Why did the United States want Puerto Rico as a naval coaling station?

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Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders — Spanish-American War Theodore Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, 1898; print created by Kurz & Allison.

The United States sought to acquire Puerto Rico primarily for strategic military purposes rather than solely for its potential in tropical agriculture. By establishing a secure coaling station for its warships on the island, the U.S. aimed to guarantee a robust naval presence throughout the Caribbean.1

Furthermore, this location served as a vital "stepping stone" toward the Isthmus of Panama. At the time, the United States viewed the construction of a transoceanic canal as essential to national security and economic prosperity, and controlling Puerto Rico helped secure the maritime approaches necessary to protect this future "lifeline" between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.12