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Puerto Rico’s outgoing governor names successor

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Puerto Rico's outgoing governor Ricardo Rossello, who will step down this week following massive street protests, on Wednesday named the man who will succeed him and finish up his term.

Rossello, who officially leaves the governor's office on Friday, nominated Pedro Pierluisi, a member of his New Progressive Party (PNP), as secretary of state, lining him up to take his place until the next elections in November 2020.

Pierluisi ran against Rossello in primary elections in 2016 after being appointed to represent the US island territory in Congress in Washington DC.

"After much analysis and taking into account the best interests of our people, I have selected Mr Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia to fill the secretary of state vacancy," Rossello said in a statement, adding that he would call a special meeting of the legislative assembly on Thursday to confirm the nominee.

The previous secretary of state quit on July 13 after text chat comments leaked showing the island's leadership mocking gays, women and victims of 2017's devastating Hurricane Maria. The people in on these chats included Rossello.

The official next in line to be governor, Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez, said she did not want the job. So Rossello had to nominate someone.

Three days before the release of the chats, prosecutors charged six former government officials with embezzling $15 million in hurricane reconstruction money.

While Puerto Ricans are delighted at Rossello's departure, many wanted completely new leadership for the territory, whose residents are US citizens.

The Caribbean island of 3.2 million residents is a US territory and has a representative in Washington but has no voting powers in Congress. The PNP wants the island to become the 51st state of the US.

Rossello announced his resignation last Wednesday as members of his own party, celebrities from the island and tens of thousands of ordinary Puerto Ricans called on him to go.

Puerto Rico’s outgoing governor Ricardo Rossello, who will step down this week following massive street protests, on Wednesday named the man who will succeed him and finish up his term.

Rossello, who officially leaves the governor’s office on Friday, nominated Pedro Pierluisi, a member of his New Progressive Party (PNP), as secretary of state, lining him up to take his place until the next elections in November 2020.

Pierluisi ran against Rossello in primary elections in 2016 after being appointed to represent the US island territory in Congress in Washington DC.

“After much analysis and taking into account the best interests of our people, I have selected Mr Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia to fill the secretary of state vacancy,” Rossello said in a statement, adding that he would call a special meeting of the legislative assembly on Thursday to confirm the nominee.

The previous secretary of state quit on July 13 after text chat comments leaked showing the island’s leadership mocking gays, women and victims of 2017’s devastating Hurricane Maria. The people in on these chats included Rossello.

The official next in line to be governor, Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez, said she did not want the job. So Rossello had to nominate someone.

Three days before the release of the chats, prosecutors charged six former government officials with embezzling $15 million in hurricane reconstruction money.

While Puerto Ricans are delighted at Rossello’s departure, many wanted completely new leadership for the territory, whose residents are US citizens.

The Caribbean island of 3.2 million residents is a US territory and has a representative in Washington but has no voting powers in Congress. The PNP wants the island to become the 51st state of the US.

Rossello announced his resignation last Wednesday as members of his own party, celebrities from the island and tens of thousands of ordinary Puerto Ricans called on him to go.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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