Published. Governor of Puerto Rico resigns. On the same day in 1952, Puerto Rico adopted its first constitution and became a commonwealth of the United States. Though Rosselló insisted during the course of the two weeks that he would not resign, the writing was on the wall—and not just the protest graffiti on walls across San Juan. announces resignation, U.S. commonwealth's first governor to resign, issued search warrants to confiscate the cellphones, the leaking of 889 pages of private chats. Email. Late on Wednesday, after weeks of protests and political tensions, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló finally addressed the island and, after spending the bulk of his time on camera noting the achievements of his two and a half years in office, abruptly announced he was resigning and signed off. would step down on July 24, 2019 in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Amber Phillips. Vázquez, who was appointed in 2017, is seen as loyal to Rosselló and the hashtag #WandaRenuncia (or "Wanda, resign") started trending on Twitter immediately after Rosselló's address ended. Ricardo Rosselló submitted his resignation after two weeks of island-wide unrest, but the unrest is far from over as protesters focus their message on Washington. Demonstrators chant slogans as they wave Puerto Rican flags during ongoing protests calling for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rossello in San Juan, Puerto Rico July 24, 2019. the jubilant crowd chanted after the governor's announcement. Puerto Rico: Huge street celebrations as governor Ricardo Rossello resigns over obscenity-laden texts. The Governor of Puerto Rico is the executive of the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as its head of state and head of government and, by its nature, constitutes the executive branch of the government of the island. Ricardo Rosselló step down for his involvement in a private chat in which he used profanities to describe an ex-New York City councilwoman and a federal control board overseeing the island's finances. bookmark_border. The chats also revealed the administration's efforts to smear and bring down political opponents. On Monday there was a national strike, and Puerto Rican artists including Ricky Martin, Bad Bunny, Residente, and others led a crowd of more than 500,000 people as they shut down the Las Americas Expressway, the largest highway in Puerto Rico. Follow NBC Latino on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. All Rights Reserved. Ricardo Rosselló says he will step down Aug. 2. "Once the resignation is official, if necessary, I will assume the historic mandate that the Constitution of Puerto Rico commends," she said in a statement. We explain. Rosselló becomes the first Puerto Rican governor to resign. "Ricky, te botamos!" From Twitter. The video, prerecorded and published via Facebook, ended on the stroke of midnight of July 25—an already fateful day in Puerto Rico’s history—and as people heard of his resignation, celebrations erupted across the island and among Puerto Rican communities on the mainland. On July 25, 1898, the U.S. Army invaded Puerto Rico as part of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, Puerto Rico’s Governor, Resigns After Protests Video Ricardo Rosselló said Wednesday night that he would resign as governor of Puerto Rico, effective Aug. 2. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló to Resign After Weeks of Public Outcry Gov. … The recent unrest comes on top of over 12 years of recession, austerity measures, a Washington-imposed fiscal control board overseeing the island’s finances, a debt crisis, and a botched response to the 2017 hurricane that destroyed the island’s electrical infrastructure, left Puerto Ricans without power for almost a year, and caused an estimated 4,645 deaths. Crowds in the streets, which for almost two weeks had been calling for the governor to step down, immediately erupted in joyous chants, cheering "Puerto Rico! Protesters are demanding that the governor step down after a group chat was exposed that included misogynistic and homophobic comments allegedly made between Rossell? ABC News 7,668 views. Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rosselló has given a televised speech announcing his resignation after almost two weeks of intense protests calling for … Over the course of the protests, police continually clashed with protesters outside the governor’s residence of La Fortaleza, using riot gear, pepper spray, and tear gas, a cannister of which accidentally set a car on fire in San Juan after a police officer tried to disperse protesters. ("Ricky, we threw you out!") The resignation, which will be effective August 2, comes two weeks after the FBI arrested two top officials from his administration along with their co-conspirators on dozens of corruption charges, a scandal that was then compounded by the publishing of the transcript of a lewd, ongoing chat between Rosselló and his top aides that mocked everyone from political rivals to fatalities in Hurricane María. Share. He submitted his resignation letter to Puerto Rico’s legislature later on Thursday. Puerto Rico’s governor resigns, Mueller testimony fallout, mom chases down alleged flasher - Duration: 22:51. Rosselló is the U.S. commonwealth's first governor to resign. Vázquez also came under public scrutiny for leaving her post as director of the Office of Women’s Rights three years before her term was up to join Rosselló’s administration. Puerto Rico governor resigns after mass protests. Pedro Pierluisi, nominee for Puerto Rico secretary of state, speaks during a confirmation hearing at the House of Representatives, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019. Governor Of Puerto Rico Yields To Public Outcry And Resigns Ricardo Rosselló will resign the office effective Aug. 2. A bill in the U.S. Congress may create a special fund to support anti-corruption worldwide. Ricardo Rossello announced he will … She later announced that she would recuse herself from any investigation because she was mentioned in the chats. The news came after three attorneys commissioned by the president of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives, Carlos Méndez Núñez, unanimously found five offenses that constituted grounds for impeachment. Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez is next in line. A young woman holds a sign that reads in Spanish "Corrupt" while protesting outside the executive mansion known as La Fortaleza, in Old San Juan, demanding the resignation of Governor Wanda Vazquez after the discovery of an old warehouse filled with unused emergency supplies in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. The demonstrations were … The U.S. Supreme Court will take up the case in October. … amp video_youtube. On Wednesday, after hours of silence from the governor and as protests continued across the island—including a creative perreo combativo protest in which demonstrators danced to reggeaton—the president of the island’s House of Representatives, Carlos “Johnny” Méndez, called an extraordinary session for the following day to officially begin what would have been the first impeachment proceedings against a sitting governor on the island in its 67 years as a commonwealth. Copy link. Gov. His resignation, effective Aug. 2, came late Wednesday night on a recorded video published on Facebook. Protesters demonstrate near a police barricade on a street leading to the governor's mansion as expectations remained high that Gov. About sharing. The resignation of embattled Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rosselló last week was never a question of if, but when. If he’d been impeached by the House, the Puerto Rican Senate would have then voted on whether or not to remove him from office. Investigators are looking into possible wrongdoing such as corruption and conflicts of interest. Rosselló steps down after large-scale protests—first-ever resignation of island’s sitting governor The politician who most benefited from Brazil's anti-corruption probe has put the final nail in its coffin. Per the island’s constitution, Secretary of Justice Wanda Vázquez is next in line to become governor after Secretary of State Luis Rivera Marín, who was higher up in the line of succession, resigned amid the unfolding scandals. As secretary, critics argued she did not prioritize femicide and gender violence, a growing problem on the island. The leaked chats on the messaging app Telegram rocked the public for their profane, misogynistic and homophobic comments against public officials, celebrities and ordinary islanders, as well as their cynicism on topics that included the deaths following Hurricane Maria in 2017. He made the announcement … The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, resigned on Friday and swore in a veteran politician as his replacement.. At the Somos Más (We Are More) march in San Juan on Thursday, thousands marched on the island’s financial district and called for the U.S. Congress to dissolve the fiscal oversight board it appointed in 2016 to manage the island’s finances and strike down the PROMESA law that created it. Why Puerto Rico’s governor is resigning . Reports of Rosselló's planned resignation had broken Tuesday, a few hours after NBC News and Telemundo, both owned by NBC Universal, reported that the island's Justice Department had issued search warrants to confiscate the cellphones of several people who took part in the private chats. In 2018, Vázquez became the first secretary of justice to face criminal charges when the island’s Office of Government Ethics (OEG by its initials in Spanish) filed complaints accusing her of violating ethics law by intervening on behalf of her daughter and son-in-law in a housing dispute. Senator Paul Strauss verified_user. Many legislators oppose Pierluisi because of his ties to a federal fiscal oversight board. Protesters celebrate as Puerto Rico Governor Rossell? close. Tens of thousands protested on the … Media caption Celebrations in San Juan as Puerto Rico Governor Rosselló resigns. By . In the governor's absence, or if the governor dies or is unable to perform the … 22:51. Reporter for The Fix analyzing Congress. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló announced late Wednesday that he would resign, lifting a cloud of uncertainty over the U.S. territory and bowing to … While he refused to resign as governor, Rosselló did resign as president of the New Progressive Party and announced on Sunday that he would not seek reelection in the 2020 elections. A judge issued a warrant on July 23 for the cell phones of those in the chat who had not yet submitted their devices to the Justice Department. After a rash of offensive and profanity-laden messages by the governor were leaked to the press, Puerto … Rosselló's announcement came after a day of mounting frustration as reporters gathered in front of the governor's mansion for the anticipated announcement and thousands of people gathered nearby in Old San Juan chanting, "Ricky, Renuncia!" Listening to Rosselló’s resignation in San Juan. Ricardo Rosselló officially resigned. An OEG investigation into the Telegram group chat between Rosselló and his inner circle, which was opened on July 13, is still ongoing. 25 July 2019. Bio. In the report that was leaked to the press, the attorneys found Rosselló committed four serious offenses and one misdemeanor, including illicitly using public resources and services for partisan purposes, as well as allowing government officials and contractors to misuse public funds and time for nongovernment work. In the message, he touted what he considered accomplishments of his tenure, saying he fought corruption and made strides for different communities. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Protesters in Puerto Rico gathered outside La Fortaleza governor's residence on Sunday, demanding Gov. Puerto Rico's embattled governor Ricardo Rossello has announced his resignation following two weeks of massive protests. Puerto Rico!". Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rosselló has announced his resignation after days of … July 25, 2019 at 11:01 AM EDT. Protests continued to grow on the island after Rosselló announced Sunday that he wouldn't run for re-election and that he would step down from the leadership of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party. The governor of Puerto Rico announced late Wednesday that he will resign effective Aug. 2, amid intense pressure from inside and outside his government, after … Vázquez initially described the leaked chats as "incorrect" but not illegal. Top coverage. Share page. Puerto Rico governor resigns after protests Crowds of protesters erupted in celebration when embattled Gov. more_vert. The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, resigned following impeachment prospects, mass protests triggered by a leaked private chat and corruption probes. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello speaks as he announces his resignation in San Juan, Puerto Rico, early July 25, 2019. Governor of Puerto Rico resigns 03:58. Under the island's constitution, the secretary of state is first in line to take over if the governor resigns. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló Resigns After Chat Scandal Puerto Ricans have been marching through San Juan to protest allegations of corruption and offensive messages published during the "Chatgate" scandal. Nicole Acevedo reported from New York, Alex Johnson from Los Angeles and Gabe Gutierrez from Puerto Rico. (AP). Protesters are now turning their voices toward Washington. Just 17 days after he was attending the Women’s World Cup final in France, Ricardo Rosselló told the people of Puerto Rico and the rest of the world late Wednesday night that he is resigning as governor of the U.S. island-colony, effective August 2 at 5 p.m. Thousands gathered in Puerto Rico as Gov. Méndez had announced he had convened a meeting for Thursday afternoon to begin the impeachment process. The 40-year-old Democrat and son of a governor, Rosselló became the first governor to resign in the modern history of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory of more than 3 million American citizens. What’s at stake for the region? "After the birth of my son, this is the happiest day of my life," acclaimed Puerto Rican reggaeton star René Pérez Joglar, also known as Residente, said. ("Ricky, Resign!"). Ricardo Rosselló announced his resignation Wednesday days after demonstrators at the island's largest protest in recent history called for his ouster over a scandal involving leaked private chats, as well as corruption investigations and arrests. "My only North Star has been the well-being of my island," he said. What's behind Puerto Rico's protests, scandal? Hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have been protesting for 12 consecutive days, demanding Rosselló's ouster. Earlier on Wednesday, Méndez had announced that he had the 34 necessary votes to secure impeachment. The protests were triggered by the leaking of 889 pages of private chats between Rosselló and some of his current and former officials, as well as close associates. By law, the island's secretary of state would succeed Rosselló, but no one has been confirmed for that position since Luis G. Rivera Marín, who was part of the chat scandal, submitted his resignation July 13. Vázquez was briefly suspended and appeared in court but was later cleared of all charges and reinstated as secretary of justice. The new governor, Pedro Pierluisi, said he'll stay in the post as long as the Senate ratifies the position. share. Amber Phillips. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico Gov. Follow. Vázquez already faces popular opposition, and calls for her resignation trended across social media sites moments after Rosselló announced his resignation as she’s had her own share of legal troubles. WASHINGTON – The Democratic lawmaker who chairs the House committee that oversees Puerto Rico called on the island's governor to step down after six people, including Puerto Rico… SenPaulStrauss. Ricardo Rosselló submitted his resignation after two weeks of island-wideÂ,  as protesters focus their message on Washington, Chairman's International Advisory Council, comes two weeks after the FBI arrested two top officials, left Puerto Ricans without power for almost a year, they shut down the Las Americas Expressway, called an extraordinary session for the following day, he had the 34 necessary votes to secure impeachment, Vázquez already faces popular opposition, was later cleared of all charges and reinstated, did not prioritize femicide and gender violence, a report outlining that Rosselló had committed two criminal charges and three ethical violations, thousands marched on the island’s financial district, ruled that the board members’ appointments were unconstitutional, What Washington’s CROOK Act Means for Latin America, How Lava Jato Died – And What Comes Next. In his recorded message, he urged people to stay orderly. Late on Wednesday, after weeks of protests and political tensions, Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló finally addressed the island and, after spending the bulk of his time on camera noting the achievements of his two and a half years in office, abruptly announced he was resigning and signed off. The governor is also the commander-in-chief of the Puerto Rico National Guard. Copyright 2020 by Americas Society / Council of the Americas. And in 1978, two pro-independence activists were murdered on that date by police officers in what became known as the Cerro Maravilla Massacre. and top aides. Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello says he is resigning effective Aug. 2. He was among the artists who had galvanized the island in rallies that were unprecedented in their scope. Protestors are further calling for the island’s debt, which they say is illegal, to be audited. Ricardo Rossell? On Monday, more than half a million people paralyzed metropolitan San Juan in protest, marching across one of the main highways despite heavy rain in a "March of the People" that ended late in the night as police fired tear gas canisters. Days before Puerto Rico's embattled governor is scheduled to resign, his successor remains unclear, leaving the island's future in question. On July 24, a group of three lawyers convened by Méndez to review the contents of the Telegram chat and determine if they included impeachable offenses, released a report outlining that Rosselló had committed two criminal charges and three ethical violations—including illicit enrichment from public office, embezzlement, and gross negligence—and recommended that impeachment proceedings begin. July 25 is a significant day for Puerto Rico. "What I wish most is peace and progress for my people," he said. A U.S. appeals court in May ruled that the board members’ appointments were unconstitutional. 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