Puerto Rican Gov. Ricardo Rosselló has announced he will resign, effective Aug. 2.
Rosselló shared the news on Facebook Wednesday night, and immediately, people began celebrating on the streets of San Juan. Earlier this month, crude private messages between Rosselló and several of his top aides and advisers were leaked; the communications included sexist and homophobic statements and jokes about Hurricane Maria victims.
Protesters have filled the streets for more than a week, demanding Rosselló step down. On Sunday, he said he would not seek re-election next year, but did not plan on leaving office early. While Rosselló stood firm, more than a dozen members of his administration, including his chief of staff, resigned on Tuesday.
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Puerto Rico's legislature started impeachment proceedings against Rosselló on Wednesday, and a member of an independent panel of lawyers tasked with investigating the messages told Reuters that four felonies and one misdemeanor may have been committed during the group chats.
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