August 9, 2019 •
Supreme Court Ruling Means Third Governor for Puerto Rico in One Week

Puerto Rico Capitol Building
The Supreme Court of the territory ruled unanimously that Pedro Pierluisi’s swearing in as governor was unconstitutional and ordered him to resign by 5 p.m. Last week, then-Governor Ricardo Rosello appointed Pierluisi Secretary of State in order to assume office […]
The Supreme Court of the territory ruled unanimously that Pedro Pierluisi’s swearing in as governor was unconstitutional and ordered him to resign by 5 p.m.
Last week, then-Governor Ricardo Rosello appointed Pierluisi Secretary of State in order to assume office after Rosello’s planned resignation.
However, Pierluisi only received a confirmation vote in the House of Representatives.
This complied with a 2005 legislative amendment, but the court ruled it violated Puerto Rico’s constitution, which mandates confirmation from both of the territory’s legislative bodies.
Rosello’s Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez was next in line for the governorship, but said she did not want the position.
After the court’s ruling, though, Vazquez said she will assume the governorship in order to provide the island certainty and stability.
July 25, 2019 •
Rosello to Resign

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello
Just days after vowing to complete his term, Gov. Ricardo Rosello announced he will resign on August 2. Rosello, who already was weathering accusations of embezzlement, faced widespread protests this month when the Center for Investigative Journalism published over 800 […]
Just days after vowing to complete his term, Gov. Ricardo Rosello announced he will resign on August 2.
Rosello, who already was weathering accusations of embezzlement, faced widespread protests this month when the Center for Investigative Journalism published over 800 pages from a leaked private group chat.
In the chat, Rosello used derogatory slurs about stateside politicians and institutions, joked about assassinating a political opponent, and made light of the death toll from Hurricane Maria.
Wanda Vazquez, a fellow New Progressive and the current secretary of justice, will take the governorship when Rosello leaves office.
July 23, 2019 •
Protestors Demand Governor’s Resignation

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello
Tens of thousands of protesters marched in San Juan during a territory-wide strike to call for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosello. Rosello was already facing accusations of embezzlement when the Center for Investigative Journalism published over 800 pages from […]
Tens of thousands of protesters marched in San Juan during a territory-wide strike to call for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosello.
Rosello was already facing accusations of embezzlement when the Center for Investigative Journalism published over 800 pages from a leaked private group chat where the governor used derogatory slurs about stateside politicians and institutions, joked about assassinating a political opponent, and made light of the death toll from Hurricane Maria.
Rosello, who’s administration has received over $92 billion in federal aid, has resigned from the New Progressive Party and dropped his re-election bid; however, he is vowing to finish his current term in office.
March 2, 2017 •
Puerto Rican Governor Approve June Referendum
This month, Gov. Ricardo Rosello approved a nonbinding referendum to determine whether Puerto Rico will continue free association or seek statehood or independence. The referendum will be held on June 11, 2017, and will give voters the choice between statehood […]
This month, Gov. Ricardo Rosello approved a nonbinding referendum to determine whether Puerto Rico will continue free association or seek statehood or independence.
The referendum will be held on June 11, 2017, and will give voters the choice between statehood and independence/free association. Previous referendums and plebiscites have given independence and free association as separate options, but the upcoming referendum lumps them together.
If a majority chooses independence/free association, a second referendum will be held in October to determine the preference between those options. If the referendum passes in favor of statehood, Puerto Rico, currently facing $70 billion in public debt, would have access to more federal funding if ultimately approved by the U.S. Congress as the 51st state.
Currently, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections and have limited representation in Congress.
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