Currents News Staff
While people all over the U.S. commonwealth are calling for Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s resignation, police were forced to fire tear gas into a crowd. It was one of the largest protests Puerto Rico has ever seen.
Their wish might soon come true. Local media in San Juan are reporting the governor was planning on resigning Wednesday.
Meanwhile, his Public Affairs Secretary released this statement:
“Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares has not resigned and continues in Puerto Rico. As he said yesterday, he is in a process of reflection and listening to the people.”
This statement was in-line with what Rosselló said last week.
“I’m going to continue on in my work, it’s my responsibility and I feel like it’s a big responsibility. With the people of Puerto Rico who gave me the opportunity to serve them as governor,” said Rosselló.
Rosselló also previously announced that he will not seek re-election in 2020.
The streets of San Juan were littered with damage for the last two weeks following mass demonstrations, but protesters show no signs of slowing down.
They’re demanding Rosselló step down after the public revelation of chat messages between him and members of his inner circle that have been called lewd and offensive.
They’re also angry about what they call ongoing government corruption, including financial mismanagement and how the Rosselló administration dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Protests have spread from Puerto Rico to U.S. cities like Los Angeles and New York, and even prompted President Donald Trump to speak out.
“You really do you have incompetent, totally grossly incompetent leadership at the top of Puerto Rico,” he said.
“The people of Puerto Rico are great and the people of Puerto Rico like me and they should because nobody’s given them what I give them. But the leadership is corrupt and incompetent.”