Governor keeps word and resigns; successor sworn in
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello resigned Friday as promised, clearing the way for veteran politician Pedro Pierluisi to be sworn in as his replacement, a move that threw the U.S. territory into a period of political uncertainty.
Rossello had promised to step down in response to weeks of popular protest over mismanagement and a series of leaked chats in which he and advisers denigrated a range of Puerto Ricans. Because of problems with the qualifications of members of Rossello’s administration in the constitutional line of succession, it was unclear until the last minute who would become governor.
Pierluisi was named secretary of state, the next in line to be governor, in a recess appointment this week. In an emailed announcement from his office, Rossello said Pierluisi would succeed him. He was sworn in by a judge at 5 p.m., the hour Rossello had set to leave office.
The territory’s House of Representatives confirmed Pierluisi as secretary of state Friday, but the Senate has not yet voted on his appointment. Rossello said confirmation by both houses was unnecessary for a recess appointment, an assertion that appeared certain to generate legal challenges.
Two hours after taking the oath, Pierluisi emerged at the governor’s residence to address reporters and said he would only promise to serve as governor until Wednesday, when the Senate has called a hearing on his nomination. If the Senate votes no, Pierluisi said, he will step down and hand the governorship to the justice secretary, the next in line under the constitution.
Nothing more was heard from Rossello.
Pierluisi said he was “fully capable and authorized to act, but the Senate will have its say.”
He did not plan to move into the governor’s mansion until after the vote. He also he would avoid any major changes and concentrate on meeting with top government officials.
The downtothewire maneuvering risked political chaos and sowed bitterness and pessimism among Puerto Ricans about the fate of their island, which has been battered by years by bankruptcy and Hurricane Maria in 2017, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.
Only days ago, there was jubilation over the success of the popular movement to force Rossello out of office. On Friday, Puerto Ricans bemoaned the confusion that left them not knowing who would be their next governor.
“People are disgusted with the government in general, not just Ricardo Rossello, everyone,” said Janeline Avila, 24, who recently received her degree in biotechnology.