Ally of Puerto Rico’s Rosselló draws ire
She is poised to step in after governor resigns
SAN JUAN – The next governor of Puerto Rico is a close ally of the current one, a former women’s advocate and a controversial figure on this politically energized island.
Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez, 58, is poised to assume the island’s leadership Aug. 2 following the swift rise and meteoric fall of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló. The governor resigned late Wednesday after almost two weeks of sometimes massive protests fueled by the release of tasteless and cruel private text messages two weeks ago.
Vázquez is jumping the line of succession. The secretary of state normally would be next up, but the job is vacant after Luis Rivera Marín, who figured prominently in the texting scandal, resigned the post.
Vázquez’s close political ties to Rosselló, along with her own political history, have many people here viewing her as only a temporary solution.
“I was here until about 2 a.m., and when they said through the megaphone that Wanda would be the one to take over, everybody started saying ‘No’ and immediately started yelling, ‘Wanda resign,’ ” said Yomarili Rosa, 28, a librarian protesting Wednesday in front of the governor’s mansion.
Vázquez worked in the Housing Department before assuming a series of posts with Justice. In 2010 she was picked to head the department’s women’s rights office, where she sometimes clashed with feminist leaders.
Rosselló appointed her secretary of justice in January 2017. Her short term, however, has been riddled with controversy. She was investigated for claims of favoring family members in a possibly criminal dispute, but there was insufficient evidence to go forward. She also has been accused of dragging her feet on investigations.
But the strongest issues have concerned corruption related to Hurricane Maria recovery. Many here say Vázquez has been slow to find out what has happened to relief money.