99% Invisible: "Foreign in a Domestic Sense"

Host: Roman Mars
Producer: Jacob Medina Gleason
Release Date: May 20, 2025

Introduction to Surveillance and the "Carpetas" System

The episode delves into a hidden chapter of Puerto Rican history, revealing how the U.S. government's surveillance strategies, encapsulated in the "carpetas" system, were employed to monitor and suppress the Puerto Rican independence movement.

Key Quote:
Jacob Medina Gleason [02:18]:
"I learned that his case was about something else entirely. The file sums it up in one line... their purpose was to determine his activities politically."

Historical Background: Colonization and Identity Formation

Puerto Rico's history as a Spanish colony for over 500 years laid the foundation for a resilient identity forged in opposition to colonization. The term "Puerto Rican," originally intended derogatorily by Spanish military officials in the early 1700s, was reclaimed and embraced by the island's inhabitants to foster a unified national identity.

Key Quote:
Jorrel Melendez Badillo [07:14]:
"Puerto Rican identity has always been constructed in opposition to colonialism. It is an affirmation of being something different from Spain."

U.S. Annexation and the Birth of the "Carpetas"

Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States annexed Puerto Rico rather than granting it independence. The Insular Cases led to ambiguous constitutional applications, positioning Puerto Rico as "foreign in a domestic sense and domestic in an international sense."

Key Quote:
Jacob Medina Gleason [09:43]:
"It's a two-step process. Annex and incorporate. And they were not planning to incorporate Puerto Rico."

Rise of the Independence Movement and Pedro Albizu Campos

Pedro Albizu Campos emerged as a formidable leader of the Nationalist Party, advocating vehemently for Puerto Rican independence. His activism and oratory galvanized many but also attracted intense scrutiny and repression from U.S. authorities.

Key Quote:
Jorrel Melendez Badillo [11:38]:
"Pedro Albizu Campos... had great rhetoric. He dominated a crowd when he spoke and he spoke about the ills of Puerto Rico."

Implementation and Impact of the "Carpetas" Surveillance System

The "carpetas" were meticulously organized files used by Puerto Rican and U.S. authorities to monitor, intimidate, and suppress political dissidents. Individuals accumulated "carpetas" based on surveillance criteria, leading to escalating governmental control over activists' lives.

Key Quote:
Christopher Gregory Rivera [13:21]:
"Basically, the way it would work was it was sort of like a three strike system."

Exposure and Public Outcry: The Cerro Maravilla Murders

The brutal execution of two independence activists in 1978, known as the Cerro Maravilla murders, became the catalyst for unveiling the extensive surveillance practices. A key witness revealed the absence of resistance during the killings, contradicting official claims and sparking nationwide outrage.

Key Quote:
Christopher Gregory Rivera [21:56]:
"They're literally knelt on the ground and executed point blank... with no trial."

Revelation and Aftermath of the "Carpetas"

Public pressure and legal battles culminated in the 1988 Puerto Rican Supreme Court ruling that mandated the release of the "carpetas." The disclosure exposed the breadth of governmental surveillance, revealing that thousands of Puerto Ricans, including those in feminist and environmental groups, were under watch.

Key Quote:
Jacob Medina Gleason [25:16]:
"Thousands of these files were just sitting in an office in San Juan... Proof that the government had been spying on them."

Personal Narratives: Jacob Medina Gleason's Family Story

Through the personal story of Jacob Medina Gleason, listeners gain intimate insight into how the "carpetas" system affected individuals and families. His grandparents’ experiences highlight the pervasive mistrust and trauma inflicted by surveillance, underscoring the long-lasting psychological impact on the Puerto Rican community.

Key Quote:
Nancy [26:02]:
"And when he started reading it, like, oh, my God, this son of a bitch, you know, squealed on me because it was people you knew."

Political Stagnation and Continuing Struggles

Despite the formal shift to a commonwealth status in 1952, Puerto Rico remained entangled in political ambiguity. The establishment of PROMESA in 2016, which imposed fiscal oversight on the island, reignited debates over sovereignty and autonomy, illustrating the enduring struggles against systemic control.

Key Quote:
Jorrel Melendez Badillo [17:50]:
"We are subject to the control of Congress and Congress can run the show."

Flag Symbolism: A Coda on Identity and Resistance

The episode concludes with a discussion on the symbolism of Puerto Rican flags, highlighting how different versions represent varied political stances and emotions. The evolution from the traditional "Mono Estrellada" to the contemporary black-and-white flag reflects ongoing sentiments of dissatisfaction and mourning.

Key Quote:
Nancy [29:10]:
"Why? Because people are learning more... becoming so conscious of what they've been doing to us for so many years."

Conclusion: Enduring Legacy of the "Carpetas"

The "carpetas" system not only suppressed the independence movement but also left an indelible mark on Puerto Rican society. The legacy of surveillance continues to influence contemporary discussions on identity, autonomy, and resistance against external control.

Key Quote:
Jacob Medina Gleason [27:37]:
"The carpetas still loom in the Puerto Rican psyche... 'cuidado, o te van a carpetar.'"

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I learned that his case was about something else entirely." — Jacob Medina Gleason [02:18]
• "Puerto Rican identity has always been constructed in opposition to colonialism." — Jorrel Melendez Badillo [07:14]
• "Essentially the Constitution only applied to Puerto Rico as the US saw fit." — Jorrel Melendez Badillo [09:13]
• "We are subject to the control of Congress." — Jorrel Melendez Badillo [17:50]
• "The carpeta still served a purpose for the Puerto Rican government." — Jacob Medina Gleason [14:54]
• "When you believe in independence for your country." — Nancy [28:42]

Final Thoughts

"Foreign in a Domestic Sense" offers a comprehensive exploration of Puerto Rico's complex political history, the oppressive mechanisms of surveillance, and the enduring fight for national identity and sovereignty. Through personal narratives and historical analysis, Jacob Medina Gleason and Roman Mars shed light on a largely underreported aspect of Puerto Rican and American history, emphasizing the profound human impacts of political and systemic control.