After Puerto Rico's under-fire governor Ricardo Rossello announced late Wednesday he would quit, here is snapshot of the two weeks that led to his resignation.
- July 13, 2019: Protests to demand that Rossello quit begin after the leak of a group text chat in which he and other officials make fun of journalists, gay people, women and victims of the devastating 2017 Hurricane Maria. Among those he ridicules is pop star Ricky Martin.
- July 15: On the third day of demonstrations, police use tear gas to disperse protesters in San Juan. Demonstrators are also angry over the handling of the hurricane crisis and the island's economic woes.
- July 17: There are skirmishes on the fifth straight day of protests, with some arrests made.
- July 18: Rossello says he is confident of a "reconciliation." US President Donald Trump calls him "a terrible governor."
- July 21: Rossello refuses to resign but, in an attempt to appease the protesters, says he will not seek re-election next year and will step down as leader of his party.
- July 22: Hundreds of thousands of people take part in the largest demonstration since the beginning of the crisis. Among the crowd is Ricky Martin, who carries a gay pride flag.
Authorities issue a search warrant against the governor and 11 of his officials.
- July 24: Rossello announces his resignation, effective August 2.
After Puerto Rico’s under-fire governor Ricardo Rossello announced late Wednesday he would quit, here is snapshot of the two weeks that led to his resignation.
– July 13, 2019: Protests to demand that Rossello quit begin after the leak of a group text chat in which he and other officials make fun of journalists, gay people, women and victims of the devastating 2017 Hurricane Maria. Among those he ridicules is pop star Ricky Martin.
– July 15: On the third day of demonstrations, police use tear gas to disperse protesters in San Juan. Demonstrators are also angry over the handling of the hurricane crisis and the island’s economic woes.
– July 17: There are skirmishes on the fifth straight day of protests, with some arrests made.
– July 18: Rossello says he is confident of a “reconciliation.” US President Donald Trump calls him “a terrible governor.”
– July 21: Rossello refuses to resign but, in an attempt to appease the protesters, says he will not seek re-election next year and will step down as leader of his party.
– July 22: Hundreds of thousands of people take part in the largest demonstration since the beginning of the crisis. Among the crowd is Ricky Martin, who carries a gay pride flag.
Authorities issue a search warrant against the governor and 11 of his officials.
– July 24: Rossello announces his resignation, effective August 2.
