The author does a good job at describing the Island's financial status but fails in his conclusion that if Puerto Rico was financially stable Puertorrican citizens living in the USA would move back.

There's a certain assimilation that takes place once someone moves away from their country. Growing up I saw that happen many times. Citizens that were either employed in private corporations in USA or in the military would return home to re-establish the life they left behind and their stay didn't last long. Going back to the past is what I call it. One cannot go back. Everything changes.

Nothing ever stays the same.

http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/puerto-rico-americas-greece (link is external)

"Hong Kong was a small British territory, with the British legal system, but no self-government; yet, it has become rich — having more than twice the per capita income of the average American — without receiving aid and subsidies from Britain, which the United States has and continues to provide to Puerto Rico.