Quantum sovereignty and constitutional asymmetry: mapping the sovereignty gap in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Quantum technologies are advancing faster than the institutional capacities of most small island jurisdictions, creating a structural vulnerability that remains largely unaddressed. This article introduces the Quantum Sovereignty Gap (QSG) to explain why Puerto Rico (PR) and the Dominican Republic (DR) risk entering the quantum era without the infrastructural, regulatory, or strategic foundations required for autonomy. Using documentary analysis, a 0–2 scoring matrix, and a qualitative evidence audit trail, the study evaluates the extent to which both jurisdictions exhibit quantum-ready intent. The findings reveal stark asymmetries: PR remains structurally dependent due to long-standing constraints in technological autonomy, externally oriented R&D incentives, and reliance on U.S.-based FedRAMP cloud infrastructures, while the DR shows emerging infrastructural autonomy through its Sovereign Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiative and NVIDIA Memorandum of Understanding but faces significant implementation friction. Both territories lack a Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) transition roadmap, exposing them to high systemic risk ahead of Quantum Decryption Day (“QDay”). The article reframes quantum preparedness as a question of structural power and identifies a potential regional opportunity through a PR–DR quantum corridor.