe