Manuel Natal Albelo
| Manuel Natal | |
|---|---|
| Member 29th House of Representatives of Puerto Rico |
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Assumed office August 19, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Eduardo Ferrer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Manuel Natal Albelo March 25, 1986 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | Popular Democratic Party (PPD) |
| Alma mater |
Cornell University University of Puerto Rico |
| Profession | lawyer |
Manuel Natal Albelo (born March 25, 1986) is a lawyer and a member of the 29th House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. Natal is affiliated with the Popular Democratic Party and was a legal advisor for Charlie Hernández, another member of the House, before becoming a legislator. He is a member of the free association movement, colloquially known as soberanistas. Elected at the age of 27, Natal is one of the youngest legislators in the history of Puerto Rico and the youngest legislator currently serving.
Natal was born into a family with strong ties to the local politics. His maternal uncle, Javier Albelo Matos, served as a candidate for the mayorship of Ciales the 2000 general election, while his paternal grandfather was an activist for the Partido Popular Democratico (PPD). He studied at Colegio Espíritu Santo in Hato Rey, where he was president of the Student Council. Natal obtained a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 2008, where he was president of the Puerto Rican Student Association. He did not expect to be accepted by the institution, having applied to study in it as a protocolary measure. When the acceptance letter was received, Natal was surprised and this event triggered a period of adaptation. He offered a speech at his graduation in his role of class president. After returning to Puerto Rico, Natal received a juris doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 2011, also serving as president of the student council during his tenure. After graduating from Cornell, Natal became a key figure in a series of strikes held at the University of Puerto Rico in protest of a quota being introduced to the students. Consequently he became involved with the Popular Democratic Party and participated in an internal election for the presidency of the party's National Youth organization. After completing his juris doctor Natal opened his own lawfirm and worked for Charlie Hernández and Luis Vega Ramos, prominent members of the free association movement. In 2013, Natal was named director of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico Commission on the Judiciary.
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