President Obama is coming to town, and somehow nobody is pleased. Prior to the announcement of his visit, Puerto Ricans lamented how U.S. Leaders never paid attention to the island. We complained that no President since Kennedy had visited the U.S.’s century old colony. Yet no sooner does Obama announce that he is spending a few hours on the island that everyone with a microphone finds something to criticize.

On the “right”, the Statehood Party (PNP) has several high ranking members such as Guaynabo’s mayor, Hector O’Neill, complaining about the visit being too short. In the “center”, the Commonwealth Party (PPD) has some members bending over backwards for the President, while others are dismissing the visit as a ploy. Yet, all members of both parties are killing each other for the chance to get in on the photo-op. On the “left”, the Independence Party (PIP), followed by a slew of independence/sovereignty leaning groups, has called on their members to protest the visit. On paper, the list of several organizations, ranging from the PIP to Mothers Against Wars, to the newly created party “Movimiento Unido Soberanista” and environmentalists, might seem impressive. In reality, the protest won’t amount to more than 200 people hanging out in the sun with a piragua in hand.

That’s not to say that critics don’t have a point. Puerto Rico has been subject to colonial rule since 1898 by the United States. Its citizens fight and die under the flag just like any red-blooded American. Since the military occupation in 1898, Puerto Ricans have clamored for a solution to the status issue. And while it’s undoubtedly true that we haven’t been able to make up our minds here, the Federal Government refuses to give us a clear answer on what it is willing to grant. Legislation to resolve this issue has been presented before Congress several times, and it has failed every time. Presidents have paid lip service to the issue, and have never done anything more than that. Obama has done more than any other previous president on this issue, and that has to be acknowledged.

In his term, Obama commissioned a Task Force that came to the Island and rendered an extensive report on the economy and colonial situation. He has been in contact with several Puerto Ricans close to this issue, such as local attorney, Andrés Lopéz. Although brief, Obama’s visit is significant, particularly because he has no electoral college votes to pick up on the Island. While it is also true that he can pick up votes in other states with significant Puerto Rican populations (hello Florida), his visit cannot be dismissed as purely political.

Obama’s visit is far from perfect. It could be longer, he could meet with more people other than party leaders, he could make a powerful speech denouncing the colonial rule; yet none of that would make a difference if people on the Island do not make up their minds about their future first.