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Protests May Lead To Governor Resigning

Puerto Ricans have been protesting in the streets of San Juan for more than a week, refusing to leave until Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello resigns. Puerto Ricans were already fed up with years of government corruption, waste, and fraud. But the final straw came when someone leaked a private chat between Rossello and his associates. In the chat, the Governor told sexist and homophobic jokes, especially about singer Ricky Martin, a Puerto Rican-born superstar. Rossello also insulted victims of 2017’s Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island, killing 3,000 people and leaving people without power for months.

More than 500,000 people took to the streets of San Juan Monday to demand the Governor step down. Now, the protests appear to be having an effect. Rossello is expected to resign today.

Ricardo Llerandi Cruz, Rossello’s chief of staff, already resigned and will quit his position July 31.

“The last few days have been extremely difficult for everyone. At this historical juncture, it is up to me to take the welfare of my family into consideration. The threats we’ve received can be tolerated as an individual, but I will never allow them to affect my home,” Cruz wrote in his resignation letter.

Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez is expected to take Rossello’s place.