Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló has announced that he will resign effective Aug. 2. Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez is slated to take over the position.
More: Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced late Wednesday that he will resign Aug. 2, conceding power after nearly two weeks of furious protests and political upheaval touched off by a leak of crude and insulting chat messages between him and his top advisers.
A crowd of thousands outside the governor's mansion in Old San Juan erupted into cheers and singing after Rosselló's announcement on Facebook just before midnight.
"My only priority has been the transformation of our island and the well-being of our people," a shaken-looking Rosselló said in an address that listed his accomplishments before making clear he was resigning. Addressing the protests, Rosselló said, "The demands have been overwhelming and I've received them with highest degree of humility."
The 40-year-old son of a former governor, Rosselló became the first chief executive to resign in the modern history of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory of more than 3 million American citizens without full representation in Congress or the right to vote for president.
Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez will assume the post less than halfway through Rosselló's four-year term, becoming Puerto Rico's second female governor.
NBC 4 New York on Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
NBC 4 New York on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
NBC 4 New York on Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
NBC 4 New York on Youtube: [ Ссылка ]
#PuertoRico
#News
-----------------------------------------------
NBC 4 New York / WNBC is the flagship station of the NBC Owned Television Stations division of NBCUniversal, serving the New York Tri-State area with an unparalleled commitment to broadcast excellence for more than 75 years. For more information about NBC 4 New York, visit NBCNewYork.com.
