Colonial Stockholm Syndrome

'Colonial Stockholm Syndrome: Navigating Identity, Loyalty, and Resistance in Puerto Rico” by Denise Zubizarreta offers a critical examination of Puerto Rico’s enduring colonial legacy under both Spanish and American rule. This book explores the profound psychological and sociopolitical effects of centuries of colonization on Puerto Rican identity, illuminating how the island’s people have been conditioned to navigate complex loyalties and resistances in the face of systemic oppression. Through the innovative framework of Colonial Stockholm Syndrome, Zubizarreta analyzes how Puerto Ricans have historically reconciled their dual loyalties—first to the Spanish Empire and later to the United States—while confronting the ongoing challenges of inequality and dependency. The narrative delves into pivotal moments in Puerto Rican history, from the Spanish colonial era and the struggle for autonomy, to the American occupation beginning in 1898, and the current debates surrounding statehood and independence. Positioned within the broader discourse on colonialism and postcolonial studies, this work stands out for its unique approach to understanding Puerto Rico’s complex colonial history. By integrating historical analysis, personal narratives, and critical theory, Zubizarreta provides a comprehensive and accessible exploration of how colonial power dynamics continue to shape Puerto Rico’s national identity and political future. This book is an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and professionals in Latin American and Caribbean studies, political science, history, and cultural studies. It serves as a key reference for understanding the psychological and cultural dimensions of colonization, making it suitable for classroom adoption, academic research, and broader discussions on decolonization, identity, and resistance. 'Colonial Stockholm Syndrome: Navigating Identity, Loyalty, and Resistance in Puerto Rico' is an essential contribution to the literature on colonialism and its enduring impacts, offering new insights into one of the oldest colonies in the modern world.

List of Figures
Acronyms
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 Introduction
A starting point
The personal is political
What is identity?
What is Colonial Stockholm Syndrome?
The Colonial Psychological Complex: Mapping the full system
Colonial Stockholm Syndrome is not a universal condition
Scope and depth of research

Chapter 2 The Kidnapping
A brief overview of Puerto Rico under colonial power
Spain’s colonial reign
The United States exerts its colonial claim
The legacy of slavery in Puerto Rico
Slavery under Spain’s control
Spanish colonial slavery and mejorando la raza
American rule and the racial classification of Puerto Ricans
Political relationship with the United States
Economic mechanisms of control
The Jones Act: An economic stranglehold
Resource control & extraction
Act 22: Contemporary encomiendas
Surveillance and subjugation: The role of “Las Carpetas”

Chapter 3 The Love Affair
Religion
Propaganda
Spanish Propaganda
US propaganda directed at Puerto Rico
US propaganda directed at the US “mainland”
Modern media portrayals of Puerto Rico
Education
Military service
Medical care and research
Cancer research, 1930s
Birth control testing and sterilization, 1950s & 1960s
Testing OxyContin, 1990s
Statehood
Prominent advocates for Puerto Rican statehood
Referenda on Puerto Rico’s status
The “alternative” of Spain
Diaspora
The American dream: A family’s tale

Chapter 4 The Consequences
Lack of US federal voting rights
Political corruption in Puerto Rico
Political apathy (and engagement)
Friction between Puerto Rican and US jurisdictions
Controversial federal jurisdiction
Social (in)security
Inadequate Healthcare
Debt and the complexities of statehood
Military’s environmental damage
Puerto Rican identity
Challenges to social cohesion and group identity
Gender & sexuality identities
Racial identities
Mental health impacts of colonial dependencyAnti-immigrant & far-right stances within the diaspora

Chapter 5 A Treatment Plan
Living in the time-lag: Unfinished colonialism
Confronting racial wounds
Reclaiming agency over our bodies and medical systems
Ensuring transparency and rebuilding trust
Strengthening our political system and claiming autonomy
Reclaiming and integrating our cultures
Demanding quantifiable accountability
Examples in action: Naming colonialism in public discourse
Bad Bunny: A Voice for Independence
Bianca Graulau: Journalism and Advocacy
Naming as resistance
A strategic plan for Puerto Rico’s independence
Envisioning a sovereign Puerto Rico
Personal concerns for the future: A journal entry

References
About the Author
Index

Denise Zubizarreta is a neurodivergent cultural operations specialist and interdisciplinary artist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, with decades of experience across creative fields. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Social Justice at Dominican University, building on her MALCM (Master’s in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management) from Colorado State University and her BFA in Fine Art from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. As an arts and culture writer, Zubizarreta contributes to leading publications, offering curated and critical perspectives on contemporary art, film, television, and culture. Her work explores and challenges the intersections of colonialism, identity, technology, and tradition—both in her research and her mixed-media practice—through a decolonial lens that centers lived experience, ancestral memory, and systems of power.

Puerto Rican nationalism, Spanish-American War, American imperialism, cultural assimilation, identity politics, neocolonialism, psychological colonialism, political autonomy, dependency theory, Caribbean sovereignty, colonial mentality, U.S.-Puerto Rico relations, cultural resistance, historical trauma, colonial discourse, identity construction, imperial legacy, anti-colonial movements, sovereignty debates, national identity formation.