Colonial Debts: The Case of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico's debt crisis and Hurricane Maria have made it a focus of research on neoliberalism and disaster capitalism. Rocío Zambrana's book "Colonial Debts" explores how debt works as a tool of predation that strengthens the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, intensifying race, gender, and class hierarchies. Protests in Puerto Rico have followed different decolonial practices that challenge the power structures that debt establishes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2021
Publisher: Duke University Press

Puerto Rico, with its staggering municipal debt and the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria, has become a focal point for examining the interplay between neoliberalism and disaster capitalism. In her book "Colonial Debts," Rocío Zambrana delves into the concept of neoliberal coloniality, shedding light on the profound implications of Puerto Rico's debt crisis. Drawing from decolonial thought and practice, Zambrana argues that debt operates as a predatory mechanism that reshapes the workings of neoliberalism. Debt, she contends, perpetuates coloniality, exacerbating race, gender, and class inequalities, thus reinforcing the colonial relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States.

Furthermore, Zambrana explores the transformative nature of protests in Puerto Rico. From the actions of the La Colectiva Feminista en Construcción, which involved long-standing land rescue/occupation in the territory, to the recent protests that led to the ousting of former governor Ricardo "Ricky" Rosselló in July 2019, these protests showcase diverse decolonial praxis that challenge the power structures established by debt. As Zambrana demonstrates, debt reinstates the colonial condition and reconfigures the racial and gender order that sustains it, thereby emerging as a critical site for political-economic subversion and social rearticulation.

The book "Colonial Debts" is a vital contribution to the study of neoliberalism, colonialism, and resistance in Puerto Rico. It sheds light on the complex dynamics that have shaped the island's economic and political landscape, and offers insights into the strategies employed by marginalized communities to challenge the dominant narrative. By examining the intersection of debt, disaster capitalism, and protest, Zambrana provides a powerful framework for understanding the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by Puerto Rico and other marginalized regions.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 150 x 227 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478011835