Raucous celebrations erupt after Puerto Rico governor steps down. But uncertainty lies ahead

Holly Yan Andrea Diaz
By Holly Yan, Andrea Diaz and Juan Carlos Lopez, CNN
Updated 4:30 PM EDT, Thu July 25, 2019
Puerto Rico
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(CNN) —  

Weeks of fury and protests gave way to celebrations and fireworks as Puerto Rico’s embattled governor announced he’ll step down.

But the widespread jubilation was quickly tempered by a sobering reality: No one’s sure what’s next for the US territory.

And as Gov. Ricardo Rosselló prepares to announce his successor, some say the woman next in line – Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez – would be just as problematic.

“We don’t want her, either,” said Manuel Capella, a doctor from Arecibo. “We’d keep protesting.”

Protesters revel after bringing down their governor

Shortly after Rosselló announced his resignation, much of Puerto Rico turned into a massive block party. Festive music blared through the streets as fireworks lit up the sky.

Protesters have been frustrated for years over poverty and alleged government corruption.

But the final straw came this month, when Puerto Rico’s Center for Investigative Journalism published hundreds of leaked government chats showing Rosselló and members of his inner circle sharing profanity-laced, homophobic and misogynistic messages.

The targets included fellow politicians, members of the media and even victims of Hurricane Maria – which killed thousands of Puerto Ricans in 2017.

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
PHOTO: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters celebrate in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, after Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced that he will resign.
Puerto Ricans wave flags in celebration of Rosselló
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Puerto Ricans wave flags in celebration of Rosselló's resignation.
Demonstrators react in front of the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Demonstrators react in front of the governor's mansion, known as La Fortaleza.
People in the crowd hold flowers and flags outside the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo/AP
People in the crowd hold flowers and flags outside the governor's mansion.
A demonstrator rejoices after Rosselló announced his resignation.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A demonstrator rejoices after Rosselló announced his resignation.
Jubilant demonstrators are seen in the streets of Old San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Jubilant demonstrators are seen in the streets of Old San Juan.
A woman celebrates near La Fortaleza.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A woman celebrates near La Fortaleza.
A Puerto Rican man cheers after the resignation of Rosselló.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A Puerto Rican man cheers after the resignation of Rosselló.
A demonstrator listens to Rosselló
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstrator listens to Rosselló's resignation message on a cell phone.
Protesters rally in San Juan on Wednesday, July 24.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Protesters rally in San Juan on Wednesday, July 24.
Demonstrators react Tuesday, July 23, upon hearing reports that Rosselló would step down.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Demonstrators react Tuesday, July 23, upon hearing reports that Rosselló would step down.
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
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Police clash with protesters during demonstrations against Rosselló on Monday, July 22. The protests continued into Tuesday morning.
A protester throws a tear gas canister toward police in San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A protester throws a tear gas canister toward police in San Juan.
A protester reacts to tear gas outside the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
A protester reacts to tear gas outside the governor's mansion.
Protesters run away from tear gas near the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
Protesters run away from tear gas near the governor's mansion.
A line of police moves toward demonstrators.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A line of police moves toward demonstrators.
A woman confronts police in riot gear.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
A woman confronts police in riot gear.
Protesters disperse in a cloud of tear gas.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Protesters disperse in a cloud of tear gas.
People hold up their phones during the rally outside the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
People hold up their phones during the rally outside the governor's mansion.
Protesters demonstrate near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Protesters demonstrate near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion.
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
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
This aerial view, taken from a drone, shows protesters on the Expreso Las Americas highway on Monday.
People join the rally against Rosselló on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
People join the rally against Rosselló on Monday.
A masked man protests in San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
A masked man protests in San Juan.
Protesters block the way to Rosselló
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Protesters block the way to Rosselló's residence on Monday.
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
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: 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.
Puerto Ricans in San Juan demand Rosselló
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Puerto Ricans in San Juan demand Rosselló's resignation on Monday.
Protesters attach a banner to a highway sign.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters attach a banner to a highway sign.
Singer Daddy Yankee, in the flag shirt, attends the rally on Monday.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Mohammed Elshamy/CNN
Singer Daddy Yankee, in the flag shirt, attends the rally on Monday.
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
PHOTO: Xavier Garcia/Bloomberg/Getty Images
A woman is assisted in the streets after demonstrators clashed with police on Wednesday, July 17.
Police fire tear gas at demonstrators on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Gabriella N. Baez/Reuters
Police fire tear gas at demonstrators on July 17.
Police officers search the bag of a detained demonstrator on July 17.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Xavier Garcia/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Police officers search the bag of a detained demonstrator on July 17.
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
PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Rosselló defended the actions of police and accused protesters of unleashing tear gas and setting fires during demonstrations.
Thousands of demonstrators protest in front of the governor
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
Thousands of demonstrators protest in front of the governor's mansion on July 17.
A protester reacts after being sprayed by tear gas in San Juan.
Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation
PHOTO: Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
A protester reacts after being sprayed by tear gas in San Juan.
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
PHOTO: 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.
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
PHOTO: Eric Rojas/AFP/Getty Images
Ricky Martin holds a microphone during the march on July 17. At right is rapper Rene Perez, aka Residente.