Versin en espaol aqu.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Its been 121 years since the United States conquered this island, 13 years since its economy went into recession, two years since painful austerity began and more than 3,000 people died in a catastrophic storm, and two months since historic protests toppled a corrupt, scandal-struck governor.

But for the political party promising to end these crises, its the next four months that really matter.

Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana, an upstart political party, needs 49,000 signatures to qualify as an official party on the 2020 ballot. MVC whose name translates to Citizens Victory Movement has gathered more than 27,000 since it launched in March and is vowing to shake up a party system that revolves almost entirely around the question of Puerto Ricos relationship to the United States.