Embattled Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resigns amid public outcry
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico Gov. 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.
His resignation, effective Aug. 2, came late Wednesday night on a recorded video published on Facebook. In the message, he touted what he considered accomplishments of his tenure, saying he fought corruption and made strides for different communities.
“My only North Star has been the well-being of my island,” he said.
Crowds in the streets, which for nearly two weeks had been calling for the governor to step down, immediately erupted in joyous chants, cheering “Puerto Rico! Puerto Rico!”
“Ricky, te botamos!” (“Ricky, we threw you out!”) the jubilant crowd exclaimed after the governor’s announcement.
No word from Puerto Rico governor as impeachment process begins
SAN JUAN, July 24 (Reuters) – Puerto Ricans waited for a promised announcement from their Governor Ricardo Rosselló on Wednesday as the island’s legislature began an impeachment process against him amid mass protests calling for his resignation over leaked chat messages.
Rosselló, a first-term governor for the U.S. territory, has resisted calls to step down over a scandal local media have dubbed “Rickyleaks.” Media, including the El Nuevo Día newspaper, earlier said his resignation was imminent but by Wednesday night rumors swirled that he would not step down.
“The impeachment process has started,” said Johnny Mendez, speaker of Puerto Rico’s House of Representatives and a member of Rossello’s party in an afternoon press conference.
Mendez scheduled a special session of the legislature at 2 p.m. on Thursday to set up a commission to impeach the 40-year-old governor, El Nuevo Dia reported.
Mendez made the move after the governor reneged on a deal to appear at a 5 p.m. press conference to announce his resignation, the newspaper reported.