SAN JUAN, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Puerto Rico’s governor Ricardo Rossello stepped down as planned on Friday after being pushed out of office by massive street protests.
With hundreds of people in the streets ahead of Rossello’s exit, the House
of Representatives confirmed Pedro Pierluisi as secretary of state, making
him the US territory’s interim leader.
Rossello had nominated Pierluisi, a member of his New Progressive Party
(PNP), as secretary of state on Wednesday, lining him up to serve as governor until the next elections in November 2020.
“I accept this responsibility with the greatest respect for our people and
our system of government,” Pierluisi said at a small swearing-in ceremony.
“The Puerto Rican people can rest assured that its government is in good
hands,” he stressed.
However, Pierluisi’s appointment as secretary of state had not been
confirmed by the Senate, which was in recess. It is scheduled to consider the matter next week.
“If I am not confirmed in my post, then Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez
will be in line to take over as (interim) governor,” Pierluisi said.
Protests in Puerto Rico started July 13, when the Center for Investigative
Journalism released 889 pages of leaked text chats.
In the texts, Rossello and 11 other male administration members made fun of women, gays, victims of Hurricane Maria in 2017, journalists and other
politicians.
The Caribbean island of 3.2 million residents has a representative in
Washington but no voting powers in Congress. The PNP wants the island to
become the 51st full US state. — NNN-AGENCIES
