After the 1898 United States invasion of Puerto Rico, Santos as a handmade craft somewhat reduced in popularity, as Protestant missionaries called for converts to dispose of and destroy the figures, and general modernizations on the island led to a reduced interest in this long-standing tradition. As a result, plastic, mass-produced statuettes of Catholic figures have become more popular as an alternative to traditional Santos craftsmanship.
Following the 1898 U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico, handmade Santos figurines declined in popularity due to missionary efforts to eliminate them and changing trends on the island that led to a decline in interest in this long-standing tradition. As a result, plastic, mass-produced statues of Catholic figures have become more popular as an alternative to traditional Santos craftsmanship.