There are a number of variables to consider.
Here in the US it will definitely dwindle even further from mainstream once my generation of Latinos has kids.
As it is right now, I am 30 and you would not believe the amount of young Latinos (in their teens) who can not even merengue. Of course in America there is a constant "influx" of Latinos who in their home country still love partner dancing, hence will always attempt to live their lifestyle in a foreign country keeping a specialized section, alive.
Out of Latin countries, Puerto Rico's couple dancing is possibly in the most trouble. Of course there is still a relatively huge number of partner dancers, however, that huge amount is limited to people my age (30) and older. The teens who follow partner dancing are pretty much non-existent. Yes, we can still find them, but not as a mainstream...
Sadly, Puerto Rico has been Americanized, of which the mentality of "that is for old people" is one that truly rooted in the island. Where as in years past, before anglo take-over, it was, "Let me learn from the old guy". So, young people jumped in the band-wagon generated here in the US. Old musicians, old dance, old music, old people = they should retire.
Again, the question is one of mainstream... Looking at today, Salsa nor partner dance are by any means Mainstream in the US nor Puerto Rico. It is far from that.
It can change, but will the movement towards capitalistic need in Latino world Americanize it causing Latinos to gear towards the Anglo-way rather than the Latino-cultural-way? If so, partner dancing in Latin countries as mainstream is doomed.
Then again, it can be said that reggeton is a "partner dance". hehe
The entire Latin America has a problem with self identity and race, more so for Puerto Ricans. The history of the problem causes them to see Anglo-world as optimal, causing latinos to want to act and eventually become Americanos.
Even if a few disagree, it is a historical fact that mixed Latinos have always looked up to their Anglo counterpart. It can be suggested that it started once Cortez arrived at the shore of central-south America and the Indians greeted them as Gods.... On top of that, a capitalist world stresses that money means richness, wealth and superiority, which means that if the masses are followers they would not even see their thinking change from socialist to capitalist... look here in the US, who has the best services available and why? the issues is no longer the greater good for society but for money.
Reggeton is pretty much that, the Americanization of young Puerto Ricans looking for self identity through music. However, that self identity is truly distant from their Latino root and much more similar to Anglo-way... Reggeton, although displays young-Latino-inner-city-mentality, what it really shows is the unconscious assimilation of young Puerto Ricans to American...
Watch a hip-hop video or listen to a hip-hop song, and you've heard all that reggeaton is about...
By being american I mean a way of thinking... a way of thinking that stops being latino and becomes american... We would be hard press to find any native latin person who finds an american born latino to be truly latino... in blood they are, in looks they are, however, in mentaility they are not... which is why latinos born in the US find themselves as outcasts when visiting, even returning to the country they, themselves call home...
