Jul 23, 2019

Podcast: "Ricky Renuncia"

Axios

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Puerto Rico yesterday, demanding the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló — whose administration has been rocked by alleged corruption and a series of leaked chat messages that included everything from sexism to making fun of Hurricane Maria casualties. Dan digs in with New York Times correspondent Frances Robles, who's been reporting from San Juan.

Go deeper: Thousands fill streets of Puerto Rico as governor refuses to resign

Go deeper

Rebecca Falconer

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announces resignation

Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rossello. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Puerto Rico's Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced his resignation, effective Aug. 2, on Wednesday night — after days of massive protests calling for him to step down over a leaked messaging scandal, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Why it matters: Rosselló is the U.S. commonwealth's first governor to resign, per NBC News. Hours before he announced he was stepping down, an investigation, brought forth by Puerto Rico's House of Representatives into possible wrongdoing including corruption and conflicts of interest, revealed 5 impeachable offenses against him.

Go deeperArrowUpdated Jul 25, 2019
Orion Rummler

Wanda Vázquez sworn in as Puerto Rico's new governor amid political chaos

Pedro Pierluisi speaks before the Puerto Rican House of Representatives, Aug. 2. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Puerto Rico's Supreme Court overturned former acting Secretary of State Pedro Pierluisi's status as governor on Wednesday, AP reports.

The latest: Wanda Vázquez, Puerto Rico's justice secretary, was sworn in on Wednesday as the island's third governor in less than a week. She is Puerto Rico's second female governor and the territory's second unelected governor in 70 years, per NBC. Vázquez has previously said "she doesn’t want the position," per Vox, "and protesters have threatened to kick her out too."

Go deeperArrowUpdated Aug 7, 2019
Ursula Perano

Puerto Rico's legislature set to begin impeachment process against Gov. Rosselló

Gov. Ricardo Rosselló. Photo: Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

An investigation, brought forth by Puerto Rico's House of Representatives into possible wrongdoing including corruption and conflicts of interest, revealed 5 impeachable offenses against Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, NBC reports.

Catch up quick: Rosselló has refused calls to resign following a series of leaked messages detailing sexist and homophobic remarks, and mocking the deaths of Hurricane Maria victims. For 12 straight days, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have gathered to protest the controversy, but, thus far, Rosselló has only announced he would not seek reelection.

Go deeperArrowJul 24, 2019