After becoming embroiled in a text message controversy over the summer, Ricardo Rossello resigned his position as Governor of Puerto Rico. Governor Rossello, Secretary of State Luis Rivera Marin, and Chief Financial Officer Christian Sobrino Vega had texts sent on the messaging app Telegram leaked by Puerto Rico’s Center for Investigate Journalism. In the messages, they mocked women, the LGBT community, victims of Hurricane Maria, and used homophobic and misogynistic slurs. Puerto Ricans were infuriated by the content in the messages and protested in record numbers. Some of the texts made light of people who were killed in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, when many hospitals were without power and requisite medical supplies. Most of the demonstrations were spontaneous, but were supported by members of the Puerto Rican opposition, including the influential mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz. Protestors were also remonstrating with the high levels of governmental corruption in Puerto Rico, specifically in the health and education sectors, where there have been multiple federal indictments. Governor Rossello initially attempted to appease the protestors by pledging not to run for reelection, but this incensed them further, as his chances of winning another term were already seen as marginal. Puerto Ricans were not the only ones who called for Rossello’s resignation, as the New York Times editorial board and President Donald Trump both weighed in in support of the protestors. Local newspaper El Nuevo Dia released a rare front-page editorial calling for the Governor’s resignation as well. Following his resignation, Puerto Rico’s Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez rose to the Governorship. Under Puerto Rican law, Secretary of State Luis Rivera Marin would have been next in line for the role, but he had earlier resigned for his role in the scandal.
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