China's Belt and Road initiative is on the way. Premier Xi's agenda? For China to have unrestricted access to the rest of the world. At the focus is America's last fortress-Puerto Rico, with its own canal that sits primely at the southern entrance of the Caribbean from the Atlantic Ocean. The only way that China can exercise influence in Puerto Rico-and move freely around the globe-is if Puerto Rico becomes an independent nation.

Puerto Rico's political process is in shambles and the island is now slipping toward independence. Author Alexander Odishelidze spent 30 years on the statehood initiative. This is his firsthand account of the mistakes made during that process-along with vested interests who want to keep the status quo on both mainland US and Puerto Rico. But independence is looming.

And China is watching.

Praise for Alexander Odishelidze's last book, Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico

"It is fitting that we ask ourselves what future political status is best for Puerto Rico. This book answers that question and another: What status is also best for the United States?" -Robert J. Lagomarsino, Former U.S. Representative of California, Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Territorial Affairs