Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosello will soon face impeachment proceedings after he failed to fulfill his promise to resign.
The special legislative session to begin the process was called by Puerto Rico’s House speaker after the governor didn’t make good on his commitment made with lawmakers to announce his resignation around 5 p.m. on Wednesday. He was expected to leave office following a week of protests, a source familiar with the situation said.
“It’s after 8 p.m. and the governor has not kept his word,” said Representative Jose Melendez.
Public Affairs Secretary Anthony Maceira said around 6 p.m. the same day that the governor was preparing to address “the people of Puerto Rico” directly, but the announcement never came, CNN writes.
Last week, Speaker of the House Carlos Johnny Méndez commissioned a team of legal experts to determine whether any crimes were committed based on the review of messages from Rosello’s group chat. According to the president of the Puerto Rico Bar Association, Edgardo Roman Espada, the group is confident there is evidence of wrongdoings, including illegal misuse of public office for personal gain, embezzlement and violations of the government ethics law.
“The group of legal experts has recommended that the governor is impeached,” said Enrique Colón, one of the lawyers appointed by Mendez to deliver the report.
Melendez, who is a member of Rosello’s New Progressive Party, noted that in case it was determined there were “illegal acts in the chats” legislators would kick off the impeachment process.
Rosello’s resignation was demanded by thousands of people, who flooded the streets of San Juan after reports emerged showing the governor’s group messages in which he uses homophobic and misogynistic language and makes jokes about victims of Hurricane Maria with individuals in his inner circle.
Maceira did not confirm reports earlier Wednesday that the governor was planning to resign, echoing his comments that “he is in a process of reflection and listening to people.”
“The governor has not resigned. 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,” he said.
Protesters have said they would remain on the streets until Rosello steps down, stressing that they have had enough of government corruption, high poverty rates, crushing debt and an almost non-existent recovery from the hurricanes that devastated the island nearly two years ago.
Puerto Rico Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez will most likely take Rosello’s place.
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