Ricardo Rossello steps down as Puerto Rico governor, says successor to be sworn in

06:44, August 03, 2019

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  Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in

  (Photo: AP)Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigned Friday as promised, clearing the way for veteran politician Pedro Pierluisi to be sworn in as his replacement, a move that threw the US territory into a period of fresh political uncertainty.Rosselló had promised to step down in response to weeks of popular protest over mismanagement and a series of leaked chats in which he and advisers denigrated a range of Puerto Ricans. Because of problems with the qualifications of members of Rosselló’s administration in the constitutional line of succession, it was unclear until the last minute who would become governor.Pierluisi was named secretary of state, the next in line to be governor, in a recess appointment this week. In an emailed announcement from his office, Rosselló said Pierluisi would succeed him. He was sworn in by a judge at 5 p.m., the hour Rosselló had set to leave office.Four hours later, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz tweeted that the municipality at 8 a.m. on Monday would be challenging Pierluisi’s swearing in as governor. Meanwhile, a well-respected attorneys’ organization accused Pierluisi of “hijacking” the constitution.The territory’s House of Representatives confirmed Pierluisi as secretary of state Friday, but the Senate has not yet voted on his appointment. Rosselló said confirmation by both houses was unnecessary for a recess appointment, an assertion that appeared certain to generate legal challenges.After taking the oath at his sister’s house, Pierluisi emerged at the governor’s residence to address the press and promised only to serve as governor until the Senate’s hearing on his nomination, which has been moved up to Monday. If the Senate votes no, Pierluisi said, he will step down and hand the governorship to the justice secretary, the next in line under the constitution.Nothing more was heard from Rosselló.Pierluisi said he was “fully capable and authorized to act, but the Senate will have its say.”Depending on the Senate’s action, his te...

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  In pics: women's singles final match at Pan American Games 2019

  Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico celebrates after the table tennis women's singles final between Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico and Wu Yue of the United States at Pan American Games 2019 in Lima, Peru on Aug. Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico poses during the awarding ceremony after the table tennis women'

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  Puerto Rico, with 3 governors in a week, considers a 4th

  (Photo: AP)A day after Puerto Rico got its third governor in less than a week following angry street protests, top officials from new leader Wanda Vázquez’s own party were talking openly Thursday about their desire to see a fourth take over the position.Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, who played a key role in the successful court challenge to the swearing-in of Pedro Pierluisi after Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigned, publicly backed Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González — Puerto Rico’s representative to the U.S. Congress — to become governor. Party allies appeared to fall in line.“The leadership ... basically agrees that Jenniffer should be the governor,” said José Meléndez of the New Progressive Party. “It is a matter that must be treated bit by bit because we do not know what is in the mind of Wanda Vázquez.”But “Jenniffer is the consensus person,” he added. “This should happen quickly, but it depends on what the governor says. ... The key to breaking the bottleneck lies with Wanda Vázquez.”For González to become governor, she would have to be nominated to the open secretary of state position and confirmed. Then Vázquez would have to resign, though the new governor said she did not intend to step down despite previous comments that she didn’t want the job.Rivera Schatz held a closed-door meeting with senators, legislators and González on Thursday morning.“We truly don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Mayor Francisco López of the central mountain town of Barranquitas, who expressed support for González.“We will discuss pros and cons,” said Rep. María de Lourdes Ramos, who said she does not necessarily share the Senate president’s views on González. “Right now what’s best for us is unity.”González said the presidents of the House and Senate called her last weekend asking if she was available to become secretary of state as a candidate of consensus, and she agreed if it would help restore credibility and stability to Puerto Rico.“There must be fundamental ...