Justice secretary turns down Puerto Rico governorship

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
FILE – In this Jan. 16, 2018 file photo, then Puerto Rico Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez answers reporters’ questions, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Vazquez is to become Puerto Rico’s new Governor after Gov. Ricardo Rossello said, Wednesday, July 24, 2019, that he is resigning Aug. 2 after weeks of protests over leaked obscene, misogynistic online chats. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)

Woman set to replace Puerto Rico governor rejects job

Justice Secretary Wanda Vazquez, who was set to be Puerto Rico’s next governor, says she doesn’t want the job as the U.S. territory reels from political crisis, the Associated Press tweeted, Sunday.

Vazquez said Sunday in a Twitter post that she hopes Gov. Ricardo Rossello will appoint a secretary of state before resigning Aug. 2 as planned.

Former secretary of state Luis Rivera Marin would have been next in line, according to the U.S. territory’s Constitution. But he is one of more than a dozen officials who have resigned since someone leaked an obscenity-laced chat in which Rossello and close advisers insulted people including women and victims of Hurricane Maria.

Facing criticism of leadership 

According to CBS News, Vazquez received criticism for her lack of initiative to confront toward issues stemming from Gov. Ricardo Rossello and his administration, all during her term as Puerto Rico’s top law enforcement official.

MORE: Who is Wanda Vázquez? Woman set to become Puerto Rico’s next governor is no stranger to controversy

Many Puerto Ricans on the island and those living on U.S. soil have considered Rossello’s recent announcement to step down from office at the end of his term a major victory for their homeland and future of Puerto Rico.

Rossello garnered much backlash from Puerto Ricans after the publication of offensive chat messages, and his administration faced accusations of corruption.

MORE: SWFL Puerto Ricans celebrate Gov. Rossello stepping down end of term

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