Pictures from the top stories of 2025 and the year.
In 2025, the United States territories found themselves at the intersection of culture, federal policy, and questions of power far beyond their shores. From record-breaking cultural moments to renewed scrutiny of territorial rights and governance under a changing political climate, the year highlighted how decisions made on and off the islands continue to shape daily life across the territories. As the year comes to an end, Pasquines revisits the stories that defined 2025, offering context on how these moments reflected broader shifts affecting island communities.
Bad Bunny’s historic residency in Puerto Rico shattered records for ticket sales, economic impact, and global visibility. The residency not only reaffirmed the islands’ central role in global Latin music but also sparked conversations about tourism, cultural pride, and the long-term effects of large-scale entertainment on local communities.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit to Guam was met with a mixed reception, reflecting long-standing tensions over militarization, security, and local consent. While some leaders emphasized Guam’s strategic importance, others questioned the growing military footprint and its implications for land use, environmental protection, and self-determination.
Officials from the US Virgin Islands traveled to Puerto Rico to meet with Department of Veterans Affairs leadership amid concerns over potential cuts to veterans’ healthcare services. The discussions underscored shared regional challenges, particularly for island veterans who already face limited access to specialized care and federal services.
American Samoans living in Alaska faced felony charges stemming from confusion over their status as United States nationals rather than citizens. The cases drew attention to the legal vulnerabilities created by the territory’s political status and raised broader questions about voting rights, equal treatment, and how territorial residents are understood—or misunderstood—by state and federal systems.
The Northern Mariana Islands entered 2025 facing uncertainty—and turmoil—as policy signals from the Trump administration raised concerns about federal support, immigration programs, and economic stability. Local leaders and residents weighed what shifting priorities in Washington could mean for the territory’s future autonomy and relationship with the federal government.
As 2025 closes, these stories collectively reflect a year in which culture, policy, and identity collided across the territories. Whether through global recognition, federal decision-making, or legal challenges tied to political status, the islands continued to navigate realities shaped by forces both local and distant. Pasquines remains committed to providing the context needed to understand these developments—and to following how they unfold in the year ahead, for the context of islands.
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William-José Vélez González is a native from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and a graduate from Florida International University in biomedical engineering, engineering management, and international relations. A designer with a strong interest in science, policy, and innovation, he previously served as the national executive vice president of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association. William-José lives in Washington, DC, where he works at the Children's National Research Institute and runs Opsin, a nonprofit design studio dedicated to making design more accessible. You can see him on Love is Blind as Lydia's brother. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of Pasquines.
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