Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló told lawmakers he would resign. Now, the impeachment process is set to begin
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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 21: Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello is interviewed by a TV channel after a House vote at the Capitol December 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The House has passed a $81 billion emergency aid bill to help Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and California to rebuild after natural disasters this year. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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—
Puerto Rico’s speaker of the House called for a special legislative session to begin impeachment proceedings for Gov. Ricardo Rosselló on Wednesday, after an expected announcement of his resignation did not materialize.
Rosselló “made a commitment” with lawmakers to make an announcement around 5 p.m., Puerto Rico Rep. Jose Melendez told CNN en Español. Rosselló had been expected to resign Wednesday after more than a week of protests, according to a source familiar with the situation.
“It’s after 8 p.m. and the governor has not kept his word,” Melendez said.
About an hour after the announcement was expected, Public Affairs Secretary Anthony Maceira told reporters outside the governor’s official residence that Rosselló was getting ready to make an announcement “directly to the people of Puerto Rico.” He has not yet spoken.
A team of legal experts was commissioned last week by Speaker of the House Carlos Johnny Méndez to review messages from the governor’s group chat and determine whether any crimes were committed.
Edgardo Roman Espada, president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association, said the trio of experts believe there’s evidence of five possible crimes, including illegal misuse of public office for personal gain, embezzlement, negligence as pertaining to fulfilling the duties of public office and violations of the government ethics law.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters celebrate in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, after Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced that he will resign.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Puerto Ricans wave flags in celebration of Rosselló's resignation.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Demonstrators react in front of the governor's mansion, known as La Fortaleza.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/AP
People in the crowd hold flowers and flags outside the governor's mansion.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A demonstrator rejoices after Rosselló announced his resignation.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Jubilant demonstrators are seen in the streets of Old San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A woman celebrates near La Fortaleza.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A Puerto Rican man cheers after the resignation of Rosselló.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator listens to Rosselló's resignation message on a cell phone.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Protesters rally in San Juan on Wednesday, July 24.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Demonstrators react Tuesday, July 23, upon hearing reports that Rosselló would step down.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Police clash with protesters during demonstrations against Rosselló on Monday, July 22. The protests continued into Tuesday morning.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A protester throws a tear gas canister toward police in San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
A protester reacts to tear gas outside the governor's mansion.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
Protesters run away from tear gas near the governor's mansion.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A line of police moves toward demonstrators.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A woman confronts police in riot gear.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Protesters disperse in a cloud of tear gas.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
People hold up their phones during the rally outside the governor's mansion.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Protesters demonstrate near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
This aerial view, taken from a drone, shows protesters on the Expreso Las Americas highway on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
People join the rally against Rosselló on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
A masked man protests in San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Protesters block the way to Rosselló's residence on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin, waving a rainbow flag, joins the protests on Monday. Members of the group chat that Rosselló took part in made vulgar references to the star's sexuality.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Puerto Ricans in San Juan demand Rosselló's resignation on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters attach a banner to a highway sign.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Singer Daddy Yankee, in the flag shirt, attends the rally on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
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A woman is assisted in the streets after demonstrators clashed with police on Wednesday, July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Gabriella N. Baez/Reuters
Police fire tear gas at demonstrators on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Xavier Garcia/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Police officers search the bag of a detained demonstrator on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Rosselló defended the actions of police and accused protesters of unleashing tear gas and setting fires during demonstrations.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
Thousands of demonstrators protest in front of the governor's mansion on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
A protester reacts after being sprayed by tear gas in San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/AP
Rapper Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, known by his stage name Bad Bunny, holds a Puerto Rican flag before a march on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
Ricky Martin holds a microphone during the march on July 17. At right is rapper Rene Perez, aka Residente.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
People gather to demand Rosselló's resignation on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Police block the street leading to the governor's mansion on Tuesday, July 16.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Carlos Giusti/AP
Rosselló attends a news conference in San Juan on July 16.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Carlos Giusti/AP
Protesters gather near the executive mansion on Monday, July 15.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Gabriella N. Baez/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Demonstrators cover their mouths with duct tape that says "resignation" in Spanish.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Gabriella N. Baez/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Protesters take to the streets of San Juan on July 15.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Carlos Giusti/AP
A police officer blocks protesters from reaching the governor's residence on Sunday, July 14.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
Police block the street leading to the governor's mansion on July 14.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
Carlos Giusti/AP
Demonstrators hold signs that say "Corruption is violence" and "Ricky resign" while protesting near the executive mansion on Thursday, July 11.
Enrique Colón, one of the lawyers Mendez appointed to deliver the report, said the legal group’s recommendation “effectively” is to proceed with impeachment.
Melendez, a member of the governor’s New Progressive Party, said earlier on Wednesday that if it’s determined there were “illegal acts in the chats” and the governor does not resign, legislators would begin the impeachment process.
Thousands have jammed the streets of San Juan calling for the governor’s resignation after Puerto Rico’s Center for Investigative Journalism published a series of group messages between the governor and his inner circle that included homophobic and misogynistic language and jokes about Hurricane Maria victims.
Earlier Wednesday, Maceira declined to confirm the report that the governor was planning to step down and restated Rosselló’s Tuesday remarks that “he is in a process of reflection and listening to people.”
“The governor has not resigned,” he said. “Whichever decision he makes will as always be communicated officially. There’s a frenzy right now and a lot of incorrect rumors being spread, even by some media outlets.”
Demonstrators have said they’re determined to stay on the streets until Rosselló steps down. They’re fed up with years of government corruption, high poverty rates, crushing debt and a painfully slow recovery since the 2017 disaster, they say.
Early Wednesday morning, an energetic crowd filled the streets outside the governor’s mansion waving flags and banners after news of the governor’s anticipated announcement broke.
The person expected to take Rosselló’s place is Puerto Rico Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez.
In the letter, Ricardo Llerandi Cruz writes: “The last few days have been extremely difficult for everyone. At this historical juncture it is up to me to take the welfare of my family into consideration. The threats we’ve received can be tolerated as an individual, but I will never allow them to affect my home.”
Protests on the US territory have been ongoing for more than a week – and older protesters said Monday’s demonstrations were among the largest they’ve ever seen. The protests erupted after offensive group chat messages between the governor and members of his inner circle were published earlier this month.
Demonstrators have called for the governor and other top officials to step down immediately. Rosselló has said he will remain in his position, but will not seek reelection in 2020.
A federal corruption investigation
But demonstrators say the leaked messages are just one of many reasons why Puerto Rico’s leadership needs to go.
“I am fed up with the thieving government,” protester Maristella Gross said at Monday night’s protest. “I am fed up with corruption. I am fed up with lack of integrity.”
The leak, published July 13, came the same week the FBI arrested two former officials from Rosselló’s administration as part of a federal corruption investigation.
Education Secretary Julia Keleher and Angela Avila Marrero, executive director of the island’s health insurance administration, had resigned prior to their arrests.
“This is an opportunity to Puerto Rico to clean house, to start over,” said Ediris Rivera, 23.
Many Puerto Ricans remember the scandal-plagued tenure of the governor’s father, Pedro Rosselló, who served as governor in the 1990s.
“We march for all Puerto Ricans,” said Mariana Rivera, 77, as four of her teenage grandchildren pushed her wheelchair under a blistering sun along Las Americas expressway Monday. “What will we leave for our children?”
CNN’s Eliott C. McLaughlin, Julian Zamora, Carma Hassan, Florencia Trucco, Hollie Silverman and Christina Maxouris contributed to this report.
