Official set to become the next governor of Puerto Rico says she doesn't want the job
At the rate things are going, Puerto Rico's next governor may be way, way down the line of succession.
Last week, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced he is resigning, effective Aug. 2. Rosselló is stepping down following a scandal involving leaked group chats between the governor and several of his top aides and advisers; the messages included sexist and homophobic remarks and jokes about Hurricane Maria victims. Puerto Rico's Constitution has the secretary of state next in line to take over for the governor, but the last person in that role, Luis Rivera Marín, resigned after the group chats were released, and Rosselló has not appointed anyone to the office.
That leaves the Justice Secretary Wanda Vásquez Garced next on the list, but she tweeted Sunday that she has "no interest in occupying the position of governor," and she has told Rosselló that he should hurry up and pick someone to become secretary of state prior to Aug. 2.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Rosselló was pressured by protesters to resign from office, and many of those same demonstrators don't like Vázquez Garced either, saying she has mishandled prosecutions. "We're going to keep protesting," one objector, Aimara Pérez, told The Associated Press. "It's not going to stop. If there is evidence of corruption, the people are going to push ahead without fear, and we're going to get rid of them all."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published