World Factbook

Puerto Rico

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military and security forces

Puerto Rico Police; Puerto Rico (US) National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico or GNPR) (2025)

note: the GNPR was created by order of the US Congress in June 1919; the organization traces its lineage and history to Spanish militias created in 1511 and is one of the oldest organizations in the US National Guard system